//------------------------------// // The Same House // Story: The Gryphons // by gryphon88 //------------------------------// Dad was gone. Heh, it’s sorta weird calling him Dad, you know? I never really got to know him that well. Except through Tirgum’s stories. But yeah, he was out of the house. There were warnings, signals from the inland cities. But they had only come a couple of hours in advance–on the coast, as far away from the threat as possible, that was all of the warning we had. Me and Mom, we were sitting at the table, eating something. It was getting late, and she was telling me not to worry. But then there was a large boom, that shook the house, and we could hear screaming in the distance. She rushed me over to a closet space, quickly shoving me inside. It was dark, and I didn’t have enough room to even spread my wings. “Stay in here,” she said. “Stay in here until someone comes to get you, do you understand, Gilda?” I nodded. She smiled, putting a talon to my chin. “Be brave, my little girl.” And she left. I sat in that little closet, trembling. There was a crack, along the door of the space, and I could see a tiny sliver of light, pouring through it. I could also hear more screaming, and explosions. Also these sounds. Like dragging a claw against a carpet, then the striking of metal. Over and over and over. I was terrified. And, of course, being a terrified little cub, I shut my eyes, pulling my wings around myself. I tried to think about other things. I thought about my parents, what I was having for dinner. That sort of thing. I fell asleep. I don’t know how long I was out, but when I woke up, it was bright out. Brighter than it had been when the attack started. But most importantly, it was quiet. The sounds of the screaming and the weird repeating noises had vanished, leaving only the sound of waves, crashing against the base of the mountain. I opened the door. Yeah, I know, stupid. But nothing as going on! I just wanted to look around. I called out for my parents, but no one responded. Just a big empty house. There was cold food, still on the table. I was hungry, so I ate it. There wasn’t much else to do, anyway. It was a day old, at least, so it was kind of gross. Eventually, I went to the front door, and peeked outside. The streets were empty, and it was clear. So, I opened the door completely, and hesitantly began to walk down the road. Republic cities, at least most of them, are built directly on top of mountains. So, basically, really steep terraces. The streets curved alongside the mountainside itself, going in a sort of spiral up to the top. I walked down the street. It was easier to walk downwards, so I did. To my left there were houses, alongside the mountain wall. To my right was nothing, just a flat dropoff to the next terrace. I could look straight out across the entire area, and see the next city over, along the coast. We were high enough to see it, even though it was fifty miles away, at least. It was on fire. Orange, flickering light, bright even though it was morning, consumed the city. Tomparu, the place was called. Etched onto the top of the mountain, just like our own. A massive plume of smoke rose into the sky, like a gargantuan black pillar of cloud. I stopped and stared at it for a moment, scared. I mean, it was so far away, but still. It was fire, y’know? The pillar of smoke just continued to rise. But it was quiet. Nothing was happening over here, just over there. So I kept walking. Eventually, I came to a crossroad. A stepped road, leading straight up the side of the mountain. I looked up it, and saw big, round white pile of buildings, at the very peak of the city. It was the Citadel. I’d heard adults talk about it, but I hadn’t been there myself. Or if I had, I was too young to remember. Tir Wramuvel was the capital, and the Council members met at that very spot, once a week. Thinking it looked official and safe, I started to climb the steps, towards the top of the city. Maybe I could find someone who knew what was happening, or maybe even just get a better view. I don’t know. It just seemed