Unlimited Books, But No Book

Several Royal Guards stand posted outside of Twilight's library, sectioned off for Royal Investigation. The usually quiet, rural atmosphere is upended, the denizens of Ponyville whisper and theorize as to why they're here, and why they can't get any new books, or see Twilight.

Princess Celestia stands within the Library, in Twilight's living room. Her eyes are closed shut, tight -- her horn glowing a brilliant, bright gold as magic seeps from it.

For the last day, she's been trying to trace the magic that Twilight had used. To follow the source of the Portal that she used, if possible.

Princess Celestia was... upset. Her Prized Student still sat in her mind.

The way she cried, defied so suddenly when Celestia had warned that a Portal like that could destabilize the world around them. That reality itself would merge, the two worlds clashing and colliding. Twilight was smart; of course she'd understand the dangers.

It's why Princess Celestia was thrown for such a hard loop, why her thoughts remained troubled as her magic permeates the magical residue around herself.

The way that Twilight had reacted, so poorly. How she apparently met some creature, having known him for two weeks. Long enough, apparently, that she wanted to throw everything else away. Celestia didn't know what kind of creature could take such a cruel grasp of a Ponies senses, but she would save her beloved student.

Celestia had read the journal, which had been sat on the table. She found the stash, despite Twilight's best attempts to ward it and hide her tracks. Some kind of metal book that glows, a rock, and some other things. These didn't matter. They were already on their way to the Canterlot vaults for securement, investigation; and then destruction.

Her student at least still seemed to hold her senses, despite her selfish choice. Celestia sighs. She doesn't like how much she's reminded of a younger self. Of her time with Starswirl, and the Mirror Portals. It pained her to do what she did to her student; but of anypony, Twilight was the one who should have been able to handle it.

Instead, she looked Celestia dead in the eyes, thanked her, and overflowed the portal. Like she was fully prepared to never return.

There's a murmur of noise by the front door, as Princess Luna steps inside, the guards bowing. She's trailed by two of the Elements; Rarity, and Applejack.

The living room itself is fine, but the kitchen has been quarantined. Rope crosses it off, as Celestia's magic drifts over towards the Microwave, where the portal once was. There had been no meltdowns or reality-ending scenarios thankfully. Now it was just an empty appliance.

"Our Sister; any luck?" Luna asks, standing beside Celestia, touching sides.

"None so far, I'm afraid. The lingering magics are not dangerous, thankfully. But the traces... they are confused, jumbled. Hard to read. It will take time to decipher this." Celestia relents, the glow finally parting from her horn.

"We will handle anything you need us to, Sister, so you can focus on finding your student." Luna reaffirms, getting an appreciative sigh from Celestia. Things would go much faster if she can focus without distractions.

"Ah' uh, hate t' interrupt..." Applejack pipes up. "But is Twi alright? Where'd she go?"

"I was trying to be polite and wait, of course, but I echo Applejacks worries; what has happened to our friend?" Rarity adds, stepping in beside her.

Celestia sighs, turning to face the little ponies.
"I am sure you found Twilights behavior the last few weeks... odd." She starts, as both nod.

"Said somethin' about a Termite infestation? Think she doubled back on that one n' said somethin' about bein' sick. At very random times. Or needin' t' race home for somethin'." Applejack nods, recounting her odd behavior.

"I adore Spike as much as the next, but I've also never had him over at my Boutique for so many days in a row. He's Twilight's assistant after all; and it's as if he simply didn't have those duties!" Rarity agrees. "Not to mention how worried the poor thing looked over the last few days."

"Sounds t' me like she was up t' somethin' she didn't want others seein'." AppleJack guesses, glancing from Rarity to the Princesses.

While Luna idly looks over the kitchen, Celestia nods.
"Over the past two weeks, Twilight accidentally made contact with a creature from beyond our world. An Alien."

AJ and Rarity share a concerned stare.
"Like, some Discord type?" Applejack fields cautiously.

"...I do not know. I tried my best to have the portal closed, promptly the moment I found out about it, but she seems unreasonably attached to the creature. It's something from Space; and we don't know if its even within our dimension. She has... gone to it, and closed the Portal behind herself." Celestia summarizes.

AppleJacks hoof taps the floor in frustration. "Darnit, Twi. Ah' hope she's alright. How can y' even find her?"

"Having read her Journal, I've some idea of a magical trace that she gave to it. She calls the Creature 'Barnon', and they exchanged gifts. One of which, from her to him, held magic. I am trying to reach out through her lingering vestiges of magic, and find it. It will take time." Celestia informs. Applejack can only nod; magic was beyond her.

