DEC 5 Saturday.

I push off the ground with my legs and beat my wings to get far enough off the ground to not hit anything before I start gaining more height.

I don't try to go slow as Avalon should be more than capable of flying circles around me, I may have learned to fly but he's lived his entire life with wings. I'm proven right a minute later when I level out and start gliding, he flies up next to me while looking over my wings intently. "Tilt them a little more forward." He seemed so focused on watching them that he didn't really realize he spoke aloud.

I'm confused by his request but still do as he said and notice that angling my wings a little more helps level out better. "Hu, thanks," I say with a smile while he seems to realize what he said and looks a little embarrassed. I turn and look around for the right building so I don't get lost.

Learning to navigate the city from the sky has proven to be one of the unexpected challenges of flying. "So, the spell?" He asks with a little eagerness, it's easy to guess that he's asking for more than just curiosity.

I keep my smile and turn back to him after finding a good point of reference, we're not flying quickly so we can take a little time to enjoy the view and talk. "Temporary Pegasus Transformation. It's not an easy spell to learn, it took me weeks and that was before I had to learn to fly."

He tilts his head while keeping his gaze locked on me, apparently griffins can do that. "It didn't just, I don't know, tell you how?" I almost take his question as a joke, but no it's a serious question.

I laugh a little at the innocence of his question. "Nope, I can't even name a spell that does something like that. I had to learn the normal way, crashing repeatedly until I didn't." I make a small joke and see his face grow a little concerned. "Just kidding, I had a friend teach me," I explained.

"Oh, good, that's good. But-" He's about to continue but stops himself.

I raise a brow. "But? ... But what?"

He looks a little nervous again. "Well, I. Don't take this as an insult... but you could use more practice." A very polite way to say I'm not the best at flying.

I just chuckle at his words. "You're fine, my friend was nice to teach me but he is not a good teacher. Also, it's fine to insult me, there are very few things that can get to me." I say with some humor in my tone. He looks a little uncertain about my statement but nods regardless.

I see the cafe we've been flying to and point at it with a hoof. "That's the place, come on!" I decide to have a little more fun and dive down. I make sure not to speed up too much and leave myself plenty of distance to slow down, but that does not stop Avalon from looking surprised at my actions.

It doesn't take me long to land on solid ground once again, I take a moment to redo my mane tie as my mane got a little messed up from that move, worth it. Avalon lands a few moments after me and gives me an odd look before shaking his head a little and mumbling something I can't hear, while I smile at him.

"This is the place, they make a great grilled cheese." I said while walking over to the door and opening it. This cafe is a nice place that I've been to several times before, I even came here with Maple a long time ago, and when I entered it looked the exact same as before.

I walk over to an empty booth and sit down, he follows a few moments later and sits down opposite to me while looking around with that curious gaze of his. "So, how have your studies been going? Oh, and your affinity, how did that go." He's clearly a little out of his comfort zone, so I do what seems to work best, distracting him with magic.

He relaxes a little at my question and takes his satchel off to be more comfortable. "Well, I've kept reading and casting the spell you gave me, thank you again for that, and the gem, and the-" I decide to cut him off a little.

"You don't need to thank me, I'm just happy to help. And I'm glad to hear things are going well." I keep a calm smile as a waiter walks over to us. "Green tea and a grilled cheese please," I ordered quickly and looked at Avalon, who seemed to be a little clueless about being put on the spot.

"Uh, same?" He asks, sounding a little uncertain, but the waiter writes it down and walks off to get our food. There is a moment of silence he speaks up. "I've learned my affinities. It was certainly an... interesting experience, the spell looking so interesting, how did you enchant it into a gem?" He seems to be opening up more as he talks.

I remember when I found out my affinities, and I remember the feeling of excitement when casting the spell. I smile wider at his question, "Enchanting isn't that complex, it just takes a lot of practice and repetition, but not much beyond that and materials. Do you mind if I ask what affinities you have?" I don't want to pry but I am too curious for my own good.