to make sense. “Gilda!” I heard my name being called, from behind me, further down the mountain, on the road of steps. I turn around and– Yes, Dash, it was a gryphon. Anyway, it was an old gryphon. I didn’t recognize him, but he looked old. I mean, really old. His face was wrinkled and his feathers were matted, and he was hunched over. He looked very... tired. He jumped over to me. Not, like, a tiny jump. I mean he opened his wings, flapped them once as he shoved off the ground, and didn’t touch down again until he had moved a hundred feet to where I was. I shrunk backwards. I was scared! But I looked him in the eye. He exhaled, like he had been holding his breath. “There you are.” He smiled. “Do you know me?” I shook my head. “I’m Tirgum.” He picked me up, slo- Yes, Dash, it was Tirgum. I’m getting to that. He picked me up, slowly. “It’s alright, it’s alright. You must be pretty beat, kiddo.” He hugged me to his chest, and jumped off the side of the cliff. Yep, right off the cliff. It’s what you’re supposed to do, actually. He opened his wings and began gliding downwards, spinning in lazy circles around the mountain. I felt safe, and warm. Tirgum was protecting me. So I fell asleep. When I woke up, we were in a caravan. A whole bunch of gryphons, some injured, all tired, trudging through a path in one of the foothills. I was in a cart full of supplies, being pulled along, towards the front of the caravan. Tirgum walked slowly beside it. I didn’t know what else to do. So I went with Tirgum. I didn’t know who he was, but I trusted him. We went through the trails, the ships, the commotion at Horseshoe Bay, and the long wait at Canterlot. Eventually we relocated here, and by then, he was family. You know the rest. * * * Cloudsdale, Third Residential District, 999 AB Gilda was sitting in her home in Cloudsdale. So was Rainbow Dash. Rainbow whistled. “That’s a pretty impressive story, G.” Gilda laughed. “Yeah.” The house was modest, but not poor. A single story, combination kitchen/dining room, and a large living room, where the the pair now sat. Enchanted furniture adorned the walls, keeping bookshelves and carpets from falling through the clouds. “But how come I’ve never heard it before?” Dash smiled a bit. “I mean, the Republic is like the...” she scratched her chin for a moment, counting on her hoof. “...third most frequent thing you talk about.” Gilda sighed. “Ah... I dunno, Dash. It’s more than just a story, you know? It’s my life. I don’t usually share it with anyone. I mean-“ she coughed, “-I, uh, usually talked about it with, y’know...” she trailed off. Rainbow Dash’s face softened, and she nodded, sympathetically. “I understand, G. How are you holding up?” Horribly. Gilda waved a claw, brushing away her macabre thoughts. “I’m fine, fine. Thanks, Rainbow.” she spared a glance at the numerous bookshelves, lining the walls. “It’s been three months. I... I think I’m doing better.” From one shelf, a framed photograph looked out at her. Tirgum, his feathers greyed and his eyes wrinkled, gently smiled back at her. “Well, I’m here for you, Gilda.” Rainbow smiled. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” Gilda laughed. “Pssh, I’m always cool, don’t you forget it.” Dash laughed. “Oh, please. you’re about as cool as a fried egg.” She stuck her tongue out. “Oh really?” Gilda teased. “Who beat you at a one-to-one race last Wednesday?” “Nopony can beat me because nopony is as fast as me.” Dash smirked. “Mare of the rainboom, right here.” “You’re right, nopony is faster than you,” Gilda answered, “but I can fly laps around you.” “Oh, please. Remember when I said all you talk about is history? That’s because you’re a raging egghead, who ALWAYS turns in her homework on time!” Gilda leaned in close. “Say that again.” As did Rainbow. “Make me.” For a moment, there was silence. Then, they tackled each other. Bang! Thump! The pegasus and the gryphon rolled around on the floor, each desperately trying to get a handhold on the other, both giggling incessantly. “Ahaha! Stop! No fair, you have hands!” “And I use them to their full potential!” Gilda