//------------------------------//
// Chapter Four: Many Mysteries while Mapping Monstrous Mountains 
// Story: Of Stars and Sails 
// by RadBunny 
//------------------------------//

 
Skystar let out a slight yelp as the airship jumped- the vessel being tossed about in the thunderstorm. They had slowed down to weather the storm; the massive rush of clouds having built up far too quickly to avoid. As it was, they were traveling along the outer edge to avoid the worst of the turbulence, but it would add a good half-day to their northern journey.

Letting out a groan, the hippogriff let her head smack down on a series of five books that lay in front of her, the small library table crowded with the large old volumes.
“Five books, dozens of cross references, and nothing.” she muttered. What had started a few hours after leaving Griffinstone had become a five-hour rabbit hole of digging into the library, all leading to a dead end. 
I just found that one history book interesting! JUST ONE! And now..
Now, a larger mystery loomed, one that had Skystar’s full attention.
“Erm, are you alright Miss Skystar?” Alabaster asked, snapping into existence in front of her with a surprised tilt of his head.
“Hey Alabaster, and yeah. Just frustrated.” she grumbled, the golem looking at the books with a bit of interest.
“’History of various Griffin Provinces, Volume Two.’” he muttered, then looking up to the exasperated Princess.
“Yup. I don’t know much about the Griffin Kingdom, so I wanted to learn! Oh boy did that take me down a canyon of nothing!” she muttered, Alabaster sitting down at the edge of the table.
“How so?”

Skystar heaved the larger of the volumes up, turning to a specific page.
“See, I didn’t know that parts of the Kingdom are also made up of city states. So I looked into a few, but there’s a gap in the records. Well, not like, a gap, but one created by omission.” 
A strange look seemed to flicker into Alabaster’s gaze, but the entity simply shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t understand. If there isn’t history or data, how does that indicate something missing?” he asked, Skystar pointing to a few passages.
“I’ve looked in all three volumes, and two other miscellaneous books. All of them talk about provinces, trading deals, wars…and all mention having specific trade deals dealing with mana crystals, metals, and a few other rare elements.”
She then heaved a second volume up, and poked the massive tome with a claw.
“I cannot find any record where they got these things! None of the states were able to produce them in the quantities listed, yet ALL these trades affected dozens of city states, wars, and the general well-being of an entire region! Yet it’s all vague- ‘received gracious aid from neighboring state,’ or ‘the newest arrival of material from our allies furthered the development of our infrastructure.’ Something is missing, and I don’t like it!” She let out a huff, standing up with a stretch.

“It’s like I can see a pond, and I know there’s a HUGE boulder in the middle of it, because when I throw pebbles the ripples go around it. But I can’t actually see it!” 
Alabaster had a cheery smile, gesturing to the door with a shrug at the studious hippogriff.
“Perhaps take a break and see if it clears your mind? The captain is temporarily indisposed, and a walk on the deck may be difficult. The weather is rather harsh. He should be out there momentarily though.”

Skystar blinked, looking to Alabaster incredulously as thunder shook the ship.
“Wait. He’s going to go out there? Piloting in this rain outside the cabin? Why not inside?”
The golem smiled with a nod.
“He enjoys it, I think.”
“…well this I’ve got to see.” Skystar muttered, sending a final glare at the tombs as she made her way to the main deck.

Watching the hippogriff retreat, Alabaster’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the pile of books, the pony entity then vanishing with a ‘snap.’





Bracing herself against the wind and rain, Skystar shoved the deck hatch open, her eyes widening at the sight in front of her. Black clouds spiraled around the ship as it skirted along their dangerous edges, flashes of lighting licking close enough to send a tingle up her spine. A few raised voices punched through the rain however, drawing her attention back down belowdecks. Down a hallway and to the left, she could hear Galen’s voice growling at something.

Curiosity got the better of the hippogriff, and she padded quietly to listen around the corner. The door was closed, but a strange blue glow permeated through the porous wood slats.
“You are serious? Disabling the-And you do know she is right-”
“Of course we do. Why do you think we are still speaking?”

There was a momentary pause, prompting Skystar to creep closer into the space outside the door.
Who is he talking to?
Her curiosity had gotten her into plenty of trouble before- but the mysteries on this ship and around a certain gryphon were irresistible.
“You are forcing my claw. What gives you the right?” Galen’s voice growled out at an octave that sent a shiver down Skystar’s spine.
Oh, he’s mad. But why?

“What gives us the right, you mean. I don’t answer to you, I only answer to her.”
Another growl left Galen’s throat as another voice piped up, this individual sounding more elderly and trying to appease the Captain.
“Galen, what we’re trying to say is that you were never meant to carry this burden. It has only taken this long for us to realize it. We understand the methods we’re using might be upsetting, but we really don’t see any other way.”
A slight huff left Galen’s beak, Skystar imagining the gryphon’s talons scarring the wood as the sound grated into her ears.

“More or less. But honestly, what can we expect of him?” The previous voice piped up with an obnoxious drawl.
“We all have made sacrifices, and I’d say we have a significant more knowledge to draw upon. What would your father think of the current state of things?”
An audible chill suddenly permeated the air, Skystar taking a step back as static began to crackle across the door. A few gasps let her know there were other individuals in the room- but the nasty-voiced creature apparently didn’t know.
Or didn’t care.
“What? I speak the truth. How would he see his son, as yet unmarried and fliting around without a care in the world? All for what, trying to change the world with his motley crew?”
“You dare-”
“Spare me Galen. The council doesn’t answer to you and neither do I. And what of this talk about the Hippogriff Princess? The council seems to think she is the one to learn about us? I suppose that is a moot point now.” The voice mused, Skystar’s eyes widening as the wooden door began to crack, magical tendrils worming their way through the wood like hungry caterpillars.

“What if we forgo all the pleasantries and just reveal it all? How would she react if everything was out in the open? To that end, what would your father think of his son interested in a hippogriff?”
“ENOUGH!”

Skystar ducked, a piece of the wooden door flying past her face to shatter against the metal wall behind her. Now able to see into the room, she darted back around the corner and bit back a gasp.
Rearing on his hind limbs, Galen floated in the air, his fur and feathers flared out with anger. Runes with illegible writing spun around his body, the gryphon pointing an accusatory claw at the figure across from him. Sitting in front of the Captain were six strange apparitions, each appearing like Alabaster; three gryphons, a kirin, a pony, and a minotaur, their rough outlines all bearing a similar blue magical outline.
Magical projections? That makes sense, some sort of long-distance meeting? But what about?

One of the gryphons was slowly holding up a set of claws defensively, the gesture useless as Galen glared at him.
“Do not speak to me of sacrifice, you coward!” Galen hissed, eyes sparking with blue flame.
“Not two days after I visit his grave, and you dare seek to speak for him? Hide inside your walls which I helped build with sweat and blood- and go ahead and defy me!” Galen paused, the gryphon in question now starting to shiver as the flames leaking from the Captain’s eyes grew a bit brighter.

