The next day, Amber was up early. She was so excited to meet a griffon that she was in her seat waiting long before breakfast. Comforting came in the front doors of the library to find Amber waiting at the front desk. "Did you even go to sleep?"

"I did." Amber waved for Comforting to follow her. "Just woke up early, is all. Griffons are going to be cool to meet." She brought Comforting over to the section of the library where information about other races was kept and tugged a book off the shelf. "These books are all incredibly out of date. Nopony's seen many other creatures in forever."

Comforting nodded with her lips drawn tight. "Well, that ends today. You just have to be patient for a little while. We need to get through breakfast first."

Toots strode in with a wave to Comforting and Amber. "That's what I'm here for. We have a promise. Breakfast and dinner. Wouldn't want to disappoint anyone." He rolled his sleeves up and gestured for the two of them to join him in the kitchen. "So where are you two running off to anyways? For this whole adventure of yours?"

"Please still be here!" came a worried voice as Misty raced into the library huffing for breath. She wheezed in relief when she saw Amber standing by the shelves. "Thank the sun. Was worried I'd missed out on the fun." She slumped down to catch her breath before following along with the others.

"We're going to go find a new species. A new creature!" Amber reared back with an excited smile. "A griffon!"

"That is wonderful." Toots blinked. "Uh...what are they?" He placed a pot of water to boil on the stove and set about preparing tea for himself.

Comforting darted to Toots' side, one arm wrapped around him. "Half bird, half cat. All sass, last I knew them. I'm looking forward to seeing how they've done after all these years."

Amber laid down on the ground, excitedly drawing out her imagination's image of what a griffon should look like on paper.

"They sound interesting. Just stay safe and keep your wits about yourselves." Toots was focused on making breakfast, keeping himself busy with his husbandry tasks.

Comforting watched him quietly, her attention divided between him and Amber. "Toots has a point, by the way." She turned to Amber with her lips pursed thoughtfully. "Even though you've practiced together, it's your first time venturing somewhere together. Be mindful of that when you reach the griffons. Make sure you don't end up regretting the trip somehow." She went quiet when food was passed to her, savoring the taste while thinking to herself silently about everything else at stake.

"You are lovely at cooking, in case it need be said." Comforting smooched Toots' at the end of his snout.

"Thanks." He passed a plate along to Amber and Misty before returning to work. "Now let's eat up so you three can go find yourselves some feathered beasts to talk to."

Amber took a deep swig from her cup and wiped off her muzzle with a pleased huff. "Much appreciated."

Misty nibbled at her own food. "This is so exciting! How long should it take? Is this a day trip, A week? A moon or three? So much could go wrong..."

Toots shrugged. "Could be a long journey. Can't tell from here, sadly."

"Comforting will be with us the whole time." Amber smiled up at the tall draconequus beside them. "She's yet to steer me wrong. Now, she has made it so I could steer myself wrong, but that's more of a me-mistake. Comforting doesn't usually guide anyone astray."

Comforting smirked. "Usually, you're not trying to go somewhere. Today we are, so finish eating." She scooped up her plate. "Afterwards, we should head out for our little field trip, to see some birds."

When they had eaten and finished up their tea, Amber trotted alongside Misty towards the library's front entrance, leaving the dusty tomes that she'd pulled out behind for another day. "Where do we need to go, exactly? Are you going to magic us there?"

Comforting followed along behind the pair, stopping in front of the open doors, ready to leave. "As far from here as we can get, and yes." She produced a crystal ball, turning it in the air with waves of her hands. "As fun as trekking there on our own would be, we do want to get there within the chapter."

Misty blinked at that. "Chapter?"

"Never you mind." Comforting ruffled Misty's mane. "I love your mane style, by the way. Very unique."

Misty squeaked softly under her breath before frowning at Comforting with a serious pout. "You are trying to confuse me with flattery so I stop worrying!"

"And it worked," teased Amber. She waved at the space around them, no longer just in front of the library. "See? Wherever we are now."

