W'rry not... We found naught but dust to drink upon the North or the South. But upon thy Decl'ration and Oath... We recipr'cated and bestow'd unto thee Our dowry.

**Silly the Colt, Silvanus**
**Baltimare, Equestria**
**001 Summer CC**

I woke up a few minutes ago. Spitfire and I were all wrapped up together. She's a lot more cuddly than I ever expected. I mean, she's Spitfire, future Captain of the Wonderbolts! 'Cuddly' is not one of the things that comes to mind when considering such a pony.

Then again, nopony from Before really has any idea what she is supposed to be like when the uniform comes off or she goes home or after hours. And she is also a foal right now. Maybe all that toughness comes later?

I have found from our lick-fights that grooming is also a thing. Grooming is different from preening, too: one is for feathers, the other is for fur. It is also a surprise to me that she seems to enjoy it immensely. It feels really good to do, and she is a pony; but she’s Spitfire, future Captain of the Wonderbolts! I guess I just thought she would always be the toughest mare because of that. She’s also just a little foal right now, too. Children grow up from something. They don’t just get born the way we see them from the Show.

It's pretty hard to resist grooming which is strange in a lot of ways. I definitely do not think I did that type of thing Before.

Spitfire and I are in a cart now. It doesn't look like Mom's milk-cart.

It is still paramount that I keep a low profile; so, I'm not going to move and look around much right now, but I do have to make sure either Mom or Iful are pulling this cart.

Need to be careful about how to unravel this blanket foal burrito. Foalrito. Spitfire looks pretty content, and I don't want to mess that up.

Just... gotta... wiggle a little there and here...

There we go. Keep the blanket on Spits: covered and warm. Now, to take a look at what's going on...

Looks like Mom is pulling the cart. She's strapped to the harness. Iful is walking next to her with her wing over mom's back. They both look like they're walking with a little less pep than they did to the park yesterday -especially Iful. I'll have to see what I can do to raise morale when we get to wherever we're going.

Oh, I know! I will groom Mom and Iful. They will love it.

Gently, I slink back under the blanket. I can't really stop myself from grooming Spitfire, future Captain of the Wonderbolts, after I settle in. She smiles and snuggles in her sleep. I don't know; it just feels good. And that's when I hear the filly.

*purr~*

What. Is that… Spitfire? Ho~ly sh!t! Ponies purr!? This is awesome. I don't know what adulthood is going to be like, but there is no way I keep this secret to myself.

It's nice to see ponies smile.

*click*

What? Wait. Iful has a camera. Since when did she have one of those? Ah, geeze! She's going to tease us about this one day with the way she's smirking.

"Ae. Kh'yr-u net', Kek. Perlu perlu, Non-y eds," Iful says.
<<"Yeah, you heard that right, Cup. He got her purring!">>

Mom answers, "Midr-ek'un swel obe'n hrm. Ven'ten sut."
<<"Can't imagine a stallion pamperin' a mare like that. It's always the other way 'round.">>

"Ledeh'n n'tch-ek bree." Iful bumps mom a bit as they walk.
<<"I wouldn't say, 'No,' to some tonguin'.">>

"Ma contle-ek aquin-ey midr-o hess, Ma-bay seyo," Mom replies.
<<"Ah don't have much right to ask mah stallion for that after all this time away, but Ah sure could go for some, too.">>

"Meh-ni. Hrm-yu midr-net e hay-eys. Chzk-seyo." Iful chuckles to herself.
<<"Here we are: two full-grown mares with stallions and foals of our own, and we’re jealous of a filly.">>

I still can't understand much of what they're saying. Just a few words here and there. 'Mare' is hrm. I think that perlu perlu was purring from the context as I've never heard either of them use that one before.

Iful says, "Libel'hr meh-ts."
<<"There's the library.">>

I can feel the cart turn and soon after comes to a stop and can hear the buckles on Mom's strap clink as she removes them. Iful unwraps us from the blanket and picks up her filly who starts grumbling at the wake up. Soon after, my skin tightens in that familiar way when I'm picked up by my scruff.

Mom sets me down on some grass near Iful where Spitfire is having herself some breakfast. Mom reclines on her side, and it's mealtime.

Now, there is something off about this. The flavor is a little sweeter, but it's more than that. It's the texture. I am pretty sure there is not supposed to be any fizz involved in this... but there are tiny bubbles in my mouth like Mom shook herself up before this. Or she consumed something that would induce carbonization. How that would work, I have no idea.

**Cup**
**West Baltimare Public LIbrary, Equestria**
**001 Summer CC**

"My head is still pounding, Cup."

I reply, "Y'all's got no tolerance is all."