“Reject my title all you want- but I am still a Captain, a Knight, and a Mage. I’ve laid down twenty years of my life to protect you! If you will not respect what I have done for you and those you care about, then you will respect me for what I can do!” he growled, Skystar’s breath hitching in her chest. A small portal sprang into existence in front of Galen- the enraged captain reaching through to grip the offender by the front scruff of his neck, which mirrored itself in the projection image itself from a different angle.

“What is-?!”
“You speak of answering to her. Did you ever think and wonder who one of my few friends is? Who do you think pulled me through blood-soaked tundra and kept me alive? Who do you think was my only companion for the two years I struggled through after?” Galen’s voice now shifted- his deep tone causing the walls to shiver. He still maintained the grip on the accusatory creature despite the other gryphons struggles.
“I never asked for any of this. All I wanted was to help and live my life, yet filth like you continue to try and dredge up my darkest doubts and regrets. You will indeed answer to her, Advisor Histiv, because I believe she takes just as much offense as I do at such degrading remarks to my father and other creatures.”
The gryphon’s eyes widened as a new figure appeared, trotting to stand beside Galen. A lime green Kirin now bared her teeth at the Advisor, causing the gryphon to shrink to the floor as Galen let him go, the secondary portal closing quickly.

“Broadcast that exchange to the general populous by the way. Let them judge this creature. I don’t want anything more to do with him.” Gallen muttered, waving a set of claws as the single gryphon projection vanished in a flash of light.
“Nice to see you Ley.” He whispered, the green Kirin nodding in reply. Skystar nearly darted out the door as the Kirin then looked directly at her but the shortest of moments, expression softening into a smile.

She knew I was here?
Do they all?!
What is going on? So, Galen knows this council- is he a part of it? Something big is at stake, a secret. Ok, I can work with that. And the Green Kirin is named Ley…and is apparently high ranking? Hmmm.

“I did not know Histiv had such foul views Galen. I would have never recommended him to the council otherwise. Such speciesist beliefs are the opposite of what we all represent.” The minotaur piped up, shaking his horned head. Galen now sat on the floor, his wings drooping as exhaustion seeped into his frame.
“But if we want to return to the point, we have unanimously decided it is time. This burden of secrecy has been harming you. Not seeing it sooner has been an act we now struggle to forgive ourselves for, and ask for your forgiveness to that end.” He continued, then stepping back as the earth pony projection took a step forward. 
“This is our decision. We will not force other things onto you- but it is time for us to stop hiding. We can remove that burden from you at the very least.”
Galen looked up at the creatures, ears perking up ever so slightly.
“And if the enemy returns again? Does this mean I-?”
“Then we will enact the plans you have drawn up and prepared us for. You will also be called upon as any other time. In other areas, your duties will remain the same. Perhaps shift slightly, but we still need your expertise.” The pony continued with a smile, another gryphon now stepping forward. This projection looked old even through the projector.

“Galen my friend, we understand this must be frightening, but we never meant this to impact you so.” The older gryphon shook his head.
“We have had significant more time to also understand our condition. You have never been granted that luxury. Instead we have pushed you farther than intended, all for our selfish goals, however necessary they might have been.”

Galen now looked up to the group, gesturing to them with a set of claws.
“I cannot easily simply flip a switch of two decades. Just the idea makes me…” He shivered, sides shaking slightly as the gryphon heaved in a breath.
Is he about to have a panic attack?

“Galen, we are not asking you to. According to Alabaster, Skystar already found discrepancies in the history books. We did not plan on such a method of discovery, but it suits things perfectly.” the gryphon continued, appearing to snap Galen out of his daze.
“We are only suggesting adding a single history book to your library, and see where it goes from there.” He then smiled, and Skystar now had the distinct feeling they all knew she was there.
“From what you have told us, can you think of any-creature more kind and curious to discover us? Furthermore, we believe that Queen Novo and Princess Skystar are in a very unique position in terms of understanding a society that has vanished from history for a time.”

Awww. He shook his head to agree with-Wait, he’s told them about ME?

“This…to place this on her like this is not right. After this job perhaps, but starting in this manner? I need not explain the feelings I have about under -clawed politics.” Galen muttered, the female kirin then piping up.
“No other way would have been ideal, especially concerning the other topics. That said, do you truly think she would not understand?”

Galen’s feathers flattened, the gryphon looking away slightly.
“Perhaps it truly is too much to ask for a friend outside of my crew. Is it such an unreasonable goal? Why her and why now?” he whispered, head hanging to look at the floor.
“This entire thing has forced my claw. What choice to I have, once again? Did you all consider that?”
“It was unanimous, only one objector. We honestly didn’t intend to impact your personal life in such a manner.” the minotaur explained, prompting Galen to let out a huff, gesturing to the still quiet green Kirin to his right.
“Who, Ley? Is that why you waited so long?” he muttered with a bit of amusement, the gryphon then sitting straight as a board as a bit of movement caught his eye.
Ley held up a hoof, pointing at the shocked Captain.
“M-me?!”

The older gryphon chuckled, nodding slowly.
“You indeed. When I say unanimous, that includes everyone, and I use that term as broadly as I can. As for Ley, she has actually been extremely excited to meet your hippogriff friend. She wouldn’t stop prancing around the library all day and pulling out books on the subject.
Still pointing at Galen, Ley stuck out her tongue at the projection, shrugging her shoulders innocently.

“Then we will continue from here- and I will have to handle quite a few questions. Alabaster? Put the first volume in the library please.” Galen called, then looking to the projections.
“So, we see where things go from here then? It is decided?”

The remaining individuals nodding, the minotaur then shrugging his broad shoulders.
“Nothing dramatic will take place though. We simply want to set the ball rolling and see where it goes. We are ready Galen, thanks to you.” The councilor then paused, eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
“Do you truly understand what you have done for us, Captain Galen? How your actions are respected and revered here?”

To Skystar’s surprise, Galen could only shrug as he looked up at the gathered individuals. His demeanor was of some-creature finishing a marathon and just wanting to rest.
“I thought I did at a time, but I suppose I very well may not.” he whispered, then bowing his head to the projections as the images began to flicker out of focus.
As Galen turned away, Skystar caught a final set of surprised looks passed around the gathered individuals, then vanishing as the room went dark save for a single flickering lantern. Ley then placed an arm around the gryphon as the Captain took a shaky breath.
“I’m so sorry Skystar. I never wanted to drag you into this.” he whispered, prompting the hippogriff to sneak away.





Ooooook. To the library, because apparently, they want me to read something?
But why not just tell me? I guess this is an easier way to learn about stuff. I kind of like it, other than the underhanded ‘oh hey, we’re acting like you can’t heaaaar us.’ Skystar mused, making her way back uneventfully. 
She’d ask him about it all of course, no sense in waiting for that. But if this book would help her understand what in the world was going on, perhaps that would be the first order of business. Not the whole thing of course- she wasn’t about to wait that long, but perhaps just a bit and then ask Galen what was going on.

It was easy to spot- a sparkling new volume amidst other dusty old tombs. To Skystar’s surprise, the newly placed book was barely a few dozen pages thick, despite the binding being made for a much heavier volume.
Hmmmmmm. Well, lets take a look shall we?