Misty glanced around themselves quickly at the empty clearing that they'd arrived at the edge of. "That is a neat trick." She bumped hooves with Amber. "So, where are those griffons?"

"Coming to see who teleported into the middle of their village," whispered Comforting. She lifted an arm. "Good afternoon."

Misty cowered at Comforting's side. "Did you have to dump us on their heads?"

Amber looked beyond the clearing, taking in the signs of the small village they were in the middle of. It was truly a village, a small one at that, closer to Bridlewood compared to Maretime Bay or Zephyr Heights. They, the buildings, were made of mud and reached two to three stories tall. They had roofs that arced at the ends and there were posts embedded into the walls with stairs leading from one level of the houses to another. "Wow."

The nearest griffon stepped closer to the group. Their feline tails lashed and their beaks clacked softly. They were proud hunters just at a glance, unlike ponies. "Who, and what, are you? No offense but you're kind of weird." The speaker had dark brown feathers with white markings across their legs and wings. His tail curled around his hindpaws while he sat there.

"Thank you. I know." Comforting stuck her tongue out at them. She went quiet though, looking to Amber and Misty to do the heavy lifting in the conversation.

Amber glanced sideways at Misty. "Um. Well. We just wanted to come by. This is really cool! We don't have a map, but Comforting told us you existed so here we are!"

Misty bobbed her head. "She's Amber, and I'm Misty. Hello! It is an honor to meet you! Um. Are you doing okay here?"

Amber swallowed softly to wet her throat, letting out a little nervous laugh. "Yes, sorry, didn't mean to come off so eager. I've only heard stories of griffons."

That first griffon laughed softly. "You're ponies, aren't you? Wow. Grandpa wasn't joking when he rambled about those. Weird, but welcome I suppose. My name is Floraugh." His tone had lightened a little towards something resembling curiosity. "Heard of us? From who? You have a grandpa that told you stories too?"

Other griffons sat just as far away, looking at their visitors with clear curiosity. They muttered amongst themselves but otherwise stayed away.

"No. I learned about you from books! Old ones. Griffons haven't visited Equestria since... Um." Amber tapped at her chin. "Since at least magic was sealed away a thousand moons ago!" She glanced off to her side and gave a soft giggle. "Sorry for coming off so excited, but I've never met something that wasn't a pony before. So this is awesome!"

Floraugh snorted softly under his breath and gave a wing beat towards a nearby home. "Well, here we are, and welcome to town, or maybe townlet? I'd get the elders, but they're sleeping at this time of day. Also, not like we knew you were coming or anything." He tilted his head in the sharp way a bird could. "But you're welcome here, I suppose. Don't cause trouble. Would hate to kick you out and make this meeting go badly."

Comforting held up a finger. "Best behavior, promise."

"Speaking of that." Floraugh peered at Comforting. "You don't look like a pony. I don't recognize you either."

Comforting chuckled. "Of course not. I'm a Draconequus! Nice to meet you." She bowed.

Floraugh clicked his beak thoughtfully. "And you must be friends with them since you got them here?"

Comforting straightened slowly. "That'd be right. Though she said you were the first non-pony, clearly she met me." She nudged Amber lightly. "But I won't be in the way of introductions, either."

"Well, you are all welcome here, I guess." Floraugh extended a clawed forepaw. "What exactly were you looking for though, or did you come here just to say hi?"

Amber eyed Floraugh's extended paw uncertainly before reaching out to shake it with a hoof. "Honestly? I mostly came because I was curious about other types of creatures. Ponies are pretty neat, but I want to learn what's going on outside my hometown."

"Ahhhhh." Floraugh spread his wings briefly before settling again, claws clicking against the packed earth beneath their feet. "Well, alright."

He spread his arms wide. "Welcome to our small home," he got out in a song, clearly musical notes to his words. "Such as it is, all alone."

Another griffon joined in, showing they could experience a heartsong just as a pony could, "Out here in this village green." They gestured out to where the ground sloped downward. "Barely on a hill."

