//------------------------------// // Vis-à-Vis // Story: It's The Thought That Counts // by DerpyMuffins15 //------------------------------// A purple scaled dragon scurried along a library corridor as fast as his little hind legs could carry him. His upper half was covered behind a wall of books that stacked well above the scales that adorned his head. For such a small creature, the assistant without breaking a sweat bought all the books request by Twilight. Spike knew Twilight all his life, but then again his life was barely that of a decade. He worked hard to ensure that the bookworm he calls family was well stocked with everything a student would need. “I got all the books you request from the Canterlot archives, Twilight,” announced Spike as he set the musty books onto an already strained table that threatened to topple should more weight be added. “Thanks a lot Spike!” answered cheerful Twilight. She magicked a stack of books she was done reading and note taking on to Spike, who took the books without showing any signs of straining. “Once we’re done here, I’ll take you to the gem store and buy you some as a treat,” Twilight cajoled. She knew the young dragon’s sweet tooth for gems well and had a few bits to spare to show her appreciation. “Really?!” an excited Spike asked, doubling his efforts to complete the work as quick as possible. He got a nod and smile from the kind mare, whom he has grown up to see as both a mother/sister. Of course he sees Trixie as a close family member as well, but the magician had a scaly assistant of her own like Twilight did. “Anything for my number one assistant,” replied Twilight. She opened the stack of books Spike brought and jotted down the knowledge she hungrily devoured from the books. Both she and the trusting assistant had been at the Canterlot library all morning and midday was creeping to them quickly. Sunlight that shone through the stained glass was enough indication of how late it was and since Twilight used endlessly lit candles of her own creation, time really did slip from her now and again. Racing back and forth from the library shelf and the creaking desk, Spike took towering heaps of books one at a time and returning them to their proper homes. Spike sometimes found Twilight’s attention to detail and organization tiresome, but nonetheless also appreciated the respect she had for books. The fortress of both new and old pages fell one wall at a time as Spike returned them as subtly as he could as to not disturb Twilight. By the time he was down to the last stack, Twilight was already done and helped him return the final books to their respective spaces. “You’re the best Spike!” Twilight complemented, books wrapped in magic by her horn and Spike wrapped in a hug with her foreleg. Spike blushed and returned the hug. He was glad to have Twilight in his life. She was kind, fair, and always treated him to a bowl of sapphires. Admittedly, his stomach probably appreciated Twilight just as much as he did. “I know,” thanked Spike. The purple duo exited the front entrance of the library, both of them waving goodbye to the greying librarian that gave them a warm smile in return. The frosty air hit gently, brushing against her fur and making her cheeks and ears rosey from the temperature drop. Spike was well equipped for heat or cold. His scales would not let anything penetrate the harden membrane. Albeit young, his scales protected him well, which with age would make it nigh impossible to pierce. A fact that Twilight once read to him when she was studying dragon biology. However, before they could head anywhere from the library doorsteps, a smiling earth pony in a butler suit awaited them patiently. Twilight and Spike gave a warm welcome and exchanged pleasantries once the trio met up. From the overcoat of his butler vest he produced a fresh scroll, which he delivered to Twilight. Having completed his task, the butler took his leave. Both Twilight and Spike eyed the letter as magic unwrapped it. Spike’s eyes went from the scroll to where the earth pony once stood, but got nothing but a crowd of ponies that pranced in their respective lanes. The butler had the best disappearing and reappearing trick Spike had ever seen, which he was curious to learn since day one of meeting him. “Is it from Trixie?” Spike asked as his attention returned to the letter. He was awakened this morning well before the sun had even risen, since Twilight’s schedule was also his own. Trixie would always sleep in, which Spike envied a little bit. Twilight’s eyes moved like a typewriter, left then right and left again. She mouthed the words silently as she read, and relayed the contents back to Spike. “It’s from her,” Twilight answered, magicking the parchment to Spike to read, “She’s going to a seamstress to buy some winter clothes for us.” “Already?” Spike asked. The autumn air was certainly cold in Canterlot, but not enough to warrant buying new clothes. “Won’t it be expensive buying from the local stores?” His