[IC Inbox]

[yourloyalstudent]

"You've reached Twilight Sparkle!
I'm busy right now, but leave a message for me and I'll call you back."

Comments

[yourloyalstudent]

[She stares at him for a long moment, trying to process all of that.]

I.. what?

[goldeneyeball]

_{[Meanwhile, he's over here just beaming while she computes.]}

[yourloyalstudent]

[... nope.]

Have you been smoking too much of that plant again?

[goldeneyeball]

Twilight this is important to me!

_{[However he neither confirms nor denies her inquiry.]}

Ibuki needs someone to be there for her. She had a shit childhood--she's still a child. There's still a little time to make her life better.

[yourloyalstudent]

[That usually means she's correct, but she tries to put a serious face on.]

So.. you're going to be like her mentor?

[goldeneyeball]

Like a mentor but...more! You have a father, right?

_{[Or...sire? What were they called in Equestria? One of the things they haven't covered.]}

She needs someone to confide in, someone to take care of her when she's sick or needs someone to cry on after a break-up or to tell her stories.

[yourloyalstudent]

[There's a lot they haven't covered. One day they're going to have to sit down and have a proper talk about this kind of thing, but that's not going to be today.

She's still looking at JW like she doesn't really get it.]

I had no idea you were so close.

[goldeneyeball]

It sure didn't start out that way, but the more I listened to her...it's hard to explain.

_{[Suddenly he's glad Twilight doesn't wholly understand. He doesn't ever want what happened to him to make him instantly click with neglect victims to ever happen to her. It would tear him apart.]}

So, are you in? You gonna help me be number one dad?

[yourloyalstudent]

[Twilight can at least understand the value of listening. Her surprise mostly comes from the idea that JW would be able to get himself into that kind of position. Sure, he listens to her when she needs it, but.. it's not really the same thing.]

I can.. try! I wonder if there are any books on parenting in the library...

[goldeneyeball]

That's why I'm asking you--figured you knew that place like the back of your hoof.

_{[He finally comes clean.]}

...and I just really wanted to tell somepony.

[yourloyalstudent]

Most of it.

[And considering how the place likes to move, she's actually pretty proud of that fact.

It takes a moment for the second statement to sink in.]

... oh.

[goldeneyeball]

I forgot what it felt like to be this excited!

[yourloyalstudent]

[Twilight laughs.]

Well, if it's important to you, of course I'll help! That's what friends are for.