Speak Up Please

Chapters

It will not come cheap
All Work And No Play
A Streak of Pink
History's for dweebs

It will not come cheap

“Okay class, make sure to discuss your own views on the sources given, also remember what we talked about in the previous seminars; think about the context in which these sources were written. For instance, what is the pony or griffons occupation, are they Lay pony or a member of the nobility? What audience was intended to read this, is there any commonality between the sources and especially take into consideration their own motivations for writing this source.” Dixon spoke aloud, addressing the entire class as he walked to the first and nearest group of students, with their marked papers in his hand.

Gilda leaned back in her chair, looking disinterestedly at her work-sheet, before tossing it back onto the desk. She turned to the diffident yellow Pegasus by her side, who had not looked up from her lap for several minutes now. Playing with her thumbs, the mare fought to keep her wings in check even as they twitched in agitation.

Gilda shrugged to herself, now was as good a time as any she considered to herself. But where to begin? Well the first and easiest step she thought was an introduction.

“So… you got a name Pipsqueak?” Gilda asked, turning to her partner.

The shy mare’s body shook for a moment, like she had just heard the sounds of a speeding train, she stayed at attention in her seat for a few moments before turning to Gilda. Flicking her sapphire eyes, barred by stripes of her pink mane, she looked up to Gilda before returning her gaze to the floor.

“F-ffluttershy” The mare mumbled just above a whisper, if it wasn’t for Gildas well-honed hearing she would have dismissed it as the murmurings of her other classmates around her.

Gilda cupped the side of her head with a hand, “Come again?”

“M-my names F-ffluttershy.” The mare practically squeaked out, this time just loud enough that Gilda was at least sure it was from her partners’ mouth.

Gilda scrunched her eyes shut, mediating on her anger and breathing out the irritation cumulating in her chest.
This might be harder than she thought.

“Okay… maybe I should start, the names Gilda.” She announced, hoping that if she started the introduction she would have better results. Gilda held out a scally claw waiting for the mare to return it in kind.

However the mare seemed to be having trouble moving her hand up to Gilda’s, like heavy weights had been strapped to her wrist, every inch seemed to be a struggle. But after a few more moments and possibly spurred on by an irritated growl that was leaving Gilda’s beak, the mare finally brought her hand up towards Gilda’s, for a very brief handshake, before retracting it like a rubber band back to her sides.

Gilda let out a silent prayer for help. Maybe studying for countless thankless hours would actually be far easier than this. She shook the thoughts from her head. She wasn’t a quitter, she was fighter and she was going to get this mare to talk to her even if she had a very likely chance of pulling out her own feathers in the process.

She better not be one of those asshole racists Gilda thought. She had already encountered that in some of her other now more bruised and beaten fellow students. Then again, honestly she couldn’t convince herself that this mare was truly capable of being one; she was taking a griffon history module after all. But Gilda wasn’t above smacking a mare if she found out otherwise.

She sighed once more, she was getting away from her plan. She rattled her brain trying anything she could think of, anything about this mare that could give her the edge she needed. She looked down at the mares green sweater. She squinted as she noticed the wrists were dotted with hairs, it was small light brown and in some cases black, too small to be another pony’s and too many different colours to be pony fur either.

She scrunched her brow in thought, noticing the mare’s bag, it was covered in butterflies, Gilda rolled her eyes at how fillyish it looked. But couldn’t help but notice a pattern in the mare. It was when she noticed the mare’s notebook she found what she was looking for. The notebook cover was swarming with stickers of Cats, Dogs, Rabbits, even a Manticore sticker. Though they were a cartoon, fantasied version of their true forms, it was rather unlikely that this mare was an artist.
Gilda smirked.

“So…you like animals?” Gilda inquired letting the crooked smirk on her face reach up her cheeks as the mare seemed to come to life in front of her. Like some unseen puppet master had retaken control of her strings, the mare turned with a warm smile letting Gilda for the first time see the mare’s full features, previously hidden behind her wall of pink hair.

“Oh yes, I love animals, they’re so interesting and cute, I love everything about them from their cute fluffy snouts to their scally tails. Do you have any pets?” The mare asked in a sincere tone, her eyes alight with a torrent of enthusiasm that Gilda would never have thought the mare could possess.

“Yeah, I got me a pure breed Griffonian Orthrus(1) back home, he’s awesome.” Gilda stated proudly rubbing her claws against her chest like she was dusting them off, a little bit of nostalgia in the back of her mind turned her cocksure smirk into a pronounced smile as she remembered playing with her once little Ghost.

The mare squealed lightly into her hand, causing Gilda to retract a couple of inches, she wasn’t expecting the mare to be this enthusiastic about animals, but heck her plan was working, that’s all she cared about.

“Oh how adorable, I love Orthrus’s especially Griffonian breeds, they always looks so proud and strong. I wish I could take care of one, so I could pet it and take it for walks every day. How old is he, that is, if you don’t mind me asking?” The mare once again leaned forward towards Gilda.

“I don’t mind, so long as you give me your real name miss mumbles allot.” Gilda replied with another cocksure grin placing a scally claw over the side of her chair and relaxing her side against it.

“Oh I’m sorry, I’m not, well I’m not very good around new pony- eh I mean griffons, oh I’m so sorry how insensitive of me I-”

Gilda held up her claw huffing in irritation. “Just, your name?”

The mare retracted a bit “-Oh, um Fluttershy, my names Fluttershy.” She answered sheepishly.

Gilda resisted the urge to role her eyes, of course she would be called that. “Okay Fluttershy, finally, so you like animals a lot right?”

Fluttershy nodded her head enthusiastically, smiling innocent at Gilda. Okay it was time to get a little background on the mare, establish an open dialogue.

“So if you don’t mind me saying Fluttershy, why the heck are you taking history? Don’t you animal dwee- eh enthusiasts usually wanna’ go do something more, I don’t know, do something with more animals in it?”

Fluttershy smile dimmed somewhat. “Oh I do, I mean I am, I help my mom at her veterinarian practice back in Ponyville all the time. But this was the best Uni we could afford and it didn’t cater to veterinarian studys.” Fluttershy turned away briefly looking out the window in the direction she knew as home, she shook away the sombre feeling that gripped her, she was doing this for both of them. “My mom and I don’t have enough money to afford to get joint licences or the official lessons I have to take, plus it doesn’t really matter for now because it’s officially in her name anyway. She wanted me to go out and experience the world, so I came here.”

Gilda furrowed her brow she wasn’t getting the full story. “Wait so why didn’t you take like that dorky biology stuff instead do like a joint honours thing?”

“I did think about Science. But then when I went through the choices, I found out that third year history students got a chance go to Griffonia for the summer, all expenses paid. I know it seems a little selfish, but I was always sort of good at history as a filly and we both agreed it would be a once in a life time trip, I could go see and study all the interesting wild life and griffon medicines while I learn history, I’d never get another chance like this if I took any other course.”

Well that was a goofy reason Gilda thought. Griffonian wasn’t that hard to get to surely, it was simple enough for her. But then again as much as she hated it she was nobility after all and certain benefits and openings were always readily available to her. “Why don’t you just go on holiday instead then?”

“We’ll I, I can’t afford it, not for as long as I would need to study and we’ve had some problems for a while now. Mom thought it would be good for me to go to university, go meet new ponys she said do all the things she always wanted to do and this was the best of both worlds.” Fluttershy chose to leave out the part where her mother teased her about finding that special somepony. Though the blush on her face stayed none-the-less.

Gilda wanted to criticise, say that was dumb and a waste of good bits, but somewhere deep inside her she had to begrudgingly admit it was kind of sweet. A feeling that left a bitter taste in her beak. She was going to have to hit the gym after this, this little pony was already getting to gooey girly for her.

“So you took history? You can’t tell me you actually like this stuffy old egghead thing.”

“Well, I mean not the violent parts. But I do like seeing how Equestria and other countries were made. How friendship prospered throughout the land. It helps me understand that the worlds not all so big and scary. Plus there's so many different cultures to learn from, I think every little helps.”

Okay scratch that, Gilda was going to too need to punch something (or someone) now or she was in danger of vomiting up rainbows and sunshine.

Then again she couldn’t help appreciate the irony of it all. A mare who shut herself off from her fellow ponies and hid from the world, would also take comfort in exploring vast numbers of pony’s and cultures through writings of ancient races, it was strangely intriguing to the Griffoness.

Though something else bugged her about this mare. “Funny, you keep saying your mom, what about your old man?”

The mares hand grappled onto her tail that was on her lap gripping it tightly, before retreating back into her wall of pink mane.

“I’d rather not say… If that’s okay with you…”

That was all Gilda needed to know to realise she had hit some sort of raw nerve. She had to play it cool, this could screw up everything she had just earned.
“Ah never mind, I run my beak to much sometimes, let’s just focus on this sheet already.” Gilda quickly added when she got no response from the mare, it took a moment but she at last released her vice like grip from her long tail.

Okay that was close, but Gilda had what she wanted, a name and an open dialogue with the mare, now to move onto stage two.

“So Shy, I can call you that right, since were friends and all now?”

Fluttershy looked taken aback for a moment, looking a little panicked by the griffon’s declaration, but it quickly vanished forming into another soft and harmless smile as the mare nodded.

“So… what do you think of our teacher?”

Fluttershy took on the same shocked expression once more, this time for much longer, her face went a deep shade of crimson as she pondered the question, it only took a moment but to her it felt significantly longer as she edited out her deeper praise for the teacher.

“Oh you mean Mr Dixson? He’s a fantastic teacher, he’s always so thoughtful and caring and I like how he makes everything seem so interesting even when it’s not all that interesting like economics not that I mind economics but sometimes it can be a bit confusing, but his analogy’s make it much easier to remember and sometimes they’re really funny, plus his moustache makes me smile.” Fluttershy finishes her rambling before quickly realising the last part of her praise that had escaped her mouth. Retreating back into her mane once more, she stroked her tail as the blush threatened to take over her entire face as she had slipped out something more than a little platonic about her mentor.

Gilda almost cackled at the mare, this was just too easy she opened here beak to speak but a voice answered the mare that was not her own.
“Well I’m glad you hold me in such high regard Fluttershy I didn’t know I could galvanise you lot like that, that was really sweet of you to say.” The male voice called behind forcing both involved to turn up towards their teacher.

His impish smile and playfully inquisitive eyes stared down at the girls as he brought his hand to twizzle his flamboyant moustache. “You know I was thinking of shaving this silly thing off, I only grew so ponies could tell I was teacher and not a student, weird right? But it happens more than you think, but just for you I think I’ll keep it now.” He chuckled.

Fluttershy fell deftly silent, as Gilda had predicted, Gilda simply shrugged “Yeah it looks less dumb on you, than if some other pony had it, I guess.”

Dixson lifted his head back as he chuckled “Coming from you Gilda I’ll take it as a complement, but unfortunately for my own ego we’re are not hear to discuss me, are we?”

Gilda rolled her eyes simply shaking her head whilst Fluttershy gave a very sombre “No Mr Dixson” like a foal would to a pre-school teacher who had just caught her sneaking outside during nap time.

“Anyway, here you go ladies, Fluttershy your essay was fantastic as always, and I very much like your piece on the evolving lifestyles of Griffonian villages. However you could do with being a little more divorced with your feeling towards the sources. I know it’s important to interpret the sources but remember that the griffons lived in a different time to ours and thought differently than we do now.”

“Yes Mr Dixson.” She whispered just barely audible.

Dixon frowned leaning down to be level with both Gilda and Fluttershy across the desk. “Hey cheer up, you still got one of the best scores in the class. I’m just letting you know how you can get that little bit further. Wouldn’t want to see you with anything other than a first degree honours now would we, it would be such a waste of your talent.”

Despite herself Fluttershy looked up at Dixon showing only one of her sombre eyes a flicker of happiness and understanding spoke behind the melancholy. It was all he needed to see, shuffling though the papers in his hand he turned to Gilda.

“Gilda you did pretty good as well, your writing is strong and you also have some good points, you defiantly have an knack for interpreting the writers motives and thoughts. But you need to read more than just the hand out sources I give you. You can’t just use secondary ones from other historians it’ll only get you so far.”
Gilda snatched the sheet away from his hand folding it haphazardly into her jacket without even looking at it “Yeah sure, whatever.”

Dixon sighed “Look I know you’re a bright griffon, I don’t know why you’re like this. But you don’t apply yourself enough. Why don’t you come down to my office this Friday, we can do a one on one, I can take you through some stuff, help you on the right track, who knows it could be fun, plus you can do a bit of practice on your class presentation I’ll give you some feedback, what do you say?”

Gilda again rolled her eyes “I’d rather give myself a swirly in the stallions’ toilets if that’s okay with you.”

Alex messaged his temples with his fingers sighing once again. “Okay Gilda if that’s what you want, but my offer still stands if you change your mind.”

“I won’t” She answered as Dixon turned from them to his other students.

Gilda huffed, the nerve of that jerk, first he insults her in front of the whole class then he comes up trying to butter her up with fake help, she knew he’d be out for her, it was another trap. But she was better than that, better than him.

“Huh, can you believe that…“ Gilda stopped as she turned back to her classmate who was at this point red in the face, this time it was not from blushing the mare was furious it almost scared Gilda, the look she was giving her with those eyes it was enough to make her blood run cold.

“I can’t believe you would treat Mr Dixon like that, he was only trying to help you and you dismissed him like he was nothing!”

Gilda was taken aback. “W-well what did you expect he insulted me in front of the class I ain’t gonna’ take that from him.”

“Well maybe he was trying to stop you from being a big bully and yelling that history was boring, you know how hurtful that would sound to dismiss something some pony teaches? He was being far more pleasant about it than you were!”

Gilda opened her beak but through sheer force of will clenched it shut, damn she was so close, she wanted to scream at this mare, thrower into a locker and slam it shut, but something about the mares stare kept her at bay.

“You’re just another sheep like the rest of them, you don’t understand.”

“I understand alright, I understand that you’re just a big mean bully!” Fluttershy declared loudly, huffing as she caught her breath. Some of the heat left her cheeks and she turned back to the class. Immediately her eyes bulged wide open as she looked around. The whole class was silent, staring with their mouths agape. She even swore she heard a pin drop in the distance.

“Is everything okay back there?” Dixon called back to Gilda and Fluttershy standing up straight he gave them a knowing look, his eyebrow raised and his previously adorned smirk replaced with a neutral almost calculated frown.

Fluttershy stuttered, what had just happened?

She had all but blacked out for a moment, she turned to Gilda, who was facing forward emotionless save for the scraping of her talons against the old wooden desk, each scrape taking layers of the aged oak with it.

“Everything’s Fine.” Gilda replied grinding her beak together, she wasn’t even looking at the teacher, her thoughts were far away it was all she could do to divorce herself from the terrible anger she had boiling inside her.

A moment paused as Dixon walked closer to the two “You sure?” he inquired.

“Did I stutter!?” Gilda replied turning her terrible predator like glare to Dixon. Most of the students immediately turned away not wanting to catch the griffons ire, if the rumours were true, sacrificing their curiosity and gossip was a gem worth trading if it meant not being on her bad side.

Another moment passed. The tension in the air was almost palpable, crushing all around it like an enormous bolder. Both teacher and student stared at one another, neither one showing any desire to back down.

Then as quickly as it came the moment passed, Dixon simply smiled. “Well okay then, but save some passion for the questions debate okay?” He turned away before turning back as if he had forgotten something. “Actually Gilda, do you mind joining this group at the front so we can make it even. Fluttershy you could move to Twilights table so you’re not alone back there.”

Gilda didn’t even flinch as she continued to stare at teacher for a few more moments before turning her eyes to Fluttershy. “Gladly…” She venomously whispered reaching for her belongings and marching past the teacher to the trembling group in front.

If looks could kill.

“And that was the first steps in cementing a united Griffon tribal front elected in a kurultai, or as I like to remember it birds of a feather flock together.” Dixon finished with an impish smile and a dramatic clap of his hands while the rest of the class groaned at the awful joke, he didn’t seem to mind.

“Okay class, that about wraps it up for today, make sure to keep working on that presentation and if you have a questions don’t hesitate to come to my office.”

Fluttershy’s anger had left her a long time ago, now she just felt unwell, she hated feeling like that, she didn’t even know what hit her. Not even Twilights friendly nature and well-meaning reassurances that she was in the right helped sooth her aching soul. The dismissive attitude of the griffon got deep under her skin, something about how she belittled him just made her blood boil. She wanted to scream at the griffon, call her all sorts of hurtful names she had only just managed to reel herself in enough to just putting her point across.

