Celestia glided down to Ponyville, a letter from Spike asking for her immediate presence in Twilight’s Tree Castle. The moment she read that Twilight was in danger was all it took for the solar princess to take to the skies. She stepped up to the large doors and knocked.
A minute of waiting and she saw Spike with a relieved look on his face. “Princess, you’re here! Thank goodness.”
“Of course, Spike. Twilight’s safety is paramount to Equestria’s own safety,” Celestia reassured. “She is also paramount to me and my bed.” She shook her head, dismissing the lewd thought. “Now what has happened?”
Spike glanced back and shook nervously. “Twilight was casting a spell she found at the castle and then suddenly there was an explosion. When I checked it out-” Spike jumped when she felt a loud smash in the distance.
“What was that?” Celestia asked, concerned over both Twilight and Spike’s safety.
“That… must have been her!” Spike uttered, hiding behind Celestia’s leg. “You gotta do something!”
Celestia looked in the direction of the noise. “Don't worry, Spike. I’ll do whatever I can to help her.”
Spike nodded as he watched the solar monarch walk down the halls to find her student.
Celestia could heard something smashing around in the library, possibly determining Twilight’s position but she sounded like she was bellowing in a powerful voice as she panicked.
Pushing the door open with a hoof, she peered in and the sight of her student made her jaw drop.
At first, she thought it was Tirek, but there were noticeable differences between him and this new creature. The creature was more slender, and instead of the red skin, she had purple. The blue mane remained but was more flared and ruffled. Four strong black legs that stomped the ground angrily, causing the ground the shake in response. Twilight’s face wasn’t a pony anymore, matching more of Tirek or the ‘Humans’ Twilight spoke of, but more feminine and with black eyes, the white pupils racing across the words of each book before she tossed it away fro the well muscled arms. Two long horns sprouted from her head, appearing intimidating to anyone until they got to know the former-unicorn. Twilight had turned herself into a sexy female Tirek, and what really surprised Celestia was that Twilight was taller than her, forcing the her to look up to see Twilight’s eyes rather than the mammaries that formed on Twilight’s torso.
Celestia wiped the drool from her mouth and coughed to catch the beast’s attention. “Twilight?”
Twilight turned to her with anger in her eyes, but the realization that she was about to yell at Celestia made her features soften. “P-Princess!” Twilight uttered, using her hands to hold up a book to hide her face. “W-what a surprise.”
Celestia stepped forward, using her hoof to lower the book, giving herself a better look of Twilight’s warped expression. Brows furrowed, fearful eyes, mouth slightly agape, and a faint blush, the expression Twilight makes when she was scared that she had failed her mentor. “Twilight… how did this happen?”
Twilight nervously tapped her fingers against the book. “I… wanted to make myself bigger… for you. When we cuddle, I always feel bad when I could only hold your belly while your wings alone can cover my whole body. I just wanted to give back.”
Celestia gave the purple centaur a happy smile, caressing Twilight’s cheek with a hoof. “Twilight, you don’t have to change yourself to make me happy. I’m happy just to be with the mare I fell in love with.”
Twilight smiled, placing a hand over her lover’s hoof.
“All that matters is you be the adorable marefriend that you always have been,” Celestia cooed, kissing Twilight and cuddling up to her chest, laying a head on the squishy furred breasts.
“C-celestia? Princess?” Twilight stuttered, blushing.
“Yes Twilight?” Celestia cooed, not moving her head.
“Can you help me turn back to normal?” Twilight asked with a nervous smile.
“Oh Twilight,” Celestia cooed, tapping Twilight’s nose lightly with her own. “You went to all this trouble to get this body, I want to at least enjoy it.”
Twilight’s jaw dropped as her head slowly turned Tirek red as Celestia lunged forward for a kiss.
~dood~
Celestia returned later, a dopey smile on her face as she happily trotted to her room. “Sister!” Hearing Luna from down the hall, she turned to see the black princess running to her. “What happened to Twilight? Is she well?”
Celestia draped a hoof around Luna’s neck. “Luna… Twilight is fine now. Just keep an open mind when you see her, I… convinced her to stay in her present form after we both discovered something.”
Luna gave her sister a quizzical look. “And that would be?”
“Getting a belly rub from a open hand is so much better than a hard, clumsy hoof,” Celestia cooed. “And don’t get me started on ear scratches.”
