Paridise Lost

The sun wasn’t even up when a knock at the door startled me awake. I looked at the clock before letting my head hit the pillow again defeated.

I guess it’s that time…. “I’m up Spike, I’ll be down in a bit.”  Today was the day I was going to start working to pay Rarity back for the cloths she gave me. Granted, she said that they were a gift, but I had my pride. If she wouldn’t accept cash, I could always come up with some other way of repaying her. Given that her element is generosity though, it would likely be a lifelong debt.

I groaned as I rolled out of the makeshift bed and found myself with surprisingly few aches considering the sleeping conditions. Given that even the tallest stallions were only around 4 feet tall, there wasn’t a bed, chair, or couch long enough for even an average height human to comfortably use as a bed.

Fortunately though, Twilight had a spare bed, a lounge cushion, and a couch that could be placed end to end. Twilight had said something the night before about how Princess Luna or Celestia’s bed might be able to fit me, but until the bed arrived, this arrangement would do just fine. Donning a fresh pair of work cloths, I set out to face the day.

As I made my way down the stairs, I could hear Spike rummaging away in the kitchen. While Spike and I had a bit of a rough start, it was good to see how quickly he warmed up to me now that the misunderstanding about Rarity and I was out of the way.

I walked into the kitchen and was greeted with the site of Spike standing on a step stool in a baking apron. The apron only covered his front, and left his back and tail fully exposed. I turned my head to try and avoid the sight, only to laugh at my foolishness.

How long will it take me to get used to the idea that I’m living with nudists?

“Oh wow, you’re up fast. I’m used to Twilight taking forever to get out of bed.” Spike hastily looked around making sure that the aforementioned Twilight wasn’t within earshot. “Please don’t tell her I said that.”

I let out a chuckle and motioned like I was putting a cupcake in my eye, “Your secret is safe with me. I’m not sure it’s safe with her though.”

She was still in her night gown and her mane was a complete mess. One wing was caught in the folds of the fabric while the other dragged limp across the floor. Despite looking like death warmed over, Twilight had somehow pulled herself out of bed to eat breakfast with me. As her precious research subject, she could hardly waste her limited observation time sleeping.

Visibly troubled, Spike tried to rush out a typical morning inquiry, “Oh, high Twilight. Uh, did you, sleep well?”

“Coffee.” Never before had a single word carried so much weight. Spike flinched as the word echoed throughout the room, spurring him into action. He didn’t even wait for the stove to heat the kettle, instead opting to bathe it in lime green flames. In mere moments, Twilight was stirring instant coffee into the piping hot liquid.

“Not a morning person I take it?” I knew the response was going to be in the negative, but Spike could use a moment’s respite from her glare. It didn’t help that I was still more than a little sore about last night.

“If ponies were supposed to get up this early, the sun would be up by now!” As if on cue, the first rays of daylight peaked their way over the surrounding buildings, through the window, and reflected off the tea kettle directly into Twilight’s eyes. “Oh, QUIT SHOWING OFF!”

I grabbed the tea kettle and began preparing myself coffee as well, “So whatcha making Spike?”

“Nothing much, just a salad with hard boiled eggs, cheese, and some ground rubies for flavor.” Spike took the spice shaker and poured a healthy portion directly into his mouth.

How does any of it end up in the food? “Hold the rubies for me please. I’m not a fan of gems in my food.”

“You sure? You’ll be missing out.” Bowls of salad were placed in front of Twilight and I. I also got a small ingredient bowl with a small handful of crushed rubies. Spike winked and added, “I put them on the side, just in case you change your mind.”

“Thanks Spike” I eagerly dug into the salad, enjoying every bite. I dipped the tip of a finger into the rubies so I could give them a try. Maybe they are softer in this age, nope. As expected, the rubies grated against my teeth like sand. “Nope, not for me. Thanks for letting me try though.” I pushed the small bowl to Spike who was all too willing to accept the additional serving.

I observed Spike sprinkling the helping of rubies over his salad, only to have them fall to the bottom of the bowl. Hardly any of the rubies made it into his mouth. No wonder he eats so many while he cooks… I couldn’t help myself from offering a suggestion, “If you coat the lettuce with a light dressing of oil, they should stick to the leaves without altering the flavor or consistency too much.”

Spike’s face changed to an expression of bewilderment, “I’ve never thought of that.” Running back to the ladder, he retrieved a clear glass phial filled with a golden yellow liquid. A few dashes and a mixing later, his eyes spread wide with amazement as the young dragon held up a leaf that was particularly saturated with rubies. It looked a lot like a paper Christmas tree decorated by preschooler, barely a hint of green to be seen. “Look Twilight, it works!”

“So it does.” Now that the caffeine was in full effect, Twilight had regained much of her normal manner. “How did you know that would work?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “It was a guess really. This may be a different age, but it would make sense that scientific “laws” remained constant. It’s good to see that fluid dynamics, or rather surface tension, is one of those constants.”

“Sounds like an interesting field of study. I’d like to explore more of the recesses of your, um, mind if I could.”

Smooth… “I don’t see why not, I’ll let you know what we’ll need to perform the experiments when I get the chance. Right now though, I need to get ready to leave. And since somepony thought that teasing the Sun Princess was a good idea, I’m already late.” Wolfing down the last few bites of my salad, I made my way to the door, followed closely by Twilight.

Twilight nervously prodded the ground beside the door as I gathered my hat and bit bag. “So, when do expect to be getting back?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “I’m not sure, I may stay over at Sweet Apple Acres so I can get more work in. I’m not one to take advantage of somepony.” The last word was pointed, and a part deep inside me felt happy to see her ears fold flat against her head.

Her usually confident demeanor was now replaced with melancholy and she was unable to look me in the eyes. “Oh, sorry, I thought that maybe, we could, you know….”

Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you, not after last night. “Weren’t you the one who said that your interests in me were ‘purely scientific’?” The words just hung there in the stagnant air, making it unbearable to breath. I refused to look at her, instead focusing on getting ready to leave. “I need time to think. Don’t come looking for me.”

I went to open the door but a violet glow prevented it from budging. Looking over my shoulder at Twilight, I saw her eyes welling up with tears, “I take it back, I’m sorry I-”

“Me too.” The terrible thing about words is that for all the good they can do, they can also cut just as deep. It’s even worse when the difference can be decided by a simple misunderstanding of context. Saying those two words would have been all that was needed to clear everything up, to not leave her hating herself.  Instead, I set out on the long walk to Sweet Apple Acres, leaving the sobbing princess behind me.