Fay was deep in enemy lines. The destination was the forest of the free but there was a good deal of village to get through and the pathing would bring Fay uncomfortably close to the orchard and its owner(s). The streets were still relatively clear compared to the day before, apparently it was still on the early side for the populace. The bookkeeper through hidden means, the seamstress through a hopeful gambit, and the little one through impropriety, thankfully lacking in guile... Far more exposure than acceptable. Truly the one lacking guile was not the little one. Perhaps too much time spent as a hermit to socialize properly, soon it wouldn't matter, for now though descending from the heavens was a sky blue impediment. Things would be fine if the preemptive retreat is not interrupted.
How could somepony be up early enough to finish their business in town before the town is even awake? "Hey Zecora, heading back so soon."
Fay felt the force of foregoing folly and froze, constraing communication causing the company confusion over the covert compatriot’s continence to conversation.
Rainbow Dash continued her decent not entirely awake. "I didn't mean to imply anything. Just didn't know you came to town this early is all."
Eager for escape from endangerment, "Zecora is not here, tis only Fay. The flora beckon me, have a nice day."
Having reached a proper altitude to notice the different build from her friend. "Oh, sorry about that. You speak just like her though, and that is saying something. You a friend of Zecora?"
Civility caused conversation to continue not cease clearly the case for coarse conduct, "A triangle neither acute nor right much like this pegasus still in flight. Without wings I fly above this ones head. Cannot find meaning without being lead? Allow me to make it perfectly clear, I am through with ponies and staying here!" Averting allocation of additional argument, Fay abandons the area to advance the adventure.
Rainbow Dash remained there awhile, stunned. Never before had she even considered an egghead being so rude. In the end it was too early and she had better things to do, so she went on her way deciding to not give a hay. With some time before the planned early morning shower she decided to stop by those of her friends who were early morning risers.
---
Rarity brought the news of events involving Fay to Twilight, who was needless to say distraught. A whole branch of magic and culture just walking away.
Rainbow's entrance went unnoticed as Rarity watched Twilight pace about the library. "Hey Rarity, what's eating at Twilight?"
Rainbow had good timing, Twilight would probably need her friends to calm her down or she would blow this out of proportion. "Oh, good morning Rainbow. There was a guest in town Twilight was hoping to exchange academic knowledge of some sort. It didn't work out."
Chance had brought Fay here and now chance had taken Fay away, most likely far away. There were no records she had seen of such a culture. She had studied all types of magic back at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns and yet no record of this culture likely due to the secrecy they held with their approach to knowledge as the Arcane Compendium had shown. But not even a footnote, as far as she could remember. Perhaps a censor brought forth by an international agreement. Fay acted like knowledge was seeked and feared so that wouldn't be too much a stretch.
Sure sounded like Twi to get worked up over something like not being allowed to share notes, "I can get that, but why is she zoned out like this?"
Probably making a mountain out of a molehill most likely, "Trying to make sense of the logic behind one who loves learning leaving without learning anything I suppose."
And in order to be fair neither side would be given anything in regards to the others discoveries. Fay who seeked forbidden knowledge needed secrecy and to avoid getting the attention of officials, explaining away odd behavior like camping outside a library and an aversion to causing any inconvenience to locals. "There is only one explanation. Fay is a spy."
"What? A spy! Is Fay the unusual looking robed fellow?" To think she let a spy just walk away like that. Spies meant somepony was plotting something nefarious.
Twilight finally noticed Rainbow's presence, "You've met Fay?"
Rainbow was regretting letting such a shady character simply walk off "Yeah, thought it was Zecora leaving town so I went to say hi. Seemed nice enough at first but got real rude real fast. That no good... We can't just let a spy sneak away," with that Rainbow flew off to chase down the spy.
Twilight levitated a parchment and quill and began writing a report for Princess Celestia, "If a nation truly sent Fay to spy ignoring an international agreement with Equestira... The princess will want to know about this."
Rainbow had clearly read to many adventure books, if only it had been down to earth Apple Jack, "Darling, don't you think you are over reacting a little."
Twilight had Spike send the letter before responding, "Over reacting! You know what Fay really is too. Don't you think Fay's kind wouldn't like how much power Equestria has?"
Rarity could not deny that, "Of course not, but that doesn't mean-"
Rainbow doesn't know Fay is capable of some sort of magic does she? "Rainbow Dash is going to need my help to capture Fay."
Rarity stood in the library with Spike, sighing, "Oh dear."
Despite his closeness to Royalty and politics Spike didn't always understand the subtleties, "So uh, Rarity, if Twilight is really over reacting what would happen from trying to capture Fay?"
Wrongful detainment of an innocent, especially by one so close to Princess Celestia would certainly cause a political mess. For somepony so smart, Twilight sure had some moments causing one to doubt that, "Confound it," Rarity hurried after her friends hoping to stop them from doing something they will regret.