Matters of the Heart: Immigrant Griffon

Gallus really wished he had a butterfly catcher for his stomach right about now, as he made his way down one of the neighborhood roads of west Ponyville, a bag of fresh-cut hay fries on his back, ready for cooking. It wasn't the fact that he would be cooking for somepony else; he had just done that for two dozen E.U.P. troops. No, he'd be meeting Sandbar's family, and Sandbar would be revealing how close he had gotten to another student. Even though Sandbar had been reassuring him all day, he was still nervous about how they would possibly react.

They turned a corner, and went up the front walk of the third house on the right. It was a small two story dwelling.

"Well, here we are. My humble abode. Looks kind of plain right now, but no major holidays coming up, my family usually goes all out on decorations." Sandbar said, turning the knob and opening the front door.

"Mom, dad! We're here!" He called out, stepping through the doorway.

"Sandbar!" A high-pitched voice called out, quickly followed by a small foal nearly galloping out into the foyer to greet them.

"Whoa!" Sandbar said, taking a single step back and caught the foal after she jumped into the air towards him.

"Gallus, this is my baby sister, Coral Currents. Coral, this is Gallus."

Coral waved cutely as she began to play with Sandbar's mane. Her coat was a few shades greener than Sandbar's and her mane was a wavy mix of teal and peach.

"Ah there you are. Just in time." A much older, and masculine voice said, before a stallion and mare came around the same corner that Coral had come barreling around.

"And this is my dad, Beachcomber, and mom, High Tide." Sandbar said as he finished introducing his family.

Beachcomber's coat was a few shades darker than Sandbar's, and his mane was in dreadlocks. High Tide's stood nearly a full head shorter than her husband, and her coat was a light yellow, most comparable to Fluttershy, as was the color of her wavy mane.

"You must be Gallus. Welcome to our home. Sandbar has told us a lot about you." High Tide greeted.

"Uh, um, he has?" Gallus asked, his nervousness immediately apparent. They merely smiled in response.

"Yes, and you don't have to worry. We think it's great that you two have gotten so close." Beachcomber told him.

"I tried to tell him he didn't have to be so nervous, but I guess some things can't be helped." Sandbar said, playfully slugging the griffon on the shoulder.

"He's right, Gallus. We're pretty open minded around here." High Tide affirmed.

"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starving. Gallus, Sandbar says you're an up-and-coming cook, and that you've brought a side. Want to help out in the kitchen?" Beachcomber asked.

"Sure, I'd love to." Gallus replied, and followed as Beachcomber waved him forward and took him through the spacious den and under an archway into the kitchen proper, as Sandbar, High Tide, and Coral got situated in the den.

As Gallus set his bag down on the counter, he noticed a boiling pot of carrots already on the stovetop, as Beachcomber brought over another cast iron pot over from the pantry along with a jug of peanut oil.

"Alright, I think about two inches of oil will do, so go ahead and fire it up." Beachcomber said, watching as Gallus poured in the appropriate amount of oil and lit the burner.

"Now... The next step..." Beachcomber began, coming up next to him, noticing how nervous he still was. "Take a deep breath, and relax." He finished softly, giving Gallus a smile.

"I-I'm sorry. I just really want to make a good—"

"Gallus," Beachcomber politely interrupted. "We really don't want you to feel like you have to make a good impression, or like you need our approval or anything. Our son loves you, and if you feel the same way, then that's good enough as far as we're concerned. So, just take a deep breath, and show us what kind of hay fries you can make."

The griffon did just that, and felt a bit better, and also a bit taken aback at how immediately accepting Sandbar's family was.

"I guess even after nearly nine months at Princess Twilight's school, I'm still not entirely used to how accepting most ponies are around here." He admitted, returning his attention to the oil that was heating up.

"Sandbar's been curious about griffon culture. He wants to visit Griffonstone with you, but he says you haven't exactly warmed up to the idea." Beachcomber said,

"Honestly, Beachcomber, there isn't much worthwhile about griffon culture anymore. Griffonstone is a dump, and most griffons there won't even greet you unless you give them a bit or two. I don't want him to be disheartened or disappointed after we take all that time to cross the sea. I can almost promise that they won't be as accepting of us as you and your family have been."

"Well, let's say you're right, and his curiosity still isn't sated. Some things are best learned firsthoof. Even though you think he won't gain anything from it, would you be willing to consider his request? If you're right, you're right. If you're wrong, you two have a nice weekend away together. It's a win-win."

Gallus thought it over as he stared at his reflection in the surface of the oil. It was hardly a win-win; being right about taking Sandbar to Griffonstone was the last thing he wanted. But maybe his dad was right; maybe secondhand accounts wouldn't be enough.

"I'll think about it." He replied.

"That's all I ask. Now, I think the oil is hot enough, so just let me know what seasonings you need for those hay fries, and also what toppings you like on your carrot rolls." Beachcomber said, making another trip to the pantry.

"Oh, ever since I tried them for the first time in the cafeteria, I've always preferred the works." Gallus replied as he started putting servings of hay into the hot oil, getting sizzling and bubbling in return as the side dish was quickly fried up. "As for hay fry seasoning, I feel you can't go wrong with a bit of salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin."

"Coming right up. Sounds delicious already." Beachcomber said, sliding Gallus the bottles he needed from the spice rack, while he came back to the cutting board and began to mince and dice up toppings. After draining the fries in a steel sieve, he threw the spices and fries into a mixing bowl and tossed them, before piling them up on a serving platter, while Beachcomber began putting the steaming hot carrots into fresh hoagie rolls from the oven, then onto a platter of their own.

"Looks awesome, Gallus. Can't wait to see what you do with some real experience under your feathers." Beachcomber said, getting a smile out of the griffon, who was still getting over the last of his nerves, as the two of them carried the platters to the dining room table.

"Alright everycreature, dinner is served."

The other three came and joined them around the dining room table. As Gallus sat and ate with Sandbar and his family, he really couldn't imagine the night going any better.

He just hoped against hope that Sandbar would appreciate what he had right here in Ponyville, and stop being so curious about Griffonstone, the place he was now so immensely grateful to get away from...