He gives me a slightly confused look. "Sure I don't mind, but uh, why would I mind? Am I not supposed to share that?" He asks back with a curious tone.

I tilt my head back and forth a little to show a so-so motion. "Maybe? It depends, the type of pony that normally finds out their affinity is either very open about it or very private, though that's just a general thing, not something set in stone. It's really up to you, I'm fine either way." I make sure to emphasize that last part while keeping a friendly tone.

He goes silent for a moment and the waiter returns with our drinks and food. I take a bite and patiently wait for him to sort his thoughts out. "Do you tell others?" He asks after a moment and drinks some of his tea.

I decided to be honest with him on this, it's a harmless fact and it might help him decide. "I've told my best friend and that's it, but I'm a very private pony so take my choice with a grain of salt." I genially advise him again.

He eats a little of his grilled cheese. "Fire and wind, along with one I couldn't find information on." I stop mid-bite and give him a look of surprise, as he softly admits his affinities while switching over to Griffin.

I never actually expected him to tell me, it's something I would never do for those I don't completely trust. Honestly, I'm a little flattered he trusts me enough to tell me, even if he doesn't care about keeping it private. After a moment my mind registers what he said and I start thinking about it.

"Fire and wind? That's a great combination and both of them have many uses." I decide to voice the first thing that comes to mind while also switching languages. "As for the other one, I'm not sure I can help much, I can point you to the book I used to find out my affinities but that's about it." I'm rather curious as to what affinity it is though, but those thoughts are for later.

Like every time I compliment him he looks bashful and reserved. "Thanks that would help, and, y-you think so? I thought they might be weak compared to the other affinities I read about." He says while looking a little uncertain.

I smile but make my tone a little firm. "I know so. Some of those other affinities may seem better but they can be very hard and time-consuming to learn properly, and they can often have only limited uses or depend on rare knowledge. Fire and wind may be simple but that makes them easy to learn and use. So chin up, we have something to celebrate!" I finish while holding out my cup of tea to toast his accomplishment.

He looks even more bashful at that, but he can't hide the smile on his face as he bumps his teacup against mine. "Thanks again. Ya, I suppose it's not so bad when you put it like that." He smiles as we both drink, but I also notice his eyes drift to the wings still on my back.

It doesn't take a genius to know what he's thinking about, and my hunch is proven correct a moment later. "Hey, those wings, do you think there's a spell like that out there for, this?" He says the last part softly while moving his half-missing limb a little.

I'm silent for a moment. The answer is most likely no, but I don't want to crush that small glint of hope I see in his eyes, the same glint I saw in my old friend when he got his first prosthetics after weeks of moving around in a wheelchair. But lying to him won't help him either.

"Hhhh, I won't lie and say yes." I see the feathers around his head pin back slightly as he hears my answer. "But that doesn't mean magic can't help, have you ever considered a prosthetic?" I gently ask while keeping a friendly tone to hopefully keep the mood up slightly.

He still seems a little disappointed with the answer, but not that surprised at all. "Well, thanks for being honest. And I've tried prosthetics before, but I can't stand them." He's a little sad but seems to pick himself back up again a moment later, seems the world can't get him down that easily.

I nod. "Honesty is best, and sorry if that was too personal. But, if you're comfortable with me asking something else." He nods almost immediately. "What do you find so bad about prosthetics?" I try to keep my gentle tone and not upset him. I'm honestly beyond surprised he's been this open with me so far.

Despite the topic, he gives me a small smile. "Too clunky, they never work quite right and just feel too slow." He answers with a little humor, it takes a strong mind to laugh at their misfortune.

"Even magical ones?" I've done some research on the subject since the first time we met and learned a few things about prosthetics.

First is that there are magical prosthetics out there, they may be somewhat pricy and hard to find but they do exist. Although I could never find one for a griffin, I just presume it's not a common thing in Equestria because the population is by far mostly ponies.

