Tabitha forced a smile as she regarded her troublesome roomie. "Spring, I have good news for you."

"Oh?" Her tone implied she didn't believe that. "You've decided on your boon?"

"Not that." Tabitha waved it off as she gestured out of the apartment. "Some of the rooms have opened up, so you can have a full apartment to yourself."

"That's very nice..." Spring approached Tabitha, coiled as a feline about to pounce. "But we have unfinished business. Very well, since you clearly intend to hoard this thing as any dwarf would a scrap of gold, I will make this plain. Decide your boon, now, or I will determine my own best use of my talents for your benefit and be done with it."

Tabitha tried to retreat, but found there was little place to go as she bumped up against a wall. Spring was glaring at her, waiting for an answer. She had to decide, quickly. She could have Spring zap that menacing unicorn, but that was hardly her style. She wasn't sick, so curing that was right out. She could ask to be stronger, or faster, or... It all felt so impossible, and yet the glaring face of the elf made it quite imminent. She had to decide, and quickly.

"I see you're considering it now." Spring folded her arms under her chest. "Good. We shan't leave this spot until you're done, or my patience has run through. You have been a passable mentor, it would be a shame for this to come between us."

Mentor? Mentor... "What about if..." Tabitha rolled a hand as she glanced around her room as if something would appear to help her. "I'm teaching you how humans and ponies work. You can show me the elf way?"

"That is a fine trade," agreed Spring with a nod. "But it does not address the boon promised for my lodging." A wicked smile split her face suddenly. "The way you leer at me, perhaps you're a man inside?"

"W-what? No! I like being a woman just fine." She waved her hands frantically, trying to banish the idea.

"And you like being a human, and you like being plain, and..." Spring rolled a hand with exasperation. She advanced, slamming a hand on either side of Tabitha, trapping her as Spring leaned forward towards her. "You are not so satisfied with life as to find everything 'good enough'." Her face suddenly changed, a smile appearing and understanding seeming to dawn.

"Of course... I am a fool." She leaned in all the closer, chest touching the smaller woman's. "You're worried about the tales. You've heard of what happens when you take favors from fair folk. You fret that I will pervert your words and meaning and leave you wishing you had never asked for anything at all."

That hadn't been entirely what she was worried about, but since Spring brought it up, it seemed frighteningly accurate to Tabitha. "A little?"

"Very well then." She stood straight up and took a cleansing breath. "I rescind my anger, but my promise remains the same. Since you have not, and will not, select, it falls on me to decide. I will not pervert your words or meaning, as you have given me precious little to work with. I know humans favor family life. You are an unwed female, past her prime for childbearing."

"Hey!"

"I state only fact, not opinions." Spring raised a brow as if Tabitha were a fool for not seeing that. "You are a Caretaker, so you hurt not for material wealth, and a purpose has been given... Tell me, who is your favored person?"

No matter what she said, she felt it would be the wrong answer. There were so many ways for it all to go wrong, and she felt surrounded by mines that would go off if she took the slightest step. "Can I have one more day?"

"I gave proper warning before, and still you are no closer. No, I have to decide myself. There's that winged one? He looked at me with much the same unhealthy look you gave, though it turned to proper respect quickly... again much like yourself. Do you like him?" She raised a brow. "His dander is in this very room. If you were trying to be subtle about it, you've failed, though I imagine a human simply didn't consider the finer parts of tracking."

She knew about Razz? Of course she did. She probably knew all the ponies she talked to in the building, which included--

"Or are you drawn to females? I am not one to judge. I was willing to become your partner, it would be foolish of me to cast blame now. There is that light-colored horse. Coco? An unfortunate name. If she were more brown it would be sensible. Do you find yourself drawn to her?" She raised a brow. "It's only sensible a caretaker would be chosen that finds the locals appealing. I should be less surprised, and that is entirely my own fault."

She leaned forward, coming close again and even touching. "I can feel your breath hastening every time I close in on you. Do you like the contours of females? Maybe that's why you're unwed." She smirked faintly. "A woman cannot beget children with another... not without some help." Her hand pressed to Tabitha's belly, holding her despite her attempt to get away. "I'm not held to those rules."

"Let go of me!" Tabitha gave a terrific and panicked shove at the elf and won a foot of clearance, which was enough to dance away, heaving with building terror. "Look, just... go. I'll show you your room. I don't want anything!"

