//------------------------------// // Of Parties and Surprises // Story: The Exiled Angel // by Bigshot232 //------------------------------// Chapter 5 “Aw shucks, Ah thought we had it that time.” “I never knew this could be so much fun.” “Guess we can cross circus cutie marks off the list.” Three young fillies dusted themselves off from their latest attempt. One pulling out a list from her saddlebag, sweetie belle took out a quill crossing off a clown face, Scootaloo peering over the white unicorn’s shoulder eyeing up the next item on the list. “Do you think we can try the next one?” Scoots asked putting aside a pie pan and a couple of bowling ball pins. “Ah don’t think so, it’s getting awfully late,” replied Applebloom as she wiped the contents of a banana and whip cream pie from her face. The three fillies looked to the sky. The celestial sun was just touching the horizon, colouring the once blue sky in an orange shade, “We better go before we’re late.” Sweetie belle placed her checklist back in her saddlebag before swinging it upon her back, “I guess, but I don’t think Rarity’s looking forward to it.” The orange pegasus turn her gaze from the sky with a raised eyebrow and a quizzical expression on her face. “What are you two talking about? Late for what?” Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked at each other before addressing their fellow crusader, “The welcome party silly for the new pony in town,” spoke Applebloom. “There’s a party?!” Scootaloo exclaimed a little too loudly than she intended, her expression quickly shifting into a huge grin. “Rairty said that the pony isn’t a pony though,” The unicorn filly chipped in, “She doesn’t know what it is, but she saw it walking through town.” “It walked on its hind legs and had a huge pair of white wings. It had a long mane but it didn’t have a tail, she also said it didn’t have any fur.” “Ya make him sound weird,” Applebloom added, “Applejack said he was might friendly, he even helped her with some applebucking.” “Did you see him?” “Well… no, I just going by what AJ said.” Through their bickering, the young crusaders hadn’t noticed the absence of one of their members. Scootaloo had left the conversation some time ago, placing her helmet on and hopping on her scooter before interrupting her friends. “Who cares if the party is for a pony or not, come on lets go.” * * * ‘What am I doing here’, thought Raguel as he walked about Ponyville. Every so often the sound of a door or a window slamming shut filled the air as he ventured through the town. Not one soul was seen throughout the journey and his newly acquainted nerves were starting to get the better of him. Should he turn back and not bother? Has walking into town been a hasty move? He was new to this land after all, pony culture was foreign to him and their nature odd. The few he had spoken with made it adamantly clear they had never seen an angel before, but when they got to know him, they were down right nice. The mass populace however hasn’t gotten to know him. Their reactions are what held the frontlines in an on going battle in the angles mind. They turned away from him like some kind of infection that might spread if they got too close. He didn’t smell, he checked, he wasn’t hideous either, so he couldn’t even lie to himself to lessen the hurtful feeling of being outright rejected. He was alien. A few times on his way to Sugarcube Corner he wanted to turn back and go to his cloud home, maybe even read the borrowed dictionary and endower himself with new knowledge. Knowledge he could use to make a better impression on the towns folk if given the chance. But time and again a whisper encouraged him onwards, ‘what better way to get to know the populace than at a friendly gathering,’ ‘Spike will be there, and Twilight too,’ ‘I was invited after all.’ He came into Town Square, the gingerbread house now in sight at the far end of the street. Raguel’s eyes drifted to the clock tower. The long hand was past the top section between the top number and the one next to it on the left. The little was just resting on a symbol to the right of the bottom number. ‘just past seven,’ and the angel began walking to the bakery once more. He was now just a hop, skip and jump from the shop when a pony emerged from the back. She wasn’t there long though as it caught sight of the approaching angel and darted into the shop. Raguel stood dumbfounded to the spot at the sight. She ran at just the sight of him, and into the bakery as well where the supposed party was to be held. Didn’t she know it was his destination after all? The cogs powering the mentally machine moved into overdrive as he began to realize his current situation. Then it finally hit