Ebony's eyes narrowed as the rest of the inn's inhabitants ceased to move. He appeared to be unaffected, as was Discord and the female griffin.

Speaking of which.....

The griffoness was suspended mid-lunge, claws extended to embed themselves in the draconequus's throat.

Discord was clearly not amused. A golden aura surrounded the griffoness as the Chaotic entity sighed.....

Wait, did Discord look....Sad?

“Gilda....you are the last griffin I expected to see here. How are you?” Discord's tone was surprisingly even, lacking any bit of malice or jest.

Even though frozen, Gilda's features twisted into a more viscous snarl.

“Ok. That was foolish of me to ask. Before you try and tear me a new windpipe, hear me-”

“OH SHUT UP! I don't care what you have to say!”

Apparently Discord had released his hold on her voice.....

The draconequus lost all civility, casually strolling up to the prone griffin and plucking her wings off, as though picking a fruit from a tree. He held the appendages up as though inspecting them, much to the female griffin's horror.

“Do not try me Gila. I am here by my own will, not coerced or otherwise. I sincerely want to part on amicable terms. I am fully aware of what transpired last time we met. Do not forget who you are dealing with.” His voice now held an edged undertone.

“Discord.....” Ebony shook his head briefly at the draconequus, his claws shaking slightly. The God of Chaos's eyes widened briefly before a strange emotion flickered across them.....was it pity?

Sighing, Discord planted Gilda's wings back, shooting a knowing glance Ebony's direction.

“Fine fine. Now then. I'm going to keep your voice silent, because I want you to hear what I have to say. Can you at least NOT try and kill me?”

Lowering Gilda to the ground, Discord appeared to release his hold on her. For a moment, Ebony thought another attempted-attack was in order....

Instead, Gilda simply sat down and glared. Apparently it had finally sunk in that trying to kill an immortal being wasn't the brightest idea.

“Good. Now then, perhaps you haven't heard, but I've turned over a new leaf, and have found it....beneficial to try and help instead of hurt-”

Discord was interrupted by a disbelieving snort from Gilda.

“Right. I heard about your so called 'reformation.' Sounds like a bunch of garbage. You expect me to believe you changed in a week or so?”

Gild's tone was condescending, and most certainly suspicious. But, underlying it all....she did have a pretty voice....

Discord's eyes narrowed as he rubbed his brow with his lion's paw.

“Changed? Well, when you put it that way, I suppose it does seem a bit incredible. Let me explain. I still cause chaos, but instead of causing misery, I make individuals happy, or surprised. I get my dose of chaos, and Celestia gets to keep all her little ponies...or griffins, happy. The griffin behind you is one of the few friends I have, and so I am trying to remain civil...but you are certainly trying my patience Gilda.”

At that, Discord snapped his clawed fingers, and a burlap bag appeared, settling on the ground in front of the griffin with a 'clink.'

“I can't buy forgiveness, so perhaps this will just show my sincerity. It has a couple hundred bits, a little goodie bag Celestia put together for me to use whenever I felt generous. Take it or leave it, I just want you to know that I am sorry.” The god of chaos sighed shifting his back and forth slightly.

“Hmmm. Fluttershy was right. It does feel better to do this. Darnit. I was hoping for a little...I don't know, satisfaction? I suppose I have changed Gilda, for the most part. I can erase the memory of our last encounter, if you want.”

The female griffin could only stare, clearly dumfounded.

“I..no...what?”

Discord twirled midair, clapping his paws together gleefully.

“Gilda speechless? I never thought I'd see the day!” He then turned to look at Ebony, who had visibly relaxed.

“Well Ebony, I don't want to overstay my welcome here. I think that genius cook of yours should have my order completed soon.”

Ebony saw that the figures outside the own personal 'time bubble' had been slowly starting to move.

“Hmm. Well, time to skedaddle I suppose. I'm off to do some show and tell at an orphanage. I must say, fillies are so much more fun than adults. They enjoy chaos...unlike most stuffy ponies. Ta ta!”

With that, the time field collapsed, and there was a flash from the kitchen as the draconequus took his order to go, leaving a stunned cook and two griffins.

Ebony shook off the shock fairly quickly, having been a participate...and recipient of Discord's shenanigans before. He walked over to Gilda, who was staring at the bag of bits, and at the spot where Discord had recently vacated with shock.