reached a claw towards Dash’s hoof. “No! Not my hooves, not my-“ Gilda’s talon brushed the bottom of Rainbow’s back hoof, and she broke out laughing. “Bwahaa! Cut it out!” Gilda was grinning. “Say uncle!” “Uncle! Uncle I sweeaar! Ahahaa!” Dash banged a hoof on the ground. Gilda released her, and they broke apart, laying on the floor and giggling. “Oh, man, G, I swear I almost had you that time.” “Well, maybe next time you’ll grow some hands, or maybe some upper body strength.” As they lay there, exhausted but happy, small thoughts churned in Gilda’s mind. Ask her now. Ask her now! “Soo, uh, Rainbow,” Gilda ventured, cautiously. Dash took a moment to catch her breath entirely. “Yeah?” “You remember, some of the stories that Tirgum would tell, right?” Dash nodded. “Yeah, yeah. About his adventures in the Republic?” “Yep. Do you remember, uhh, when he mentioned my dad?” Gilda wrung her hands together. “Sure do. They did all sorts of wacky stuff together. They were, ahh, whatsit.” She tapped a hoof on the ground. “Met-something. Met-Valtnu.” Gilda blinked. “That’s... right, actually. Met-Valtnu, Life Brothers.” “Yeaaah, cool stuff. Those were some great stories.” “Yeah, yeah.” Gilda nodded, drawing out the pause for a moment, unsure how to proceed. “Do you know what that meant?” Dash shook her head. Gilda continued. “Well, it’s a pretty common thing in Gryphon culture. Basically, it means that the two will always have each other’s backs, and never abandon the other. Like, uh, a reaffirmation of loyalty, between two friends. Except, sorta solitary? Like-“ “Like best friends, except with a promise to always be there.” Dash nodded, smiling. “Yeah, I totally get that.” “Right! That’s, wow, that’s way better than how I put it.” Beat. “So, uhh...” Dash smirked. “Yes?” “On that topic,” Gilda approached, “I was wondering, maybe, if you don’t mind-“ “Yes.” “What?” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Dude, yeah, totally. I think that would be super awesome!” Gilda smiled, excitement bubbling within her. “R-really?” “Why not?” Dash elbowed her friend. “Let’s be Met-Valtnus or whatever. You know you’ll always be my main girl, and I’ll always have your back.” “W-well with the feminine phrasing the suffix becomes Met-Valtna because valtna means sister so it’d be life sister but that’s not really important because that’s super awesome and-“ Gilda clamped a claw over her beak, swallowing her rambling. “Yeah, that’s... cool.” Dash rolled her eyes. “Well, alright then, my Valtna-amigo,” she said, “any special gryphon-y codewords or anything? How does this work?” Gilda chuckled. “Well, just this, actually. We talk about it and agree on it.” Rainbow beamed. “That’s it?” “That’s it. Plus, on legal paperwork, you’re filed as family and have a predetermined place on my will.” Gilda fiddled with her talons a bit. “That’s pretty much it.” The gryphon’s mannerisms were calm, but her heart raced at a mile a minute. Dash scooted over and put an arm around her. “This is pretty important to you, huh?” After a moment’s hesitation, Gilda returned the gesture. “Yeah. Thanks.” They sat on the ground for a moment. Gilda was smiling, thoughts running through her head. How could I have ever doubted. Dash playfully punched her in the arm. “Hey, you know what would make you feel better?” Gilda smirked. “What?” “Celebrating with a night at...” Dash smiled. “Fossy’s?” The gryphon laughed aloud. “Yeah, alright. Fossy’s it is.” * * * Fossy’s nightclub was not a terribly grandiose establishment. Once upon a time, several years ago, it had been one of the most happening places in Cloudsdale. Famous musicians from all over Equestria played music there, and it had lines around the block, just to enter. The nightclub Gilda looked at, however, was a club that was a tiny bit past its prime. The neon sign, once bright purple, flickered slightly around the cursive S. A lone bouncer, reading a magazine, barely nodded to Gilda and Rainbow Dash as they entered. The inside was no better. A scuffed tile floor, peeling paint on the walls. An old bar, that needed to be replaced. The