She is way too hungover to be irritated, but I can tell she's irritated. "'Hard Morning Rooster' is not your average drink, Cup. That stuff is strong. I'm surprised our foals aren't getting drunk off of nursing from us right now."

"Nah, that's not a thing," I say. "They do seem quite hungry. Maybe we should have fed them before we left."

"We needed to get to the Library when it opens. Me and Spitfire do have some more family to visit," she replies.

I can't help but sigh, "Ah wish you didn't have to go so soon. It's only been a little over a day."

With a bittersweet smile, Flo says, "That's part of being an adult. You know? We can't while away the days like we did when we were young -you, me, Chif, and Dawn- back in summer camp. We got foals and herds now... Well..."

"Ah know. Ah'm gonna tie that knot jus' as soon as Ah can. Ah'm ready." I say that as much to myself as I do my friend.

"I know you are, Cup, and I know he'll accept. Stallions have the keys to the bedroom, but it's us mares who have the keys to the herd, after all." She is right. We are the ones who protect and provide, and we are the ones who get down on our knees to ask the stallion.

All a stallion really has to do is help fill our bellies and plow our fields. I'm exceptionally lucky, though. My stallion pulls his weight; he'll pull my weight all over the barn, plowin' my fields, and then go out to some actual fields and plow those, too. Most stallions won't do that; they'll be content to take a more passive role.

"B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b."

With a heavy sigh, Flo breaks my thoughts, "I think Spitfire might have over-eaten. She's looking sleepy again." She is looking a little bit dopey.

Sure enough, the filly looks a like she's about ready for another nap. Looking at Silly, he-

"B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b."

-he looks a little more alert -almost energized- but instead of running around he looks right at me, jumps up onto my shoulder, and starts... grooming me?

Giggling. I can't help it, "What has gotten into you? Ah do appreciate it, Silly, but with your little tongue, that'll take a very long time."

He stops a moment later as little Spitfire found a reason to wake up a little. She tackles him and covers him defensively with her body, legs, and wings. He doesn't seem to mind and continues with the pony now closest to him.

"Ha! Turnabout is fair play. Eh, filly?" Flo laughs, "Seems like Spits wanted his attention. Guess we’re all just jealous mares here." The little filly starts on her First Friend while side-eying me.

A door lock nearby clicks, and one of the librarians tests the front door.

As I get up, "Library's open. Time to go look at some books, little ponies." Spitfire's ear flicks at me, and she gives me another glance. "Spitfire. Silly."

With a little more force, Flo states, "Let's go filly."

The two get up and follow our lead. They enter the building each with one of their wings over the other's back.

*click* Flo takes another picture saying, "So bucking cute."

Silly smiles and says, “Buck me.”

Flo and I freeze, and I turn to see her avoiding my eyes. “Hey, Flo,” I start my inquiry.

But she interjects, “I- I don’t know where~ he heard that word,” eyes darting.

“Right~” I say. She just used the word.

**Silly the Colt**

"Sorry, Spitfire." I was just trying to make Mom and Iful feel better. They weren't looking so enthusiastic on the way here and still don't look totally awake. I didn't think you were being left out, but maybe you thought you were.

Our moms get up and nudge us up to follow them. They want to go to the door of this building. It has a picture of a book on the sign above the entrance. Earlier Iful said something like, "Libel'hr meh-ts."

'Book' is libel, and meh is 'there,' I think. So, we're going to a place with books. I don't remember asking them, but I do appreciate this. I was going to try and figure out how to get here sooner than later.

That was one of the Rules from Before. We set up some way to leave notes this way... Now if only I can remember what that was.

Mom opens the door and holds it open for us, and Iful leads the way. Some tall -really tall, like three times taller than Mom tall- pony stands behind mom pointing inside. She's a dark blue and has wavy hair. She doesn't look at any of us but seems intent on directing my attention into the book-place. Her eyes look kind but sad.

"Ah!" Spitfire startled me. She put one of her wings across my back; her eyes are curious, but her smirk is the same: confident. I wonder what she'll talk about when she starts.

"Come on, Silly," Mom says. The blue lady is gone. Probably had to use the toilet and was politely waiting for us foals to get inside, but there is plenty of grass and stuff around here. There's no need to wait.
<<"Giddup, Non-y.">>

I put one of my wings across Spitfire, too, and we enter.

**Cup**

Spitfire and Silly wobblily entered through the doorway each with a wing over the others' back. Oh, Sweet Celestia!

*click*

Good, Flo. She gives me a knowing nod. I'm going to need copies of all of those.

Inside, the librarian greets Flo, "Welcome to the West Baltimare Public Library. Also, please don't take pictures inside the Library."

"Sorry," Flo says but points to the foals, "but can you blame me?"

