//------------------------------//
// "The Pick Me Up" (by Warpd) 
// Story: Illicit Snacks 
// by tosety 
//------------------------------//

The old family grandfather clock chimed four times, Erebus’ eyes glazed over as she stared at her report. She could hear the bats outside feasting upon insects and fruit in the garden. The full moon lazily crossed the sky, not that the student cared.

“This is not working.” The drowsy mare pulled out a jar of peanut butter, took a spoonful out and chomped down. “Magons with trans- have a preferable upside spin for evocation and conjuration effects. No wait. That’s wrong. Ugh.”

Erebus’ thestral wings smacked together over her head. “I can’t do this. I need more energy. Test, papers, presentation, and an oral report all tomorrow.” Erebus check the clock. “Today. All today. What wicked pony created this schedule, and what did students to do earn her ire.”

She flicked her quarter empty peanut butter with a clawed wing. “Months, weeks, and sleepless nights. I still don’t feel ready.”

Failure was waiting. 

“No. I can’t quit.” The thestral slammed her hooves on the table. “This is the biggest day of my life. Magons, chaons, and--”

Erebus promptly collapsed onto her desk. Drool dribbled onto her report as her ears twitched.

Three hours later, and 30 minutes late to school.

Bloodshot eyes, heavy breathing, and twitching wings, Erebus sat on a bench outside her next class. “That first test. I’m not going to survive today.”

An empty jar of peanut butter fell out of her saddlebag. “I’m out. I need a pick me up. This is going straight to tartarus. Unless…”

Erebus looked around, down the hall and up the stairs. Her horn glowed dark as if to perform a blasphemous ritual mimicking the dark arts of traitors from an ancient hedonistic age. A jar of Jif peanut butter popped into existence. “Well Mr. Jif the Human, your peanut butter will make or break me.” She then devoured the jar like a vampire on an unsuspecting colt.

Her eyes went wide, pupils dilated, wings outstretched.”Eeeeeeee!”

The jittery thestral headed off to her presentation. Twitching like a possessed mare.