The first page was a simple prologue, but even it had Skystar’s eyes widening.
“Alabaster? Um, do you have any charcoal? A quill and ink- oh, wait I have feathers. Or just ink?” she called out, the golem snapping into existence and gesturing to a desk drawer.
“In here.” he remarked, a strange look in the magical apparition’s eyes as he vanished.
Huh. Weird.

Locating the half-full vial of ink, Skystar found a bit of blank parchment and prepared her notes.
‘For this volume, the city state will henceforth be known as ‘Anthracite’ due to interchangeable use over time, due to its primary export until the discovery of high-quality capacitor crystals used for spells.’

Skystar made a single bullet point- ‘City State- Anthracite- exported coal until….’
High quality…wait, mana crystals?! Is that what they discovered?!
She continued reading, noting the writing itself seemed crisper than the other books previously read.
‘A beacon for all magically attuned gryphons, Anthracite was seen as the pinnacle of magical development in the gryphon provinces outside the royal academy. On the discovery of an advanced magical golem spell, the state began to unravel.’

Skystar tapped the parchment, now wondering if she’d have to talk with Alabaster first…
‘After a conflicting period of ethical use, the state seemed to be in consensus of the use of such spells. Unfortunately, the death of the royal family and contacts proved fatal for the province.*’

Her train of thought screeched to a halt, Skystar flipping to the reference of the event.
‘*Death of the Royal Family: After a fire claiming the lives of the ruling family and many of their advisors broke out in the palace, the state quickly fell into chaos under the rule of the King’s brother. It is now in line with other gryphon provinces in terms of poverty and quality of life as the few remaining royal mages and advisors left following the event.’

Skystar let out a huff, musing over the new information. 
So who is this council? Who is Galen? Are they all the left-overs of the advisors and mages? What is there to find out about? 
Waaaaait a minute.
Skipping to the end of the history, the curious princess’s eyes narrowed as a few passages burned into her memory.
‘Rumors abound as to the location of the magical golems and a sizeable population of Anthracite, both having vanished after the tragic fire in the royal castle.*’
To Skystar’s surprise, the reference led her back to another book, one she had already perused. A new set of pages glistened in the old tomb, clearly having either been hidden or removed before. The hippogriff grinned, looking at the other books as well.
How much of this stuff is hidden? It’s like an ancient ruin in here! I wonder what else….

Then refocusing, Skystar delved into the book, noting the referenced passage.
‘Reference from Primary History: Inhabitants of Anthracite and magical golems now live in secret, with their only contact being a select few traders, led by the remnants of the Royal Advisors.’
“BINGO!” Skystar crowed, then covering her beak with a grin.
Ooooh that feels good. From totally confused to…well, only slightly confused.

She looked over a few points in her notes, musing over how best to even ask Galen about all of this.
‘-Part of odd council, remnants of royal one?
-Golems reason for contention? 
-Exported mage crystals.
-Center of magic for gryphons.
-Galen advisor?
-Ley is leader?’

Well. That’s enough to go on. I wonder….
“Hey, Alabaster?” Skystar called, the pony quickly appearing with a ‘pop.’
“How can I be of assistance?” he asked, then looked down at the open book.
“Oh.”
Skystar muffled a giggle, shrugging her wings.
“Soooooooo am I to guess you’re one of the magical golems this book mentioned? From Anthracite?”
Alabaster promptly sat down, nodding slowly.
“That is correct. You are the first to obtain this knowledge outside of the crew,” he explained, Skystar letting out a slight huff.
“Apparently they want me to know about it. I feel kind of used. At least Galen didn’t like the idea.” She muttered, Alabaster then frowning.
“Ah. That explains things. He is on the deck, and appeared rather distressed. I do not listen in on private meetings, but if you heard anything, I can only assume it was intentional.” the golem mused.

“Yeah, I gathered that. But before I go talk to him…” Skystar then smiled slightly.
“Who is Galen? Well, what can you tell me? Oooobviously there’s a ton you can’t I assume.”
Skystar asked, noticing that after the initial oddities, Alabaster seemed much more personable.
Then again, magical golem or not, he’s had to hide this stuff too…
“Well, what do you want to know?” he asked with a smile.
“What can you tell me? What has he done? When was he a captain? How is he related to this old city state?”  Skystar rattled off, then looking at Alabaster in surprise as the pony chuckled.
“I’ll tell you a few things, but I truly think he should inform you of the other matters. I only will share the details he will likely leave out.” 
Skystar then held up a claw, shaking her head.
“I don’t want to know if he wouldn’t want me to know.” she added, head tilting curiously as the golem laughed.
“Oh no, it’s not like that,” he explained, “it’s because he’s too stubborn to tell you himself. He’d love for you to know- as most individuals would enjoy recognition. But he’s a better gryphon than that, or at least tries to be.” Alabaster then paused, seeming to read off an invisible checklist in front of him

“He established the Klugetown General Hospital, which has revitalized their economy and begun to reform the entire town. Crime was cut in half within the first four months, and rates of illness and death have likewise been greatly reduced. Live-creature trade, both import and export have fallen to nearly zero in the local area, most likely due to aggressive termination of such practices. Oh, and he has been a captain for over a decade. That’s a part of his resume at least.” the golem added, grinning as Skystar gaped at him.

“I…can see why he wouldn’t exactly want to broadcast that. Or rather, I can see why he would, but chooses not to.” she muttered, prompting an agreeing nod.
“Exactly. Quite an impressive list, but such thinks can affect the public and personal view of him. Probably why he enjoyed your discussions if I had to guess.” the projection mused.


Skystar flopped onto the table, letting out a slight huff.
“I liked our talks- but now I just dunno how to approach him. Between listening in on that conversation and knowing he’s really frustrated about something- and then all these secrets! Where do I even start?”
Staying quiet for a moment, Alabaster then shrugged his shoulders, eyes gaining a hint of sorrow.
“Just ask him. He appreciates not dancing around an issue.”

With a nod, Skystar stood and made her way out of the library and back to the main deck, the wind and rain battering frame. 
Huh. Not as cold as I thought it would be. That’s weird. There were snow patches around before the clouds came, but the rain is actually warm?

Galen wasn’t at the wheelhouse as Skystar thought, but instead sitting near the prow of the ship. As the hippogriff neared, a sudden ‘SNAP’ caused her to jump, a rope tearing nearby. Galen’s claws lashed out, snagging a flapping end of the line as he looked for the other end. A bit of blue magic surrounded it- and then faded, as though the gryphon preferred to do things manually. Yanking the two ends together, Galen tied a quick knot as his forelimbs quivered with the strain.
Wait a minute.

As the rain beat down on the Captain, Skystar saw a strange pattern on the gryphon’s grey chest. Running from his right shoulder to halfway down his chest, a line of feathers seemed ever so slightly off from the others- only visible now that he was soaked.
A scar. But what could leave that?
A few other similar feather discrepancies were visible on Galen’s frame- easily visible now that Skystar knew what to look at.
WAITBUTDON’TSTARE…
The hippogriff glanced away after a moment, a blush rising to her cheeks. That could have been awkward. 
I mean, he’s in pretty good shape- and I didn’t even know he had some muscle under those feathers...not TOO much but enough to really make him look really-OKfocusskystarfocus.

