Burning Feathery Love

*BANG*

You wake up quickly and inelegantly due to the sudden loud noise rattling throughout the entire apartment, from the front door all the way to your bedroom. It’s 8:13am according to your bedside clock. With that in mind, it’s probably the mailmare.

You crawl out of bed and glance at yourself in the nearby mirror. You look a tired heap of fluff, the feathery tuft of feathers on your head sticking out in completely random directions. Your wings look like they've been in a serious accident, and your eyes say you've been up all night, yet you couldn't care less. You looked exactly like you felt.

You really need to get yourself into some sort of morning routine.

Giving your wings a quick stretch causes a couple loose feathers to fall out and onto the floor amongst other rubbish. Patting your head, you manage to flatten a couple of the feathers that had you looking like the lazy heap of fluff that you actually are.

You make a mental note to tidy up your apartment like every day and head downstairs. You could already see somepony at the front door. It's exactly who you thought it'd be. She's rubbing her face with a hoof giving you the impression she flew straight into your door. It's not like she hasn't done it before.

You greet her with a friendly reminder. “Derpy... What have I told you about taking it easy? The mail being late is nothing compared to your safety.”

“I know...I'm just so excited about the Wonderbolt show tonight... I wanted to be done as fast as possible. Sorry Lazuli... I didn't smash anything did I?” She spins around once and looks about the place then back up at you. You can’t help but smile at the ditsy pony. She's so bubbly it's almost infectious.

“Everything is fine Derpy. So... you got any mail for me then? Or you gonna stand here all day admiring my bedroom feathers?” She giggles and smiles. You liked Derpy, she had been a very obvious friend to you since you moved into Cloudsdale. She was one of the few ponies that didn't mind gryphons, or she simply didn't know about the bad reputation most of them had. Either way, you're happy you knew somepony who treated you like... Like an equal.

“I've got a nice letter with your name on in here somewhere.” Derpy fishes deep within her mail saddlebags that are currently on the ground besides your door until she pulls out a very elegant looking envelope with your name on. It wore a golden trim and a unique looking Wonderbolt seal.

If the bang of Derpy crashing into the apartment hadn't woken you up, this sure did.

“Pretty isn't it?” She asks still smiling.

“Y...yeah... I wonder what it’s about. Thanks for bringing me this Derpy.”

“It’s my job silly gryphon. Sooo... I was wondering..." She looks down at the welcome mat and begins to scuff her hooves back and forth seemingly nervous. “...Will you be going to the show tonight? I can get you a ticket if you want. Y...You could come with me...”

You lean forward and give the grey mare a small hug which certainly surprised her as she squeaks. You were never really into physical contact with other ponies asides from the occasional brawl, but Derpy was an exception. A lovely exception. “Sorry Derpy. I've got things to do. Next thing you invite me to, I promise to come with you, no matter what it is.”

You’ll certainly regret saying that later. (Especially if it’s got anything to do with “50 Shades of hay”) The real reason why you didn't want to go to the show tonight wasn't because you were busy, but instead you wanted to avoid a large crowd. Ponies aren't particularly nice to gryphons, or at least that's how it feels with all the stares.

After hugging the ditsy pony you feel some soft lips press against your cheek startling you. Now would be a good time to let her carry on with her job before the situation gets anymore awkward. “I’ll hold you to that offer Lazuli. Bye!” She proceeds to fly straight into the neighbours wall.

“Owch!” You visibly cringe.

A few hours passed and you still haven’t opened your letter, instead preferring to keep the mystery of what it is fresh in your mind. This was a simple game you liked to play. Guessing what was in your mail before opening it. You’d always give yourself a mental praise if you ever guessed correctly.

It HAD to be related to the Wonderbolts... Maybe it was in invitation to a concert. Derpy did say there was one on tonight. Maybe you won a backstage pass to said show. Or maybe- you stop, curiosity finally getting the better of you. It looked important, and you simply HAD to open it. No more games.

“Dear Mr Lazuli. We at the Wonderbolt academy in Cloudsdale would like to employ your services.”

Already this sounded strange. “Employ your services” you currently had none. You left the military after your contract was up. In fact, the money you saved from those years is what you’re living off of now. The fact the letter is confirmed to be related to the Wonderbolts also sparked curiosity deep within you. Reading on;

“We need to know if you’re interested in our offer before giving you any details. If you wish to learn more, please attend the Wonderbolt show tonight at 10:00pm at the Cloudsdale stadium. Please use the enclosed ticket to gain entry. We are looking forward to meeting you. Signed; Wonder Wings.”

