Feb 19 Friday.

I'm a little surprised to actually see a tiny smile on the grizzled griffin's face as he nods back, he moves a talon and with a soft noise sets a dagger on the table. "Shade." His tone holds a slight friendliness, but only just, his mask of stone stays firmly in place. I'm a little surprised he remembered my name, but he also does seem like the type to remember names.

I've learned more about Griffon culture over the past year, and one thing I learned is the meaning behind placing a weapon in plain sight. It's not a common thing to do, but its meaning is to show the person you're talking with a certain level of respect by unarming yourself. So I do the same with my dagger a moment later.

I haven't seen Phelix in a little under a year now, and honestly, it's interesting to see him again. I don't feel much for him though, we met for a few days and we barely said a few words that whole time. To be blunt I know nothing about him or who he is, but I don't mind the company.

I decide to just do what we both enjoy, I take the chess set out of my saddlebags and place it down on the table along with another teacup while only using my hooves. I fill the tea and pass it over before moving my hooves to set up the chess pieces quickly and I see that tiny smile widen a little as he makes the first move of the game.

As he does I glance at the meeting to see many of the Griffons now staring at us, including the king. :Oh! FUCK! WHAT NOW?!: I stiffened as my mind tried to process everything. I've done a few things to draw some attention, but that was when I was with the other ponies, and not many really care that much.

Now I have a damned king staring at me far too intently for my liking, and most of the other beings in the meeting also turn their heads. :UGGGG! WHY?!: I can only scream internally as I just try and focus on the game and ignore the many MANY pairs of eyes now on me.

POV shift Cadance.

I look over yet another document quickly and keep up as the translator reads through it a second later when I pass it off and look back to King Thelis as he does much the same as me and passes more papers off to an attendant of his. "I believe this could be done but it will cause some trouble." He says with a level tone.

I guessed he wouldn't modify the trade deal without compensation. "I can understand that, and we prepared a different offer to help smooth it over with your subjects." Another page of this endless paperwork is passed, this one containing a deal for trading Rocky Wheat seeds at below current market prices in Griffonstone.

It's a very popular grain among the Griffons as it grows much better in their maintained farms than even their own strains of wheat. Yet another thing Equestria has to thank Shade for. Even as I listen to the translators and diplomats argue over numbers and figures I let my mind ponder slightly.

Shade is a never-ending mystery that remains to be solved by anypony, even my Aunt can't figure him out fully, although she never did say what she meant by that. I glance over to see Shade is already almost done with the paperwork he was given a scant two hours ago.

But I quickly focus back on the king and his retinue. "This could work, but it will still leave a few more problems than needed." He tries to grab for more concessions, something I'd expected. But as we start to read more documents the Griffons start to look over and whisper amongst themselves.

The King even looks away from me before smiling slightly, I follow his lead and look to the entrance of the meeting area and see that the Griffon guards stand at attention as an old Griffon walks right past them without being stopped or questioned.

I remember meeting this old Griffon at the party when I first arrived in Griffonstone, he was not very talkative and mostly just talked with a few other old Griffons and stayed out of the way. But even with him not being very social he commands respect from everyone present.

Phelix Ovadon, former retired captain of the royal guard and once a general of Griffonston's guards. Brother to the former king of Griffonstone and the father of the current king of Griffonstone after the former king failed to have an heir. As soon as he enters the meeting most eyes are on him.

Despite being retired now he still commands the full respect of his former titles and even the new captain of the guard stands at attention when he's around. He's also famous for rarely involving himself in politics and mainly supporting the royal family of Griffonstone.

Which is why no one ever really knows if he'll show up at events like this or not. From what I know he sometimes comes and other times flat-out refuses to. That would normally be seen as an insult in Griffon culture, but if anyone thought that they never said a thing to him.

As he enters the area I see King Thelis smile very slightly but that turns to confusion quickly. As Phelix looks around I notice that he stops for a moment as he looks at a certain colt finishing the last of his work. :Oh, Shade... What did you do?: My mind tries to think of what could have caused him to get such a person's attention.

After a moment even more eyes start to notice as Phelix walks over and sits right across from Shade and stares at him expressionless as the collective confusion in the room grows quickly. Then Shade looks up and smiles, he smiles! The meeting is so quiet now that we are actually able to hear him over the background noise of the outer hall.

He nods. "Phelix." A simple and far too informal greeting than any would dare to use with such a high-ranking Griffon. A few Griffons even seem a little offended at Shade's actions.

I am mentally preparing to deal with this new mess Shade has made. But before anyone can do anything Phelix actually returns his nod, and then he moves a talon to move an intricately engraved dagger onto the table, a show of respect that sends increased whispers through the meeting.

"Shade." And just like that Shade now has far too many eyes on himself. :At least I can tease him later: That is the only upside I can see at this moment as a planned meeting is turned slightly on its head by the mere presence of Shade. :Maybe he would make a good diplomat?:

I watch as Shade does the same with a dagger he apparently brought with him. :How paranoid is he?: And then he brings out a chess set? He thankfully only uses his hooves, he does not need more attention right now, he also brings out a second teacup and starts setting everything up quickly as the old Griffon actually smiles a little.

