//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Passing the Time. // Story: Spike's Out of His Depth // by TheSecretBrony //------------------------------// Twilight lay in the middle of the library floor defeated. With no Spike to assist her, the library had won. Organisation was one of her strong points. She'd successfully co-ordinated winter wrap up, on time and on schedule. She'd never missed a deadline on a report, the thought of which made her shudder, and her level of focus was unrivalled. Yet there she was, surrounded by a seemingly endless piles of books, taunting her just by being there. "I hope Spike comes home soon..." she whispered, before rising to her feet. She was happy for him, she truly was. It was Spike's first real relationship and she understood that now he had other priorities, he wasn't always going to be there when she needed him. He was still her assistant but she wasn't the only important pony in his life anymore. In truth, Twilight was jealous though she would never willingly admit it, how silly would it make her look, being jealous of Spike? She was the personal student to Princess Celestia, the Element of Magic, she had five of the most adoring friends she could ever want. She was the quite possibly the worlds biggest bibliophile and she lived in a library. All of her needs were met, except for one. She walked into the kitchen, using her magic she removed the lock on the one cupboard Spike wasn't allowed to open. From within it she produced a bottle of wine and a glass. A birthday present, courtesy of Berry Punch, she frowned when she saw half of it was gone already. "Going to have to buy more..." she grumbled as she poured herself a small amount. Twilight wasn't much in the way of a drinker, all through school she'd often looked down on her classmates who grinned with pride as they recalled their exploits under the influence. Drunken fools were drunken fools and Twilight liked to think she wasn't a fool. The alcohol just helped calm her nerves a little, that's all, besides a little wine never hurt anyone. Given how she felt at the moment, she welcomed the eventual numbing of emotions that would soon follow, maybe then she could collect her thoughts enough to finish reshelving. Even if Spike wasn't there to help she was determined to get it done. She felt saddened as she remembered the reason he wasn't there. "It isn't fair." She moaned. "Why is it everypony else seems to have a special somepony but me? My brother's happily married, my assistant has a marefriend and it's Fluttershy! The last pony anyone would have expected get in a relationship with the only dragon in town! She's supposed to afraid of dragons for Celestia's sake. Even the girls have their little stories, they're often about relationships gone wrong but still, they've had at least one." She downed her drink and started to pour a second. "I think Applejack is the only one I haven't heard bragging but come on, AJ spends all day on the farm, nopony's going to ask her out with her brother nearby..." She began to pace about the library, an excercise she often took to when in deep thought. No book could provide an answer as to why, or a solution for her predicament, and Twilight had looked. No matter how many novels, guides or manuals she read on the subject, romance was just too elusive for her to pin down. She sat, thinking long and hard, sipping on her wine, covering every possible outcome, as she was want to do in a crisis and to her this qualified as such. Suddenly she bolted upright, in a eureka moment, as she reached the only conclusion she could think of to make any sense. "I know what's wrong. Nopony wants to date the nerdy librarian! Nopony wants to date someone smarter than them." Her moping quickly turned to anger at this and she quickly finished her third glass. "That has to be it, I mean what else could it be? I'm not ugly am I?" She walked upstairs, stumbling on the steps a little as her focus started to falter. "No, it's because I'm an geek isn't it? I'm not normal enough for any of the stallions in this town..." Her train of thoughts quickly followed down this track, it was true wasn't it? Rainbow Dash had often taunted her for being an egghead, out of playful bater of course but that was just it wasn't it, she was an egghead. The only stallion like her in town was that sickly looking one, who wore glasses and was still suffering from acne despite puberty passing him a long time ago. She prayed that he would never ask her out, yet was seemingly hurt by the fact that he hadn't. Oh let's face it, that guy's quite literally the bottom of the barrel and even he hasn't bothered, odd considering he's always in here reading comic. Comics! They aren't even proper books, what are they even doing in a library! Defeated and feeling quite drained, the alcohol making her feel sleepy, Twilight decided to retire. A quick glance at the clock told her it was still early in the afternoon, she could sneak a quick nap and still have time left over to sort the mess downstairs. As her eyelids started to feel heavy, she let