*****
by Bekdontraz
200 Years Before Exodus
Flare’s hoofsteps squelched in the mud of the earth pony village’s square. The town had laid out the food tribute on a stone slab in the center of the muddy area. Her troops were already working hard to pack away the food stuffs for transport back to the Fort. As her magenta eyes scanned the town she noted the usual looks of fear in the townsfolks eyes. One purple mare however was hunched out sketching something intently. Flare was astonished as the mare lifted her gaze clearly studying the Centurion's armor and form before looking back down onto her sketchpad.
Intrigued the mare’s behavior Flare trudged towards her. She stopped short flaring her grand steel clad white wings and drawing herself up to her full height.
“Might I ask what are you doing?” She asked forcing herself to use the Bound’s* barbarous tongue. The mare jumped at her voice, the pad nearly falling into the mud before Flare caught it. She moved examining it in her hooves. She was torn between amusement and anger to find it a sketch of herself with notes in the Bound’s runes. She glanced up finding the mare cowering in fear and sputtering
“Its nothing, I was simply taking notes on your anatomy.” The purple mare sputtered in broken Pegasopolian. Flare was actually taken aback by the mare’s use of her own peoples tongue.
“What is your name?.” Flare began sitting down and lifting the mare’s chin.
“Night Bloom Lily” The mare responded averting her eyes and blushing faintly. Flare had to smile at the adorable gesture. She lowered her wings and reached up pulling her helm from her head. She smiled brightly at the young mare, her mane now free of its confines falling over one eye in a bright pink waterfall.
“You don’t need to fear me Lily” She said softly, the mare lifted her gaze slowly, finally meeting Flare’s gaze. Flare felt a bit of her heart melt as she fell into the mare’s violet eyes. Flare had never felt attracted to one of the Bound, or even one of the Pretenders*, yet she found this mare’s gaze and expression very alluring. “Why sketch me at all?” She asked softly.
“I want to learn, I’m the village Lorekeeper’s apprentice.” She said blushing further from Flare’s contact with her. “I’m trying to learn the differences between the tribes.” She smiled fully “What’s it like to be a Child of the Sky*?” She asked suddenly grasping the front of Flare’s armor.
“Well it is liberating to fly free amongst the clouds. To know that my wingbeats strike fear in the hearts of my enemies.” She said with a proud smile, her eyes watching the, apparently, younger mare shaking with glee.
“What of your culture? of your Sky Forts, or back wherever your cities are!” She asks excitedly. Flare smiled and began to answer her with simple things, though she steered away from the talk of cities.
Unnoticed by either of them Decanus Vulpes watched her commander with anger in her eyes.
___
Through the months Flare returned to small village to talk with the inquisitive mare. She would bring small things found throughout her command area. Soon she would visit for meals, she would come without her armor only in the red tunic of the Legions. One night they shared a bed, in the morning Flare returned home with small night blooming flower in her mane.
___
“Back from your savage whore?” Vulpes’ voice surprised Flare. The young sand colored mare was standing in the commanders room. She was stripped down to her tunic, yet her sword still dangled at her side. Flare brushed passed her removing the flower from her mane and setting it aside.
Faster than Vulpes could think Flare spun punching the younger mare and sending her sprawling to the ground. Flare glared at her wings spread
“Prism! Take this idiot to the stocks. 20 lashes and leave the bitch in the sun.” Flare called out giving another swift kick to the stomach. She turned and glared at the young mare who was writhing and cursing on the ground.
“They are under our protection and care, if I choose to engage a mare in a relationship that is my choice. You may write to Roam about it if you so wish, but until I receive official sanction you will not invade my chambers armed.” Flare turned and watched as her second in command Prism Star stepped into the room. Soon the moron was removed and Flare was alone with her thoughts.
___
She landed hard on the dirt path leading to Lily’s house. She started to take a step forward, but stopped and really looked around. All of the huts were closed, and no ponies were around. She perked up her ears and started to gallop towards the hut drawing her sword as she galloped, the wrappings tasted of oil in her mouth as she charged only realizing her mistake when he front hoof hit the trip wire. She tumbled landing hard, before she could stand again a spear pierced her side. She cried out in pain as another three slammed into her body, a number more missing and landing in the hard packed earth.
Prism stepped up to his fallen commander with his sword sheathed, several legionnaires stepping up to cover him with spears.