Shaking her head and refocusing, Skystar didn’t say anything at first, walking up and sitting next to Galen as the rain soaked her feathers. Looking up, she saw a bit of a heat mirage hovering above the ship- which quickly explained the pleasant temperature.
“I enjoy thunderstorms.” Galen sighed, gesturing to the dark clouds surrounding the ship, occasionally lit with internal lightning flashes.
“Some find them scary or intimidating- I enjoy knowing how powerful nature can be. Sometimes you can’t run from it, only endure it. Misdirect, duck, dodge, but not face it head on. Guess that’s why I like the ocean too.”
Nodding in agreement, Skystar then blew her a fan of drooping teal feather out of her face, glaring at the offending feathers as they flopped back over.
“I always watched them from my balcony. This is tons better though.” she added, glancing over to Galen briefly as his wings sagged slightly.

“I suppose you want to know what that entire meeting was about.” He reluctantly said, head shaking back and forth as though resigned to the impending conversation.
“Well yeah, but I also just wanted to talk a bit first. The other stuff can wait,” she interjected, stifling a giggle as Galen’s head snapped up, his eyes blinking in surprise.
“W-wah?”
The shocked look on his soaked features was too much, eyes seeming to bulge out from his head disproportionately, causing Skystar laugh.
“What? I liked our talks! B-but o-oh my gosh you look ridiculous. I mean, I probably do too. Gryphons and hippogriffs don’t model well in the rain!” she gasped, seeing a smile twitch at Galen’s beak.
He’s smiling- yay! I like his smile. The last thing I want him to think is I JUST want to know about that meeting!
I mean I do, but friends first, even if I don’t know them that much. A smile can be a small thing I guess, but it might make him feel better.
Besides, small things can make all the difference…

“You have a fair point. I’ve been told I look like an angry toad when I’m wet and puff out my cheeks,” Galen admitted, Skystar now bouncing up and down with a grin.
“Oh now you’ve gotta!” 
Shaking his head at first, Galen finally relented, looking at Skystar and puffing out his cheeks.
“SNRK!” The hippogriff snorted, clasping a set of claws to her beak as she struggled not to burst out laughing again. His cheeks fully inflated, Galen’s wide eyes seem to bulge to the sides of his head, perfectly imitating indeed, an angry toad.
She finally couldn’t keep it in, the hippogriff leaning on the railing as she giggled.
“Oh my gosh that’s fantastic,” she sighed, sides still shaking from the laughter aftershocks.
“I need a picture of that. Maybe I’ll hang it somewhere to look at whenever I’m feeling sad.” Skystar mused, noting how Galen’s ears flicked up.
“Hmm?”

The princess shrugged, a peaceful smile on her beak as she looked back out to the thunderstorm.
“What? I’d hang it right next to my pony friends. I mean, you’re still my friend, at least I think you are, even if I don’t know you as well,” she pondered, quite happy to see Galen nod.
“I’d certainly like to still be your friend,” he whispered, eyes darting down to the wooden deck in thought. Skystar waited a few moments, then looked over to the troubled Captain.
“Will you let me?” she asked, Galen’s ocean-blue eyes briefly meeting hers.
Whoa. There’s a lot of emotion in there…that’s interesting.

He then looked away, head nodding ever so slightly.
“I’d like to. But you have to understand Skystar, that meeting is forcing me to change what the past two decades of my life have been forged from.” A sad chuckle left his beak, the gryphon looking to a set of talons in thought.
“When you lose so much, it’s hard to do anything you will-you might lose again,” he whispered.
Hmm. Wonder why he changed that? Guess I’ll add that to the notebook.

“Life breaks us occasionally. It just depends how we recover from it that makes us who we are.” Skystar said quietly, looking over at Galen let out a huff.
“You seem pretty un-broken Skystar, and I don’t mean to put down any experiences you’ve had. You’re just one of the most caring and curious individuals I’ve ever met. I can’t really see how something could break you.”
That’s…actually rather sweet.

A lump rose in Skystar’s throat, a few memories rising to the fore. This wasn’t like their other silly talks about shrimp cuisine or their favorite shell color. She wasn’t really used to this type of thing.
And I guess that’s what stings the most. I’ve never really had a talk like this.
“That’s really sweet of you to say, but it’s still a bit wrong,” Skystar whispered.
“I broke the day my dad died, my mom did too. But we got through it.” 
“Sorry, I didn’t-”
Seeing Galen stiffen as he spoke, Skystar scooted a tad closer and shook her head.
“It’s ok, really. It made me and my mom closer- something I think my dad would have wanted. I guess I broke a little when I heard those I thought were friends talking about how weird I was. That took a while to get over, a looooong while.” she added, wincing at the lump in her throat.
Haven’t thought about that stuff in ages…never really had to.
I guess that’s part of the problem.
 
“But now I’m happier being me, even if getting here had parts that hurt and I wished I could change. So, if you’re scared about losing a friend and don’t even want to try…that’s the wrong way of looking at it.” 
Galen was quiet for a few long minutes, but Skystar didn’t get the impression it was in a bad way. His claws tapped against the railing, the gryphon seeming to be battling something in his own mind.
“The worst part of all this is knowing you’re right, and still fighting it all the same.” Galen finally said, shaking his head.
“I do miss our talks, even if we didn’t have that many of them.”
Skystar’s heart did a strange flip in her chest as a smile spread across her beak.
“Really?”
He nodded, letting out a sigh.
“Really. You’re one of the few individuals I can talk to without being a Captain, or anything else, and who still wants to talk. It feels like I’m just Galen to you- how accurate that is I don’t know though.”

Skystar waited a few moments, tapping a claw to her beak in thought.
“Well, that’s pretty wrong now. You’re wet-toad-gryphon, and also Galen,” she giggled, prompting an exasperated exhale from Galen.
“I walked into that one.”
“Mhmmmmmm. But I quickly learned there’s more to you than just being a captain, as interesting as it is.” Skystar hummed, glancing up at the clouds briefly.
“Huh. It’s starting to rain harder….”

Galen made a quick motion with his claws- and suddenly everything seem to freeze.
Skystar blinked, looking around as drops of water slowly fell past her at a snail’s pace, everything outside a small circle still maintaining its usual speed. Water droplets hung in the air around her on their almost imperceptible downward path, splitting into a million smaller blobs in a similar slow-motion as she touched them.
“Galen, how did you do this? It’s beautiful,” she gasped, touching a few more water drops to watch them scatter.
“It’s a simple spell, it just slows down the movements of certain things. In this case, water,” he explained, gesturing once again. The water drops suddenly spun together and then blew apart- coating the entire spell area with a fine glistening mist, sparkling with the flashes of lightning and flickering lanterns of the ship.

Skystar traced her claw through the dense fog-like drops, eyes wide in wonder as the shapes held for a good long moment.
“This is incredible. Where did you lean to do this? I mean, I know you’re some sort of mage.” she asked as the gryphon shrugged his wings.
“I was taught growing up a bit. But then mostly self-taught, after everything collapsed.”
“That’s…actually really impressive,” Skystar admitted, “I didn’t know that many gryphons could even perform magic.”