Wonder Wings? Wasn't she the founder of the Wonderbolts? Why did she want to employ you? And how? What exactly was this offer anyways? How did she even know you?

So many questions ran rampant though your mind and you know they'll be plaguing you all day unless you found the answers. You hadn't planned on going to the concert, and if you did it would've been with Derpy. However this letter seemed important, important enough to put up with a crowd and head to the stadium tonight. Besides, it wasn't too far to fly and fresh air always did you good.

Taking another look inside the envelope reveals the concert ticket just as promised. There are still a few hours before the show starts. (According to your clock which had a tendency to be wrong) That gives you more time to rattle your brain for any scraps of sense you could find.

Lunch was nice, salmon sandwiches. Salmon being your favourite fish, and fish being your favourite food. Unfortunately your mind was still in overdrive trying to figure out why you received that invitation. There must be a reason for the letter being addressed to you specifically.

Checking the time again suggests the show is going to start soon. Your chest starts to feel heavy and you open a window for some fresh air. You don't often feel nervous, but today feels different. You spend a few minutes watching the outside as the stadium for tonight's show begins to light up.

Large spot lights of various different colours beamed directly into the sky, stealing all the attention of the cold winters night. As much as you wanted to stay indoors doing nothing productive all day, you had somewhere to be.

Being late was something that always worried you. Training with the military meant NEVER being late. For ANYTHING. You head downstairs and leave your apartment. After locking the door you spread your large eagle wings outwards and with a strong flap, lift off into the nights sky.

Flying was always relaxing, even in tense situations. Back when you were with the military, you used to get up extra early and go out and fly. The feeling of the wind gently flowing through each of your azure feathers would calm you down. After such flights you’d be ready for a grueling day full of blood sweat and tears. Fun times.

You snicker under your breath at your own sarcastic thought.

Surprisingly you arrive In the nick of time as the gatekeeper for the stadium was about to close his booth. You run up to him and wave your ticket towards him. He gives you a funny look before taking the ticket and pointing for you to go in without saying anything.

Inside looking up you could see dying streaks of smoke and fire left in the night sky by some Wonderbolt trick or something. You were never quite sure how they did those tricks- The roar of the crowd catches you off guard and you look skyward again only to see more fire and smoke, this time with pegasi attached to the trails.

You're not sure how you ended up being late, but that didn't bother you right now. Everypony loves the Wonderbolts, even a gryphon like you. How they managed to perform all those awesome tricks infront of such a huge audience is amazing. The whole squad could fly as nimble as a single pegasus and as fast as lightning, they could do loops, barrel roles, spins and all sorts of other stunts that can't be described in text alone.

After awhile of gawking you hear an announcer suggest a game of chicken, and on queue the Wonderbolt squad split into smaller groups and took position at either end of the stadium. The audience collectively gasps as the pegasi race towards each other at impressive speeds. Even you know they won't crash, but they could fool anypony right now.

Just as they are about to slam into each other somepony grabs your arm and pulls you out of sight of the show. Without line of sight you’re left with only your sense or hearing to find out what you just missed. Ecstatic roars of the crowd suggest you missed something good.

You turn to look at your captor before struggling out of their grip. The mare standing before you wasn't security, or a fan, or even a Wonderbolt. She was old. The wrinkles on her face and the bundled grey mane gave it away. She looked like a lost librarian.

“Hey!?” Was all you could say before she grabs your arm again, pulling you alongside herself. You tear your arm from her grip again and stand your ground, looking annoyed.

“What are you doing? I was watching the show.” You demand.

The old mare replies impatiently. “Come on. Hurry, you’re late. Miss Wonder Wings has been waiting for-” Checking her wrist watch prompts another response. “six minutes.”

How could you be late for something that wasn't even necessary to attend? “You could have just asked me. It would have been the nicer option. And how come I'm late?”

“Miss Wonder Wings wanted to talk to you in her office six... No. seven minutes ago. Hurry up.” She gestures for you to follow. You couldn't help but let out a sigh and agree. As much as you wanted to watch the show or demand answers from this old mare, meeting Wonder Wings personally would answer all your questions.

The old mare leads you into what looks just like a make shift waiting room somewhere deep within the stadium. It's silent; if somepony dropped a needle you’d hear it from miles away.

