APR 30 Monday.

I slowly draw out another line of the spell matrix without moving my hooves from the cup of tea I have, taking my time to design and make sure everything is coherent.

Over the past week, I've been making the heat shield I will need to grow the crystal seeds I have. It's slow going though as I see no reason to rush and cut corners with what is definitely going to be a dangerous project when completed. I really don't want molten rock spewing everywhere if something goes wrong.

At the moment I'm just working in my apartment and enjoying yet another day with little happening, I did end up doing a little work in the form of remaking a combat spell. It was a basic Ice Spike spell that I learned and that I decided to remake, so Celestia's guards have something new to play with.

I sense Entropy teleport suddenly and toss a ball at me before vanishing again, a moment later I form a Spatial String and send the ball through it before letting it fly out the other side in a different direction. Only to be caught by Entropy a moment later as she teleports into its path.

We repeat this process several more times as I switch between redirecting the ball and designing the spell I'm making. This all started with Entropy throwing a ball at me and me getting inspired to throw it back with a Spatial String, starting a new game for us.

It's proven to be both good practice and a new way to use my ability, namely redirecting spells and other harmful things thrown at me. Actually, I could just redirect an entire Pony, but they might thrash around inside and get themselves killed so maybe not.

I have also kept up with my control training and by this point, I can move ten items independently of each other all at the same time. Spatial Strings also take more space magic from my other abilities, especially the larger ones, and at this point I can only teleport a collective five teleports before needing to rest, so only around a few hundred feet.

It has proven to be an amazing way to train my space magic though as it drains it quickly, it has been pushing me forward a bit faster than my other methods so far. To be fair my other abilities rely more on control than sheer power and even Spatial Cut doesn't need that much magic for anything beyond large targets.

On a similar topic, I'm reminded of the experiments I did with obsidian in the Dragon Lands. Back then I quickly found out that obsidian is not that great at holding magic, the simple fact is that it's an incredibly impure type of crystal and doesn't work well for holding magic.

It still can but finding and working with obsidian simply doesn't seem all that practical. On the other hoof, I think I've gotten to the point where I could cut some small gems into cubes with just my space magic, I should buy some rough gems soon and test that actually.

I still have the affinity gems I got from the Dragon Lands and none of them are cut, something I might be able to do myself now. On the plant side of things, nothing much has happened. I filled a barrel with some contaminated water I made, mixing in several things before planting a Water Lily inside and trying to grow it.

With some gold dust, it grew quickly and with my staff and Guided Evolution it shouldn't take me too long to make a Water Lily to crossbreed. There are also my attempts at crossbreeding the Fire Blossom Tree and the Iron Oak Tree for better bark, which has been slow but easy going and soon I might have to remake my armor with more fire-resistant bark.

I stop working on my spell and let the magic lines dissolve while writing down a few notes, Entropy landing on the floor with a slightly tired but happy caw. She drops the ball in her toy bin like a good girl and moves over to sit with me, "No practice today, maybe some lunch though?" I offer and she chirps in response.

I move my things to their proper spots as I stand up and walk over to the kitchen to cook a simple lunch. Over the past week I've started trying to teach Entropy how to read, she's over four years old now and I know she's smart enough to learn to read, I didn't think I needed to put it off anymore and decided recently to give it a try.

To my surprise she already knew a few simple ones, turns out she pays attention when I occasionally read things out to her and figured out a few on her own. I took that as a good sign and am spending a little time each day just teaching her a few words or explaining different things to her when she has questions.

She's definitely having a harder time with reading than when learning to speak, but she's making progress and that's more than good enough for me. I'm honestly a little proud of her, and that led me down an interesting thought. I do consider Entropy to be my family, but what form of family?

I never had a family so it's hard for me to really place who she is to me in a more traditional sense, but I'd say she's like a baby sister. I teach her and she makes me happy with life, as for her? I don't actually know, maybe I should explain families to her at some point and let her decide what she thinks after learning about it all.

As I'm cooking some fish and Red Root along with a few other greens I hear a knock on my door. I still a little and raise a brow at that before focusing my senses in that direction. I keep my senses active at all times of the day, but most of the time I'm not paying constant attention to every small detail.

I know when somepony is walking through the hallway, or even when they enter the apartment building at all, but I don't pay that much attention to it happening. It's like seeing somepony out of the corner of your eye in a shop, sure you take note but you just glance at them before ignoring them and going about your day.