concerns were met equally by Twilight. The both of them remember indefinitely the week that the entire Lulamoon household had to ration food supplies because a certain Trixie had spent their monthly allowance without as much a look at their budget. Spike’s stomach grumbled at the remembrance. His secret stash of gems was down to their last leg during that week. Twilight noted her assistant's troubles, and reassured him with a gentle pat on the back, "Don’t worry Spike. I’ve been in strict control of our finances for a while now. I always have a plan.” Worries abated, Spike stored the scroll into the saddlebags on Twilight. “Are you sure? We don’t have to go the gem store. I’m sure there are some leftover gems still in the house.” Twilight gave slight frown at Spike’s worrying nature, but it just meant he cared. Giving a small sigh and relaxing her shoulders that she had tensed, Twilight could not help but shoot a sorry smile to Spike. Pulling him close, she felt that welcoming warmth the dragon always offered her as she hugged Spike. “It’s fine Spike. When I said that I would get you gems I meant it as a promise.” Although she got pleading eyes from Spike that reminded her of his worries, she cooed the dragon in relaxing. She felt as much indebted to Spike as he was to her. The least she could do for the little dragon was show him there was nothing to worry about. “Really though, Twilight, we don’t have to go. I can just make us some sandwiches are home,” protested the dragon. His stomach betrayed his words as it growled a second time. Just like how a yawn spreads from person to person, Twilight’s own stomach grumbled its emptiness. “Then how about we just get one gem and make some sandwiches at home after?” compromised Twilight. She took the response she got from Spike’s stomach as yes. “I guess one gem wouldn’t hurt...” Spike admitted. He did not want to spend any extra bits if they could, but he really wanted to taste sapphires again. “Don’t worry so much Spike,” Twilight said as she lead the way to their local jeweler, “We’ll make it through this month somehow. We both still have our own piggy banks if worse comes to worse.” Both of them grimaced of the prospect of having to open their last reserves of bits. Now Spike really did not want to go get the gem. However, his protest was met calmly by Twilight’s smile, which did somewhat reassure him that she had a plan. He sighed and gave in, hoping that future Spike would be in a better situation than present Spike was in. “Did Trixie say anything else?” “Just that she would be back in a couple of days,” Twilight answered. The door handle was pulled open by a magenta aura as she and Spike both entered. The jeweler had known the two that entered his store the moment the bell on the door rang. Often the duo were regular customers, odd customers in that most ponies bought gems to wear, but these two bought gems as a snack. The jeweler had an ocular in one, examining the quality of a polished ruby, but gently set the gem down to greet the two. “Hello Twilight, Spike. What is the young student up to today?” asked the young unicorn. “Just finishing some studying at the library,” Twilight answered with a friendly smile. “Spike here,” she ushered to the young dragon, “wants a gem today.” The jeweler smiled, and turned to Spike, “What are you having today, Spike? Your usual?” He magicked out a bag of sapphires which he always had stashed for the duo. Spike’s mouth watered as the pouch of gems was levitated in the air. His reptilian eyes narrowed onto the bag like it was a prey he had stalked for a duration of no less than a month. Reluctantly, Spike declined much to the jeweler’s surprise. “No thanks Crystal Clear. I’ll have that one,” the dragon answered, pointing to a hexagonal amethyst. The mineral was then levitated and wrapped in some lining and tied together with a ribbon by Crystal. The aura around the gem turned from an orange hue to a mulberry, the amethyst flying one direction and a pocket of bits flying in the opposite. “Please come again!” smiled Crystal as both Twilight and Spike left his store. Once again, Twilight and Spike braved the weather, walking the sidewalk towards their small, but comforting home. Their pace was slower than the ponies around them, choosing a nonchalant speed that eventually returned them to their dwelling. A key magicked out of her saddle bags which Twilight used to unlock the door. Inside the cooling house, Twilight quickly shut the door behind them as to not let the cold in. Spike lit the fireplace inside the living room with his fire breath, which came alive with a shot of emerald flame. Warmth once again spread throughout the room with the soft crackling of the wood. “Do you want a daisy sandwich Twilight?” called Spike as he entered the kitchen, “or maybe some pea soup?” “A sandwich is fine Spike!” shouted Twilight across the living room into the kitchen. Her saddlebags were teleported upstairs and next to a desk within her shared room. “What