But now that the moment had passed and her emotions had time to lie still once more she felt ashamed of herself. Even if Gilda had been in the wrong, that was no way to act. She knew enough about the griffons’ reputation, everpony did, she was just being who she was. She wasn’t even that bad considering some of the other stories floating around. Even Fluttershy’s dear friend Rainbow Dash had a habit of being dismissive and ultimately rude at times. So why did it hit her so much harder now?
Well, she knew the answer to that particular question, but it didn’t make her feel any better. Her mother had raised her better than that she scolded to herself, Gilda was just trying to make a friend and Fluttershy just yelled at her over nothing, well almost nothing. Even if Gilda new the reason for Fluttershys rage it was not right, she had to make it up to Gilda somehow.

She owed her that much.

The class began to disperse, the vanguard being spearheaded by Gilda as she barged her way passed the other ponies and out the door without saying a word.
Fluttershy panicked as she watched this, she had to catch Gilda now. With haste she stuffed her notebook into her bag and without even thinking she flew over to the door, unaware that she was still currently in a conversation.

“So you want to come join me in the—wait Fluttershy! Where are you going?” The familiar voice of Twilight called out from the classroom as Fluttershy turned and raced around the corner.

“Sorry Twilight” Fluttershy whispered mostly to herself, another apology to be made, she mentally reminded herself as they began to stack up around her. But this was more important for her own inner element, she couldn’t let Gilda go without saying her peace.

One thing she had to give the disgruntled Griffon, she was fast, Fluttershy must have looked through the now empty campus at least three times to no avail.
Slumping down against her locker she conceded to defeat. Her soul bore heavy as she lamented over the recent memory and the hurtful words she had used against Gilda. She wished she didn’t have that dark beast inside her. It was hard to awaken but once out it was something beyond her control, she knew how others must have felt when they were on the receiving end of its terrible form. She knew what part of the family she inherited that gene from. A single anger very similar to that manifested itself in pony form many times back in the foal hood days, an anger that not even her mother could save her from. The remnants of that dark time lay inside a part of her she hatted most and hid from all.

Though it was not in her nature to hate, she was only equine and primal emotions were not something so easily swept under the rug.

She sighed, turning the combination of her locker she let it fall open. Once again staring at her tabby that had fallen asleep in the nest of cloth she had made for it. She carefully scooped it up into her arms and placed in gently into her bag, putting the books from before in the tabby’s place in her locker.

Staring into the locker her eyes focused on everything and nothing as she embraced the dejected mood that engulfed her body, making her feel almost too heavy to move. Sighing she finally closed the door of her locker and immediately shot back as a large brown figure replaced its previous spot.

“You know, I’ve broken ponies muzzles for less than what you said to me back in class.” Gilda growled, her tone and stare were enough to convince anypony that that was a fact, not a boast.

Fluttershy stared slack jawed at the griffon. Her body wanted to back away, run as fast as she could like she always did in situations like these. But her inner resolve, her need to do right by the griffon held her firm.

Forcing every syllable out she began to speak the apology that she had been rehearsing in her mind for hours now. “G-GGilda I’m really sorry for how I acted, I may have had a problem with how you talked to Mr Dixon, but that was no excuse to yell at you like that. I really am sorry and if it’s any consolation I want to make it up to you and I still want to be your friend.”

Gilda turned away shrugging her shoulders, she seemed nonchalant but Fluttershy knew that was an act. Years of dealing with Dash and her subtle tomcoltish mannerisms had taught her well, the griffon was hurt and terribly, terribly angry. "Huh- the griffon shrugged and turned away- some friend, if this is what I can expect from ponies, maybe I was right to fly solo!"

Fluttershy bit her lips whimpering softly, did Gilda have any friends at all? Was Fluttershy the only one she had reached out to? That must have been it, her reputation was well know and infamous enough that even Fluttershy had known about bits of it, she was strong, she was troublesome and she had a tendency to let her claws do the talking, ever story of hers held these themes but unspoken was the other theme that no pony mentioned when gossiping about her.

She was always alone.

The ache in Fluttershys chest became even more unbearable.

"Gilda please I didn't mean it, I just... I'm not usually like that I swear… I can’t help myself sometimes, please let me make it up to you."

The griffons head perked up, she turned looking over her shoulders an unamused glare iced over Fluttershy.

"Oh yeah what could you do for me?"She replyed bitterly.

Fluttershy ducked lower into herself at the griffons harsh tone. "Well, well I- I mean if you want I could help you with your work, Mr Dixson said you were having trouble with your essays. Maybe…Maybe I could come round and help you... that is if you would let me."

The griffon turned over fully leaning her shoulder against Fluttershy’s locker she still towered over the bashful little mare. "So let me get this straight. First you explode at me during class and then you say I'm too dumb to do my own presentation?

Fluttershy whimpered "Huh, no! That's not what I mean, oh I'm sorry I just want to help you please." She held her hands together bringing them up to her chest.
The griffon looked the mare up and down a few times before finally locking eyes with Fluttershy. Those amber pupils felt like they bore into her very soul "Well there is something you could do for me-”

"Anything!" Fluttershy interrupted, so caught in the moment she didn’t even realise how she was acting. Her own kind nature giving her the unintentional courage to talk to Gilda who had not a few hours ago scared her literally stiff.

The griffon fished through her black satchel snatching a few papers from it.

“These need to be in by Friday, but I got a big Hoofball game coming up and I can't do them in time if you could help me by finishing them then I can consider you and me even.”

And just like that the confidence left Fluttershy as she stared at the familiar papers of the class assignment. "G-Gilda I can't do that, we’re supposed to do this individually, it would be cheating.”

Gilda lifted her brow, "it’s not cheating if it’s just two friends helping each other in their time of need, way I see it it just proves you have my back… or do you still not want to be my friend?”

Fluttershy’s ears pinned back against her head. “I do! B-bbut Gilda we’re supposed to learn these things ourselves if I do this you don't learn anything and I don't think that would be a very good thing for a friend to do.”

Gilda smirked wrapping a claw around the mares shoulder.

"Course it would Shy and it proves you have my back. I'll forgive you for the nasty stuff you yelled at me... and since you got my back then I got yours, which means I can help you with your little problem."

Fluttershy felt her wings unfurl slightly she didn’t like the way the Gilda had phrased that last part "P-pproblem?"

"Your little crush…”

The yellow veterinarians looked like she had seen a ghost as all colour left her face, how did she know! Fluttershy yelled internally Who told her, wait… maybe she just thinks it’s one of the stallions she had hung out with, she considered. Everpony did always tease her for hanging out with that enormous red stallion known as Big Mac back in Ponyville, not that she could help it. The Apple family were her mother best customers, she practically had to be around Big Mac at least once a week, not that she minded, he was kind and gentle despite being a behemoth of pony kind. But it did little to stop the tide of gossip and playful jabs her friends threw her way.

“I-I don’t know who you mean…” Fluttershy lied looking away from Gilda showing all her tells, she was always a terrible liar.

Glida rolled her eyes. “You really going to make me say it?” she groaned circling around to Fluttershy’s front.

“I don’t have a crush with anypony.”

Gida smirked.

“I didn’t say it was a pony…”

Fluttershy wings were now at full attention as she backed away from Gilda, almost losing her footing in the process.

"How do you, I don't, did Rainbow Dash, oh how could she do this to me!" She yelled out not able to form her sentences properly, as she raced back over to Gilda, stopping just short of the griffon. Fluttershy placing her hands onto the griffons chest pleadingly. “Who told you?”

Gilda swiftly and somewhat roughly pushed her hands away from her chest holding them away from her as she looked into the air trying to work out who Fluttershy was just talking about. "Rainbow dash, Rainbow Dash? Is she the blue pony in Ms Spitfires class?"

"So she did tell you--

Gilda looked back down at Shy, snapping away from her trail of thoughts. "What? No! I just notice her sometimes shes actually pretty cut--cool shes pretty cool for a pony I mean!” Gilda laughed weakly, secretly glad the mare seemed to be too busy having a mental break down to notice that slip up.

“She didn't tell me nothing, I just figured it out on my own, you really aren’t that hard to read little filly."

Fluttershy eyes the floor bringing her long pink tail into her hands and stroking it in thought "You couldn't possibly--"

"You stared at him straight for three quaters of an hour, you smile when he does, you get all flustered when he talked, you blush when he complemented your work. Heck you practically had a fit when I told you I knew and what's more your face couldn't be any more red. Face it, it’s pretty obvious even if you didn't just basically admit it to me right this second."

Fluttershy couldn’t breathe the knot in her stomach was back with a vengeance, she felt dizzy this was just too much for a shy pony to take. "I-I please, please don't tell him, I just don't know what I'd do if he found out."

The griffon chuckled to herself "Relax Mumbles, like I said, we’re friends right? Friends keep friends secrets, so long as you have my back this Friday right?" she said waving the papers in front of Fluttershy’s face.

Fluttershy looked up at Gilda, she stared at the griffon for the longest time, until she was brought away by some warm wet substance that was dripping down both cheeks she brought a hand to it and looked. Oh, she was crying, of course that was it, she was finally caught she was at the mercy of this griffon, Gilda was holding all the cards and it was Fluttershys’ fault she had revealed her hand without even realising it. She could either do Gilda dirty work, or she could loss the respect of her teacher and secret idol. Either way it was a lose lose situation and it was her own kindness, her moral compass that had screwed her over.

Time went by in quite passing. She didn’t know how long she had been there or why she was now slumped down against her locker judging by the wet stains on her chest if must have been a few minutes or so, she turned back to the griffon, confused by the fact that no comment had been made or why she was even still here. She had what she needed she had made a fool out of Fluttershy like many before her. But still here she stood.

The Griffon was looking at Fluttershy, with a look she had not seen in the griffon before, was it pity, or contempt? She couldn’t say. Whatever it was it had enraptured the griffons mind for an uncomfortable amount of time.

The griffon gave a world weary sigh as she bent down to Fluttershy, offering the mare a cotton napkin she had in her jacket. “Here, use this.”

Fluttershy didn’t meet the griffons eye but she gently plucking the napkin from her claw and despite everything gave the griffon a quiet “thank you.”

Another sigh escaped the griffons’ beak. “Ah jeez filly don’t act like that, I said I wasn’t gonna’ tell nopony, I ain’t a nark.”

“It’s not t-that it its j-just I’m tired, tired of ponies taking a-advantage all the time, it happens every s-single time and I just, I just want one thing from somepony, it’s so hard being kind and expecting the best in somepony only to have them take advantage, can’t I just have one nice thing?”

The griffon cupped the Pegasus’s cheeks with her talon turning the mares gaze up to meet her own.

"Griffonia I don’t know what you did but *sigh* you do jump to conclusions way to easily mumbles, I said I'd help you with your little problem didn’t I?”

“What?”

Gilda slumped down next the pony. “Does ever pony here have earmuffs on, I said I’d help you dweeb, I’m not gonna’ take advantage I just wanted you to do me a solid once or twice jeez don’t you do that for your other friends.”

“Yeah…I guess I do, sorry I guess just didn’t believe you before... Sorry.”

Gilda shrugged allowing the comment to slide for once.

“This ain’t no different, just a few dumb questions and you can stop your sobbing and get your goofy monkey thing, easy eh?”

Fluttershy didn’t know how to feel at this moment, thinking back to what the griffon had mentioned, she did say she was going to help. Had Fluttershy once again misjudged Gilda, Celestia she did, she acted without thinking once again, she vilified Gilda’s intentions. She was trying to be a friend and she judged her like a book cover. She hadn’t even done it consciously this poisonous situation was getting to her. Had it really gone that far, was her loving need for this man already brought her this low? How long until this would seep into her friendship with the girls, with her animals with her own flesh and blood. Whatever it was it ended now. It ended with Gilda.
She accepted Gilda’s claw which threw her back up faster than she thought, Celsestia she was strong she thought.

"You, you can help, how?" she whimpered out sniffling away the rest of the tears.

Gilda just smiled, it was an actual honest to Celestia genuine smile, one Fluttershy realised was a rare commodity in the griffon, rarer than a thousand diamonds. “Leave that to me, I got this, meet me tomorrow at around three and bring me that paper, completed, you got me.”

"Oh I'm so, so sorry I can't I'm meeting Rainbow and Rarity at three at her class, I promised I'd help model for her, she needs my help catching up with her essay.”
Gilda rolled her eyes. "Fine I'll just meet you there, wait is that the one in 303?”

Fluttershy nodded eagerly.

"Alright have it done by tomorrow and I'll get this ball rolling, come the end of next week he'll be all over you and don't go yellin’ to no pony about you helping me, this is all just between you and me and the monkey got it." She threatened with her eyes lifted a talon she teasing stroking the mares cheek moving away just as Fluttershy wings sprung out to full attention following an high pitched “Epp” from the mare.

Gilda strolled down the corridor, she turned one last time to see the mare, smiling as she watched the mare jump up and down a few times with a quite girly squeal before grabbing her bag and bolting off down the corridor.

Gilda chuckled

“Too easy.”

Wait! She screamed internally, what the heck just happened?

She physically slapped herself across the beak, what the buck was that! She were supposed to use this filly, not play buckin’ matchmaker. She had her by the wings she was hers for the taking, buck was she going soft?

This was a bad idea she began to realise, was the risk of being around this mare worth the reward. Should she just cut her losses, make up excuses to distance herself from this potential mistake. She couldn’t go through this again, she couldn’t let anyone get close, not like that, there was a reason she was alone for most of her life friends made her slow and weak and it wasn’t going to change because of some foal and her waterworks.

She’d cut this off now.

But...

No.

It’s not hard, all she had to do was just set this up and she’d be done, she didn’t have to actually be her friend or anything.

Another voice screamed in her mind one that she had always held to be the rational side of her, the one now screaming that she shouldn’t go through this again.

“Gahhh!” Gilda roared punching a locker in frustration her fist made a near perfect indentation in the metal, her claw tingled and burnt as the sensation of pain climbed up her hand and she growled again, she heard a gasp from the side. Turning she saw a pair of ponies stopping in front of her.

“What the buck are you two clowns lookin’ at!?” She roared standing up and flaring her wings to full attention.

Both pony’s quickly backed away to leave Gilda with her thoughts.

She massaged her brow as the memory of moments ago with Fluttershy crying. She looks so helpless, so defeated, yet it wasn’t pity Gilda felt when she did what she did, no pity could be easy to explain and ignore. Something in the act seemed so genuine, that was the cry of a beaten down mare, something Gilda had experianced only once before. Fillies like that didn’t cry like that over nothing, this was a mare that just wanted one thing in her life to go right. A feeling that Gilda could relate to.

“Fine...fine damn it, I’ll help the stupid mare!” She announced to nobody but herself.

But the help will not come cheap. No, not by a long shot.

Author's Note

(1) Orthus (only cool picture I could find)

Apologies for being so late. Please accept this surprise chapter as my apology for my poor form.
Come the end of May I'll be right back to my usual output, this chapter was only truly written because I needed a quick break from the bloody work (slams head on desk).
Wrote the second half of this last night in a (only slightly, honest!) tipsy state so there will inevitably be one or... several errors. Once again my apologies.

Quick note I'm sure some of you have noticed that I've been playing a bit fast and loss with the characters perseptions jumping from Gilda to Shy and back. that has not gone unnoticed by me, I've just been playing around with the format trying to get it to work. Sorry if it bothers anyone, but I'm still not quite sure in which way I'm going to settle this style so in the mean time I've at least tried to keep it as coherent as it can be.

All Work And No Play

“Annnd done.” Alex whispered to himself, dropping the spent fountain pen dramatically onto a long and large stack of papers that already threatened to topple over the table edge. Staring at the stack that had been the cause of his cramped wrist for some time now he sat back. As he flexed it in rapid motions, he reached over he grabbed one of few perks of being a teacher. One he enjoyed frequently whenever he could, an ice cold glass of cider, yes it did always help having your office be directly opposite a cheap yet rustic bar.

Content to sip the beverage conservatively; he listened out to the many conversation taking place around him. Content to hear the changing varied myriad of noises around him, more than the conversations of the ponies themselves. The student bar was by far his favoured place to go. Alex couldn’t deny he didn’t mind being the centre of attention, which was good because being the first of his kind left someone like him with little choice in that matter. But paradoxically he also found he liked being on the side-lines just as much, listening to the atmosphere and the interesting characters that passed by or ‘pony zoo’ as he cheekily liked to call it.

It was more relaxing to listen to the buzzing of life and laughter, it made him feel more alive and in many ways attributed to, if he was honest with himself, more than a few of his outgoing tendencies. That was why almost every other day, if his work load was light he would find himself gravitating to the side both of the student bar like a moth to candlelight. Happy to sit, write and converses with whomever approached him.

