The Draconsteed

"Will you help guard Equestria from threats with my special band of ponies?"

"As long as it leads me to......Him.... you have my loyalty."

"Ooooohhhhhh, my head."  Saphear awoke in a soft bed. The setting sun shone through the window.

And right into her eyes...

"OOOWWWW!!! BUCK! MY EYES!" Saphear roared in pain as she fell out of bed.

And down a flight of stairs...

Twilight didn't get any warning as the jumbled mess of a Draconsteed rolled down the stairs on top of her.

".... Is this going to be a recurring thing?" Twilight asked, still entangled with her guest.

"Celestia, I hope not. If every morning turns out like this I just might stop getting out of bed altogether."

"Come on then, let me get you something to-" Twilight stopped her train of thought once she had gotten herself separated from Saphear. She turned around and helped Saphear to her paws. Popping a question as she did so.

"What exactly is it you eat?" Saphear let out a heavy sigh before answering.

"A cup of tea will be all for me, my stomach doesn't work this early."

"Ooh! Does that have to do with your species physiology or-" Saphear quickly put a paw over the unicorns mouth.

"Tea first, then talk." Twilight nodded as she strolled into the kitchen while Saphear walked into the main part of the library. She browsed the many books that lined the shelves on nearly every wall.

Oh! Quite the organizational setup she has here! Saphear mused to herself. Let's see... First by genre, then alphabetically, and finally chronological. Not even the library from home was this well organized! I wonder how mush work it is to maintain this state of organization in the library? Saphear was so lost in thought she didn't even notice Twilight come back in.

"-ur tea." Saphear snapped out of her thoughts as Twilight levitated the glass to her.

"What? Oh! Thank you, dear." Saphear grasped the cup and took a long, slow drink. A pleased moan escaped her lips as the tea's warmth filled her. Saphear was the first to speak after an awkward silence had settled upon the room.

"I know you must have a tone of questions, so where do you want to begin?" Twilight scratched her chin with a hoof as she levitated over a quill and some paper.

"Lets start with what I asked earlier. What do you eat?'

"Technically? I'm Omnivorous." Twilight cringed at the word while she was taking notes."However, most Draconsteed will only eat meat in dire situations." "Draconsteed?" Twilight asked. "My race, dear. Now, we have two sets of teeth. One set of fangs and one set of normal pony teeth." Saphear put on a toothy grin. With a slight swishing sound her once flat, unassuming smile was filled with glistening white daggers. Twilight leaned in to get a closer look but Saphear switched her teeth back.

"Next on the list, dear?"

"Right, what is a Draconsteed?" Twilight settled back down to wear she had been sitting. "A dragon/pony hybrid. Most of our features come from ponies. Like our height, manes, necks, cutie marks, and most importantly, our magic." Twilight's ears flicked when she heard magic. "Like ponies, Draconsteed come in three subspecies. Those being classified as Horned, Winged, and Earth." Twilight's quill was scribbling furiously as she took in all the new information. Her mind was acting like a sponge as Saphear spoke. "There are virtually no differences between us and normal ponies.... except for the Earth types. Their a bit.... special."

"The Earth Draconsteed's magic changes them depending on whatever element their born closest to. The Draconsteed that make their homes close to rivers and the ocean, for example, tend to have fins and sometimes even gills. Those born in the desert can go for months on a single glass of water and can breathe the sand in a sandstorm. "

Twilight's scribbling slowed as the next question formed in her mind. "I notice you didn't mention lifespan in that list. Does that mean you live as long as dragons?"

"Yes and no." A quizzical look covered Twilight's face. "What do you mean?"

"We have a longer lifespan than ponies but not as long as dragons. Most Draconsteed have a life expectancy of about 500 years, and before you ask I'm 286 years young and proud of it!" Saphear gave a seductive smile  and swished her long, thin, dragon like tail through the air. Wiggling her flank a little as she did so.

Twilight blushed at the display. "Sorry, I'm not into mares." Saphear let out a small laugh. "That's perfectly fine dear! I'm not a mare, well at least not entirely."

Twilight's jaw hit the floor, literally. "I'M SO SORRY I DIDN"T REALIZE YOU WERE A STALLION!"

Saphear laughed again at the panicking unicorn. "You weren't listening deary! I'm not a total stallion either! Draconsteed are Hermaphrodites!"

Twilight's face just went blank. It was as if her brain just shut itself off.

"Okay, judging by the look on your face and the fact that the moon has sunken low enough for me to see it in the window I'm gonna say it's bedtime for you."

Twilight's brain kicked back on just long enough to process her statement. "What about you?"

"Naturally nocturnal, dear. Now off to bed with you!" Twilight subconsciously Added a few more notes to the paper while Saphear shuffled her upstairs. Once she had tucked the tired unicorn in she went back downstairs to the library.

Maybe I'll go for a stroll and find a place to watch the sunrise.

After a few hours of walking Saphear found a nice hill near a cabin by the Everfree. Picking a soft spot of grass she laid down and watched the sun slowly creep up the horizon. As the sky was lit ablaze by dazzling pinks and vibrant oranges, Saphear felt the need to sing. She sang slowly, letting her low voice fill the air like smoke.

"There was a moment I doubted the turn.

Was it something you wanted or something you learned?

If fear is the motive, you're not really concerned.

I can't. I won't. I don't. I do forgive you.

Suffers the fighter the pain of regret.

But tougher still simply to live and forget.

And if it's the last chance we'll ever get,

I bent; I broke. I choked. I couldn't save you.

Indifference could drown even your most holy and profound revelations.

With this light be crowned, lest your brightest beacon flicker out.

Dancer in moonlight, renew your repose.

You always seemed doubtful that anyone knows the value of what lay just under your clothes.

This pen. These walls. Last fall. Oh, go away then.

What of your trigger if not to destroy?

What of your anger if not for a boy?

What of your voice when you're so timid and coy?

I heard your words before you even said them.

And Emi, don't you see?

She could never spin this world for me.

Promises are feared more than believed.

I can see the sunrise as she leaves."

For the first time in years Saphear wept. Thoughts of her long lost love flew through her mind as the tears streamed her face. Nearly a full hour had passed before she realized something soft and warm was embracing her. She turned her head to see a yellow pegasus was hugging her. The initial surprise passed as she just reveled in the comfort of being held again. She nuzzled into the mares soft pink mane and whispered into her ear.

"Thank you."