//------------------------------// // Chapter 22 // Story: Tale of Two Dragons // by Kind of Brony //------------------------------// As expected, it had taken more than twice as long to catch up with the caravan because of Grey’s lack of wings, and Phantom wished the earth pony knew how lucky he was that Gerard had refused to allow him a turn at carrying the heavy lug. If he had, the pegasus would have developed a sudden, severe and altogether tragic case of butter hooves. Instead, Grey Stone was placed gently upon the ground by his companion behind the caravan which had slowed to a stop. Phantom could already spot the familiar top hat of his employer before he touched down. “Ah, Phantom, it’s so nice of you to join us. However, I must admit to being surprised; I didn’t think you’d return for at least another day. I also didn’t expect you to be bringing guests." To anyone else, Zariba would have sounded entirely cheerful, but where others heard curiosity, the pegasus heard accusation. “Er, sorry boss, there were a few… hiccups, in Bedville.” “Hiccups? Oh no, I can’t say I like hiccups at all. Mind telling me what this ‘hiccup' was?” the zebracorn asked, voice growing tight before he turned his smile to Grey and Gerard. “Or perhaps your friends here would like to explain. No offence Phantom, but you do tend to lie like a foal when you’ve done something wrong. I’m sure these fine gentlefolk won’t leave anything out.” Phantom went to defend himself, but Gerard spoke first, “Yeah, hiccup.” The gryphon snorted. “That code for ‘I’m a total coward who won’t do jack when others are doing my job'? Because that about sums up what went wrong.” “Now come on, Gerard. I don’t like Crispy here either, but he can’t be blamed for everything that went wrong, only about three quarters of it.” The bird snorted, but didn’t interrupt as Grey continued. “Those dragons blew through town just like your boy said they would, but it wasn’t even a full day later. Might as well have been no warning at all with the zilch prep work we got done.” Dr. Zariba hummed with a frown. “You don’t say? Even I have to admit that is unexpected. I didn’t think Amethyst could cover such a distance in such a short time, let alone with a child in tow.” Shaking his head, the smile returned. “Oh well, one can’t be right all the time, can they?” Grey’s ayes narrowed minutely. “No, I don’t suppose so. Kid didn’t seem like he’d be too much of a hindrance. From what I heard, the little fella showed quite the spine when his friend was in danger. Damn near gave Gerard here a concussion in fact.” “Oh? Now that must have been an interesting scuffle,” Zariba noted. “Perhaps that’s why you’re here? A bit of vengeance?” “You could say that,” huffed the gryphon. “Bedville doesn’t take kindly to outsiders coming in and roughing up its citizens, and those two did exactly that.” Punching a fist into his palm, he added, “Grey Stone and I came along to make sure those dragons pay for what they did.” Brow raised, the zebracorn asked, “And what makes you think that you’ll find justice with us?” “Phantom said that you’d be having a run in with the dragons. The way I figure it, if that’s true, then going with you will be the best bet for finding them.” Zariba mulled over the response before nodding. “Yes, I suppose that does make sense. Miss Thistle has always been the proverbial thorn in my side and I don’t see that changing any time soon.” Spinning on his hooves, the doctor began walking. “We might as well set up for lunch now that we’re stopped. I need to debrief Phantom and get our new companions settled anyway.” He looked over his shoulder. “Come along you three, we have much to discuss.” “Well,” Gerard began, adjusting the small pack on his back as he watched the pegasus fly after his employer. “That was easier than I expected. Figured somebody who’d have Phantom working for them would be dumb and hard to talk to, but he seems reasonable enough.” Grey gave him a sideways look. “Really? Are you just ignoring the skull-face or did you go blind? If that zebra isn’t bad news, then I’m not an earth pony.” He made a show of tapping his forehead then looking at his back. “Darn, coulda been an alicorn princess.” “You don’t have to be smart about it,” snapped the gryphon. “Aren’t you old wizened types suppose be going on about not judging books by their covers and all that crap?” “First, I’m not that old, and second, that kind of thinking is right for just about every