Name: Gale

Session Number: 2

“Hey,” the dark griffon greeted when I opened the door.

“So you did decide to come back,” I commented as I let her in and watched her saunter over to the sitting room.

“Of course,” she replied as she made herself comfortable, “I was really relaxed the last time I was here, so I figured I’d come back.”

“…So you’re just here to hang out?”

“Yeah,” she answered with a smile, “I’ll still pay you of course.”

“Sounds good to me then,” I conceded as I sat in my seat and grabbed my stuff. We sat in silence for a minute as I drew and watched her look around my place out of the corner of my eye.

“Really spacious in here,” she observed, “makes sense; you are pretty big.”

“…Yep.”

“…What’re you writing?”

“Nothing, just drawing.”

“Can I see?” she asked with hopeful eyes.

“…Sure.” I handed her the piece of parchment and she looked at it blankly before an amused smile stretched across her face.

“You think I’m cute?”

“The cutest griffon I’ve seen, but don't read into that too much. I’ve only seen two others.”

“Hmm. Do you think most ponies are cute?”

“From my perspective, it’d be kind of hard to say otherwise.”

“So you think most creatures are cute?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Hmm…” She handed back my papers and we fell into silence again. This time though, I kept most of my attention on the now suspicious griffon, thinking she was up to something.

“I’m kind of hungry,” she said randomly, “you wouldn’t happen to have any meat, would you?”

“…I do.”

“Really?” she asked, sounding pretty surprised.

“Yeah.”

“Mind if I make something?”

“…Sure,” I answered as I stood up and led the way to the kitchen, “help yourself.” With that, I stood back and watched her prepare whatever she was making. It didn’t take her long to finish and when she did, she made me a plate too.

“Want some?”

“…Not really.”

“Come on, I swear I didn’t poison it. You watched me make it.” I didn’t say anything as I sat in the chair across from her and picked up my fork. Cutting off a piece and carefully putting it in my mouth, I was surprised by how well it was cooked, but I also became even more suspicious.

“So do you actually eat meat, or do you keep it for occasions like this?”

“…Well, I don’t have these canines for nothing,” I said as I showed her.

“Impressive.”

“I guess.”

“…If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do in your spare time?”

“Alright,” I said as I sat my fork down, “what’s going on?”

“Wha?” she asked as she pulled her face out of her food and swallowed, “What do you mean?”

“You’re up to something, aren’t you?”

“What? No,” she replied with an amused smile, “I was just hungry and I figured-”

“That’s obviously not what I meant,” I interrupted as I folded my arms, “I’m taking about all these questions.”

“What’s wrong with wanting to know a little bit about you?” she asked with a slight look of pain.

“That’s just it: no one wants to know anything about me. No one except-” I froze as the realization hit me and I face-palmed, “of course. Alright, we’re done here.”

“What? But I-”

“No, we’re done. I know the princess sent you to find out more about me,” I interrupted again as I stood up, “I guess I should have known when you said you worked for stuffy nobles. When you see her, tell her to send someone a little more capable; you made it just a bit too obvious just then. You were probably lying about being raped too. I guess I should have-” I was suddenly cutoff when she pounced on me, laying me out on my back and pinning me down.

“I’d never lie about that!” she hissed, the anger in her voice and eyes being very obvious.

“So you were sent,” I said flatly, making her freeze for a second before narrowing her eyes at me.

“…How long have you known?”

“I just figured it out. Admittedly, it took a little longer than it should have, but I guess all that matters is I did.”

“Normally, I would have killed you already, but the princess made it very clear to not hurt you-”

“Thanks for that.”

“...And you’re a smartass,” she growled as she put her beak right in my face, “you’re lucky I haven’t learned what I need from you, so if you just tell me what I want to know, you won’t see me again.”

“That's alright” I said casually, making her pull her head back in confusion, “why do that when I can have you keep reporting to the princess empty handed and keep coming back with more money?”

“…You’re sick,” she commented as she got off of me and headed for the door.

“Says the lady who tried to earn my trust with her own sob story,” I said as I rubbed the claw marks on my arms, “I actually envied you for being able to get over it so easily, but now, I just pity you.”

“Why you,” she growled as she stomped back up to me and grabbed my collar. She started to say something, but the words caught in her throat when she looked at my face. With another growl, she let go and stomped back towards the door.

“Hey, where’s my money?!” I asked before being hit in the face with a small bag.

Observations: Jesus. I didn’t know any of these creatures were capable of this level of manipulation; it’s almost scary, but nothing new. I am glad she told me what she's up to so I can avoid actually telling her anything and keep making money, but I’m disgusted by what she was willing to do just for a job. Then again, I guess I'm not that much better.

Author's Note

Well, someone's going to get a stern talking to.