The Relapse

Another boring day of sitting in my office behind my desk, twirling a quill in one hand, and running my hand through Beth’s mane with the other. Since she’s my personal assistant, she takes her job of being my right hand very seriously. I don’t mind too much though; she isn’t heavy and I find petting her as relaxing as petting a cat, like most ponies.

“So are you sure I don’t have anything to do today?” I asked, tired of being bored.

“You can go ask Candy to make sure,” she sighed in content.

“…I’ll take your word for it,” I replied right as a knock was heard at my door. With an annoyed sigh, Beth slid off of me and trotted over to answer it, letting Selene stroll in.

“Hey, Selene. Need something?” She pointed a talon at her open beak before pointing to a clock up on the wall.

“…Lunch?” I asked and she replied with a smile and nod, “You’re asking me to lunch or asking me to take you to lunch?” She thought for a second before shrugging and shaking her head lightly as if to say ‘what’s the difference?’

“…Sure, why not. I’ve got nothing but time,” I said as I stood up and grabbed my jacket before focusing on Beth, “hold down the fort until I get back.”

“Sure thing, Boss,” she saluted before hopping up into my chair. Leading the way through the reception area, I pushed the button for the elevator and the two of us waited in silence for all of two seconds before Candy spoke up.

“Hey, Boss,” she said seductively, making me sigh and turn to face her, “goin to lunch?” She was laying across the desk she was supposed to be working behind; a hoof holding her head up, and the other resting on her hips, idling swirling her cutie mark.

“…Yeah.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“Sorry Candy, maybe next time. Selene’s new to town so I’m just helping her get to know the area.”

“Y-you mean it?” she asked excitedly as she hopped off the desk and rushed up to me, “Next time I ask, we can go to lunch?”

“…Sure.”

“Yay!” she exclaimed before trying to nuzzle me. Luckily, the elevator door opened just then so I stepped back out of nuzzling range with Selene quickly joining me.

“Keep working hard until then,” I said as I pressed the button for the ground floor a few times.

“Of course, Boss!” she replied before rushing back behind her desk. When the doors closed I let out a heavy sigh as I glanced at Selene and shook my head dismissively. She only giggled in response to my discomfort; I’m glad my pain makes others happy.

“So, what are you in the mood for?” I asked once we were out on the street. A thoughtful look was on her face for a few seconds before she shrugged.

“Women,” I muttered, earning me a hip-check and squinty stare, “alright, then I have a place in mind.” Figuring most griffons were like me and couldn’t get enough meat, I led her to that deli by my place since it’s reputable and presentable now.

“Hey there, Comet!” the griffon behind the counter greeted when we strolled in, “Is it just me, or do you always come in here with a different lady?”

“It’s just you, Bloodwing,” I replied before ordering us some sandwiches and bringing them to the table Selene picked, “here you go. Probably should have asked you what you wanted, but, you know.” She shook her head dismissively before taking a bite of her food and flashing me a content smile before continuing.

“Glad you like it; I wouldn’t have dared bring anyone here a few months ago, not that I know anyone that would eat meat anyway.” We sat in a strange silence for a while as we ate; I say strange because I couldn’t really tell if it was uncomfortable or not. I’m sure she’s used to long silences and so am I, but whoever I’m with usually tries to end them with conversation. Since I’m not known to start those and knew she wasn’t going to anytime soon, I did actually start to feel uncomfortable. Feeling something touch my arm, I looked up from the sandwich holding my gaze and found Selene with a curious look in her eyes.

“Oh, sorry about that. I’m not the best at conversing,” I explained out loud. With a smile, she nodded and patted her chest as if saying, ‘me too.’

“Well, that’s another thing we have in common,” I chuckled lightly and earned another curious look, “never mind. So, I know I already asked you about work, but how do you like the city? I’m sure it’s pretty different from the Griffon Kingdom.” She sighed as she nodded before pointing outside to the many ponies trotting around.

“Yeah, all of the colors can be blinding sometimes, but you get used to it. Not a fan of ponies in particular?” I asked and she shrugged indifferently, “I used to be the same way until a while ago when I found out some aren’t that bad. ‘Some’ being the important word there.” Once again, she giggled at my negativity, though it wasn’t as off-putting this time. After taking a few more minutes to finish our food, we headed back to the office where Selene’s next appointment waited. Wishing her luck, I returned to my office where the sound of the door closing behind me woke up Beth who was resting on the lounge.

“*Snort* Wha-oh. Hey,” she greeted as she sat up and stretched her back.

“Hey.”

“How’d your date go?”

“Fine. We-wait, it wasn’t a date.”

“Sure, but last I checked, when a mare asks a stallion out, it’s usually a date.”

“Well, neither of us are a mare or stallion so I guess it wasn’t a date.”

“Whatever you want to tell yourself,” she replied with a roll of her eyes before lying back down, “I wonder what you’re going to call it when you take Candy out.” I already forgot about that.

Dear Princesses,

That was a date, right?

Sincerely,

Crystal Beth

Dear Princess Celestia,

I don’t doubt your choice to let Selene work with Comet, but are you sure she’s trustworthy? I only ask because of Comet’s last encounter with a female griffon and I’m worried that despite what he’s written, he might not enjoy working with one. I know it’s not your decision whether she works there or not; I’m just concerned for Comet over everything else.

Sincerely,

Dew Star

P.S. If Comet says it’s not a date, it must not be. Right?