“Gilda? I'm Ebony Suntail, are you alright?”

His voice seemed to snap the fellow griffin out of her daze.

“Huh? Oh. 'Sup.” She looked around briefly, smoothing her slightly-ruffled headfeathers.

“Where am I? Last thing I remember was....sitting over there.”

Ebony nodded, not able to resist a smile as the familiar hum of the inn reached his ears.

“Yep. You passed out cold. There were some papers, they're in your room. I had one of my coworkers levitate you up to a bed.”

Gilda shrugged her wings, nodding slightly with a slightly bored expression on her features.

“Well...uh, thanks. I suppose I can pay you now, with these.” She nudged the bit-bag with a set of claws.

Ebony shook his head, sill smiling.

“Nope. You don't know much about this place, do you?”

Gilda glanced around, shaking her head as well, but starting to edge towards the door.

“Well, thanks. I don't know much about it, but I've got to go. I need to get across the border before it closes.”

Smile fading, Ebony turned his glanced towards the television.

“Uh, a little late for that. The border closed late last night.”

The female griffin's eyes widened, a nervous smile now edging onto her features.

“Uh, dude? That's not a cool prank, not at all.....seriously.”

Ebony then gestured towards the television again, this a reporter on the screen reporting on that very event.

“Take a look.”

As Gilda watched the repeat of the report, her posture became visibly more nervous as she shifted from claw to claw. As the report concluded, she slammed a set of claws down on the wooden floor.

“No! That can't- I....”

She began to pace back and forth, drawing the gaze of a few patrons.

“Not cool....what do I....where.....”

Ebony walked over, placing a set of claws on her shoulder.

“Gilda, if-”

“Don't touch me!” She hissed, swatting his claws away.

The male griffin held up his claws, trying to pacify the clearly agitated gryphoness.

“Ok...sorry. Look, lets go over here, I think I can help.”

Gilda nodded, eyes flickering back and forth across the floor as she walked. What had her so nerve wracked?

Once inside the simple side-office, Ebony settled down on a few cushions: a pleasant alternative to the benches made to accommodate ponies.

“Gilda, I think....” It was clear the female griffin wasn't listening as she stared out the window.

“Gilda!”

Her gaze snapped to his, and Ebony could feel a few of his facial features fluff up. She had very nice eyes.....

“It's ok, I'm not going to kick you out.”

She simply blinked.

“What?” Her tone had lost the earlier hostility and panic, and now held simple curiosity.

“That's the purpose of this place. It's an inn, restaurant, and, if needs be, shelter. Everyone who is here gets three days free food and board, once a year. Most of my employees are from those who can't afford the housing here, or are just down on their luck. Seeing as how the borders being closed, We can work something out for special circumstances. Is there any family we can try and contact?”

Gilda let out a slight huff, settling down on her haunches.

“Sorta....no, not really. I was on my way to see them.....”

Ebony tilted his head, rather confused by her conflicting statement.

“Wait, if you were on your way to see them, wouldn't they want to know? The griffin provinces are reasonable, it's only the separatist factions that they have quarrels with. I'm sure we could-”

“I 'm FROM the separatist factions!” Gilda shouted angrily, her claws scoring the wood paneling.

The office was silent for a moment before Ebony sighed sadly.

“I'm sorry, I didn't know. Even so, we might be able to work it out, if your parents-”

“I was on my way to beg them to let me stay instead of kicking me out again! I haven't been home for years!” Gilda's sides were heaving now, limbs trembling with pent up emotion.

Ebony stayed silent, expecting another outburst. Instead, Gilda simply hung her head to look at the floor.

“I've got nothing. My only friend here hates me, my family won't accept me...and I'm too much of a prideful jerk to get the guts and make up with my friend. She was my last hope at staying here.”

“I take it her name is Dash, or something like that?” Ebony didn't mean to voice his thoughts out loud...

Gilda's eyes widened, and she stood on her hind legs, pointing a set of claws at him accusingly.

“You read my letters? What else did you do? Watch me while I was sleeping? Do more than that?” The hostility was back in her voice full force, and for a second, Ebony thought Gilda was going to give him a pummeling, or at least try.

“I did no such thing! How dare-” Ebony caught himself, settling back on his haunches and taking a few deep breaths.

