The Book Celestia Doesn't Know About
We stand before the entrance to the Royal Canterlot Library. The library is a massive regal building roughly the size of the princess' castle and houses a copy of everything that has ever been recorded in Equestrias' history. The majority of the building is open all day and night so anypony who needs it to study, read, or work can have access to its abundant resources. However, today the library is the starting place for what is going to be our greatest scheme to date.
We walk through the giant open doors that allow guests to enter and leave as they please. Upon entering the library we are met with countless uneasy stares that seem to be trying to piece together why we of all ponies would be in the library. Then while we attempt to make our way over to the front desk several of the secretaries, librarians, a few janitors and even some of the ponies visiting block our path in an attempt to stop us from entering. All of the ponies are practically shouting over each other as they point out how rambunctious, or boisterous, or uproarious or some other fancy words for loud, we tend to be. Honestly these ponies don't seem to get the irony of the situation, they just continue shouting stupid reasons for not letting us in.
Eventually and reluctantly we are allowed entry into the library because Pinkie and Rainbow are the princess' friends and I’m “friends” with Zecora, a mare who often supplies the library with her research in potions and strange magics. That and I said I was sent to get a book for Zecora who stayed back at the hut. I mean this isn't entirely a lie, Zecora had been bugging me about getting her a book for almost a week, and then this morning she shoved me out the door before the sun had even risen above the horizon shouting something about not to coming back without the book.
Despite their long list of complaints, and following a through and invasive pat down, we are finally permitted to walk beyond the front desk. But first about that pat down, hooves really do a thorough job of making a girl feel violated, they're slightly soft, but at the same time their kind of stiff, and they have some give, it’s just weird...
My thoughts are interrupted by Rainbow Dash's raspy voice snapping me back to reality. "I wish they wouldn't give us such a hard time, it makes me feel like they think all we do is cause trouble, break things, and make noise." Rainbow finishes her sentence by glaring at everypony who had given us a hard time when we tried to enter the library. Apparently Rainbow isn’t too fond of having her wings touched and she “accidentally” kicked the mare who patted her down once the pat down was over. The kick, coupled with the fury in her eyes, is enough to cause most of the libraries security to take a step back and ready a hoof at their saddlebags.
While the guards are uneasily shifting about a bubbly voice quickly answers Rainbow’s rhetorical question, "Well Dashie we do cause some kind of trouble everywhere we go.I mean last time we were playing around in Canterlot we painted half of the ponies who were walking by a pretty shade of blue. And then when we ran out of paint we “painted” every mare with the weird musky oils Nery brought that made all the stallion that came out to see what was happening very, very uncomfortable. Oh, oh, oh, and then when Twilight came to check up on us..."
Rainbow interrupts Pinkie by jamming her hoof into Pinkies mouth. As Rainbow does so a blush makes itself known across her face. I assume it’s because she’s recounting what happened after Twilight showed up. Rainbow responds to Pinkie's story by stammering, "Okay Pinkie, everypony remembers what happened.We were all there so there’s no need to talk about it, ever again."
Letting out a rather loud and unladylike snort I turn to face Rainbow and give her a shit eating grin. She glares at me and harrumphs before she returns to the task at hand and leads us beyond the library’s front desk. As we walk there isn't a single pair of eyes that aren't focused on us and a strange silence fills this floor of the library. I mean sure, libraries are usually pretty quiet, but this is starting to make me feel uneasy. We continue walking trying to ignore the contempt filled stares that just about everypony in the library is giving our small group.
My attention is torn away from the unsettling stares as Pinkie bounces her way through my field of vision and to the front of our group. Once she is in front she stops and turns around to ask me, "Soooooo Nery, where is the book you need to get for Zecora?"
Pinkie really is sweet, I mean sure she is weird, but sweet.I give her a small smile and respond, "Zecora needs an old book on brewing some kind of sleep remedies. I think it’s called Nox Aeturnus: Death's Touch. - " I let out a small shiver after telling Pinkie the title of the book. Once the shivering subsides I turn to face her and notice that she too is shivering, albeit in a much more "Pinkie" way. " - Yeah, I think it sounds creepy too, but she said she needs it because it has a potion she could use to mimic the effects of a good night’s sleep." I say trying to justify Zecora's weird work.
Before Pinkie could even say anything Rainbow manages to interject, "Well, if that's all she needs it for, I'm pretty sure Twilight has a spell that should be able to do the same thing. It does sound awesome though, you know, never needing to sleep."
Pinkie nods in agreement, "Just imagine it, a party that never ends. Wecouldplayanddrinkandeatandplaysomemoreandbake..." the words suddenly stop flowing from her muzzle almost as abruptly as they began. Instead of smiling and talking her face contorts from its' usual cheeriness to a look of irritation, or is it discomfort, point is it’s an expression she hardly ever wears.
Instantly Rainbow and I take a few steps back baffled by Pinkies' sudden silence. We only stare at Pinkie confused and afraid of what it is that could possibly happen next. Then Pinkie deeply inhales, immediately afterward she inhales again, and then everything goes silent for a couple of seconds. It is almost as though time is slowing to a crawl. My eyes grow wide with realization, something big is coming and there’s no way anypony can stop what has yet to even begin. I feel panic wash over me and shout "Get down!" Rainbow catches on fast and dives with me behind a cart of books that is conveniently resting beside us.
"'Tchoo." Out came what has to be the softest sneeze Pinkie has ever done, I mean Fluttershy could have probably sneezed louder. Well I have thoroughly embarrassed myself. After my loud display everypony on this floor is looking at us annoyed and mumbling what I assume are obscenities or some other form of condemnation of our unintentional antics.
Turning to Rainbow Dash I ask her, "Do you think that was it, I mean she’s never sneezed so soft before?" Rainbows eyes meet mine and my look of concern and confusion are mirrored in her gaze. Then as if to give credence to our concerns Pinkie loudly inhales again, oh no…
"Ehaxchooooooo!" And suddenly the cart behind which Rainbow and I are hiding is blown over, books and all come crashing down onto our bodies. Rainbow and I shuffle out of the mess to look at Pinkie before turning to face each other and exchange glances. Our minds are racing to process what it was that had just happened. Then we burst out laughing at Pinkies' ridiculous sneeze. It is absurd to think that such a small pony could overturn book carts and knock down most every book shelf in a ten meter radius with just a sneeze, but this is Pinkie Pie so laughing just feels like the appropriate response. Casting logic aside I begin looking around to assess the damage done and visually absorb the aftermath of what had to be one of Pinkies greatest sneezes ever.
Interrupting my survey of the area Rainbow flies over and picks me up by my underarms. Looking at me while grinning a very toothy grin she exclaims, "That was awesome! Can you believe that she had it in her to completely wreck half of this floor of the library!?!?"
Giving Rainbow a glare I scold her with my eyes, "We are still in the library, you can't be shouting like that even if half of this floor looks post-apocalyptic."
Rainbow blushes in embarrassment and drops me as she crosses her arms and retorts, "That doesn’t change the fact that that sneeze was awesome."
Pinkie turns to face us while wiggling her nose and giggles nervously as a blush begins to creep over her face, "Sorry, I just had to sneeze and Twi always tells me not to hold it in."
