Rarity - Day 2
Kolec and Basak. Those were the two drakes Pinkie found in Twilight's library. One a rather daring crimson, the other a sharp navy.
As soon as the library started closing early and Twilight's been acting funny, it seems these two must've appeared around that timeframe, but for what purpose? And where did Spike go? How can we possibly get around this problem?
Sure, everybody came to the meeting and we know all the details, but what are we supposed to do with such facts?
I am beyond concerned for my Spikey-Wikey and can't bear to think of all the possibilities of what's to come of him, but there's no use getting mopey in public for something out of my control.
I find myself trotting around Ponyville, not sure what to make out of everything I've been told. I walked by everything: my boutique, the town hall, markets, houses, and eventually, Golden Oaks Library.
Even now, I didn't know what to make of it all. Maybe I should be angry or sad, but only confusion flowed through my body. Then I thought, Why not give our friend a visit?.
Of course! Why wasn't that thought of before! How could such a simple idea slip past my mind so quickly.
With determination, I approached the front door and knocked.
And knocked again.
And knocked again.
And knocked again.
And knocked again.
Before I knew it, it's been five minutes trying to catch Twilight's attention, but with no response. As I looked down, one sheet of paper stapled to the door stood out. A new schedule. It read as:
Monday - CLOSED
Tuesday - CLOSED
Wednesday - CLOSED
Thursday - CLOSED
Friday - CLOSED
Saturday -CLOSED
My goodness! From closing one hour earlier last week to not being opened at all this week? What, in the name of Celestia, could be causing Twilight to need to miss out on all social interactions for weeks?!
I was worried, without a doubt, but if she wouldn't come to the door, I couldn't force her to. Sighing, I began walking back...until...shuffles came from just the other side of the door. Then whispers.
"You know you shouldn't be doing that! Imagine all the trouble we could get in!"
"Oh come on, man! What's the worst that can happen? We'll open the door and it'll turn into a gateway to Tartarus?"
"Shut up, Kolec! We can't always act so carefree, I don't want to get caught in the act."
"Live a little! Besides, haven't you wanted to do something more than the daily grind every day for the past couple weeks?"
"Whatever, dude. Just don't blame me if she comes back."
The sounds of metal creaked from the inside, unlocking, scratches, and wood falling down screeched through my ears, and I covered them and cowered my head low. Am I about to see the two dragons Pinkie spoke of?, I thought as the sound suddenly stopped. My composure was stiff as I lifted my head, craving to know what lay behind the door.
A scaly hand slowly pushed the door open to where a small creak of light sheen burst out to a corner. Before I could react in my cautious and confused attitude, a baritone voice quickly whispered, "Come in."
Suddenly, a coldness fell through my body as my hooves motioned the door slightly more open. There's no turning back at this point, I simply must know, I thought to myself.
My head and ears popped in, but there was nothing inside. The rest of my body came in as well, with my vision looking for anything out of line...
"Freedom at last!" that same baritone voice yelled as it got closer. Then I saw him. Crimson scales, yellow spines, hazel eyes, and a care-free attitude.
Kolec the dragon.
He swiftly drug right past me and zoomed out of the door, skipping. Such a hyperactive likeness could only be matched by Pinkie Pie.
"No, don't-! Oh gosh, I knew something bad would happen in no time..." a deep bass voice filled the room, "Of course something bad would happen now! Why not make my day worse than it already is..."
His body had marvelous navy scales with yellow spines, stopping short at his back I might add, sky blue eyes, and a look of discontent was written all over him.
Basak the dragon.
"Well? Are you gonna talk at all or was it a complete waste of time letting him open the door? It's not like I'm going out there to find him." he remarked to me, as I suddenly snapped back to the world.
"...Oh! I'm so sorry, my dear! It's just...I've only ever seen one tame dragon before besides you two! It's...peculiar to see such different features on someone with a similar size as-"
"Spike, I presume?" He says nonchalantly as he looks at his claws in front of him.
"W-well..." the nervous wreck in me striking my brain, "Y-Yes. He's a great dragon, he helps me a lot my own boutique!" I try to smile a wide grin.
Basak suddenly averted his eyes away from his claws and up at me, seemingly thinking of something. "You're..." he began dangling his claw at me as the other scratched his head, "Rarity, right?"
Sweating bullets, I nodded furiously and began to ask, "H-how did you know that?"
His eyes lift as he shrugs, "I don't...really know. It's weird, I didn't really listen to a word Twilight was telling me and Kolec, was too disinterested. Spike was mentioned a lot and how he had a connection, not to mention our visits with Celestia and Luna, where they asked me a bunch of useless questions, like What is your name? and What can you remember?. It was all very boring to me, didn't care. But, I'm getting way off topic here..."
I made sure to keep all the details stored in my head as he talked, and to get more information, I asked, "So, what have you been doing all day after your visits? You haven't really gone outside or interacted with any pony else, have you?"