“Sorry Flare, but you’ve been polluting the ranks with your filth long enough. The Augers back in Roam have seen a day fast approaching when a long winter will begin. We will have to survive with the numbers we have. We can’t go polluting the Empire with these savages.” Prism stepped forward placing a hoof on his dieing commanders side. “I made it quick and clean though, I am no animal. Good Bye Flare, may the gods guide you to your rest.” He stepped away leaving Flare in a pool of her own blood.
Flare whimpered staring ahead with darkening vision. She tried to move her hoof trying to drag herself forward. She felt herself go numb and her world dark. She tried to open her mouth, but the words died in her throat.
___
Flare gasped her eyes flying open to find herself seated at a simple wooden table, she was bare and unwounded. Blinking she looked up at the only other pony present. The mare sat on a stool, her wings folded,and her horn pointed. She smiled sipping her tea
“I am sorry for this Flare” The mare began flicking her rose mane out of her eyes. Flare simply blinked “You're dead my child. I brought you here to make an offer, your lover’s soul has already gone to her people’s wheel of rebirth, You however have a different offer.”
Flare looked at her and blinked again “What? She’s gone?” She croaked her throat dry.
“Yes, try some tea dear” The Mare floated a cup over in her magic and smiled again “Don’t worry she’ll be reborn eventually” The Mare smiled again. “Drink”
Flare reached out gently taking the cup in her hooves and sipping the warm liquid. Her mouth felt better, but she could only look down.
“I offer you a different destiny though,” The Mare began, “You can be reborn now, in a new form. I can send you back to guide all of the tribes”
Flare nearly choked on her tea as she began to laugh She found herself and her tea cup reset, The Mare’s smile never changed.
“So? Do you think you can do it?” She asked again
Flare shook her head and snorted “You can’t expect me to do that! I’m a Centurion in the Roaman Legion!”
“Were,”
“I want revenge on those that killed me and my lover!”
“They’ll be long dead by the time you get back”
“I can’t do this!”
“Sure you can”
“I don’t get a choice in this do I?”
“Nope! Don’t worry in a few hundred years I’ll send you a sister”
Flare shut her eyes
“Fine ho-” She gasped as cold snow was packed around her body. Her eyes shot open and she clawed her way slowly out of the snow. She shivered glancing down her body at her wings. “In the name of Tartarus?”
“Not my name” The Mare’s voice came from behind her “Its been Two hundred years since your death. Sorry, rusty on ascension.”
Flare spun around and narrowed her eyes her horn glowing as she took a defensive stance.
“Good, was hoping you’d have the instincts, now lets begin our lessons!” The Mare smiled happily and pointed up with her hoof “First reach out and feel the sun.”
“WHAT!?!”
[cneter]*****by Knight of Lycaeus
"Sister?'
Groaning slightly, Celestia opened her eyes and looked to find the source of the voice. She knew her sister would be around although given the situation it was unusual for Luna to refer to her so informally. As her vision cleared she looked up to see a horse. A horse of an unusual colour of midnight blue and that was not even including the long sharp horn on its head or the broad wings at its side.
Celestia's eyes widened at the sight. "What are you?"
Luna turned her head slightly, "Sister? Is something wrong?"
"L-luna?" Celestia asked hesitantly.
"Indeed. Now I ask again, is something wrong?"
Celestia tried to stand, but was having difficulties finding her balance. When she looked down at herself she found that was looking at the body of a horse whose fur was a snowy white. She quickly glanced over herself and noted that she was also an unusual horse with both a horn and wings.
Before Celestia could ask anything else another groan interrupted her thoughts. A smaller purple horse also with horn and wings who had been lying next to her tried to stand.
"What happened?" asked Twilight.
Twilight looked up to see that two horses were standing nearby, one snowy white and other midnight blue. Both had wings and horn and as she looked over herself she noticed that she was a horse like the other two albeit one with purple fur.
Luna sighed softly, "I would guess that you Twilight Sparkle likewise has no idea where we are, what I am, or what has happened?"
Twilight mutely nodded.
Twilight slowly opened her eyes and tried to have a look around although her vision was still foggy. Once she was able to she could tell she was definitely not in Canterlot Castle. She tried to find Celestia, but she didn't see her usual snowy white Alicorn. Instead there was a woman sitting in front of her with white skin. She looked down at herself and sighed softly when she realized that whatever that artifact they had been studying had either changed them into Humans or had sent them to the Human world.