While we sit there laughing about what had just happened we almost don’t notice the guards coming our way, but the glimmer of their armor catches my eyes. Usually library security doesn’t involve the Royal Guard, but upon us entering the library the librarians warned us they that they would be sending for some guards to ensure we don’t do anything stupid. And here they were because, even if unintentionally, we had in fact done something stupid. This is not going to end well…
I start stumbling about while trying to nudge Pinkie and Rainbow, attempting to pick myself up off of the floor, and point at the oncoming guards at the same time.My nudges get Pinkie's and Rainbow's attention causing them to turn to face where it is I am pointing. Rainbow's eyes shrink, I assume from the realization that the guards were now approaching us. Meanwhile Pinkie pulls out a pair of binoculars from her mane to get a better look. Interrupting their silent stares I urge them, "Girls I think we should get out of here..."
My previous run in with the guards is not my fondest memory. The last time there was enough trouble for the guards to be involved while I was around was when we had been at an outdoor concert where Vinyl was performing. Although I had been a little rambunctious there was no malice in my actions, all I had intended for was some harmless horsing around with Pinkie. Initially that was exactly what had happened. Then the night took a turn for the worse when a pair of ponies who I assume had a little too much to drink began to violently make there way to the DJ booth shouting unintelligibly. They would later claim that all they had wanted to do was to better hear the music and ask Vinyl a quick question, but in reality they had been shouting something about how Vinyl needed to settle their argument over who had a better "plot". One of the colts had been insisting that Vinyl would agree with him and choose Octavia given that the two were probably mare-friends. The other however insisted that didn't matter, even if Pinkie was just a friend the fun loving pony's plot was way better than the plot of the snooty Octavia. Then as they grew louder they managed to attract the attention of several other ponies who decided they too should shout about plots.
Soon a small shipping war broke out about who Vinyl was more likely to be involved with in a romantic relationship. Everypony from Octavia to somepony who suffered the grave misfortune of having the name O.C. was being considered as a potential partner Vinyl Scratch.
Things escalated quickly when one pony in the crowd took it upon himself to silence the pony who had started the rallying behind Octavia with a hard smash of his hoof across the other pony’s face. One thing led to another and soon after there was a fight growing in the crowd among the ponies who had ingested too much alcohol.
Upset at the events around her Pinkie bounced away and left me behind as she rushed to the front to talk with Vinyl about what was going on in hopes that Vinyl would be able to stop the fighting. Soon after Pinkie left the violence escalated and I came to the conclusion ponies should never be allowed to drink.
I, being significantly weaker than the Earth Ponies, Pegasi and even Unicorns, soon found myself having to push and shove just to avoid being strewn about like a rag doll. I don’t care about the stereotypes that claim Unicorns are weak little prissy ponies, even without their magic Unicorns were strong and their horns hurt. During my attempt to escape the fighting crowd it may turn out that I used my bottle of cheap Perry, a guilty pleasure of mine Applejack still has yet to find out about, to force my way out of the crowd. Although in doing so I may have knocked a few security guards cold, and this may have happened all while I continued to pick up bottle after bottle from off of the floor as the ones I had been using were smashed upon the heads of drunken pastel ponies. Not one of my proudest moments, but I legitimately thought that I was going to die otherwise. Upon finally exiting the crowd I was immediately greeted with being tackled to the floor by one of the royal guards who had just arrived.
It was at this point where me being a non-pony in Equestria served as a great disadvantage. Promptly after being tackled to the ground and being held down by Unicorn magic I knew I was in trouble. Being one of the firsts who had been apprehended after the violence that ensued following the shipping war turned mosh pit I was quickly taken to some detention facility in the outskirts of Canterlot. While there I was questioned about my behavior at the party and if there was anypony with me who would have also been causing or instigating trouble. When I told them the truth I was instantly shut up with a hard blow to the side of my face, apparently guard ponies are assholes. This was then followed with me being asked the same question again, this time I simply stayed quiet hoping somepony would show and clear this mess up soon. However, my silence was met with irritated grunts followed by verbal threats. One of the guards told me that if I continued to be difficult then their only option would be to have me sent away to the dungeon in Canterlot Castle to have one of the princesses interrogate me. This had caught my attention, why the fuck do ponies have dungeons. In a growing state of panic I cried out why. The guard who had made the comment chuckled dryly responding that because I was some kind of "alien" and "belonged" to Zecora there was no way I was not part of some greater plot that could threaten everypony's safety, so it was only natural to get the princesses involved. I couldn't believe it, not only did they not believe me when I told them the truth, but they instead chose to believe some outlandish idea that I was some sort of threat even after having been tossed about by the crowd of fighting ponies.
I fell silent in a vain attempt to fight back the tears that had already began to flow down my face. I was sobbing softly thinking about how I didn't ask to be here, I didn't want to cause any trouble, I was afraid and my body hurt, not only that, but the cute ponies who I had come to adore thought so little of me. Upon hearing me start to cry the guards left the room leaving me alone to sulk over the fact that I'm not supposed to be here…
I don't know how long I was alone in the room before I had finally fallen asleep. Loud shouts from behind the one closed door that was the only way in or out of the room woke me after however long I had managed to sleep. Almost immediately after the shouting subsided there was a loud crash and the door burst open. Before me stood a white Unicorn with wings, or was it a Pegasus with a horn, whatever it was she was fuming, the tips of her strange multi-colored mane and tail were singed and still seemed to be smoking all while flowing in a non-existent breeze. She then began shouting at me in a deep booming voice demanding answers to who I was, what it was I had been doing at the party and why her guards had personally asked her to deal with me. While my voice was still hoarse from the crying I shakily answered trying to explain how the entire situation was only a misunderstanding and I had acted out of fear for my own life. However this pony, just like the guards, did not believe me.
Despite this she did seem more reasonable than the guards as she asked for Pinkie and Zecora to be brought here in order to see if I was telling the truth. With that she prepared to exit the room, but right before leaving she spoke to me in an icy tone claiming that if I had been lying to her about anything, anything at all, then they would have to use force to get the truth out of me. It was the tone she used when speaking that caused me to flinch as chills ran throughout my entire body. It was as though the malice in her voice had taken shape and threatened to tear me apart limb from limb. I quickly came to the conclusion that this pony was crazy.
Eventually the guards returned with a small tray of what looked like oatmeal, smelled like rotten fruit, and was almost tasteless save for the faux flavors brought about by the pungent smell. After reluctantly eating what I had been given I watched as the guards left taking the tray with them. Although I was unsure for how long I had been in the small room I decided to sleep again, there wasn’t much else to do and I was exhausted anyway.
My second slumber was interrupted by something crushing my body with a force that threatened to render me unconscious again. The weight was quickly removed from my body followed by the sound of a bubbly voice I would recognize anywhere, Pinkie had arrived. Looking down at the small mare in front of me I felt tears flow down my face, finally somepony that made sense, well kind-of. Tilting her head to the side Pinkie asked me why I was crying. I had only been able to respond by pulling her into an embrace, words would have done little to express my flurry of emotions anyway. After a long hug I managed to collect myself and looked at Pinkie to thank her for coming.
Smiling she responded in her typical run on manner; she went on to explain how she found me, stopped Celestia, whoever that was, from doing something rash, kept Zecora company on the train, and some other things that probably didn't matter.
Soon after Pinkie finished speaking Zecora entered wheezing, presumably because she had attempted to keep up with Pinkie Pie. There had been a long pause as Zecora took the time to catch her breath. After collecting herself she looked up at me causing her to instantly revert to being a mess. Tears formed at the sides of Zecora's eyes as she stood there mouth curling into a smile. Even so the mare isn't one to show that kind of affection, before I could smile back she began to scold me about my behavior at the event, going to the event without her permission, and causing her to worry about me. When Zecora had finished lecturing me on my behavior Pinkie tossed me onto her back presumably to leave wherever it was I had been kept. Although, this had been the first time Pinkie had tossed me onto her back, and it caught me off guard causing me to jostle about in an attempt to stay balanced on her back.