him. How could he have been so stupid to have not seen this till now. The constant avoidance, the worried looks, staying away from him leaving him in isolation. He was banished for a reason. The fact that he came upon a realm with life on it was just pure luck… or so he thought. He was being punished for breaking the creed, actions that no immortal should have done. They knew, they all knew of his love for the mortals, to be their protector, to shelter them, to be… one of them. His mere presence was frightening them rather than being given the chance to help. The more he thought about it, the clearer the situation had become. This realm, he wasn’t sent here by accident, this was done on purpose. To be sent to tarturus wouldn’t have serficed. He knew he had to be punished and the pain of the forsaken place would only hurt him physically. Being here was a new level of torture. He was sent here to be rejected, his love for the mortals was to be used against him. They would shun him and hurt in ways physical pain could never accomplish. It was too much, he was never meant to start anew, he was to be isolated. Even the thought of going back to his cloud home to read sickened him. What use did that book have now anyway? The knowledge would go unused, forgotten. “Howdy partner.” The voice broke Raguel’s train of thought as he searched for the source. “Ha ha, over here sugarcube.” Looking over his shoulder he spotted the stenson wearing cowpony trotting up to him. To see a friendly face was a true blessing of the creator. A new voice entered the fray and a battle of thought erupted. ‘Applejacks here, I have nothing to worry about.’ ‘Why, we’re not meant to interfere, look at how they run from us.’ ‘But she’s here… and what about Spike and Twilight’. ‘What about them, are they here? NO! They are just like everyone else.’ ‘They wouldn’t have talked to me if they wanted to avoid me.’ ‘Are you that dense?! They probably thought you were going to attack them, it wouldn’t have even been difficult to sn--‘ “So are ya just going to stand there or are ya going to the party?” Asked Applejack, once again derailing the angels internal argument. “Erm, I’m not sure,” he said rubbing the back of his neck. “Not sure huh. Well shoot how can ya not be sure if you’re standing here next ta Sugarcube corner? Come on now, “ She said as she placed her head on his back and pushed him toward the bakery. At the door he stood, not wanting to disturb the piece of wood between him and uncertainty. With a roll in her eyes and a smile on her face, Applejack pushes the door open. It was dark, there was a bit of light outside, but it may as well have been the dead of night for what Raguel could make out. He was about to turn tail and run when the lights flicked on and confetti blasted him in the face. “Surprise!” Raguel squinted as his eyes adjusted to the new lighting in the room as everything came into focus. A bright pink pony with a very wide smile was bouncing on the spot right in front of him. Off to the left he could see Twilight next to Spike giving him a small wave. To the right he saw two new ponies, one was a white unicorn with a purple mane and the other was a sky blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane. Further back he could make out three smaller fillies surrounding a table packed to overflowing with treats. Finally his eyes focused on the hanging banner stretched across the room. “What is this?” asked the angel as he tried to take in the very long worded banner. The pink pony giggled while bouncing up to him. “It’s a party silly. My Pinkie Sense told me there was a new pony in town and I had to throw a welcome party, but Twilight told me you weren’t a pony and I was like ‘oooo is he a griffin, oh oh a donkey? I know a donkey, he’s called cranky doddle donkey, he came to Ponyville all sad so I threw him a welcome party, not like your party though cause Twilight said you even helped create a new spell so this was gonna be a welcome and congratulations on a new spell party but then Spike told us how you saved him from those meanie mean diamond dogs and I wanted to do a hero party but I needed to do a welcome party first so this is your ‘Thanks for saving Spike and helping Twilight out welcome party.’ The angel looked at the pink pony, trying in vain to digest the wall of text, ‘How is that even possible, she didn’t even breath.’ Figuring that just staring at her wouldn’t get him far he opened his mouth. “Hey how’d y—offm!” was all he could get out as a hoof thrusted itself into his gob. “Here try a cupcake, it’ll turn that frown upside down.” Raguel was about to give the pink mare the old what-for when the greatest taste sensation hit his taste buds. It was as fluffly as a cloud and as sweet as honey dew. The sensation was so great that his own mouth betrayed him and a content moan of bliss left his lips. Seeing her work was done, the pony bounced over a table next to a record player. “Now lets get this party started,” and with that, music filled the air as she danced over to the fillies in the corner. Still mulling over what could possible be the greatest tasting thing to ever exist, Raguel didn’t notice Twilight and Spike make their way over to him. “Hey Raguel, does Pinkie know how to throw a party or what,” Spoke Spike as he shoved his own confection into his mouth. Swallowing his own treat the angel nodded his head a few times in agreement. “So Raguel, why don’t you tell us about yourself,” Added Twilight. “Where to start,” Raguel said rubbing his chin, thinking over his answers carefully. “What do you want to know?” There was some kind of spark that went off in the unicorns eyes as her face contorted into a smile. * * * The party had been in full swing for sometime now. Everyone was enjoying themselves with dancing and games at one point or another. Fluttershy, Applejack, Spike and Twilight all asked the angel various questions regarding his home, what angels do and what he liked. Raguel described the sanctum to what Fluttershy said sounded like a Pegasus city, ‘Cloudsdale.’ His home, as he put it, was very high up in the sky and would only appear to be a collection of clouds if anypony ever got near it, but to the normal viewing eye, it simply look as blue as the sky. Describing the angels themselves proved to be a lot easier as a lot of what was spoken was true. They observed and collected knowledge, but he left out their guardianship as to not frighten the mortal beings from the horrors that were just beneath the surface of their realm. When Pinkie declared a game of pin the tail on the pony, they all left to play except for one. Twilight looked over to the partygoers before looking back to Raguel. “Can I ask you something?” as she tilted her head to the side. “Sure thing Twilight” “When Spike told me about the… ‘Incident,’ he said you changed and that your eyes glowed?” She paused as she thought of the next part of her question, “The way he said it, it sounded like you used a powerful spell. What did you do exactly?” “Its not a spell per say, more of a different kind of technique.” Twilight tilted her head to the side more, silently asking Raguel to elaborate further, a notion the angel didn’t mind at all. “It’s called the flow, it allows us to tap into the very life force that courses through our veins. When it’s used, we can do things that are not normally possible to accomplish by other means. We can accelerate brain function, increase muscle mass in a second, we can even use it to learn from other forms of life.” “Is that what you did to Spike when he met you?” The angel flinched at that remark and began to worry at the tone the unicorn used when she said that. Was she mad for what he did? He hesitated with his answer. “Yyyyyess… When I first met him, I didn’t know equestrian, so I used the flow to learn the language from him.” Anger, disbelief, shock, all these negative emotions he expected the unicorn to give off for what could only be described as an invasive power being used on such a small drake, but they never came. What Raguel didn’t expect however was another smile that came to her lips. “Fascinating, you were able to learn the language by simply touching Spike,” Twilight spoke excitedly clapping her hooves together, “Is that why your eyes change colour? Can I use this flow?” “Anyone can use the flow, it’s not restricted to the angels... but...” when the explanation became clear it wasn’t over yet, the smile visible dropped from Twilight’s face. Raguel concentrated on the flow while keeping his eyes open, showing the colour change from blue to gold. “Imagine if you will an hourglass. When it’s turned over and the sand flows from the top to the bottom. The sand represents your own life-force and as time goes on, the sand fills the bottom of the hourglass till none is left at the top. It’s the course of your life in a manner of speaking. When you use the flow, the opening that the sand pours through is made wider,” He concentrated harder as the force of the flow was increased making his iris glow brighter, “More sand and energy are then passed through at a greater rate than normal, which is how we are able to do these things like I said before.” Now Raguel cut off the flow, letting less energy pass through than it normally would. His eyes had faded from their golden glow and became grey. “If the flow is abused too much or if its used in a great amount, the life force