Though sometimes it did have to obverse effect of making him look like the University’s novelty pet. Yes, it was always going to be the case, once again he was the first of his kind after all. Students, especially first years were a truly inquisitive bunch, and a bit unclothe and downright rude sometimes when they would occasionally approach him like a zoo animal. One time Dixon recalled some poor mare had been tricked by some of the more mischievous third years into approaching him with a banana. He often found that one good ‘teacher tone’ speech followed by showing them his university card made many a fresher quickly retract and beg for forgiveness.

It did also help that he was a good foot and a half taller than most ponies even the stallions. He knew from his limited time on earth that non-bipedal ponies were small creatures by nature and this world had been no different in his case, so he never really had to worry on that account; not to mention he was no push over to be sure. Unlike some of the ‘heavier’ teachers he worked with he was practically forced to use the school gym to stay in shape when he felt he was getting a bit on the pudgy side, “it’s for your own good tubby” his colleague and good friend often “lightly” commanded when she would drag him in there any chance she got. Though he would never dream of hurting anyone, let alone a student, it just wasn’t in him really, it did help put the fear of Celestia into even the most stubborn pony if need be.

Of course it was all a bluff, Alex knew that he was a dog with no bite. Even besides the moral aspect of it, it would only reinforce their pre-conceived notion that he was some sort of uncontrollable ape, if he ever did respond like that. Better to teach the fool than to act the fool, his Pony step-father had told him many years ago, and it had been his main mantra he preached to himself even to this day, don’t give them the chance.

Dixson shook his head, he had completely lost himself in his halcyon days, an image of his Father swept into his mind and he found he couldn’t help but smile. He remembered how Father’s day would be coming up soon and he would have to send the old mustang a card when he next saw him back in the crystal empire, he chuckled to himself as he remembered exactly how he knew that conversation would go. “By the Empire, my Colt! What happened to all your fur!?” His Father would exclaim like always, pretending to be shocked and they would share a laugh. Then his Mother would most likely reprimand his father with a pinch on the arm before hugging Dixon and then nostalgically going down memory lane. “My Luna, had it been twenty two years already, where did the time go? You’ve grown up so handsome my little colt.” She would sigh happily, then baby him a little, like she always did. Then, no doubt depending on if his older Brother could make it away from guard duty he would nuggy him playfully and Alex would inevitably be teased about not having a special somepony. It was a happy repetition.

Dixon smiled at the blissful memory to be, he was so lucky to have such a caring family. It had not been easy for him, his early childhood was, if he was asked, most likely the worst part of his life. A part that he would like to forget if possible, but the one beacon of hope in his life was his foster family. They had guided him through his life, treated him as if he was truly a real member of their family and in many ways they truly were. Though finding his family was in no small way helped by the intervention of Celestia, not to negate her part in his life. Especially when she was the first to find him all those years ago, wandering aimlessly along the castle halls one fateful night, crying in a corner of the west wing, holding his blanket over his body and begging for his mommy.

She had been so comforting to him back then and no matter how many times he kept thanking her during their very occasional visits at the castle whenever time would permit it, at her behest, she was having none of it. It was her duty as a pony to have helped Alex, that was what she would always say. But that didn’t stop him from saying it anyway. That and also smuggling some sweet into the castle whenever she was on one of her fabled and often unneeded, diets.

It was sad in a way, Dixon found he could not even remember the faces of his biological family. Just outlines in faded memories, it would be common for many years after arriving he would cry himself to sleep, not exactly weeping, that had died down after the first few weeks, but he found tears fell silently from his face when he was alone in his room left with only his thoughts for company.

It had been so long ago, he was so young. It was probably why he acclimate to this world better. He still remembered when he had called his Foster mother ‘mommy’ for the first time. It had come out by accident, an off-hand childishly mischievous request for sweets. But he still remembered the happy tears in her eyes and the smile on her cheeks, he found he couldn’t go back from then on, not after seeing the mare he had grown to love so happy. Plus he did end up getting those sweets as an added bonus.

Alex had a nice home, a decent education and most importantly of all a loving family. Despite the hardships thrust on him, he had to say he wouldn’t trade it for anything, now if he could just find that special someone so his loving family would stop bugging him.

Alex chuckled again. “Yes, I think a visit is in order very soon.” He announced quietly to himself, lifting the pint up to his lips and taking another sip.

Spotting a fellow member of staff he raised his pint glass towards the pony in question a blue and black haired unicorn mare, who had just entered the room, however upon noticing the man the unicorn huffed, blowing a strand of her mane from her face, before walking back out of the bar. Much like Dixon had predicted.

Dixon shook his head letting a soft chuckle leave his mouth, he predicted that would be the reaction, even after such a long time, “Figures.” Dixon spoke to himself letting the moment slip from his mind as he went back to happier images. Perfectly content to continue going down memory lane.

However before he could continue, he found himself far more interested in the odd noises coming from behind him. Turning in the direction of the bar staff, he saw what his first assumption he had surmised.

“What do you mean, he’s in his office, that dolt in reception said he was in the bar!” Gilda growled at a member of the bar staff, who despite herself began to giggle even in the shadow of the intimidating griffoness.

Gilda brought her beak right up to the ponies’ snout squinting her eyes threateningly “What’s so funny? Are you laughing at me!? Because if I find out this is some sort of prank I swear—“

The mare shot back holding her hands up in defence. “No-no-no it not that! You’re right, he’s in the bar…Didn’t you know that’s what the students nickname the section over there.” She said pointing over towards Dixons table.

Gilda scanned the area briefly with a hawk like glare, before turning back to the staff member.

“The staff used to say that his office was wasted, because he already claimed a new one in the student bar and the joke sort of caught on. Now everypony just calls it Mr. Dixon's office.” She giggled harder, leaning over the bar, and pointing to the aforementioned spot.

Gilda sighed and shook her head, even when she wasn’t talking to him he was finding ways to make her life difficult. “By the Pride, I hate this university.” She bemoaned, walking past the shaken and amused bar staff.

Gilda made a mental note to add the mare to the ‘shit list’ she kept in her head, a long, long list of all the ponies that annoyed or slighted her. She didn’t like being the butt of the joke or a prank especially, even if she understood it.

Alex had long since turned back, pretending to address a paper he had already marked, so as not to let the morose griffoness know she had already been heard by him. After a moment he noticed a looming shadow over his desk.

“Hello Gilda, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He asked rhetorically, lifting his gaze from the paper and smirking at the griffoness surprised look, at his apparent ability to now suddenly foresee the future. He chuckled as he put the paper with the others. “You certainly know how to be the centre of attention.” He added nodding to the bar and seeing the confusion of the griffon form into the realisation that he had heard her sullen conversation with the bar staff.

Not waiting for the invitation Gilda pulled up a chair and slumped down, crossing a leg over the other in the typical stallion-esc manor he had expected of her.

“You really drink that stuff?” She asked, nodding to the now lukewarm cider by his side.

Dixon shrugged “It takes the edge off, I’m a man of few vices but I don’t mind chasing the day away in it liquid embrace when I feel it’s appropriate.” He answered with a wink and a defiant sip of his drink.

“I thought that stuff made pony’s stupid, ain’t that something a teacher wants to avoid?”

Dixon laughed more naturally nodding respectfully at his debater. “Very true, but a glass or two every few days will do no harm to this noggin, thank you for your concern though, I’ll be sure to ponder that more when I get home.”

Gilda simply rolled her eyes, she really did not see what was so special about this guy, besides the obvious.

“So I’m assuming you’re here for more than a bit of friendly chatter and healthy debate?”

“Yeah, I got a problem.”

“Oh?” Dixon set down his drink, locking his fingers together and leaning further against the table giving his student his undivided attention. Slightly amused by the reaction Gilda had as she leaned back further, she scrunched her beak as he came closer. Almost like she was sniffing something unpleasant to her, some untold miasma gripped at her nostrils. It took a few seconds before Dixon finally came to come to the conclusion that it was his aftershave.

“Not a fan?” He asked.

“I don’t get aftershave, why do stallions need to smell more like another stallion?”

Dixon smirked, “Oh, are you more of a fan of the feminine touch?”

Gilda for her part didn’t blink, she wouldn’t give him the rise he was looking for. However a faint touch of warmth in her cheeks betrayed her all the same.

Once more, Dixon chuckled heartily. “Forgive me, not my place, unless that’s the problem you were having, it’s okay, truly, you can confide in me Gilda everything here is always strictly confidential with my students.”

And now he got what he was looking for.

The griffon squawked at him twitching her eye almost violently “What! No I’m here about work you perv!”

Dixon chuckled again bringing his hands into the air in defense of himself, knowing he hit a bit to below the acceptable teasing line. “Sorry, very sorry that was unbecoming of me, but in seriousness if you ever do feel the need to talk about any personal issue, or insecurity you’re having, the staff here are always happy to lend an ear, believe me I’m being sincere here.” He ended with a serious expression trying to mollify her ill temper, and silently confirming his true utmost sincerity for that final sentence. He was all for games, but he never wanted a student to suffer or feel alone, he knew how that felt and how crippling it could be to anyone.

Gilda stared at him for almost a minute before seemingly accepting his apology lowering her posture back to its usual tomboyish swagger. “Yeah, yeah, can we just drop this, I got to be somewhere else ASAP.” She sighed leaning back into her chair, clearly still a little irate about the what had just been mentioned, but begrudgingly she had to accept that his perception was very impressive, he would have made a fine griffon Witcher if he had been born one, not that she would ever give him the satisfaction of tell him that.

“Certainly Gilda, what can I help you with?”

“Well you know you said you were willing to meet with me on Friday to help and everything.”

“I did, I’m guessing you changed your mind about that?”

“Yeah, well sort of, I was talking to that mare who I was sat next to you know the quite one, Fluttershy.”

Dixon nodded, yes had known Fluttershy quite well indeed. The Mare was practically common knowledge among the history faculty, for both good and bad reasons. The mare was one of the highest scoring hard working and diligent pony’s in the university and was promised a very high rated degree by the time she left this university.

In theory.

The issue however lay in her inability to work in a group or present her work in front of the class. It had drastically affected her performances in some of the other classes it had been brought up in a council debate by many of the faculty members. Many had assisted her but to no avail, the mare was a complete stone wall to all but her small tight-knit group of friends.

Dixon wasn’t about to give up on the mare or any of his students that needed help from him but even with his skills at galvanising his students, he simply couldn’t break this mare out of her shell. He wanted to go beyond the call of duty to help the mare, but his reasons for that were a different story. Something about the mare captivated him, she was a gentle soul, friendly and quiet. However it was the trouble in her eyes the placid, haunted yet unspeakable trouble that resonated in her pupils, something about the mare spoke volumes to him. A kindred spirit, a mare with no peace in her past no solace or strength, something had robbed her of it long ago.

In many ways Dixon saw a piece of himself in the mare, a dimensional opposite doppelganger of himself that could have been, had he not found the love and support in his young life, though he would never admit it. Not even to himself he found he cared for the mare more so than his other students as much as it sickened him to admit it, as he often preached, vocally, that they all were equal in his eyes. In his deepest thoughts and his troubled dreams he knew he was lying to himself.

Dixon flinched as the sounds and presence of a clicking claw was by his face. Turning back to his owner he gave a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I was miles away.”

“You sure you should be drinking that stuff then?” Gilda smirked nodding to the cider.

“This is only my second one, give me some credit Gilda.” He baited back.

“Uh-huh” Gilda stated, though Dixon didn’t much care for the tone in her voice.

“I apologise Gilda, you were saying?” He held out his hand for her to continue.

“I was saying that since me and Fluttershy are doing something so similar maybe it would be better if she come along with me, kill two Parasprites with one stone?”

Alex bit his lip. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”

Gilda lifted a brow in question. “Why not?”

Alex sighed going through the bullshit statement he himself was told to say if asked. “Ms Fluttershy has been doing fine with her work and nothing I’ve seen has convinced me that she needs any outside help, students are supposed to do this project by themselves, with minimal assistance.”

“Screw that! You're helping me aren’t you?” Gilda growled raising her voice slightly as she leant forward.

“That’s different I’m helping you with the assignment.”

“But you said you’d give me feedback on my presentation as well.”

Dixon bit his lip a little harder, he technically wasn’t supposed to do that either, there was a set date for feedback but most teachers didn’t mind bending the rules to assist their students. However Gilda was not the one currently be watched by a biased third party.

“I’m sorry, I can’t Gilda.” He stated in a final tone but it had little to no effect on the griffoness.

Gilda slammed her claw on the desk splashing bits of the cider on to the table as Dixon had felt whilst locking his eyes on the griffon.

“That’s horseapples and you know it, you know ponies round here say you're different from the other stuffy dorks, but I always knew you were the same. Oh sure you put on a different costume and slick your hair back all hip and stuff, but deep down you're just the same phony like everyone else.” Gilda roared at him not waiting for a rebuttal she had gotten out of her seat and began walking away.

Dixon looked down dejectedly, He brought both hands up to massage his eyes for he felt them growing quite tired at this very moment. When did the teaching stop being about the students and the pursuit of knowledge, it was all too petty for him.

“Wait.” He called out almost more of a sigh, stopping before the griffon could get out of earshot.

Gilda looked over her shoulder, not giving him the decency to turn round.

“Okay… I’ll... Just please come and sit back down, I’ll explain.”

Gilda shrugged and turned back, he didn’t know where that passion in her came from, but if she could put half that passion into her writing as she did on everyone she meet, she would be leagues above her class, whether she believed what she said or not, she made quite the convincing debate, even if it was just punching bellow the belt with each word.

“Gilda under no circumstances are you to tell anyone of this, if anyone else finds out I’m likely to get suspended, or even fired.” He stated giving a deathly serious glare, he wasn’t sure if putting his and Fluttershy’s livelihood on the line. He wasn’t sure he could truly trust Gilda and he didn’t even know if her and Fluttershy were really friends, but if it helped the mare in any way, he was going to try.

Gilda didn’t say anything, but the look in her eyes told him she understood the severity of what he was about to say.

“I can’t help because the university has commanded me not to help.”

Gilda gave him a scrupulous look letting an uncomfortable few seconds go by as she watched him. “Why not.”

Dixon eyes darted from the edge of the bar to the other, trying to spot any of the faculty members. As far as he was concerned at this time everyone and anyone could be spying on him everypony in ear shot could be working for them, of course it was ludicrous, Dixon knew this, it wasn’t like he was some secret agent meeting a seedy bar on the ass end of nowhere, hunting a rogue spy and in truth very few of the staff members actually came in. But he was not about to risk it based on that knowledge, and if he was honest with himself he was not about to undermine the influence some of these teachers had, many had come from high ranking families in Canterlot, in fact, almost seventy percent of the students he taught came from those very same social class, with a few exceptions.

“You see, I’m currently under review after last year, well actually its more of an... investigation.”

Gilda was sure that if she had a drink this moment, Dixon would be wiping it from his face after the spit take she would have done.

“Investigation!?”

“Shh damn it Gilda keep it down alright, no one is supposed to know like said!”

Gilda leaned back looking over her back. “Alright, alright jeez.”

Dixon coughed into his hand, already some of the hairs from his head had fallen down to cover his left eye, as a partial bead of sweat marred his face, Gilda knew that whatever it was that was going on was seriously distressing the teacher, he had one hell of a poker face because in all her time in class she had never seen this side of the man

“As I was trying to say, some of the faculty members have complained and I suppose somewhat rightly so that I have been helping my students out more than is required.”

Gilda gave Dixon a mocking chuckle despite herself, already to call him out on the bull shit he was trying to sell to her. “So you’re telling me that they’re going to suspend you for doing your job how dumb do you think I look.”

Dixon grabbed the remnants of his cider taking a bigger gulp of the beverage than before in order to calm his nerves and gather his thoughts. “No that’s not what I mean. You see the university works on student grades, the more students pass with very high results in a course the higher the pay bonus at the end of the year.”

“Yeah so what.”

“Well, I’ve been getting a rather nice bonus these last few years.”

“S-ssso you’re good at your job, what does that have to do with anything?” she stated with a shrug.

“Look Gilda, I’m going to be straight with you because I’m sure you can relate. As you might imagine, it wasn’t easy for me to come here, this is a rather draconian school with a rich history, it doesn’t take kindly to change. Now add me into the equation, I had to work tooth and nail to even apply to this school, they only just started letting other species work here and I just managed to scrape in that way, regardless of my proven credentials, heck it was only through the mud racking this university has gotten in the past of accusations of nepotism in the newspapers that they even considered me as an option. Needless to say I made some enemies coming here, not that everypony here is self-centred, far from it. But regardless since day one I’ve had to go beyond me post to prove I’m just as valuable to this school as anyone else.”