Galen nodded as he twirled a few magical tendrils between his claws.
“Every creature has a form of magic within them- sometimes it’s just harder to access. This is the case with Gryphons. That’s why runic magic is so popular. We don’t have a horn to channel it like a unicorn, or an inherent connection like other pony races.” he explained, Skystar soaking up each detail.
“As far as I know, hippogriffs are more magically in tune than gryphons- that’s why you can use that magical pearl and perform bubble magic underwater and the like. For us, once we figure out that big step of how to get in touch with a form of magic, it just snowballs.”
Sending the tendrils of magic spiraling above their heads, Galen flicked his wrist and caused dozens of runes to pop into existence. The strange writings floated this way and that; some aglow, some simply pulsing on and off.

“Gryphons can connect to the ley lines that run across the land. Wherever you are, there’s a ley line of some type. Runic magic just allows a way to harness and channel it into a spell. That makes sense?”
Skystar nodded, now not able to resist hopping up and down excitedly.
“That’s so cool! I always wondered why there weren’t more mages outside of unicorns and such, but I guess every race just has to discover their own connection to magic!”
Agreeing with a nod, Galen caused the runes to vanish, leaving Skystar to look up at the heat mirage above the ship, and then back to the still-suspended rain mist.
I wonder how many runes that takes to activate. How do you even use runes? I have got to ask him more about this and the ley lines.
Wait.
WAIT.
Her eyes widened as the image of a lime green kirin flashed to the fore, the hippogriff staring at Galen for a moment.
Ley Lines…LEY?! Is that- wait. No, that’s impossible. Is she a golem connecting everything to ley-lines?!
First things first. 

“Thank you for sharing though. I find it super interesting! Learning something like that on your own must have been a challenge. I find studying some topics with help to be hard. I can’t imagine learning advanced subjects like magic on my own.”
A shrug was Galen’s reply, the gryphon twitching a claw and causing the rain to now fall normally once again.
“It took a lot of practice and error, but worth the payoff in that regard I have to say.”

Waiting a few moments, Skystar then sat up a bit straighter and glanced over to Galen.
“Soooo about the meeting thing.” she asked, tilting her head as Galen’s wings slumped.
“Ah, yes, that…” he muttered, prompting a titter from the hippogriff.
“What? It’s not that- well, ok I suppose it is a big deal, but not as an issue, I guess? Let me see if I got this right. There’s this civilization has been hidden away and wants to come back to the world, and you’ve been keeping it a secret all this time?” Skystar rattled off, prompting a single nod from Galen.
“That’s about it, in a rough nutshell. I didn’t want it to impact how you see things-”
“You mean how I see you?” Skystar interjected, and saw Galen’s wings droop as the gryphon nodded.

“Ooooh. Well, I just see that as a separate political thingy, not necessarily a thing to talk about than with a friend. It’s how mom and I separate stuff. There’s the ‘queen and princess’ talks, and then the ‘mom and me’ talks. So the meeting would be a Princess and Captain talk.” Skystar replied, not able to resist a grin as Galen’s beak now dropped open.
“That’s…actually brilliant,” he muttered, the princess happily bouncing in place briefly.
“Uh huh! So that’s why I really don’t see it as that big a deal. I mean yeah, it’s a new undiscovered civilization which is awesome, but that’s something Princess Skystar can deal with.” She then looked up at Galen, a slight lump forming in the hippogriff’s throat.

“I still just want to be able to talk to you like before though. Just as me.”
The tension surrounding Skystar’s heard eased as the Captain nodded, a weight on his own shoulders seeming to fade as well.
“I’d like that very much,” he replied, a genuine smile splitting Galen’s beak. His eyes meeting Skystar’s for a moment, the hippogriff felt her cheeks warm ever so slightly on seeing a softness behind the usually guarded gaze.
“Thank you, by the way,” he whispered, taking a deep breath and shaking out his feathers.
“For…well, all of what you said.”

The hippogriff couldn’t help but smile as well, playfully nudging his shoulder with her own.
“Even the angry toad comment?” she asked, eliciting a sigh from the Captain.
“Yes. Even the angry toad comment.”
The pair making their way back towards the dry sanctuary of the cabin, Skystar couldn’t overlook a detail that was now present ever since she nudged Galen’s shoulder.
…is that a blush? Is that a good thing?
I really don’t see it as a bad thing, that’s for sure.





-Two Days Later


 

“Sector Five marked. That’s an entire quadrant now.” Gears called from the prow of the ship. The hedgehog was operating what appeared to be a giant steaming metal tube- the odd device aglow with crystals and making it look like an oversized and fancy straw balanced on the smaller creature’s shoulder. 

“Good. That mapping device of yours working fine?” Galen asked, and then saw the hedgehog nod in agreement as he maneuvered the tube slightly.
“Better than expected. A few minor glitches we’ll have to iron out, but I can re-play the map and edit it onto normal charts with ease.” Gears explained with a grin, then returning to look through a small viewfinder.

Letting his gaze wander from the nearby mountains, Galen couldn’t help but smile at seeing Skystar craning her neck over the side of the ship. The curious hippogriff had rarely been below deck the past two days; either spending her time in the library or watching the scenery pass by. 
I would have thought she’d get bored with having us just fly back and forth. I guess not…
The day after their rain-soaked chat, Skystar had promptly sat next to Galen as he was piloting with a smile.
‘Can we chat now?’
The following hour or two had passed in a blur, the gryphon having sorely missed just talking about general nonsense. No politics, super-personal questions or anything. Just topics that made them smile. He could tell she was a bit nervous about asking anything too personal, and the Captain could appreciate that at least. 

When Skystar had plopped down next to him in a similar fashion yesterday, Galen was now starting to look forward to an hour or two of just talking. Or listening- since Skystar seemed to love to regale him with tales of exploring Seaquestia.
Oh, and the uses of shells- lots of those!
So, so many things about shells.

Putting a line of barren mountains behind them, Galen steered the ship down towards looming snowy peaks in the distance. White-topped trees spanned as far as the eye could see, giving way to rocky hovels here and there. Dead ahead mountains loomed, marking the official start of ‘Bug Bear Territory,’ on nearly any official map. Beyond that to the North and the East was nothing but forested and rocky mountains, dotted with a few fortified trading posts. Dangerous as this area was, it was rich in valuable minerals and rare plant life, making expeditions and some form of habitation a necessity.
Their mapping took them dead into the center of this area. Thankfully the air was perfectly safe since Bugbears didn’t fly that far off the ground.
Let’s hope I don’t discover a creature to test that theory…

“So, where we goin?” Skystar asked, hopping next to Galen with a smile. So engrossed in his thoughts as to not hear her approaching, Galen let out what sounded halfway between a yell and a sneeze, prompting a cackle to sound from the prow.
“Shut up Gears.” Galen muttered, trying to smooth down his ruffled feathers as Skystar giggled.
“He enjoyed startling me for a while until I got fed up with it….”
“He threw me out a window!” Gears called, prompting a stare from Skystar.
“You what?!”