Preparing to leave Pinkie trotted over to the door with Zecora at her side when a golden aura enveloped our only exit. Soon after the door had been torn from its hinges and pulled into the hallway revealing the large white pony with a strange mane from before, however now she had a small frown on her brow. Even so, her eyes still had the same fire in them as when I had first met her. The large pony pulled me off Pinkie's back with her magic as she had begun to lecture me about how to properly behave, how ponies are lovable creatures to be showered with affection, not to be bashed in the face nor to be ridden like beasts of burden. Before the lecture could go any further Zecora interrupted saying she would give me a stern talking to when we got home and then apologized for her rudeness while explaining that we had to leave because she had lots of work that needed to be done back home. The large white mare told Zecora they would have to talk in private later on about what I was and where I had come from from, but that was all she said before allowing us to leave. With that the pony who turned out to be a princess whose name I later learned was Celestia moved away from the door and waved us out using her wing while wearing an alarmingly stern expression. Yeah, yeah,I had been living a sheltered life in Zecora’s hut and in Ponyville, shut up.
Couple my previous run in with the guards, my stupidly long lectures, and the punishments Zecora so generously gave me, I knew there was no way I was going to be caught up in trouble around guard ponies again no matter what.
We are about to head for the exit when Pinkie interjects, "Wait, we still have to get your book Nery, and the other book too."
I give the mare a blank expression before replying, "Okay, fine. Pinkie we can get the book, but we’ll do it while running away. Now let’s go"Seemingly happy with my response Pinkie begins bouncing in place wearing an enormous smile.
Rainbow pulls my attention away from the personification of laughter by pulling on my shirt with her teeth while motioning for us to get moving. As we begin running the guards behind us start shouting something, but the commotion that we are causing while Rainbow is flying indoors dodging lamps, wooden beams, and bookshelves all while Pinkie is hopping excitedly while carrying me along for the ride is too loud for me to hear what it is that they are saying. As Rainbow weaves around the library and Pinkie bounces with me on her back we continue to dart away from the commotion we accidentally caused. Looking back I see the royal guards slowly trotting toward us careful to avoid crushing anything with their hooves and avoiding increasing the damage “we”, and by we I mean Pinkie, caused. Well, at least we have a head start.
Chaos is now erupting on this floor of the library and the bedlam only made it more difficult for us to try and get away. Shaking my head to free my mind from thoughts I shout at Pinkie and Rainbow, "The book that Zecora wants is on the 8th floor. I think it would be a good idea to head down and get it while we can."
Letting out a loud groan rainbow shouts, "Fine, we can go get the stupid book!"
Pinkie responds in an attempt to appease the obviously annoyed Rainbow Dash, "Dashie, the book we need is on the 1st floor, we're going to have to pass the eighth floor anyway..."
I inadvertently cut off Pinkie with my screams of fear and confusion as a vibrant green magic aura begins to envelope me, "Oh fuck! Pinkie! Pinkie they got me!"
Soon both Pinkie and Rainbow stop running to turn around and see that I am in fact caught in somepony's magic. But it is not the magic of a Royal Guard pony, instead it belongs to some Unicorn passerby with a mint green coat and white streaks in her mane and tail. Pinkie turns to my captor her face a strange emotion I have never seen her wear before making it difficult to discern. However, it quickly eases into a smile as she recognizes my pony captor, "Lyra, what are you doing here?"
The Unicorn whose name is apparently Lyra responds, "I was just making sure you guys kept my sweet Neredia out of trouble." - she says while nuzzling her head against my neck as I hang upside down in her magic - "And by the looks of it you guys are causing trouble again. What would Princess Twilight say if she saw this? I mean you guys are the..."
I cut off the mint green mare, “No time for a guilt trip right now, I need a book for Zecora and we need to get a book from the first floor's archive section. So if you would be so kind as to put me down..."
Lyra had been looking at me with a smile as I spoke, but now she is looking at me with big eyes and is pouting her bottom lip causing it to quiver ever so slightly. These damn horses, do they all know how to make that face or did Pinkie tell them what to do if they ever wanted something from me? Pushing the thought aside, I sigh and continue talking, "Lyra was it?" - She nods in confirmation, - "What do you want?"
Giggling excitedly she answers, "I can help you get to the archives and avoid the guards too if it come to that, Bon-Bon taught me some cool secret agent stuff." She pauses for a second before quickly adding in a fake ass business demeanor, "Besides, if you don’t want my help I would feel obligated as a law abiding citizen to turn you in."
Pinkie and Rainbow gasp before they both protest in unison, "Lyra you can't..." I can't believe they bought it.
"I don't want to, who knows what Twilight would do to poor Neredia if she is caught causing trouble with you two again, and after you Pinkie Promised not to." Lyra begins only to be interrupted by Pinkie Pie.
"WedidnotbreakaPinkiePromiseIsneezedandnowwearrunningbecasuewereallyneedsomebooksandifwegetkickedoutthere’snowaywe’llevergetthemand..."
Rainbow muffles Pinkie's runaway mouth by placing her hoof in it before speaking herself, "Fine, Lyra you can help, but remember what Twilight said about you and Neredia, you try something funny and you answer to us and her too."
There is a serious plot hole here, who is Lyra, how does she know who I am, and why have I been the topic of discussion between her and the princesses? Thinking I would have to have a long talk with Zecora about this when I get home I turn to Lyra and growl trying to preemptively intimidate her. Although instead all I manage to do is cause Lyra to giggle as she places me back down on Pinkie's back while positioning herself alongside us.
Rainbow Dash then begins to speak, "First we’re getting Zecora's book, but then were heading straight to the bottom floor alright?"
Everypony nods in affirmation as Rainbow starts her dive toward an ornate and large staircase fully decorated with a carved wooden handrail and stain glass windows along the walls providing an artificial view of the outside world. There are depictions of Cloudsdale, Ponyville, Canterlot Castle, the Crystal Empire and other places I don’t even recognize. Rainbow continues leading us toward the lower floors of the library as she flies down the massive staircase.
Pinkie has no trouble defying all logic and keeping pace with Rainbow while she ricochets along doing flips and literally bouncing off of the walls and the railing, all with me on her back. While gripping for dear life I manage to catch quick glimpses of Lyra. Whereas the mares ahead are making quick work of descending the staircase Lyra on the other hand seems to be struggling to keep up. She seems to be having a hard time avoiding tripping over her own hooves as she runs down the stairs. Then there is a loud yelp as a tumbling Lyra creeps in from the edge of my sight and overtakes my entire field of vision. "Oh come on!" is all I manage to say, because as I voice my concern Lyra comes crashing down on Pinkie and me, then we somehow crash into Rainbow and all of us begin our fall down several flights of stairs. Pinkie Pie stops tumbling first, then after the sudden end to her tumbling she stands stolid before a door causing everypony else to crash against her. With that we all come to a halt at the entrance to the eighth floor, Pinkie standing and everypony else in a small pile at her hooves.
"Alright Nery, let’s get the book for Zecora so we can get out of here." Pinkie says while wearing a black bodysuit that made her look like some kind of stealth pony. I don’t understand how she’s so resilient as I wince succumbing to the pain that comes with falling down several flights of stairs.
Opening my eyes only to see stars I look in the general direction of Pinkies' voice and smile, "Thanks Pinks, just give me a minute."