:HOW! Aunty said he probably met a minor member of the royal family, NOT THE KING'S FATHER!!: And then it clicks, it's a damned test, Aunty was the one to bring this up as a punishment of sorts and this lines up far too nicely to not be her doing, I'll get her for this later.

I see Shade glance over only to look back quickly and stiffen some, it seems he noticed. After a second I feel magic move slightly and see a very dim light from the other side of him before he opens his mouth again, but no sound reaches us. :At least he did something to keep things private:

I turn back to the King as most of his retinue seems to also be going back to the work at hoof and quietly discussing what just happened.

The King seems to know something as his eyes stare at Shade for several moments before turning back to me with a slightly more willing look. "I believe that the grain trade deal is something we can agree to, and the old deal could be changed with a little time." He starts up where we left off but suddenly seems more willing to do a trade deal I was expecting to have to fight much harder for.

:It seems I have yet another thing to thank Shade for, and Aunty will love hearing about this. Maybe I can take pictures?: I can't help but smile internally at the thought, and I once again have the same thought about Shade Evergreen that keeps popping up.

How?

POV shift Shade.

I quickly look back to Phelix and realize I may have really fucked up, although this can't really be blamed on me. I never knew who Phelix really was, and I still don't but it seems he's a lot more important than I originally thought. I expected a distant relative but it seems I got something else altogether.

:Why! MAGIC WHY can't I JUST meet normal people?!: I try to blow off some steam in my mind and deal with the fact my shaky facade of unimportance is broken to a large degree. The only silver lining is that the large group of griffons and ponies can't see me because of the small wooden wall that gives us some cover and hides me and Phelix.

That somewhat limits this mess and I'm very thankful that almost all of the noble ponies that came with us are in the other half of the hall. But the Griffons, especially the noble and royal ones will notice what just happened and talk about it. I look up to Phelix and make a snap decision.

I cast a spell to the side of me that is in between my body and the wooden wall preventing most from seeing as a spell matrix quickly flashes. The spell prevents any sound from coming from me and Phelix, he also notices the spell. "Something to keep things private, I hope you don't mind?" I answer the unasked question quickly with a little uncertainty.

He nods while keeping his tiny smile. "Good, because we have to talk." His tone is still rough, but not unfriendly or commanding, just calm. "Who are you?" A simple question that I've heard many times before, and a question I've given many different answers to.

"Shade Evergreen, currently I'm a document scribe and translator. Oftentimes I'm a lot of other things, but I'm not likely to answer beyond that. Who are you?" I give a half while switching to Griffon to answer him while bluntly implying I won't tell him more than that.

I think he's amused at my answer, it's honestly hard to tell with how little he shows. "Phelix Ovadon, former guard to his majesty and a warrior." He also switches to perfect Griffon while his answer is also vague and non descriptive, but I recognize that name. Sometimes when I get bored enough I listen in on conversations and some mention him.

Former captain of the royal guard and I think he also has some relation to the king, although I don't remember what type of relation. :FUUUUUCK!! Of all the beings in this world, I had to gain his attention: I moved another piece on the board and tried to keep my calm while thinking quickly over the situation, "Stop overthinking, it just makes you tense." His rough voice has more humor now and he seems to find my mood funny.

This griffin has been around royales and schemes his whole life, it's not too much of a surprise that he saw right through me. So after a moment I just slump a little and stop pretending as much, "Politics are not my thing." I admit bluntly and he actually chuckles a little.

"That is plain to see." He smells the tea I gave him for a moment before drinking it. "Not a blend I recognize." He says, he really is a blunt Griffon. "Pleasant though." He moves another piece and I counter his move a second later.

It's not often I find someone so blunt and outspoken, so I decided to just ask something that has popped into my mind since I first saw him. "Is..." I nearly stop as I second guess myself but power through and just wing it once again. "Is the filly fine?"

He gives me a very slight look that I can't decipher but nods a second later. "Yes, she is. I never did thank you for that... Thanks." I honestly find the blunt way he said that a little funny, is this what others feel when talking to me?

Still, I show him my own smile again as I get a satisfactory answer. "It was the right thing, but that's not something I think either of us wants to talk about much." I get a simple grunt in return so I change the subject quickly. "What do you enjoy?" He raises a brow. "I can't think of anything better." I keep a truthful and somewhat blunt tone.

I have no idea how to talk to him, so I just decide to be as blunt and honest as I want while revealing little that could be used against me."Fishing. You?" Yet another simple answer but a somewhat unexpected answer.

In Equestria, most fishing is done by either Griffons or Batponies, mostly because they can handle it better, but even then Griffons are the best at it. Even Bat ponies somewhat cringe at killing something, Griffons do too but not for fish. Fish are their natural food source and they are also one of the few races that eat meat raw.