out a large yawn. Before she drifted off her final thoughts were of Spike and Fluttershy. She hoped they were having a better time than she was. Spike and Fluttershy were indeed having a good time, their little picnic becoming something of an unusual spectacle. The Ponyville weather department had scheduled a light downpour over the town at the request of the farmers, fortunately thanks to a timely intervention by Rainbow Dash, the date was not ruined. True to form as a loyal she had punched a hole in the cloud cover over the pair so that they wouldn't have to change their plans because of the bad weather, protocol be damned. Anypony who happened to look would see that despite the rest of the town getting wet, the couple were safe in their little cone of sunlight. After enjoying their meal, at which time the rain had come to a more natural stop, the two carried on with their walk through town. Rose the florist waved at them as they passed the market, clearly happy to see yet another relationship in Ponyville she'd had a hoof in creating, regardless of how small her role was. Their destination was Sweet Apple acres. Apparently Winona had acquired an injury whilst helping herd the cattle and Fluttershy had offered her services. "Howdy y'all!" The greeting came from Applejack who welcomed Spike and Fluttershy as they approached the homestead. "Good afternoon Applejack." "Hey AJ!" Spike said with a wave. She tipped her stetson at them, as was the common courtesy amongst the Apples. "Nice to see you two, still getting along I see, how is everything if you don't mind me askin'?" "Everything's fine, why do you ask?" "No reason, just curious." She said, though unnoticed by Fluttershy, Spike was quick to pick up on the nervousness in her voice. He also noticed the subtle glance out to the south, where he could hear the sound of a pair of mighty hooves striking bark. Deciding it was no business of his Spike tapped Fluttershy on the shoulder. "D'you mind if I dash off? I figure it's better to get whatever Twilight's got planned for me out of the way, you don't need me for this right?" Fluttershy shook her head. "No thank you Spike, see you later?" "Definitely!" And with that he started back towards home, leaving the two mares to talk. They headed towards the barn, Fluttershy started to look a little concerned as she could hear Winona's whimpering, she doubted the injury was cause for much concern but it still pained her to hear an animal in pain. "You sure you two are okay?" Applejack asked again once Spike fell out of earshot. "Yes." Fluttershy was puzzled by this, Spike was just here, he was happy and so was she, just what was Applejack expecting? "Absolutely sure?" "Yes". Is she hiding something again? Applejack you know you're a terrible liar, can't you tell me what's wrong? Applejack looked at the ground ahead of her. "Sorry, jus' making sure, can't be too careful can you?" "I suppose not." Something is definetely bothering her... Well, I'm sure she'll tell me eventually, I mean, I trusted her with my secrets, right?...Right? As they approached the door to the barn, Winona, smelling her owner on the wind, had limped out to meet them. Her right hindleg was held painfully against her stomach, leaving the poor dog to balance on three legs. She still had that cheerful smile, but every step was clearly causing a lot of discomfort. Fluttershy flew over to the wounded hound and scooped her up in her hooves. Thankful to be off her feet, Winona began lapping at her face. "Hehe, it's nice to see you again Winona! Would you mind if I took a look at your leg?" Seemingly understanding the soothing words of the pegasus Winona nodded, carefully Fluttershy lay the dog down and began to examine her injured leg. "What happened?" She asked Applejack who was stood watching from a distance, not wanting to interfere. Fluttershy just couldn't shake the feeling though that not all of her concern was focused on Winona. Applejack tapped her chin as she tried to recall the incident. "Not too sure, reckon a bit of carelessness was involved though, either she's slipped up and caught it on something, or she got to close to the pack and got trampled. All I know is one minute we were herding the cows back into their pen, the next Winona is whimpering like a lost puppy pining for it's mother." Fluttershy huffed. Maybe it didn't bug ponies like Applejack but Fluttershy secretly hated the whole notion of farming animals. Cows could talk, they were intelligent creatures, but ponies still found it neccesary to lock them up in pens. "Haven't you ever considered asking the cows to get into their pen? They might not be ponies but they aren't stupid." To her surpise Applejack started laughing "Now where's the fun in that?" "Fun?" She replied through gritted teeth. "Sure besides applebucking there ain't much to do this side of town. I'm pretty sure the cows don't mind, like you said if they had a problem with it, they'd be able to tell me." "I guess..." Fluttershy continued to work in silence, scrutinizing the limb whilst being careful not to cause any