It was a rare day that Twilight Sparkle had to herself. She had arranged it very carefully, setting each of her friends up with something to do so that they wouldn’t come bother her today. She had a book to read.

It was a special book, a super-advanced copy of her older brother’s novel. Shining Armor wasn’t yet known as a writer, but if she knew her brother at all, this one put him on the literary map for sure. And it was extra special, since she had been the one to suggest the retreat that he and Princess Cadance had gone to at the Dragon Overlook hotel after he’d mentioned in a letter a passing desire to write a book, but didn’t have the time.

Granted, it looked maybe a little thin, but it was his first effort, and she was sure that it would be wonderful. She picked up the hoofscript and carried it upstairs to read on the second floor balcony. She was just settling in with it when Spike burst through the front door.

“Help!” he yelled as he skidded towards the stairs, hitting the bottom one and rolling over in a heap. “Twilight Sparkle, help! I need that moustache again!”

“Wha…?” she called down.

Spike quickly righted himself and flew up the stairs. “Rarity said she would totally go on a real date with me this afternoon but only if I can grow a whole moustache by then! Come on, Twilight Sparkly, I need it!” He grabbed her front hoofs and started pulling her back inside.

“She… she can’t be serious!” Twilight Sparkle said.

“She is!” Spike insisted. “I don’t know what you said to her, but as soon as we met today she’s been looking at me totally differently. I think she’s finally come around to how great I am for her. So thanks! But seriously, I need that moustache, quick!”

Twilight Sparkle thought to herself while casting the spell: There’s no way. It was a joke! I mean, all I said to her was… was… how handsome I thought Spike would be when he was older and had a dignified moustache and that she’d better catch him up now before someone else does. Her face fell as she realised it was her fault after all. Surely she wouldn’t have taken me seriously. After all, she’s been reading that book I lent her, the Tale of… Genji-ma…. Oh Celestia, that wasn’t the sort of inspiration I thought it would give her!

It was too late now. The spell was cast and Spike was gone, his shouted thanks still reverberating around the room. Twilight Sparkle, heart clouded, moved slowly back out to the balcony, hoping with all her might that she hadn’t just set Spike up to be thoroughly crushed by Rarity’s odd sense of humor. She sat down and looked at her brother’s book, smiling to cheer herself up. This will help my mood, I just know it.

There was a short note attached to the front, which she picked up to read. Just as she’d finished unfolding it, the front door burst open again.

Of course. Twilight Sparkle thought to herself.

She turned around, to see Applejack standing behind her, looking mildly terrified.

“Applejack, whatever is the matter?” she asked, puzzled.

“Well, you know how you suggested that since Fluttershy was doing the Census again I could might maybe help her with that since she hasn’t asked for my help in a while because of that one time long ago?”

“Yeeessss…?” Twilight Sparkle was thoroughly certain that she already didn’t like where this was going.

“Well, I got over there and wouldn’t you know it but all the little critters just hid behind her and wouldn’t come out so I could count them and I think I upset Fluttershy somehow because she couldn’t get no counting done on account of the little things all trying to hide under each other. No stampede this time, but uh… I’m a little lost on what to do now.”

“Was that all that happened?”

“Er, well, there was the dragon mask I was wearing, but Rainbow Dash swore it would be funny!”

Twilight Sparkle put her head in her hoofs. “All right, come on then. Let me help you go straighten this out….”

As they left, a slight gust of wind blew across the balcony, and Shining Armor’s hoofscript fell to the floor, opening to the first page.

“All work and no play make Shining Armor a…”