Holding up his claws disarmingly, Galen gestured to the hedgehog in the distance.
“It was into a lake and he totally deserved it!”
“…This is true. I did deserve it that time.” An agreeing call sounded out, prompting Skystar to shake her head in amusement.
“You all are so weird. It’s awesome.” she sighed, then pointing to the mountains.
“So, we headed there?”

Galen nodded, becoming slightly distracted as Skystar leaned on the railing next to the wheel. Her light blue eyes made the freckles on her cheeks jump out, adding even more character to every smile or curious expression that flitted across her face. Her light-yellow feathers sparkled in the sunlight as a rogue teal crest-feather drooped down across her face. Blowing it out of the way, she happened to glance his way. Knowing full well he was caught, Galen knew there was an embarrassed blush on his cheeks as he averted his gaze, 
“Erm, sorry.” he muttered, then shaking his head.
Staring at a gorgeous Princess. Oh, that’s professional. You know better.
“Yeah, deep into Bug-Bear territory. We’ll be fine up here, but it’s going to get significantly colder.” he explained, the air already starting to chill.



 

As Galen explained their route, Skystar couldn’t shake the warmth on her cheeks or in her chest. It was a bit distracting, but in a surprisingly pleasant way. Getting ogled by Nobles was hardly a rare event for her, yet usually that was accompanied by less than decent conversation and some sort of ulterior motive; usually wanting to be in favor with the Queen.
Yet never before had one of them apologized for such behavior, not even close.

He didn’t try to hide it- but said he was sorry?
I have no idea how to feel about that. Good I think? He was toooootally looking.
Kind of nice to be admired though, just as me. Not Princess Skystar. Just….me.

“So we’re mapping all these snowy mountains? Huh. Might get old, but so far it’s awesome!” Skystar crowed, then looking at one of the closer mountain peaks.
“Huh. That’s weird.” She muttered.
“Hmm?”
“Hey Gears, can you-OH! Sorry, Galen? It’s your crew. Can you-”
Galen chuckled slightly, waving to the Princess.
“If it’s something informal, by all means ask. If Gears doesn’t want to do something, he’ll let you know.”

Skystar nodded, then waving to Gears.
“Hey Gears? That mountain peak looks weird. The one with a droopy hairdo. It’s almost misty at the bottom. Can you take a look?” she called, the hedgehog waving back.
“Sure thing!”
There was a moment’s pause as the hedgehog examined the sight, and then the entire ship lit up with red warning lights from the crystal emitters.
“Captain, Skystar just spotted the remnants of an avalanche. I’m spotting…over six bodies. Most are moving, but that mountain peak could give way, and I mean the entire thing. I assume you want to respond?” Gears called.

Skystar took a step back as Galen stiffened, tapping his gauntlet to broadcast his voice throughout the ship.
“Everyone, get to the top deck NOW! Staunch, ready the medical bay for avalanche casualties. Alabaster, run up the medical flag and contact the nearest trading post. Tilly, Pergin, get warm water and blankets ready. When that’s done, get topside. We need to get them out of there before that mountain gives way! Gears, keep an eye on that mountain!”

The gauntlet flashed green four times- each individual acknowledging the orders.
“Be sure to wear that bracelet Gears gave you Skystar.” Galen whispered, gesturing down to the main deck. The sides of the flotation bladder now began to glow- a red cross standing out against a white background as crystal emitters activated to project the peaceful symbol.
“You’ll need to wait here though. Your mother would not approve of you being down there while we worked. We shouldn’t be long.” 
He’s right, she wouldn’t, and I have to stay safe. I don’t like it though, not one bit.

Skystar frowned, ears perking up as Gears poke up again.
“I count twelve now, and that’s assuming nobody is buried completely. Eight are moving.”
“Arriving in two minutes.” Alabaster chimed in, the engines of the ship humming at full power.
“Ok Skystar. Disguise time- as it should be for any time we are interacting with others or nearing a settlement, just like we discussed.” Galen instructed, the Princess nodding as she made her way belowdecks.
He totally changed when hearing about the avalanche. I’ve never seen him so…confident.

Snapping on the disguising bracelet, Skystar watched out of a cracked-open window as the ship lowered to the ground. The few individuals able to fully walk were waving frantically- what appeared to be a conglomeration of gryphons, ponies, and a minotaur.

A ramp extending down from a side hatch, Staunch galloped down towards the stricken individuals, Pergin and Tilly in tow. Galen soared down, his claws aglow with magic. From the snow, two forms were lifted from the depths as they coughed and sputtered.
“Fourteen. Is that everyone?” Galen called, a large minotaur nodding as he was led to the ship.
“A-aye. That’s everyone.” He muttered, the gryphon then getting distracted by one of the more distant bodies. This one appeared to have a red stain near it…
“MOMMA!”
Oh no.

A crystal in the cabin then pinged, Galen’s voice echoing through.
“Skystar, I need your help. Keep that hatchling away, please!”
A small gryphon hatchling scrambled across the snow towards the stricken gryphoness, the half-buried creature barely stirring. Skystar quickly jumped from the deck, soaring down to wrap the youngster up with a hug as he cried.
Gallen lifted the gryphon from the snow, magic dancing around his claws and the injured individual. A broken tree limb stuck out from the side of the stricken gryphoness- her sides barely moving.
“Captain! The mountain peak is giving way! You have maybe a minute!” Gears called out frantically from his deck position.

Skystar looked back, barely seeing four of the creatures onboard. Staunch was busy trying to stabilize what looked like two gryphons with broken limbs, while Pergin and Tilly were wrapping up the others in blankets before carefully carrying them onboard. Despite being miles away, the looming snow-saturated peak groaned, the sound echoing all around. The amount of snow was almost comical- seeming to defy gravity as it hugged onto the side and top of the mountain. A small part seemed to be missing- presumably the cause of the current avalanche.
We’ll get crushed! All that snow…

Optional Music

“Can’t levitate them all with injuries on board. Can only save six. Magic use could prove fatal now. Not acceptable. Have to buy time.” Galen muttered to himself, a magical field spreading to the stricken gryphoness.
“MOMMA!” The child cried in Skystar’s arms, trying to scramble and get closer to the fallen parent.
Galen glanced up- and Skystar saw something deep within the Knight strain and crack as his eyes widened.
“Alabaster, that peak is going to give. Turn the ship around and open up the thruster focusing arrays fully. Drop all the anchors and wait for my signal.” Galen barked into his gauntlet, his crew angling away from the ramp as the ship spun on its axis.
“Sir, are you seriously planning to-”
“DO IT!” Galen growled, a blue glow increasing in intensity around his limbs.
“Everyone! When that avalanche hits, you need to cover your eyes! It’s going to bright and blinding, and I don’t want anyone getting hit by debris that make it through!” His amplified voice bellowed out across the snow.