talking critter out there except equines.” Grey Stone gestured to his boulder of a cutie mark, a pickax sending a fissure down the middle. “In case you haven’t noticed, we tend to be pretty on the nose.” “So what, you’re saying we can’t trust this guy at all just because he’s a bit spooky looking? Wow, old and paranoid- Ow!” “Now who’s the one getting smart?” Grey said as he placed the hoof he just thumped Gerard with back on the ground and started trotting after their escorts. “Listen, we’ll stick with them for now, but I want you to keep your eyes peeled, alright? If something's fishy around here, I don’t want to risk sitting in the stench longer than needed.” “Yeah, yeah, I’ll be careful. Just worry about yourself, old timer,” grumbled the gryphon as he began to follow. “From the looks of it, I don’t have much competition in the air, but there are plenty of dogs and ponies for you to contend with if things go sour. Don’t be expecting me to try and fly you out if a fight goes down.” “Pfft, like anyone around here could take me anyway.” As they made their way around a newly set up cooking fire, the largest diamond dog either of them had ever seen stepped into view and gave them a scowl before wandering off. Gerard quickly snapped his beak shut and looked to his companion. “If you say so.” Grey schooled his own expression and cleared his throat. “He’s probably real slow, big ones like that usually are.” “Sure, but maybe don’t try and find out, eh? I’d rather not explain to Anvil how his oldest friend got turned into paste.” “He’d be more upset with not being able to say, ‘I told you so’” mumbled the earth pony. “… Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” ~8~ Spike grimaced as Amy pulled another strip of semi-charred meat from the vulture carcass and tossed it into her mouth to be chewed loudly. “I can’t believe you’re eating that. It looked nasty even before you cooked it.” “Eh, it’s not too bad; a bit gamey though,” Amy responded as she worked her tongue against a piece of gristle stuck between her teeth. “Can’t be picky when you’re surviving in the wild. You should try some.” The younger dragon recoiled from the chunk of smelly flesh offered to him. “No thanks, I’ll just stick with this,” Spike answered as he ate another dried apple slice. Really, even if the meat wasn’t the most unappealing kind he had come across since traveling with Amy, the rotting rabbit the bird had been eating was still fresh in his mind and quelling his appetite. “Suit yourself, but you never know when you’ll come across prey in a place like this,” Amy responded with a shrug. “Surprised you won’t try though. You liked the hare and rattle-snake.” “Augh, don’t mentions hares for a while. Seeing that last one is why I can’t stomach meat right now.” He gestured at the fowl. “Are you even sure that thing’s safe to eat? Besides being the ugliest bird ever, I heard vultures eat some pretty gross stuff. I mean, it even tried to puke on you when you were catching it.” “It was just trying to get me to back off. It wasn’t sick or nothing.” She gestured to the meal. “Didn’t work either.” Spike rolled his eyes at the macabre humor and went about crunching some nuts. “So, how much longer until we reach somewhere, anyway? We must have made some pretty good progress today.” Humming, Amy pulled out the map and unrolled it. “Well, I suppose that depends a bit on where we’re going.” “You still haven't decided?” “Hey, we still got a little ways before the paths are actually different, and this is an important decision,” retorted the elder dragon. “Zariba will be stopping at one of these two outposts and I’d rather not be there when he does.” “Is there any way you can know which one that’ll be?” “Well, no, but-” “Then just choose already,” Spike stated with finality. “Watch, it’s easy.” Bringing a claw down to the map, the young dragon began a rhyme and shifted between the options. “Rich mare, poor mare, beggar mare, thief, doctor, merchant, buffalo chief!” With that, the tip of his claw stopped and he leaned down. “There, we’ll go to Burrowton.” Amy quirked a brow. “Really, Spike? You’re gonna leave our fate up to a counting rhyme?” “Hey, you weren’t coming up with anything better,” he shot back. “And what’s wrong with counting rhymes? It was good enough to decide who got the last chocolate chip cookie when Twilight’s mom baked them, and those were much higher stakes than this. Twilight really likes her mom’s cookies.” For a