"A lot of things. But I enjoy gardening and cooking quite a bit." I again answer equally as bluntly. "I've found several seasonings that I hope to grow back home." He looks up at that and just nods again. "I also train in two weapons, the dagger and greatsword." I add because I feel he might relate to that more.

I don't really have a reason to make him like or trust me, but being friendly and sharing common interests is good for small talk, or so I've heard. He does perk up a tiny bit at that, "Hmmm, good choice." He sees right through my reasons and after that, we descend down the rabbit hole of old historical wars and different forms of combat.

Phelix seems well versed in both subjects and I end up relaxing and enjoying the conversing of bland words and blunt questions far more than I thought I would. But all good things come to an end, and eventually, the meeting is over with the signing of more documents.

As Phelix stands up to leave he looks back to me. "Do you now know the meaning of the dagger I gave you." Unlike the conversation we just had, this tone carries a seriousness to it. The tone is not cold, but much like a rock, it is now hard and unyielding.

I just nod. "Good. This family has always repaid its debts and always helped its friends. And you are a friend, so don't be a stranger." With that he walks away from the table and I'm left alone at the table again. Over the next few minutes, things go back to the plan.

The documents I translated are organized and packed up by others, while I translate more documents they gave me. Most of the meeting attendants join the larger party in the other part of the hall, but some don't. "Hello, do you have a moment, scribe?" I turn to see a well-dressed griffin smiling at me as many others stare at me from afar.

Over the next painful hour, I'm pestered by several Ponies and Griffons coming over to very politely and respectfully introduce themselves and ask about me trying to start a conversation. It was not overwhelming as they seemed to only come over once I'd made another leave me alone, but still face after face came to talk to me.

It takes all my resolve to be patient with them and gently ask them to fuck off and leave me alone. I slowly lose count of the number of questions I have to deflect and stonewall, but these are politicians and they are stubborn in a whole different way than most others I've met.

All the while Cadance watches from the corner of her eye and gives me a knowing smile, the same smile she uses to tease me. She's clearly enjoying my pain at talking to so many faces while pretending to give a single fuck, but thankfully this torture ends with our group gathering up and leaving.

By the time we leave, I'm just done with tonight and want to go home, the walk home proves no better as many ponies take the opportunity to try and talk to me, and I might have been a little rude. I literally just told one of them I didn't feel like talking.

I'm out of excuses and too tired to deflect questions so I just quickly shut down any conversations they try to start, I give them blank looks and say no to everything while barely pretending to care about their words. The walk that felt so short when this started takes forever this time but mercifully it does eventually end with us arriving back at the old mansion.

When we do arrive I get a far too short hour rest before my presence is once again demanded as a guard leads me back to Cadance's room. When I enter the room I see both Shining and Cadance staring at me, and at this point, I'm too drained to care about being nice. "If I hear one more question I'm throwing something out a window," I tell her bluntly before sitting down as Cadance just laughs while Shining chuckles.

I give her a deadpan look as she stops and smiles widely at my expression. "Not my fault you apparently know Phelix Ovadon!" She puts some serious emphasis on the name and I feel my headache worsen at the thought of this Griffon being someone really important. She sees me looking slightly confused and starts laughing much harder, "You don't know?! Hahahah."

I just take a single bit from my bag and throw it at her. She stops as it hits her chest before clattering to the floor as she gets herself under control somewhat. I keep my blank look and stare up at her damned smile, "I'm tired and annoyed, so just tell me."

She picks up the bit and takes it. "Fine. But first, you're telling me how you met him in the first place because this is just GOLD!" I stare back at her before letting out a long sigh.

"I met him on my last vacation... And well... Look, I'm not really comfortable talking about what happened, but we met and I had, and still don't have any idea who he really is." She looks like she'll laugh again but doesn't and instead gives me a more kind look and seems to finally take it easy on me.

She gives me a reassuring look after a moment. "Ok, but I'll probably ask Aunty." I give her a thankful nod of acceptance.

"What are you willing to tell us?" Shining cuts in and gives a surprisingly gentle question while also giving me a look of understanding.

I try to move my annoyances away from them and be a bit more kind in return. "I... Helped, with something. And in return, I was given this." I may be trying to be nice but I'm still tired so I just drop the dagger I was given on the table. "Apparently I'm a friend," I add just in case they don't understand.

Shining seems confused but Cadance figures it out immediately and just smiles wider while looking at me like I grew a new head. "Shade?" I raise a brow and prepare for the teasing that a smile promises. "King Thelis is the nephew of the last king who lived for a long time." I already knew that and nodded impatiently. "His full name is King Thelis Ovadon."

My tired mind takes a few moments to untangle her words and piece them together. She smiles like a shark when my ears pin themselves back and I drop my face on the table while groaning. "Wwwhhhhyy?!" I scream out as Cadance breaks down into another fit of laughter.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. :)
Current year is 994

I honestly struggled on trying to get Shade and Phelix to talk, mostly because a defining trait of both is not talking. But I think it's ok.