"Good to see that you are awake," said Celestia as the woman walked across the room to help Twilight off the floor.
Twilight nodded, "You're calm about this. I'm guessing you have seen Humans before?"
Celestia gave a slight smile, "My friends and I also had adventures of our own. It does seem like as Bearers that we both end up in some interesting experiences. I am certain there is a story or two I could tell you about. Preferably later when we are both home as this would be an excellent excuse to spend some personal time together."
"I think I like that idea," Twilight stated calmly and slowly in an effort to dodge what Celestia was suggesting, for now anyway.
The sound of a throat clearing alerted the two to realize that they were in fact not alone and there by the door was a blue skinned woman. "As amusing as this might be," said Luna as she walked into the room, "and as much fun as making the most of this by teasing my sister this may be. It is still strange for me to see her with anyone especially someone who is some years younger than her even though I do know you are not my sister."
Both turned to Luna with sheepish looks on their faces.
"Right, step one get and then step two we could go back to-" Twilight said before trailing off.
"We could go back to our usual activities," Celestia added trying to firmly shut that avenue of discussion.
"The only thing that I know is likely involved is that statue over there," Luna said trying to return the two to the problem at hand. "Although I have to say that you are both remarkable calm about the circumstances you have found yourself in. Would I be correct in assuming this is not your first instance of being in a situation like this."
Twilight and Celestia shared a knowing look before turning back to face Luna.
"You could say that."
Luna shook her head at their response and then turned and left the room leaving the two free to examine the unusual statue.
The statue in question was a mangled piece of metal shaped to vaguely resemble an animal at least according to the notes left by the sculptor. The statue was not large, but wove together iron, copper, gold, nickel, just about anything metal in a complex fashion and designed to be a lion.
Equestria
Twilight looked at the odd statue and gave it a tentative poke with her hoof. The idea of being a horse and having hooves was weird enough, but the idea of a world populated by magical talking horses among other things was something else.
The statue looked like the one she had seen earlier when she was at the Canterlot Museum. Made of twisted and woven metals of all sorts and shaped to resemble some sort of animal, although this was intended to be a wolf and not the "lion" she had been looking at earlier.
"Do you anything about this Principal Celestia?" Twilight asked as she turned to find the white horse in the room.
Celestia was off in another corner trying to look through the books that Luna had brought in. So far turning the pages of a book was proving to be difficult and adding to the problem was that there wasn't much on the artifact to be found. "Frustratingly there's nothing in here about that statue or the other that was on display at the Canterlot Museum. It seems like the sculptor was a reclusive who didn't leave many traces of who he or she was. The only mention I've found only lists a name, "Twin Peaks".
"Twin Peaks," Luna said as came into the room. "are you certain of the name of the sculptor?"
Celestia nodded, "That's the name I'd found within this book. It looks like someone was trying to translate the artist's journal and according to the translator, the artist was "a mess of ranting and ramblings, and most certainly mad".
"There's a little more in this book here," Twilight commented as she pointed to the worn book she had open in front of her. "It's an older book and the language is a little difficult to understand, but I think it says that Twin Peaks was an Earth Pony who created their greatest works during the Years of Madness."
Earth
Celestia sighed and said wearily, "I thought the statue looked familiar. I think I now remember who made this thing."
Twilight turned away from the book she was reading which claimed to be a translation of the artist's journal. "You do? Have you met them before or have you just heard of them?"
"Sadly I've met her or him. Twin Peaks is the name of the artist and they could never decide about their gender among other things. Twin Peaks lived during the Years of Madness and was a devout worshipper of a twin headed or twin faced god, again with Twin Peaks the story and its details were never consistent and changed with each retelling.”
Twilight ran a hand over the statue, “Not the most stable mind, but the craftsmareship on this is good.”
Celestia picked up the statue and looked it over carefully as she ran her fingers over the metal. “Twin Peaks’ Cutie Mark is on here carefully hidden in the base. This is definitely Twin Peaks’ work. As a Pony, Twin Peaks was not of a sound mind, but had an unmatched skill for metalworking. The fact that this was created during Discord’s decade or so reign of Equestria actually made this one of the saner works produced in that time period.”
“We know who created this. Is there anything you know about how to fix this?” Twilight asked.