"Might I see the Journal? If I am not being presumptious." Rarity asks, finding the small book floated towards her by Celestia.

"Any insights you have, Rarity, would be helpful." Celestia smiles, turning to face the kitchen again. Luna is cautiously looking over the microwave, her own horn glowing softly.

Rarity sits, perusing the short journal.

"I've got t' get back to the farm, but I'll help where ah' can. Good luck, Princesses. Please, get Twi home." AppleJack bows, before heading out, escorted by guards.

Rarity gasps softly, earning a raised eyebrow from Celestia. Had she found something she missed?

"Well, Goodness, this might explain a bit." Rarity mutters.

"Any chance you could elaborate?" Celestia asks, sitting gently beside Rarity.

"...Princess, I may just be a Mare with a penchant for Romance Novels, but... I believe Twi finds herself smitten with the creature. You called him 'Barnon'?" She asks, looking up at the Princess.

"...Yes. I believe it may be some kind of creature that plays on emotions, like Changelings. I don't know. I never had a chance to see it myself." Celestia sighs.

"Oh, dear." Rarity tsks, re-reading the Journal. She... didn't know if that was the case. This was not a twisted fascination of love being used. This was... a young Mares Journal and honest thoughts, twisted into worried self-doubt. Easily, an early stage of one of her usual reads.

"...I can only hope the poor thing is alright." Rarity mumbles, getting a saddened nod from Celestia.

"Barnon!" Twilight giggles, a flailing, wet mass of purple hooves. "Stop!"

"Quit wriggling, will you? I'm not having you trail water all over the ship." Barnon tsks, towel in hand, trying to corner the purple pony.

"I said I have a spell for it!" She protests, trying to dart past him -- and in a move that would make his Paleolithic-Era Ancestors proud, fling the towel; it spirals open, catching the little escapist like a net. Vision blurred and front-hooves tangled, she makes a loud squeak noise as she's caught, the towel promptly rubbed in against her face, her mane, and soon her body as Barnon works her over. Twilight deflates, defeated.

Thankfully, it was a different towel than the one he'd been wearing. Twilight wasn't sure how she'd react to having that one in her face, considering his... scent.

She sighs, defeated. At least his fingers felt divine, working into her musculature as he dries her off. That shower... she felt a lot, lot better.

"Hey." She huffs, twisting to look at Barnon, as he dries off her flank.

"Huh?" He glances up, innocently. He'd been the same in the shower, too; treating her gently. Letting her lead.

She shifts around, planting a small kiss on his cheek, throwing him a look. "The towel is nice and all, but... remember the part where you're abnormally warm?"

"Well, I feel usually-warm, minus the fact that I just had two, hot steaming showers. I'm probably running pretty hot, actually." He muses, nodding.

Twilight uses the moment to climb onto his bed, digging the blankets up with her horn, curling up underneath them, only her head sticking out.
"Could you... warm me up? I want to, uh... run an experiment on the matter."

"An experiment." Barnon echoes, folding up the wet towel, tossing it into the laundry chute.

"Mmhm." She nods, innocently, watching him with half-lidded eyes. "I've found physical contact with you is... host to numerous upsides, and my fur keeps moisture more than your skin. And you don't have a hairdryer. So, I request your assistance in an idea to dry me off. Faster. Through contact."

"When do you think you'll run out of ways to say you want a cuddle?" Barnon teases.

"Probably at some point before you remember to put on pants." She returns, a cheeky smile sliding on her face.

Barnon glances down -- the recent situation had been very... distracting, and he still wasn't wearing much. "Right, let me, uh--"

"Ponies don't wear clothes, you know. Outside of special events, or... particular nights." Twilight adds, watching him from the bed, head laid on a pillow.

He pauses his search for underwear, or one of his usual jumpsuits.

"It might even... get in the way of sharing heat." She continues. Still watching him.

Barnon purses his lips. He slowly approaches the bed, search forgotten.

The sheets lift, Twilight using a hoof to hold them up, making room.

He climbs inside his own bed, now joined by... someone, or somepony, very special to him. Tucked under the blankets, he pulls her soft, mostly-dry form against himself, her back pressed to his stomach, his nose in her mane. She smelt like lavender. She makes a pleased, soft whinny; a noise that surprises them both, both stifling a giggle.

"...I'll need to record the... influence, you have on me. I don't normally make noises like... that." Twilight says, trying to save face. The Holopad slowly pulls towards her, floating silently in a purple glow, but Barnon catches it, setting it aside.

"Just say you like me, purple. I think that'll cover it." Barnon mumbles into her mane.

"...That should work." She concurs, nuzzling against him.