Pinkie hops on ahead.Using how I feel as a baseline I can assume everypony else is stumbling along behind her while trying to assess how shaken up they are.
Lyra speaks up to voice her complaints, "Pinkie, why did you let us fall all the way down to the 8th floor."
Pinkie ignores Lyra and continues bouncing along before she pauses to turn to me and asks, "So Nery, where exactly is the book Zecora needed?"
I look ahead to the two Pinkies' phasing in and out of one another and tell her, "Zecora said it would be the biggest book under the last name Concientam near the front door leading into the eighth floor." Rubbing a hoof under her chin Pinkie smiles and then darts away leaving Rainbow, Lyra and me behind.
"Well, looks like she has a good idea where the book is." I say as I turn to face the mares behind me. Looking them up and down I notice Rainbow seems to be fine, but appears to be very annoyed with Lyra. Lyra on the other hand seems visibly deflated and lacks the chipper attitude she carried herself with earlier. Shaking my head to clear it of any malice toward the mare who is not making the best of first impressions I put on a sheepish smile and ask, "Hey, Lyra are you okay. Does it hurt anywhere?"
Lyra, visibly shaken by my concern, turns away speaking in a soft remorseful tone, "I fell on top of you all and we fell down all those stairs, so just about everything hurts, and I've been better.” Lyra then mumbles something I can't quite hear and continues talking, “I just wanted to get to know you the same way Pinkie and Tavi and Zecora know you, I mean you girls get along so well. - ” she lets out a small sigh “ - Bon-Bon told me I need to get out more, so earlier this morning I headed to Zecora's hoping she would let me talk to you and her, but you weren't there and Zecora was busy. She told me it would be okay to meet you at the train station if all I wanted to do was talk, so I ran over hoping to catch up to you, but there you were with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. I mean I didn't want to impose so I kinda followed you here and well..." She pauses again before continuing her voice seeming to shrink and becoming even softer, "When Pinkie managed to bring down half of the 14th floor of the library I thought there would be trouble and well, I wanted to jump in and be a hero. That was so stupid of me, you don't even know who I am and your friends should be able to handle any trouble, I mean they’re basically the bucking Elements of Harmony. Besides, they” - she points a hoof toward Rainbow and the direction in which Pinkie wandered off - “were told not to let me get involved with you…" Her voice trails off before she pulls herself together well enough to continue although sounding even more defeated and upset, "Then I blackmailed you, I didn't mean it, I just really wanted to help, and, and..."
I turn to Rainbow unsure of what the hell is going on. Why is this mare so upset? Why isn't she allowed near me? Cocking my head to the side I give Rainbow a puzzled expression and ask, "Dash what's going on?"
Laughing nervously she eyes me uneasily as though wondering if she can answer my question, "Well..."
"Hey, everypony, I got the book now let’s hurry up and get to the bottom floor before those mean ol' guard ponies show up again." Pinkie interrupts Rainbow before the Pegasus can even start.It's like the world doesn't want me to know this shit, I need answers damn it. Pinkie turns to me holding the book out with her mouth, suppressing my growing frustration I take the book and place it into my backpack.
"Right," Dash sighs as she peeks around the corner leading back to the stairs we fell down, "It looks like none of the guards have made their way down here yet."
Lyra speaks up while softly while rubbing her eyes, "Even so, if there’s another set of stairs further back I think we should use those instead.It'll be further from the guards."
"Alright, then we can just head further into the library and make our way toward the other end of the floor." I chime in after throwing on my pack again.
We hurry along making our way across the floor. Once again I am draped along Pinkie's back, Rainbow is flying low, and Lyra is running to keep up. I feel bad for Lyra, she really does seem intent on helping even though well, she kind of can't keep up.
Turning toward Pinkie's ear I speak softly, "Hey Pinkie, what’s the deal with Lyra?"
The pink mare smiles a sad smile that I cannot see and then responds softly, "Well, when you first showed up there was some commotion in Ponyville, everypony was confused about what you were, why you came from the Everfree with Zecora and things like that.But Lyra, Lyra was weird, she was really into your body. I mean the limbs and strange digits, while all that was weird to everyone else, to Lyra it was captivating. She started doing research on what you could be, and then well she kinda barged into Zecora's home one night shouting she needed to see you, but you were with me at Sugarcube Corner. Not only did she scare the stripes off of Zecora, Zecora said Lyra had a deranged look on her face and she looked as though she hadn’t slept in days. From then on Zecora told everypony you usually spend time with to avoid letting Lyra near you. Zecora even filed a complaint with the princess' urging them to place a restraining order on Lyra." Pinkie's bounces begin to slow to a trot as she continues talking, "I like Lyra, and I really like you too Nery, but she seems to have an obsession with you being a "hooman" and that makes it hard to decide what's best, for both of you..."
I give Pinkie a small smile, even though I know she can't see it, and try to cheer her up, "Don't worry about that Pinkie, I like Lyra she seems nice.Anyway, I wouldn't mind talking to her about what it’s like to be human."
Pinkie seems to perk up a bit and says, "I only want what's best for you Nery, so I won't stop her from getting to know you, if that’s what you want. But if she ever tries anything..." Pinkie turns to me and gives me a stare I have never seen before, her pupils are pin pricks, her eyes stare into my soul, and her face is expressionless.I shudder at the sight of the usually cheery Pinkie Pie who is now so out of character it scares me.
Then a loud complaint comes from Rainbow Dash up ahead, she had managed to pass Pinkie and me while Pinkie was telling me about Lyra, "Guys the first floor has a huge door in the way and it's locked."
"I th-think I c-can be of a-assi-assistance." A winded Lyra wheezes as she finally catches up.Picking a large bobby pin from her mane with her magic she looks at the door determined to open it. Placing the bobby pin her mouth her horn begins to glow, as I assume she begins working on unlocking the door. Why does she need the bobby pin I do not know, maybe it's comforting or something. After a short pause there is loud groan from behind the door followed by the thud of a lock settling."Uuugh, this might take longer than I thought." Lyra groans as her horn starts glowing even brighter.
"Hey Lyra, you don't need to push yourself so hard.We can get the door open the old fashion way, right girls?" I say as I turn to Pinkie and Rainbow who are currently standing beside me. They both nod their heads in an attempt to assure me we could do it. Even so, they seem sheepish and rather unsure of our ability to force our way into the room without magic.
"I… I almost got it." - The mint green mare grunts. Then there is a deep resounding thunk on the other end of the door. - "There, that should do it."
She turns and gives me a triumphant smile. Lyra presses her fore hooves against the large doors pushing them open and leading us in with a nod of her head. I walk in giving Lyra a thank you and a smile. As I pass I notice from the corner of my eyes she seems to be blushing? She must really want somepony’s approval I guess. Shaking my head I try to get the thought out of my mind, there will be time to confront Zecora and Lyra later, but right now my attention needs to be on getting that book and later I’ll need to focus on avoiding the guards.
"Hey, it’s really dark in here." Rainbow whines as she takes to walking instead of flying to avoid bumping into anything.
"Hold on. - " Lyra says, her horn then begins to emit a faint light that immediately grows to illuminate the whole group and roughly two meters ahead. " - There, that better Rainbow?"
"Yeah, thanks" Rainbow grumbles, sounding rather opposed to thanking Lyra, I decide not to press the matter considering I myself wasn’t too happy with the mare and slide down Pinkie's back onto the floor.