Celestia gave a hesitant nod, “I believe I know how to fix this problem of ours. The portal is closed as this is not the correct time for it to be opened, but if we placed this statue by the portal and our counterparts currently in Equestria do the same with other statue we should be able to reverse this…. Hopefully.”
Twilight look at Celestia, “Hopefully? Do we have another else other than guesswork backing us up here?”
Celestia shook her head as she placed the statue back down. “Twin Peaks was obsessed with the concept of duality albeit a twisted idea of duality hence the wolf and lion statues represented the Moon and Sun respectively. It also tied into Twin Peaks fervent worship of the twin god.”
“So that means that the best chance is when the Sun and the Moon are together. I would guess we try at twilight for our best chance at reversing this.”
Equestria
“Please Twilight Sparkle calm yourself,” Luna said to the fidgeting purple Alicorn.
“I’m sorry Princess Luna, but this isn’t really a situation I’m all that comfortable with,” said Twilight who was trying to remain composed as servants and Guards ran hither and yon trying to organize everything.
“I do have to admit this is a bit out my depth as well,” Celestia commented although she was a lot calmer than Twilight was at the moment.
“I do apologize for dragging you both in this; however we were scheduled to make at the very least an appearance at this event. As my sister was not one to break appointments off so easily it does mean that if you had than there would be many uncomfortable questions. Although I am glad this is not one that sister was to preside over.”
“So how long does this event last?” Twilight ask as her eyes darted around the room watching the moving Ponies and clearly uneasy about the situation.
“Likely a few hours as some of the events I had to attend as Principal of Canterlot High tended to last a few hours if not longer,” said Celestia.
“I do think there is a solution to your current problem. With what I know of who Twin Peaks was, our best chance would not be until twilight which is still some hours from now. I would have preferred isolating you two away from the crowds until then, but far more suspicion would arise from your absence.”
Luna turned to look straight at the other two Alicorns, “Although there is one other thing that I must ask that you do for me.”
“What is it Princess Luna?” Twilight asked.
“What else do we need to do before the event begins?” asked Celestia.
Luna sighed deeply, “I would have to request that both of you to please stand closer together. You two are currently standing close, but not close enough and it would be strange for the public to not see you two so close by each other.”
“Why is that the case Princess Luna?” Twilight asked trying to stall hearing the answer that she likely already knew.
“Are our counterparts are dating each other?” Celestia asked as thought over what Princess Luna had been saying.
Luna nodded, “For some time now.”
“What?” Twilight exclaimed.
“I also have to admit that sounds unusual,” Celestia commented.
“If you mean the age thing then know that they both freely consent to it. Not to mention that for ageless beings as well as immortals, to find for ourselves a partner of comparable age is difficult and extremely limited.”
Earth
Celestia wrapped an arm around the smaller woman, "Don't be nervous. I'm here with you and we will be find a way back."
Twilight smiled and returned the hug, "It's hard to guess if this will work or not."
Celestia smiled wistfully, "I remember my run-in with Twin Peaks.Twin Peaks was a brilliant sculptor and somehow was able to tap into magic in a way few Earth Ponies are capable of. The obsession with duality in everything does mean this is our best chance."
Twilight leaned into the taller woman, "Now I really want to take some personal time and hear some more about your past adventures."
Both groups stood in front of the portal as the time drew closer to sunset. Both groups pushed the statue close to the inactive portal and slowly the portal began to glow as did the two statues before there was a sudden flash of light.
After the light had faded both groups looked themselves over before sighing as they realize that it had worked and things had reversed back to normal. The Human Celestia and Twilight had agreed with Pony Luna earlier on something that they should do once things were back to normal. They pushed the statue towards the portal and in another flash of light the statue was gone.
Meanwhile on the Equestrian side the Pony Celestia and Twilight had quickly moved the statue away from the portal before they saw another flash of light and before them was the lion statue. With that the temporary link between the worlds faded and the two groups were now back to how it was before.
*****
Sophia strolled merrily down the street, a group of books under her arm. Her political science exam had ended not three days ago, and the feeling of the great burden of academic pressure lifting from her shoulders had set her afloat in the sea of freedom that was life without work. She caught sight of Carol on the other side of the street and waved, but did not stop to talk this time. Today was too important for that. Instead, she turned her sights back on the quiet little library that was the standard place of refuge for the woman she wanted to talk to more than any other. While there was a flutter in her heart at the thought of what was waiting for her behind the modest wooden door of the modest wooden building, she was outwardly radiating waves of calm and a quiet, winning smile. She stopped before entering to check her appearance in the window of one of the nearby markets. The reflective surface told her that her hair needed a bit of extra curl to it, so she ran a finger through the reddish locks. She looked again, smiling at the smoothed length running down her back the familiar waves she so loved. Her traditional white business suit was abandoned for a smoother, cozier sweater. After all, Allison prefered to keep things more modest and comfortable. With a final adjustment to the books under her arm, she made her way towards the door of the library and reached for the knocker.