within in you will dwindle to a point where you can not recover.” After his explanation, he allowed his flow to return to normal as the deep blue returned to his eyes. “It may seem helpful, but if you are not careful, the price can be too high to pay.” The party was starting to whine down as ponies were leaving one by one. The First to leave was the rainbow mare as she waved goodbye to her friends, flying out of the door without a second glance. Soon afterwards the white unicorn left with a young filly by her side who waved in Raguel’s direction. Fluttershy was next afterwards giving him a quite goodbye followed by Applejack and another small filly. All the while though the angel had been eyeing up the table of delectable treats off in the corner, not wanting to take anymore incase anypony else wanted them. As the partygoers dwindled, the prospect at having another treat was very enticing, maybe even having two. “Raguel, can I ask you something else?” Looking away from the table of delights, Twilight had graced him with her presence again. She seemed nervous about something as she pawed at the ground with her hoof, looking at the groves in the floor. He gave her his best reassuring smile as he knelt down to her level rasing her head up to meet his eyes. “You know you can ask me anything,” He said giving her his most confident smile. Twilight just seemed to be just as nervous as she bit her lower lip before replying. “Well, just after you helped me with the new spell I wrote a letter to the princess,” Raguel’s smile was still there unrelenting to this new information and so she continued, “She wanted to document the new spell, but she has requested to see you.” A princess wanted to meet him? Would this be wise considering the impact he has simply being near the other ponies in a small town. Would she be accepting like Spike and the others or would meeting this higher authority indiate as much fear of him as it did with the populace. Raguel gazed into the lavender mares eyes, uncertain as to how the princess would behave on his arrival. Through his thought a spark of an idea formed. He could find out more of the princess if he really wanted to, all it would take was a simple touch… No! He shouldn’t be thinking that way. He may have done it to Spike because he didn’t have much of a choice, but to do it again was just not done, and yet, it seemed needed. He couldn’t just prod around without being detected though. The angel recalled the earlier conversation he had with the unicorn, and set his plan into action. “Not to change the subject, but before you wanted to know how to use your flow?” At such a U-turn on the subject matter of the conversation, Twilight lost her nervousness and eyed him in a confused state. “But you said it was dangerous—“ “If used improperly,” Raguel cut in. He picked up the mares foreleg and cupped it in both his hands. “If you’ll let me, I can show you the flow itself, I’ll be here so nothing can go wrong, just trust me.” Twilight thought hard for a moment before nodding her head in consent. “Just relax and breathe,” he said closing his eyes. Slowing he felt his flow with every beat of his heart. It was smooth and constant, gently moving from his veins as his body and mind became one. Then he felt it. A gently trickle like rain could be felt every so often in his hands, pulsating out of sync with his own flow. Carefully, he adjusted his flow to match that of the mares as Twilight inhaled every breath. “Now Twilight, focus on the movements of you chest to your arms, then feel it move back and to your mind.” He felt the Unicorn nod her head as she breathed in a deep breath. He could feel her mind exploring her body, trailing from her heart along the foreleg he held. As it reached to the tip, the angel felt himself mentally pulled gently along her arms and back into her chest. As she took another deep breath, the small tug brought him up the spine and plotted his conscience into her mind. Now that he was here, he extended his own flow into Twilight’s, overflowing her system with excess energy. “Twilight, look across the room to your friend, look hard and tell me what you see.” Her conscience mind stopped monitoring her body as her gazed landed on Pinkie picking up some plates. When he felt he wouldn’t be noticed, Raguel looked into Twilight’s thoughts revolving around the princess. He saw a tall regal looking mare with both wings and a horn, with a crown on top of her head. He could see the gentalness in her eyes as memories of twilight’s past experiences with her unfolded. “I don’t know what I’m looking for Raguel,” Twilight asked still looking at her friend.” Thinking quickly, the angel increased the flow around her eyes