//------------------------------//
// Electric Pincushion. 
// Story: Equestrian Eeveelution. 
// by Symphonicdysonince 
//------------------------------//

Yomega and I sat there, waiting for Moon Dancer to be done with us. Cy still sat within the STS's bowl. Every time the wand passed his nose while tracing it's endless circle, Cy's fur would briefly stand on end as he wrinkled his snout. I kept wondering why he did that, then a small spark jumped from the wand to Cy.

<<Ah...>> His fur stood erect, blocking the wand from moving. <<Ah..>> The scanner gave a short series of beeps, causing Moon Dancer to look over, snapping the feather quill she had been writing with. <<Ahh...>> Moon Dancer's eyes widened as she started throwing shields up around everything. Then Cy sneezed.

Thin, yellow quills lanced out, many jabbing into Moon Dancers shields before falling to the floor. I looked around at the walls that weren't protected. While most had bounced off, there were some still quivering from their impact.

<<'Scuse me.>> Cy whined, rubbing his snout.

With a long suffering sigh, Moon Dancer began gathering up the quills, stacking them in a pile beside the desk. Holding one up in her aura, she scrutinized it from every angle. Pulling over a scrap piece of parchment, she dipped the yellow quill into the ink, and gave it a few test swipes. Satisfied with the results, she snapped off the excess length and continued writing her notes.

Yomega looked up at the Jolteon. <<I thought you didn't know Pin Missile?>>

<<I don't.>> Cy groaned. <<I don't know how to control that yet.>>

<<It would really suck if you were allergic to pollen, huh?>> I chuckled.

"Interesting..." Moon Dancer murmured, tilting her sheet of notes back and forth. All of our ears tilted to the door as a faint knocking was heard.

Soon, Spike and Thunderlane came into the room, with the stallion carrying a take out bag.

"Afternoon." Moon Dancer gave a slight smile as she cleared an area of paper. "What's on the menu today?"

"Daffodil and daisy sandwiches, with a side of toast with Zap Apple spread." Thunderlane placed the bag on the desk.

Moon Dancer gave the pegasus a look. "What's the occasion?" She pulled a very small jar of the preserve out of the bag. "Aren't Zap Apple products expensive?"

"They are." Spike confirmed from the doorway.

Thunderlane sported a large grin. "Except for the first few days after harvesting."

<<Which I'm missing.>> Cy growled.

"The Rich family gets first pick, then the Apples sell the rest to the town." Thunderlane explained. "Mr. Rich ships the harvest out, and the Apples get a share of the profits." He tapped his chin in thought. "Now that I think about it, anywheres Zap Apples grow, you can find Apples and Riches..."

"Before I break for lunch, could I get you to try something for me?" Moon Dancer asked.

Stallion and drake shared a quick glance, both aware how that usually ends with Twilight. "Su~re."

"Great." Scrap parchment floated over to the two volunteers. "I just need you two to write something down with this quill. It doesn't matter what you write." The Jolteon quill and an ink well floated out and hovered between the two.

Spike quickly grabbed the quill, and jotted out a quick list. Thunderlane wrote a copy of the weather schedule. Moon Dancer started to compare their writing with her notes. Idly, her magic floated a sandwich from the bag. 

Eventually, she placed everything down, turning to her audience. "So. This quill," Cy's quill floated up, "Came from Cy. The quill seems to be able to act as a magic conductor. Writing with one seems to apply a tint to the ink in the shade of one's aura. Due to the Jolteon's natural electrical affinity, I theorize that these quills are able to conduct electricity as well."

"How did you find out Cy even has quills?"

<<Ah...>> The Scanner began beeping again.

<<Everyone get down!>> Yomega barked, jumping on top of me.

I heard the sound of magic springing into existence as Cy sneezed.

"Oh, uh, never mind then." Thunderlane trailed off as Spike began plucking quills from his scales.

<<Can I go now?>> Cy whined.



Eventually, we were allowed to leave. While Cy raced back to the farm, and Yomega stayed with Spike for some needed shopping, I made my way over to the bakery. I was hoping to catch Zann at a good time.

I approached the back door, giving it a few scratches. Soon enough, Pinkie opened the door. Over her shoulder, I could see Zann working on a counter by an open window. Zann tilted an ear in our direction.

"Hey, Leo..." Pinkie stressed my name. Zann stiffened. "Are you here for Zann?" I nodded, as Zann jumped out the window. Looking over her shoulder at the counter, Pinkie gave a mock sigh. "Aw, shucks. You just missed him. I think he left to go shopping."

<<Ow. Why did there have to be a rose bush out here?>> Zann's voice drifted from around the building's corner.

"Eeyup." Pinkie spoke louder to cover his moans. "Definitely went shopping. He's going to be gone for a while. I'll let him know you stopped by."

I rolled my eyes before nodding. Making my way around the building, I spotted Zann stuck upside down in the rose bush, struggling to free himself. I watched as a pink hoof slowly made its way down from the window. Zann tried to curl himself to grab said hoof as I approached.

<<How's the shopping going?>> I snarked, watching the hoof zip back into the window.

<<It's going great.>> Zann gave me a nervous smile.

I gave him a small smile. <<Need a hand?>>

He hung there, upside down, tail draped over his belly. <<.... Please be gentle.>> He whimpered.

I grabbed ahold of his tail and began pulling. <<Oh, don' worry. Yome'a an' I worked tha' all ou'.>>

<<So, yer not about to jump my bones?>>

<<I don' have t' ge' y' down.>>

<<Shutting up now.>> Working together, we managed to free Zann from the dreaded thorn bush. <<So,>> he asked as he started pulling thorns from his fur, <<If yer not here for happy-fun-times, what are you here for?>>

<<I am here for you, actually. I can walk faster than you can hobble.>> I glared at Zann as he turned to run. <<I came to apologize.>>

<<For what?>> He nervously asked, his tail starting to curl around himself.

<<For how I treated you all winter.>> I sat with a sigh. <<I was a right bitch all season, but you got it the worst. I wanted to ask for your forgiveness.>>

Zann looked me over. <<On one condition: you tell me why you don't like Christmas.>>

I placed a paw to my chin. <<What's the betting pool at?>>

<<All expense paid trip to the spa, Lulu must be with.>>

<<Oh?>> I smirked. <<And what is the cut off?>>

<<Tomorrow.>> He smiled. <<But the trip wont be until the next bring your pet day in a moon.>>

I nodded, and began walking away.

<<Where are you going?>> Zann called.

<<To collect my winnings.>>

<<Oh, okay.>> He had just turned the corner, before poking his back around. <<You and Lulu planned this, didn't you?>>

<<Girls night out!>> I shot back.