"Unfortunately, you are correct. Twilight doesn't think it's a good idea, but I'm starting to understand where Kolec is coming from. Even if he is an airhead at times..." He rolls his eyes.
"So...That Kolec, huh? You've been stuck with him for a while now, I would think. What do you think about him?"
"Well...illogical, yet outgoing. He has a knack for talking to others, even if I don't particularly care for it. Very charismatic and also creative. I don't think any of the castle cooks can create half the deliciousness of his meals, and they've trained their entire life. But like I mentioned before, very illogical. Don't count on him for math, sciences, knowing trivia, or making an ounce of sense. He's not a bad guy, overall, but I can imagine him causing a lot of trouble if in the wrong situation." He scrunched his mouth and looked down, and suddenly brought it back up along with his claw.
I pondered everything he said, but not much could be questioned, and I had no idea how to continue from what he said. Then I looked up at him, Yes! He's going to talk!
"Why'd you even come here in the first place, Rarity?"
I would like those seconds of silence back, please! I thought, but I knew it couldn't be avoided. "If you must know, Twilight hasn't come out of that library for nearly a week! She didn't tell us anything either! You can only imagine how worried we were! Speaking of which....where is she now if she isn't here?" I asked. This is it, this could answer so many questions if he can tell me!
"Now that you mention it...." Bingo! "She was mentioning Spike today, as usual, and said she had to go pertain to something called Duality Gem. I dunno if it's a project or an item, but she said it was in Canterlot. I don't think she arrived yet though, considering how long the train usually takes and when she left, which was about three quarters of an hour ago."
To say I was blank-faced was an understatement, my mind practically drifted off the face of Equestria. Within ten seconds the drake was waving his claw in front of my face and I suddenly got out of it. "Uh...I'm fine."
"You sure? Did you forget the alphabet or anything? Forgot any letters?"
"N-No..." I said slowly, but something he said struck me. Alphabet, it contains letters. Letters.
Letters!
"Hey! This might sound like a weird sudden question to ask, but can you...cough up fire?" I asked frantically.
"Yeah...? Why?" He eyed me with a cautious glare.
"Just wait here a second! I need to make something really quick!"
And like that, I sprinted to Twilight's sign out desk and found a quill and a sheet of paper. I grabbed the quill with my mouth and began writing.
Dear Princess Celestia,
I was able to use Basak's flame to transport this message, if you have this, it was a success!
I've had a few lingering thoughts about Duality Gem. Could you possibly lay out all the information I need to know about it?
Even the information you think I already know, I just need a complete refresher for my analysis.
Mail it back to Basak ASAP, I'll read it once I'm back at the library!
Your Faithful Student, Twilight
I had to copy Twilight's penmanship mark for mark, it had to be convincing, or else Celestia wouldn't bite into the bluff. I knew she had to be in on Twilight's scheme, she just had to be!
With finished work, I got up and rolled up the scroll and prepared it for delivery. Then I walked back to Basak to, hopefully, get the job done.
"Alright, you devilishly handsome drake, I need you to focus all of your thought into Princess Celestia's throne room. Then, when you think you have enough focus," I quickly put the scroll into his claws, "You need to spit fire onto the scroll."
Basak stared at me like I was insane, not that I can blame him, he's never done it before nor has he heard of it. With one beckon toward the letter, he finally nodded and closed his eyes. Ten seconds later, they opened once again and he opened his mouth, poofing fire upon the letter.
The letter dissipated like it should have.
I was practically squealing on the inside, almost couldn't contain it! This mystery may conclude today if it goes right!
"Now we wait!" I said triumphantly.
"Mind me asking for what?" the tall drake asked with a narrowed eye.
"Well, let's just say I'm waiting for a burp." I giggled, leaving the dragon extremely confused.
"This better not take too long...I still have to make sure Kolec doesn't go nuts out there, and I don't want to be there after night's fallen. I shouldn't have even talked to you, but...It beats having to deal with him all the time I suppo-" but his word was drawn short when he covered his mouth and showed clear discomfort.
"No, no...Go ahead! It's not that big of a deal!" I told him boldly, even though I hated the noise that regurgitated from the letter coming.
He quickly nodded and let go of his grip. It was a monstrous burp, way more extreme than any of Spike's. A scroll dropped to the floor and rolled over to my feet.
I picked it up and opened it up without even thinking! I was so ready to see what was on that paper....
But I wasn't.
I was shaking as I read it, teeth practically crunching together, and eyes wider than walking in on one of Pinkie's surprises.
The scroll wasn't what I expected at all. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that.
I couldn't stay here, and so my legs mindlessly drove me out of the house.
"You could've at least said bye!" Basak said in the distance, but I couldn't be bothered to answer him or even look back.
What I saw needed to be shared.