—light Sparkle," Flurry Heart says calmly...slowly... as she studies the dragon's expression.
Nothing...
...but silence.
The alicorn closes her eyes and sighs. She reopens them and moves her gaze on the quiet town outside the window.
"I ... have been studying." A pause. "Researching."
She looks at him.
He's still reading that damn book.
She continues: "Ever since that day, I resolved to figuring out what exactly happened."
"Must be tough," Spike quietly and lamely interjects.
A spark of hope. He's responding.
The dragon continues: "With no magic."
Flurry fails to stop herself from flinching, suddenly feeling how heavy the old metallic ring around the base of her horn. "I... I had help."
A page flip.
Starlight inhales deeply, and asks: "And...? What did you find?"