pain. Eventually Applejack felt the need to speak up. "So what's the verdict?" "It's just a sprain, probably from running too fast." She looked at Winona. "Now you be a good little puppy and stay off that leg for a least a week, do you understand?" Once again Winona nodded. "Good, Applejack it may help if you could bind the leg to stop it moving, she'll need a rest and plenty of food and water. Okay?" She stood up, being careful when placing Winona on the ground "Sure thing Fluttershy!" Applejack said, grateful that her companion wasn't that seriously harmed. "Thanks for stopping by." Applejack began walking towards the house to retrieve some bandages, more than eager to follow Fluttershy's instructions. Looking back however she noticed Fluttershy following her. "There a problem sugarcube?" Fluttershy became slightly flustered, as though she'd been caught out. "Oh no, it's just well, I have a question." Applejack turned to face her. "Shoot." "Okay erm, w-why did you seem so worried?" AJ started to scratch her head "About Winona?" She shrugged "I've had her since she was a little puppy, she's an Apple through and through, course I got-" "Not about Winona, Applejack, about me and Spike." Now it was Applejack's turn to look flustered, her eyes darted left and right, hoping to find some form of distraction or diversion. "Oh er... Listen sugarcube, it doesn't matter you're both fine so that's that, now I really gotta see about fixing that leg of Winona's." "Applejack, what's wrong." Fluttershy stared at her for the longest time, eventually cracking under the pressure AJ threw her hat on the ground, frustrated. Oh darn, I can't say no to Fluttershy can I? Damn you honesty! "Applejack?" "Ah consarnit, I can't hide nothing can I?" "I wasn't going to say anything but you seemed a little, distracted." Applejack sighed "If you must know sugarcube, I was a little worried about you and Spike, turns out there was no need though, y'all are doing just fine without me moseying in on your business" That last statement had Fluttershy even more confused. "What were you expecting?" "Ah don't rightly know sugarcube, guess I was just being paranoid." "That's not like you." "I know! Look can you keep things quiet, this don't leave us y'hear." "Sure thing, you kept my secret!" Applejack contemplated for a moment deciding the best way to explain herself, eventually she found the words and started to talk. Ushering Fluttershy closer she spoke in the quietest of whispers. "Alright look, I don't know the details but Big Mac's been acting awful peculier these past couple a' days. Now the last time I saw him acting like this was after that whole mess with Cheerilee, you know the love potion my sister and her friends slipped 'em." Fluttershy nodded. "So the way I figure, Big Mac's having girl trouble again and that got me worrying. I know it's silly but thinking about his problems with relationships, which are his business and his business alone, I was worried maybe something might have gone wrong between you two as well. It's superstitious nonsense but there it is." "Oh my is he alright?" Fluttershy asked. "Yeah the big lug'll be right as rain after a couple a days, probably burn through a couple a barrels of the good stuff but he''ll bounce back. It was you I was worried about." "Do you know who the marefriend is?" "Nope and I get the feeling I don't want to know so I haven't asked. Don't matter anyway, I ain't proud to admit but stallions of Big Mac's... build are hard to come by, specially in this town. Knowing him he'll already three new marefriends lined up. Assuming his latest one's gone off him." "Oh okay." Thanks Applejack, that was a little too much information "So that's all that was. Sorry if I ruffled your feathers any, I didn't mean it." "Don't worry you were just concerned for a friend, nothing wrong with that" "Well, if that's all I best be getting back to work. See you on Friday?" "Friday?" "Twi's sleepover remember?" "Oh okay, see you then!" Oh darn I completely forgot about that! His date now officially over Spike walked his way back through town. He walked with a smile and a spring in his step, why wouldn't he? As far as he was concerned everything in his life was fine and dandy, it didn't really matter to him what Twilight could do to him for skipping out on his chores, he in too good of a mood for that. As he passed the boutique however he stopped. He pondered for a moment as to whether he should go in, but it didn't appear to be open, all curtains were drawn and the windows were shut. That and the big "closed" sign pinned to the door. He shrugged and continued his way home. Unbeknownst to him however a figure was watching from the shadows, wearing a hooded cloak and fuming at the very sight of him. "Skip along little Dragon, skip along. I hope you enjoy things as they are because I guarantee they aren't going to last. I'll make sure of that." Whipping the tail of their cloak around the stranger disappeared into the alleyway. "Poor little Spike, maybe someone needs to remind you what you are hmm? And I shall be the one to do it!"