and ears, making them sharper and more receptive. “Look closer,” he mumbled and he gazed at a memory from her foalhood. The princess was on a platform over looking a crowd of her subjects before flying slowing into the air. As she did, so too did the sun. Suddenly another memory came into view, showing her teaching Twilight from a dusty book, her eyes showing nothing but love and care. “I… I can see so much, I can ever hear her heart beat, see every hair on her coat,” Twilight spoke in awe, “...is that frosting on her fl—“ “Erm, ok,” Spluttered the angel as her thought bombarded the angel psyche at just what the unicorn was looking at, feeling an increased amount of heat in his cheeks. He hurriedly dethatched himself from the mares mind in the hopes she hadn’t noticed. “Now focus back on the flowing sensation around your head, and let it go.” Just as he said his instruction, he felt himself ride the energy back down her spine, along her foreleg and back into his palm. The demonstration was over, the information was collected. He opened his eyes catching a fleeting glimpse of twilight’s eyes returning to normal. “How do you feel,” He asked looking her over. She remained silent for a while before smiling again. “It felt great, like I could see beyond what I see… if that makes any sense.” The angel breathed a sign of relief, she hadn’t felt his presence in her mind. “Don’t worry, I know how you feel,” Raguel said as he released her hoof, “And to answer your question, I’d be more than honoured to meet with the Princess, what is her name by chance?” “Her name is Celestia. If you come by the library in the morning, say nine o’clock, we can go together.” “Ok Twilight, Nine it is.” With that the mare bid the angel farewell and left. With only him and the bouncy pink mare left, he turned his attention back to the table where bliss awaited him. His hopes where shattered however as the table was completely picked clean of all delectable morsels. With a small tear of regret and a short thanks and goodbye, Raguel left Sugarcube Corner and started the walk back to his cloud home. It was dark out in the quaint town of Ponyville. The sky a blanket of darkness covered by a thick cloud layer blotting out any other light source from beyond. Lanterns lighted the streets dimly as the townsfolk slept away in their homes. Raguel started to mull over the details of the princess he had learnt from Twilight’s past memories. She seemed to be a kind and understanding with her interactions with the lavender mare as well as wise. Then the strangest sensation came over him. He felt something whisk past him and shortly afterwards a soft and slightly wet object landed on his foot. Looking down at the offending object he could make out a light blue colour and… paper? When he bet down to get a better look he felt a bolt of sadness as he recognized it as a cake from the party, brutally discarded and smeared over his foot. Nothing that sweet should ever have to endure such hardships, they need to be cherished and tenderly loved. Looking up he saw the culprit turn a corner and did the most logical thing possible, he gave chase. What ever it was, it was quick. It weaved gracefully from the lampposts and turning corners very tightly in a blur of motion. The night was working in its favour as Raguel could barely make out whom he was chasing. The only thing he was able to keep track of was a faint sound like a humming bird coming from the assailant. As they entered the next street, Raguel leapt into the air, landing twenty pony lengths ahead of the fleeing culprit, readying his hands to snag whatever it was. At the last moment, the figure turned hard to the right into an alley, knocking over bins in an effort to block the angel’s path. ‘No matter the costs, I shall bring justice, for myself, for the ponies,’ he vaulted over the bins in his way emerging from the darkened alleyway hot on the assailants tail once more, “For the cupcake!” The chase went on for a while, with twists and turns as they weaved through the houses, alleys, and roads. Eventually all things come to an end as they enter another alleyway, this one leading to a dead end. There was a clatter of metal followed by brisk hoof steps as the figure hid behind a waste bin, trying its dandiest to remain unseen. It was futile as Raguel had watched the act, making his approach, defiled cupcake still in hand ready to give the culprit a piece of his mind. The alley was still very dark and Raguel couldn’t quiet make out the hiding creature. Wanting to make eye contact, he allowed the flow to move around his eyes making them more sensitive to the light, but was not prepared for what he saw next. On the floor was a scooter and a red