moment, it looked like the dragoness was going to question what exactly her brother meant, but shook her head. “Fine, we’ll go to Burrowton. If anything, we’ll at least be able to score some primo gems while we’re there.” “Why’s that? Is it a mining town like Bedville?” “Sort of,” Amy answered as she rolled the map up. “It’s a diamond dog den more than anything as the bulk of the ‘town’ is underground and it’s not exactly modern. The only reason it even shows up on the map is because the dogs are willing to trade their gems for whatever they can’t make themselves.” Hesitance entered Spike’s eyes. “Sooo it’s like a bunch of underground tunnels filled with feral diamond dogs.” “No… Well, yeah, but feral is putting a bit of a negative spin on them,” answered Amy, “it’s not like they’re going to eat us or anything. I’ve been there before and the dogs were pretty nice.” The dragoness put a claw to her chin in contemplation. “That said, they may have been on their best behavior on account of me being a dragon and all. Like they thought if they angered me that I was going to steal all their gems for my hoard or something. I did get more than a few wary looks, thinking back.” Lowering her claw she leaned forward. “Speaking of wary looks, what’s with yours? You don’t have something against diamond dogs, do you?” concern leeched into her eyes. “I know Cujo and his gang didn’t leave a good impression, but you saw all the dogs back home who weren’t causing trouble.” Spike shook his head. “No, it’s nothing like that… Er, not really, anyway.” Taking a deep breath, he brought his claws together. “I get it, you know? It’s not right to judge people for things others did, but back in Ponyville, a… really good friend was captured by some diamond dogs kind of like how these Burrowton ones sound, and they tried to make her a slave. Sure, by the time we showed up to rescue her, Rarity already had them begging for us to take her and leave, but the whole thing was scary.” The young dragon sighed. “I was right there when they grabbed her, and I couldn’t do anything but run back to town screaming for help… Going to Burrowton just brought up the memories is all, it’s not like that’s going to happen again. I’m just being stupid.” “You’re not being stupid, Spike,” stated Amy with conviction. “You’re admitting that something was bothering you before it became a problem down the road. If you want, we can still go the other way. No need to make this whole fiasco more traumatic than it’s already been.” Spike blinked a few times before a smile pulled at his lips. “No, we’ll go to Burrowton and I’ll meet the nice diamond dogs who may have been rightfully afraid of my dragoness sister who was probably tempted to steal all their gems.” He puffed his chest out. “I, the heroic Spike, will conquer my fears.” “Hey, I don’t steal… unless the original owners are long gone or if it’s from criminals.” The mock look of indignation on the older dragon’s face began to sober. “Heh, then again, you are the heroic one, so I guess your moral judgment is more accurate than mine.” With a sigh, Amy leaned back on her palms to stare at the sky. “Facing your fears head-on instead of taking the easy way of avoiding them… I couldn’t do that.” Without warning, a fair portion of the air in her lungs was forced out by a jab to her gut. “Oomph! Hey! What’s the big idea-!” “Stop talking like that!” Spike interrupted sharply. “I’ve already forgiven all that, so stop feeling guilty about it. The only thing that matters is what’s happening now, okay?” Though it had meant to sound resolute, a hint of pleading seeped into the young dragon’s words, and Amy found her heart twinge. “Sorry about that. I was being mopey and stupid. Kind of hard not to be sometimes when you get into tough situations, you know?” Spike stared for a few moments, eyes narrowed slightly before relaxing his expression and nodding. “Yeah, I know what you mean. Twilight’s gotten all sad like that before when things start to go bad, but it always works out as long as she can see the bright side.” Amy’s raised eyebrow posed an unspoken question as clearly as if she’d asked aloud. “Like now for instance. Sure we’re in the middle of nowhere, but we got away from that crazy zebra at least.” He held up the considerably lighter bag of dried rations. “We have food and water and still half of a sugar diamond… And we have each other too.” He suddenly gave a cocky look. “Something you should really be thankful