“When I picked up the papers, I looked to see what they were, nothing more. And would never violate your privacy like that. We're not in the Separatist Faction Gilda, and I for one, have no intention of bringing any of that behavior here.”

The answer seemed to satisfy the irate gryphoness, and she settled back down.

“Erm...sorry.” Gilda then hung her head, shaking it back and forth slowly.

“I'm such a mess. Outbursts like that is exactly what cost me my best friend.” She then seemed to fight through her own thoughts for a moment.

“So....uh thanks, for letting me stay here. I guess. I don't know my way around here...is there anything to do?”

Ebony let a gentle smile spread onto his beak.

“I can give you a quick tour, if you'd like.”

Gilda nodded again, and Ebony was still not sure if she was going to try and bite his tail off or not.

Well, benefit of the doubt....

“As you can see, there's a few sections to this place. There's the non-alcoholic bar, a playing area for the little ones, and an indoor and outdoor eating area. There's also a select area near the kitchen for individuals with more diverse diets such as ourselves.” His eyes widened as he held up a claw.

“Erm, unless you're a vegetarian, which is fine.....”

A chuckle left Gilda's beak as she looked around waving a claw passively.

“Relax. I get it. And no...I'll take a well-cooked deer any day.” She paused, looking over the many happy customers that bustled here and there.

“So it's like a restaurant, and a inn....erm...hotel place, right?” The griffiness asked.

Ebony nodded, moving aside as a unicorn walked past, levitating three trays.

“Correct. We are so successful, I try to offer a room and food for three days to anyone who needs it. Sometimes shorter, sometimes longer. The few spare rooms we keep are offset by the good business and reputation. We can't house and feed every individual down on their luck in Canterlot...but we've made a difference.”

Well...she's either impressed, or bored.

“That's....pretty cool actually. Can't say I'd have thought of doing that, helping ponies out and such.....” Gilda's voice then drifted off.

“But....perhaps that's part of the problem.” She mused, looking to her claws.

“Well, if you ever want to talk, I've always got a willing ear.” Ebony said, an ear flicking for emphasis.

The female griffin's eyes narrowed, a cautious look in her eyes as she looked over to Ebony.

“What, like a shrink?”

Ebony had the strongest urge to smack his claws to his face, but settled on shaking his head.

“No, like a friend.” He said simply.

“Just meeting your or not, anyone who comes in here....I give them the benefit of the doubt. If they don't want to talk, that's their choice. I at least give them an option.”

His reply seemed to satisfy Gilda, who was now glancing at a stray menu.

“Huh. Guess you score a lot with the ladies here, with the whole feed-the-poor thing. Lots of ponies like that...erm....cute stuff.”

It was clear Gilda was trying to stifle a laugh as Ebony's face took on an expression reserved for licking Equestria's most sour pickle.

“W-what? No! I mean....” His claws reached up to smooth his ruffled headfeathers

“I won't lie...I've had a few passes made on me, but they weren't for the reasons I desired. Besides...sure I've seen some ponies who caught my eye, but....I'm more looking for a griffin...not that I have anything against the inter-species stuff.....”

The look on Gilda's face was that of utter contentment at seeing him so flustered.

“Relax dude. I get it. Huh. Would have expected you to already be paired off with someone. The whole homely-thing....no offense.” She remarked.

Ebony's ears twitched, the only sign of the inner emotions such a statement riled up.

“So did I.” He said simply. After a moment of silence, he gestured to the large sack of bits.

“I can show you to the bank. Not sure how familiar you are with this section of Canterlot, and I could use a chance to stretch my legs anyhow.”

The griffiness simply shrugged, hefting the bag with a set of claws.

“Lead on. Not too sure of this area yet.”

Ebony made a half-bow, adding a flourish with his claws.

A smirk and slight chuckle was Gilda's response, the griffiness shaking her head as she headed outside, Ebony following, then taking his place slightly ahead.

Huh. Not so bad once you get to know her. Then again, shame on my for judging on first impressions. I'd know all about that....

Author's Note

Ok.
So technically, the story is still on Hiatus. If it gains traction....will probably write more.

As it was, I had part of ch. 3 written, so I just wanted to finish it ^_^
PLEASE point out any mistakes/corrections!