I woke up the next morning with only one thing filling my vision. Kerias face staring back at me. “Morning, Spirit,” Keria greeted. “I’ve missed you,” she said, wearing a warm smile. I smiled back.

“Same here. Hope it wasn’t too fun around here while I was gone.” I teased, getting off the couch.

“Not really, with all the nobles around,” she answered.

“Of course,” I said chuckling. “Why am I not surprised? Anyway, have you had anything to eat yet?”I asked she shook her head a little.

“Not yet. I actually wanted to have breakfast with you, if you don’t mind?” she asked, reminding me of Fluttershy a little I went over to the balcony to check the sun.

“We’ll have to be quick about it, we have a train to catch soon,” I informed her. I walked to the room doors and opened one. “Well? Aren’t ya coming?” I asked. Keria didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. The excitement on her face was enough. I closed the door behind her and took the lead as we made our way through the maze of corridors once more.

“Wai, aren’t we going to the castle cafeteria?” I heard her ask when reached the stairs.

“Na,” I answered, continuing down to the ground floor. “I thought we could grab a quick bite at the Silent Tea Cafe, I also wanted to say goodbye to Silent Taste before we leave.”

“Don’t worry, I understand. I remember how important she is to you.” Keria reminded me.

“Thank you, that means a lot to me,” I replied, thinking back on the first day we met. Though, I didn’t think back too much on it because it was kind of embarrassing. We were making our way through the last corridor, practically next to the front door, when a familiar voice stopped us.

“Spirit!” I heard it cal, both Keria and I turned to see who it was. There was Shining Armor galloping to catch up to us. When he finally did, he asked: “Hey, leaving already?”

“Yeah, “ I answered. “Don’t want to miss the train again.”

“Oh, well, I just wanted to see you off,” he added.

“Well, I guess you can join us for breakfast if you want,” I told him. “If Keria doesn’t mind.”

“T-that’s fine with me,” Keria answered. Shining’s smile grew almost an inch.

“Alright, let's get a move on then. I don’t want to waste any more time than I already have.” I said, opening the front door of the castle.

“As I lead the two through the door, I heard the two of them already starting a conversation. Tuning them out, I continued to lead them to the road and across the street to where the cafe was, but I stopped at the door. I felt Shining bump into me from behind a few seconds later.

“Hey, what gives?” I heard him complain.

“I think that breakfast is going to have to wait,” I answered.

“Why’s that?” I heard Keria ask next. I levitated a note off the door and in between us for them to read. It read:

Sorry to do this on such short notice, but we’re now closed. We’re relocation to Ponyville.

Sincerely,

Silent Taste.

“Well, at least the note is short and straight to the point.” I pointed out.

“Looks like you two ran out of luck.” Shining teased.

“Yeah, well we don’t have time to make any new plans so we might as well get going to the station,” I said. Looking over to Keria, I saw that she looked a little upset.

“Then I better get back too. The guards are going to rotate their stations soon and I’m going to have to read through their reports.” Shining explained. “Oh, and I’m sure you’ve been informed about the happening’s, right?” he asked. I nodded, believing that he was talking about what Luna mentioned. “Then do me a favor and make sure nothing happened to Twilight, Okay?”

“Shining, you have my word that nothing bad will happen to your sister,” I promised him. A quick glance at Keria showed me how confused she must be.

“Alright, thanks. It makes me feel better knowing that you’ll be there to keep her safe, let alone Ponyville,” he said before taking off for the castle.

“What was he talking about?” Keria asked as I turned to face her.

“Oh, it’s nothing I want to worry you about,” I told her, rubbing the back of my head with a hoof. “Let’s get going. We’re running low on time.” I informed her, taking the lead.

Keria almost boarded the train, but I raised a hoof in front of her to stop her. Then, after handing the conductor our tickets, I removed my hoof and lead her to the private royal cart, after making sure no pony was watching us.

“Why are you acting like that?” Keria asked after we got in the cart. I walked over to the minifridge and got out two bottles of apple cider.

“Well, I don’t want to attract any attention, let alone the wrong kind. Rumors could start if we’re seen on the private royal cart, which is usually only to be used by Alicorns and their guests.” I answered, setting the bottles onto the table in the middle of the cart.

“But you are an Alicorn,” she countered.

“The populace doesn't know that, which is just how I want it to remain. Now come on over and have a drink. It’s going to be a long ride.” I told her.

“Wait, when did you start drinking?” she asked.

“They’re alcohol-free,” I told her. “Just because we have nothing to eat doesn’t mean we can’t have some refreshers.”

“A-alright, just wanted to make sure,” Keria said in defeat, joining me at the table. She grasped a bottle of cider and popped off the cap with a claw. “By the way, can’t anyone see into the cart?”

“Nope, they’re enchanted. We can see out but no one can see in.” I answered, feeling glad to be able to say ‘anyone’ instead of ‘any pony’. Using some magic to open my own bottle, I took a few sips and let out a sigh.

“You know,” Keria began. “I’ve been worried about you.”

“Oh, why’s that?” I asked, taking another sip of cider.

