Chapter 23: Circles
I don't believe that life is linear. I think of it as circles - concentric circles that connect.
Michelle Williams
Rarity was in the lobby of the Ponyville Day Spa ready to start her weekly treatment with Fluttershy, but Fluttershy was late. Thus, bereft of her friend, Rarity found herself sitting in the lobby, flipping through month old magazines, wondering what foul deed had placed her in this unending purgatory. Finally, after an eternity, Rarity headed for the door unable to bear the weight of inaction any longer. Waiting was not penance it seemed. No, she must seek out redemption. She must find her friend and save her from whatever horrifying happenstance had prevented her timely arrive. Throwing the door open, Rarity ran into a startled bundle of fur and feathers.
“Fluttershy, there you are. I was getting worried, you are running ever so late,” Rarity said, lifting Fluttershy into a crushing hug. Fluttershy, having overreacted to the surprise door opening, now found herself bound by Rarity’s magic, with no choice but to float along as Rarity led the way back into the Spa. “Come along now, we’re already running late and I do hate to keep Lotus and Aloe waiting.”
Throughout this entire exchange, what Rarity failed to notice; was the blue and white form standing behind Fluttershy which sighed and laid himself down as he was ignored.
After a deep tissue massage, Rarity sank blissfully into the mud; Fluttershy did likewise, glad to finally have a moment to relax around someone that wasn’t equipped with a sharp set of fangs. Rarity launched into her traditional monologue of gossip, using Fluttershy as a confidant, she could talk about any- and everything while never having to worry about it being passed around. The therapeutic value of a friend who listens can never be overestimated. Once Rarity had listened to her own voice enough, she opened the floor for Fluttershy. After all; one mustn’t monopolize the conversation.
“So Fluttershy how are you? you seemed so tense when you got here, and it really isn’t like you to be late. What happened?” Rarity said as they exited the mud.
“Oh, well I ran into Applejack and Big Mac on my way into town. The Apple cart was broken, stuck outside of town. Applejack was very, very upset.” Fluttershy said, happy to have her turn. Oh, not that she minded listening, and she knew Rarity’s need to talk, oh yes, but sometimes she had needs too. Was she not deserving as the next pony to speak her mind? Yes, she understood Rarity needed her time, but this time she had some things of her own.
“How horrible! Were they able to get it fixed?”
“Well, no. The axle was broken, but I wasn’t alone when I ran into them.”
“Oh, who was with you? Do you have a new coltfriend?” Rarity said eagerly.
“Um, no it, it was Drake,” Fluttershy half said, half whispered
“Now now I know I heard that wrong,” Rarity said, jerking up. “Drake disappeared and no one knows where he is. With any luck, he has disappeared forever; never to cause us trouble and confusion again.”
“Um, didn’t somepony tell you? I would have thought somepony told you. Oh dear.”
“Fluttershy?”
“Um, well, you see… Drake showed up one evening badly injured. He was bleeding and had a number of broken bones. He got away from whatever horrible thing was able to hurt him so badly, but ended up crashing into Golden Oak. After Zecora and I treated him, Spike flew him out to my cabin so he wouldn’t scare anypony,” Fluttershy said as they moved into the sauna.
“So he was with you when you encountered the Apple siblings?”
“Yes, he even helped them get their cart into Ponyville. I think he said something about wanting to talk to you… Oh dear!” Fluttershy said remembering Drake had followed her to the spa. About that time Aloe came in to talk to Lotus.
“Lotus, do ve have a dragon vith an appointment today?” Aloe said, poking her head into the sauna.
“No, vhy? Is there one in the lobby?” Lotus said with a snicker.
“No, he doesn’t fit in the lobby, instead he’s just outside the entrance,” Aloe said. Fluttershy’s face dropped, trying to figure out how to explain, when Rarity stepped in.
“Ladies, that particular dragon has been staying with Fluttershy recently due to some injuries he suffered. She truly is the best at caring for the injured and needy. It also happens that that is Drake, the other dragon that fought in Canterlot alongside Ponyville’s own, Spike. If there is anything you can do for him, please put it on my tab for this session. That is provided he will fit in your wonderful spa, ” Rarity said, she didn’t know what Drake could want with her, a few things came to mind but she quickly pushed them away. She doubted it would have anything to do with that. No she would have to wait and see what he wanted, but he would answer her questions too, oh yes he would.
“If you say so, Rarity,” Aloe said as she left working on the logistics of fitting Drake in the spa. We will just bring him into the main room through the load dock, ja that should be big enough.
When Rarity and Fluttershy came into the central chamber after Fluttershy told Rarity more about Drake’s stay with her, Drake was on his stomach as Aloe worked to clean and shine his scales. Drake sighed peacefully; teetering on the edge of consciousness.