wagon filled with treats that the angel guessed was from the party. Next to the contraption was a small box, a musty blanket and a dirty white pillow lying on the floor. On top was a very frightened looking pegasus filly, eyes draw to the light giving off in the angels eyes and her chest moving in flow with her quickened breaths. All notions of the cupcake left the angels mind as he looked upon the poor filly, a filly that he had chased all over town just because a cake had landed on his foot. The cake was beautiful and flavourful but he shouldn’t have chased her the way he did. Come to think of it, he had seen this pony before. He searched his mind for a few moments when it came to him, she was at the party. He looked to the wagon of treats and back to the box she had huddled herself into. Was she homeless? But she looks so young. Something has to be done, forget the cake he thought as he sat down on the cold floor, hoping it would make him less intimidating… well as less intimidating considering he had chased her all over town anyway. “What’s your name,” he asked softly, but the small pegasus just stayed plastered to the back of her sanctuary, her eyes jutting about all over the angel. “I’m… I’m sorry I chased you, “Raguel continued rubbing the back of his head as the pain of guilt slipped across his body turning his stomach ice cold, “Are you alright?” Still the filly didn’t answer, her breathing was starting to slow as her body was recovering from the chase. The angel thought about leaving, but pushed that thought aside, he couldn’t leave the poor creature unless he was sure she would be fine, so he kept talking, hoping she would eventually answer one of his questions. “I saw you at the party right? Were the other fillies your friends?” A snap of wind blew through the small alleyway, sending chills across his body as well as the small Pegasus. He couldn’t bear the site of it, he had to ask. “Are you living out here? Don’t you have a home or family?” She shook her head, it was only slight but it was enough. “Are you… homeless?” She nodded just as slightly as had done before. Homeless, no one should be without people to love and care for them. No one especially as young as the pony before him should be sleeping out in the elements. Did any other pony know she was here? He knew then what had to be done, he had to let somepony know what was going on, maybe Applejack could help, he did see her leave with one of the fillies the pegasus was playing with at the party. “Stay here, “He said getting up, “I’m gonna get Applejack.” “No!” The plea echoed off the walls of the nearby buildings. The orange Pegasus had left the safety of her box and was blocking the path out. “Please… don’t tell,” She meekly added afterwards. Raguel was baffled by the out burst, more so when he proposed to get help, why did she not want anypony to know? He squatted down to her level in the hopes to change her mind, but all that came out was a simple, “Why?” “I jus don’t want anypony to know,” She looked about uncomfortable at the question. Was it a big deal or something, something she was ashamed or afraid off? What should he do? He couldn’t leave her out here knowingly, to have met her and talk about it, it seemed wrong to act like it never happened. However she made it clear she didn’t want others to know her circumstances, he didn’t want to force something on her that she didn’t want to do, especially after he had chased her for something he now knew was trivial. After a brief mental struggle, he gave her a choice for her to decide. “What’s your name?” She swallowed hard before quietly muttering, “Scootaloo.” “Look Scootaloo, I know you don’t want others to know, but I can’t leave you out here. I can go ask Applejack to offer a place to stay or I could take you to a social care home, anything has to be better than living on the streets.” Scootaloo was still not sure about the choice, so he kept talking. “You could get sick or worse and no one would know.” … “I don’t want to force you to do anything you don’t want to do, but please understand I can’t leave you here.” … Waiting for some kind on answer, a droplet of rain fell onto the angel’s neck and slid down his back giving him a small shiver. The cloudy skies were about to open up and the young filly still hadn’t made up her mind, if they stayed out too long, she might catch something. “Sigh* looks like rain,” exhaled Raguel, looking to the skies. A moment of silence descended the alley when an idea came to him. “Well, if you don’t want anypony to know, and since it’s gonna rain, I might as well offer you a place to stay,” he bent down and picked up the cardboard box in his arm putting the wagon fully of treats