A window popped open, a griffon hen joining the song, "A griffon home is rather chill!" She waved at the new poneis. "With mudbrick wall and clay floor tile." She spread her arms wide. "Each window filled with love and smiles!"

Floraugh pointed off into the distance. "The valley sits just past that peak." His finger indicated where things tilted upwards sharply. "Down along a steep slope. A beautiful sight to behold." The song completed, he sank to his haunches.

"That was amazing!" Amber huffed out under her breath. "Griffons can sing too? Oh, wow. That was amazing! I loved hearing that. Do you all have such lovely singing voices? I am impressed, amazed, and so excited! Thank you, all of you! That was really sweet of you." She danced from hoof to hoof in place while her companions watched.

"Oh. It was nothing much. Floraugh smirked mildly. "Does mean you're officially alright around here. Keep your furry noses clean and we won't have to kick you out. Though..." He stared at them silently. "Ponies, right? Weird bodies, but okay. Stay well out of trouble. Cause none and you'll fit in great around here. Not many rules."

A hen grabbed Misty from behind, almost getting kicked for it, not that this stopped her from pulling the surprised unicorn closer. "Look at you! Such lovely eyes. Shame about your mane. Want me to preen it?"

"Preen?" asked Amber.

"Groom." Floraugh gestured along his feathers, sliding claws between them and the skin underneath. "She's talking about your frazzled mane. Want her to fix it?"

Misty hopped away, twirling to face the smiling hen. "It's frizzy this way on purpose. Thanks, but I'm fine."

Amber edged in. "I can take that offer!"

The hen nodded. "Fine by me!" She held her clawed limbs aloft. "Come here, you adorable thing! She drew Amber in and got to playing with her mane like a very overgrown doll that she was officially allowed to groom, making pleased humming sounds as she did it.

Comforting sidled over to watch closely, appearing oddly pleased at the sight of the grooming happening. She poked Amber with a single finger. "Is it ticklish?"

"Yes. Try to stop her though, I dare you." Amber giggled, but stayed still for the griffon working on her. "Besides, I want to try a griffon mane style. That sounds amazing!"

Comforting chuckled and shrugged off Amber's comment easily. "Enjoy yourself then." She faced Floraugh. "There any nests free in your homes? Wouldn't mind being around a few days to see what's what."

Another griffon landed, an older male one. "You're all ponies. Ponies have bits. Show us the coins, and you can borrow the nests." He crossed his arms firmly and stared expectantly, not leaving any room for debate on his offer. "They'll be in good shape and safe."

Comforting made coins appear between her fingers, holding out a handful for him. "Fair enough. Some poor banker will be very confused."

Amber perked an ear at that. "Why?"

Comfort handed the coins over to the griffon. "I had to withdraw bits from my account. I left a note for them."

Floraugh turned, spreading his wings. "Follow along then!" He started walking. "Welcome to our village!" He leapt skyward, flapping to carry himself aloft and show the way from above.

Their temporary nest for the evening ended up being a spacious round structure that looked like any other. The biggest difference was that it only had one other griffon in it, that older male that was on the first floor. "I don't feel like taking the effort to fly up to my roost anymore, so I don't use the second floor very much. It's yours for however long you three want it. Don't disturb my belongings though. My room is right below yours on this floor, and I can hear it when you make noise."

He glared hard at the newcomers before softening. "Though I shouldn't mind talking to you over a shared meal."

Comforting clapped. "What a gentlegriffon. Nice to meet you. Sleep tight down there."

The older griffon rolled his eyes, trudging towards his bedroom.

"Sleep?" asked Amber. "Should we? We just got here, I'm not even kind of tired yet! We should explore! We might never get the chance to see griffons again!" Amber darted out of the hut with an energetic toss of her head, keen to get out and see more of the world around them, starting with the village and surrounding areas.

Author's Note

Griffons! They seem to have chilled a bit, but that prickly edge sure is still there.

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