• Published 6th Nov 2012
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The Reader - GnollReader



A gnoll appears in the Canterlot library and is forced to cope with an endless amount of problems as it gets to know the ponies a bit better.

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Chapter 20: Pony books

After Celestia had given what she would forever remember as her weirdest lecture ever the gnoll just stared at her for minutes.

He had just been told some very, very strange things. It did explain quite a few open questions though. The chapter with a stallion that first slapped, and then ate a donkey had been confusing. Now that he knew though that 'ass' didn't just mean donkey... he shuddered.

He observed the little book in his paws, "Scar knows about mating and love... but this..." he turned to Celestia, "Ponies have very strange taste."

She lightly blushed, "Some of the ponies have a more lively fantasy than others I'm afraid."

"Big white pony reads this kind of books?" he asked out of the blue.

Her eyes went wide as her face turned fully red, "What? No, no, I'd never... I mean I..." she tried to compose herself, "No, Scar, I do not read these kind of books. They aren't suited for a pony of my status."

He raised an eyebrow, "Then why does big white pony know the dirty words in book?"

She was caught. "Well... I..." the gnoll's face was unmoving. She didn't know what to say.

The gnoll suddenly laughed, "Silly white pony, is no reason to feel shame. Scar does not judge others taste. If big white pony likes things like..." he skipped to a page in the book, "Ahh... there, 'Riding the sugar river'..." he couldn't help but chuckle, "Then gnoll will not think less of pony." he looked at the lines again, "Does not seem very comfy though..."

If she could have sunk into the ground she would have, "Could we not talk about this anymore? I feel like I need a long bath now." a very long bath.

He chuckled, "No worry white pony, Scar has learned enough for today."

She sighed in relief, "Thank you very much."

With that she bid him farewell and left. When he returned to the library he was still chuckling.

---

As he entered the tree he met Purple Haze, "You're looking happy. Everything go well?" he seemed more cheerful than usual.

"Yes, Scar learns many new words."

"You... please tell me you're not talking about the little book." When he brought her the black book she had been speechless. She had read adult literature before, all the guards had, but nothing like this. If he hadn't been so fond of its smell he wouldn't even have bought it. She hadn't been able to convince him of giving it up, but as far as she was concerned she would rather shovel coals than teach the gnoll about pony fetishes. The princess would have her hide for that. Let the librarian take this one.

Twilight hadn't been a help, but at least her reaction was funny. She had been stuttering for minutes even though she had only read half a chapter. At some point she had simply gone upstairs mumbling about indescribable perversions and hay makers.

"Scar has learned all dirty book's words. Scar must say, ponies have very wild tastes." he chuckled as he went by her and sat down.

"Ughh, which sane pony would teach you about that?"

"Big white pony comes to visit Scar. Scar asks and white pony explains words to Scar..."

"YOU WHAT?!?" a third voice shouted. Twilight Sparkle had come down the stairs. The gnoll couldn't help but think that he had never seen a pony with bigger eyes before. And when had Purple Haze gotten so pale?

---

He had left the tree shortly after. Both ponies had thrown a fit and Purple Haze and Twilight were arguing whether or not it was a good idea to write the princess a letter asking about a certain book. Purple Haze was strictly against it. Twilight couldn't believe the princess would have knowledge of such things. The gnoll had simply handed them the little book and had told them to read it.

"Read book. Scar thinks is strange book, but still good book. Is funny. Maybe ponies learn something new. Then can decide if book good or bad. Gnoll will go hunt in forest, needs food." he had told them.

When he had gone the two ponies stood in front of the little book. Silent.

"There is no way I'm going to read that! It's terrible that anypony would even write something like this! Did you ever read anything like that? I mean, what in all of equestria is a hayseeder apple pie?"

Purple Haze sighed, "You read a lot of things on guard duty. But I must admit, this takes the cake." They went into the kitchen to discuss what to do with the book. They somehow agreed to lock it away from public eyes, it simply wasn't something that should be found in a public library. They didn't hear it when the door to the tree was opened.

---

Fluttershy had come to the library to find a book on herbs. She had met the gnoll on her way and even though the thought of him hunting sent shivers down her spine she knew it was a natural part of life. At least he had promised her not to hunt any of her pets. That was very nice of him.

The library seemed empty, but there was a little black book lying on the floor. It seemed strange for Twilight to leave a book on the floor. Maybe it fell down? She picked it up to put it into one of the shelves. There was no title on it. Out of curiosity she read a few lines.

---

When Twilight and Purple Haze finally returned into the main room they found Fluttershy sitting at a table, the book lying to her side. "Oh hello Fluttershy! Did you come for the book on herbs... oh no. Please tell me you didn't read that book."

Fluttershy just sat there, not responding. "Fluttershy? Are you alright?"

She slowly turned to Purple Haze and Twilight, "I... I'm not sure." she looked at the book and visibly shuddered. "Twilight?"

"Yes, Fluttershy?"

"What's a wing shot?"

Twilight cringed. Purple Haze raised an eyebrow, what kind of pegasus didn't know what that was?

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