Dixon wished he had been exaggerating, the first two years were the hardest he had ever worked in his life, he had all but forfeited his holidays, working overtime on weekends he had run himself into a husk sacrificing any and all social life, except for the occasional moments with his family he hardly stepped off University soil. He had even slept in his office, his real one, more times than he liked to admit just so he could forfeit the unreasonable quota that had been thrust on him by his head of history. No matter, what he was not going to let that arse or any of the others drive him out of here. Nowadays it had died down to a reasonable level, perhaps because many came to realise he was not going anywhere or because of some unknown force, but he was now at least able to sleep back in his own bed once more.

That was until this year.

“The thing is Gilda, this year some of the faculty members have accused me of giving the students too much assistance and some have even gone as far as to accuse me of giving them the answers to the exams.”

Gilda actually looked taken back by what he said, dorky Dixon cheating no buckin’ way. “Wait some of these dolt think you’re actually cheating to get a higher bonus, don’t get me wrong Alex, you’re a sorta’ smart eh, human, but you don’t strike me as the criminal mastermind, you’re too much of a good two shoes for that.”

Dixon shook his head at the griffoness, rolling his eyes. “Well thanks for that Gilda, I think, but that’s not for you to decide ultimately.” He muttered solemnly, reaching for his cider once more and bringing it to his lips the bitter taste of the liquid matched his mood perfectly.

“So did you do something bad then, besides that?”

Dixon spat out the cider coaching to himself and hitting his chest to regain his breath “What? *cough* *cough* heck no. I only ever give them as much of my time as I can to my students, I hate seeing them fail. But a big part of being at a university is to find the answers and study themselves and so when the students in my class get higher pass rate than average for the past four years, some of the other Faculty members stated talking.”

“So you're saying that if you let them fail the teachers would say you sucked at your job and if they all did really well they accuse you of cheating for pay.”

He clicked his fingers pointing at Gilda. “Right on the money Gilda, it’s a catch twenty two, I only do what a lot of them won’t do I work Saturdays most weeks, I rarely take holidays off and unlike some of the others, I make a point of always keeping my door open and available, its part of why I come here instead of the offices, it's less intimidating to the other students if they meet me outside of the lecture halls.”

Gilda furrowed her brow mulling over what Dixon had just told her, she had absolutely no idea the strife he endured. The man carried himself like he had no cares in the whole wide world, how was he carrying this much baggage and breaking down in a nervous wreck. Then she glanced over towards the glass in his hand, the one he almost converted five fingers coiled around the glass like a boa constrictor, maybe his post work pleasures were more of a post work crutch, she almost didn’t blame him if that was the case. “So your telling me that because you have absolutely no social life that’s why they're doing better, and they're gonna’ punish you for that?”

Dixon sighed. “No, in fact I’m certain that this is all going to pass, I’ve never done anything unethical and once they find there's no basis for this investigation I’ll be in the clear, it's run by an outside third party investigations committee, thank Celestia! But right now I’m being closely monitored during the university hours, until this slanderous recrimination is brought to a close.”

“So what’s this got to do with refusing to help Fluttershy?”

“Do you have to put it in such a crass way, I’m not refusing to help her or anyone? But Fluttershy on paper has been doing fine in her work and if I do what you wanted me to do it’ll look suspicious. Do you understand me?”

“Well, why are you helping me then.”

“Because-“ Dixon stopped as a group of students walked just past the table. Gilda turned to stare then back to him, he really wasn’t kidding around.

“Sorry can’t be too careful, anyway it’s because you actually need help Gilda, we both know that you’re performing under what you can do and it’s much easier to justify helping you than Fluttershy. If I helped Fluttershy and not you, or the others it’ll only look like I’m trying to help get higher grades or picking favourites. Trust me, they’ll find a way to spin it badly even if you're there to protest. You don’t understand how infuriating it all is. Heck in truth helping you might even put me in the dog house, I’m not sure anymore. But I’m not going to sit back and let any of you under achieve just because of some false downright ridiculous accusations!”

Gilda nodded at Dixon stroking the side of her beak, she found she was actually warming up to this guy somewhat, he really seemed genuine, unlike some of the others she had seen. Again not that she was ever going to say that to his face, her pride wouldn’t allow it, but she was at least considering not firing spit balls in his class anymore. “You know, there’s no way she’s gonna’ pass the presentation part of the exam, that filly couldn’t talk to her own shadow.”

Dixon slumped down onto the table with a defeated groan. “You don’t think I don’t know that Gilda, it’s been eating away at me this whole time! But I can’t do it outside of class. There’s no way to prove that she won’t be able to perform when the time comes, as far as I’m aware she’s progressing with her presentation perfectly fine.”

“Yeah but we both know that means squat when the time comes and she runs out of that class room two seconds into the presentation.”
“Again Gilda I know but truly my hands are tied on that front.” Dixon huffed he felt visibly drained, even though all this talk helped him get the irritation of the situation off his chest, it did little more than place a plaster onto an open wound, he needed actions not words.

“So, you do care about her then?”

“Of course I do, that mare deserves the right to pass this year with flying colours. She just needs someone to help her get over that blasted stage fright she has.”

Gilda leaned back into her chair pondering to herself. “Huh maybe she does actually have a chance after all.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Gilda smirked, enjoying the confused stare Dixon was giving her as he tilted his head trying to make heads or tails of what that even meant. “Wha’? oh nothin’, But you still want to help her right?”

“Yes very much so and if I could I would have done it by now. But my office and the class rooms aren’t going to be any good, they’ll know if I do anything there, and besides I don’t think my credentials are good enough to tackle whatever pre-existing physiological conditions she seems to have.” He almost laughed at the hopelessness of it all.

Gilda tapped the underside of her beak with a claw looking up to the sky again, “I don’t know, if it was you, some one on one time with her might just work.”

Again Dixon tilted his head at the griffons cryptic undertones. “Really, why?”

“She a big fan of you, I’m pretty sure you’re her favourite.” Gilda snickered gaining a raised brow from the man.

“That’s funny, just this afternoon she couldn’t even look me in the eye.”

“Well she isn’t called Shy for nothing dude, but trust me, I’m her friend, she’ll talk to you, she said so herself.” Gilda lied though she was sure that it could work. Sure the guy couldn’t get more than a few words out of her, but he also didn’t have the awesomeness of Gilda helping him out.

“Well if she personally wants it, I’m in no position morally speaking to reject her request, but that still leaves the question of where I would be able to help, I can’t very well go into the university facilities, I’d be spotted in a minute.”

“Well that’s where I come in, you see I got a few favours I need to collect and as it happens I know somepony who has access to the gym storage room, it’s a big room and it’s at the back of the Uni. Nopony usually goes round there past eight, so we could sneak in and do it there.”

Gilda finished biting her tongue, she was doing her best with the innuendos that Dixon was completely unaware of, she was in danger of laughing herself off her seat. What could she say sex was funny to her.

Dixon simply gave the griffon a deadpan expression, shaking his head at the girl. “Can I begin to list the enormous problems with that plan, besides the implication one might gain in seeing a teacher sneak into a locked storage room with two of his female students under the cover of darkness. I mean Jesus Gilda! I know you don’t strike me as a griffoness who reads romance novels, but you can at least see how stereotypically and morally incriminating that would look!” Dixon exclaimed, utterly exacerbated that that was the best she could come up with.

Gilda didn’t seem to notice. “Jesus? What the heck does Jesus mean?”

“Huh?… oh I’m not sure, it was something my biological father would always say when he was annoyed or amazed, it kind of stuck on me.” He said offhandedly, wait? They were getting off topic.

“Don’t change the subject young lady!” He corrected himself.

Gilda leaned forward placing her elbows on the table she rolled her eyes, jeez was everyone in this Uni so uptight.

“I told you, no pony goes anywhere near there, plus it’s a Friday, and I know for a fact that all the students will be coming here to get shitfaced so there’s that. Plus, we don’t all go in at once, I’ll go in with Shy then ten minutes later, you come In, it's fine, if anypony asks you could say that you were looking for Ms. Spitfire or something, you and her talk all the time right?”

Dixon gave a tired nod. “I’m not even going to ask how you know that but yes she’s a good friend of mine, but I don’t usually meet her inside a storage room we’re not that good friends.”

Gilda chuckled did the uptight nerd just make a sex joke about Ms Spitfire, hmm maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.

“Well everyone already thinks that you are anyway, you don’t talk to any other faculty member as much as her anyway.”

Dixon liffted a brow leaning forward. “Actually scratch what I just said, just how in the heck do you know that?”

“You hear pony’s talk, they’re all about their gossip. Plus you two walk home the same way I do.” She stated in a matter of fact way shrugging her shoulders whilst fixing her aviator suit she needed to be some places soon this was taking longer than she thought.

Dixon groaned cupping his face in his hands as he massaged the skin gently. In a way this could work, oh to be sure the risks were catastrophically enormous but on the other hand the possibility to help Fluttershy was to tempting for him to not consider. If Gilda thought that Shy was as comfortable with the fact as she had stated then he couldn’t say no, how could he? Throwing the mare to the dogs just because he was afraid of being fired, that may have been okay for some teachers but this was not a job to Dixon it was his passion, he adored helping, teaching, learning in as many forms as he could succeed in it, and he also knew the potential of the mare. She was smart, bright and if he was to take his teaching garbs off for one moment she was fascinating to him, he had always liked to know her a little better, she had some sort of aura around her that enticed him like a bug to light. Though he would never say that out loud of course, there was no way he would allow himself to think like that of a student, it was morally heinous, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t allowed to at least feel it.

Damn it he was drifting away from the point again.

Dixon released his lip from his teeth he had been subconsciously biting on for almost a minute now, already the inside of his mouth tasted of a copper salty taste a hinting that he may have bit to hard. “I’ll consider it Gilda, I’ll talk to you tomorrow in my actual office, when I’ve had time to think.”

“Gilda gave the man a cocksure grin standing up and ruffling her wings as she stretched them out.

“Cool, I know you weren’t that type of stuffy old teacher.”

“Funny that’s not what you said five minutes ago.” Dixon baited back.

“Yeah and look how well it worked, I was just spurin’ you on, so to speak.”

“You know Gilda you would make an excellent politician, if you wanted.”

“Nah, too many creeps in there for me, I like coasting through life not getting bogged down with all that nonsense.” Gilda laughed, that was true, she did always want that sort of life regardless of what destiny had already been set for her, she could still feel like she was a bit in control over her own life.

Alex snorted out a laugh as well, a tired but well-meaning one. As he leaned back in his chair, letting his student and now co-conspirator exit the scene. As she pushed open the door from one side the other side flew open introducing a figure very familiar to Alex and just as fiery as the griffon.

Both in Passion and especially in the name.

The mare scanned the room with an almost military like gaze, before spotting her objective.

She was tall for a mare wearing bright red shorts and a Black cotton sports top with which the university crest had been sown into the left breast. The cotton hugged the mare's body perfectly, complementing her figure and exposing just enough to leave those with a vivid imagination something to fantasise over. The well-toned athletic stomach of years of hard work and painful training made it as flat and harder as the ground she walked on. The jangling of a silver whistle and two keys nestled between her generously sized breasts, drew the eye for most, but it would be a fool that would dare treat the mare with anything but respect; Especially if they liked what teeth they had. But it was her eyes those burning orange eyes that always caught Alex's attention.

Her serious drill instructor like features softened, once she spotted her target she was looking for, marching closer, creating a contrast of military strength and sultry swaying with her hips, like a jungle cat, closing in on its prey.

Swiftly and with determination only an Ex-Wonderbolt could command, the mare cleared the distance entering the booth over to the corner table landing with a exacerbated flop adjacent to Alex leaning her head back against the seat to look at the roof of the bar.

“I need a drink.”

“Hello to you too Spitfire.” Dixon answered bringing the pint into his mouth

“What day is it again?” She asked, ignoring the sarcasm in his voice.

“Thursday, though it feels like a Monday.” he mumbled mid-sip

“Tell me about it…Wanna’ get hammered?” She asked, finally turning her gaze to him with a mischievous smirk blowing a strand of her unruly orange hair from her eyes.

Dixon almost spit his pint out again it was becoming something of a record for him today. “Oh Jesus I thought you’d never ask.” He exclaimed cheerfully, looking back down at her.

Her smirk only grew at his enthusiasm “Wow I was just kidding but alright, you had a rough day as well?” Spitfire ruffled her mane before slumping her chin onto the table groaning.

. “You could say that.”

“Anything I should know?” She asked.

Dixon stared at her for a second before answering, “Nah, nothing really.”

She let her eyes linger on him for a while, she knew something was up but she knew she shouldn’t pry, this wasn’t like a cadet, even to this day she had to keep telling herself that it had ruined more than one relationship in her life, even to this day she sometimes couldn't turn the Wonderbolt switch off. “Well if you’re up for it, who am I to say no, anything beats taking the meds again.”

Dixon eyed her wing the right one as always seeing it twitch and fight to keep in check. “You’re uh, you’re wing acting up again?”

She looked over her shoulder bring her wing firmly back to her side. “Eh sort of, had a pretty active day today, it usually gets stiff like that on Thursdays.”

“You know you really should get it looked at more often.”

Spitfire cracks her neck and fluffs her feathers sending one or two lose one's flying across the table, the sounds of her cracking joints sent chills down Alex spine, good lord he hated that sound, of course she knew that, it was half the reason she did it.

“I’ll check it when I’m dead.” She added with cocksure determination, Dixon could almost feel the smirk radiate off her face.

“That won’t be long you crazy broad.” Dixon mumbled into his pint.

Spitfire ear flicked over to Dixon followed by a punch to his arm, spilling what little of the cider remained.

“Take that back, you pink curly lipped ass.”

“Make me Spitball.” Dixon dared with a mischievous smirk, rubbing the new bruise that would soon make its way with all the others she had given him into a purple and blue mark.

Spitfire stared at him, a low snarl leaving the corner of her mouth, as she tried to conjure up literal daggers into his chest and face.

Dixon held up his hands defensively, he had been on the opposite side of her ire many times, so he knew it wasn’t real, but to everyone else she looked like she was about to throw the nearest window, but he knew better.

Then again he also knew what she used to do for a living.

“Okay, Okay put those guns down tough gal, I’ll buy the first round alright, that a good enough apology?” He said standing up and grabbing his overcoat hanging behind the chair as both of them began to make their way out of the bar.

“Its gonna’ cost more than that wise guy.” She jabbed back, none of the threat of the statement hinted at in her voice, such was the duo's weird relationship, as their on/off friendship had often gone from time to time, smart ass remarks and friendly mean jabs thrown around like darts at some smoky old wooden bar.

“So… Where we going to Captain?” Dixon jested back at his companion who had fallen by his side rolling her eyes at the comment.

“Well creepy ears, I’d say the usual, but even I’m sick of that washout, run down hut.”

“Wow I thought you liked that about the place, it’s not that bad besides the whole nearly collapsing and almost breaking just about every required bar code and law.”

“Yeah that was cool back in the day when I wanted to escape the crowds, but I’m the mood for something different…" She let the sentence slip as she looked down in thought, tapping an idol table with her left hand as she passed it before a thought came to her mind.

"Hey, lets hitting a club tonight?”

Dixon stopped looking Spitfire up and down, with his jaw hinged comedicly open, before snapping it back up with his hand. “Who are you and what have you done with Spitfire!?”

Spitfire gave a sarcastic laugh “ Oh har har. zip it monkey, I’m serious, I’m up for something different, and as it happens some place just opened downtown and it seems to be all the rage with the kids, let’s do it, come on it’ll be fun.”

“Yeah if by that you mean it’ll be funny for the students when they see two old farts like us walk in sticking out like two bulls at a national china shop convention.”

She waved his complaint away with her hand choosing not to pay attention to his moaning as she often did. “Ah don’t worry about it little colt, if those big mean stallions try to pick on you, you can come running to big old miss Spitfire, she’ll make it all better for you.” Spitfire stated smirking and slapping Dixon's ass with her tail before walking off without him through the doors before stopping at the exit.

“Oh and I know it’s me saying this, but don’t wear the same shit you always put on, something at least a little cool and good this time, I’m not having you come down with your goofy black T-shirts this time got it?” She yelled over her shoulder as she walked out of Dixon's sight.

Dixon sighed slagging his shoulders, bringing his hand up he gently scratched the back of his head as he watched his long standing on/off friend strut out the room and back to her house where they would inevitably meet up again.

