The boom of a thunderclap vibrated the castle and rattled the crystal workings of it. The sound didn't distort on its way through the hard exterior, and Starlight Glimmer's ears twitched at the sound when it reached her. It wasn't long before the echoes faded away into the drone of raindrops hitting the crystal castle and the soft whistles of the whipping winds. It was a shame that no one else was here to enjoy the amazing ambiance with her, especially her former mentor Twilight Sparkle and Spike.
A visit to Canterlot required them a few days ago, for reasons thankfully not apocalyptic. They could be back by the light of morning when the storm had long since passed and it was safe for travel. Starlight softly trotted down the hallway en route to the library, with a piping hot mug of cocoa and a lot candle held in the aura of her magic. If she was going to enjoy this night alone, then she was going to enjoy it in style.
Upon entering the library, she waltzed over to a specific section of shelved books and scanned the area for a particular work of fiction. She smiled as she pulled out one of her favorite tales, The Little Kite that Could. "Yep. Perfect," She purred to herself.
Starlight wandered over to a particularly large pillow and nestled down on one side of it, before dragging a puffy blanket over her shoulders. With a pleased sigh, she opened the book and took a small sip of the hot drink.
Once upon a time, in a world full of unique kites, She read mentally. There was a little kite that lived among other kites. All the other kites were big and magnificent, but--
Another round of thunder blasted in the air, but this time it was followed by a sharp crackling sound and something heavy falling outside. Starlight frowned and got up to trot to the front door, taking a timid look outside. It was hard to see in the darkness, coaxing her to squint until a flash of lightning gave her the glimpse she needed. Not too far from the castle, a tree lay on its side in the rain-soaked ground, its body severed in half and scorched.
"Yikes." Starlight leaned out more and pushed the door even more ajar. "Good thing that didn't fall in the road."
It was a good thing that it didn't fall in the road. It wasn't a good thing that something scurried between her hooves and into the castle.
She shrieked, suffice to say and took a giant leap back from the door. Whatever had just run inside took a turn down the right hallway and disappeared around the corner. The unicorn shut the door and released a held breath to control herself. Her distraction must have let in a rat or something!
And now she'd have to be rid of it before Twilight got home. Ugh.
The mare trailed after where she had last seen the small creature run off and was mildly pleased to hear loud clatter coming from the kitchen. As slow as a stalking tiger, Starlight traveled the length of the hall and entered the doorway of the kitchen. Her magic turned on the light. There was no sign of the animal or it being her except for the pots and pans scattered on the ground. Her body, already tense with apprehension, flinched when an overturned pot moved just slightly.
Ugh, just my luck.
She grasped a nearby broom and held it at the ready. Then, like ripping off a band-aid, she lifted the pot away from the ground entirely. Starlight stared and gasped in surprise. "Okay, I'm starting to wish it was a rat after all."
Alas, while the creature was very small, it was clearly bigger than a rat. The body was mildly pear-shaped, clearly quadruped and a mix of black and white. To white stripes rain down its back while a line of white separated the two tiny eyes. If it weren't for the puffy tail, the minuscule ears, and the badger stance, Starlight might have thought this was a very small baby panda.
Starlight tilted her head to study the skunk closely. It looked soaked to the bone and frightened, shaking as if an earthquake were in its body. Its black eyes were liquid orbs of fear as they stared up at her, trying to determine if she was good or bad.
The unicorn felt a lump of pity make itself at home in her belly; Wild animal or not, she couldn't bring herself to throw it back out into the relentless downpour--not with trees being struck by lightning. "Hmm...I definitely can't have you getting water all over the place." The mare pulled a dry towel from one of the cabinets in the room and gently began to ease it down behind the skunk. It made a low humming noise and shuddered away from the towel. "It's okay. It's okay. Just keep still..."
Maybe it was her soothing tone or the tired state of its body, but the skunk pup elected to remain as still as it could. The towel wrapped itself around the quivering animal and gently rubbed it dry of the water that once weighed it down. When it was done, it left only a calm poofy ball of black and white fur.
Starlight stepped slightly closer and petted the back of the animal with a hoof. She half expected the baby to turn around and spray her right in her face, but that was not the case. Perhaps it wasn't old enough to do it. "There. That wasn't so bad, was it?"
The skunk sneezed--a tiny snort like a kitten. "I'll take that as a no? Maybe?"
The mare watched as the small animal rubbed at its face with a paw, likely drying water from its muzzle. It didn't seem natural that a baby would be this far from any forest areas, without any siblings or parents nearby. Not that she was complaining, since an adult skunk would have actually sprayed her for being near its baby. "I guess I can't put a little guy like you back out in this weather. I'll...probably pass you off to Fluttershy or someone else when its over, so don't get too comfortable. "
The skunk pup blinked up at her with grateful, wide eyes of black and waddled over to her ankles. Starlight tensed up as it circled one of her hooves, gave it an experimental sniff and settled for rubbing up against it. It's warm body heat contrasted strangely with her own fur, and it was so very warm. Plus, it made the cutest little purring noise--
Starlight wiped the smile off of her face; this was some random wild animal, and a skunk no less. She was not going to get attached to it when she planned to get rid of it soon enough. So, she briskly stepped back from the skunk and watched it stumble.
