Stone Vault

Vault proceeded down the stairs toward the kitchen for breakfast. It wasn't going to be a fun conversation, but he had to tell Twilight about the shower wall eventually. Walter examined his hand again; no pain, no cuts, no bruises of any kind. That worried him, he could explain away tossing ponies around like pillows, seeing how much bigger he was than them. Not this, these walls were solid as rock. Maybe he'd ask Twilight about it, why he was suddenly so super strong. Although it was doubtful she'd have any insights.

“Good Morning, Spike.” Walter said, before sitting down at the small breakfast table.

“Oh hey Vault!” Spike replied, waddling over with a giant stack of fluffy pancakes.

While Vault was still coming to terms with the fact that he may never eat meat again, Spike's cooking made that loss a little more tolerable.

While Walter dug into his breakfast, Spike returned to the stove, continuing the conversation. “So, What are you doing today?” he asked, adding a few small sapphires to his own pancakes. “More study sessions with Twilight?”

Vault shrugged, “It's not like I don't enjoy telling Twilight about my world, but…” he poked at his syrupy confectionary, “I feel like I should do more that sit around the castle all day.”

Spike took off his apron and brought his own breakfast over to sit next to Stone. “Like what?” the little dragon asked while dousing his food in syrup, “Like a job or something?” he stuck a fork full of fluffy goodness in his mouth.

“Something like that.” Walter hummed before taking another bite. “I'm just not used to not doing something.”

Spike groaned in ecstasy before swallowing the gem encrusted bite. “Well, I think it's harvest season at Sweet Apple Acres. Maybe Applejack has something you can do?” he helpfully supplied, taking another bite of flapjack.

“Farm work?” Stone thought to himself, idly prodding at his food. “Couldn't be a whole lot different than landscaping…” he nodded to himself, taking another bite. “Yeah, that actually sounds pretty good. At least I can still do menial labor.”

“Hey, good idea Spike,” Vault finished off his breakfast. “I'll bring it up with Twilight. Maybe Applejack won't kick my face in this time.”

They both laughed. Vault was glad he could joke about it now, but at the time it really hurt! No matter how much bigger or stronger he may or may not be, that was one experience Walter was not keen to repeat.

At that time, Twilight walked into the kitchen, her mane somewhat brushed. “Good morning.” she yawned out, her eyes barely open.

“Well speak of the purple devil…” Stone began. “I was meaning talk to you.” he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

“Coffee first, talk after.” Twilight mumbled, pouring herself a steaming cup of joe. As soon as the dark ambrosia touched her lips, she seemed to come alive. Vault swore he could see some her hair spontaneously straighten out. “Much better!” she gasped out, her voice much more bright and cheery. “Now, what did you want to talk about?” she asked, sitting next to Stone and levitating a short stack over in front of her.

“Two things,” Vault held up two fingers, Twilight still wasn't sure how she felt about the stubby appendages. “Do you want the good news, or the bad news first?” he stated.

“Well…” Twilight cast a curious gaze at Stone. “In the books I read on social norms, one typically inquires about the bad news first, most likely to insure the interaction ends on a positive note.” Twilight nodded her head slowly, “Uhh… bad news?”

“I broke the wall in the shower.” Walter stated, his tone even and straight forward.

“Oh, well just be more careful closing the door next time.” Twilight replied, “I know you're not used to our fixtures yet, but…”

“Not the shower wall,” Vault interrupted, “The actual wall, the one made of purple crystal.” he added, his eyes still locked on Twilight's face.

Her face paled slightly, “T-the crystal!?” Twilight asked, astonished. “B-but the kinetic force required to even chip it…” Her mane began to fall out of place. Even Spike gave him an incredulous stare.

“However!” Walter quickly interjected. “I have decided to go find work! You know, get out into the world. Meet people, er, ponies. Make friends!” He gave Twilight the most plastic smile he could manage. “Don’t freak out, don’t freak out, don’t freak out!”

The mention of Friendship seemed to grant a momentary reprieve from the patented “Twilight Intellectual Tantrum,” or “TIT” for short.

“Oh! Ok, that sounds like a great idea!” Twilight enthusiastically agreed. Both Walter and Spike could swear they hear the sound of fuse being snuffed out. “Do you have any ideas? Would you like me to help you make a checklist?” She asked, stars in her eyes.

“No no,” Stone held out his hands, attempting to get some space between him and the oddly excited turbo-nerd. “I was just going to ask Applejack if she needed help with the harvest.” Twilight visibly deflated. If she was outside, she would have probably melancholically kicked a rock. “Curse her adorableness! Who could say no to that face?” Walter sighed. “But if that doesn’t work out, we could always make one later?” he offered.

Just like that, Twilight’s smile was back, clopping her hooves together excitedly. “Ok! I’ll go prepare the ink and parchment, just in case!” The purple princess leaped out of her chair and galloped off to parts unknown.

“Twilight!” Spike called after her, “You forgot your breakfast!” he sighed. “Well, I guess I’ll just bring it to her.” Spike climbed out of his chair and retrieved Twilight’s pancakes. “Good luck with Applejack!” he called, pushing open the door with his tail.

“Thanks Spike!” Vault called back, watching as the tiny dragon waddled away. “Now that’s over…” he puffed out a relieved sigh. The whole wall thing would probably come back to bite him later, but for now, he had an apple farmer to find.

Seeing as it was getting a little late in the morning, she’d probably be in the marketplace by now. At least, Twilight had said the Apple family sold their produce at market most days. Even if she wasn’t there, he could probably find someone, sorry, somepony, who knew where she was. Well… if anypony was willing to talk to him anyway.

“Welp!” Walter slapped his thighs, standing. “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.” So, he took that first step into truly finding a place for himself in this crazy new world.