“Mares…Dad was right they’ll be the death of me. Why do I always meet the crazy ones…” He muttered stroking his black trimmed moustache. All his life he always seemed to get the over the top mares as friends or more, he wanted to say it was his quick wit and devilish handsomeness, but he wasn't that delusional in his vanity, it was probably something about him being a human.

“Well not much time better get-- oh hell the papers.” Dixon shoot back rushing over to the table only to stare in horror.

The stacks of papers were for better or worse completely covered in the remnants of his cider, he lifted the top of the paper watching as it drooped down like a wet rag before the remains of it ripped off and splatted onto the floor, causing a small whimper from the usually composed man to escape out his mouth, as he sink to his knees.

“Mares, god damn Mares!”

Author's Note

Found a computer to use only had an hour, sorry about the mistakes but I could only spell check for about forty minutes with my google docs account. long story can only write on my nexus right now on a very basic version of word (very basic :ajbemused: )
Thanks for the feedback from last chapter, wasn't able to comment on the ones I wanted to and probably will not be able to on this one for a while, so sorry about that in advance.

A Streak of Pink

Special thanks to The Cake Devil for editing this chapter.

*Sigh* The things I do for her." Dixon moaned to himself, analyzing and critiquing his newly adorned attire in the mirror. Twisting his curled mustache around and around, an inveterate twitch he had picked up many years ago and a sure sign of his discomfort and annoyance.
Dixson hated ties.

Staring at the ruby red (noose) tie, around his neck with contempt, he straightened out his black buttoned up shirt, pushing the loose threads of the fabric back inside his trousers, and following its completion with another sigh.

Dixon was also not a fan of tucking in.

Scanning the side of his bed, he grabbed his wallet and keys, before taking one last look at his appearance. Black trousers and polished black, laced dress shoes, that matched his shirt and trousers perfectly, only offset by the tie that stood out and complemented the black canvas it rested upon. Silver cufflinks linked the shirts wrists together with white stripe pattern in an x formation on his wrists. Dixon grabbed a gravel gray waist coat with a silver pocket watch tucked into the pocket and slung it over his left shoulder. He would wear it after seeing Spitefire. It would spoil the joke. he couldn't help but smirk cheekily at his choice in colour.

Dixon was at the very least a fan of annoying his friend.

The walk did not take long, his comfortably sized apartment was only a stone's throw away from the Eques Cantel; also know as the richest area in Canterlot. Of course, that was if you discounted the castle grounds themselves. Each house was at least twelve acres long, which may not have sounded like much for pony's as rich as the ones who dwelled there, but for a city hanging off the side of a mountain, space was a rare commodity. Something the upper class dwellers in this neighbourhood failed to understand, or perhaps, paradoxically, knew all too well.
The joke among all who were aware of the Eques Cantel was that if the council would allow it, the streets would be literally paved in gold. It wouldn't be too much of a hyperbole to think it could be true.

Whistling a unstructured tune to himself, with each hand in his pockets, Dixon proceeded casually, but with a sense of purpose towards his chosen distinction. Finally after the seventh manor on the street, he found what he was looking for.

"There's the old labode, hasn't changed a bit." He announced to himself, walking over and buzzing the bell by the enormous Iron gate.
"Who, may I ask, is at the door?" A deep but well spoken and eloquent voice answered crisply, as though it had been waiting at the receiver for some time.

"It's me, Steelwing."

A pause followed.

"I see...Wait there one moment please."

Dixon scrunched his lips, he did not like the cadence in Steelwings voice, something about it seemed off. An ill sense of foreboding suddenly found itself at the pit of Alex's stomach.

"Um... okay, sure." Dixon answered, there was no reply.

Stepping a little away from the buzzer, Dixon waited patiently at the gate, wondering why he wasn't just buzzed in like he had been accustomed to.

Dixon furrowed his brow. He had surmised that that incident between him and Spitfire back in the day must have had some effect on the staff...But perhaps, he did not expect a grudge or whatever this was to still be in effect for this long, not after peace was made between him and her.

Slightly more nervous as the time went on, Dixon waited patiently outside, pacing against the gate like dog in a cage.

Finally he saw the matured pegasus stallion, making his way crisply from the manor door and down the long winding path towards him. The stallion walked with perfect precision his whole form was one of purpose. From the short buzz cut greyish hairdo, to the formal black butler suit, with twinned tailcoats wrapped around a white shirt underneath, cleaned and cut to perfection, the stallion was the living embodiment of gentlecolt. Though the steel resolve in his eyes, (which matched the name all to well.) suggested trouble at a moment's notice.

Dixon gave a curt and friendly wave. However Steelwing did not respond, nor break the neutral expression from his face, as he approached the gate.

"Greetings Master Dixon, I hope you are in good health." The stallion finally spoke as he reached the gate, giving a small nod of greeting before scanning Dixons whole body with a critical eye. Before looking straight up into Dixon's gaze.

"Hello to you to Steelwing, is uh, is Spitfire home?" Dixon asked, now unsure of himself.

"My lady, is in her room, ruining my perfectly well laid out sets of attire, in search of a one suiting this occasion, if that is what you are inquiring?" The stallion asked his voice momton his pauses calculated and deliberate.

Dixon smiled again, imagining the morose pegasus throwing every manner of clothing around the room. It was an unusual thought, considering how curt and fairweather, she was about her cloths. Shorts, sports bras and tank tops were all she ever need to go out.
Even in the colder seasons she wore almost the same attire. But still, the idea that she looking for something a bit more formal was no less entertaining to imagine. And for a quick moment, he let his thoughts dwell on what it was she had decided to wear, he seemed to already have guessed, but it didn’t stop him contemplating the idea.

Another pregnant pause followed, as the stallion stood unmoving from his position at the middle of the gate "Can I come in, we're supposed be going out to this club night thing?" Dixon finally asked.

"Yes I know, her idea I expect?" he asked, answering Dixons question again with one of his own. Making no effort to move towards the gate as he stood with his hands behind his back.

"Yeah mostly, I agreed to the going out for drinks part and she suggested in her usual Spitfire way." Dixon smiled again, this time using it to over compensate for the awkwardness between them presently.

As it happened, the Spitfire way was never a suggestion.

"I see... very well then." The stallions stated, matter-of-factly, turning on the spot towards the middle of the iron barred gates and unlocking them with a large gilded bronze key.

At his best Dixon was terrible with awkward conversations or confrontation, it was a surprise to nobody that Dixon looked for the most immediate exit. Not too quickly, he nearly jogged through the tight gap between the gate and into the courtyard. Only to feel a large muscular hand block his path, making it demonstrably clear the torturously, awkward conversation was far from finished.

Steelwing coughed to garner Dixons attention, but at this point it was in unneeded. Even if he hadn't just blocked Dixon midstep, the stallions enormous presence was enough to get anypony, or in this case anyone's attention. "Now, forgive me for speaking out of place sir, but my mistress is not currently in the vicinity. So I will be frank and curt, at least this once." He paused, letting the gravity of his next sentence take hold.

"I know you and my lady are again close and renewed friends once more. But myself and the staff...Perhaps, we did not make it clear last time, but we we are very, very, concerned with our lady's welfare. Both physically and mentally. We all owe a great debt to her family and I myself wIll see it repaid, even if they are not still around, bless their souls."

Dixon frowned at that. Turning fully around towards Steelwing. "Whatever you're getting at, I don't see where this is going, I wouldn't do anything to hurt her. You know that better than anyone."

Steelwing nodded solemnly. "I know that Mr. Dixon, which is why I'm letting you in at all, just consider this a friendly warning. Though it was not as catatonic as most partings are, it left my lady in a terribly misanthropic state, that was heavy on my heart to watch. Especially considering her... disability, and it is something I do not wish to see ever again. She is not as strong as she makes herself out to be, but believe me on this account, if it is for her protection, I most certainly am as strong as it needs to be." Steelwing preferences the thinly veiled threat in a darker tone, taking a small step forward towards Alex.

Though taller than Steelwing by a good foot, the hulking beast kept behind the well tailored suit and bowtie, let all know that this stallion was not your average butler. Something Dixon already knew very well, having seen pictures of Steelwing back in his youth. Adorning the royal golden armor of the Celestial guard. Though he had aged much since then, it only seemed to harden his physique. The notion that he was perhaps smuggling watermelons in his biceps was not something that would be deemed an over exaggeration.

However, even knowing this, Dixon took also one step closer to the stallion, meeting his eyes and judging gaze with one of fiery determination.

"Now listen here Steel, I know how much it hurt her, I know all too well. Because if you think not seeing her for all those months was like pissing in the wind, you’re very sadly mistaken! I thought I had lost my best friend and one of the few ponies who treats me with any kind of normality. So don't even say that I don't care about her, and don't even think that I would even dream about hurting her! Now if you’re done slandering me, are you going to let me see her or are we going to have a problem!?" Dixon growled through his clenched jaw. Though mortified that he was most likely going to be shown just what happens when someone threatens a veteran Ex-guard of the princess, he was was not going to back down from this.

The silence in the air was palpable, as both man and stallion stared at one another, just inches from each others faces. Neither moving nor showing any sign of backing down.

It was after a few moments that Dixon decided enough was enough. Finally sick of confrontation, he decided to make the first move. Stepping past the butler, he took two steps forward before the thick vice like grip, grabbed ahold of his right arm.

"What now!?" Dixon bellowed back with anger and a tiny amount of terror.

The stallions did not look at him, but slumped his stand-offish posture down with a sigh. "Wait Mr Dixon, it is only right that the butler should escort the gentecolt to his mistress." Steelwing finished turning round and showing Dixon his trademark disarming smile, one Dixon had missed seeing in the usually happy, if stoic butler.

Matching his smile, and feeling the anger dissipated inside his chest, Dixon allowed the butler to take the lead. The two of them made their way towards the door in silence, before once more the butler stopped him.

"Oh, and Mr Dixon, before I forget..."Steelwing called out again turning round to meet the man.

"Yes Steelwing?" Dixon added his own voice matched with a hint of trepidation.

"It's nice to see you again, turely."

"Same here Steel it’s been far too long."

The mansion was as quiet as usual, broken only by the sounds of distant shoes on marble inside the manson or the enormous grandfather clock at the corner of the grand hall as Steelwing lead Alex through the Entrance hall. They moved up towards the left flight of stairs, as far as Dixon remembered, the mansion was as it had always been, a warm brown and cream colour across the walls with gilded patterns of ivy and leaves adding to the gravitas of the interior.

A golden behemoth of a chandelier hung on the roof in the middle of the room, the decorative jewels, imports from the crystal caves beneath the surrounding caverns of Canterlots mountain range, shon brilliantly and warmly, creating a calming and vibrant feel, to the already eloquent room.

And of course, the piece de resistance, and Dixons favourite part of the house by any mile, was the staggeringly big hand painted portrait at the top of the wall. Behind the banister between the two twin stairs.What stood at the back of the hall in all its six foot tall five foot wide glory was a hand painted picture of Emerald Diver, Spitfires mother and Orange Dawn, her father, in all his bright green fur irony.

But the colour of his coat was not what caught Dixons mirth, it was the filly, their only child, in the middle of both proud parents. There, in a frilly and painfully fluffy dress, stood a child with a moopy face, so impressive, it would have given manic depressant a run for his money. The look of annoyance in her eyes seemed to follow anyone across the room and the cherry on top, the large pink and white bonnet fixed on top of her head, made it hard for Dixon to climb the stairs without curling up into a ball of laughter on the floor, every time his eyes were blessed with the living embodiment of art itself.

In fact, when Dixon had first seen this, he almost just about fell down the stairs from laughing, something that would have been seriously dangerous, as the only one who could have taken him to hospital at the time, was dying of embarrassment next to him, as she tried to shoo him away from the painting.

Another giggle left Dixons mouth, as he did his best to not stare at it in all its glory. If Steelwing had noticed Alex’s chuckle, he chose not to acknowledge it.

"My lady is still in her room, I'm afraid she's not been out since she returned from work, I do hope she's remembered to eat the food I left for her. She can be terribly forgetful when it comes to that, especially when she's focused on a task."

Dixon shook his head, as he scanned the long hallway towards Spitfire room. "You're telling me you know? I keep a spare lunch in my office every day, because I know she won't make one."

A tiny smile broke from Steelwing butler mask. "Oh, it is made for her, Mr. Dixon, but she always forgets to eat them."

"It's probably why her office smells so badly of rotten food."

Both of them chuckled at that, as they approached the large wooden doors.

"Wait here Mr Dixon, I'll be a minute, let me just check if my lady is ready."

Steelwing knocked crisply four times, as Dixon always remembered him doing, before talking. "My lady are you decent? May I come in?"

"What now Steelie!? You've been on my wings all day. Can't you tell I'm busy! He'll be here any minute and I've not even got this bucking bra to stay on!" The voice of Spitfire chided with a bellowing groan, as she was obviously having trouble with the under garment.

Steelwing blushed, both at the nickname he always disliked hearing in public, and the lack of decorum his mistress was showing. "Well you see, my lady, the clock has struck the 'any minute' part."

An awkward pause followed, as the noise from inside stopped.

"What!? Where is he? Shit is he down stairs now? Bucking bastard can't even give me an hour? Gah buck this stupid bra!" She finished with another bought of moaning and groaning like a rabid dog behind the doors.

Dixon smiled, now was his cue "Actually, I gave you one and a half, but it's nice to know you still talk about me when I'm not here like you do when I'm in front of you."

Again silence reigned, before the door unlocked just wide enough for a yellow hand to reach out of the door and pull the humongous butler in like she had plucked a leaf from a tree, before it shut again.

Not wanting to miss a word, Dixon leant into the door, hearing the harsh whispers and none too pleasant swears that accompanied them.
Dixon was about to press his ear right to the wood, when the door launched open, revealing Steelwing head and nothing more.

"My lady is indisposed at the minute, um, if you wouldn't mind making your way to the dining room. I'm sure somepony can provide you with some refreshments, I’m sure you know the way?"

Dixon nodded. "Downstairs turn left?

"Uh, yes exactly. Oh, and if you see Miss Dusty anywhere, could you tell her that my lady requires some help with, um, uh, some ill fitting item of clothing."

"Leave Dusty, she’s ages away, you'll do it right now. Come one Steelie, you told me about the horrors of boot camp training with a bunch of stallions, yet you can't hook a mares bra on? Celestia, maybe I should swap Dusty and your jobs around, she's far less of a sissy than you are."
Steelwing sighed looking up at Dixon with a tired glare. "You'd have thought that in her time spent with the Wonderbolts, one would of been taught how to place a simple undergarment onto oneself."

"I heard that Steelie!"

Fighting a grin, Dixon bit his lip, before taking a step backwards and walking towards the stairs. This was going to be an interesting night, he'd put bits on it.

Dixon stood by the grandiose bookcases that lined almost the entire drawing room. A half a tumbler of whiskey in his hand, which he sipped conservatively, as he gazed over the titles of the books. The number of relics and coveted first editions was something to make any librarian green with envy.

Spitfires family had been avid readers, unlike herself. Her mother was especially versed in all manner of literacy. Dixon was especially envious of the first rendition of ‘The rise and fall of the Minoutoillanempire by MarewoodGritson.’ One of his personal favorites, even if some of his hypothesis and theories had been disproved by later revisionist historians. It was still high bragging rights for any historian worth his salt.

He had always dreamed of spending a week pouring over the family's books. But he knew that just wouldn't be the case. Spitfire had many talents and passions but unfortunately reading was not one of them and if she wasn't going to sit and read, then that meant that Alex sure wasn't.

Hearing the door hand turn, Dixon did so as well, glancing over to the other side of the room, the figure that appeared almost made Dixon drop his tumbler on to the floor.

There, with a sultry smirk on the side of her muzzle, was his best friend Spitfire. Or perhaps it was better to call it a fantasized, fetishised version, of his best friend. For it hardly seemed real to him, that his usual fashion alof friend, could look like this. Fitted in a stunningly pitch black dress, as dark as the night sky, the dress cut from the bottom rim all the way to the top of her thigh on both sides, showing off her stunning, slim and muscular yellow legs. The dress sewn perfectly, to show the slim figure of the mare, and just loose enough at her chest to show off her impressively sized feminine attributes, in all their voluptuous capacity.

Her muzzle was awash with small hints of makeup accentuating all its natural beauty especially around her amber eyes, where a small amount of mascara and eyeliner allowed for the golden bronze gems to shimmer and radiate perfectly.

Taking Alex's stunned silence as a reward for all her hard work she fluffs out her feathers nonchalantly, letting him see them for all they were worth. Plucked to perfection and dotted with small, shining, bronze artificial primary feathers, slotted between her wings, were a conception of the divine. Perfect in all ways for a pegasus and as possibly intended it easily distracted from the ugly chrome coloured metal brace, fixed on, and into, her wing joints on her right wing. Even that could not take away from her beauty.