It was only after the first knock that she was greeted by the words “good afternoon, Sophia“. Allison opened the door with a shy smile, her hands clasping together in anticipation.
“How did you know I was coming?” Sophia marveled, her hand coming to brush nervously against the side of the door. She stopped herself from fidgeting further with a concentrated effort, forcing herself to stare at Allison’s bright and curious eyes instead.
Allison took this as an opportunity to launch into a lecture, which Sophia in turn took as an opportunity to appreciate Allison’s existence--body, mind and voice--without having the skittish librarian catch her in the act. “You see, nine times out of ten your visits are near the midday, which is when the sun is highest in the sky, suggesting you were coming at some point during the day. In addition, it’s been roughly eleven days since you last saw me, which guaranteed a visit was inbound at some point during the day. Of course, it could have been a random guest that had arrived before you did, but you have a hesitance in your knocks that sounds specific to you. Like you mean to swing a strong hit against the door but stop yourself at the last minute.” Her eyes widened. “Am I yammering? I’m yammering, aren’t I? I--should let you in! Please, come in. It’s been a while.” She gave a bashful smile, then ushered Sophia inside.
Sophia looked around with the grin of somebody returning to a place they could truly call home. Pictures of Allison and her little brother, her older brother and her parents lay resting on the rigid and polished desk in the back corner, while books littered the entirety of the library. Not content to keep them on the shelves, Allison had scattered them around the staircases, the tables and against the walls. Sophia had a strong suspicion that if Allison could find a way for books to be in the same space as people, she would utilize it, too. A blackboard with several grad student-level math problems left in various stages of completion was behind the help desk, while the counter was littered with papers showing a series of casual doodles that were better than anything Sophia herself could do with hours of time. The two women came to rest beside a Newton’s cradle and a highly stylized bust of the previous owner’s head and began to talk.
“So how was your last final?” The younger woman asked, her simple black hair shifting to match her tilting head.
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Sophia smirked, putting one hand to her cheek and staring at the book Allison was reading. “Some law, some history, some opinion pieces on real-world problems and governing styles. The sort of thing a student-body head has to know about anyway. I probably could have aced it even if they’d made us do it after summer break if I really tried. And how about you? How is…Love Amongst the Dragons?” She looked over at the book in question.
Allison blushed and shifted it away as quickly as she had opened the door. “Sappy. But it’s sort of...cathartic, I guess? Sometimes I wish...well, nevermind.” She blushed again and looked down. “And your tutor workshop? Did you learn anything that could finally get some people interested in these dusty old books of mine?”
Sophia smiled softly. “Carol, Harriet, Agatha, Alice and Robert are all interested, as is Melissa and as is Jacqueline. And, of course, that’s not including myself or your brothers. But if you want to get more people to look at your reading material, maybe we should try advertising it. Run a book drive. Get people involved.”
Allison looked down again. “I don’t know. I don’t think I could really do that. I’m not really a winning face, you know? I barely even keep time with the people I know. You know what they say: To sell something you have to sell yourself. And, well,” Allison gave a fragile, sad little smile, “who’d ever want to buy me?”
A hand reached its way across the desk to land softly upon Allison’s own, gently squeezing it. “Anybody who got the chance to really know you, I’d wager.” Sophia was truly fighting an epic battle not to embrace the fragile young lady before her then and there, but the young woman kept her poise as always, brain trumping heart once again.
Allison sighed, then looked up with a warmer smile. “You always know what to say to cheer me up.”
Sophia looked at her with a gentle concern, one she had practiced faking many times in her role as student representative but very sincerely felt at this particular moment. “I’m not always here, though.”
Allison sighed. “No, no, you’re not. And ever since Spike moved out it’s been just me here. I dunno. Maybe I’m just going a little stir-crazy.” She gave a little laugh, looking around at the suddenly very large and empty room.