My curiosity quickly turns to slight concern and focused attention as I realize that there isn't a Pony at my door, but a Dragon. Several thoughts quickly flash through my mind but one stands out, there is only one Dragon I ever told my actual address to, one I met a long time ago.

I glance over as Entropy puts on her dress and sits atop her perch while I walk over to my front door, opening it a crack before realizing my guess was right and opening it fully, still keeping the shield in place just to be safe. "Andradite?" I look the ash-colored Dragon up and down a little.

She looks the same as the last time we met, with the exception of a backpack slung on one shoulder and a deep frown on her face. "It's Andra Pony, or ... Shadow?" She puts forward and frowns more after realizing it was wrong, "Fuck I forgot... Can I come in?" She seems very annoyed but not mad so after a moment I deactivate the part of the shield around the door and walk back to let her inside.

I have several thoughts on the situation, but I had a decent experience with her the first time we met and she gave me something of immense value as well. The Life Gem has been one of the best things I've gotten and has opened many doors for me. I may be paranoid but I'm not going to forget that she helped me, and even if she tries something she's not really a threat to me.

She looks annoyed but makes sure not to drag her feet on the floor and damage the wood. She takes a deep breath after a moment and looks around confused before spotting the fish I cooked. "You eat meat? Damn, you really are a weird Pony, trade you for some? I haven't had anything but gems in a while." She offers while pointing to her backpack.

I made more than needed because I was planning to eat some for dinner as well, so I just shook my head and brought over a few plates before moving half the fish onto one of them. She looks a little disappointed at me shaking my head but smiles when I slide a plate over. "It's, Shade, and Just take some, you look like you need it more than me." I get us off on a good hoof as she's at least owed some hospitality.

She smiles more and wastes no time in digging in, while I make me and Entropy each a plate. Entropy for her part watches Andradite with some caution but she also knows I can handle anything and mostly relaxes. I sit down and look at Andradite as Entropy flies over. "So, what brings you here? And the fuck got you looking like someone's pissed you off again?" I enjoy the use of a few more colorful words and the company of someone who won't care about them.

She brings the plate she was holding over and sits down with me, glancing at Entropy but seemingly ignoring her. "Shit, this is good, I didn't know a Pony could cook like this." She surprisingly compliments me and from what I understand that's high praise from a Dragon.

Because Dragons use seasoning a lot and they are actually very good at cooking with them, I had a few pieces of seasoned meat in the Dragon lands that I bought and it was pretty good. "I try, I find that a lot of Ponies keep it bland, the Griffons do it pretty well though. You didn't answer my question." I am as blunt as she is and enjoy talking to a Dragon once again.

She huffs out a little smoke and I cast a spell to remove it quickly, she raises a brow and looks up before realizing the problem. "Right shit, I know, no fire inside. Why do you Ponies use so much damned wood?" She asks more to herself than to me. "That fucking book, it's got a bunch of damn Ponies asking me all kinds of shit, I needed someplace quiet." She grumbles with a slight snarl.

I nodded as I knew this was a possibility when writing the book. Ponies may not be as interested in such things but they still are curious and will seek out answers. I laugh a little and she rolls her eyes. At least I know why she came here, most hotels or inns would just have more Ponies.

"Well, I can't say I have many questions for you, at least not like they probably do." She seems to slump in slight relief. "I guess you're here to sell more gems as well." I motion to her backpack and she just tosses it at me wordlessly. I raise a brow but open it to see what I expected.

Several smaller bags with gems visible inside some and a few other things common for travel. I toss it back and she catches it while feeding herself the last of the fish I gave her. "I got a few good ones if you want, at least with you I know when I'm getting scammed." She half-jokes and seems to be pretty relaxed while sitting on the floor with her tail laid out flat, her sitting body standing as tall as me.

I think for a moment on the offer. I don't mind giving her some bits and I could use some rough gems to practice with, it's convenient timing actually. "Sure, but I still owe you as it is so I'll have to get the bits to pay in full before we trade." I agree but try not to owe her more favors.

She raises a brow and gives me an odd look. "You were serious about that?" She asks a bit confused and I nod firmly as I try my best to pay my debts. She looks happily surprised. "Well shit, guess I really lucked out when dealing with you." She chuckles but I notice her eyes are more attentive.

I shrug and bring over my teapot to make something to drink. "I pay my debts, and what you sold me was worth what I paid many times over. Although I'd appreciate you not spreading knowledge of our last deal around, I don't like attention." I add and she nods a little too quickly.