Dixon, for all the weapons in witty arsenal, was left with nothing more than to leave his jaw open, an impressively stupid looking expression slapped across his usual countenance. Spitfire could practically feel the smugness radiating off her own body, but she didn't care, she loved getting a rise out of Dixon. His cute dopey look, almost made up for the droll that was about to drop from his mouth.

She chuckled.

"Not too shabby 'ay?" She asked, strutting over to Alex who's cheeks were now an impressive crimson colour.

"Y-yeah not too bad, not too bad at all, could have told me this club was the Gala."

Spitfire rolled her eyes but her smile remained as she sultered over.

A strong aroma invaded his nostril, a scent of roses and dandelions, carved its way into him, until it hit an enormous feeling of nostalgia both the sent and the feeling joined together and shot right up into Dixon's brain, feeling now more like a slap in the face, than anything subtle. Dixon cursed quietly in his mind and under his breath. She was pulling out all the weapons tonight, it seemed.

Her calculated feminine strutting broke as she looked over his body, stopping just short of arms distance, She put her hands on her waist tutting and walking around Alex, like he was a Wonderbolt rookie up for some dress code inspection.

"I told you not to wear the same shit, didn't I?" She asked behind him, before rounding back to his front.

"And I listened, look, I even have this tasteless tie and everything." He quipped back, fidgeting with the tie in between two fingers eagerly.
"You're wearing black, you always wear black, I told you not to wear black."

Dixon lifted one of his finger in front of Spitfires annoyed expression. "Correction, you said not to where the same shit. This is totally different shit, and besides, black complements my complexion, so I'm told." Dixon answered with an impish smirk that had Spitfire rolling her eyes once again .

"Your an ass. I know you did this to spite me, didn't you? You knew I was going to where black and you did it anyway.”

Dixon put his hand on his heart, "I can assure you Flamy, it never crossed my mind."

"If you were a recruit I’d have you running laps for a week." She deadpanned, wanting to hold her muzzle in her hand, but not wanting to smudge all Dusty’s hard work. The mare was a genius in cosmetics. If a pony should ever have deserved two cutie marks, it was her.
"Lucky me then. And if you were my student, wearing that, I'd have you in detention for smoking."

Spitfire looked at him with a confused expression, smoking? Oh right because she was...Yeah of course he'd say something that lame.
Despite that, however, her body betrayed her and Spitfire chuckled shaking her head. "Wow, that was buckin’ cheesy even for you."

Alex grinned, cheesy? She didn't know the half of it. "Are you a library book, because I'm checking you out?"

Spitfire cringed. "Oh Luna stop, that's awful."

"You look pale Flamy, I think you’re suffering from a lack of vitamin me." Dixon finished with an enourmous smirk.

"Is it too late to bail out of this now?" Spitfire wailed mockingly, yet still giving into Dixon’s risible speech with a chuckle, as she looked for any means of escape.

Dixon groaned in jest and taped her side with his elbow. "Ahh, come on, I was just getting to the dirty ones." Dixon cackled setting his drink on the table. "So you ready to go?"

"Damn Alex, somepony’s eager."

"Sorry, forgot mares take hours to get ready, you grow up in a house full of stallions you tend to forget these things."

Spitfire raised her eyebrow "You wanna talk about stallions, try training them and sleeping in a hall full of them, then you get to talk. At least let me have something for the road, the carriage won't be here for another twenty minutes anyway. " Spitfire stated, snatching Dixon's glass from the table and taking a more than generous sip.

"Jesus, slow down filly, let's get inside before we get trashed, unless you want me to carry you there?"

"Can it pinky, if I'm going to listen to you babble on, I would have gone to one of your lectures."

"Aww, I thought you adored my babbling Flamy." He teased poking her in the shoulder.

The glass left her lips, she immediately pushed it back into Alex's chest. He eyed the glass, a small smudge of red lipstick stuck to the top. Chantera lipstick, her most used. Dixon knew the make without any examination, he had even tasted it more than a few times.

"Alright, that's enough of that, the nickname stays in the house where it belongs, got it?" Spitfire stated from across the room moving to grab a glass for herself, from the drinking cabinet, while Dixon’s mind day dreamed,Looking up from the glass, Dixon took a swig of it, savouring the burning taste in his mouth before smirking down at the disgruntled, cutely and dangerous pegasus. "As long as you stop the Pinky talk, I'll call it quits." Dixon stated, capitulating to Spitfires demands.

Spitfire taped her jaw in mock thought. "Hmm, you do drive a hard bargain. Alright I'm sure I can think of something else."
"Already have my replacement... Spitball."

Spitfire looked at the large mahogany grandfather clock at the edge of the room that had shown that it had only been five minutes with a similar expression of nostalgia and amusement. "Oh this is going to be a long night."

The carriage was parked outside, in the warm spring night. Diligently awaiting its charge, who were both now in a merry mood, laughing all the way to the carriage door. Both a little red in the face from drink, they had been challenging one another to take a drink every time they relapsed back into calling each other by their nicknames.

Evidently, it had been a hard habit to break.

Both man and mare sat side by side in the open carriage as it moved towards its destination, swaying with the bumps of the cobblestone, that quickly became more soothing, than distracting. They gazed, with passing amusement, at the flashing lights of uptown casinos and over priced clubs, commenting on an interesting event they had experienced there, or insulting the horrific standards of the establishment, both with amused mirth in their tones.

Every pony it seems, was out tonight. Which wasn't too surprising, a Thursday in Canterlot was always jam packed with those eager for a liquid embrace, especially considering the majority of the students were trying to get in one last blackout drunken bash, before the foreboding exams loomed their ugly heads.

As he scanned the scenery, Dixon felt a warm sensation on his shoulder, peering over he found his friend Spitfire, resting on his arm, eyes closed and a pleasant content smile on her face.

For a moment, perhaps because of the lighting or simply that the drink had gone to his head. Spitfires coat was replaced with a lighter more creamy yellow, her mane with pinkish tones. Dixon messaged his eyes and looked back, Simply seeing his tired best friend. He smiled resting his head on the back of the seat, Wondering why that image had popped its head into his mind.

He resigned himself to the fact that he was simply overworked. The conversation with Gilda didn’t help much with that. He rubbed his eyes again, before twisting his flamboyant curled mustache. This was his night of rest, No time for thoughts like that.

Dixon shook his head, it would be another thirty minutes until they reached the heart of the Canterlot scene, the traffic was impressive tonight. He would let the mare rest where she was. It had obviously been a trying evening on the mare. She would be fine as soon as they got there, and he had to admit, he missed the long lost feeling of someponys warmth by his side, it had been too long.

An image of a pink mane made its way to the forefront of his mind again and he shook his head, more violently this time.

Spitfire opened her eyes, rubbing the sleep from them. She shot her head up then hissed in pain, grabbing her right wing and massaging it carefully around the chrome hinge.

Looking around, she saw the carriage still in traffic, but as her sleep addled mind began to wake up, she noticed that they were within spitting distance of the club she had in mind.

Looking back at her side she saw the position she was in, body pressed against Dixons, the small stray orange hairs of her mane on his coat. she almost jumped up in shock, but the look on his face as he caught her eyes made her relax. Friends slept on each other all the time she assured herself.

"Welcome back to the land of the living." The masculine voice announced, at her return.

"What happened, when did I fall asleep?" she inquired, turning around and rubbing her eyes, before turning back.

Dixon looked down at his watch, a strange figure made of blocks held its claw like hands towards the times. What did Dixon called it? A logcolt, no a logoman? Ah something human, she thought. It had been on his wrist for many many years, she knew that at least.

"About ten minutes into the trip."

"You could have woke me you know." She said with a small cheerless pout, wiping yet more sleep from her eye.

Dixons characteristically impish grip, returned in full force. "And risk waking the greatest threat in Equestria, a grumpy Spitfire? Methinks not my fair maiden."

"I am not grump when I sleep, I used to take five hour nights back at the academy for weeks and nopony ever complained."

"No, I'm sure if you were grumpy the recruits and cadets would have defiantly told you to calm down or take your tail out your ass."

Spitfire opened her mouth to retort, but shut it again, cursing under her breath. Not wanting to be bested, in this little battle of wit, she quickly change the topic. "We’re basically here now, let's get out, no point sitting in traffic."

Dixon nodded in agreement, fishing into his pocket, where a large bulging sack of coins sat.

"How much will it be?" He announced, loud enough that the driver knew to answer.

"All taken care for mate, laddy at the house already fronted the bill." The stallion answered looking through the mirror back at them both.
Spitfire scratched her chin. "Ah, should have know Steelie would have paid, that wall of muzzle really does have a heart of gold."

Dixon didn't comment, Spitfire didn't need to be privy to the less than joyful confrontation from Mr 'heart of gold' just an hour ago. "Here sir, for the trouble." Dixon flashed a twenty bit coin and flicked it towards the driver, who caught it mid air.

"Cheers mate, you and your marefreind enjoy the night, ya hear?"

Dixons eyes almost bugged out as he sat more to attention. " Oh ah, no we're not, I mean, she's not my--”

"Oh I get ya." The driver said with a wink, as he parked the carriage on the curb unhitching himself from the front of the carriage he had been pulling, and walking towards Spitfires door who had chosen to remain silent during it all.

Dixon frowned as he struggled to get the coin purse back into his pocket. "Look sir, it's nothing like that, we are just friends, we're not together. At all."

"Okay, okay, sorry chief, didn't mean nothing by it." The stallion pleaded, teasingly, as he held both hands in the air in his own defence.
Alex grumbled something under his breath but said nothing more as he opened his own door.

Once both were outside on the curb the carriage road away leaving both in an awkward silence as Dixon chose to loosen his tie and chuckle absently at nothing.

"Ha... eh can you believe that colt, thinking--

"Come on let's get inside, it’s getting chilly." Spitfire interrupted, abruptly.

"Oh eh, yeah I guess lead the way." Dixon added redundantly, as even before he finished the sentence, the mare was walking towards the large neon glowing establishment. Leaving Dixon pondering both why she seemed so in a rush all of a sudden and why she had stated it was cold on one of the hottest days of these last few months.

Rainbow tapped her foot impatiently, before standing up on the balls of her feet and peering over the stallion in front of her head for the twelfth time in two minutes. It was true she had many virtues, she was healthy, fit, loyal, faithful and a blast to be around on almost any occasion. But she also had the potential, if pressed, to be the most annoying pony to have ever graced Equestria, and in a queue, that talent shone brighter than a thousand suns.

"For the love all on high! Rainbow Dash will you please stop your incessant moving, you look like you're going into a seizure!" A prim and eloquent voice beseeched behind her, causing rainbow to turn back to her friends with a exacerbated huff as she slumed her shoulders down along with her wings..

"This queues taking forever, it'll be closed by the time we get to the front!"

The orange pony behind, her raised an eyebrow. "Uh sugarcube don't ya think you're exaggeratin’' a tad much?"

"Applejacks right Rainbow, if the basis for the queue is four ponies every ten minutes then by simple mathematics, we will be inside in no less than fifty minutes give or take." The lavender pony beside Applejack spoke, smiling aloofly.

Rainbows eye twitched. "Fifty minutes! Who's idea was it to come here anyway!"

Four of the five sets of eyes turned to the pink Earth pony, sheepishly smiling at the stares from her friends as she shrunk into her own neck. "Heehee, don't look at me, it wasn't my idea, it was the pony who wrote the leaflets idea. I just read it and showed it to you, blame him, not me."

Rainbow rolled her eyes again. Looking back up at the entrance, so near her, yet so far away. " It would have been easy if somepony wasn't so afraid to pull out the 'I know the princess card.'"

Twilight gave her a deadpan look in response. "Rainbow, we've been over this, I'm not going to use my status with the princess as leverage over anything unnecessary, especially to get into this silly club."

"But you never use it ever, what's the point of being her student if you don't get the chance to rub it in ponies faces once in awhile!?"

"You know, R.D's got a point in her own twisted way. Usin’ that letter you got, just this once ta’ get into some club ain't the end of the world, I can't imagine she'd mind, so long as it’s just this once, I rekon, I mean, wasn't she the one who told you to go in the first place?" Applejack asked turning to Twilight.

Twilight sighed. "Girls please, I told you, I don't feel comfortable doing it, so please stop asking me."

Hearing the plea in her voice, Rarity thought it best to step in to help. "Quite right, if Twilight does not feel at ease with the idea, then as her friends, we should respect her request and drop the subject hence fore, right Applejack?"

"Me!? It wore Rainbows idea."

"Yeah, well it was Pinkies idea to come here!”

"I keep telling you it was the leaflet, I knew I shouldn't have picked that up, that evil leaflets tearing out friendship apart, with its three page, laminet, times new minotaurian fold out evilness! Damn you leaflet, damn you all to hell!" Pinkie screamed, falling to her knees with her fists raised in the air.

Most of the crowd stopped talking to stare, before going back and pretending like that never happened.

“Pinkie get up from there, I didn’t make that dress so you could colour it with grime!” Rarity scolded picking her friend up from her knees.
Twilight shook her head. "...Anyway, enough of this, it won't be long, once we're inside, we can have all the time in the world to have some fun, and besides, from what I read up about this establishment, this place is said to have all the big names coming to it, like Hoity Toity and Sapphire Shores.”

"And Ms Spitfire.” Pinkie chirped in over Twilight shoulder.

"Exactly, and Ms Spitfire... Wait what!"

Applejack fixed the brim of her hat whistling at the figure in question. "Well I’ll be the son of mule, that is her alright. She at the VIP entrance.” She pointed onwards, as the rest of the group followed the trajectory of her finger. “Hey Twi, ain't that teacher you know, the hermen one Fluttershy's always on about?"

Twilight scratched her cheek in thought, not taking her eyes from the duel figures. “I think it's actually pronounced human and yes that's undeniably him. Wow he looks really smart.”

"Oh my word, how scandalous. I never knew him and Ms Spitfire were a couple, quite the unusual pairing, if I say myself. But there have been weirder I suppose and love finds a way. Oh would you look at her dress, my it's practically hand stitched by the gods. How stunning, I must find out the brand!”

All the girl began gossiping in their own way about what, where and why the two teachers had invested their night in the club, all except Rainbow Dash, who cringed at the sighting, and looked down towards the floor, unable to stomach the sight for very long. "Wow, this ain't going to sit well with Shy if it’s true." Rainbow Dash muttered to herself, keeping her eyes off the pseudo-couple.

"What was that Rainbow?" Twilight asked flicking an ear towards her friends muttering.

Rainbow stood up further, smiling sheepishly. "Err, I was eh, agreeing with Rarity, her dress is really good... and stuff."

Applejack raised a brow. "Huh, since when did you like all that filly stuff Rainbow, y'all got something you want to tell us?" She finished with a smug smirk, leaning in towards her blushing friend.

"I'm sure it's just some of my craftsmanship rubbing off on her, she's offered to model for me you know. With Fluttershy to boot."
"She did!?" They all gasped in shock.

"I did!?"

Rarity noded, peering very quickly to Rainbow Dash, reading all that her friend thought she had hidden in the reaction. But only for just a second, before her face lit up into a flamboyant smile. "Yes, I presume that's what you were mumbling, right Rainbow."

"Uh...yeah sure, I love sewing and junk."

The rest of the group fell into an odd silence, as they contemplated the discussion with different and varying ideas.

Oh Rainbow, eyes for another have we? I pegged you for a girl who batted for the other team. But it seems I was mistaken. Rarity smirked sadly, eyeing the human again. She had read enough romance on the topic of students to tell where this was going. Still, she now had her cornered for the whole day tomorrow. To refuel all her gossip and teasing tanks. Which were severely dry this month.

As the group was left to pontificate what they saw in mutual silence. It was left once more for Pinkie to start the fun back up even if it was in her absence.

"Hey where did Pinkie go?" Applejack asked, looking around before spotting her answer.

Twilight eyes followed her friends with a gasp. "No, Pinkie! Leave them alone, that's my teacher!" Twilight beseached, racing from the line towards Pinkie.

(A few moments beforehand)

The VIP section was, as Spitfire had predicted, short and rapidly getting shorter. Though short in number the pony's inside of it was still noteworthy. The ponies doted in the rapidly decreasing line were a myriad of nobles and celebrities and in some cases both. Each dolled up in their best. Mares with the latest Prada dresses, stallions similarly with the latest tasteful three piece black suits and ties, many of them, as she came to realise, lived on the same street as her. Though with houses as big as hers, one didn't tend to have neighbours in the traditional sense, so she kept her greetings to a simple nod of recognition. One that cut any sort of mundane conversation out, which both parties would find bothersome.

