//------------------------------// // The Fine Art of Making Friends (2) // Story: A City of Light, Alone in the Dark // by aduck //------------------------------// Part 2 Zack had long since come to the conclusion that there would always be something that would surprise him on Babylon Five. After everything that had happened in the last two years, it was inevitable. Some surprises were dangerous, like when that biological energy weapon was smuggled onto the station, almost destroying it. Some were just weird and unknowable, like when Babylon Four had somehow appeared out of time just long enough for the crew to be evacuated, only to disappear again. And sometimes, there were good surprises. Like when the newest ambassador and her attache sat down at the same table he was eating breakfast at, and asked if they could join him. “Well of course. I’m fine with you joining me. Zack Allen, Station Security. You are Ambassador Twilight Sparkle and Attache Spike, right?” Said ambassador nodded as the dragon beside her took a seat. Ambassador Twilight’s horn lit up, and the chair she was standing in front of...changed for a lack of a better word. The back was removed, the seat was raised, and a large, red, circular pillow appeared on top of the seat. It was also at this time that Zack noticed that the plate of food next to Ambassador Twilight was just floating in the air, surrounded by a purple sparkling light. Zack blinked rapidly as the ambassador sat down upon the changed stool. Spike smiled at him. “Don’t worry, she’ll change it back once she’s done.” Zack shook his head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. It’s just...even with all the weird things I have seen on this station, I have never seen anything like that before. How, ah, exactly did you do that?” A small grin appeared on Twilight's face. “Magic. More specifically, transformation magic. You see, Clover the Clever first theorized-” “Twilight, you’re starting to lecture again.” Spike interjected, halting Twilight’s rambling. “Opps.” Her cheeks gained a soft red tinge. “Thank you Spike.” She turned back to Zack. “The long and short of it is magic, though if you want a more comprehensive explanation I will happily mail you the information.” “No thanks. Don’t get me wrong, it sounds interesting, but I have enough on my plate as it is.” The three began eating in a comfortable silence. “So Ambassador, why did you come here to sit down?” Twilight paused in her eating. “Mainly to meet you. Well, not you as in you Zack Allen, but to meet you, the member of Station Security. You see, my BBBFF-” “Big Brother Best Friend Forever.” Spike interjected. The dragon didn’t even have to look up to know Zach had a perplexed look on his face. “Right, my BBBFF was a member of the Royal Guard, a protector of Equestria. He even was promoted to Captain of the Guard. One of the things he told me was that one thing that made a guards day was meeting and being thanked by civilians for doing his job. I made it a point to thank guards back on Equ...on the Sphere, and I will do so here. Also, it’s a good way to make friends.” “So it is. Well, thanks for your thanks.” The sound of cutlery on plates and bowls resumed at the table. “Darn. I was really hoping that the food would improve here on the station over that on the Icarus.” “Spike, don’t complain like that.” “It’s alright, everyone complains about the food. It’s just one of the downsides of living on a space station.” “Really, how come.” Zack once again had a series of fast blinks as he noticed a small notepad and pen being levitated in the air. To his left Spike just groaned softly. “Well, you see, even with hyperspace it still takes a long time for anything to reach Babylon Five. A direct line to Earth is about forty or so hours, but that’s mainly for passengers. Our food takes a much less direct route. Large resupply ships stop at multiple colonies in a circle, with Babylon Five being at one stop. As a result, our food has to be frozen, and so it tastes…less good.” “Frozen, lower quality…” the notepad snapped shut, and both it and the pen disappeared into a small pack slung over Twilight’s back. Thanks for the explanation.” Twilight then looked down at her now empty plate. “Seem’s like it is time to go. Spike, are you finished?” The young dragon quickly scooped the last of his oatmeal into his mouth. A large gulping sound emanated from his throat. “Yup, all done.” Spike stood up. “Nice meeting you Zack.” “Indeed. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope we are able to eat together again in the future.” With that, Twilight removed herself from her chair. “And it was nice meeting the both of you as well. I hope you have a good day.” The new residences of Babylon Five walked off out of the cafe’s area. Zack noticed a scroll appear out of the bag. The pen flicked over the scroll once, and then both were placed in the pouch. Looking back at the table, Zack noticed that the chair had returned to its original form. He chuckled. “Always something on this station.” With that Zack resumed eating. A beeping noise from his hand grabbed Zack’s attention. A female voice came from his comlink. “Security control to Zack.” With practiced ease, Zack tapped the comlink on the back of his hand. “Zack here.” “We have a report of a robbery in your area. Suspect is a human; a young, black-haired female. It appears to be a snatch and grab.” “Understood, I’m on it. Zack out.” The finger tapped the comlink again. Zack took a brief moment to stare longingly at the uneaten portion of his breakfast. With a sigh, he stood up. “Yup, always something.”