for. I’m great company, after all.” “Pfft, sure are,” responded Amy with a mock eye roll. “I’m sure I’ll read all about how humble you are in your autobiography, right?” “It’s definitely gonna be a must read,” said Spike with a nod and his arms crossed. “I’ll send you a signed copy when this is all over.” With a final snort, the dragoness tossed Spike the water and started gathering their things. “How generous. Here, drink up and get ready. We’ve rested long enough and I’d like to reach a town sometime tomorrow.” Standing, she asked, “Still Burrowton, right?” “Right,” he answered as he wiped his lips dry and stood. Handing the last of their dried goods over, the small dragon moved to his sister’s side and began walking. “Augh, do you really have to bring that thing?” Amy looked at the cooked bird in her claw, swallowing down a chunk of flesh. “Of course I do, there’s still meat on the bones.” “Fine, just don’t breathe on me, it stinks,” grumbled Spike, not looking forward to time spent with the temporary third traveling companion. Hopefully there’d be better food at Burrowton that didn’t smell so bad. Probably lots of gemmy goodness he bet. What else would diamond dogs eat? >< “Are you even tasting that?” Grey asked his companion as the bird practically inhaled his bowl of stew. Gulping down a cheek-bulging mouthful, Gerard exhaled loudly and licked his beak. “Of course I am. You’d think I’d waste a meal like this when I’m usually stuck eating Sis’s cooking?” Taking a large whiff of the rising steam, the gryphon hummed and looked over to their dinner companion. “I’m tempted to join the group full-time just so I can eat like this all the time. Really, amazing stuff, Miss Spritz.” The mare blushed and waved a hoof. “Oh, it’s nothing that outstanding, just something I threw together from last night’s dinner, and that honestly wasn’t my best work on account of how beat I was after the round trip to Ford Junction I was telling you about.” “I hate to be calling such a beautiful young lady a liar, but I have to agree with Gerard on this one,” said Grey Stone after taking a bite of his own meal. “This is some of the best vegetarian stew I’ve ever had, and the fact that you pulled it off even after such an impressive flight.” Spritz chuckled. “I’m starting to wish you two would join full-time. It’d be nice to have fellas around that actually appreciate my cooking. Most of these lugs don’t know the difference between quality food and carnival hay-fries.” Looking to Gerard, she smiled wider. “I’m glad the rattlesnake stew is to your liking, too. I hadn’t had a whole lot of opportunity to practice anything other than vegetarian cooking until after I started working for Dr. Zariba, and I have even less experience with non-traditional meats like snake.” “Definitely couldn’t tell with how great this is. These guys are really lucky to have you with them,” complemented the gryphon as he began to raise the bowl to his beak. “Actually,” the stew stopped just before its destination as Gerard peered curiously over the rim. “How did a mare like you end up with a group like this? No offense, but you don’t exactly fit in.” Citrus Spritz huffed. “Why’s that? Think I’m not tough enough?” Holding up a metal ladle, she made a threatening motion. “I can protect myself and the boys know not to mess around with the rations without my say so or else they’ll be getting some lumps.” “Wow, wow, little missy, he wasn’t saying you were weak or anything,” Grey Stone spoke in defense of the cringing gryphon. “Believe me, if there’s any male around here who know not to cross a member of the fairer sex, it’s Gerard. His sister has the meanest right hook in Bedville, after all.” “Uh, yeah, what he said,” Gerard said, cringing at the crack in his voice. Clearing his throat, he sat up straight. “What I meant was, I’m wondering why you’d be working for someone like Zariba and his gang. Most of them seem the rough and tumble type or outcasts, which you don’t seem like either… Not saying you couldn’t be!” Narrowing her eyes at the gryphon a moment longer, the mare let her expression ease up and giggled. “I knew what you were getting at the first time; I was just teasing you. Well, that and making sure you knew not to mess with me while you're with us.” Citrus set her bowl down and sighed. “You know, sometimes, when things get really rough, I find myself asking that question too. But then we’ll visit some out-of-the-way settlement in a different