Horsefeathers!: An Afternoon Outing
“And you’re absolutely sure about this?” Spike asked her somewhat incredulously as he watched Twilight prepare once more to cast her latest spell. “I mean, the last time you tried it you sort of...passed out.”
Twilight scoffs softly at this and shakes her head “That was because I got overstimulated by the taste of that hot...juicy salmon…” she said, salivating a bit at the idea. But then she shook it off and focused once more. “Besides, I need more data!”
Spike looked her over knowingly as she double-checked her notes on the previous casting, giving a wry smile. “If you wanted salmon again you could have just asked and I would have made you some, you don’t need to transform again.”
It’s not the sa- mean, That isn’t the only reason.” she said, Correcting herself midway through sheepishly. “I also wish to gather some data on cross-species social interactions, and barring a...willing griffin test subject…” she [paused as she thought of trying to get Gilda of all creatures to be sociable. “I shall have to pose as a new Griffin in town and take the data myself!”
Spike, seeing though this somewhat refrains from pointing out how terrible of an idea this was to get any sort of meaningful data and rolls his eyes. “Alright, and what time do you want the filet done for dinner?”
“No later than six o clock please, and have the library prepared for a guest,” she said with a small smile as she gave the top of his head an appreciative platonic peck and looked at her notes one final time, giving an approving nod.
“Alright, Spike, stand back,” She said confidently, allowing her assistant some time to back away before allowing her horn to come alight. The familiar fires of the last transformation quickly ensconced her form once more, and in a matter of moments, she stood as she had been previously, in all of her feathery glory.
“Alright now, who should I…” she was saying to both herself and her assistant, when suddenly, there was a knock at the door, followed by the sound of it clicking and swinging open.
Twilight cringed a bit, whispering softly to the dragon “Spike, didn’t you close the library before I got started?” she asked with a rather distressed look about her, her feathers ruffling slightly.
He shook his head, giving her a slightly confused look “no, you didn’t ask me to, I don’t think. Besides, it isn’t a big deal, you were going to go out into town and talk to ponies, anyway right? If anything this is convenient.”
She clicks her tongue against the top of her beak softly and gives him a displeased look before harrumphing and walking towards the lobby area. “Fine, but that salmon had better be extra juicy to make up for this, mister,” she said as she walked away. And out to meet their guest at the door.
A few more moments of hesitation later, Twilight emerged from behind a bookshelf to greet the visitor. “Hello, is there something that I can help...you...with?” She asked increasingly more softly as she took in that it was none other than good old Pinkie Pie who had made her way into the library today!
And of course, truer to her nature than any snake or scorpion could ever be, her eyes indeed and she gave a loud gasp of disbelief at the sight of the unfamiliar griffon before her. “Oh my gosh, We have a new pony in town and nopony told me!” She said, seeming equal parts upset and excited as she quickly circled around the other with a quick trot before settling in front of her and taking on a slightly more thoughtful expression for a moment. Her hoof brushed against the underside of her chin as she thought, the gears almost audibly turning in her head. “Or well, I guess a new Griffon in town, but hey, as long as you’re nicer than that big meanie-pants Gilda, I’ll take it!
Twilight chuckles softly as she allows her dear friend to go through her usual spiel of shenanigans before responding almost on reflex “It’s nice to see you too, Pinkie Pie.” Before firmly clicking her beak shut, barely restraining the look of horror on her face as she realized she had quite possibly given herself away.
Thankfully, we can all leave it to Pinkie Pie not to let a good gag die early. Her eyes widen a bit again as she looks at the griffon in amazement. “Wowie Zowie, how did you know my name!?” Are you a psychic griffon, do griffons get spooooooky psychic powers instead of magic?” She asked, waving her hooves in front of her to exaggerate the spookiness.
Twilight gave a small sigh and shook her head, relieved if a bit...in the same sort of mood Pinkie’s nonsense usually put her in. “No, I am just familiar with your description. I am er...a colleague of Twilights. We met while I was er….a foreign exchange student from Griffonstone!” Yeah, that sounded totally legit, good going, Twilight!
Pinkie tilted her head and soaked this in before smiling even wider somehow. “Oh! Twilight didn’t tell me she was having friends in town, or I would have already thrown you a party! Where is she by the way? We were going to go browse at Quills and Sofas for a bit before our picnic with the girls.”
“Oh hell, she had forgotten all about the picnic today after her last experiment. But at the same time, this could serve as an excellent opportunity for her to gather some data. “Unfortunately, she had to go out of town at the last minute. I’m actually here to help Spike watch the library for her until she gets back. I could maybe take a little break and come with you instead if you want though I know I’m probably not who you wanted to spend time with but-”
“Oh pshaw, I’d love to get to know one of Twilight’s friends! Come on, Spike can take care of this place just fine on his own, we have overpriced couches to gawk at!” Pinkie Pie said excitedly, leaving no room for argument as she quickly grabbed ahold of the griffon and pulled her out of the door. Twilight gave one final surprised squawk as she was tugged and the door closed with a _slam_, leaving only a vaguely Twilight-Shaped cloud of dust behind before that too quickly dissipated.
A few moments later, Spike emerged from the kitchen with his little pink apron on. “Hey, did you want that salmon marinated or…” he looks around for a few moments and shrugs before deciding to just head back into the kitchen. Wherever she went, it would probably be fine, and a good garlic rub with some lemon should do fine for seasoning in any case.
