//------------------------------// // Lecture // Story: Cory: The Fear of Water // by artman7391 //------------------------------// It was now the next day. Cory had just returned from spending a night with his aunt and uncle, Cadence and Shining Armor, along with his new cousin Flurry Heart. So as not to scare her, he took on his Alicorn form, which still proved a challenge to him. But regardless, he used his newfound magic to entertain Flurry. They played with her toys, played hide and seek, even played on the walls and ceiling, a spell Cory had surprisingly gotten good at. He felt very lucky to have a cousin like her. Not because she was sweet and cute, but because She had her whole royal life ahead of her. Unlike Cory, there wasn't a worry for Flurry in anyway. With a lifetime of security and a promising future ahead, what more could a filly ask for. Before he know it, playtime was over. So he said his goodbyes, gave Flurry a kiss, and flew over to the next train to Ponyville. Today, he and his friend Tony were scheduled as a guest lecturers at Twilight's School of Friendship, where the subject of the day was "Bonding In The Arts:," a topic the two of them were all too familiar with. Cory was very much looking forward to this lecture, as it had been the twelfth one so far since the school's conception. As he struggled to pick up his flash cards with his new hoofed appendages, Cory felt a sharp pain in his chest. But after a heavy cough, it slowly went away. Still, the sensation was rather curious, as he hadn't felt that pain in years, not since his sad years as a toddler under the cruel thumb of his deadbeat parents. The train hissed to stop, as Cory and everypony else hopped onto the station. It was there he met up with Tony, who was also in his pony form. They galloped over and gave each other a hug, like two best friends should, and walked over to Twilight's school. "So, what do you have planed for your half of the presentation?" Cory asked. "Well," Tony replied. "I decided we could do a little clown act in front of the class. You remember our old routine from way back when? "How could I possibly forget?" Cory replied as he gave him a friendly jab. "We always did it every time I felt down." The two took out a journal and a few flash cards from their satchels as they reviewed the routine together. Tony did a few impressive moves, and Cory did a few impressive more, editing their act as they went on. However, as Cory was looking down, he lost where he was going and... "Oomph!!" Said Cory. "Oomph!!" Said another voice. After a message of the head, Cory got up on his feet and noticed his papers scattered all over the place. to his right he saw a rather peculiar Hippogriff in the same position. It was Silverstream, one of Twilight's students at the school of friendship. "Oh Dear!" She said panically as he helped her up. "I am so sorry. Are you Ok. I should have been watching where I was going!" "No need to worry Silverstream." Cory replied . "I'll pick it up myself." It was at this moment Silverstream saw his face and gasped. "Oh..Um..Cory." she said as she braided her head feathers. "I didn't know you and your friend were coming today." "Didn't you get the memo?" Tony asked. "Twilight's been telling you since last week." Silverstream did not reply. As Tony kept talking nonsense, she just stared dreamily at Cory, who was magically picking up his papers and putting them in his satchel. After a few moments... "Yoo-Hoo. Silver." Tony said singingly as he waved his hoof in her face, to which she snapped back into reality. "Oh, goodness, I'm sorry again." Silverstream said awkwardly. "How about I help you Cory?" "Umm...There's not much to pick up.." Cory said awkwardly. "But you're welcome to help." Silverstream gleefully started gathering whatever papers were left on the ground. She bumped into him several times, after which her cheeks would blush a slight red. "You know," Silverstream giggled nervously as she picked up the last paper. "I'm going over to class myself. You can come with me if you want." "Always good to have another friend on our walk." Tony replied. "We're just finishing up rehearsing our routine aren't we Cory?" "Indeed we are." Cory replied cheerfully. "Lead the way Silverstream." As they continued their walk to the school, Cory noticed how close Silverstream was flying next to him. It was almost as if she was observing, or examining him in some say. But he ignored such things as the three of them approached the bridge to the building's entrance. The school was perched on top of a hillside next to his mother's castle, with parts slightly merging with its natural environment. It's architecture was of an old, colonial style from victorian England, but with same color scheme as the castle. It's bottom side was decorated by magnificent waterfalls, two of which had the entrance between them. The three walked on the stony pavement atop the moat, climbed the stairs the led to the door, and strolled down the hallways, which were much like Twilight's, except brighter in color. After a few minutes of room searching, they followed a noise, which guided them to a large room where all the students were gathered. Silverstream found her seat next to a Griffon and a Changeling and took out her journal and quill.As Tony and Cory started putting on their baggy clown costume, Twilight and Applejack entered the room. "APPLEJACK!! MOM!!" Cory shouted as he hugged the two of them. "Hey there sugarcube!!" Applejack replied as she gave him a noogie. "How's my little brother doing." "Much better now that you and mom are here." Cory replied. "Sorry It's been two weeks since we last seen each other. My friend's and I have been busy spreading the word of the arts across Equestria." "And you have been doing a spectacular job." Twilight added with a hug. "I can't wait to show my students what you can offer to the table." Cory smiled and went back Tony to set up the props. Before he knew it, a gong was made and class was in session. Twilight magically tapped a ruler to call every creature to attention. "Good afternoon class." Twilight said cheerfully. "Welcome to today's lesson. Applejack and I have a very special treat for you." Everyone murmured in anticipation. "That's right y'all." AJ added. "Today, my little brother, and Twilight's youngun, has decided to stop by along with friend and teach you a little bit about bonding on stage." Soon, every creature's emotions turned into excitement. Cory's presence was always a treat for the students. He would always put together a special art related lecture that demonstrated how two individuals can create an astounding. Just a few weeks ago, he and Joanna had performed a little rodeo routine, with a little help from his earth pony family of course. Everyone was always thoroughly entertained, but none seemed more allured than Silverstream. "Take it away you two!!" Applejack approved. "Y'all gonna love this." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c28Z0BCTiqw As the act closed, every creature gave Cory and Tony the usual standing ovation. They bowed, thanked the class and repacked everything in their satchels. As Cory was fumbling through some papers, Silverstream, who once again didn't know where she was going, bumped into Cory yet again. "Oh, goodness I'm so sorry, my fault." She replied panically as she searched for her journal on the ground. "No problem at all." Cory said calmly. "We've really got to stop bumping into each other like this." It was at this moment they noticed their journals lying next to each other. As they picked them up, they noticed their hoof and claw were touching. They quickly hid their appendages away as their cheeks turned red and made a nervous giggle. "It's odd how we always awkwardly encounter each other." Cory said with a smirk on his face. "A-HaHa!! Yes that's me!!" Silverstream laughed nervously as she twirled her feather hair with her talon. "I'm always encountering pony folk awkwardly! Hehe!" She turned to notice her friends impatiently waiting for her. "I need to go." She said. "And so do I." Cory added with a smile. "Have a nice day Silverstream." "Oh, uh, you too." And with that, they both went their separate ways.