The residents of Golden Oak Library were up early this morning, one of them by choice. Yesterday had been a long day ever since they received word that they should expect a guest who would be arriving early the next, that is to say today. Now guests to the library were rare enough but this was a traveler who chose the library as their 'first' destination.
“Twilight all I am saying is that even if Pencil Pusher was right about him looking forward to the library as much as she claimed, that doesn't mean we have to stay up late and get up early preparing. And besides early means different things to different ponies. Maybe he meant before lunch?"
"Spike, this traveler came all this way to learn. The least we can do is make sure everything is perfect for him or her. Can you go and get some fresh apples from AJ before they arrive?"
Spike grumbled as he made his way to the door, "Yeah, yeah." Upon opening the door he was greeted with an unusual sight. "Whoa! Dude that's creepy." A tall cloaked being loomed in front of the open door unmoving with a crow perched on it. "Uh, no can do Twi."
"What? Why?" Twilight called from the kitchen while preparing a pot of coffee.
"They are already here." Spike called back and then continued under his breath, "Wasn't kidding about being early."
Twilight hurried over to greet their mysterious guest. "Welcome to Golden Oaks Library, please do come in," to which there was no reply.
The two glanced to each other while the crow cawed at them. Spike decided to voice a thought, "Do you think they are still asleep?"
"What? Don't be silly. Who would sleep outside a building to make sure they get there right when it opens?"
"Somepony who doesn't know when the building opens or has no way to tell time."
"There is a clock tower and the directions would come with the hours of operation."
"Look, they haven't moved at all and there is a crow on them. Either they are asleep or really focused on something," to prove his point spike decided to shake them awake. At the very least the crow decided to go find somewhere else to perch.
"Spike, that's rude."
Slowly the cloaked figure shifted. "See Twilight, I told you they were asleep. It's unnatural to be awake this early." Twilight wanted to comment on which aspect of this was truly unnatural but the guest spoke up first.
"Good morning, please allow me a moment to convince my body to move." They could see its legs tremble underneath the cloak as if there truly was an internal battle of wills going on about moving from that spot. It did not take to long before the guest stepped forward. The cloaked one looked at the sunrise before commenting, “Earlier than I expected, a pleasant surprise.”
“Well honestly we don’t normally open this early. Didn’t Pencil Pusher tell you when we open when you asked where the library was?” Twilight asked.
“I was only told to look for a tree which would be hard to miss. I am glad to see it healthy.” Looking over the tree, “Going the extra distance to keep it healthy was very thoughtful.”
Twilight would have to have some words with Pencil later. “I imagine it was mostly done for the sake of appearance though. It is a bit brisk out, do come inside.” Twilight noticed the grass where the guest stood was taller than the neighboring region and had spouted blooming poppies that most certainly were not there the day before when she closed the door behind them. She introduced them to the guest, “I am Twilight Sparkle and this is my assistant Spike.”
Fay replied with a slight bow, “Greetings esteemed bookkeeper, I am Fay the vagabond.”
Spike had to know the reason for half of his problem and he took care not to sound upset, “So, uh, Fay, why sleep outside the library? It’s not going anywhere, no need to get up early or anything.”
Fay’s answer was heartfelt, “I wished to avoid the crowd if at all possible.”
Twilight chuckled awkwardly, “Yeah, library being such a popular place and all, waiting for your turn at a book would take away from the experience.” Twilight couldn’t help but feel slightly envious of a place where libraries were truly appreciated by the public as Fay seemed to be implying. “What can we help you with today?”
Pulling out a book, “If I am lucky, nothing,” Fay set the book down on a table and waited a moment while looking around. Twilight and Spike waited in silence trying to avoid being rude to the culture of the foreigner. “A shame, it was worth a shot though.”
Spike had more experience than most with books sitting around, “It's just a book. What did you expect?”
Fay held up the book and explained, “This is my Arcane Compendium. It is a mystic tome that contains all the knowledge of my land’s magic. I have never heard of it being updated but nothing ventured nothing gained.”
Twilight was curious of another culture’s magic and levitated the book to herself to have a look, “Uh, its blank.”
It appears this culture needs to be learned first for safety before I can get anywhere, “Where I am from such an action is seen as very rude. I ask that you refrain yourself in the future.”
Twilight smiled sheepishly, “It is here too.
Fay continued, “The Arcane Compendium only shows knowledge you have earned from the basic foundation up to advanced topics. It serves to prevent accidents from a lack of proper understanding. I have yet to gain access to everything in it myself. Although, there are those who would try and get around this by asking the book’s owner for the knowledge instead.”
Twilight tried to transition as politely as possible back on track, “So… since your compendium didn't work out, what kind of books are you looking for today?”
Fay looked down in shame, “I am unable to read your language, your books would be useless to me.” Fay made for the door dejected, “I should be on my way.”
“Now there is no reason for that, we can read them to you.”
“I couldn’t selfishly waste the time of a bookkeeper like that. Simply being given access to them despite being an alien is more than I could have asked for.”
Spike shouted in surprise, “You’re an alien!”
Fay voiced the confusion felt, “Does that mean something different here? I am not a resident of your country, I thought my appearance, even cloaked, was enough to tell that?”
Twilight clarified for both parties, “Spike reads too many comic books, most ponies would know what you were referring to. On the topic, why are you cloaked? Is it too cold in here for you? We could build a fire if you like.”
Fay’s response was nearly instant and vehement enough to warrant a follow up excuse, “No, that’s quite all right.” Sighing upon noticing the mistake and stalling for a suitable response, “To be seen uncloaked would require an intimate level of trust.”
This gave Twilight an idea, “Why not read them to you, not as a bookkeeper but a friend? I can teach you some things you want to know and you can teach me some things.”
“But what of your duties to society as bookkeeper?”
Twilight waved off the concern, “I will still be around if they need me. It is just us right now and times like this happen more often than you would think.”
Fay considered this while grasping the worn cloth that was all that served for protection from this society of those that eat plants, all wielding an unknown magic stronger than once seemed feasible.
Twilight’s keen eye saw the similarity to Fluttershy’s fear of crowds. With nopony to support Fay all this time, growing self-conscious over appearance when all eyes are naturally drawn was understandable. Fay was a vagabond after all, and the cloak was old and worn. “Come on Fay, I think you could do with a visit to my friend Rarity.” Twilight all but dragged Fay who struggled to sufficiently refuse while Spike followed closely, never one to miss a trip to Rarity’s boutique.