“Well he seems to be enjoying himself,” Rarity said to Fluttershy, who nodded in agreement as Lotus started their hooficures.
* * * * * * * * * * *
“Thank you,” Drake said as the three of them stood outside the spa, sparkling slightly. “Now then Rarity, do you have a moment to talk? I have need of your expertise.”
“Oh, and just what makes you think I will help you? According to Fluttershy, you have been something less than respectable since you got here, and I remember what happened last time you talked me into something,” Rarity said, the happenings of the wedding reception still fresh in her mind.
“The promise of a steady commission, being the official provider of my little organization, or getting to ask me any question you want and receive a completely honest answer,” Drake said.
“....Fine, let’s go somewhere that we can discuss this like civilized ponies. Fluttershy, will you be coming with us?”
“Um… no. I need to get back to my animals, having you around has been really rough on them. No offence of course,” Fluttershy said, directing the last part towards Drake
“None taken,” Drake replied, a small smile on his draconic features “I am a dragon after all. A majestic embodiment of power and terror, it only makes sense that your animals don’t like having me around.”
Drake and Rarity separated from Fluttershy and went to Carousel Boutique. Rarity directed him to the back of the Boutique, mostly to ensure their discussion would be private, but also since he couldn’t fit inside. Drake settled down gently at the back door. Rarity brought out a table, spreading blank pages over it and sat on a stool across from him.
“Now then, what is it you want me to make you?” Rarity said in a strictly business like fashion. Once she got this out of the way, she was going to use that question to the fullest of its power. Oh yes, after what he had done to her; the long evenings of practice and Pinkie’s inane but still completely on target chatter.
“I need several different uniforms. Some for pones, some for griffins, and a few for minotaurs. I also need a badge for myself and Spike that fits on our normal forms, but can grow with us when we grow. I would prefer red and black colors, but I am willing to listen to suggestions,” Drake said.
“That is quite the variety.” She said, mulling over her options.
“Well, I work with a very diverse crowd.” Drake responded, his tail swishing around.
“I suppose. Spike did mention them when he told us what you had been up to.”
“Oh did he? And how are things with Spike? Did he enjoy the song?” Drake asked, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
“Yes, he seemed to enjoy the song. Until the end at least. I fail to understand what you mean when you ask how things are going. We are close friends as we have always been,” Rarity said uncomfortably.
“I still haven’t forgiven you for guilting me into doing that number.” she continued with narrowed eyes
“So, when can I see some preliminary designs?” Drake said, ignoring her glare.
Rarity held her gaze a bit, before sighing and returning to her mullings
“Three days at best, five at the latest. Anything in particular you want from them?”
“Uh… Let’s go with a military uniform that can fit over armor, a dress uniform for fancy events and a scholarly uniform that is very minimalist so it won’t get in the way of research and experiments.” Drake said after a moment’s thought.
“Five days for the preliminary designs then. This is quite the order, a true challenge, but I assure you I am up to it. Now time for me to cash in on that question,” Rarity said jotting down Drakes request. She hadn’t expected such a complex order; but now that she had it, she reveled in the opportunity to display her talents.
“Very well, wasn’t expecting you to take that offer, but go ahead.”
“What did you do to Spike?”
“Whatever do you mean ‘What did you do to Spike’? Surely he has told you about it all already. I imagine Twilight has done everything short of pulling the information straight from his mind. Though I wonder if she could,” Drake said trailing off at the end.
“What was that?” Rarity asked.
“Nevermind, so you want to know what has changed about Spike? Or the kinds of things we taught each other?”
“What has changed?” Rarity said. The Spike that returned was not the Spike that left, and she wanted to know why.
An hour later Drake finished telling as best as he could what will have changed about Spike or at least the changes he had noticed. There was no denying his increased maturity, or the sense of pride Spike felt at his abilities. Drake also recognized that Spike had many responsibilities and was allowed to give his input in many meetings and talks. This input was often valuable and as such Spike was used to receiving respect. To treat him as they had before may well breed resentment.
“Oh and he will probably go into the Everfree from time to time. Not really my place to say why,” Drake said finishing up. “Now I must be going, you have work to do and I need to talk to Spike before this day is done.”
“Very well, I understand. Please do me a favor and let Spike know I would like to see him, if Twilight ever lets him out of her sight again,” Rarity said, understanding perhaps a bit better what had become of the adorable little hatchling. Of how Spike had turned into his more mature, or exciting, more handsome- Rarity shook her head wondering where that line of thought had come from as Drake replied.
“That bad?”
“Much worse.” Rarity said as Drake left.
* * * * * * * * * * *
It was mid-afternoon by the time Drake left Carousel Boutique. The sun was bright and the sky was cloudless; all around a picturesque day. Drake limped through Ponyville, unimpeded by the locals. It seems a bound and beaten dragon don’t bother them, or perhaps they just recognize me from the interviews after the wedding. Drake thought, recalling the paparazzi and reporters he had enjoyed playing with.