"Well, I think you should stay here until morning." Using her magic, she levitated the same towel and folded it into the corner of the room. Then she urged the little skunk onto the towel and turned her nose upwards as it sniffed at its new bedding. "Stay put."
It didn't occur to her that she was talking to an animal, but she talked anyway. The mare didn't give another bit of spare time, briskly walking away to trace her steps back to the library.
"Now, where was I...? Ah, yes." Starlight plopped down on the big pillow and levitated the cocoa to her lips. It wasn't as hot as it was before, but it was still decent. And luckily, she left off at the beginning of the book, so she wouldn't have to flip through anything to search for her place. Resting once more, she began:
Once upon a time, in a world full of unique kites, there was a little kite that lived among other kites. All the other kites were big and magnificent, but the little kite was a plain blue color. The big kites all laughed at the tiny kite and--
"Skiff."
...and the little kite was sad because he thought he would never be as important as the big kites. One--
"Skiff."
...One day, the big kites were playing with--
"Skiff."
Starlight looked up, half annoyed and half confused. The candle didn't reveal who opened the door, or even the door itself. Two dots of shine waddled in from the doorway, sneezing as they approached her. She gave a surprised gasp when she discovered the intruder to be that skunk, carrying the towel in its tiny jaws.
"Hey! What are you doing in here?!" She said with an indignant huff. The skunk stopped next to her side, blinking with adorable confusion. "I told you to stay in the other room."
The skunk pup stared and stared some more. "Skiff." It sneezed.
"Well? Go back." Starlight gestured to the door.
The pup tugged the towel over until it rested by her side, then it curled up against her soft belly fur and tucked its paw beneath itself. Starlight sighed, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't think that was the most adorable thing ever. Maybe it was cold in the kitchen, and there'd be no warmer place than right next to her. "Fine. But you're getting too comfortable. It's off to Fluttershy for you in the morning...Skunk."
Hmm, that name wouldn't do. She'd have to think of something better for it. In the meantime, she shifted the book, candle, and mug to her left so she could curl around the pup more. It made a pleased squealing sound, but it didn't open its eyes. Starlight smiled softly.
"I don't suppose you'd like to hear a story, would you?" Starlight whispered in her most soothing tone. The skunk buried itself deeper into her stomach. "I'll take that as a yes. It's called, The Little Kite that Could. It's my favorite book. I think you'll like it."
And with that, she began to read to the sleeping skunk.
"Good thing we don't have any tall trees near the castle," Spike exclaimed as he held the door open for Twilight. "Imagine if one them crashed into the castle."
Twilight shrugged a little. " I'm pretty sure crystal would hold up against bark, Spike."
Spike ignored the response as he noticed something not too far away. "Look, the library door is open." He looked back at the Alicorn. "I guess Starlight went in here for the night."
"During a storm is the best time to read a book," Twilight smiled brightly.
After rolling his eyes, Spike pushed the door open a little wider and joined Twilight inside. If Starlight was asleep, then she was just waking up now; the mare was rubbing at an eye with one hoof and smacking her lips. She was curled protectively around something obscured by the blanket she wore. Spike smiled at her. "Well, look who just woke up!"
"Shhh," Starlight hushed him quietly and pouted. "You'll wake up Oreo!"
Twilight shared a look with her dragon. “Uh...Oreo?”
Starlight lifted the blanket in a slow and gentle manner, earning quiet gasps from her friends. A baby ball of black and white snorted soundlessly, warmed by Starlight’s body heat. The unicorn looked up and grinned sheepishly. “Don’t freak out! I think he’s too young to spray.”
“You think he can't spray?!” Spike hid behind Twilight worriedly.
“Well, he hasn't sprayed me, the cute little scamp.” Starlight fondly ran a hoof along its back. Twilight watched as the skunk squealed quietly and snored once again. “I found him in the rain last night, so I brought him in to warm him up.”
Spike’s worry melted a little. “All alone in the rain? Yikes.”
“Well, that’s a very nice thing for you to do for Oreo.” Twilight smiled. “Do you plan on keeping him?”
To that, the unicorn looked down on the warm body next to her. Just a few hours ago, she would have been more than happy to get this thing off of her hooves. It was just a wild animal to her then. Now, it was a sweet, adorable little skunk that clearly needed care and attention. She didn't doubt that Fluttershy would be to give those things, but…
“Yeah. I think I do.” Starlight confirmed with a certain smile.