faint smell of cleaning fluids. Gilda grinned. Ahh, Fossy’s. No place like it in the world. Several youths, freshly graduated from high school / flight school, littered the dance floor. Several more occupied the tables. A few of the pegasi waved to Gilda and Dash as the entered, sparing them a casual greeting. They took a seat at one of the empty tables. A silver pegasus was leaning at the DJ booth, gently scrolling through a pre-determined playlist. Rainbow glanced over at her. “Is that Silvermine?” Gilda spared a look, as well. “From Equish class?” “Yeah.” She shrugged. “I dunno. Could be.” The music drifted over them. Gilda drummed her talons on the table. “So what did you have in mind?” Dash shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe some food, hang around a bit. Relax, you know, chat.” “Yeah, totally.” Gilda shot a look over to the bar. “Think I can convince Weathered to give me booze?” Dash barely suppressed a laugh. “Pfft-! Sure thing, G.” Gilda frowned. “Hey, it almost worked last time!” “Yeah, and you were kicked to the curb when your voice cracked.” “Oh, look who’s talking.” Dash smirked. “Pot can call the kettle black, but the kettle’s still bla-“ “Just you wait an see, Dash. I bet I can do this with my eyes shut.” With that, Gilda casually wandered onto the dance floor. Several ponies nodded at her as she walked past. An encouraging number of ponies ignored her completely, or didn’t care that she was there. And still, several ponies, (none of whom she recognized) stared at her, with one part curiosity, one part shock, and several parts fear. Gilda looked straight forward, headed for the bar. Those ponies weren’t important, they never were. What was important was what was ahead of her. Weathered Glare was gently cleaning glasses behind the counter, a perpetual scowl on his features. Gilda casually slumped herself into a barstool, leaning with one elbow on the counter. Weathered stopped cleaning, and let out a long, heavy sigh. “Gilda...” “Hey there, Weathered.” The stallion turned to look her in the eye. “Gilda, you’re not supposed to sit at the bar.” Behind her, Gilda could perfectly imagine Dash breaking into fits of laughter. “Oh? And why not?” “Because you’re not old enough.” “Really?” Gilda faked shock. “How old do I look to you, man?” “Twenty.” He replaced the glass on the shelves. “Maybe twenty. If you quit acting so childish.” “Naw, see, gryphons are cooler than that.” Gilda smiled, brightly. “We just look young, because we always look great. I’m 22.” “Really?” Weathered gave a barking laugh. “Because I saw you in here for graduation just last year.” “Maybe I started flight school late, hmm?” Gilda spoke. “You wouldn’t know anything about that.” Weathered gave her his namesake Glare. “Gilda, go sit somewhere else.” “Come on! Two drinks. Just two!” “No.” “One drink, we’ll split it.” “No.” Gilda pursed her beak for a moment. “Okay, okay, half a drink for me, for the price of a full one, and a free cola for Dash.” “No.” “Come, on, Glare! Give me something to work with, here!” Weathered rolled his eyes, sighing again. “Ugh. If I give you both free colas, will you leave me alone? You pull this every other week.” Gilda smirked. “Yeah but I get free colas out of it.” With that, she left the bar, whisking back to her table. “Thanks for the drinks, you old hack.” He responded, yelling across the floor. “Bite me, you pubescent brat!” Gilda returned to her seat, laughing softly. “Eheh. Well, that didn’t exactly work.” “What, no booze?” Dash puzzled. “What were the drinks then?” “The old dweeb gave us free cola if I left him alone.” Rainbow once again broke into laughter. “Oh, cripes, G. You can’t just...” She shook her head. “Let up on Weathered a bit, hmm?” “Nah, man, he’s cool with it.” Gilda fidgeted in her chair. “I was just messing around. He’s cool.” At that moment, Weathered whistled at them, gesturing to two colas on the bar. Gilda spared Dash an apologetic look, then went to go fetch them. She made her way across the dance floor, retrieving the two drinks. “Hey, Weathered... you know I’m just messing with you, right? You’re actually pretty cool. Y’know, for a pony.