kingdom, and I’ll be reminded of why I’m doing this.” Reaching down, she turned her bowl of stew by the rim. “It’s all for this.” “Uuh, stew?” Sending a weak glare at Gerard, causing him to look sheepish, she answered, “No, not stew… Well, not entirely. I want to become the world’s greatest chef and open my own restaurant, and traveling is integral to the first of those two goals. Since working for Dr. Zariba, I’ve gotten to experience so many different dishes and culinary styles I’d never have even imagined if I stayed my whole life in Equestria. Not to mention all the different ingredients I’ve gotten to cook with.” She gestured to Gerard’s dish. “How many ponies back home do you think can say they’ve cooked rattlesnake?” “I suppose that’s a fair enough reason, though I can’t see quite how it justifies such dangerous business,” Grey Stone said. “Well, bits also play a role of course,” responded Citrus. “Traveling would be expensive on my own, but all Dr. Zariba asks from me is that I cook and manage the food budget, which I love doing anyway. And that’s not even including actual payment. Not only do I not pay rent or utilities, but I’m also getting quite a few bits in my bank account every month on the job.” Gerard whistled. “Sounds like a pretty sweet gig. Almost too good to be true.” Averting her eyes, she spoke, “Oh, it’s not perfect by any stretch. What is, you know? But there aren’t exactly a whole lot of options. I’ll be the first to admit that my goals are pretty lofty, so I have to be prepared to make sacrifices and do things I’m not always comfortable with.” Grey Stone raised a brow and frowned. “Not comfortable with? That zebra doesn’t ask you to do anything… inappropriate, does he?” Blinking a few times, a luminous blush burst across the young mare’s features as she squeaked, “No! I mean, I guess by the definition of the word, sort of, but not anything like that! I mean, I haven’t even done… that! With anypony yet!” The stallion leaned back and breathed a sigh of relief. “Sorry for insinuating such a thing, Miss Spritz, but, well I haven’t seen any other mares, or any females for that matter around here, and Zariba is a stallion, after all.” No, I get it, but that definitely hasn’t happened. The doctor is many things, but unprofessional with his employees is not one of them,” Citrus breathed, blush still bright on her face. “That’s not to say there hasn’t been the occasional… invitation from some of the more vocal members around camp, but Dr. Zariba runs a very strict operation and everyone here knows to respect each others boundaries or else face punishment.” A chuckle parted her lips as she added, “Besides, I’ve learned to handle myself since I started here, and everyone knows that all cat calling will get them is a ladle to the noggin.” Gerard laughed. “I’m liking this mare more and more. She and Sis would get along like two peas in a pod.” Grey chuckled. “That they would.” The smile dropped. “Though that does leave the question of what exactly the zebra asks you to do that you don’t like.” Citrus broke eye contact almost instantly and remained silent a moment before mumbling, “I better go make my rounds. Have to make sure everyone’s gotten a bowl and that nobody has tried to sneak seconds yet. Toby’s always trying to steal food, after all.” Taking wing, the mare fluttered away, her own dish in hoof. She called over her shoulder instructions on what to do with their bowls when they were done, but it was obvious she was still trying not to look at them. After she had left their sight, Grey gave a sideways glance at his companion. “Well, wasn’t that suspicious. I wonder why bringing up the good doctor would have spooked the mare off like that.” Gerard rolled his eyes, but couldn’t hide his concern as he looked after his new acquaintance. “Yeah, yeah, don’t get sarcastic with me. You’re hard enough to put up with as it is, old timer. Obviously Dr. Zariba is shadier than I thought. That doesn’t change the fact that we have to stick with him if we want to find those dragons.” “Is it really worth it? We don’t know anything about these folk, or those dragons for that matter. We could be fighting for the wrong side.” The gryphon shook his head. “That’s not true, we do know something. We know that dragoness hurt Gertie and our friends.” “But what we don’t know is why,” Grey stressed. “Yes, they hurt ours, but we were attacking them first. I reckon you’d have fought back too if a whole town came