//------------------------------//
// Chapter Seven: Tea 
// Story: How to Train a Prince 
// by Foal Star 
//------------------------------//

The next day came like any other, except Spike was now standing in Twilight's room with a guilty look as he awaited his punishment for all the chaos he had caused the day before. Twilight was sitting at her desk with a dozen of scrolls and crumpled pieces of paper with her eyes bleary and with bags under them showing she didn't get any sleep the previous night before. The mare turned towards the drake with an angry look in her eye and snapped, "you are so lucky that Rarity is so lenient."

"I know…" Spike mumbled; he just looked down at his clawed feet, feeling too guilty to make eye contact with Twilight. After a lengthy press conference with Prince Blueblood, the young drake was also tired. They confessed everything that occurred the day before to the public. Luckily most ponies were ok with what happened, seeing no harm befell anypony. Also, as Rarity wanted, she ensured the didn't receive any punishment as no one was technically hurt or harmed.

"Well, Master Spike has learned his lesson," Owlowiscious explained in his overly posh tone. The former owl was still a griffon holding a silver platter with a mug of coffee for both Twilight and Spike.

After serving the two their drinks, the griffin walked over to Twilight's side. It started to groom her frazzled mane with a comb and suggested, "Now I do know you were busy cleaning up Spike and Prince Blueblood's mess, but everything has been dealt with."

"Well, except for you," Twilight whispered sweetly as she gazed at her former owl. The alicorn was still somewhat surprised to see her former pet, now a talking griffin who has basically become her butler, as she whispered, "I still have no idea how you were immune to Blueblood's control when the enchanted book possessed him or why you didn't turn back to normal with the magic dissipated." 

Owlowiscious shrugged in response and said, "well, consider this a welcome change for the time being."

Spike just sipped his coffee, silently mulling over everything. Despite the mixed emotions, it still felt like an extended fever dream, as he was more than happy that Rarity was safe and sound. Not only was he was mourning the loss of his hot sexy stallion body but also his one and only chance to be with Rarity. 

"Spike…Spike?"

The little drake peered up, blinking his eyes as he must've been so lost in thought he couldn't hear Twilight speaking, and asked, "uh yeah?"

Twilight sighed as she pointed at a letter and said, "Rarity says she wants to have tea with you. Is that ok?"

The drake's weary demeanor suddenly vanished as he exclaimed, "say what!?"

"Yes, she asked if you were available to have tea. Honestly, I'm surprised as you are," Twilight responded in a shocked tone. 

Spike quickly finished his coffee, gulping it down, then slammed it onto the platter and said, "well, there's no time to waste." The drake was about to leave, but then Twilight cleared her throat, and Spike slowly turned to face Twilight as she got up from her chair and was now on all fours. She bowed and said, "Spike, I'm sorry for snapping at you. I know most of this wasn't completely your fault. Princess Celestia explained you did what you did out of love and was glad to learn you followed her instructions."

"Thanks, Twilight. I am really sorry for lying to you-."

Twilight wrapped her forelegs around him, drifted her wings around him, and squeezed him as she said, "I'm just glad you're back safe and sound."

Spike paused, seeing she looked somewhat worried and scared, seeing she must've thought something horrible had happened to him the night before. It made him feel even more guilty, and he hugged her back as he responded, "it's ok, Twilight, don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

The alicorn broke off the embrace and brushed his spines before wiping the tears from her eyes. "Ok, Spike, go see Rarity. Tell me how things go when you get back, ok?"

"Alright," Spike whispered back; he then quickly bowed his head, rushed downstairs, and headed out the door. 





It wasn't long until Spike was now in Carousel Boutique, sitting across from Rarity in her quaint, little polished kitchen, sipping tea and eating small pastries. The two were tense as they were silent throughout the meal. Eventually, Rarity looked up and asked, "so? How did the press conference go?"

Spike ran a claw down his face as he groaned loudly, "it was awful everypony was going to cause a riot. I was scared out of my mind!"

Rarity gasped, "I heard it was rather unpleasant…but after Celestia spoke, I assumed everything calmed down?"

"Yeah, things did; it was rather dull after Princess Celestia spoke about how Prince Blueblood and I were cursed with dark magic that gave us access to chaos magic. Then Prince Blueblood apologized and confessed that the dark magic played a part in why he lied about Prince Spearheart's validity as royalty."

Rarity nodded, listening intently as she sipped her tea, then commented, "sounds like quite a pickle you landed yourself in."

Spike couldn't help but chuckle as he sipped his cup and said, "yeah, I did, but it's over now. The princesses surveyed the areas where I used my chaos magic, and anything we transformed  had reverted to its original state, including all the rodents."

Upon hearing about the rodents, Rarity almost spat out her tea as she dabbed her lips and said, "yes, about that."

Spike couldn't help but look somewhat guilty but said, "yes, it seemed some magical residue lingered, and they were found trying to perform chores and cooking at a manor. Lucky for us, we have Fluttershy, whose taken them under her wing."

"Well, I guess everything is mostly back to normal," Rarity squeaked with a shiver seeing she was still squeamish seeing all of the rodents that cooked her meal last night. 

Spike couldn't help but smirk and said, "except for Owlowiscious."

The fashionista chuckled and said, "yes, seeing Twilight's pet owl as a griffin was quite something. Are there any plans to turn him back to normal?"

Spike shook his head and said, "no, as far as I know, he's staying that way; it's odd…I don't understand. I'm not a magic expert, but he should've reverted to normal."

Rarity shrugged, "I'm sure they can think of something, or he can stay like that. I have to admit he did look rather stunning as a griffin."

Spike groaned as it was terrible enough Owlowiscious was a much better assistant than him; now he was a posh butler to contend with; as he said, "don't get me started; Twilight's already getting too attached."

"Well, I don't think it's bad if Owlowiscious stayed as a griffin. I found him quite charming."

"Well, you didn't know him as an owl!" 

The two suddenly burst into laughter. Rarity then sat back with tea in hoof then asked, "so…are you still mad at me?"

The drake shook his head and said, "no, I was never angry at you. You were right. I was forcing my wants and desires on you without your say, which was wrong of me."

"And…how about your feelings for me?"

Spike held his tea and said, "I agree; let's stay as friends…for now…."

"For now…" Rarity whispered back as they clinked their cups and sipped silently. After a moment of silence Spike felt like he should change the topic then asked, "So, how was Blueblood last night?"

Rarity rolled her eyes and let out a loud, exaggerated sigh, "oh, don't get me started."

It wasn't long until Rarity started to ramble about how rude Prince Blueblood was and how he was complaining about the spare guest room she had him sleep in and how he complained all the time about his breakfast, and how he was constantly getting up at night and asking for more blankets or a nightlight. Spike couldn't help but laugh and listen to Rarity complain about Blueblood as if he was her child. At this point the conversation was much more relaxing and felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulder just enjoying her company and not having this looming weight of trying to get her to see him as more than a friend. One day they could make a relationship work, but for now, this was fine, and Spike was content with himself just being a young single dragon.