//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: C'est La Vie // by Indie Cred //------------------------------// Twilight returned to the library, her belly and mind both full of things she wasn’t sure of. She glanced around the room and realized how disorganized things had gotten lately. She’d been so consumed in her studies lately she hadn’t had any time to put things back in order. “And of course today is Spike’s day off…” She groaned, and began placing books back on the shelves. After a few minutes of arranging the tomes, she realized that she still hadn’t found what she had been searching through all these books for in the first place. There was no time to clean now, not when there was research to be done, but she couldn’t just leave the library looking like a tornado had gone through it. Then an idea came to her. “Padlock!” She yelled, running out the door. She found him sitting next to the fountain in the center of town, fixing his mane in the reflection of the water. “Mr. Padlock! I’m glad I found you. You said you were looking for some work, right?” “Like I said, just Padlock is fine.” “Right, sorry.” “So, you’ve got something you need done, then?” “Well, you seem rather well read, and I’ve got so much other stuff going on and my assistant is off for the day a-“ Padlock raised a hoof to silence her and said “Alright. Slowly now, what is it you need done?” “Could you help me by reorganizing the library?” Twilight said, finally catching her breath. “I think I can help with that. Lead the way, missy.” “Why do you call everyone that?” “Just an old habit. I’m full of ‘em these days.” They reached the library after only a few minutes of walking, Twilight apologizing for the ensuing mess the entire way as Padlock tried to assure her that it couldn’t be all that bad. He changed his tune as soon as the door opened. Books were piled in random stacks all over the floor, the shelves half bare. The piles of books worked their way up the stairs, disappearing into the room above. “Hmm… I see what you mean by a mess…” He said, surveying the catastrophe before him. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been so caught up in my research, and everything just got out of control. Normally I’d have Spike help me, but he’s off doing something else today.” “It’s no problem. It may take a while though.” “Okay then.” Twilight said, unsure. “I’ll be in my room reading. Let me know if you need anything.” He waited until she had gone upstairs and the door had closed before he started his work. Luckily the shelves had been labeled, or this would have been a nearly insurmountable task. He began picking up books and placing them in piles based on subject matter, and after an hour he had sorted all of the books into less terrifying piles. He sat down in front of a large pile of books and began sorting them alphabetically, whistling an old tune he’d hear while he worked. Twilight opened the door to her room and looked out into the main room of the library. She had heard the tune before, but couldn’t place it. She shook her head and tried to return to her work, but the tune kept nagging at the back of her mind. She hummed a few bars, and then groaned loudly, laying her head on the desk. “Problem?” Padlock called out, still sorting books. Twilight stepped out of the room to the balcony that overlooked the library. “No, it’s okay. I’m sorry about that.” “No reason to be sorry, but a groan like that usually means there’s a problem of some sort.” He replied without looking away from his work. “It’s just that song you were whistling. What was it? It’s driving me crazy that I can’t remember the name.” “Oh, my apologies for that. Didn’t mean to make you question your sanity. It’s a Hearthswarming carol called Shine on Starlight.” “Aha. I knew I recognized it!” She said, triumphantly. “But why a Hearthswarming carol? It’s a bit early in the year for those.” “Never too early for a bit of cheer, m’dear. Besides, that’s my favorite time of the year. It’s cold as all get out, but for that little while folk tend to be in a more giving mood.” He stood up and stretched his back, groaning a bit. “Anyways, I shouldn’t be too long with this. I’ve got the classics pile all sorted and ready to go on the shelves. Should be another few hours as the most.” “Oh, that’s great! Thank you so much for this.” “Not a problem, little lady.”