Pets of Ponyville

Every two weeks, for one day, Owlowiscious altered his regular schedule. He stayed awake during the day, and the following night, returning to a nocturnal schedule afterward. That was why he did it so infrequently. It took such a toll on him. But if he did not, it would weigh on him, being disconnected from the others in the town. He felt it was his duty to be available during the day at least sometimes. He owed it to Twilight and the others to be an actual part of life.

The problem was he often spent his day doing the things he did at night. He arranged books and papers or straightened up. In times before that would have agitated his fellow library assistant, Spike. But since he had gained some height and muscle definition he felt more inclined to take advantage of opportunities to relax and go out on the town. It worked out well for the dragon, but left Owlowiscious alone more often than not. He could not even always count on the presence of his young charge, Peewee the phoenix. Spike took him very often, as some sort of living accessory.

It was during one of those daytime working periods that Owlowiscious found himself alone, arranging some papers on the large desk Twilight used for research. A sound behind him made his head spin all the way to the back. “Who?”

The door to the library opened slowly, almost grandly, as though preparing to admit a regal figure. Rather what was revealed was the slow-moving Tank the tortoise. His head pushed slowly but steadily on the door that was enormous from his perspective. He then slowly made his way in, one foot in front of them other while looking up to his noctual friend.

“Ahh, Tank. Your timing is most propitious. This day has been terribly slow and difficult. I have screeched for help often but received no assistance from Spike nor Peewee. You are, ever, a steady and reliable friend and helper in these endeavors. And I would be forever in your debt if you would aid me.”

Tank made his way steadily into the room, not throwing all his effort into it, using more of a casual slow walk that didn't unduly strain his body. He looked up with his usual large eyes to Owlowiscious and seemed prepared to speak.

The owl cut him off with a slight whoo and sudden smile. “Thank you! No need to speak, my friend. Your actions speak louder than your words, as they say. You make me proud to call you friend, Tank. You are so very faithful, just as your caretaker. Have you your aerialist accoutrements?”

Tank ducked his head and limbs into his shell, a slight clattering coming from within before all the extremities popped out, each pushing out some piece of the thaumatomechanical system that allowed him to fly. He slowly began to move the parts into place around himself, mouth slowly starting to open, to tell something to Owlowiscious.

“Save your words, my dear friend. I understand you clearly. Allow me to assist you, as you will be assisting me.” The owl swooped down to his tortoise friend, nimble talons taking each enchanted part in turn and putting it where it needed to be, swiftly assembling the system, connecting the enchanted batteries and even gingerly placing Tank's goggles onto his face. “And there, perfect. Now you may assist unencumbered by the cruel bonds of gravity.”

Tank looked himself over, checking strap tightness, goggle position and everything else, finding them all exactly as he liked them. He gave a slow but broad smile, and slowly inhaled, as if to speak.

“Thank me another time, my loyal friend. Come, we must begin. As ever, my dear companion Twilight has left a bit of a chaotic state and Spike has taken my young charge to attempt to attract mares once more. Well, at least I am left with some measure of consistency. It helps to make the monotony seem noble. Come then, friend. Off to the stacks, to labor as we may and set to right what life has tumbled about.” With a powerful flap of his wings Owlowiscious was up and away, Tank hovering close behind.

Their attention first went to the obvious book piles in the entrance area, the tossed-about tomes at least placed in piles of similar size and thickness. Order in the chaos, which was the heart of Twilight Sparkle's nature. Tank set to task right away, zipping in and pulling the books up and arranging them on the ground in neat stacks, arranging them by subject. This made it easier for Owlowiscious to flap in and grab books two at a time, flying over to the appropriate sections and sliding them into their places.

They worked in necessary silence. Words were completely unnecessary, as both had a kind of mechanical precision about their activity, both meshing together so that when Owlowiscious reached into the third stack from the right he was grasping something from Pony History, because he and Tank had previously worked out an efficient system. It all went along smoothly, bringing a rare smile to the owl's beak. He was not, by nature, a dour creature. But he seldom found a reason to smile. But efficient cleaning was something to celebrate. It meant he could have more time to enjoy the day once he was finished.

“That was even faster than last week, I do suspect. We do make for quite a pair when left alone together, do we not, friend Tank?”

Tank slowly nodded his head and pulled a slow smile, preparing to comment.

“But of course we do. And just imagine what we may do when our task is once finished. With the books put away, we may, as ever, move to the miscellaneous paper messes. Twilight has been... prolific in her making of lists this week, leaving a trailing notice of the same in her wake. Such is life with a scholar. Come along then, I shall take the ink and quill pieces, you take the scraps and bits of paper.”

Tank nodded slowly, not bothering to try and speak. His mouth only opened to take some paper into his mouth, more of it gathered up between his limbs. It was easy enough to hover up and bear it all away into the paper pulper Twilight kept in the kitchen. An ingenious little piece of magical technology that needed only water and time to turn scrap paper back into usable paper.

Owlowiscious, meanwhile, swept broken pieces of quill up with his wings, somewhat aware of the strangeness of gathering up broken feathers with his whole feathers. They were then gathered up and taken to the trash receptacle, leaving him to handle ink spots. Thankfully, Twilight had formulated an effective surface cleaner which worked perfectly on ink, without any harsh effects on his talons. She had had to adjust her various cleaning formulae when she got an assistant without effectively-indestructible skin.

Between the two working together in niches which suited them they finished up quickly. “We have been quite efficient. So much faster than alone, at night. I do not say it often enough, Tank friend, but I appreciate your company and your loyal dedication. I could do this without you. But never as fast, and certainly not half as enjoyably. Your presence is a treat and a treasure.”

Tank hovered back into the main room, a light blush tinting his cheeks as he was complimented so much. “I...” He began.

“Man! Almost had it! Almost had it!” The door suddenly burst open, revealing Spike, looking taller and slimmer than he had been in younger days, with Peewee the phoenix chick on his shoulder and a thin mustache on his upper lip. “That pegasus was TOTALLY into me. And Peewee, you were really working that magic. But then... big, long, thick mustaches only... I need to get Twilight to bump it up! Like she does when the guys are in town.” He finally noticed that he was not alone with his pet. “Oh hey Tank, Owlowiscious. Thanks for picking up the slack. The place looks great! Less work for me.”

Owlowiscious gave Spike his usual big-eyed look. “Whoo.”

“Who's the bird? You're the bird!” Spike grinned at gave a double-finger point with a wink. “Oh, and Tank, you're the... terra... terra... you're the reptile. Guess I'll just kick back with a snack and a movie. AJ's cousin sent me the latest crop of turquoise. It tastes great even without aging.”

After Spike had wandered upstairs, saying something about golden dawn or similar, Peewee turned his attention to Owlowiscious. “Hey! Hey! Hey! I was helping him again! He said that the mares love me because I'm tiny and cute and rare. Isn't that cool? I get to be useful! I get all the mares!” The little bird smiled brightly for a moment then asked, “What does that mean?”

Owlowiscious gave a hooting chuckle and shoot his head. “Hooo my. It would appear I must instruct my young charge on the ways of world while skirting the particulars. My occupation has become truly unique and interesting. My great apologies, Tank. With the arrival of Peewee I must assume my mentoring role once more. Such a tragedy. Another time, my dear friend. Another day.”

Tank gave a slow nod of his head, his feelings hidden behind his heavy flight goggles. He hovered up and to the door. Before he could open it, Owlowiscious was there, holding it open for him with a cheerful smile. That was the image that Tank took with him as he zipped along the paths of Ponyville, watching the ponies pass beneath. At long last he was able to speak, and say what had been stifled all day. “I love you, Owlowiscious...”