"Thanks Lyra." I say while walking over to the edge of the light her horn is emanating. Pinkie bounces happily alongside me, Lyra following close behind, while Rainbow makes up the rear. But I still have the feeling that something is wrong. Wasn't it too easy to lose the guards? Shaking my head in a vain attempt to clear it I ask nopony in particular, "So, anypony else think it's weird that we haven't even heard the guards yet.”
I turn and observe everypony’s reaction to my question, Rainbow shrugs, Lyra stares blankly at the far wall while we continue walking, and Pinkie seems unfazed by the question still sneaking along as she presses up against bookcases in attempt to hide in the shadows. I guess the guards are usually this incompetent.
Walking over to the bookshelves marked Sparkle-Steele Pinkie stops bouncing and a grin takes shape across her muzzle, "Were here. Now all we have to do is find the book."
After Pinkie finishes speaking we hear an unexpected sound coming from behind us. Turning around I see the sound is Lyra gasping. Unsure of what is happening my gaze washes over Lyra and I notice that not only is she dripping sweat, the magical light she’s emitting from her horn is now flickering as it begins to die out.
I cry out, "Lyra! What's going on?"
"Nothing, I just need a break. The door was way harder to open than I thought." She heaves after finishing her sentence as though it had been physically exhausting.
"Uhmm, how are we supposed to see what we’re doing now?" Rainbow wonders aloud.
I give her a warning glare and then take off my backpack. Placing my hands inside I sift through its' contents. A smile crosses my face when I find the candles and the matches I had packed. Sure lighting a fire in a building literally built to house flammable material while in the most important archives section is stupid, but hey we are going to need to see what we’re doing. Throwing caution to the wind I light a candle and announce my plans, "Pinkie, come help me look for the book.Rainbow can you please keep a look out and give Lyra a hoof if she needs anything?"
Bubbling with anticipation Pinkie trots over to me her eyes glowing in the candle light with an excitement only matched by that of when she is planning a party. Rainbow on the other hoof silently salutes in affirmation. Knowing that Rainbow is more that capable at keeping watch Pinkie and I set out to find the book we had come for.
We hurriedly sift through the lower parts of the massive shelves looking for a large black book that has the letters "Solis Natis" embellished in a large golden engraving across its' spine. However, soon worry begins to settle over me. The shelves holding the books, tomes and scrolls are about five meters tall before they disappear into the darkness beyond the candle’s light. There is no way we have enough time to sort through everything, even with Pinkie's unnatural abilities to defy logic. It isn't like the book is just going to be handed to me by somepony from behind a fourth wall, or fall out of my hair, or...
Blinking in surprise I whisper to myself, "Either I’ve been hanging around Pinkie too much, or there is a God... and she is so screwed." A smirk that could rival Pinkie's biggest smiles in size spreads across my face. The book is floating beside my legs as though it were a small billboard advertisement. Finally we have the book that started it all....
"Pinkie I got it..." I stop talking when I hear rustling coming from where we left Rainbow and Lyra. Turning in the direction the noise came from I see a Rainbow mane come into view. I say as my mind braces itself for the worst possible thing. "Rainbow, what happened?"
"The doors are clunking again." Rainbow says with a look of uncertainty painted across her face.
Then as though on cue Pinkie drops from a shelf above us no longer wearing her strange outfit. Silently she flutters to the ground chiming in upon landing, "I guess we should start making our way out then.”
I nod and wave the book at the two mares in front of me being sure to show them that we found what we came for. Placing the book in my backpack I extinguish the candle to avoid drawing any unwanted attention. We were about to start walking before I remembered something, turning to Rainbow I inquire, "Where's Lyra?" Nodding her head to the side she directs my attention toward the mare on her back. How nice of Rainbow to help Lyra out, I think, I’m not entirely sure how our relationship with Lyra is supposed to be.
My mind is jerked from Rainbow and Lyra as Pinkie pulls me by my shirt onto her back. For being so small these horses have ungodly strength. While making a beeline for the doors we came through we hear a deep rumble followed by a faint light creeping into the archives from the direction of the large doors. Shuffling toward the walls Pinkie and Rainbow try their best to blend into the shadows despite having such brightly colored hair and manes.
We aren’t even in the shadows long enough to see who is at the door before I feel Pinkie shifting beneath me. There is no time to even think about what could have possessed her to move so much before I feel my stomach lurch around inside me threatening to empty itself of its' contents. Closing my eyes to better focus on not losing brunch I feel several other abrupt jumps before it’s finally over. Gathering myself I crack an eye open unsure of what to expect. Almost immediately after doing so both of my eyes shoot open and my mouth hangs agape. Somehow we are now on top of the massive bookshelves. Turning to the side I see Rainbow standing on a shelf parallel to ours with Lyra still on her back. Okay, that solves the problem of us being spotted. Breathing out deeply a relieved smile escapes me. Slowly Rainbow and Pinkie make their way over to the doors which appear to be wide open, but unguarded.
Before I can even offer up a plan Rainbow and Pinkie both become multicolored blurs as they dart for the door. I tighten my grip on my pink savior, hoping that somehow Dash is able to keep up with the Pinkie while carrying Lyra. Within seconds I feel us gliding through the air, as though Pinkie had grown wings and is now flying up the stairs. Hardly ever touching the ground Pinkie is striding up the staircase skipping roughly half of each floor with every jump. Soon we make it to the 14th floor that leads right outside. Rainbow follows in suit and in a few seconds she is standing beside Pinkie and me, having been slowed by lugging Lyra in her fore hooves as she flew. Rainbow and Pinkie seem to be breathing heavily after having ascended the thirteen flights of stairs, I think, it’s hard to tell with how dizzy I feel. But it’s almost over, we are almost out of the library, and we have the book; no pony can stop us now, no pony except…
"Oh buck no!" Rainbow shouts as her eyes fix on the lavender mare standing at the front desk talking to a pair of Earth Pony guards. Twilight’s eyes appear to be alight in a fire of conflicting emotions. Fear shakes my body while a warm purple aura envelopes our entire group.In the heat of the moment all I manage to murmur is, "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a mare scorned..."
Author's Note
This being my first story I'm still finding my footing and appreciate anything you the reader have to offer.
Thank you for getting this far, please leave a comment, critique or any other kind of feedback, or not, don't let me tell you what to do you're a strong independent person.
The Book Celestia Doesn't Know About
Twilight frees us of her magic's grip causing us to drop to the floor in front of her. Then she starts shouting as she begins her scolding to end all scoldings. “What the buck where you three thinking!? Why would you run from the royal guard, especially while in a library! Do you have any idea the trouble you caused these poor trainees?"
No longer speaking in her normal voice Twilight is somehow managing to scold us while using the Royal Canterlot Voice. Strange, I’ve never heard her use it before. "Pinkie I told you to take care of Neredia, not to engage in these ridiculous shenanigans! Neredia what would Zecora say if she were here! And Rainbow, you assisted them as a getaway pony I can't believe...! - ” Her eyes trail to the bundle of mint green fur curled up at Rainbow's hooves "- You took Lyra Heartstrings hostage!?"
Steeling my nerves I shuffle forward. "Twilight we didn't mean to - ” I pause trying to figure out how to say what I want to without incriminating myself, “ - Pinkie sneezed and it all happened so fast, then Lyra was with us and we just wanted to get the book we came for."