“Well….you just seem to have the habit of getting into trouble,” she continued, taking another sip. “I know we were forced into our engagement and we haven’t known each other for that long, but I care about you. I don’t want anything to happen to you,” we both took another sip of cider. She suddenly wrapped her claws around me and pulled me over.

“H-hey, what the-” I protested, but she ignored me as she stuffed my face into her chest fur. “What the hell is she doing?” I thought.

Then, I felt something press on top of my head, followed by one of her paws stroking the back of my head. After that, she began to hum. She hummed something that I have never heard before. It made me stop my protests. It made me feel soft and warm inside. I felt my heart rate calm down as she continued. The vibration from her chest felt good too.

“Spirit, I’m here for you. Remember that,” she said before taking me out of her chest fur. She placed one of her claws under my chin to guide it so we were looking into the eyes of each other. “Please promise me that you won’t get yourself killed, no matter the reason?” she requested, looking like she was going to start crying. I couldn’t bring myself to say no.

“Sure.” was all I could say.

Then Keria leaned her head in and gave me a peck on the lips. I didn’t know what to do. As my mind went blank, I just let it happen as my body went limp. Keria soon broke the kiss. The giggle she let out sounded like one of a filly. My body went tired and she guided my head onto her lap. Her lap felt fuzzy, warm, and welcoming. I fell asleep on the spot.

[Keria’s POV]

“Spirit, I’m here for you. Remember that,” I said in desperation. To comfort him, I embraced him as tightly as I could for a few minutes. Then, I took his head out from my chest, placed a claw under his chin, and angled his head so I could look into his eyes. I didn’t want to chance him going off and getting himself hurt. “Please promise me that you won’t get yourself killed, no matter the reason?” I demanded, feeling my tears building up.

“Sure,” he answered.

Overwhelmed with relief, I kissed him. The kiss felt wonderful, and telling from his reaction I guess that that was his first kiss. Soon I broke the kiss. The thought of taking his first kiss made me feel all giddy inside and I let out a little giggle. I felt his body go limp so I guided his head gently into my lap where he fell asleep in seconds. I let out a sigh, staring at his sleeping face.

I thought back to something Celestia told me a few days ago. She summoned me to her Study. When I got there, she was sitting at her desk. Upon entry, she said to me: “Morning Keria, how are you?”

“I doing well, thank you.” I answered.

“That’s good to hear. I’m sure you will also be happy to hear that Spirit should be returning in a few days to come bring you to Ponyville,” Celestia told me. Of course, I was filled with excitement, but there was apparently more she wanted to tell me. “But there is a matter regarding Spirit that I think I should discuss with you for his sake. Before I tell you, however, I can stress how important it is that you don’t let him know that you know what you are about to be told. Am I clear?” she asked, looking serious.

“O-of course, Princess,” I responded.

“Good. So, as you already know, Spirit isn’t normal, even before becoming an Alicorn. He hides it, but he’s very sensitive. His Amnesia is severe as well. He has no memory of who he was before I met him. He also has no memory of his live events or of his family, which is the reason he’s so sensitive,” Celestia explained. She wasn’t wasting any time getting to the point, which scared me. “ So I need you to do me something.” I gulped.

“W-what is it?” I asked, stuttering.

“Don’t worry, it’s simple. Tell me, do you know what he desires?” Celestia asked. I took a guess.

“To survive?” I asked. She shook her head.

“You would think, but no. In fact, he has no desire to live at all. That’s what worries me. His whole life in Equestria he’s tried everything he can to avoid making friends.” Celestia began. “According to what my sister, Luna, tells me, Spirit knew his fate a long time before it happened. Of course, I mean Discord. The reason he avoided making friends was that he also was aware of the high chance that he was walking into his own death. Only Spirit would know how he got out alive if he knows at all, so I wouldn’t be able to tell you.” she explained. My jaw dropped a little.

“How? How could he have been so calm about it for so long, and how could he have been so accepting about it?” I asked.

“I’m not sure how he could have been so calm. He’s either very stupid or very brave. I like to believe it’s the latter. As for how he could have been so accepting, well, the answer to that is not for the faint of heart, for I don’t know of any pony in Equestria how can relate.” at this point, I could have sworn I saw a tear ready to break free from her eye. “See, he didn’t have any pony. No friends. No family. His curse wasn’t immortality, it’s not knowing what it’s like to have a family. It’s here where I feel like I have failed him. He came to me for help, asking what it’s like to have a family. That’s the thing though. You can’t explain what having a family is truly like in words, it’s something that has to be experienced.”

“And this is where you need me?” I asked.

“Yes, my little….Griffin,” she answered. “See, he told me that what he truly desires is a family. I was hoping you would help feel that void for him however you see fit,” she explained. I nodded. “Good. Here’s a good tip. He has a weakness when one he trusts either takes a motherly or sisterly approach.” she added.

“Okay, thanks.”

Focusing back in on the present, looking down at the sleeping pony in my lap, I thought “I’ll do the best I can.” and looking closer at his face, I also thought “He looks kinda cute when he’s sleeping actually.”

Author's Note

Here we go, got some ideas flowing a little bit more. Again, sorry about how short the last chapter was.

Drop a like, leave a comment, and as always... I hope you enjoyed.