//------------------------------// // Chapter One: First meeting // Story: A Lonely Life // by duvagr007 //------------------------------// Chapter One It was a perfectly normal day for Twilight, full of studying and magic practice, her number one assistant being helpful as ever. That is until he clumsily fell off the ladder he had been standing on moments before, hitting the ground with a slight 'thump' and sending the books he had been carrying flying all over the library. "Spike, you really should be more careful," said Twilight, holding back a slight chuckle while helping him up," you could get hurt." "It's not MY fault that it's hard to climb a ladder with only one hand..." Spike grumbled, obviously agitated that Twilight found all this funny. "Besides I don't see why you can't just float them up there with your magic, and leave me to clean and cook." "Well that would make it easier, but I'm rather busy right now Spike," she said as she levitated the strewn books into their proper place, seeing fit to help him this once so he wouldn't hurt himself more than he already had. "And besides, you are my number one assistant aren't you?" Spike opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off by the sound of somepony walking into the front door. He went to greet them seeing as Twilight was 'busy' and when he rounded the corner to the main area of the library, he saw a rather timid and worn out looking stallion standing there. The stallion had a dark indigo coat and a white mane, he had a quill and parchment cutie mark, and sported a hat of some sort- a schoolboy, NO! a Newsboy cap that almost covered his horn from view. "Hi! I'm Spike and welcome to the Ponyville Public Library!" Spike said very cheerily to this newcomer. "How can I help you?" The stallion looked rather confused for a minute then shared his confusions verbally, along with his name. "Um... I-I'm I-Inkwell. A-Are you in charge of the library?" He asked, seeming rather confused as to why a dragon would be in a library. "Well no, but I am the librarian's assistant, said librarian, Twilight Sparkle, is busy and sent me to see what you needed." Spike thought correctly as to the timidness of this stallion who was in the library, as for his other attributes, Spike could tell he was probably an author of some sorts based on his cutie mark. Other than that, Spike didn't have a clue as to what he should think about this stallion. "O-oh, well then I'll just wait for her to finish... if that's not to much to ask. The help I need requires me to talk to whoever is in charge. You don't mind if I wait do you?" Spike told him to take a seat and went to go get Twilight. All he could think was that this stallion reminded him of Fluttershy because of how.. well... shy he was. He rounded the corner back into the study where Twilight was, and saw her hard at work, she still managed to know he was there though. "Did you take care of that customer Spike? What did they need?" she asked pointedly, it was always business with her. "No, he said he needed to talk to the owner of the library, I'm not sure why." Spike said. "his name is Inkwell and he seems a little shy, so take it easy on him Twi." Twilight sighed in agitation as she went to speak with Inkwell, for some reason the name seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite put her hoof on why. ___ As he sat there waiting, Inkwell couldn't help but feel like this was a very bad idea, even if he did need the money after paying back his college loans. He was about to get up and leave when a rather beautiful mare walked into the room looking rather upset that she was disturbed from her work. "Hello there, my name is Twilight Sparkle, how can I help you Mr...." she trailed off, forgetting the name Spike had told her. "Inkwell," he said "I-I was wondering if you had a job opening, I just moved to town from Canterlot, and I'm in desperate need of money." "..." Twilight was taken aback by this, and was at a complete loss for words. She stood there attempting to process what she had just heard. Inkwell... Inkwell, why did that name sound so familiar? Then it suddenly hit her, she knew who this stallion was, he was the author of one of her favorite books: The Wings of Love. "Oh. My. Gosh. Inkwell, THE Inkwell, author of The Wings of Love?!?! How could YOU of all ponies be in need of money? I LOVED your book, it was so amazing!" "Um... well... I-I'm glad you liked my book, but you are one of the only ones, I barely made enough off of it to pay my student loans, but what about me working here?" "OF COURSE YOU CAN WORK-" She was cut off by Spike nudging her side a little roughly. "Um, Twilight, can I talk to you for a sec?" She looked at him confused, thinking another jealousy thing would spring up, but gave in with a sigh. "Fine..." Spike had brought her to the other side of the room so they wouldn't be overheard by Inkwell. "Listen Twilight, as much as I know you like this guy's book, I have a couple of objections in letting him work here." Twilight gave him an angered look while he continued. "One: this is a small library, and you already have me and Owls to help you out. Two: Even if we did need the extra help, don't you think we should talk to Princess Celestia about it first?" Twilight blinked at him, he had just made more sense with those two statements than he had in his whole life put together. "You're right Spike..." "I'm sorry I'm what?" Twilight rolled her eyes before continuing, "We really should ask the Princess, but Owlowiscious is more for carrying letters to nearby ponies, and you can only do so much on your own when I'm busy." Spike thought for a moment then conceded. "Fine but we need to get the Princess's approval, okay?" "Deal," then to Inkwell she said "Okay Mr. Inkwell, I need to ask Princess Celestia before I can hire you, but I'm sure she will be fine with it. Where are you staying while in Ponyville so I can send for you when I receive an answer?" "Wait, why do you need to ask the Princess before you can hire me?" "Well, I'm her student and I'm staying here while I study. So, I will have to ask her before letting somepony work in the home she provided me with." "You're... Princess Celestia's student?" Asked Inkwell rather bewildered at this statement. "Yep. So anyways like I asked before, where are you staying while you're here?" "Well... I'm currently living in a very roomy box near Carousel Boutique." He said sadly. "Oh my, you really need this job don't you?" "You have no idea." Twilight thought for a moment. "If you want you can stay here until I get a response from the Princess. Speaking of which, Spike, write a letter to Celestia explaining everything" "YES MA'AM!" Spike said with a little mock salute. Inkwell was a little shocked at Twilight's offer, he had never met anyone kind enough to let him sleep at their house while knowing so little about him."Um, as much as I appreciate the offer, I couldn't possibly impose on you like that. I'll be fine in my...box." "Oh no, it's no imposition, especially since I asked you," said Twilight with a smile. "I simply couldn't stay here overnight with us having just met. Thank you but I refuse to accept your offer, good night Miss Sparkle," and with that, Inkwell walked out the library. Twilight was concerned for Inkwell, but let him go, then noticing how late it was, along with her tiredness, decided to call it a night. "Spike! Did you send the letter to Celestia?" Her assistant nodded and followed her upstairs to their beds. As she got into bed, a last thought of Inkwell drifted through her mind as she began to doze off.