"This is not about the books. This isn’t even about the library. This is about you three being unable to prevent each other from behaving irrationally. Did you know the guards sent to the library are trainees, this is their first assignment? All they were supposed to do was stand around the library and make all the visitors feel like the situation was under control. Then you three had to go and do something stupid! The poor trainees had to fumble about and try not to make things worse because they were unsure of whether or not they were supposed to apprehend you, or if they were even allowed to.” - Twilight motions to the guards she had been speaking with before we arrived, - “These gentlecolts were just asking me if they needed to call their superiors and explain that they had failed to watch a library! Uuugh, this shouldn’t have happened. - ”Twilight pauses and seems to be collecting herself as she eyes our small group tears now forming at the edges of her eyes.“ - When the embodiments of the Elements of Harmony cause trouble we all look bad. When you girls cause trouble you make those who trusted you look like fools. You Pinkie Promised..."
Rainbow doesn’t seem able to tear her gaze from the floor before Twilight's hooves, she is visibly shaking and her breathing is uneven coming in rough and short bursts. Pinkie moves closer to Rainbow and attempts to comfort her, "Dashie we just need to explain to Twilight what happened. We didn't break a promise to anypony..."
Twilight returns to using the Royal Canterlot Voice, "What!?!” Then as though finally noticing how loud she’s been Twilight’s volume returns to something closer to bearable while indoors, “Fine do tell what exactly drove you all to behave the way you did?"
"We needed a book. The library had been reluctant to let us in, and gave us a more than thorough pat down, even assuring us that if something were to happen the royal guard would be here to detain us. Once we passed the front desk I felt the urge to sneeze. While I had initially attempted to suppress the sneeze it managed to escape me and caused the destruction you see here. The guards then began to head toward us, upon noticing them Nery insisted we get out of here, she was scared Twilight. But I knew how important the book we were here for was to Nery I pressed that we should go get it first. While heading toward the eighth floor for the book Lyra joined us and we made our way to acquire the book. Lyra helped us open a few doors granting us entry to the room where the book was kept. Upon having used too much magic Lyra was exhausted and fainted, so Rainbow carried her up the stairs while I carried Nery." - sighing Pinkie waves a hoof motioning to the mayhem surrounding us - "It was simply the culmination of the shock, various stresses, and other unfriendly run ins with the guards that drove us to behave as we did. There was no deleterious intent behind our shenanigans as you put it."
I take a step back, what the hell is going on with Pinkie Pie today. I mean wow, that was quite the vocabulary, and she was coherent the whole time. My mind is racing unsure of what to think about the course of events that were so elegantly depicted by Pinkie's silver tongue and flowed from her lips like ambrosia and I was there.
However, Twilight seems to process what Pinkie said quickly and efficiently because she groans and exhales loudly before saying, "So it was like that Pinkie?" - Pinkie slowly nods her head in response. - "I see then, if you meant no harm, and seeing how you girls have only proven yourselves to be stupid, given the circumstances I see no reason to press the matter further. However, do not think you shall go without punishment. Pinkie I trust you and Neredia will be able to clean up this mess you made. I will take Lyra to a hospital to see how she's doing." - Then there is a short pause before Twilight turns to Rainbow Dash and speaks in a soft and apologetic tone as though she means to soothe a distressed filly - "And Rainbow you're coming with me too."
I voice my protests, "Wait what?We have to clean up all of this?”
"That's only the beginning, Zecora will be hearing about this too." Twilight retorts, her voice filling with frustration and annoyance again as she walks toward the exit of the library with cradled Lyra in her magic and Rainbow trailing behind her.
Groaning I curse Twilight under my breath, "The damn princess gets to play favorites and I'm gonna be a test subject for a month. What kind of fucking bull shit is that."
Placing a hoof on my chest Pinkie Pie gives me a weak smile before speaking softly, "You know we got off easy right?"
Letting out a sigh I nod my head. I am well aware that being part of the clean-up crew is in no way an adequate punishment for destroying one of Princess Twilight's favorite places, but those are the perks of...
My brain derails its’ own thoughts. Why are we being let off so easy? All that had happened was Pinkie gave a quick summary of most of the events that had transpired and we were given the all clear.
I turn planning on asking Pinkie why it is that we are being let off so easy, but I see she is already walking toward a few fallen shelves in the mess we now have to clean up. It looks like she’s going to start cleaning up with the guards and some library staff at the other end of the floor. I guess I’ll have to ask her later.
We are in the library up until about midnight before most of the books are back on their shelves and all of the bookcases are standing again. Wiping sweat from my brow I notice how desperately in need of a bath I am, there is dust practically caking on my forehead and palms. Leaning back I smile at the popping sounds my spine makes as I do so. Feeling some of the stiffness leave my body I turn to walk toward Pinkie. While she is not visibly deflated, she does seem to be less “Pinkie” than usual. Thinking that she at least deserves to look herself again I run my hand along her back giving it a deep push as I do so. Pinkie audibly moans before she places a hoof over her muzzle. Removing the hoof a light blush begins spreading across her face as she speaks, "Uhm, that was nice, thanks Nery."
Smiling at the mare I pull her close and wave goodbye to the library's night staff who grunt in acknowledgement while placing pictures of Lyra, Pinkie, Rainbow and me behind the front desk with big red X's over them. Well, I guess we won't be making any trips to the library for a while.
Feeling a light pressure against my thigh my attention shifts to my side, "Pinkie are you okay?" I ask unsure of what to think or of how to behave around her after her various shifts in personality today.
"Yeah, today’s just been a little crazy is all." She responds with a shrug.
I decide I should try to get some answers to my questions from earlier, "Well, if you don't mind me asking, why did Twilight let us go so easy after you talked to her?"
Taken aback Pinkie stops walking and literally takes a step back. She then begins, "I can’t tell you exactly why, because I’m not Twilight, although…” - Pinkie plops onto the floor and eyes her own limbs expectantly - “Nah, but I guess she saw what I meant. We didn't mean to do anything wrong, and well we just reacted poorly."
I think back to when Pinkie did mention something about stress. This steels my resolve to try to pry further, "So what was the stress that you mentioned earlier."
Her eyes dart back up to mine and a deep blush threatens to encompass her face, "Well, I mean, you know. The stress of being up so early and..." Her voice trails off. Eventually she starts up again, "Hey how about we go see if Vinyl is around in Canterlot and sleep at her place, and there aren't any trains at this hour anyway."
The thought of seeing Vinyl Scratch again excites me and I nod vigorously to show my approval of the suggestion. Besides it is clear that Pinkie doesn’t want to talk about this any further so I might as well let it go, at least for now.
Pinkie looks up at the night sky as she continues walking in the direction of Canterlot's nightlife a large smile once again adorning her face. The she speaks up out of the blue, "Twilight understands the situation."
Turning my head in surprise toward Pinkie I give the mare confused look before asking, "What do you mean?"
"Twilight gets why we did what we did, she knows that Rainbow only wanted to help out, she knows that I only wanted to help you, and she knows that you had acted out of fear not out of malice. Twilight knows that when friends are thrust into a crazy situation we do crazy things that in hindsight might not have been right, but that at the time they are mistakes that we had to make." She says this as though it is the easiest thing to understand.
Pinkie is being really deep again, and again it catches me off guard. My mind starts racing in a futile attempt to grasp what it is that she means. Sighing in defeat I press myself closer to Pinkie and run my hand along her withers. She coos at my touch pressing herself closer to me as we continue our walk to Vinyl's place.
The rest of the walk is relatively uneventful. Pinkie walks alongside me, close enough for me to feel her press up against me every now and then, but not too close such that I'm tripping over her. Smiling to myself I think aloud, "This is nice Pinks, you really helped me out today and even though I don't get everything that happened, I just wanted to say thank you."
