//------------------------------//
// Flat Hair 
// Story: How a Balloon Can Break a Rock 
// by Michael Hudson 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight hummed to herself as she flipped to the next page of her book. She had taken the chance to have the library to herself as a chance to play catch up. While making new friends and fighting gods of chaos was fun, it was also exhausting, and there were still so many books to read that she had never heard of. Some even had vampires in them, like the one she was only just beginning, named after herself. Despite Rarity’s insistence that it would rot her brain, it was the most popular romance out, so she had to give it a shot.

As she began to learn about the main character, Deep Frown, a soft knock came against the library door. At first, Twilight wasn't even certain that she had heard the sound, until it came again, barely any louder. For a moment, Twilight considered not answering, but the thought of robbing any pony of the knowledge they might be searching for disgusted her, and she gently opened the door with her magic.

Soft hooves echoed against the hard, wooden floor as the visitor entered. Twilight's curiosity grew the longer she listened to the pony below. So quiet, so tame, and not even looking for a librarian. Her eye started to twitch as she tapped the floor with a forehoof. Once the sound had disappeared, but the door had not re-opened, Twilight yielded to her inquisitive side, and floated down.

A quick glance showed to her small piles of books, kept orderly in different corners and nooks of the library. She made sure to keep herself invisible as she floated deeper into the library, her eyes not even phased by the darkness. Neither was it a problem for the intruder, who spotted the wraith before the spirit had a chance to spot her.

"Hi, Twilight."

She whipped her ethereal form sideways, the voice having been familiar, but not very. When she saw her pink friend though, she found she could only hang in the air. The long, straight hair sent chills down her spine, but she waved the feeling away. It was Pinkie, not an intruder. "Uh, hi, Pinkie. Strange seeing you here like this."

Pinkie shrugged, a small smile crossing over her lips. "I need books, so where else I was supposed to go? My backyard?"

A small giggle escaped Twilight as the worries from earlier left her. Pinkie was probably just trying out a new hairstyle, and she was overthinking it. She floated beside the other mare, gently bumping her. "So, what types of books were you looking for?"

Pinkie glanced away for a moment, before nodding to herself. "Well, I had heard some new books came to the library when you and Sunset came, so I thought I would make sure I was still the master of the supernatural. Besides, I've got a train ride later today, and need something to help me sleep."

Twilight nodded as her horn glowed, lighting up the darker part of the library. The morning sun hadn't come out yet, and the better lighting brought with it new discoveries, including tear stains on Pinkie's cheeks. A gasp ripped itself from Twilight as she put a hoof on Pinkie's cheek. "What's wrong?"

Pinkie smiled again, shrugging. "I got a bit annoyed last night while trying to make my family the right dish. I just couldn't quite get it right though."

Twilight nuzzled her friend as a few, small books came in front of the two. She stared into Pinkie’s eyes for another moment before sighing. "Would you like me to come? I can close the library, and Sunset isn't expected back for another week. Besides," nudging Pinkie playfully in the ribs, "for the pony who wants to help me the most with fitting in, we've spent such little time together."

Pinkie glanced back at Twilight, before taking in a deep breath, and letting it out. "You know what, that sounds amazing. I get so stressed about seeing my family every year, and it might help having a friend like you there."

Twilight nodded, before a large grin broke over her face. "Let me go get some books then. I don't want to be bored either!"

Pinkie watched as her friend took off, and a tear came down her face. She hadn't let others come before because it hurt too much, and no pony could ever do anything. But if anypony was to be able to set her mind to rest during all of this, she was certain it was Twilight. At the thought, her hair rose slightly, and she was able to actually smile as the wraith came back.

"Are you ready?"

Pinkie blinked at the mare with a large suitcase beside her, before laughing. "You betcha!"

Twilight beamed back. "That's more like it!"

The two left for the train station, with Pinkie tiredly pulling along Twilight's suitcase, while her own saddlebags sagged beside her.