The librarian looks to the direction of the pointing hoof. Her jaw drops, and her breath catches. Using her quiet library voice, she coos as loudly as she can, "That is so precious! And look how proud she is."

Flo agrees, "Makes you wish you could be a foal again, doesn't it?"

Sighing, the librarian concurs, "Oh, to do it all again knowing what I know now."

Knowingly, the fiery yellow mare nods. "Hey," she asks, "which way to the foal books?"

The librarian points and replies, "Just over there by the large window."

After thanking the librarian, Flo says to the foals, "This way."

Following the little ones, I have to ask the librarian where I can find my query, but she notices me before I can ask, "Oh!" Looking at me, her eyes widen, and she nearly freezes with her mouth just barely open.

My pa would say, 'Close that mouth before a bee flies in.' I don't think they do that, but it's funny to think about. Also, it would be very un-funny if it were to happen.

"Hi," she says and moves some of her mane out of her eyes and behind one of her ears, "I'm m- my name is Short Stack." She is actually fairly tall for a nature-mare. The books around her desk, however, are not stacked very high. Perhaps, she likes to organize in small groups.

The librarian continues, "If there is anything you need -anything at all- please ask me," licking her lips ever so slightly.

"Thank y'u kindly," I say. Focus, Cup. You'll see your stallion soon. You don't need to wander. I can start with the card catalogue and the reference material which are just past the entry desk that Stack is behind. When I get there, a quick glance shows she's shyly peaking my way occasionally.

What a difference a positive attitude can make. That colt really turned my life upside down. Didn't he? I can't wait till folks can see us back home.

With a dictionary and a seat at a table near Flo and the foals, I can start my search. 'Arnon-nynus and Tsuri-dur...

...

Not in the standard dictionary. Okay. I guess I was hoping this would be easy. Perhaps, they're older words or really less-used. What type of book would show that? The Reference Section has a weather almanac for the following seasons. There is a thesaurus, but I think that would be as helpful as that dictionary was. Atlas of Equestria. I could check the encyclopedia, but that also does not cover the minutia I need...

I don't see a~ what did teacher call those? Lexi~ something... 'lexicon?' Supposed to be used with another one. Con...dance-something. Maybe they keep those for specialty searches. I'll ask if -oh, what is it- a 'concordance,' maybe? That might tell me where those words were used in literature somewhere.

Alright. Let's see... Tsuri-dur... 'earliest use from old nature-pony poet Lay Hut?' Lay Hut. Okay. Now... 'Arnon-nynus... 'most often found in ancient pegasi agricultural literature.' Huh.

If I remember right, both pegasi and nature-ponies did not preserve as much as unicorns for books. So, there probably aren't stacks of books to get lost in the search. Stacks... yeah, I'm probably going to have to ask her for some help. I'll check the card catalogue first, though.

Looking over at the special set of drawers for the library's inventory, a little green colt is perched on one open file and digging through another. I look over at Flo and her daughter to see them both snoozing away.

Lightweight. She barely had any of dad's 'Hard Morning Rooster' last night, and she's acting like it's the morning after her Flight School graduation party. Well, let's go get a closer look at what Silly's doing.

He's got a look of concentration on him and determination. One of his hooves are as far into the drawer as he can get it with a few grunts of exertion. Best not to surprise him; I don't want him to jump and put pressure on his little arm and make it bend in ways it shouldn't.

I'll just be near so he can smell his mother close by and a gentle lick by his ear.

He slowly turns his head with big eyes to see me and blinks a few times. Then, he gasps and slowly removes his foreleg. Held in his hoof is a card, and he holds it aloft victoriously.

"Mom. Book," he says and holds the card to me. You're not really supposed to take cards out of the catalogue, but it doesn't look damaged. Maybe he grabbed it because it was loose?

An Illustrated Introduction to Ponies and Pony Magic for All Ages by V - iolet V- ector.

"Are you sure?" I ask him. This seems a little advanced for a foal his age. On the other hoof, it is illustrated.

He points to the card and says, "Book."

"Okay. Can't hurt, Ah suppose." I help him down to the floor from the card catalogue. "Come on. Let's go ask the librarian to help us find some things."

He does his hop-thing over to the desk, saying, "Book." We don't have many book-thinking-types in my family or my stallion's. I wonder what our parents will think if he keeps up this interest.

It will be easy to show him about nature-pony magic back home, and Flo started to teach him some about pegasus magic. It should be good for him to see some pictures about both of those and for unicorn magic.

As we approach the desk, Short Stack notices and begins to fiddle with her mane. The purple braid on her orange coat are eye-catching.

"H- hi," she says.