The now giggling mare responds while snickering, "Nery, you don't have to get everything to enjoy it, just relax and put on a smile to let everypony know how you feel."
On cue a smile escapes my lips. This is the Pinkie that welcomed me to Ponyville, this is the Pinkie I have grown accustomed to and love to spend time with.
As my mind relaxes I soon notice the aches all across my body. I guess I am more exhausted after having cleaned up the library than I initially thought. Feeling the exhaustion wash over me I notice Vinyl's large Canterlot home come into view. The house is small by Canterlot standards, it stands two stories tall, has a large kitchen, a large dining room, a large living room, four large bedrooms each with their own bathroom, a small front yard, and a large backyard that houses a large circular pool about eight meters across. Although the Vinyl isn't much of a swimmer the house came with it and she sees no reason to go through the effort of removing it.
My aches only grow greater as though the knowledge that my body could soon rest reminds it of all the lifting, kneeling, and standing it had done. This causes me to turn toward Pinkie and wonder if she too is tired and sore. She did carry me on her back for most of the day, then when we had to clean up the mess in the library she did most of the heavy lifting and cleaned almost half of the floor on her own.
I ask the pink mare, miserably failing at hiding the concern in my voice, "Pinkie are you okay?"
Turning my way Pinkie raises an eyebrow while her mouth forms a small "o" shape, before she replies with a question of her own, "I'm doing great, why?"
I start, "Well, you cleaned up most of the library and had me on your back for most of the day, I thought maybe you'd be sore or tired..."
Interrupting me with a chuckle Pinkie begins talking cheerily, "Of course I'm fine silly.There is no way I would get tired of carrying you around, I love it. And the cleaning that we did today,it was nothing really, Twilight’s made me clean up way bigger messes. - " she pauses to turn to me causing me to give her a look of uncertainty while studying her body language, then she blushes lightly as she starts to speak again " - Well, I mean I would love to be able to cuddle into a lovely bed and snuggle in the covers but who wouldn’t."
Smiling while shaking her head Pinkie effortlessly shifts back to reality and stretches a hoof in front of me. Stopping I turn to look forward to see why she had stopped me before my eyes go wide. I stumble back startled by the door only a few centimeters from my face. We are standing in front of Vinyl's small mansion and I am about to crash into the front door.
Raising a hand to the door I make a fist and proceed to knock hard three times. After the knocks there comes a quick reply from the other side of the door, "Will you stop your incessant knocking I was upstairs." The annoyed tone behind the voice is unmistakably Octavia’s, Vinyl's roommate.
Unable to contain the excitement in my voice I say giddily, "She's home too."
Upon hearing me Pinkie gives me a warm smile before shifting her attention toward the grey mare who is opening the door and greets her with a smile. Pinkie chirps happily, "Hey Tavia, is Vinyl home."
"Oh, it's just you two again..." Octavia begins before Vinyl comes down the stairs asking who is at the door as she does so. After hearing Vinyl’s question Octavia changes topics mid-sentence, "It's your friends Vinyl, Pinkie Pie and the weird alien one." Octavia turns to me and gives me a smirk when she refers to me as the "alien one".
At first me and Octavia didn't get along very well to say the least. She had always been reluctant to let me into her home even after Vinyl swore I was "cool" and wouldn't cause any trouble. She had insisted that something like me was in no way "cool", especially considering that I was living with Zecora somewhere in the Everfree doing Celestia knows what. Honestly always hearing ponies assume that Zecora was up to no good simply because of where she lived and how different she was upset me. Then one day when Octavia locked me out in the backyard in an attempt to keep me out of the house for the umpteenth time I snapped. I rapped at the door until she came down to shout at me to stop or she'd call my witch of an owner to come over and take me home. When she had called Zecora a witch I shouted back delivering a lengthy speech about how even though she always had a stick up her ass she shouldn't be so rude to Zecora. I emphasized how Zecora has so much shit to put up with without ponies assuming she was some voodoo bitch hell-bent on causing chaos and mayhem with her strange magic and potions.
Octavia had gone silent after my outburst. There had been a long pause before I heard the door unlock and saw Octavia sitting at the entrance with her forehooves pressed against her temples. She quickly apologized for what she had done and explained how she had to do the same for Vinyl when she heard ponies speak ill of the less than responsible DJ at just about every Canterlot social gathering she would attend. Appearing defeated the grey mare spoke to me in a weak and rattled manner that assured me that she was sincerely sorry. Octavia went on to explain she had never given any thought to the rumors about Zecora, whether or not they were true, how feasible they were, or even how they may be negatively impacting Zecora.
Once Octavia was done I no longer hated her, although I wasn't sure how long it would take before I would forgive her for having constantly locked me out, shooed me away from Vinyl's home when the Unicorn wasn't there, and the times she dragged me out when I would fall asleep on the couch, in the guest room, or in one of their chairs. Expensive furniture is very comfortable, I can’t help but doze off if I relax on it for too long. Even so I assumed eventually we would get along, I mean she was Vinyl's friend after all, she had to be cool one way or another.
Now about our current situation. Before she would use the word “alien” in an attempt to insult me, but now it serves as a reminder of how our previous behavior is just something to laugh about.
I give Octavia a toothy grin before jumping in front of her and pulling her in for a hug. Although Octavia and I are friends she isn't very fond of hugs and squirms in my embrace as she tries to push me away. Laughing I loosen my grip and allow her to pry herself free. After falling out of my arms Octavia attempts to give me a deadpanned expression, she may not like hugs but they always cause her to make the cutest angry faces. Pouting at me Octavia hits my shoulder softly, before motioning for Pinkie and me to enter.
While we make our way into the house Vinyl greets us with a cheery grin. She appears to have exited the shower recently, her mane still wrapped in a towel while a soft looking pair of fuzzy slippers are under her hooves.
"Hey guys, what brings you here this late at night?"Vinyl asks Pinkie and me as we enter her home.
Pinkie answers while bouncing in place, "Nery and I were in the Canterlot Library all day, by the time we left it had gotten so late that there were no more trains returning to Ponyville. So with us being in Canterlot and all we were hoping you would be able to give us a room to spend the night."
Vinyl lets out a small chuckle before responding, "So you guys just wanna mooch off of us again?" She attempts to give Pinkie and me a look of annoyance that is instantly betrayed by the smile growing on her face.
"When you put it that way I guess we should add dinner to our list of demands?" I tell Vinyl as my eyes wander over the empty bowl that usually had fruit sitting on the table in the center of the living room. Without realizing it not only had I grown exhausted, I was hungry too. Deciding Vinyl and Octavia may have taken my question as a joke, seeing as they have yet to respond, I ask again, "Seriously, can I please have something small to eat before bed I'm starving?"
Vinyl shakes her head in amusement as Octavia responds, "Only something small. Last time we humored your insatiable appetite you cleaned all of our cupboards of everything edible."
I respond dryly, "Pinkie and Vinyl ate way more food that day than I did..."
Vinyl interrupts me before I can continue to defend myself, “Nairs, it's alright, Tavi makes more than enough bits to pay for some extra food every now and again." - Vinyl turns to Octavia and gives her a shit eating grin - "Make it quick though Tavi’s been stressed out recently and wanted to hit the hay early tonight if you feel my beat."