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Kid, I’m made of tougher stuff than that.” Gilda relaxed. “Oh, yeah, I never-“ “-but you should learn to understand what ponies, or gryphons, or anyone, is trying to tell you, instead of how they see you.” She paused, digesting his words for a moment. “...What?” Weathered closed his eyes. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Enjoy your soda.” He trotted away, back to the bar. Gilda rolled her eyes. “Wiseass.” Dash kicked her under the table. “Aipe! What?” “Gilda.” Gilda huffed. “Ugh, he’s just being, I dunno...” “Helpful?” Dash offered with a smirk. Gilda huffed. “Listen, G, as your Met-Valkner-“ “Valtna.” “-I need you to trust me, right?” She smiled. “Besides, when have I ever steered you wrong?” Gilda laughed. “You mean besides when we nearly hit a mountain?” Dash smirked, but continued. “I mean, like, for real stuff. Y’know...” she elbowed the gryphon. “Met-Vattu-y stuff.” “Valtna.” Gilda rubbed her chin for a moment. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll think it over.” Dash leaned back in her seat, satisfied. She put her hooves up behind her head. Gilda snickered. “You’re really taking this seriously, aren’t you Dash?” “Why? Should I not be?” “No no no no,” Gilda quickly amended, “It’s great. I just didn’t expect you to take to it. It’s not very, I dunno, cool.” “The way you explained it, Gilda,” Dash took a long sip of her soda. “I figure it’s no different than what’s already here.” Gilda smiled, her heart warming to the words. Thanks, Rainbow. Instead of vocalizing her feelings, she leaned back as well, striking a cool pose in the old club. Things are pretty alright. “...and that’s why I’m moving.” Gilda snapped out of her reverie. “Hmm? What’d you say?” Dash groaned. “You weren’t listening for that whole speech, were you? I was talking for like a full minute.” “Eheheh...” Gilda fidgeted. “Maybe?” Dash rolled her eyes. “You can never bash on me for tuning out your history lessons again, okay?” Gilda nodded. “Fair enough. So what’d you say?” It’s crazy, I almost thought I heard her mention she’s moving. Hah-hah, she’d never- “I’m moving.” Internally, Gilda reeled. “W-what? Why?” “Well, I just got my weather manager’s certificate, and I need three years of in-air experience before I can apply for competitive flight teams. So I put out an application, and they needed a weather manager in Ponyville, Neigh Jersey, and Appleloosa. Ponyville was closest, and Flutters lives there now, so it seemed logical.” Gilda nodded dumbly. “Right. That makes sense. How, uhh...” Keep cool, Gilda. This is totally fine. “H-how long until you move?” “One week.” The warmth in Gilda’s chest flickered and died. “O-oh. Well, I get to help you pack!” Rainbow smiled. “Of course you do! You get to do all the heavy lifting.” The both shared a laugh. Gilda hardly smiled for the rest of the night. * * * One Week Later “This balloon is so slow.” “It can’t go any faster, G.” Gilda raised a claw in mock annoyance. “What’s this? The amazing Rainbow Dash, claiming to no be able to go any faster? I am in shock.” Rainbow rolled her eyes, sitting down in the small basket. Gilda was circling a large hot-air balloon, as it drifted lazily through the clear blue Equestrian sky. Patchwork fields of green rolled below the craft, as Rainbow Dash sat within, atop a small pile of precariously stacked luggage. Gilda glided over to the edge of the balloon basket, clinging to the side. “Why couldn’t you have just shipped your stuff there?” Rainbow laughed. “Everything shipped with Equestria Express to Ponyville gets beaten to all sorts of hell along the way, but nopony can really figure out why.” She patted a hoof on the bags, making the pile wobble slightly. “I’ve got important stuff in here!” Gilda harrumphed. “Besides, it’s not all that bad. At least it’s a nice view?” Gilda glanced out onto the horizon. As far as she could see were the gently rolling hills and fields of Equestria. Further in the distance were the hazy outlines of a