The Black Flames

Garnet's Lessons

I will never know what made Garnet stick her head in the wall, but I think she needed a change of scenery. So the next day I arranged (with some help from a certain someone) for me and her to live in a temporary property at Ponyville for a month or two. It would be a chance to get to to know the gal's better and an opportunity for me to unwind after everything that has happened lately. It would be good for both of us.

Garnet was currently sleeping in a small, padded basket I had made for her. We were both on the train to Ponyville. In about an hour we would arrive to Ponyville Station. I watched the countryside zip by outside my window. The greens were like nothing on Earth. So bright, so vibrant. I lost myself in the colors of the flora and occasional fauna.

Before I knew it the conducter annouced we had arrived at Ponyville. Carrying my luggage and Garnet, I stepped out on to the platform and Ponyville. I breathed in the fresh air and walked through the rest of the station. Now this wasn't my first visit to Ponyville, but I still caught stares as I went around town to the small house I would be living in. It was a small and simple affair, only the essentials. I found all the decorum in Canterlot excessive. Being in college for over four years has made living with close to nothing the norm for me. All that luxury was almost uncomfortable after so long without it.

The house had only a living room, bedroom, and bathroom. Perfect. A small stove in the corner of the living room would serve as a kitchen. Celestia didn't like me living in such a bare place, but I had insisted. I gently woke Garnet and sat her on a small couch while I unpacked.

"Where are we?" Garnet asked in a sleepy haze.

"Ponyville, I thought a little time away from it all would be good for us. Now I want you to move your bed to the bedroom while I unpack my stuff."

"Mmm... Kay." Garnet picked up her basket and walked to the bedroom. I unpacked all my clothes and essentials. Once I had everything where it needed it to be I grabbed Garnet and headed into town. I gave Garnet a brief tour of Ponyville while she lay on top of my head.

Eventually we came to Twilight's home and place of work, the Ponyville Library.

"She lives in a tree!? Like actually IN the tree!?" Garnet said in disbelief.

"Of course, didn't she tell you?" I reply.

"I thought she was joking!" I snickered at her answer. I opened the door and entered the pitch-black room beyond.

"Why is it so dark?"

SURPRISE!!!

Garnet leapt from my skull and stuck herself to the ceiling.

"Oh, Oopsies! Sorry for scaring you!" Said an ecstatic Pinkie Pie, "David said you were coming to visit and I just HAD to throw you a party! I do it for all the newcomers!" Pinkie then effortlessly yanked Garnet from the ceiling.

"Let's get this party started!!!"

To which everyone present started the festivities. Loud music, snacks and dancing filled the night as we celebrated Garnet's first visit to Ponyville. All went well till a certain green dragon took his turn to say 'hi' to the guest of honor.

"GET HER OFF OF MEE!!!"

Garnet had apparently started savagely beating Spike. Her strikes did little real harm, but even I was suprised at the sheer brutality of her attacks. Eventually me and Twilight seperated the two. Once I had stripped Garnet from Spike she stuck her tongue at her opponent.

"What was that for!!!" Yelled a shocked Spike.

"I was testing your strength like any other dragon would. Obviously you aren't very strong." Garnet said smugly.

I snickered a little at her comment, earning a dark glare from Twilight.

"What? You have to admit that was funny!" I say in my defense, only recieving another, stronger glare. If looks could kill. "Okay, okay. Garnet, Spike here isn't a like other dragons. He was hatched by Twilight, he doesn't know your customs."

"What? You mean he's a domestic?" Garnet said in suprise.

"A what?" Both Twilight and Spike asked.

"Domestic, a dragon raised by ponies. Mommy always said that she felt bad for them." Garnet innocently said.

Both me and Twilight exchanged awkward glances.

"Well, I think it's a little late and you need your sleep, Garnet. Time we head home and hit the hay." I say carrying my scaly bundle under-arm home.

"But I want to stay and party with Pinkie!" Said a disgruntled Garnet.

"Sadly no, Garnet. You need sleep like everyother young dragon."

"But I *yawn* don't wanna... zzzzzzzz"

"I thought as much."

The next morning I woke up. Simple as that. Nobody sticking needles in me, no anxiety or anything. It was nice.

I cooked up a simple breakfast of eggs and waffles. The waffle iron was something I never went anywhere without. That and a bottle of hair gel.

Garnet woke up shortly after and we enjoyed the breakfest I had cooked up. Then I heard someone knock on our door. While Garnet finished her food I went to open the door. I was a little suprised to find Twilight at my home but, eh, whatever.

"Hey, David. Can I see Garnet?" Asked, Twilight.

"If this is about last night, I have to ask you to remember that she was raised as a wild dragon, she doesn't follow the same set of rules as you do." I say, in defense of my daughter.

"Oh no, no, no! She is the greatest wealth of information on dragon culture this side of Equestria!" Twilight said with tons of excitement. "Last night was a great example! Dragons challenge eachother to prove themselves to other dragons! Plus, Spike wants to learn about dragon culture from Garnet! I just wanted to ask if it was okay if me and Spike could borrow her for today?"

I looked back into the house at Garnet, whose was scarfing down her waffles. Then I had a great idea.

"Only if you teach her a little as well. She doesn't know how to read or write or anything, I would appreciate it if you would teach her."

"It's a deal then!"

"Cool! Garnet! You done with breakfast?"

"Yeah!"

"Good, cause your going to be with Twilight and Spike for today."

"What? Why? Am I in trouble?"

"No, you'll just help Spike an Twilight answer some questions as well as learning how to be literate."

"Whats 'literate'?"

"You'll see."

Twilight took Garnet and I retreated to my humble abode. I spent about an hour reading and relaxing before I got bored. I didn't know having to do nothing would be so boring. Eventually I got off my lazy ass and went for a walk. As I walked around town I talked with some of the residents. Bon Bon and Lyra are having an arguement over who deserves the last scoop of ice cream. Pinkie is busy babysitting Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. Fluttershy was cleaning her cottage. Vinyl was working on a new record. Rainbow was dozing somewhere. Applejack was in the market selling her wares. Derpy had hit several buildings staring at me. Rarity had an order to work on. I felt like a town gossip, finding about everypony in town.

Now I was back home with nothing to do yet again. I took a page from Rainbow's book and ended up taking a nap.

I woke up close to seven o'clock to someone knocking. I got up from my bed and walked to the door in a sleepy haze. I opened the door to find a strange and tall mare carrying a sleeping Garnet and some bags.

"And you are?" I ask the white mare. She had a light pink mane and a horn. Her cutie mark wasn't visible to me.

"To town, I'm your fellow student and room mate." She said in a voice WAY to familiar to be coincidential, "But to you..."

Celestia gave me a long kiss, and headed inside.