The Rise of Passion

"Right this way," smiled Trixie, leading Gallus through Ponyville. "Already moved in?"

"Better," piped Gallus. "I managed to bunk with Sandbar personally, so we'll be super close this term."

"Oh, good," smiled Trixie. "You know, I was on the committee that decided where everypony would be sleeping. I thought you'd be happier sharing a room with Sandbar, so I put you right next to each other. I'm glad that worked out."

They continued to chat about the upcoming school term as they wove through town, making their way to the edge of the forest. What few ponies heard their conversation would have guessed that it was what it appeared to be; a student talking to a teacher. In fact, much of that was entirely accurate, as Gallus had some legitimate questions about his upcoming education.

As they reached the edge of town, they were stopped by a representative of the Equestrian Education Association, who looked to be a bit grumpy. "Miss Trixie Lulamoon, where are you going? Your assistance is required at the school. Students require aid."

"I am aiding a student," argued Trixie. "This is Gallus Griffin, a gryphon that attends the school. He needs some help with sourcing his medication."

The representative furrowed his brow and raised his hoof. "There's a hospital with real doctors, apothecaries with real pharmacists, and problems with real ponies back in town."

Gallus stepped forward and grabbed the representative by the collar, lifting him up off the ground. "Are you saying my problems don't matter? Or are you saying that I'm not in need of learning how to be friendly to the other races of Equestria? Huh?! Or are you just trying to imply that I don't matter because I'm not a pony?!"

Trixie caught on immediately, gripping Gallus's shoulder. "Put him down..."

Taking shuddering breaths through his nose holes, Gallus lowered the terrified representative back to the ground.

"Gallus, like a lot of gryphons, has some anger management issues," she explained. "There's an herb that helps stabilize them and helps them cope with their emotions. We were going to our local herbalist because it's a lot more subtle to mix the herb directly into his food than it is to be popping pills on campus."

The representative cleared his throat and straightened his outfit. "I'll just say you were helping a student with a personal problem. Hurry back, and don't take any unnecessary steps, or the witch of the woods will tear you limb from limb."

As he walked off, Gallus turned to Trixie. "Witch of the woods?"

"Our very destination," smiled Trixie. "Come on. There's more dangerous things in the forest, but they mostly come out at night. I'd rather keep to the daylight, if we could."

The path was fairly clear going from Ponyville to Zecora's hut. It wound a bit, sticking to the natural landscape rather than just carving out a straight line, but it was easy enough to follow with Trixie's instructions. Before long, they were in view of Zecora's hut.

The zebra was outside, ripping plants out of the ground and chucking them into a backet. The scowl on her face detailed her bad mood very clearly. Something was wrong with her.

"Perhaps we should come back another day?" suggested Trixie. "The last time Trixie saw her like this, she collapsed my entire reign."

"Who's to say she won't be mad next time, too?" reasoned Gallus. "We need her help."

"Fine. But Trixie's going to stay back here where it's safe."

"Suit yourself." Taking a deep breath, Gallus walked up to the clearing in front of her garden and knocked on a tree. "Hello?"

"What do you want now, you petulant growth?" she growled, not looking up from her work. "Did you come back because you realized I wasn't under oath?"

"I think you're confusing me with somepony else..."

Zecora turned around, and her face softened. She still looked angry, but now it was tinged with sorrow. "My apologies, I thought you were he; the stallion that was here earlier, belittling me. That's my fault, I should pay attention to what I do. But enough about me, how can I help you?"

Gallus looked down at her hoof and saw her knife. He was unarmed and without armor, as he was no longer a guard in training, but once more a student, and weapons weren't allowed on school grounds. He swallowed hard and tried to remember the lie.

"My friend, Sandbar, and I had a fight. It was stupid and childish, and now I just want us to be friends again, but he doesn't want to hear what I have to say. I want something that will make him more inclined to listen so we can talk this out. Do you have anything that can help me out?"

Zecora placed the butt of her knife against her chin, tapping it there a few times. "I think I can help you with this task. Come in, I have a few questions I need to ask."

Gallus followed Zecora into her hut. He'd not really known what to expect, other than that she looked like a pony but not. The masks on the walls were kind of cool, and the house had a sort of natural feel to it. Why the representative had called her a witch was beyond him.

"Have a seat at the table, I plea," smiled Zecora, gesturing to a chair. Gallus did as asked, moving casually to the chair and sitting comfortably as Zecora moved about the shelves, setting bottles and jars on the table in front of him. Slowly, his guard dropped until he felt relaxed enough to lean back, which was when Zecora placed the blade of her knife on his shoulder. "Now speak truly, why did you lie to me?"

Gallus froze. "Wh-what do you mean?" he chuckled nervously, eyeing the knife next to his jugular. "I didn't lie."

"Oh no?" she smirked, dragging the flat of the blade against his neck. He could feel how sharp it was, but she did not cut him. "I know that you did. I know because I know the truth that you hid. I do not aid those whose behaviour is callous. Be honest, or you will be removed, young Gallus."

Gallus's eyes shot open. "I never said my name. How'd you know that?"

Zecora chuckled. "A strange question to have at the end of your days. Tell me the truth, and I'll tell you my ways."