It's Not The Fall That Kills You
Flying Without Wings
Chapter 1
It’s Not The Fall That Kills You
“Does my tie look straight to you Twilight?”
“It looks great Spike,” Twilight said, looking between Spike and the papers she held in her magic.
“You didn’t even look at me!” said Spike, turning away from the mirror.
Angrily setting the papers down on the desk, she glanced toward her assistant.
“Spike, you honestly look great, but I have to finish all of this paperwork for the Princess before the ball tonight. So if you could help yourself for now I promise to help you when I’m done.”
“Alright calm down Twilight, I just asked for your opinion, not for you to start throwing things,” Spike replied as he turned back toward the mirror.
Sighing quietly he heard her shuffle some of her papers. “I’m sorry Spike, It’s just that all of this paperwork has me on edge. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“It’s okay Twilight, what has your mane in a knot now anyway?” he said turning away from the mirror satisfied with the way he looked.
“It’s those two families from Manehatten again,” She said as she stapled two forms together.
“Are they squabbling over that mine again?”
Making his way behind Twilight as she sat at her desk, he looked down at all the papers across the desk. Realizing that he couldn’t find anything useful in the pile of papers he made his way over toward a large map that dominated most of the west wall. “I swear if I could go back in time and find the pony who kept records of that mine, I would buck him clean out of Equestria.”
“You can do that, you know,” Spike said absentmindedly as he traced his finger westward across the map.
“I know, but Celestia says ‘Matters such as these don’t require emergency use of time travel.’ I just don’t understand why they can’t just share the stupid mine, it’s not like it’s going to run out of gems in their lifetime.”
“Well that’s just the nature of business Twilight. Everypony has to make as much money as possible, as possible,” He said as he finally found the location in question on the map.
“Well it such would make my job that much easier if everypony just got along.”
As Spike traced his finger around the mine he tried to envision a way that they could share the location. “What’s the reason for their feud this time?”
“Well the Hoofenmiers claim that they have proof they have papers stating they own the mine. The Stailonguards claim they have the exact same papers though.”
“Well do you think that either one of them is telling the truth?”
“No,” she answered flatly as she stood up from the table. As she stood up she began to stretch her back causing it to pop in several places, then proceeded to unfurl her wings stretching out the kinks in them to. “What do you think I should do Spike?” she asked as she finished stretching and began making her way toward where he was standing.
“Me? I think you should just shut down the mine period, then tell them to stick it somewhere where the sun doesn’t shine.”
“Spike you kno…”
“Yea yea yea I know, that’s why you’re a Princess and I’m not,” He replied, waving a claw at her.
“No, but what about if your redraw the boundary to the west half upwards to this river, that way the Stailonguards can open a port on the river. Then as for the Hoofenmiers…you can….um…. how about you open up a path through this forest here so they can move gems straight from the mine to the market district?” He suggested backing away from the map.
“Spike…to be perfectly honest, I think that may actually work.” She said looking toward the forest located to the east of the mine. “Alright….I’ll draw up the proposal, and see what they say. If they aren’t happy about this compromise I’ll tell them to stick it up their flank,” She finished as she made her way back toward the desk.
“What was that about you being a Princess?” he reminded her, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, I’ll say it much more diplomatically though,” She said as she used her magic to neatly stack all the files across her desk.
“Anyway, now that this crisis is averted can you please get ready for the Gala tonight?”
“Speaking of that, isn’t there somepony that asked you to pick them up?” she said giving him a mischievous smile.
“Yep, but I don’t have to leave for another...” he said worriedly, looking at the clock at the wall. As his face drained of color he frantically looked at the watch on his wrist realizing it was ten minutes late. “…Ten minutes ago, buck!!” he yelled as he started to turn toward the door.
“Don’t forget your jacket Spike. I’ll see you tonight okay?” Quickly levitating Spike his jacket from the chair where it sat, she waved to him as he headed out the door.
“THANKYOUTWILIGHTSEEYOUTONIGHTBYE!” he yelled as he ran down the hallway of the castle.
“I wonder what is keeping him?” Rarity asked as she glanced out the window.
“Ah’m sure he’s on his way, probably got stuck in all that Canterlot traffic on the way over here.” Applejack said as she jumped onto the couch with a huff.
Seeing her do this, Rarity rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Dear, you’re going to wrinkle you dress if you lounge around like that.” She said, lifting her up with her magic and setting her back down in a sitting position.
“Whatever Rarity, ah was just gettin’ comfortable. No need to be gettin’ all bent outta shape.” She said jumping down from the couch awkwardly.
“Do you girls want anything from the kitchen while I’m in here...if that’s okay with you Rarity?” they both heard from the kitchen.
“Sure Flu…
“No thank you Fluttershy, we’re all fine in here,” Rarity said, cutting A.J. off.
“Alright then,” She said as she made her way out of the kitchen. After Fluttershy had made her way into the living room she made her way over to the couch A.J. had been sitting on.
“But maybe ah wanted something Rares?” she said giving her friend a less than happy glance.
“Applejack I don’t want to chance you spilling something on your dress.” She said,returning a sad look.
“Alright I guess, but when we get to the gala tonight am going straight to the food stands,” She said, hoping to drop the subject.
Rarity didn’t get a chance to argue against Applejack because a door next to her opened and a certain cyan Pegasus trotted out. “Hey Rarity where did you get those special soaps?” Rainbow Dash called, coming out of the bathroom.
“Oh those, I got them when I went to the market last week why?” She said turning around toward Rainbow.
Finding herself blushing, Rainbow fumbled for an answer. “Oh…um..no reason, I just thought they smelled nice, and they seem to be almost gone.” She said turning away.
“Why thank you Rainbow, sometime next week we can go shopping together and I can get some more.” Rarity said pretending to turn away but kept one eye on her friend.
“Yeah that sounds fine to me,” Rainbow said, smiling. “Anyways is Spike here yet?” Rainbow Dash added, sitting down next to Fluttershy on the couch.
“No dear, that’s what we were discussing actually, I do hope he isn’t going to be much longer,” She said turning to look back out through the window.
“Well I’m sure Twilight had something to do with it. She always has a hoof in things like this,” Rainbow said leaning back on the couch.
“Why you so nervous anyway Rares? Ahm sure Spike will be here soon enough.”
“I..I just don’t want to be late for the gala is all.” She said quickly.
“Ya’ll sure that the only reason?” Replied Applejack, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh look, I think that’s the carriage now, come on girls no need to dilly dally now,” Rarity said quickly, jumping up from the chair and running toward the kitchen.
Applejack just turned to Fluttershy and shrugged her shoulders. “Ah wonder what’s wrong with her?”
“I’m going to say she’s nervous because of what happened at the gala years ago, I don’t think Blueblood was ever right after that,” Fluttershy said getting up and following Rarity into the kitchen.
“Ah don’t know Flutters, she’s actin’ awful strange today,” She said, following her friends into the kitchen.