He keeps his small smile and shakes his head. "Never could find one, the best prosthetic maker I could find doesn't know how to do the talons right." He wiggles his talons to demonstrate. "Also, well, griffins don't make things like that." Interesting choice of words and sadly something that makes me realize his point.

Griffin culture varies like every culture, but as a good rule, most griffins generally don't look down on the disabled. But Griffon culture is strongly focused on work and work ethic, if you are missing an arm you are still expected to function normally without special treatment.

I know there are griffins who practice magic and make enchanted items, but with that culture, I find it unlikely they would focus on developing and making prosthetics. I nod after a moment but don't comment about it. "Well, that still means you could make one." I suggest.

He stops for a moment and I can practically see the gears in his head turning. "Could I? Isn't spell creation really difficult? I barely know two spells." He deflects as his excited tone is tempered by his logical mind and I can already tell he doesn't believe he can do something like this, and maybe he's right, but I refuse to believe that.

"Maybe not alone, but with some help." He showed me a little trust, so I think I should do the same. "I dabble in that sort of thing, and wouldn't mind helping?" I offer with a smile, maybe I'm being too trusting right now, but I can't help but feel something for his situation, he reminds me of my old friend in so many ways.

I see that small hope return to his eye again, even if it's just a spark there's something in me that wants to see it blaze. "Really?! Wait! No, I can't ask for more help after everything you've already done." He backs down quickly, we can't be having that now can we?

"I insist, I may not be an expert but I know a thing or two, in fact you know the candle flame spell I gave you?" He nods. "It's my own modified version, I made it easier to cast and take less magic." That just about floors him.

I don't think I've seen a truly surprised griffin before, his feathers are puffed out some, and his mouth is even hanging open a little. I try to keep serious but his expression proves too much and I can't help but laugh. "Surprise! Are you surprised?" I made a horrible joke at his expense while finishing my grilled cheese.

He looks a little embarrassed and returns to normal a second later, he stares at his plate for a long moment. "Why help me so much? We barely know each other?" I'm a little thrown off by his question but give him a large smile.

"Because I can and want to, and because it would be nice to have more friends. And well, I don't think I need a reason beyond that actually." He's again surprised at my answer but also looks pretty damn happy.

"Thanks... And I think I think I'd like that. Friends?" He seems to taste that word for a moment before giving me a much-renewed smile.

I notice it's getting late as more and more ponies start to walk inside for the dinner rush. I make a quick decision and take out a notebook and quill. "Absolutely friends, here new friend." I passed him a torn-out page. "It's my mailing address."

He looks confused as he takes it from me. "Sadly I don't have time to work on something like this right now." He once again looks a little disappointed but it doesn't even dent his new smile. "So for now, you keep studying and I'll look into it some to see what we'll need to do. You send me a letter when you have free time and we'll try to meet up and work on it, sound good?" I offer while holding a hoof over the table and offering it to him.

He takes my hoof in a strong grip before shaking it a little. "Thank you Shade, I mean it, thank you. And umm. OH! Here it is!" He takes out his own quill and motions for me to pass the notebook to him. I do and a few seconds later he passes it back with an address on it. "It might take a while for me to check it if I'm on a delivery, but I'll see it, eventually."

"It's still no trouble. But I have to get going, I have an angry crow to feed." I stand up and place a few bits for the meal and a tip. "Have a good night Avalon, and don't forget to write, I'll be rather annoyed if you do." I joke a little as he also stands up.

He chuckles a little. "I won't I promise, now go tend to that beautiful crow." I'm pleasantly surprised that he jokes back slightly.

With a final nod, I walk out into the evening air and decide to just fly home, a quick spell cast later and I'm in the air again. Seems today I've made a new friend.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. :]
Current year is 993, but not for long.

I tried to make this seems decent but I'll be honest and say I haven't nailed down Avalon's characterization fully yet, but I have time now so. I hope you enjoyed Shade being more open, now you can prepare to see him face love, and lose, badly.

Also, for those of you who are American, like me, happy forth of July. And everybody else can join in on this time honored tradition of explosions and alcohol, and yes that's as stupid as it sounds.