mountain range, including one central spire with a very familiar city upon it. “Yeah, it’s a nice view.” Dash noticed Gilda’s gaze. “Hey, you used to live in Canterlot, right?” Gilda shrugged. “For a little while. A year or two.” “Miss it?” The gryphon closed her eyes. “Nah. I mean, I wouldn’t mind seeing it again some day, but I’m in no rush. Y’know?” Dash gazed towards the ground. “I guess. It’s just kinda weird, I guess. I’ve lived in Cloudsdale all my life, and suddenly I’m moving to Ponyville? To the ground? It’s not something I ever really considered.” “Tell me about it,” Gilda muttered. “What?” “Nothing. Go on.” Rainbow sighed. “I mean, you’ve lived in like a million places-“ “Three.” “-so I feel like I’ll be missing Cloudsdale a lot.” She once again put a hoof on the bags. Gilda drummed her claws on the basket. “Are those gonna fall out?” Rainbow waved a hoof. “Nah, they’re good.” “If you say so.” Gilda smiled. “It’s really not that bad. You’ll be too caught up trying to get into a new rhythm of things, and before you know it, you’ll have been there a year! At least, that’s how it always went with me.” “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Rainbow sighed. “Sitting around doesn’t really help me feel any less nervous, though.” “Why don’t you take a load off, then?” Gilda asked. “Fly around a bit, stretch your wings. I can watch your bags for a few minutes.” “No way, G. It’s not like I can’t sit still for less than an hour.” Gilda shrugged. “Suit yourself. I guess I’ll just have to relax for the both of us, then.” The gryphoness shot off of the basket, zooming through the air like a bullet. She flared her wings upwards, directing the cool flow of the atmosphere to guide her upwards into the sky. “Hey Dash!” she called out. “Check this! I call it the Grapevine!” Gilda flapped her wings, reaching a high altitude. She then pivoted herself so she was facing downwards, tucking her limbs into her body. Then, the gryphoness dived, shooting downwards. She flared her left wing slightly, sending her rolling to the right. Then, after a small moment of rolling, she tucked it in again, and repeated the action with her left wing. The result was a zig-zag dive, buffeting downwards in a nearly impossible pattern. After descending several hundred feet, Gilda pulled up out of the dive, hovering just slightly above the hot-air balloon. “How was that, Dash?” No response. “...Dash? Rainbow?” Gilda frowned, flapping towards the side of the balloon, and looked inside the basket. But instead of finding a cyan pegasus, congratulating her on her latest maneuver, all she found was a toppled pile of luggage, and a small amount of blood. Gilda’s eyes shot open. She looked downwards, to find the minuscule form of Rainbow Dash, tumbling unconsciously to the ground. In an instant, Gilda was diving, pumping her wings as fast as she could to gain the speed to catch up with Rainbow. The wind bit at her face like knives, but she continued diving. She had to save Rainbow. Thoughts from Flight School echoed in her mind. Remember, everypony, nopony can dive faster than somepony falling at full speed. You should always go flying with a buddy, and that buddy should always remember to catch their friend as fast as they can! Gilda gritted her teeth, the wind drawing tears from her eyes. She was gaining, very slowly, on the falling pegasus, and could make out now the individual colors in her mane. He eyes were closed, and he limbs tumbled randomly. But Gilda was not going fast enough. An internal calculator, evolutionarily ingrained into the grypon’s head, told her that she would not reach the ground in time. And whatever you do, children, remember–don’t go into a full dive at high speeds. You will be unable to open your wings again, and crashing into the ground head-first is an easy way to die. Gilda closed her wings completely, straightening herself out into an aerodynamic projectile, rocketing towards the ground. In almost no time at all, she had caught up with the descending pegasus. She grabbed her into her arms, holding her close to her chest. She then