“Now for you…” He whispered, looking over to the hatchling in Skystar’s arms.
“Is momma going to be ok?” The youngster asked, prompting a single nod from Galen.
“Yes, I promise. Now stay close to Cloudy and close your eyes.”
My name is Cloudy now? Well ok…

“Incoming Captain!” Gears called out, a groan sounding out across the leveled mountainside. The snow gave way, crashing down with a muted thud that didn’t do the billowing cloud justice as it swarmed forwards toward the prone ship and group.
“You are not dying today…you want to see your son, don’t you?” Galen whispered, magic threads dancing over the injured gryphoness. The area around the impaled object glowed- and Galen gripped the branch with both claws, even as the avalanche grew closer.
“This is going to hurt. Focus on your son, ok?”
The gryphoness nodded- her head barely moving in response.
With a smooth motion, Galen yanked the branch out and slammed a set of claws onto the wound, a bright white light searing out from the contact point. Skystar saw him grunt, side twisting slightly. It might have been a trick of the light, but she could have sworn there was a blue flash on his own body mirroring the point on the injured gryphoness.

“CLOSE YOUR EYES!” He bellowed, the gryphon twisting to rear on his hind legs. One set of claws was stretched backwards- encompassing the gryphoness in a light blue field of magic. The other set gestured in front of him, tapping and spinning runes that snapped into existence in front of him.

Seeming to forge itself from the air itself, a dark metal staff grew in Galen’s claws as he slammed it into the snow. Blue arcane threads drifted from the top of the pole like a spiderweb, encompassing the area behind the Captain. The wall of snow was now barely a ship-length away, pieces of ice and snow starting to pelt the group.
“ALABASTER, FIRE!”

With a rumble that seemed to challenge the avalanche itself, the Crystal Hail’s engines ignited with a vengeance. The temperature soared- melting water running in rivulets among the ice and snow. A thunderous roar eliminated all chance of speech, Skystar’s bones being shaken by the intensity. 
We should be dead.
Daring to crack open an eye, the hippogriff couldn’t help but gasp. 
No way.

The ship’s engines roaring at full power, the massive cone of energy slid over a shield above the group, being redirected into the avalanche and appearing to melt the snow ahead of them.
Skystar realized with a shock that nobody else could see Galen from her angle. 
They would never know.

The gryphon bracing himself against the staff, Galen’s eyes were narrowed in concentration as the snow split to either side of the group. A shimmering silver magical wedge stretched from the ground to above the airship- redirecting the full force of the avalanche to either side of the stricken creatures.
Skystar let out a squeal as a rock punched through the shield, lightly smacked her in the side- prompting Galen to turn and look.
He heard that?!

His eyes narrowed to slits, and the gryphon turned back to glare at the wall of snow.
She couldn’t hear him- but could understand the single word that slipped from his beak.
‘More.’
“Keep your eyes closed!” His voice repeated, this time definitely distorted and amplified with magic.
Of course. Close their eyes, and they’ll never see. But why?

More rocks now began to pummel the shield- and a low hum began to permeate the air. Closing her eyes briefly, Skystar made sure the youngster in her arms was shielded from the onslaught.
When she opened her eyes again, closing them was out of the question.

The physical feathers on Galen’s right arm began to flake off, replaced by those of light blue magic. Similar to the outline of Alabaster, Galen’s right arm and talons were now fully composed of arcane energy, all surging into the weapon clasped in his claws. For a moment, Skystar could see tendrils worming their way from his planted foot-paws and through his body. More feathers and fur flaked away, this time causing blue light to shine through gashes in his torso.
What are you Galen?

Rocks now being incinerated on hitting the magical wedge, the avalanche seemed to launch a final assault before giving up, passing by on either side of the group. Before the last piece of snow had fallen, Staunch Gauze had galloped up to stand beside Skystar. Seeing her gaze directed towards Galen, the medic’s eyes widened as she shook her head.
“Galen, here.” She whispered, passing over some simple rags to the gryphon. He quickly bound his entire arm with the white cloth- wrapping it over his torso as well to hide the shimmering arcane magic that coursed through his body.
(End Music)

“Everyone safe?” He panted, the staff now fragmenting into pieces that vanished in the cold mountain air.
“Everyone is safe. We can load them all now. You need to get back to the cabin, alight?” Staunch whispered, passing the gryphon two large pills.
She knows about this?! How is Staunch being so casual about it?
Is this a NORMAL thing?

Downing the pills dry, Galen tottered back to the youngster, now clutching his own side. Staunch applied her own stabilizing magic over the gryphoness, carefully levitating her back towards the ship.
“She’s just going to sleep for a few days, but your mom will be fine.” He whispered, head shaking slightly. Skystar didn’t miss the haunted look in Galen’s eyes, nor the relief that swept into its place.
I think this had more meaning than I can tell.

Helping the other shaken creatures onto the ship, Skystar heaved a few backpacks left behind, then watching as the main hatch closed. 
As the ship beelined towards the nearest trading outpost, Staunch popped out of the medical bay for a few moments, pulling Skystar into a small storage room. The smaller pony’s eyes were narrowed and held an alien fierceness that made Skystar take a step back in surprise.

“You weren’t supposed to see that. Very few others ever have- so I have to trust you to not say anything, as Galen trusts me. Alright?”
Skystar could only nod, the medic nodding curtly as the returned to her duties.
What is going on?





The journey to the outpost was thankfully uneventful- the expedition members being dropped off safe and sound. Apparently trying to journey between two settlements, the hapless group had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. The fact there were no fatalities was nothing short of a miracle, as the minotaur had said to Skystar as she talked among the group.
No, not a miracle; Galen.

Skystar’s heart jumped in her chest as a dark brown gryphon sat near a familiar prone gryphoness, a young hatchling cradled in his arms.
“Momma is going to be ok.” the youngster stated, the other parent trying to hold back tears.
“He’s right you know.” Galen said, stumbling his way towards the pair.
“She will sleep for a few days, but will be no worse for wear.”

“B-but how? The blood, the branch, I thought she…” the gryphon stammered, looking at Galen incredulously.
“The wound will scar, but heal just fine. I expect you three to have a long and healthy life.”

The captain only managed a step backwards before the gryphon hugged one of his limbs, sides shaking slightly.
“Thank you…thank you for saving my wife and son!” the traveler whispered, not able to stem the tears that flowed down his rugged features.

“Just- glad to help.” Galen replied as the gryphon returned to sit next to his sleeping wife. The Captain caught the gaze of the youngster- who promptly pointed to his own right arm.
Adjusting the bandage, Galen covered up a sliver of shining energy, placing a set of talons against his beak in a ‘shhh’ gesture.

The child repeated it and nodded, darting forward to hug Galen’s left limb before returning to his father.
The Captain strode out of the room with Skystar lagging a bit behind. Only once he was out of sight of the recovering creatures did he sag against the bulkhead with a hiss, clutching his side with a set of talons. His sides shook slightly, the gryphon brushing away something from his eyes briefly.
“Do you still get the migraines?” Staunch asked as she trotted out ahead of the Captain, neither apparently seeing Skystar.
“Less and less, but those painkillers help some. I’m going to feel this tomorrow.” He muttered, leaning on the pony as she led him down the hall.
“Skystar saw by the way. I trust her not to say anything though.” Staunch remarked, prompting a sigh from the gryphon.
“I know. But with everything she’s learning, I suppose some things aren’t going to remain untold for long. I just hope it won’t change anything, I know it does for me.”
Staunch stayed quiet for a time, but Skystar caught a final remark as they rounded the bend.
“I think you’ll be surprised.”