inside, “It’s the least I can do till you figure out what you want to do.” He turned and started walking with only the sound of his sandals tapping against the cobblestone floor and little plops as a few raindrops found their way to the ground. Just as he rounded the corner, the sounds of little hooved feet trailed behind and the squeaky wheel of it’s owners transportation. As he came out into the street, he waited for the small filly to join him by his side, opening his wing to cover her from the on coming rain. * * * Through the rain they made there way out of town to the lake. The angel was completely soaked and cold, but the little Pegasus was left dry. Looking down on the filly, he saw her gazing at the house. “Here she is, home sweet home,” He said a little smugly, letting his wing reside back where it belonged. He waited patently for soft wing beats, fluttering up into the air. He waited, but they never came. Looking back down, Scootaloo was clutching her scooter tightly with a strange look on her face. It kinda looked like… Of course, he mentally smacked the palm of his hand on his head. She must not be able to fly… while holding that scooter. With new insight he took the initiative. Meanwhile a certain little filly was looking at the impressive cloud structure that she was sure wasn’t there a day ago. It rested in the centre of the lake, and quite high up to boot. She felt the umbrella that was the angel’s wing move away from her and the rain pelting at her coat. She looked to the odd being whom had chased her, and then offered his home for her to stay after basically blackmailing her. He just stood there with water dripping down from his mane with his eyes shut with a very stupid smile on his face. Was he expecting her to fly up or, “Whoa!” The air escaped her lungs as she was whisked into the air and plopped onto the puffy surface of the cloud. The orange filly tried to get her bearings when she was knocked off her hooves again when something landed next to her causing the cloud to spring like that of a trampoline. “Heh, sorry about that,” apologised Raguel as he entered his homestead, “Let me show you were you can rest.” It felt pretty late judging how dark it was outside, so the angel led the filly up the winding staircase to the bedroom. There was only one bed, but he thought he’d never use it considering angels never slept. He put the box down and placed the pillow onto the cloud bed letting it bounce a little before resting on its surface. With the task of showing his guest her sleeping arrangements for the night, he ushered a quick, ‘goodnight,’ before heading out the room. He sat down on his couch feeling relived to give his feet a rest as the fireplace sprung to life of it’s own accord. The day had been a wild one at that as he gazed back into his memories of the events so far. Upon coming here, he had met a dragon, befriended him and a few ponies around town. He had fought diamond dogs in an attempt to save the young drake and helped bring forward portal magic to the land. Not to mention the party, such sweet tasting foods had never graced his taste buds before and he was very thankful for being invited… even if he only ever had one. Finally his thoughts went back to Scootaloo. He didn’t know what he was going to do with her, he could only hope that she would eventually come around and decide for herself what she wanted to do about her circumstances. He glanced towards the fire when he laid eyes on a book. It looked rather new, or at least well kept, decorated in varying symbols that his mind repeated as ,’the dictionary.’ Tomorrow he would meet the princess of Equestria upon her request. Shrugging internally he picked up the book and opened it, if he was meeting royalty, he may as well be as well versed in the language as possible. Quietly he sat on his coach, warmed by the fire from the chill the weather had brought, the sound of rain gently landing in the lake filled the home with it’s simply melody as Raguel read into the night. * * * “Sister, you seem… different somehow.” “Do I? How can you tell?” “Well forgive my phrasing, but you look like your glowing… Has something happened?” “giggle* Well if you must know, Twilight sent me a letter recently.” “Ha ah, another friendship report.” “Not quite dear sister. She has informed me of a breakthrough with one of her new spells and wants to have it documented tommorow.” “Huzzah, this is most wonderful news.” “Oh, there’s more.” … “Twilight will arrive with a new friend whom I’m very exsited to meet.” “Then I’ll have a feast waiting for them when they arrive, goodnight dear sister.” “Yes, goodnight.” … Clanck* “Sigh* I can hardly wait for morning to come, to see you again… Raguel.”