//------------------------------// // Chapter Sixteen:The Gift Of A Visit // Story: Time Stops For No Dragon // by FluttershyLover55 //------------------------------// Time Stops For No Dragon Chapter 16-The Gift Of A Visit "I need to go see Fluttershy, today. I just hope that I don't mess things up." Spike thought, as he walked down the stairs the next morning. Today was a Thursday, and tomorrow was Fluttershy's birthday party. Spike needed to get something for her, so he decided that he would do that today. Twilight was asleep with her face in an open book, having stayed up all night. Spike grabbed a few gems from the secret stash to snack on for breakfast, before writing on a sticky note to tell Twilight that he'd be out for awhile. He was tempted to draw on her sleeping face, but he knew she'd be mad, so he stuck the note on her forehead, instead. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX As he exited the Library, lightning flashed, and a torrent of rain dropped from the clouds that filled the sky, drenching the dragon to the bone. This wasn't really the best day to be out and about, but he had no choice. Spike made his way to the jewelry store, planning to buy her something there. He had saved up a lot of bits doing different jobs around town, but with all the adventures he had been on, he never had a chance to use them. The owner greeted him as he entered, happy to have a customer. "Morning, Sir! What are you looking for, today? We have all of your jewelry needs!" The unicorn answered, pulling out a notepad and a quill, dipping the writing utensil in a nearby inkwell, poised to begin writing. Spike ordered a pink diamond butterfly hair clip, to match her cutie mark. Diamonds weren't usually pink, but unicorns could magically infuse a color into them. Spike also wanted 'Spike hearts Fluttershy', to be engraved on it. With a heart in between their names, of course. "What is the lucky mare's name, as well as yours?" The unicorn asked. "Her name, is Fluttershy. And mine, is Spike." The unicorn finished writing, and looked to the dragon. "All right, that'll be 600 bits, Sir." Spike nodded, and placed the appropriate amount of gold coins on the table. "Your order will be ready to pick up, tomorrow. Thank you for your patronage." The stallion informed. Spike stepped back out into the rain, not sure what to do next. "I guess, I'll go see Fluttershy now." He decided, mentally heading in that direction. He passed through the center of town, where ponies were trying to sell their wares, despite the lousy weather. A few ponies were out in the rain, but the marketplace wasn't half as crowded, as it usually was. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fluttershy finished paying for her cherry, and placed it in the saddlebag. She was sure that tomorrow was it. At her birthday party tomorrow night, she was going to tell Spike exactly how she felt about him. She turned away from the stall, surprised to see a dragon heading away from the marketplace. She followed him to see where he was going, until they both arrived at her cottage. Spike made a fist, about to knock on her door. "I wonder if she's home?" Spike said to himself, noticing how quiet the place seemed. Fluttershy came up beside him, deciding to play along. "I don't think she's home." She grinned, as Spike turned around, causing him to do the same. "You can, um, come inside, if you want to." Fluttershy offered timidly, opening the door for him. "Uh, sure." Spike accepted, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "Go ahead, and make yourself at home. If that's okay with you, I mean." Fluttershy said from the kitchen, unpacking her saddlebags and placing them to the side. "Would you like some tea, and cucumber sandwiches?" Spike took a seat on the couch, and replied, "You don't have to do that." He didn't want to put too much pressure on her. "No, no, I insist! It's no trouble, at all." Fluttershy made the plate of sandwiches, and put the kettle on the stove, before taking a seat in an armchair across from Spike and a coffee table. "So, um…What did you need? Or, are you just visiting?" Spike couldn't think of a reason, besides wanting to see her, so he answered, "I just came here to see you." Fluttershy blushed, hiding behind her mane, slightly. "Wow, he came all the way here, just to see me! He must really think I'm special!" The mare tried to remain calm, despite her heart's rapid beating. Luckily for her, the kettle started whistling a few minutes later. This was the perfect excuse for her to escape for a moment. "I'll be right back." While he waited, Spike looked around the cottage. A soft clattering caused him to look at the table, as Fluttershy placed a tray on its surface. On the tray were a plate of cucumber sandwiches and two ceramic cups containing tea. Spike picked up a cup of the steaming liquid, inhaling its sweet aroma, before taking a sip. His eyes widened, as his taste buds were assaulted with flavor. "Mmm! This is really good!" He exclaimed, surprised that it held so much flavor. "It's nothing, just a family recipe." Fluttershy answered, meekly. "It's called, 'Lavender Mint'." Spike nodded. "That explains why it tastes so strong! Anyway, how have you been lately, Fluttershy?" "Pretty good, actually." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX For the rest of the afternoon, the two talked about what had happened recently in their lives. Spike looked at the nearby clock, which read: 8:00 and was surprised to see it was already so late. He had been here for over 3 hours! "Well, Shy', I guess, I'd better be going. Twilight will be worried, if I'm not there soon." "Okay. It was nice having you over, Spike. I hope you can come by again, soon." Fluttershy was sad to see him go, but she knew that he couldn't stay forever. When Spike got to the door, he felt a sharp pain in his skull. He knew that it was a migraine, having had them before. His vision was becoming fuzzier, darkness was clouding his sight. The room spun, and he fell on the floor with a thud, losing consciousness. In a blur, Fluttershy rushed to his side, very worried. Something wasn't right, and she knew it. "Spike?!"