She shook her head, heading back to the main collection of travelers. There wasn’t anything she could do yet- but could at the very least comfort some of these creatures.




 
“You weren’t supposed to see that. Very few others ever have- so I have to trust you to not say anything, as Galen trusted me. Alright?”
Staunch’s words echoed through the hippogriff’s mind as Skystar slumped at the main mess table. Having dropped off the refugees an hour ago along with the boisterous claim of a trade opportunity in the Badlands, the ship was now headed south to then double-back along their previous course to head back into Bug-Bear territory. That would, ideally, throw off any pursuers or nosey individuals.

“Well, nobody died, so I’d say today was a success. One of our most successful rescues if I do say so myself.” Tilly crowed, then looking over to Skystar.
“Hmm. Now that you’re here, maybe we could have like, a girl’s night.” The older gryphoness mused, sipping some simple cider from a mug.
“I mean, usually it’s just me and Staunch. Switch doesn’t usually come up here anyhow.”
“Switch?” Skystar asked, having heard the name before.
“Oh, right. Alabaster’s companion. She’s the more mechanically minded entity, so she’s usually in engineering arguing with Gears about something.” Tilly explained, then waving to Staunch as the pony plodded in and sat down with a sigh, coat glistening from a fresh shower.
“Success?” She asked, Staunch nodding tiredly.
“Thankfully. Still no lives being lost, including that gryphoness.”
Tilly nodded, then looked up to Skystar with a grin.
“So, saw the Captain work? It certainly shocked me when I saw him stitching up a wound without any thread, closing up a gaping chest like it was nothing.” The gryphoness mused, Skystar nodding as Staunch looked over with a warning gaze.
Hmmm. That procedure and event have been more involved than what every-creature else has seen.
 
“It was pretty incredible, that’s to be sure. I knew he was a mage- I just didn’t know he was that good.” Skystar remarked, prompting a deep chuckle from Tilly.
“Mmm. That’s true. I suppose it’s an added bonus that you like him.”
“W-WHAT?!”

Even Staunch couldn’t help but giggle, the hippogriff’s feathers lighting up with a pink blush.
“It’s not like it’s a bad thing! The Captain is pretty cool.” Tilly continued, thoroughly enjoying the increasingly pink ball of feathers that began to squeak with embarrassment.
I don’t- not totally, I mean- maybe they just saw us after Griffinstone? Misinterpreting the hug?
“It wasn’t- it was just a hug! He was sad, so…I….” Skystar’s voice drifted off as two faces stared at her, jaws hanging slightly open.
“Say what?” Staunch asked, Tilly simply nodded.
“It was just a hug?” Skystar ventured, Tilly letting out a soft whistle as she leaned back in the large chair.
“Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh boy.” she sighed, shaking her head.
“The Captain doesn’t hug. So ‘just a hug,’ isn’t really a valid statement.” Staunch explained.
“He only really tolerates it from youngsters, because they don’t know any better. I’ve seen him shiver when getting a pat on the shoulder from someone. He’s only now warming up to the idea of such small gestures from us, and we’ve known him for years.” Tilly continued, shaking her head.
“So, he must think you’re something special, at least to some degree to allow that.” she mused, Staunch nodding slowly in agreement.

Skystar’s blush only lessened slightly, the hippogriff flopping onto the table.
“I don’t know him that well, so it’s not like that.” she mumbled, shaking her head in rebellion.
“Besides. He’s probably got a line of girls from all sorts of species. He doesn’t seem to want to even let me know much about him. He was super hesitant to even talk before I managed to explain stuff to him. And even then, I feel like he doesn’t want to share too much.”
Staunch nearly choked on her cider as Tilly let out a deep laugh, struggling to not fall off her chair.
“Oh Skystar, you have it wrong.” she managed to say with a smile. Staunch seemed to have gotten over her mirth, a strange sadness entering her gaze.
She hasn’t said much…what is going on?

“True, plenty of girls have liked Captain Galen and swooned left and right, but none have really liked Galen, if you get my drift.” Tilly remarked, letting out a sad sigh.
“The idea of a sword-swinging mercenary only holds so much appeal. If you don’t like whose underneath, or just want the fame or fortune, that all fades fast. Before that even happens though, he always doesn’t seem to get close to anyone like that. He’s nice about it and all, but I never could pin down why, because I know he certainly likes females.” she mused, shaking her head.
“Nothing wrong with not, but why always distance himself? I’ve wondered that too. So, it’s not you, Skystar. He does that with anyone he gets too close to, be it friends or otherwise.”
Skystar couldn’t shake the haunting look Galen’s eyes when they had been talking in the library. The unbridled joy being crushed by something. That look had surfaced a few times during their talks as well- the genuine wanting to share, and then it being smothered.

Tilly now turned to look at Staunch, the medic refusing to meet her eye.
“My goodness you look guilty, what is going on?” the gryphoness asked, Staunch shaking her head.
“Wait. WAIT.” The gears began to turn in Tilly’s mind, a set of claws now pointing to the pony.
“You know why he’s like that, don’t you?”

A shake of the head was Staunch’s reply, Tilly’s eyes narrowing slightly.
“You aren’t going to say anything? Nobody here knows, yet you-”
“I can’t. Please don’t keep asking.”
The pony’s begging tone immediately squashed any rising emotion from Tilly, the gryphoness plopping back down to the deck.
“Oh, it’s like that. You can’t say anything. Galen trusts you to not?”
A nod was all Staunch gave in reply, Tilly then getting up.
“Nothing wrong with asking him I suppose, hopefully if he’s not too wiped out from stitching up the gryphoness.”

Staunch’s ears pricked up, and both she and Skystar heard Tilly make her way down the hall to the workshop. A few muffled words later, and the large gryphoness was back, eyes wide in astonishment as she sat down.
“…Apparently we’ll all know soon enough,” she whispered, calmly draining her mug.
“I never expected that answer.”

A few moments of quiet passed before Tilly looked over to Skystar again, the older gryphnoness’s gaze softening.
“But seriously, Skystar, Galen at least likes you in some respect. He wouldn’t have let you get that close otherwise, grieving or not. If nothing else, he needs friends that aren’t family.” She added as Skystar nodded in agreement.
“I’d like that, if nothing else.”

Staunch filled a mug with some cider, sliding it over to Skystar with a slight smile.
“I know it’s weird, all these secrets. But we just trust that it will work out. Even if it’s a pain to do so.” she explained, gaze losing any previous annoyance towards Skystar.
“Tilly is right though. Our Captain is a fantastic gryphon- but he could use a friend at the very least.”
Nodding in thought, Skystar savored the tasty beverage as Staunch glanced over to her once again.
“On the bright side, he totally gets a cute blush when you’re near him. Kind of matches yours actually; yes I noticed. Be thankful Gears hasn’t.”

Tilly roared with laughter as cider promptly shot out of Skystar’s beak, the hippogriff letting out a choked gasped as she flailed about.
“NOT FAIR!”