Your would-be-companion gets your attention then gestures towards a lonely door in the corner of the room. “Go on then. You don’t want to be- “She glances at her watch again. “Ten minutes late. You’ll be just fine, now off you go.”

Standing still for too long causes the impatient mare to shove you. The door read “Staff only” and being closer you could hear the distinctive sound of papers being shuffled inside. Taking a deep breath, you put a claw on the handle and think to yourself. What exactly is this about? A single swift motion later, you step into the room.

The first thing you notice is the mare sitting opposite. Wonder Wings, probably the best flier in Equestria if not one of the best sitting directly ahead at a large desk covered in papers. She was looking rather fine considering the amount of stress involved in paperwork. Her coat a deep shade of red, her mane and tail, purple with some pinker streaks stretched through. She was lithe but still looked somewhat strong. Her wings were kept close to her sides and looked pristine, making you wish you’d preened your own before you came here.

“Lazuli welcome. Take a seat. Please.” Her voice is gentle yet commanding. You do as your asked and take a seat, swallowing a mouthful of air you realize how nervous you are. You've been in the company of plenty of drill masters before, and the mare at the desk ahead of you, demanded the exact same respect as one.

You sit and stare silently, waiting for her to speak or do something, anything. Her judging stare could easily topple the strongest dragon.

After an eternity of deathly silent judging she finally agrees you’re acceptable and pushes her paperwork to the side then decides to speak up, breaking the deadly silence. “I'm going to cut straight to the chase since you’re late. I want to hire a bodyguard for my Wonderbolts.”

You want to reply but something feels stuck in your throat, possibly your tongue. Instead you just look puzzled and wait for her to continue. “You may be wondering why I want to hire you out of all the ponies better suited to such a job. Well let me explain." She crosses her hooves and looks at you dead in the eyes.

"I want a gryphon. The reputation your race has should be scary enough give anypony a second thought about starting fights with my team.”

She was right saying gryphons were scary. All the gryphons you've met had very limited tempers. You'll never forget that time you gave another gryphon a sincere compliment on their mustache. Sudden, she’s angry at you?! That was the last time you bothered trying to make gryphon friends.

“I also want somebody from the military. Meaning they will have extensive physical training and will obey orders without question. You fit both criteria perfectly.”

Every single word got drilled into your head from her commanding tone, even if you wanted to disagree, her tone made everything said fact. You open your beak to say something, but she immediately interrupts you.

“I know exactly what you’re thinking. I know my team of Wonderbolts are fit and could probably handle themselves in a scrap. But if anything ever gets out of control, I want somepony around who will keep them safe. I've been getting an increase in threats from competition, some of these sounding quite serious and I’d just like to be sure my team is protected at all times. You’re the gryphon for the job.”

It never crossed your birdie brain that the Wonderbolts might have enemies. It just seemed like everypony loved them. Everypony you knew liked them, and everypony you didn't know too.

Even if you wanted to say no, you couldn't tell if she was asking, or ordering you. If the latter, you couldn't disobey. Leaving the army doesn't stop you from being a solider. Besides, working for the Wonderbolts... as a guard? Not many jobs offers get any better than this. Especially for a gryphon living in pony society.

As if she knew what you're thinking she talks again. “Wonderful. I’d like to give you more details about this job, but it’s pretty obvious what I want you to do. I'm also late for my next appointment. Oh yeah, the pay is good and you’ll be staying at HQ so you’ll be nearby at all times. Talk to my secretary about meeting the team. Now off with you, I can't chit chat with you all day.”

With those words you back out of the room slowly. You never even got the chance to say a word. Wonder Wings is much scarier upfront than you could have ever imagined, you really wouldn't want to be on her bad side- you almost bump into the old librarian mare. She must have been waiting outside for however long.

“The Wonderbolts are staying at the Silver Lining Hotel. Here’s the key to the room they’ll be staying in. It’ll be on the top floor.”

You have to do a double take to finally snap out of the trance like state you're in. You feel a key pressed into your claw and you lift it up to look at the engraved number on it; twenty. Before you get the chance to thank the old mare she’d already taken a seat at a small desk in the corner and started to sorting yet more stacks of papers.

“Umm... thanks miss...”

“Pennyfull. Miss Pennyfull. Or just Penny. I'm the secretary for miss Wonder Wings. I’ll be looking forward to all the paperwork I'm going to have to fill out because of you.”

“I... umm... sorry?”

“Oh shush you, don’t mind me dearie. It’s my job, anyways you better be off to meet the group, have fun.”