As Vinyl finishes her sentence a rose colored Octavia slaps her across the muzzle before huffing, "As a friend I will let that disgusting joke slide. However Vinyl if you think that as a mare of good social standing I will allow you to insult my purity I..." - It is at this moment Octavia's neck begins to have a red tinge spread across it as well - "Oh b-buck all of you." Octavia stammers as she storms out of the room.
Vinyl laughs triumphantly, "She's great, even though I can't have this kind of fun when it's just the two of us you guys are here now so yeah." - shifting her gaze away from the fleeing mare Vinyl fixes her attention onto me and Pinkie - "Hey, have I ever mention how much I love you guys’ company? But seriously, all we have for eating right now though are a couple of apples and some strange juice that Tavi’s been making, - " a small chill visibly spread across Vinyl’s body causing her to pause " - I wouldn't drink it if I were you, it tastes awful. But like I said we don't have much in the way of food at the moment, you guys kinda stopped by the night before we head out to Ponyville Market."
"You girls go to Ponyville just for food?" Pinkie inquires confused not about their activity, but instead about the fact that this is something she doesn’t know about her friends.
"Yeah. You can't find fresh food in Canterlot to save your life. Besides Tavi and I just finished some big gigs and decided we should take a break at her old home in Ponyville." Vinyl responds in her typical casual manner completely disregarding the excitement visibly threatening to cause the pink mare to explode as she shakes violently in place. How she manages to have so much energy after a day like the one we had I do not know.
Suddenly Pinkie bursts, shouting while making no attempt to contain her excitement she exclaims, "I - can't - believeit,Ifoundanewreasontothrowyougirlsaparty!..."
Placing a hand over Pinkie's muzzle I attempt to silence her, but all I manage to do is muffle her unceasing speech causing Vinyl to laugh and give Pinkie an amused look.
Octavia steps into the living room and comments on Pinkie's harmless antics, "We'll somepony sure is lively considering it's half past midnight."
Just by hearing mention of the time I feel myself fall over and melt into the chair behind me. I yawn, and then sleepily say, "While we’re on the subject of how late it is, how about that food and a bed, please." Octavia rolls her eyes and tosses me a small sandwich from seemingly out of nowhere.
"Whoa, hey Tavi why don't I get one of those when I ask for one? I mean she didn't even ask and you made her a sandwich, doesn’t that break some kind of rule or something..." There is a short pause as Vinyl’s face becomes expressionless before she gasps, "Wait, where did you get the stuff to make a sandwich, you told me all we had were apples and that gross thing you drink?"
Octavia rolls her eyes at Vinyl Scratch. "It was going to be for breakfast, but Neredia looked so tired and hungry that I thought she should have it. We can just eat out for breakfast anyway."
As I start eating the delicious sandwich I smile at Octavia silently thanking her for the food. Then I smile at the small meal while immersing myself in eating what has to be the best daisy and clover sandwich I’ve ever had.
Octavia smiles back before speaking up again, "Now about your sleeping arrangements. The guest room is empty, and if all of your previous nights over are any indication, the two of you have no reserves about sharing a bed no?"
I am still happily chewing away at my sandwich oblivious to whatever it is that they’re talking about now.
Pinkie speaks up to answer Octavia while a blush creeps across her cheeks, but her voice maintains it’s bubbliness, "Sharing a bed is fine."
Octavia feigns a gasp of surprise, "Oh how scandalous." - Octavia pauses to look around the room with a goofy grin on her muzzle which starts to shift into a small frown when she realizes no one is laughing. -"Come on Vinyl makes a bedroom joke and you all laugh, I make a joke and nopony thinks me funny?"
Having finished the sandwich I thank Octavia for the small meal before heading upstairs. I already know that the guest room is open, Octavia would have mentioned visitors earlier considering she usually hates having most anypony over to spend the night and loves to complain about it. Letting out another yawn I turn to look down from the top of stairs, "Goodnight, see you all when Celestia's stupid sun ruins my sleep."
The now dumbfounded Octavia runs a hoof over her face in defeat, "Goodnight Neredia."
Vinyl laughs in amusement, "Night Nairs, and congrats on breaking Octavia again."
Pinkie hops up the stairs skipping three steps at a time. When she makes it to the tops she nuzzles into my side before yawning. It is adorable, honestly every time she yawns my heart melts. I think it has to do with the way her cute tongue curls out of her mouth and her nose scrunches up, it's unbearable.
Even so, she doesn't usually yawn that often. Running my hand through Pinkies mane I ask her, "The day’s activities finally catching up to you?"
My question is only met with silence. Looking down I notice that the small pink mare's eyes are half-lidded and she is smacking her lips. Suppressing a laugh I walk beside her as we walk to the guest bedroom. Opening the door I usher Pinkie in and close the door behind us before helping her get into bed.
Vinyl's home is truly luxurious compared to every other place I have slept. The guest room has a private bathroom, a giant king sized bed, a pair of drawers for their guests' belongings, a closet in the corner beside the door that leads into the room, and a medium sized couch at the other end of the same wall.
I speak softly trying to not disturb Pinkie's relaxed state, "I'm gonna take a quick shower. You go ahead and sprawl out on the bed, I'll just settle in after I'm done."
Pinkie responds with a soft "uh-huh" before crawling underneath the covers an curling up on one side of the large mattress.
After I finish taking a quick bath, my initial idea of taking a shower wasn’t going to happen considering how tired I am, I step out of the restroom. Slamming my second knuckles together to mimic the clap of hooves causes the enchanted candles in the restroom and bedroom flicker before their flames are magically extinguished. Then I hobble over to the bed where by now Pinkie is probably already sleeping.
A strange smell assaults my sense; it was like an overwhelming cinnamon smell. I guess that is probably from the candles and is meant to help guests relax, but it is definitely too strong for my taste. Feeling my way around being cautious to avoid kicking anything in the dark I come up to the edge opposite of where Pinkie had initially laid down. Leaning forward I pass my hands over the mattress feeling for Pinkie. I don’t feel her anywhere in my arms reach, so I lay down content with the fact that I should be able to do so without crushing her. Gently lifting the covers I slide into their warm embrace enjoying the feeling of their softness pressing against me. After completely covering myself and getting comfortable it is only a matter of minutes before I fall asleep.
"See Tavi, you just aren't funny. Beside's Ponk likes being around Nery while you act all uppity around me, so your joke had little to no merit while mine was the epitome of humor." Vinyl finishes her comment by blowing a raspberry at Octavia.
Octavia sighs as she responds with another sad attempt at humor, "Goodnight Vinyl, I hope you sleep poorly."
"Never do when you won’t let me spend the night with you Tavi." Vinyl laughs loudly as she starts up the stairs already knowing how Octavia is going to respond. Octavia is once again turning a deep shade of red, but this time she lets out a defeated shout and dashes up the stairs toppling Vinyl over in the process. Octavia runs into her room and slams the door behind her annoyed at Vinyl’s insistence to tease her for being a mare of morals and decency, who at times only appears to be a prude for the sake of decency.
Vinyl is getting to her hooves as one of the doors upstairs slams shut. She assumes Octavia has decided to call it a day and concludes that she should do the same considering how late it is getting. Picking up the towel that is now resting on the floor after having fallen off of her head when Octavia knocked her down she rests it across her shoulders. Now that she is standing she runs a hoof through her mane in an attempt to straighten out the still damp hair. Then she makes her way up the stairs to her own room smiling content at tonight’s turn of events, not only was Pinkie and Nairs here, but they probably had a story to tell judging by the way they looked.
Vinyl speaks to herself as she rubs her eyes with a hoof, "At least this should make tomorrow morning easier a bit more interesting, I guess."