As the Silent Tavern came into view, I noticed a few ponies making there way in. “Heh, must already be popular,” I thought. Wouldn’t surprise me though, seeing how good it is. I have yet to have tea that was better than what Silent can brew. With Fang in tow, I approached the tavern. However, I noticed that the lights were off.

“Strange,” I thought. “I could have sworn I just saw a few ponies enter.”

I decided to take a gamble. Going up to the door, I checked it. It was unlocked. “Well, business as usual I guess,” I muttered, going in. as I entered, I stepped on a tied string of sorts, setting off a GODDAMN CONFETTI CANNON! It took a great deal of effort to not incinerate the fucker. It scared the shit out of Fang too, which pissed me off. Before I could retaliate, however, I was ambushed by a blur of pure pink energy. “Of course,” I thought as she began to talk at those bizarre speeds again.

“Finally,” she began. “I finally get to throw you that welcome party that I’ve always wanted to have for ya. Whenever you were here you were too busy. Whenever you weren’t busy here, you had to leave. Then there was the incident with you and Dis-” she went on, but I had to stop her from saying that next bit. I put a hoof to her lips to silence her.

“Now Pinkie, I know you’re excited, but please don’t say that next part,” I requested. She looked at me with an understanding look in her eyes.

“Sure thing, Spirit,” she replied. Looking around, I saw quite a few faces. Yes, I knew Ponyville was a small town where everypony knew everypony else, but as Pinkie pointed out I’m usually busy.

I saw Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Keria, Silent Taste, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Derpy, and a few others. Even ones that I didn’t know. Suddenly, I heard a beautiful symphony begin. Somehow managing to escape Pinkie, Fang and I went to meet the artist. Imagine my surprise when I found Octavia. She was playing with her eyes closed. Having not notice me yet, I took a seat at a close-by table to watch as she played her cello. The soft melody was almost indescribable. Its effect on my mind was the same as a mother singing to her newborn. Peaceful. I could listen to this for quite a while. However, her performance soon came to an end and I had almost shed a tear.

After she did a little bow and some of the ponies that were listening gave applause, she seemed to have noticed me. She came and joined me at the table.

“Afternoon, Spirit,” Octavia greeted.

“Afternoon, Octavia.” I greeted back. “What brings you-” I was asking, but I was interrupted by her startled gasp when Fang hopped onto the table. I levitated him off the table and onto my lap. “Calm down boy,” I told him. “Excited, aren’t ya?”

“W-what is that?” Octavia asked, stuttering.

“This? This is Fang. A young Timber Wolf.” I answered.

“Aren’t those supposed to be aggressive?” she asked, the worry in her voice barely hidden.

“Heh, normally. However, his situation isn’t normal,” I told her.

“I suppose not,” she commented. “Care to elaborate?”

“Um….sure. One day I decided to take a walk in the Ever Free Forest. I found this little one on the side of the path injured and abandoned. I healed his paw to increase his chances of survival, essentially saving his life. He’s been attached to me ever since,” I explained. She seemed to see where it was going and calmed down.

“So, basically, he’s your pet now?” she asked. I nodded. Her eyes grew in amazement. “Fascinating. The first pony to tame a Timber Wolf. I knew you were a strange one, but not this strange.”

“So, as I was asking earlier, what brings you down to Ponyville?” I asked, ignoring her comment of me being strange.

“Oh, right. I just moved here with my marefriend,” she answered.

“Marefriend?” I asked.

“What? Surprised? Or did you have your sights set on me?” she teased, giving me a wink.

“What? No. I’m already taken,” I answered. “I was just curious was all.”

Her ears perked when I said that. “Taken? Who are you with?” she asked. I had a theory that she was only trying to sound interested in an attempt to keep conversation. So I decided to play along.

“Yeah, weird story behind it but I got engaged with a griffin,” I answered, then I could tell that I had truly piqued her interest.

“Please, do tell,” she requested.

I was about to tell her when a hoof appeared from the side of my vision, placing a mug filled with an amber liquid on the table. Looking over, I saw Silent taste. With her was Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack.

“One Cider, as ordered,” said Silent Taste, removing her hoof from the mug.

“What?” I asked. “I didn’t-” I began to protest, but Apple Jack interjected.

“It’s on us sugarcube,” she pointed out.

“Yeah, we thought we would get ya something to drink seeing as it is your party and all,” Rainbow added.

“Well, thanks,” I replied, taking a sip. As soon as the cider hit my throat though, I put the mug down and started coughing.

“You okay?” I heard Apple Jack ask as I manage to end my little fit.