“Allison,” Sophia looked very serious for a moment, “while I appreciate your dedication to your job and your studies, I don’t think it’s healthy for you to keep yourself locked away in here all the time. You have to live through all parts of the spectrum of life, not just the ones that are assigned to you. ”
Allison simply waved a hand, looking equal parts amused, exasperated and annoyed. “You know I don’t have time for that. I’m taking on a big enough work load as it is.”
Sophia’s brow creased. Though she knew the ploy was cruel, she knew it was ultimately a kindness to her self-defeating friend. “You consider spending time with me a chore?”
Allison’s eyes widened with horror, just as Sophia had intended. “N-no! Of course not! Why would you even think that? I mean, do you see spending time with me as a chore?”
Sophia stumbled upon the next words, trying very hard to repress how attractive she found it that Allison had just successfully rebounded a question upon her. She let the spike of affection reach her next few words. “I think anybody I know would be blessed to spend time with you,” she said with as much tenderness as an oft-cold future politician could muster, “and I think that I need to share that sensation with the world. You are too good to be locked up in some empty chamber all alone.”
Allison opened her mouth in protest once more, but Sophia beat her to the punch. “Especially since you seem to be under some delusions of inferiority.”
Allison shifted and blushed again. Her hand touched the cover of Love Amongst the Dragons, and she shivered. “Actually, I--I was going to say that I don’t really feel all alone here. Spike still sends me mail, and so does Chad. And people do stop by, like you say. It’s not really me who’s lonely, it’s just the books. I’m worried nobody appreciates them--”
“--And I’m worried nobody appreciates you--”
“And, frankly, I don’t need anybody else’s approval, because you’re worth more to me than any of them ever could be!” The words slipped so easily and carelessly from Allison’s mouth that it took a moment for either party to properly register what she’d just said. Allison was the first to react, lifting a hand to her lips and giving a faint squeak of alarm. Her cheeks suddenly turned a vibrant red again, and Sophia herself ended up blushing, too. It wasn’t until a moment later that the political science student reached her composure, a sly smile dancing across her face.
“I think I may be putting some pieces together.” She moved Allison’s hand such that her appendage was nestled between Allison’s digits and the cover of the romance novel she had been resting her hand upon. Just as she expected, Allison's hand didn't withdraw or cringe to the touch. Instead, with shaking fingers, her beloved librarian slowly wove her fingers with Sophia's once Sophia began to initiate the act. Both women fought against their heart leaping in excitement, but Sophia in particular was battling against waves of emotion trying to command her body's reactions. As always, though, her brain was quick to put up defenses against these rampant emotions. She told herself to pace things out and let Allison stay in her comfort zone. She told herself to filter her emotions and her words to prevent an outburst making Allison feel put upon and terrified. But to her immense shock, her emotions trumped her brain and her heart rushed to find what it had so abruptly decided was its match.
“And I suppose you went and said precisely what I was thinking, too. It’s rare to meet somebody who can keep up with or exceed myself in so many subjects and still have a strong sense of modesty and compassion. It’s almost unheard of for them to be as shy and sweet as you. And never have they been as devoted to learning and teaching as you are on top of all your countless other blessed traits. I may--” She swallowed, and found to her shock that the tantalizing shine in Allison’s eyes proved too much for her clever, guarded brain once more. “I do feel the way about you that you seem to feel about me. And because of that, I want more of you within my life…” Sophia trailed off, and then her smirk grew wicked again.
“But to catch me, there’s only one, well, catch.” Sophia slid off her chair and walked slowly, purposefully towards the door. “You’re going to have to prove to me you can follow me. I have no doubt in my mind I want to find you by my side whenever I search for you. But I don't live in a quiet library tucked away from everybody else in the world. I live in a very different world with a very different life. We already know I'm able to handle your lifestyle, but I have to know if you can handle mine. So for your good and mine, if you want me, you’re going to have to chase me to get me. And you’re going to have to do it out there.”
Allison looked conflicted for a moment, biting her lip and staring at the floor. She pulled her eyes back up to stare at Sophia with a look of iron will and commanding presence that Sophia had never seen in the awkward scholar before. “You’re on. You can count on me, Sophia. Always.”
Sophia smirked. “My faithful schoolgirl. It’s a date, then.” She took a single step outside, then peeked her head back through the door frame and winked. “See you on the other side.”
Allison nodded, one of her famous checklists already in her hands. “See you on the other side.”