You give a quick nod and start to make your way towards the outside almost getting lost in the winding corridors beneath the stadium first. Outside you could hear lots of voices chattering away, and just as you thought, the show must have ended. Must have been a short show, or you were in that room far longer than it seemed. Ponies were leaving and discussing all the different exciting things that they saw tonight. In the crowd you hear what sounds like a voice shouting your...name?”

“LAZULI! OVER HERE!!” Your mailmare friend stood out in the dense crowd, her hooves waving about in the air widely trying to get your attention.

“Heya Derpy, did you enjoy the show?” You ask simply.

“Mmhmm” She nods and gives you a smile. She looked hot and happy. She had some sweat dripping down her head and cheeks. She was an avid fan of the Wonderbolts, pretty much every pegasus in Cloudsdale was, and by the looks of things they all attended their show tonight.

“So... I guess you being here means you’re not busy anymore?”

You accidentally tune out whatever she was saying, instead you just stare at her, watching as she speaks. Her cheeks go rosy and you couldn't help but smile at how cute she looked right now. “Oh sorry Derpy, what where you saying?”

“I umm... Just wanted to know if you’d like to... Erm... Spend the rest of tonight with me?” Her nerves start showing just like this morning.

Unfortunately as much as you’d want to spend the night with Derpy, you just got told to meet the Wonderbolts. Which is a chance you can never let pass. Perhaps you could bring Derpy along? Surely they wouldn't mind... Nah, better not, you wanted to make sure everything goes smoothly tonight, and Derpy wasn't exactly the smoothest of mares.

Maybe another time. “Sorry Derpy, I need to be somewhere tonight.” As soon as those words left your beak, you could tell she was disappointed, her ears flopped down and her bubbly attitude had vanished.

“Oh... Okay...” Seeing her sad was beyond heartbreaking.

“I'm sorry, the only reason I'm here was an interview. And now I'm wanted somewhere else. If you asked me any other day, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. Remember though, my offer from this morning still stands.”

That was enough to make her smile. You hug her and she hugs you back, a little too tightly but you couldn't complain. Not now. No matter how long you both wanted to hug, you really had to be somewhere right now. “I've got to go Derpy, but you have a nice day okay?”

“Will do sir!” She let’s go of you and salutes. She giggles and you laugh. Derpy always had a habit of making fun of your military history, and you loved it. You give her your own salute and laugh again before heading off. The Silver lining hotel was your destination and meeting its current inhabitants your objective.

The Silver Lining hotel stood out from the crowd of most buildings, it being so tall and elegant. The sign outside glowed with the “no vacancies” on display. It was an expensive hotel with lovely big rooms and en suits bathrooms. It was expensive for a reason and even the outside shouted “RICH PONIES ONLY.” There were gilded columns of solid silver clouds holding up balconies from different floors, there was a pool out back in some waterproof clouding. And they even had a pony that opens the front door for you. How fancy.

Inside was a change, the theme adding luxurious velvet to the clean silver colours. There was a nice red carpet affect, making anypony coming in feel important. Everypony inside, staff and visitor alike, were dressed in suits and wearing much too expensive perfumes and colognes. On the otherhoof you looked like you’d just been mugged. Twice. You really hadn't thought about getting yourself dressed properly for the occasion. Then again you never expected this to happen either.

You explain to the receptionist why you’re here and he was very understanding, he explains how to get to the twentieth floor without flying, which apparently would be uncouth in the current building.

After heading up what seemed way more than twenty flights of stairs you finally reach the top floor. It would have been so much easier to have flown, or taken an elevator but you never trusted those things. Getting trapped inside a metal box dangling from a few cords above a huge hole. No thanks.

Finally reaching the top, In-between loud breaths you could hear what sounded like a party. Laughing, chatting, music all coming from room twenty. There couldn't be a better time to introduce yourself. You stand outside the door listening to the ponies inside speaking while thinking about how you’ll give your first impressions.

“It was awesome!” A flamboyant male voice sounded.

“Yeah, Soarin you were pretty cool today, I wish I had fans like those.” A more masculine voice spoke.

“Guys you do, seriously. Do you ever look into the audience while performing?” That last voice is easily recognized as Soarins'.

What are they talking about in there? Maybe they've got crazy fans. That’d be fun dealing with. Your current train of thought was cut short when the door swung open.

“Yo who ordered the gryphon?”