struggled to get her wings open. Her wings would not budge. Gilda struggled and struggled, but the stream of air trapped her wings at her sides, preventing her from freeing them. “Come on!” She shouted over the wind. Staring at the ground, she could see it coming closer and closer, an inverted plane of dirt above her head, coming down to crush her. Suddenly, an idea struck Gilda. She grabbed Dash tighter, then pushed her outwards, holding the pegasus away from her body. The limp form of Rainbow caught in the updraft, spinning the pair around so that the gryphoness was facing the sky, holding the pegasus above her. Almost immediately, the air caught on the underside of Gilda’s wings, yanking them open. Gilda cried out as pain shot through her joints, but thankfully nothing broke. The sudden descent suddenly made Rainbow very heavy in Gilda’s arms. She grabbed tightly, and thankfully Rainbow stayed in her grip. She had stopped less than twenty feet from a painful meeting with the ground. “Cripes, Rainbow,” she panted as she hovered in the air. “Don’t... don’t do that again.” She quickly began to ascend, thankfully, away from the ground and towards the balloon, which had begun to drift freely in the sky. * * * “There’s Ponyville.” Gilda looked out of the balloon, and saw a small town below, with a small train track running through it. Gilda nodded. “Yeah. By the way, I saw some blood, in the basket. Are you alright?” Dash nodded. “Yeah, it’s fine. When the luggage knocked me out, I think I bit my tongue.” This relieved Gilda’s worry somewhat. “Oh, gotcha.” Rainbow guided the balloon towards the railway station, where a large empty field sat empty, waiting for passengers of charter balloons such as these. Sitting on the edge of the field, waiting patiently, Gilda could make out a small, pink-and yellow pegasus. The balloon touched down with a thud, and Gilda and Dash hopped out, quickly tying down the basket. They then went to the work of piling the luggage onto the grass. The pegasus walked towards them, timidly. Wh... that’s a few hundred feet, easy, why is she just walking? Fly! Eventually, she reached the balloon. Dash put a hoof around the pegasus’s neck, turning her towards the gryphon. “Gilda! This is Fluttershy. You remember Fluttershy, right?” Gilda eyes the yellow mare appraisingly. She seemed familiar, but nor overtly so. She experimentally waved her claws. Fluttershy’s face was riddled with fear. She opened her mouth, made absolutely no sound, then shrunk into Rainbow’s arm. “Eheh...” Dash laughed, “She’s a bit shy.” Gilda nodded. “I’m sure she’s very... nice.” “Oh, the nicest.” They stood in silence for a moment, the balloon swaying overtly over their heads. “So...” Gilda began, “I guess this is it? For now?” Rainbow nodded. “Come visit sometime, eh? Soon, too.” “Oh, definitely.” “Us Valtnu’s can’t be left hangin, right?” Dash joked, punching Gilda’s side a bit. The gryphoness nodded. “Oh, you know it. Don’t, eh,” Gilda spoke a bit louder, to cover her slip. “Don’t get too lame without me, ey Dash?” Dash nodded, slowly, her face showing a vague disappointment, then pulled Gilda into a large hug. Gilda was shocked for a moment, but returned it gratefully. “You don’t need to be cool around me G.” “Hah...” Gilda laughed. “Because we’re the coolest.” Rainbow broke away, disappointment returning to her face. “No, G...” she was silent, then waved a hoof. “Ah, nevermind. I’ll miss ya.” “Me too.” they bumped hooves, then Gilda untied the balloon, and slowly floated into the air. She sat on the edge of the balloon, leaning on the walls of the basket and gazing downwards. Hmm... Maybe Cloudsdale is getting a bit stale, she thought. I wouldn’t mind a change of scenery. And why not Ponyville? It’s not a bad town. And Dash is there, so it works out. Her eyes widened, then narrowed. Not, not that I’d move towns just to be with my best friend, she quickly backpedaled. That’d be waaay to clingy. Totally lame. She scratched her chin. Maybe I’ll wait a bit, get everything sorted out in Cloudsdale. then I’ll go. Hell, it’ll be just like old times.