Spring turned to face Tabitha. "A boon, once given, is sacred and unflinching. I will give it and not be known as a liar and wretch. Very well, since you steadfastly refuse to select one, I will assume either would please you. Horse lover--" she spat the word even as she smiled, as if amused to be in the presence of any non-horse that found horses attractive. "You are advised to remain still."

"And if I don't want to?" she asked even as she backed away from the dangerous fae. There were no good endings, only a variety of bad ones. "Look, alright, make me a bit stronger and we'll call it even!"

"It's too late to make requests now, and that entreaty sounds false besides. What would a Caretaker need that for? I've seen you work. If you won't stay still, then you'll have to sleep for thi--"

Tabitha stopped hearing Spring. She couldn't hear. She crashed to the floor, subdued by glowing fingers and subtle motions of the body. She was quite asleep.

Spring collected her prize carefully. "Foolish human... You don't even know what will make you happy. I tried to be hospitable, but you've spurned me at every turn." She turned with the sleeping form and made her way towards her room. "Now you'll have to settle for my 'kindness'." Sure, she may be evicted and sent home, but propriety had a higher priority, and there were lessons to be dispensed.

Razz emerged from the hotel. He had worked hard and well, and even had some bits to show for it. Life was looking up! He smiled as he trotted towards home, whistling along the way.

"Hey, man." It was a familiar voice. Trap was approaching him. He was an earth pony, the other leg of their tripod of pony tribes. "I heard you got a new gig. What's the happs?"

"Hey Trap!" He reached with a wing and hugged the stallion. They had been friends for a long time. "I'm a cleaner slash bellhop for a hotel."

"Oh?" Trap raised a brow curiously. "You liking it?"

"It's work, and I'm still getting used to it," confided Razz as he walked along. "It pays well, and it's good to be working again."

"Good to hear." He glanced off and back at Razz. "I think this one will work."

Razz smiled brightly. "Another invention? What's this one do?"

"Don't say it like that!" He nudged Razz, but was smiling. "This one's the real deal. You know how ponies can sometimes get gunk in their hooves that's hard to clean out?"

"Sure? Who hasn't had that once in a while?"

Trap pulled out a strange thing that looked like a spring-powered pick. "This'll clean your hoof right out without any risk of being poked or cut."

Razz blinked softly. "If that works, it could make money, Trap. Have you tested it?"

"On myself a few times," he admitted. "But I'm just one pony. You up for being a test subject?"

Letting that sharp pick anywhere near his sensitive hooves didn't appeal to him, but letting down Trap seemed even worse. "Let's get to my place and we'll give it a spin. At least I'll be sitting down."

"Hey, sure. I haven't seen your new place yet. I heard it's not bad."

"From Bubbles?" He imagined the unicorn mare, always chewing that gum of hers.

"Yeah. You see the bandage she's sporting?"

Razz grew a fierce red. It wasn't directly his fault, but that didn't make him feel much better. "Yeah..."

"She said your landlady did that." Trap laughed at it. "Man, if she can do that, you've got the most awesome landlady around. I'm guessing she likes you fine."

Razz blinked at that. "You're not mad at her?"

"With Bubbles? Probably deserved it." Trap leaned in and whispered, "Don't tell her I said that." He chuckled as his voice returned to normal. "I love her, and you, but you're a worker, and I'm a dreamer. She's..."

Razz went red for a whole new reason. "Don't come down on her. She's trying!"

"Look, she's paid for my food and rent a few times... I ain't have any right to say she's... doing it wrong. I just want all of us to not need that, alright?" He lifted the pick high in a hoof. "Now if this works..."

They retreated to Razz's place, where he hopped up onto his sofa and pushed a hoof out. "Let's start it out slow."

"First step is to gunk up your hoof." Trap walked past into the kitchen and returned with various food, from bread to grain and flowers. Razz forced a smile as Trap got his hoof all gummed up and messy. "That's more like it. We'll have to graduate to mud and harder stuff if this works. Nice pad, by the way. Love the view..." He settled down in front of Razz and wielded that dangerous spike. "Ready?"

Razz gave an uncertain nod. With the sound of steel on steel, the spring was deployed and the pick launched towards his grimy hoof.

It could only end well.

Author's Note

Inventing is 3/4'ths perspiration and 1/4th typos.