You sit there shocked and unable to speak. The pony standing in the doorway was mostly in his Wonderbolt suit, with his head and front hooves free from the latexy material. He had cream coloured ears and head so it’s best to presume the rest of his coat had a similar colour. His mane hung down the left side of his face and was a coppery orange colour, just the same as his tail which was flicking about with curiosity.

“My guess is she’s probably another of Soarin’s fans. Is she hot? If she's hot let her in.” You want to speak, but decide to humour yourself to see what direction this conversation will take and stay silent. You can always correct their mistakes later.

“He is pretty cute.”

Okay. You had humoured yourself enough, time to act before this stallion get’s the hots for you. Deciding the best way to introduce yourself would be to get inside and explain as simply as you could, you push past the stallion in the doorframe and prepare to enter the spotlight.

Inside there are two more stallions and a mare all sitting on couches, they had stop chatting to look at the potential crazed Soarin fan. The normally elegant room was more messy than normal with drinks and food scattered all over the place. Some music was playing in the background, it sounded like something by Dj Pon3. You could also here a shower running in the room to your right. There must be a fifth pony in there.

“Listen up everypony. I’m the newest member of the team.”

The tensity in the air lifted instantly after you spoke those words, a number of relieved sighs echoed throughout the room. You couldn't blame them, the way you looked right now had them all on edge. All but the stallion at the door who had just quietly shuffled closer to you. The other ponies began to chat amongst themselves in whispers. They seem to be leaving you and door stallion together to talk.

“Woah- You’re gonna be flying with us? Sweeeeeet” he grabbed one of your wings and lifted it up with such enthusiasm. Apparently unaware of the intimacy in wingplay, or he just didn't care.

“Hey stop that-” you shove him to the side once more. “And no... I won’t be flying with you. I'm not exactly a Wonderbolt but instead a bodyguard, or something, I'm not sure, Wonder Wings just said to come meet you all.” That wasn't the best introduction, but it could have been far worse.

You weren't exactly sure what was going on now. First when you came in everypony stopped and stared at you silently. Once you announced your friendly intentions they all started talking amongst themselves again. And now you say you’re the new bodyguard they all go silent again, even the music had gone silent in the background leaving the only sound present, the running shower.

Door stallion was thinking, and by the look on his face, he was thinking furiously. After awhile he heads into the room and takes a seat then kicks his hooves out onto a nearby table trying to look cool. He softens his expression before patting the seat next to him. You walk over to the one currently active pony in the room and raise an eyebrow to him.

“Dude no worries, take a seat.” You do. This was the opportunity to get to examine the surroundings and nearby ponies. There are four Wonderbolts in the main room. Door stallion and three others. One of the stallions was Soarin, anypony could recognize his blue mane, lighter blue coat and green eyes anywhere. Fleetfoot was also here, unless there was another member of the Wonderbolts with a light turquoise coat and bright white mane and tail.

You only recognized three Wonderbolts in general. Spitfire, Soarin and Fleetfoot. This meant the last member in the room besides the door stallion, you didn't know. His coat was orange and his mane was a deep fiery red, he kinda looked like a genderbent version of spitfire. All of them had taken off their suits besides door stallion who seems to be inching his way out of his right now.

He notices you looking over everypony. “You obviously know who we all are. Everypony does! But just in case, that big idiot over there is Soarin-”

“Hey! I'm not an idiot!”

“Let me finish Soarin hun." He gestures a "go away" towards Soarin then continues.

"The cute blue mare over there is Fleetfoot, and beside her is handsome Firestreak. I think Spitfire is in the shower. She’s been in there for like, hours. Oh and I'm Orange Sundae, It’s a pleasure to meet you.” You get your claw kissed by Orange Sundae which then leads to him giving you little bow afterwards. He’s really out to impress you.

“The rest of today’s squad are out flying, except Sugar Dust who went to buy some drinks for us, she’ll be back soon I guess. Anyways... My new gryphon friend... Care to tell me ya name?” By this time Firestreak, Fleetfoot and Soarin have all begun listening in and are leaning in your direction waiting for your answer.

“I’m Lazuli. Just a regular gryphon.” Your short answer seems to confused them.

Green eyes Soarin is the first pony to ask you a proper question- “So... why are you our bodyguard?”