Spitfire was not in talking mood now anyway, which was both annoying and troubling Alex at the same time.

"Hey fire, is something the matter?" He asked blatantly, the whisky they had pre-drank before the event cutting away some of Dixon's smoother tendencies he usually prided himself on.

"No, why would anything be the matter." Spitfire growled rhetorically back, somewhat colder than even she wanted.

"I know that face Flamy, I've seen it many times before, something bugging you."

Spitfire wings twitched, sending a lightning bolt of pain she really didn't need right now. "Well if I'm already being bugged do you think bugging me with your silly questions is going to help!?"

Alex rubbed his forehead. "What did I do this time!"

"Why do you think it's you, is your ego so big it absorbs all of my problems as well!" She turned back to him her voiced raised to the point those around her began to mutter to one another, she eyed the crowd quickly before bringing her voice to a harsh growl.

Dixon laughed venomously. "Ha, right, my ego, your one to talk, it has to be me otherwise why are you mad at me."

"I'm just... mad at something, I was thinking about, don't butt in!"

"Well are you going to be pondering this angry moment in your past all night. Because let me know now, so I can get appropriately inebriated to deal with it."

"Oh buck off Alex, you know ponies say I was a hard ass but you can be a real sheath sometimes!" She yelled through her clenched jaw poking him in the chest with every other word.

"Me!? Me? I’ve literally done nothing wrong here, I don’t understand you sometimes Spitfire, nice one minute, bite your head off in the next. You know, times like these I'm just glad we don’t--

"Heya Ms Spitfire, heya Mr Dixon!" The enormously loud, high pitched voice called out behind both of them, making Dixon bolt upright in shock and gaining the same effect from Spitfire in a more literal way, as her natural pegasus instinct unforced her to extend her wings and flee.

Unfortunately, even a master at the art of flight, her take off was sloppy and the sudden launch made the, usually well oiled wing brace jam and stick, stopping her wing from moving mid flap.

Spitfire nearly nine feet in the air let out a enormous and long hiss, as the pain shot through her joints and down her spine. Falling back, she tried to gain her balance in time, but being so close to the ground it was impossible.

She braced for the crash.

Instead of the cold harsh concert however, Spitfire was meet with a large and much more comfortable body, as it wrapped itself around her before colliding with the floor.

Turning, she gasped as she saw Dixon on the floor holding her in a damsel-esc fashion as he groaned in pain.

A swelling of passion filled her and her frown changed from rage to concern, for just a moment. She looked down at the man, who was catching his breath that had been knocked from his lungs, to see if he was okay.

Still though fought with the feelings of before, the man she landed on was an ass, but it wasn't his fault she felt this way. This was supposed to be a good night for both of them, why the buck was she doing this now!?

She was about to brood further on when she heard a cough from beneath her.

"Um, Fire? As much as I appreciate you using me as your own personal recliner, were starting to draw a crowd."

Spitfire raised her brow, then noticed what she was doing, a faint blush creeped into her cheeks, but they were full of red rage from before, so thankfully most of it was not noticed.

She heard a muttering and a few gasps from the more hoity mares as they surrounded her. A giant robust stallion with a hardened beer gut walked through the crowd towards them. The tag on his shirt indicated that he was the lines bouncer.

"Ma'am are you alright?" He asked sincerely, extending his hand.

She grasped onto it, using it to hoist herself up. "I'm fine, I just...slipped"

The bouncer raised his brow, then looked down at the man with a puzzled expression, likely he had never glanced at the creature on the ground before in his life. His lips twisted in suspicion.

"This bothering you, ma'am ." He stated painting to Dixon.

"*cough* This, has a name! *cough*"

Spitfire growled again. "I said I'm fine, I slipped alright?" She wanted to follow it up by borrowing one of Dixon's famous phrases, Jesus I didn't need this right now. I needed a drink.

She spun on her heel marching through the crowd as they parted to make way for her. The bouncer by the door quickly stepped out of her way, as she thrust a pair of tickets into his chest, before bolting through the doors.

The crowd quickly dissipated as Dixon got up on his own two feet, still winded from the fall. He dusted off his trousers and what he could of his back. Before turning in the direction of the door.

As he reached the threshold of the premise, he went to push open the door.

Only for the bouncer to push him back.

“Tickets please?" The unicorn grunted out, looking at him through blackened sunglasses.

"She just gave you them." Dixon stated with confusion and befuddlement pointing to the door Spitfire had stormed through.

"I don't think she did.” The unicorn stated in the same monotone voice, shaking his muzzle.

"She had two, she handed you two. I don’t have time for this let me through, please!"

Again the Unicorn shook his head. "If she entered alone, then she only had one ticket please, move along sir, for other guests." He stated a hint of aggression in his voice. It was only when the second bouncer from before came up behind Dixon, did he decide this was not something he was going to win.

Dixon stormed away from the bouncers fuming, and venting. "That's ludicrous, we were both just in line toget--

"Mr Dixon, sir?"

Dixon turned upon hearing the familiar voice. a part of his greased back hair slipped down to his eye level making his face looked more crazed than perhaps he was. Twilight? Oh this is just perfect to him, she probably saw all of that, what type of example did I just set for her. Dixon grunted, mentally kicking himself.

"Twilight, uh hello. I hope you didn't see that, any of that."

"Did you guys just totally have a fight, you better not have hurt Ms Spitfire!?" Rainbow blurted out looking up from the group as she hovered over with her wings.

"Oi, no flying near the entrance." The bouncer by the door yelled.

"Alright, horseapples, keep you horse shoes on!" Rainbow bellowed back hovering back down to the ground.
"Is everything alright, sir?" Twilight asked worryingly.

"It's, yeah, its.*sigh* I'm not sure, and please, outside the office it’s just Alex."

"Ya'll okay over there?" Applejack yelled over on the other side of the line peering up from the crowd along with Rarity.

"We’re fine, nothing to worry about." Twilight called back, though she wasn't sure she had just lied. Dixon looked far from okay, compared to how she usually knew him.

"It seems I'm in a bit of a pickle. damn it I'll have to wait for Spitfire to come down and realise her mistake. If she even gives it a second thought, Jesus what did I do to deserve this now?" Dixon grumbled mostly to himself as he paced back and forth.

"Wait, you need to get into there." Rainbow asked, pointing towards the door.

"Yes, evidently, um, sorry I don't know your name?"

Rainbow puffed out her chest in a hubris fashion. "None other than the Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in Equestria."

Twilight's eye twitched as she looked between them. "Rainbow! Haha, don't mind her Mr Dix-- Alex she's just a bit excitable."

If Dixon was phased he didn't show it. "It's fine it’s fine, look you mares go enjoy yourself, leave this old man to his own troubles."

"Wait you're only like twenty seven right, that's not that old."

Dixon would have laughed at that, if he was in any mood to even pretend to be amused.

Again Twilight shoot her friend a hideous glare. "Are you sure? Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Ha you are an incorrigible altruist Twilight," Twilight blushed at the comment while Rainbow simply cocked her head not sure if he just insulted her freind or not. "Really it’s fine, unless you could somehow get me inside of the VIP section, there's not much that can be done. And I don't think it would be in anyway right for me to pressure you into producing that amount of coin."

It was when Rainbow looked at the VIP sign and then to Twilight that a wicked grin snaked its way into her lips, acting as casual as she could she put her arm around Twilight's shoulder looking down at her nails as if she was inspecting some dirt on them.

"Weeell, I'm not sure if it would help, but Twilight's got a letter that could get us inside the club for nothing." She almost sang the last part.
Dixon lifted his brows up in shock, that was quite the tall order if it was true.

Twilight growled angrily, her left eye twitching as a vein in her forehead looked almost ready to burst. "I'll get you for this Dash, just you wait." She whispered to her friend.

Rainbow simply smirked, that sounded like a challenge, she could do challenges. She would suffer from the consequences later, sure but hey, she only lived once.

Again Twilight looked back at her Teacher and scholarly friend with a sheepish smile. "I, well I, I mean I could, it wouldn't be too hard. and if it’s for you Mr-- Alex then I'll do it."

"Well I don't know what to say except, thank you, Twilight, thank you very much."

"Don't mention it" Twilight started, opening up her purse and pulling out a magically protected letter, from none other than the princess of the great land of Equestria. Only to have it snached out of her hands by an athletic friend.

"Hey guys, come here we're going in the VIP way."

"Wait ya'll for real?"

"Yippie!"

"Oh, well, if Twilight’s offering?"

Rainbow cackled turning to Twilight, who looked like she was about to see if she could get away with strangling a mare in the middle of a public venue and get away with it.

"So let's get this party started!" Rainbow screamed loudly, as her and the other girls raced towards the door.

Dixon looked at Twilight gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulders, before extending her is hand to lead the way.

If Dixon night could go from bad to worse, he would have challenged the notion avidly. Unfortunately for Alex the night was young and the hands of fate were fickle creatures.

Author's Note

I have always maintained the notion that pre-drinking can only lead to a bad night.
Sorry about the long delay. I have been focusing on different stores, I'm quite the fast reader, but I'm a terribly slow righter. An annoying conundrum for all, believe me.

History's for dweebs

Author's Note

Inspired by the fantastic Painting a Picture in Purple and White by Karrakaz
Ps. the author of this story does not agree with the title of this chapter. History's for cool guys/girls.

History's for dweebs

The buzzing noises of the hard working ponies of Canterlot university could be heard for miles around. Each earth, pegasi and unicorn pony diligently made their way to their appointed lectures eager to teach or be taught, many in their collective groups conversing with friends and teachers alike.

This was the noise that one mare had come to know well in her third year at the centre of the imperial city.

The mare waited for the rest of her class to leave, never a fan of being in or even around a crowd, though she was one in a group of six like-minded friends she still clung to her old timid ways. These days it was mostly out of habit, at least that was what she liked to tell herself.
As the noises outside of the class room door declined to an acceptable level for the quite pegasus, she diligently clutched her books lightly to her chest and left her seat.

It took only a few moments before the mare reached her pre-destination pit stop. Always allowing herself this little break in between classes to sooth herself and check up on her charge.

Twisting the knob of her school locker left, right, then left once more. She heard the metallic clunk of the tumbler activate telling her she had entered the correct combination. Slowly she opened the door making sure to look over both shoulders. With a warm smile she leaned down and stared inside. A pair of bright green eyes peer back at her, earning an even bigger smile from the shy yellow pegasus.

“Meow” the emerald eyes answered looking up at her inquisitively.

“Why hello to you to Ms Fluffy, did you enjoy your nap?” The mare asked, gently leaning in to stroke the little tabby kitten as it lent in and purred at her, greedily nuzzling her hand as she hit the sweet spot just behind its tiny ears.

She giggled. “Don’t worry Fluffy, mommy’s only got one more class and then you can come home back to mommy’s house and she can spoil you with a nice big bowl of warm milk.” The pegasus cooed earning another happy purr from the little tabby.

“So… you told him yet Shy?” a brash voice behind her asked.

Fluttershy epp’ed shooting up from her locker, slamming it shut instinctively as her wings flared out in full panic.

Turning back she spotted the owner of the voice. An athletic and toned figure barely hidden behind the sports gear she adorned. The mare with an outlandish and some would say flamboyant rainbow mane that complemented her own tomboyish personality perfectly, stared back at her friend in a slouched posture barely holding back a cocky smirk.

Fluttershy caught her breath placing an open hand gently on her breast to calm herself down. “Rainbow please, I told you not to sneak up on me like that.” Fluttershy lightly scolded, before turning back to the locker hoping she didn’t scare her tabby too much.

Rainbow frowned, moving beside her and leaning her shoulder against the other lockers before folding her arms in a nonchalant manner. “Sorry Shy didn’t mean to scare you like that, just thought you’d be used me doing that by now.” She smiled wickedly, poking her friend in the arm. “Or did you think I was somebody else huh? Maybe your little crush.”

It was truly testament to her love for animals at that point that the shy yellow mare didn’t slam the locker closed once more in shock as her back went stiff once more. Eyeing her surroundings for any unwanted eavesdroppers. Mainly ones with a love for fashion and a purple mane to be specific. “I-I don’t know, um, what do you mean Dash?” She finished weakly, already feeling her cheeks glow in a crimson blush.

Rainbow shook her head, waving away the excuse. “Yeah yeah, sure you don’t, I must be talking about the other human.”

Fluttershy looked down at her feet pressing her two index fingers together as she flushed an even more exaggerated red. “Dash, please, I told you that in confidence, you promised you wouldn’t tell anypony!” she beseeched her sky blue friend.

“Wow, wow take it easy there Shy” Rainbow yelled back holding her by the shoulders in an attempt to calm her childhood friend’s fears. “Course I ain’t gonna’ tell any other pony Shy, ‘Sheesh’ I was just teasing you a little, that’s all.”

Fluttershy turned back to her locker sighing sadly as she sorted through her books. “It’s not funny Rainbow. I don’t even know how I feel and this whole thing.” She bit her lip slumping her head against the roof of the locker in exhaustion, letting her mind wander she watched her kitten settling back into its blanket after its previous scare. “This is just all so confusing to me right now. I don’t even know if it’s right to have these feelings.”

Rainbow lifted an eyebrow at her, clearly not understanding the magnitude of the question raised. “Wait, because he’s not a pony?”

“No!... well maybe a little but, um it’s because he’s my teacher and well… he’s older I guess.”

Rainbow shrugged her shoulders. “Pfff, Shy it’s not horn surgery, he’s a nice guy, you’re a great mare, he’s like what twenty seven or something? You’re more than old enough, what’s the problem?”

Fluttershy shut her locker softly this time as she brought a books back up against her chest, using them as an impractical shield to hide behind both physically and she sometimes wished emotionally.

“But it’s not that easy, he’s a teacher and I’m his student and he’s so much better than I am. I’m just a silly little filly, he doesn’t even notice me…not that I blame him.” Fluttershy felt her eyes begin to water, but before she could fall down the inner abyss of self-doubt, she was so used to, Rainbow cupped her chin with her fingers, and lightly bringing her head back up to meet hers.

“Hey, we talked about this, you’re a beautiful, smart and awesome mare and no matter how smart he might be, he’s the dumbest hum-err guy, thing, in all of Equestria if he doesn’t see that.” She gave her friend a cocky smile and a wink as she locked eyes with her crestfallen friend.

Fluttershy despite herself giggled at her cyan friend sniffing away some of her tears before they threatened to trickle down her pale yellow cheeks. “Rainbow he’s the only human in all of Equestria.”

Rainbow took her hand away and embraced her friend in a firm but comforting hug. “Exactly”

Fluttershy giggled again as they ended the hug.

“So you going to ask him out or what?” Rainbow inquisitively asked.

“Oh I don’t know about that.” She answered weakly, once more staring down at her fluffy lime coloured jumper not meeting her friends gaze.

Rainbow fought hard not to slam her head on the locker in irritation at her friend’s lack of motivation. “Shy seriously, you talk about him like all the time, I have to ask you about your vet studies just so I don’t go crazy from hearing about him every time. You can’t just back down now or I’ll never hear the end of it!” Rainbow moaned bringing her own wings up in an exacerbated pose.

“But I don’t even—“

“Shy either you ask him by the end of this week or I’m going to.” Rainbow threatened.

Fluttershys eyes went wide “Y-you can’t!”

“I can and I will, I’m sick of seeing you like this Shy it ain’t right! You need to get it off your chest. He’ll either say yes, or if he’s dumb enough he’ll turn you down, at least you know what was what, you get me?”

Fluttershy looked at her friend, once more biting her bottom lip, she didn’t know how to argue with that, her argument was ultimately correct; If she cut away all the other major variables that was. “I understand Rainbow but, I only really see him in class, he usually goes down to the school bar, after seminars and I, you know why I don’t feel very comfortable going there. Not that its bad that pony's go there or anything it’s just—“

Rainbow massaged her brow lightly, at least Shy was giving her something to go on now. She knew the mare didn’t set foot in the student bar. Rainbow new better than any of Fluttershy friends her reasons for disliking alcohol or at least pony’s under the influence of it. At least now Rainbow had something to work with.

“Okay okay I get ya’ Flutters. But it’s almost the end of term and who knows what will happen when spring break hits. You might not get another chance like this, it’s now or never Shy.”

Fluttershy clutched her books tighter. “I know, I know, It just, what do I do? I can’t just ask him in the middle of class!”