"Good mornin'," I reply. She just keeps petting her braid and looking at me expectantly. "Um, first, can you help mah colt?"

She blinks, "Colt?" I pick him up by his scruff and set him on the desk, and she focuses on the little pony with a broadening smile, "Well, hello~ aren't you a cutie?"

He looks at me, and I give him a nod of encouragement. Then, he turns to Stack with some confidence, "Book," he says.

Stack asks, "Book? My, you're an early-speaker. Aren't you?" Whispering to him but loud enough that I can hear, "Must have a smart dam."

"W- well," I say, "Ah was wondering if you could help him find this," and I put the card he retrieved before her. "Ah think the card was loose in the catalogue."

Silly points at the card again, "Book."

This draws out more smiles from the mare as she inspects it. After a moment, she says mostly to herself, "Oh, this is Vi's," then to me, "Just one moment, please." I nod, and she quickly canters to one of the employee doors off to the side.

While Stack is gone, I nuzzle the colt while he giggles and rolls around on the unoccupied parts of the librarian's desk. She returns with a unicorn stallion who doesn't look like he has ever done any work out-of-doors. When he sees us at the desk, he freezes.

She looks quite content, and her tail gently wags when she returns to me and my colt. "This is Vi. He actually wrote that book." Ah, that explains his physical state but not why he seems caught with his hoof in the cookie jar.

After a brief moment of silence, Short Stack notices and looks over to Vi. "Hey. Vi," and motions towards us at him with her eyes.

"What?" He seems to be knocked from a reverie, "Oh, right. Sorry, Stack. Uh, hello, I'm Violet Vector. I heard this little guy wanted to look at my book?"

I acknowledge, "He seems quite interested, yes."

He asks, "Uh, do you mind if I show him, miss? It's just over there," and he points towards another side of the library.

"That's fine," I answer, "Ah'll just be at that table there," and I point it out. To Silly, I nudge with my nose, "That there's Mr. Vi. He'll take you to your book."

He looks at me for a moment and asks with an unsure but hopeful expression, "Book?"

I smile and nod, "Yes. Book. Go on." His face goes from unsure-but-hopeful to with-a-purpose.

The stallion turns and begins to direct my colt, "This way, little one."

But Silly did his bounce across the librarian's desk -which was not a stealthy affair- and lands on the stallion's back. He was not expecting that, because he yiped out an, "Eep!" And probably made his way from the desk faster than he's moved in his entire life. A few 'shushes' were directed from some ponies perusing the premises.

He even kicked the air as the colt rode him towards the bookshelves with his new battle cry, "Book." Both Stack and I can't help but chuckle at the scene... until his little voice rang out through the library, "Buck me."

Oh, sweet Celestia. No 'shushes' came that time, but I can feel the stares.

"That colt has some spice to him," Stack says.

Sighing, "You have no idea," I say. "Listen, Stack, Ah was wondering-"

"-Yes! Yes, yes. Absolutely, yes-"

"-help me find something here in the library." I finish.

She blinks a bit before replying with some nervousness, "Oh! Right. Y- I knew that," she starts to fiddle with her mane again, "s- so, what do you need?"

**Silly the Colt**

When we are near the other side of the library, the librarian stallion slows down and says to me in a language I recognize as the one I use in my mind when I think, <<"So... what's the password? And which one are you?">>

Author's Note

I am not sure if Dauntless 'Dawn' Do, the fifth of Cup's summer camp group, will show up at this time..

I was not expecting this chapter to go on past 3k words (and it definitely is) and previously shewed in a blog post what I thought was going to happen:

1. Ch. 13: The West Baltimare Public Library
2. Ch. 13.5: Case #24-6-01 - At the Station (Special Edition: Don't Drop the Cake)

But now, there is going to be a slight change in the lineup:

1. Ch. 13.5: The West Baltimare Public Library (Part Two) <--tentative title
2. Ch. 14: Case #24-6-01 - At the Station (Special Edition: Don't Drop the Cake)

As much as we curse them, I also think it's a pretty good spot for a cliffhanger.

I was not expecting this to be a recurring theme outside of Detective Seeker, but I think I have met the threshold of needing the Narcotics Tag on this story. ¯\_(•᷄‎ࡇ•᷅)_/ Whoops. For those who may not get the implication (and I had to look this up after that part of the story was written): it turns out that mammaries do not filter out alcohol; only livers do that. Yup. That's a thing... Apparently. ಠ_ಠ Livers have a rather slow processing pace, and two ponies who fail generous Saving Throw DCs go slower still. I think it is unique to Equestrians that this circumstance somehow exhibits with something akin to carbonation.

Silly learned that bad word from Stormy in the previous chapter, Chapter Twelve. Rek'meh means 'buck me.'