"Sure, no way in fire am I getting on your bad side." She quickly agrees with a slightly joking tone and makes the idea itself seem stupid. I give her a confused look and she shrugs. "Not many Ponies have ever tried to fight me, so when I heard about some crazy Pony in the Dragon Lands when I went back I asked around for what they looked like." She reveals almost dismissively.

My eyes narrow quickly as I realize she's put two and two together, which could be a very big problem if she told anyone in Equestria. She sees my slightly more intense look and quickly waves her hands in front of her while looking surprised. "Hey, I haven't said shit to anyone!" She backpedals quickly as my eyes narrow more and she actually looks a little concerned.

I take a deep breath but lessen my gaze some at her words. She looks a bit on edge and looks me over again. "Look I'm not stupid, you beat the shit out of a full Dragon with ease from what I heard. I know when to shut up and not piss off someone I shouldn't." She adds and genuinely seems a little nervous about me now.

I'm silent for a moment as my mind works on the problem internally. It's not the worst situation I guess, and I knew this was a possibility, I just didn't think it would be this sudden. She also seems very truthful about not saying anything, she seems to know what I'm capable of and she's a smart Dragon from what I've seen to know not to anger me, she said so herself as well.

I give her a very intense look after a moment and I see her tense up and move back a bit. "I'm not the kind of Pony to hurt others, even that fucker had to anger me first. To be blunt, you will not tell ANYONE, and we won't have any problems. Clear?" I ask in a dead serious tone with no room for argument and she seems taken aback that I'm so suddenly serious.

She again nods rapidly and looks a little relived. "Very fucking clear... Shit, you are scary." She mumbles but doesn't look as on edge as I drop the serious look and show something more neutral. "Like I said, fuck getting on your bad side. Did you really cut his tail off?" She asks after a moment in a rather brazen way seemingly lost in open thought as she realizes what she said a moment later and backs up a little more once again.

This is part of the reason I like Dragons. She knows damn well I'm dangerous but she grew up in a land where the older generation were hundreds of times her size, she knows how to shut up when it comes to dangerous beings. "Yes, he really pissed me off, but he apologized so he got it back... Now, how about we drop it and move on?" I ask as I once again try to relax.

I find it very unlikely she'll say anything, she doesn't even like Questions from random Ponies as it is, let alone questions that could get her in trouble with me. She gave me a look showing some respect with less concern and fear now, "Damn, you took it easy on me back then. As for right now?" She shrugs and takes out a bag of gems before placing it on the table. "You pay well and I don't want to deal with stupid questions, I just want to leave this city but need to sell this shit." She says honestly.

I nod after a moment as I am likely to ask a lot fewer questions about her than other Ponies would while trading. "Sure, like I said though I'll need to go to a bank for this." She shrugs with a nod and just moves the bag closer to me while taking out a second one. I slowly open it and start to take out gems of different sizes and colors.

Most were good quality but uninteresting gems, none are magical from this bag. Still, I do need practice and I can keep the gems around for other things I might need, the gem plant might also need something like soil, and ground-up gems seem like my best bet combined with molten rock.

The second bag I look through is also mostly normal, with the exception of a small magical gem. It's a very small one-inch by half an inch gem, a brown glossy color, and is some form of ground affinity gem. It can be hard to tell at first glance because it could be one of several types.

Affinities can be very vague or very specific, this one could be for simply rock, or earth, or some other type. It can be hard to keep track of them because the magic changes depending on what type of magic this gem was near. The final bag proves to not have any magical gems either.

All in all, there are a few dozen small to medium gems but none of them are bad quality. "Well, this one is worth a bit more." I move the magical gem forward. "How about fifteen hundred for the entire lot?" I offer and her smile widens as she perks up instantly from her earlier slightly wary mood.

I am overpaying by a good amount, probably ten percent or more, but making her happy works in my favor and I didn't need to go shopping to find these so it saved me time. "As for that favor, I won't do absolutely anything, but it's still there when you want it, even right now," I emphasize as I do intend to keep my word.

She smiles widely at the offer, showing off her teeth, and reaches a clawed hand out across the table, which I shake. "Deal! See, easy, other Ponies make it so damn hard." She nearly huffs out some smoke but stops herself. "I don't think I need anything for that favor, not now at least. Plus keeping a favor with someone like you seems like a good idea." She openly shares her reasoning.

I can't fault her for that as from her point of view she took a risk even seeking me out to trade and talk. I nod and stand up, "Ok, I'll go to get it now, do not touch anything, she will let me know if you do." I motion to Entropy before grabbing my saddlebags walking to the door and quickly leaving my apartment.