“Yeah, sorry,” I replied. “Never had alcohol before,” I admitted. I looked down at Fang and saw that he was getting anxious. “Silent, do you mind if I let Fang roam for a bit?”

Um, sure,” Silent answered hesitantly.

“Thanks,” I told her. Looking down, I told Fang “go ahead, just don’t go outside” and with a yip in response, he hopped off my lap and began to explore. Taking another sip, I force the substance down. Silent left to tend to the tavern while Applejack and Rainbow pulled up seats. “So, where was I?”

“You were about to tell how you ended up with a griffin,” Octavia reminded me.

“Right. So this was while I was still a butler for Celestia,” I began. “She brought me with her to the Griffinstone Empire and let me tell ya, that place ain’t no walk in the park.”

“Literally or metaphorically?” asked Applejack.

“Both,” I answered. “The place is built on a mountain of rock. Also, anywhere you go you had to stay on your guard. Never know when you could get mugged. Seeing that griffins eat meat, there isn't much that a pony could eat,” as I said that last part, their faces looked a little green. “Sorry about that,” I apologized, forcing another gulp down.

“You’re forgiven,” Octavia replied.

“Sounds rough,” commented Applejack.

“With Princess Celestia with you, I bet they wouldn’t dare touch you,” boasted Rainbow.

“Actually, I forgot to tell you but when Celestia and I got to the city entrance, we parted ways,” I informed them.

“What? Why?” Rainbow asked. Forcing more of the beverage down, I answered.

“Well, apparently she didn’t really need me. She told me that she only brought me because she thought that I might enjoy myself,” I explained. “Besides, I’m able to defend myself.”

“Really? How?” asked Applejack.

“Well, I’ve learned plenty of offensive spells from sources that usually only the elite royal guard can access. I was also armed like crazy with twin swords and lots of daggers,” I told her.

“Damn, what kind of training did you go through?” Rainbow asked.

“Well, the magic was self-taught. Though that placed me in a short coma. Shining Armor taught me how to fight with weapons,” I explained. “Basically, nothing I want to repeat.”

“Sheesh,” added Applejack. I forced another gulp.

“Yeah. Anyway, as I was exploring I was dumb enough to turn in the alleyway. I heard something following. I didn’t want to chance it, so I drew a few daggers out and dashed at them. I’m just glad I stopped before I cut her,” I continued.

“Why? Who was it?” asked Rainbow.

“See, that’s the bad thing. It was Celestia herself who snuck up on me,” I answered. All three of them gasped. “I guess she had quite some faith in me if she did it so carelessly. In one of the most dangerous areas of the city no less.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rainbow kept questioning.

“I mean she knew what she was doing and she knew exactly how I was going to react,” I told her. “I hate it when she does that to me.”

“What happened next?” Octavia asked. I let out a heavy sigh.

“After that, she told me that the King had summoned me. So she took me to meet him. However, there was something important she forgot to tell ME!” I grunted, slamming a hoof on the table.

“Well, don’t stop,” Applejack told me.

“Well, there’s this tradition in the royal family there. When the king finds a suitor for their offspring that they find to their liking, he offers his offspring's hand in marriage,” I explained.

“What’s the catch?” asked Octavia, sounding a little more impatient.

“If the suitor declines the offer, they get executed on the spot,” I answered.

“Surely Princess Celestia would have protected you if you said no,” Rainbow commented.

“It’s not that simple,” I countered. “A wise leader does what’s best for their kingdom. That includes avoiding war. If she saved me from execution, that would have been taken as a declaration of war. So I did the only sensible thing I could even if I wasn’t ready for it. I accepted.”

“Well, it couldn’t be all that bad,” Octavia added.

“You’re right, it’s not. Keria is a sweet and gentle girl,” I told them.

“Sugar,” Applejack spoke up, sounding concerned. “I couldn’t help but notice that you said you weren’t ready. Ready for what?” I let out another sigh.

“I wasn’t ready for a relationship. To be honest, I’m still not. I’m just grateful that Keria understands that,” I answered. “Anyway, that’s enough of that. Thanks for the Cider, but I think I won’t be drinking it again anytime soon,” I added, getting up from the table.

“Oh, are you leaving?” Octavia asked.

“Yeah, I’ve got things to do,” I answered, leaving the table.

Finding Fang was easier than I thought it would be. All I had to do was look for the yellow pegusus that was all over him. I had to practically sneak out the front door to avoid Pinkie Pie.

Author's Note

Yeah, I know that these chapters have been taking a little longer than usual to arrive, but life can be a bitch sometimes.

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