//------------------------------// // Strange Habits // Story: Where I am Needed // by Saviour From The Dark //------------------------------// Where I am Needed Chapter 5, Strange Habits The sound of creaking branches and straining oak were the unusual sounds which woke the slumbering Twilight Sparkle from her sweet dreams. After leaving her bed and descending to the first floor of the Library Twilight first went to see if her guest was fine yet she found a sprawled out sheet which seemed to be hurriedly removed. Again the groaning of oak caught her keen ears and she went outside to see just what was creating such noises, birds or owls? Upon exiting her home and searching the brush of the huge tree which was her house and the towns Library she saw leaves falling out of the corner of her view. Moving to the other side of her house she saw a very strange sight...Salvatore was upside down without clothing on his chest and with his legs split so that he could be held by two reasonably thick branches. From this position he was bringing his upper body between where his legs met and seem to of been doing this for some time as sweat was dripping onto the ground beneath him. Intrigued by this Twilight allowed him to continue with his actions which...interested her...the reasons behind them of coarse and not the sight of his lean...structure with a glaze of sweat Twilight found herself entranced by this, for reasons unbeknownst to her. Suddenly his legs came together and he had landed upon his palm supporting the whole of his body after two deep breaths he lowered himself so his chin almost touched the floor then raised himself again. Salvatore did this numerous times before switching to his other palm by pushing the ground hard enough that he had enough time to replace the support with his other palm and put the hard worked arm behind his back in a formal manor. "Watching the show Twi?". A strange tone of voice questioned yet its owner was certain. "What? No, Rainbow Dash, I am just observing his...his...anatomy and...abilities...along with impressive stamina". Both of the mares watched him almost dreamily, each with different thoughts. Rainbow Dash was entranced by his strength and stamina as well as his alien looks yet a competitive and proud side of her wanted to race or compete in some test of ability. Realizing how far her taboo thoughts were getting she blushed bright as a cherry and looked at the floor slightly. Twilight on the other hand was simply admiring...his powerful body and the appearance he had...she thought of that long chocolate mane she wanted to bury herself in to feel its softness. If that is what only half of his bare form was like then what would...Two bright red apples replaced Twilights once lavender cheeks...She knew thoughts like this were strange yet did not care for their taboo origins. A thud brought both from their fantasies as Salvatore now lay on the ground facing the bright blue sky, few white puffy clouds decorated the beautiful day time sky. His worked and slightly aching muscles gave him a feeling of excitement and achievement then he felt prods on either side of his chest. Bringing his attention down to earth he saw Rainbow Dash, the one who saved his life, and Twilight Sparkle, so far a great friend and caring person, a slight hand gesture from his part was his greeting to the two mares. "Uhm what did you just do?" Twilight asked already brimming with questions again. Salvatore took some deep breaths before parting his lips "Just a small bit of my training routine, sorry if I disturbed you, but I must attend to my body to keep it strong and ready. Yamamoto drilled it into my head ever since I came under his tutorage". He wiped some sweat from his brow. Rainbow Dash came closer "Now that you mention it I do something like that every time I warm up for my practice sessions". She took a few moments to ponder. "But I have never seen anything like that before...I mean ever...how did you get so strong?" "To be honest it took quite a while and some really bad injuries plus a lot of times being beaten but that's how I learnt. I soon became strong then I wanted to become strong as I need to be. Now I train to be the strongest". Salvatore said this with...something beneath his voice which he was not revealing...Dash was not so sensitive to it however Twilight could pick it up... "How long where you guys here any way?" "Uhm...oh Twi I forgot to tell you...uhm-ah Ap-Apple Jack needs my help and well look at the time! See ya!" Rainbow Dash fled as fast as she could from the awkward scene. "Twilight?" Salvatore was propping himself up on his arms. "Care to explain?" "Okay...maybe I watched...Jus-just for a bit! Uhm yeah I was-Uh putting away some books!" Salvatore's face grew slightly amused and confused. "Putting away books...outside the Library?" A smile began to grow on his face. "Yes! I mean it could of slipped and fallen right about where you were this morning and I was coming out to collect it then happened to notice you". Twilight placed a smug look upon her face as she had gotten herself out of that pit. "Okay Twi I believe you" Twilight looked in surprise but quickly suppressed it. "Come inside its breakfast time" Twilight began to walk to the front door and a cheery mode fell upon her. She waited in the door way for her guest. Salvatore walked around the Library to stand with her, getting some looks upon the way, both smiled at each other and his hand stroked her mane slightly. They walked in and Salvatore shut the door behind himself. The rest of the Ponyville was also setting up shop and eating their first meal of the day. Whispers between mares of the strange yet handsome creature spread around...the strange taboo thoughts racing through their heads...how did he cause this strange effect? As Ponies trotted past the Library to continue their busy day voices could be heard from within the tree house. "So...got a thing for other species Twi?" "What!? Thats it get here you!" "Ah no! Don't throw bread at me!" "Not until you take that back!" "Okay! Okay! Just because you like other species it isn't wrong!" THUD! "Ouch! That was a full text book!" "Shut up you have survived worse!" "Point taken!" In truth Salvatore had sensed the Two mares...long before they knew of his activities. Rainbow Dash had been the earliest and the most adoring yet Twilight also adored but with many other reasons. How will these friendships continue? Will Salvatore reveal that he sensed their presence? Most importantly...why has no one noticed the arm?...