Rainbow brought a hand up scratching the side of her jaw bringing her head up to ponder the conundrum “Well duh, of course you can’t do that. Hmm, what you got to do is find him when he’s alone…Why don’t you try getting a detention or something so he has to see you after class?” She finished giving her a cocksure smirk.

Fluttershy didn’t even dignify the idea with a response simply giving Rainbow Dash a deadpan look. As the athletic mare brought both hands up defensively.

“Hey I’m just spitballin’ here, don’t get mad at me. I’m not the one that’s gotta' find a way to ask out her history teacher.”

“Shh” Fluttershy scolded looking around the hallway again for any potential listeners. “Rainbow please, do you have to be so loud!”

Rainbow cackled, about to throw another teasing retort when the sound of the bell echoed through the hall signalling the beginning of a new hour.

“Oh shoot gotta’ get to practice or Ms Spitfire will kill me, laters Shy. Remember what I said it’s now or never yeah?” She quickly yelled, shooting up into the air and flying around the corner before Fluttershy could get a word in edgeways.

“Hey no flying in the corridor, how many time do I have to tell you Ms Dash!” A voice echoed around the corner.

“Sorry Ms Cheerilee.” The tomboyish voice hurriedly replied.

Fluttershy shook her head in amusement, rolling her eyes as she sighed heavily. Though annoyed at the brashness of her friend and if she was honest with herself more than a little envious at how her friend could take something she was finding to be a momentous philosophical and moral conundrum and reduce it to a simple yes/no question. Even with all these built up emotions, she couldn’t help but smile though, just a bit.

She never could be angry at Rainbow Dash it wasn’t in her nature to hate even a little and it was only because she knew that the Pegasus, for all her loyalty and reliability, never and would never know the word subtlety.

It was her own fault, she considered, for telling Dash in the first place. Then again she did have a sneaking suspicion that her Athletic friend knew anyway. Fluttershy did have a bit of a habit of talking a bit too much to Rainbow Dash when she was truly infatuated with something or in this case someone. You only had to mention an animal once and she was off.

Then again she had to consider the fact that perhaps she was making too much of this herself and that perhaps Rainbow was right. Though her heart ached and her brain argued back and forth with Rainbows idea. Her own plan of wait and hope would almost definitely end up fruitless if she persisted with it.

She decided she would have to wait for opportune moment. If the time came, she was just going to have to hope she had the strength to ask.
Placing the books into her rut sack, she bit her lip in trepidation. She knew what her next class was and she knew that somehow it was now or never, this was it.

She took a step forwards and marched softly to her next class.

Room 109 History.

Fluttershy read the words etched into the door for the fifth time and gulped. She had been standing there for a few moments now, but try as she might she couldn’t build up the courage to open the door. She reached for the door knob but her timid hands shook each time her fur felt the icy cold sting of the metal handle. Lowering her head in defeat she tried to settle herself. For once in her life she could not calm these butterflies that culminated in the pit of her stomach.

“Come on Fluttershy you can do this, just treat it like all the other times you went to class.” She whispered to herself. Stamping her foot down, she stared at the door in determination. Pushing down the fears as best she could. This was not the time, especially if it would lead to her being tardy, that alone wouldn’t help her case she told herself.

Just as she was about to actually reach for the door she felt a soft finger tap her on the shoulder.

Fluttershy turned quickly and looked up in horror. All of her previous motivation leaving her in a mass exodus as quickly as it had entered.

There standing a good foot and a half taller than her was the subject of her fears Mr Alex Dixon, her history teacher. The man who she had been puzzling over for the better part of year was now standing right next to her, alone, in one of her most fragile moments of her psyche.
She stuttered, unable to form coherent sentences, all she could do was stare at him eyeing his curious sapphire eyes as they stared down at her.

“Are you okay there Fluttershy, the doors not locked is it?” he asked sincerely, turning his gaze to the door then back to her.

Fluttershy opened her mouth then closed it bringing the books in her hand further up her chest as she shrank into herself letting her long pink mane fall over her face disguising her features and closing her off from the outside world.

The man’s features went from mild curiosity to genuine concern, brushing a rebellious black strand of hair back in formation with the other gelled back strands he reached over and lightly held her shoulder with his pale white palm. “Fluttershy what’s the matter? Are you feeling alright, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” The man asked softly crouching down to meet her eye line.

Fluttershy wished she could speak, she practically begged herself to say something, anything to the man. But all she could think about was what Dash had said, the idea now seemed impossible to her. How could she do this when she couldn’t even look him in the eye?

Yet despite her fears the shy mare lent into the touch ever so subtly, this was the first time she had ever been so close to the man. She sniffed as her nostrils were invaded by the strong yet not unpleasant aroma of the mans aftershave. She eyed his shirt a soft black cotton t shirt with a pattern hidden loosely behind a fancy tailor made over coat, giving the veneer of a man that at first glance was undoubtedly someone to be respected. But once removed would make him look more like the very students he taught, than the overly strict teachers he worked with. Another trait that Fluttershy adored about the man, he not afraid of what other thought about him. Even if it was simply that he had a habit of under dressing on most occasions.

Her arm went numb in the soft embrace of his firm hand. Even if it was only for a second she felt faint, her breath quivered and softened as despite herself she eagerly enjoyed the basic comfort of his caring touch.

This was the moment, she was alone with him, there was no time but now. Summoning what little courage she had left she looked up at the man still mostly hidden behind her pink wall of hair.

“M-m-mister Dixon s-s-sir?” she whispered forcing every syllable from her mouth as she tried to stared into his hypnotic ocean blue eyes.

Dixon smiled softly “Sorry Fluttershy can you speak up please, I must be going deaf with my old age haha, what was that?”

“I-I-I l-l-lov—"

“Oh Mr Dixon sir thank Celestia, I’m so sorry I’m late, I was in the library and I didn’t hear the bell go. I ran as fast as I could and… Fluttershy is everything okay?” A voice behind the man called out.

Both man and mare turned to see a lavender unicorn standing just behind them with a confused expression on her face.

The historian turned coughing lightly as he stood back up to his full height to meet the lavender mare with his trademark smile.

“Oh hello Twilight, don’t worry I’m late myself, I got caught in that horrific weather raging outside, those weather pegasi can really cook up quite the storm. Isn’t that right Fluttershy?” He asked. However as Dixon turned he only caught the literal tail end of Fluttershy who had rushed into the classroom.

Turning back to Twilight, the man furrowing his brow in confusion. He sagged his posture somewhat as the corners of his mouth dipped into a deep frown. “I wish she wasn’t always like that, she's such a bright young mare but I can never get her out of that shell.”

Twilight turned her gaze away from the closing door, looking back to her teacher. “Oh yes she’s very smart and sweet, she just a bit I suppose timid is the nicest way of putting it, then again she’s usually not this bad.” Twilight pondered, once more staring at the place her friend and fellow classmate had once occupied.

Dixon sighed twisting one of the sides of his well-trimmed moustache up to curl it up with the other side as he had been known to do while contemplating something. “Well could you do me a favour Twilight? Go sit next to her and see if she’s okay, I do worry about her sometimes, but it’s pretty clear she won’t tell me if anything’s wrong.”

“Of course Mr Dixon.” Twilight answered crisply and with a dutiful smile that Dixon returned.

“Please, outside the class room its Alex, I’m still trying to make everypony know I’m not like some of the other stuffy old ponies running this place.” He said, turning to open the door, before quickly shooting back to Twilight. “Uh, don’t tell them I said that.” He quickly added.

Twilight giggled, nodding in thanks as Alex turned to open the door holding it for the lavender unicorn.

Inside the class room was awash with different colours and types of ponies. Most simply gossiping, laughing or trading answers to the assignments set as they chatted away in their collective cliques.

As always Fluttershy found her place at the side of the seminar room, a few seats away from the nearest pony. She had chosen the spot herself before the beginning of the second year and even after making friends with Twilight and the others she still preferred to sit by herself. Once again she told herself it was out of habit.

Sinking down into her chair, she shivered holding herself. How could she have been so stupid! She scolded to herself, why did she think confessing to him right outside the classroom was even a remotely good idea? Was she that desperate to tell him that she would have thrown away her very education because she couldn’t control her emotions.

Fluttershy felt ashamed of herself. Her father had been right all along, she was worthless, what would Dixon even see in her anyway. A silly little filly with an equally silly crush. She wanted to disappear, crawl in the deepest pits of Tartarus and call it her home for as long as she lived.

She fought back a tear rubbing it quickly with her thumb. She looked up hoping that no pony was watching her. Scanning the room she was happy that at least her other classmates neither noticed, or were not interested in her plight. It was what she deserved anyway, a grown mare almost twenty one years of age and she was crying like a foal who dropped their ice cream cone. She felt pathetic.

As she continued her paranoid scan of the room she noticed Twilight enter quickly searching the room with her eyes before meeting Fluttershys gaze. The unicorn smiled, waving at Fluttershy before moving over to her.

Fluttershy panicked, she didn’t want Twilight of all pony’s to see her like this. Quickly rubbing the residues of her sadness from her cheeks she straightened her posture and placing a mask of normality over her face. She had practiced the act well when it came to hiding the issues of the heart.

However before Twilight could reach her friend her expression quickly changed when she saw something behind Fluttershy.

The yellow mare gave Twilight a perplexed look before looking over her shoulder slowly. She felt the heavy vibration of the larger figure slump down in the seat next to her ruffling its thick brown wings as it fought to take off its tanned aviator coat. Fluttershy looked at the beak and then at the scaly claws of the griffoness and gulped. The griffoness settled into her seat crossing one leg over the other and slouching back in a dominant, uncaring fashion. The griffon turned her gaze slowly to Fluttershy lifting a brow up at her when the little mare didn’t shift her gaze.

“Something on my face, pipsqueak?” She said nonchalantly.

“N-no, sorry.” Fluttershy quickly blurted out, snapped her gaze back to the front of the room. She spotted Twilight stand there for a few more moments, before reluctantly returning to her original seating area at the front of the class, casting her gaze every few seconds back to Fluttershy with a worried frown on her muzzle.

Turning from Twilight, Fluttershy watched as Dixon went about his usual pre-seminar routines. It always amused her how much flair he put into every little thing he did. In many ways it reminded her of Rarity but to a much less bombastic extent. It was often he did this, he was by no means the smartest or brightest teacher this university had to offer, but it was obvious to all that what he lacked in credentials, he more than up for with charisma and passion. And of course the statistics didn’t lie, he rarely had a student bunk off one of his lessons and even more rarely did he have a student fail.

Dixon stood behind his desk flipping through his notes. Occasionally he looked up to address a pupil in light conversation as he straightened out his granite grey and slightly drenched over coat and shot back his lukewarm coffee in his mug. At least that’s what Fluttershy deduced based on the humorous grimace he gave after finishing it.

“Gahh, I need to petition the uni for a better coffee machine in the staff room. This tastes like it was made in the pre-classical era.” Dixon lamely joked, it was his subtle way of addressing the class to settle down as he began his seminar.

Fluttershy despite herself giggle behind her hand. Even if he was the issue for her melancholy, his sunny dispersion always seemed to cheer her up, even when it was only indirectly meant for her.

She caught the griffon next to her at the corner of her eye, huff and roll her eyes at the lame and cheesy joke.

“Okay class, today's the start of our new topic, I hope you’re as excited as I am, this is one of my favourite periods in ancient history and undoubtedly one of the most important.” He smiled his ever charismatic smile as he scanned the classroom.

“Boring!” the griffon stated, perhaps a little too loudly, but it wasn’t quite certain whether her intentions were to actually be caught or not.

Dixon scanned the seminar room quickly locating the griffon behind the call. “Boring Ms Gilda? But I haven’t even told you what it is yet.”

The griffon sat back more smugly folding her scaly appendages together and staring cocksure at the teacher.

“It’s all boring, there’s nothing cool about history, it’s all for dweebs, the only reason I’m taking this stupid class is because I was forced to.” She retorted back to the teacher.

A pony huffed on the other side of the classroom. “Really I’m all for intellectual debates Mr Dixon, but there’s absolutely no merit in what Gilda's saying.” Twilight argued back, standing up in her annoyance and pointing to the griffon who smirked smugly back at the mare.

“Now now Twilight, I like an open classroom you know that, everyponys entitled to their opinions and besides Gilda’s right. “ Dixon finished sitting back on the top of his desk.

“I understand sir but—Wait, what!?” Twilight all but screamed.

“The dweebs just—Wait, what!?” Gilda yelled back at the same time.

Dixon leaned back on his desk placing his hands behind himself for support. “Well of course you're right Ms Gilda. Who better to tell us that Griffon history is dull and pointless than a very griffon herself.”

Gilda leaned forward clutching the tip of the desk in mild panic. “Wait that’s not what I meant!”

“Well you said it yourself Gilda, history isn’t cool, therefore griffon history must also be uncool. Or are you retracting that statement?” he asked in an obviously faked confusion.

Gilda sunk back in her seat, sweating somewhat as an uneasy laugh leaves her beak. “We’ll uh no. Pony history stinks, but I guess Griffon history’s cool, how could it not be!”

Dixon smiled clapping his hands together theatrically, he launched himself off the desk and back into the centre of the classroom.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself Gilda!” he stated “I encourage your voice and your opinion in this class, just like I do every ponys voice here.” He turned back to her with a smirk. “But please, next time you make an observation, do make sure you have some facts and sources to back it up okay?”

The griffon grumbled threats of pain and discomfort that would never come before looking down at her lap briefly nodding.

Fluttershy despite the potential danger she was in being so close to the disgruntled griffon smiled once more. Once again she was reminded of one of the reasons she had formed this crush so long ago. Never had she seen him raise his voice, never shame or undermine any pony even at outbursts such as these. He always found a way to treat it with a moderate amount of respect that resonated with her inner morality.

“Okay class, as I just mentioned we will be looking into Griffon history particularly fifth century and the origins of the Griffonian empire or more specifically the two great tribes that allied to create it. Now I’m going to give you a moment to discuss the pre-reading sheet I set before the seminar with the pony sitting next to you while I come around and give you back you latest assignments.”

The smile left the little pegasus lips as quickly as it came once she realised that the only one within reach of her was the disgruntled griffon herself. She looked down at her sheet alive with highlights and annotations then at the griffons who had neither.

She bite her lip again, this was going to be a long seminar.

Gilda slumped back grumbling to herself, she hated it here. Not only did all the dweeby wimpy ponys look at her funny, but the funniest dweebyist looking one of them just made her look like a jerk right in front of her stupid classmates.

“Stupid mom, stupid history, stupid mom making me take history.” She grumbled to herself. Glida found her wings already begin to twitch in irritation, she wasn’t used to sitting down this long. Back home she could practice flying for hours, it was practically encouraged among griffons. Those who couldn’t fight learnt and vice versa, it wasn’t that they shunned education, far from it. But with the constant border disputes with the minotaurs and other monstrous creatures from the bad lands that made anything this pony land had seem downright laughable by comparison they needed strong and able griffons wherever they could have them.

To make a long story short she was a fighter.

But that was not the life she was able to choose. Being part the noble family, house Ironclaw, she was expected to have both an education and strength, her family expected nothing less from a future heiress to the pride.

Gilda sighed, she hated it that much was true. But she knew her duty and as much as she might kick and scream about it she knew that for whatever reason she was supposed to know this stuff. She might as well learn. Not that she was going to make it easy on anypony, she still had to have some fun wherever she could find it and maybe find one or two short cuts along the way.

Looking at the corner of her eye she spotted the little weak Pegasus. Eyeing her for a moment she smirked. Hunting and tracking had taught her well, how to understand her prey, their behaviours, their strengths and weaknesses, and she knew how to read this pony. She could easily tell when somepony lied, why they hesitated, she could practically smell when somepony was happy. Not that this uni wasn’t rife with that. Alcohol and horny ponies made a very distinctive smell indeed.

That wasn’t the reason she smirked however. This little one was just too easy to read, she could see how she leant forward when he spoke, smiled when he smiled, laughed when he joked. Yes she was definitely easy to read. She was practically swooning over the teacher. Gilda looked down at the Pegasus paper, the mare certainly did her work.

Gilda thought for a moment, she could do her work study hard and probably scrape a B+ if she worked hard enough. She wasn’t stupid, she knew that better than anyone. But when it came to street smarts she was a prodigy in her own right.

The mannerisms, the hiding, the fact that she chose to be away from her other classmates, this was one shy pegasus. She wouldn’t be surprised if it was in her name or something like that. These ponies were always too on the beak for her. Yes, she could use this mare. Make her pride happy and hopefully get back to her younger brothers and back to fighting instead of being stuck here wasting ink. Yes she could definitely help this poor love struck mare. As long as she knew where to ask that was.