are you hungry for?” she asked, trotting into the kitchen. “I’m just gonna make a sandwich for myself,” answered the hatchling chef. He donned a daisy apron and placed the completed sandwich on a plate for Twilight. He took off his effects and took a seat beside Twilight at the kitchen table. He made himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Even though he was certainly not a student, he was definitely living the life of one. Twilight’s sandwich had the crest cut off for her while Spike’s was lightly toasted due to his dragon breath. The unlikely duo munched on their lunch respectively enjoying the warmth of the house and each other’s presence. No words were exchanged until Spike spoke first, “So it’s just us for the next couple of days?” “Seems like it, Spike,” gulped Twilight as she swallowed the rest of her sandwich. Two cups were levitated from the cabinet which were then filled with tap from the sink. She drank form one and the other was given to Spike. “Which probably means she isn’t buying winter clothes in Canterlot.” As quickly as she said it, her little assistant breathed out deeply, as did she just to reassure herself. “Boy am I glad to hear that,” smiled Spike, finishing his sandwich. Before him a checklist was manifested out of thin air as well as quill and ink well. “What’s up next on the list?” “Nothing that requires us to go outside anymore Spike,” Twilight replied. She flashed her horn and both of their plates floated towards the sink with their glasses of water. Dish soap and a green scrubby began washing the dish and rinsed themselves afterwards. “Just some reading for the rest of the day.” Spike smiled at their agenda. As much as he liked spending his time in a library, quality time at home and some light reading were very much in order. He followed Twilight upstairs into her room. The door had a hanging wooden star with both Trixie’s and Twilight’s name on it. Spike pushed open the door for his mentor like the gentle-dragon he was. “What are you reading today Twilight?” inquired Spike. He settled onto the basket that Twilight had provided for him as sleeping accommodation. “More astrology books?” “Actually it’s a book from Princess Celestia herself!” exclaimed Twilight clapping her forehooves together. “I just received it today in the mail with this letter,” explained Twilight further. She unsheathed a single parchment from her saddlebags, walking slowing to her bed with Spike’s undivided attention on the ancient piece of mail. She invited the young draco onto her side of the bed with a small pat from her hoof. Spike eagerly climbed the soft mattress and joined Twilight where she layed. “Princess Celestia sent you another letter?” He asked. The dragon gingerly spread his forearms and hind legs over the small space that Twilight had allowed him. It was as soft and comfy as the last time he was allowed on her bed. It was probably due to magic that the mattress never lost its texture he guessed. Twilight was as curious as her dragon was as to why she was receiving so many letters as of late, especially from the sole duchess herself. “This one makes five this week,” noted Twilight, unfurling the letter, “She has been asking how my studies are going and what my independent research has me doing.” The draco chuckled at how casually Twilight talked about Princess Celestia now. He distinctly remembered when they first received a letter from the solar patrician. Twilight would not stop hyperventilating for at least an hour by his count and would then test the legitimacy of the letter with every spell she knew for the rest of the day. “What book did she send you?” A thin sheet of brown wrapping covered the book, which was tied neatly with a single strand of string. Spike picked up the book and with an approving nod from Twilight began undoing the bow. His claws gently ripped the cover, which loudly wrinkled as he folded it neatly and set it down to the floor. The cover was very worn and even to Spike’s untrained eye the pages within has seen its fair share of use. He was afraid the binding would come undone if he applied anymore pressure. However, that did not deter him from admiring the depiction on it. A unicorn was dead center of the old page and was clad in golden armor with a single turquoise eye. “Seems kind of old doesn’t it?” Twilight’s attention switched from her mentor’s letter to Spike and then to the book. He was spot on about the age, but it raised another question in her after her own examination of the it. “I’ve never seen a book like this before,” Twilight commented, “I wonder why the Princess would send me something like this?” “Maybe a reading assignment or book report?” Spike suggested with a shrug of his shoulders, “although I guess the reading won’t be as long this time around,” noted Spike. “Could be one of those read between the lines book.” “Only one way to find out!” smiled Twilight. The cover gently flew open with a portrait of two sisters standing side by sister followed.