There was something wrong though, Drake couldn’t quite put a claw on it; but somehow he felt something was stalking him. Was is a royal guard after the egg? Nah, no way they could know he had it. Then what…
“Hey there Drakey-Wakey,” A voice called out from above him, as a weight settled into place on top his skull.
“Pinkie?”
“In the fur,” she said, jumping down and blocking his path. “Now I need you to do me a favor.” With that Pinkie stepped aside to reveal a long table filled with treats. When Drake looked closer he saw that each treat had a different kind of gem on them.
“And just what do ya need me to do for you? and why would I owe you a favor?” Drake said, sniffing an emerald jello.
“Rarity needs a Hero, and I make it a point to know everyone’s favorite treats. For example, nothing gets to Twilight so much as a donut with chocolate glaze frosting and sprinkles. Since I don’t know yours, we are going to fix that here and know.”
“So long as it ain’t for a party,” Drake said pulling the jello into his mouth. “Umm… okay note to self: emerald taste like kiwi.”
“Well what else would they taste like?”
“You interrogated Spike into telling you what all the different gems taste like didn’t you?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, next up… are those obsidian cookies?” Drake said moving to the next item on the table, and so it continued through the table; some Drake found quite delicious, a few had him spitting into the bushes. The entire time Pinkie carefully took notes, writing down his reaction to each treat. When Drake finished the last one, the tables disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.
“Thanks, that was the last thing I needed for the party,” Pinkie said, tucking her notes into her mane.
“Those sapphire brownies were deli- Wait, need for your list of everyone’s favorite treats right?” Drake said, licking his lips.
“Huh, oh yeah my list,” Pinkie said quickly.
“Seriously, I neither want nor need any kind of party in my honor, hell I won’t even fit in most building is this town anyway.”
“Then it is a good thing I’m just doing for that list,” Pinkie said quickly as she left.
Drake eyed Pinkie suspiciously as she walked but decided not to press her. Instead, he made for the library where he hoped to find Spike and Twilight. As he got closer, he saw the furrow his crash landing had carved into the ground. Drake frowned when he saw it, realizing just how badly Chrysalis had beaten him. If she had been even a little bit stronger I would be her thrall right now, or dead. Guess I will need to step up the training when I get back, or get smarter about how I fight. With those thoughts nagging him, Drake knocked on the door.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Drake’s return a few days ago had caused Spike a lot of headaches. He didn’t blame Drake, although he didn’t fully understand why he came to Ponyville. He just wished that Twilight would calm down and be patient.
“Spike we should just go talk to him. I don’t know why you keep insisting that we have to wait for him to come to us,” Twilight said continuing the unending argument. Ever since they had explained why there was now a furrow leading to their home to the townsponies, she had been trying to go talk to him.
“Because, like Fluttershy said, and I quote, ‘Drake needs his rest to heal, his wounds are quite serious and he can’t be disturbed, or really shouldn’t, if you don’t mind.’ So just be patient.” Twilight was about to retort, argue that it couldn’t wait when there came a knocking at the door catching them both by surprise. When the knocking came again, they looked at one another then the door. On the third set of knocks they finally shook off their surprise and opened the door.
Drake was there, his hand going for a fourth knock before the door opened. “You!” Twilight said, her eyes going wide.
“HIM!” Drake said pointing at Spike.
“Me?” Spike said before catching on. “Her!”
“What, me?” Twilight said lost in the circle of accusations and pointing.
“Yes, you,” both dragons said solemnly, answering one of the mysteries of the universe.
“Oh by the way, Spike, Rarity asked that you come over next time you get a chance. If I didn’t know better I would say she is a bit upset you haven’t been over to see her since you got back.” Drake said as Twilight looked between them, trying to figure out what was going on.
“Really?” Spike said, thinking about the dance and what Celestia said in the garden before grounding himself back in the present. “Well I suppose that will have to wait for another time now that you are here,” he said weakly.
“Spike,” Drake deadpanned, “go and get over to the dress store, before I grab you by the ear and drag you there.” Spike was about to retort, but something in Drake’s eye told him that would be a bad idea.
“Okay, good luck,” Spike said, slipping out past Twilight and booking it away from the library.
With Spike gone Drake turned to Twilight, who had kept quiet during the exchange. “Now that he is gone, I think it is time you and I had a heart to heart discussion. Close the door, and follow me,” Drake said limping away so as to leave no room for discussion. “Well come-on.” He said when he noticed Twilight wasn’t moving to follow.
Twilight grabbed a notebook and took off after Drake, ready to get some answers.
* * * * * * * * * * *