You still aren't 100% sure but if you’re going to work with these ponies it’s best to tell them anything that’ll help you get along. “Well... your leader, founder or whatever her rank is, Wonder Wings wanted reassurance that her Wonderbolts would have somepony looking out for them.” Everypony wants you to continue. Although Orange Sundae is sitting star struck, whether it's the thought of having a bodyguard around or if he has a thing for gryphons, or something else, he's just sitting smiling intently at you. “She thinks my military experience will prove useful too-”

Orange Sundae stops staring and interrupts. “You were with the military! Holy cow, that’s awesome! I bet you can kick a manticore’s butt!” His enthusiasm seems to spike.

“I doubt it, but I have won a few rough fights against a gargoyle.” You boast.

By a few rounds you meant two lucky times out of forty or so attempts. The gargoyle in question was your close quarters combat trainer, Gem Striker. Everypony just called him Cutter due to one time when he got angry, he ended up punching through a brick wall with his fists. It was scarily similar to a knife through butter. They assigned him to you since he was the best trainer for creatures other than ponies.

Back then ponies had set up a fighting ring. Basically you’d pick somepony else to fight and everypony else would bet money on who’d they think would win. If you got into the ring you'd earn respect depending on if you win or not and how. Gem Striker was always there to watch, nopony was dumb enough to challenge him.

Except you.

You can’t remember much about that time. The idea of beating him even once in the ring would earn you so much respect that you had to try. Turns out the reason nopony challenged him was he didn't hold out in the ring. At all. You can remember getting into the ring, nodding to begin the fight, and then everything fell silent as your vision went black.

You awoke in the medical tent the next day with more than a simple headache. Nopony ever told you what happened. When you asked they’d say stuff like “You don’t want to know” or “It’s best if you forget that.” Even though you lost that fight, you still earned the title “Big balls” for trying. Even Gem Striker himself respected you more for it.

After recovering fully he trained you harder and harder until you finally managed to be an acceptable fighter in his own eyes.

It was a good story but these Wonderbolts didn't need to know it. Besides, who likes to brag about being beat up? Orange Sundae had even more questions for you, but you decide to ignore him and answer one of Fleetfoot’s questions instead. “How fast can you fly?”

This was a good question with a bad answer. You were a slow flyer, but that never stopped you from enjoying flight. Your endurance made up for your lack of speed. Below average speed yet above average endurance, this meant you could outfly ponies in a long distance endurance flights, but never in the short distance speed flights.

“I’ll be honest with you, I'm not a fast flier-” Before disappointment could set in you quickly continue the sentence- “BUT I can fly for hours even days without landing!”

Firestreak spoke next. “We should totally race sometime. Me, you, Soarin and maybe Spitfire if she ever gets out that damn shower. What do you say about that?”

“As long as we don’t speed race, yeah I’ll be up for that. Who’s the fastest Wonderbolt anyways?” You casually ask the group. Simultaneously Soarin, Fleetfoot and Firestreak all say “Wonder Wings” in complete sync. Orange Sundae was too busy styling his mane to notice your question.

“Though she doesn't fly with us anymore, she’s too busy with manager stuff.” Firestreak answered.

“Out of us though, I’d say Spitfire is the fastest.”

“I agree with Soarin, Spitfire is way fast.”

“Yeah, Spitfire could out fly me any day.”

“Hey everypony and gorgeous gryphon, I'm going to meet Sugar Dust at the shops cause I need to buy something. So if ya got anything else for the shopping list, tell me now before I head off.” Firestreak waves him off without saying a word. “Fine, I’ll be back in ten. Cya soon Lazuli” You watch as he goes out onto the balcony then takes off. Maybe being a Wonderbolt gives you privileges to fly in and out of this hotel like some cheap bar.

You feel a nudge in both your sides as you feel Firestreak sitting on your right and Fleetfoot on your left. Soarin was still close by but hadn't moved. “He totally fancies you haha” Firestreak agrees with Fleetfoot with a nod before laughing himself. “Definitely hahahahah.”

You take a look at them both blankly before actually believing what they said. “What? But I haven’t done anything. Why does he like me?” They both shrug before continuing to laugh at you. “Hey... It’s not funny!” You pout.

Fleetfoot looks you dead in the eyes before saying all seriously- “Gorgeous gryphon, pfft. He’ll be calling you Lazulmine next” The joke didn't click until a few moments. Then everypony started laughing. All four of you, three ponies and gryphon laughing together. From here on in you know this is going to be a fun group to be working with.

“AAHRHHHHH!! HOLY SHIT AAEEEIIIIHH!! FUCK!!” Horrific screaming and shouting silences the laughing instantly. The voice was coming from the bathroom. Who was in there again?