I don't feel great leaving Andradite with Entropy but there is little Andradite could feasibly do to Entropy. Worse comes to worst Entropy teleports Andradite to some random mountain, or the Void. I don't waste time and walk to the roof to quickly fly to the bank.

I get the bits withdrawn and get back within half an hour, and when I land I can sense that Andradite hasn't moved from her spot at my table. I quickly walk down the stairs and open my apartment to see that she looks bored, seemingly having waited without doing anything at all. I offer the bags to her, "Your bits, who are you selling the gold to by the way?" I ask out of curiosity.

She happily takes the three bags of bits I offer and puts them away, her mood now massively improved from when she arrived or when I threatened her. "Any Dragon at the market I guess, I did get a few good gems from some elders, I tend to eat those though." She jokes a little awkwardly and I smile back with a small chuckle.

Her knowing things did put me on edge but I think I have it handled and without getting contracts or violence involved there isn't much else I can do to make her stay quiet. I nod and sit back down as she puts her bits away, not even bothering to count them. "If you are ever back here I'm willing to see what you have to offer, any gems will do." I offer before she can leave.

I don't want her around too much but every once in a while getting some gems from the Dragon Lands would be nice, and who knows what I'll get next time? I already got a Life Gem and that's enough for me to pay her for whatever she brings me for the rest of my life on the small off chance she brings something even a tenth as good as that.

She stops and thinks about it before shrugging slowly. "I don't normally come this far inland, too many Ponies in big cities. But fuck it, sure. If I got gems and pass near I'll stop in. And ahh, I really won't say anything, just being clear. Whatever you do I couldn't care less, you pay well and that's enough." She says in a very blunt way.

Dragons may be blunt and rude, but they tell it to you straight most of the time. She wants me to buy gems from her and not get in trouble for what she knows about me, and I want her to stay silent. It seems we have something of an understanding. "Well, back to dealing with these annoying ass Ponies and their, book..." She trails off and looks at me again.

I think she pieces it together but she doesn't say anything for a few moments or react more as I keep a completely neutral face. "That book was made by your damned Princess." She voices her thoughts out loud and looks back at me with a new level of wariness, while I raise a brow. She goes silent again and shakes her head after a moment. "Nope, fuck touching that." She says and grabs her bag.

She stands up with a stretch and makes her intention to leave by picking up her things. I just motion to the door, "If you do drop by again, make sure not to bring trouble with you, I don't need that. Have a good day, Andra, it was nice seeing you." I give her a simple and honest goodbye.

She walks to the door with a wave. "Sure... Shade?" She guesses and nods to herself. I chuckle a bit as she opens the door and takes a deep breath. "I need to get the hell out of this city." She mumbles to herself while exiting and closing the door, leaving me alone in the apartment.

I watch her leave with several thoughts on my mind and a few more things to worry over. It's not the end of the world but it sure as hell is annoying having to deal with more creatures knowing things about me that I would rather they not know, but there is only so much I can control that.

It will be fine I think, she's not the type to spill secrets from what I can tell, and she's also a little fun to talk with. I stand up and look at the gems on the table. "It seems I have some work to do after all."

POV shift Andradite.

I walk to the roof and quickly spread my wings to get the fuck away from this building and the Pony inside it.

I thought it was just a funny guess, a similar Pony to him that went to the Dragon Lands that I could joke and talk about. After all, a brown Pony is so common it might as well be like finding a rock, I thought it was just a close match. So I come here to trade and get away from the damn stares, only to find out my guess was FUCKING RIGHT! HOW?!!

Who did I piss off to accidentally threaten a Pony crazy enough to fight an adult Dragon? AND WIN!! I thought he was just messing with me or taking credit, but him knowing about the tail being reattached was completely accurate. News like that doesn't travel fast, especially among Ponies.

I just about dived out the damn window when he gave me that look, it's like dealing with an elder in a completely different way, fuck that! Then there is whatever the fuck is going on with that book, and I'm not going ANYWHERE near that shit, SERIOUSLY, FUCK, THAT!

Still, he's got gold and spends it well, he paid me a lot for that stuff. I narrow my eyes as I'm forced to land at a city gate to leave, I nearly glare at the stares I get. I keep telling myself the gold is worth it, I'm really starting to question if it is when dealing with that Pony.

Why the fuck couldn't I have just been wrong? Why couldn't he just be a normal crazy fucking Pony?!

Author's Note

Thanks for reading :}
Current year is 996

I decided to set things up like this as it means I can have Andradite appear whenever I want. We probably won't see her too much though.