after you.” He sighed. “I can’t rightly say I’m okay with what happened, but-” “But nothing,” interrupted Gerard with a growl. “It doesn’t matter why it happened, only that it did. My sister is in a hospital bed and I’m going to make sure the one responsible ends up the same.” His point made, the gryphon stood and began to stalk off. “I’m gonna see if Citrus needs any help. Maybe clean dishes or something. Come find me when you have your head straight, old timer.” The stallion set his bowl aside and stood, his joints popping as he stretched. “An eye for an eye, young’un,” he muttered, “you’ll have to learn someday that the world’s not that simple. And that action taken in anger hardly ever ends well.” Watching the retreating form of his ward as he glared at whoever he made eye contact with, Grey breathed tiredly. The gryphon was probably going to get in a fight at this rate, and Dr. Zariba’s subordinates didn’t seem the type to pull their punches. Oh well, it’d make a good first lesson for the hot-headed youngster. Who knows? Maybe it would serve as a good distraction so Grey could do some snooping. The Zebra had been quite invasive during their discussion; all too eager for every detail he could get out of the two newcomers while hardly telling them anything important in return. “Until that happens, I’ll see what I can learn from your flunkies first,” Grey said to himself as he searched out a knowledgeable looking candidate. Locking on to an older diamond dog that was berating a lanky one, the stallion made his way over and put on a friendly smile. In that moment, he wished he was back at his favorite bar; a few drinks always helped in loosening lips. Phantom really wished he had a drink right now. Never mind that booze was partially, if not wholly responsible for his current string of misfortunes, it would help numb the pain of his shredded pride. In a rare bout of optimism, the pegasus consoled himself with the fact that his boss at least didn’t make his dressing-down a public affair. The walls of the tent didn’t stop some of the louder bits from getting out though if the pitying or mocking looks from the others were anything to go by. “Best not tempt that bitch Fate again,” he said, tone halfway between a grumble and a sigh. “I’ll be pulling extra shifts on night watch and I don’t need a buzz for that.” He’d have argued that his current punishment was just putting the camp at risk, but he didn’t want it to be changed to something worse. Being weighed down with extra chores and generally worked into a state of exhaustion may have upped the chance of him missing some on patrol, but he’d rather not get any creepy zoodoo magic cast on him instead. Best go see Citrus about getting extra coffee rations for a while, the pegasus thought as he made his way around camp, and asked for the mare. A bowl of stew was added to the list as the smell of food reached his nose. After a few minutes, he spotted his quarry, but the sight of the one with her earned a groan from the scarred pony. Gerard was walking alongside Citrus as she carefully trod with multiple bowls stacked upon her back and outspread wings. The two appeared to be in the middle of an enjoyable conversation, even if one bore a look of concentration and the other watched with a worried smile. Also catching his eye was a diminutive diamond dog glaring at the pair from the edge of a tent. What’s he up to, Phantom wondered as he decided to delay his request a moment. Walking over to Albert, Phantom noted the licked clean bowl in his paw and the two-sizes-too-large lab coat he was wearing, the tail stained brown from trailing in the dirt. Must have been eating in his “study” again. I swear, when he wears that thing, he looks like a kid playing doctor. Leaning down, he whispered, “Eying your crush there, Nile?” “Wha-?” yelped Albert as he spun around. “Phantom!? Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Ignoring the heated look, Phantom turned a contemplative gaze back to the couple. “Ah, you must be jealous of the new guy, eh? ‘Fraid he’ll steal away the piece of flank you’ve been chasing?” Albert glowed red. “Sh-shut up you nimrod! Citrus and I are nothing like that! We just happen to share an interest in book collecting...! And don't refer to her in such a disrespectful manner!” Ah yes, between the two of them, the caravan was loaded down with at least a hundred pounds of both history and recipe books accumulated over their travels. “Sure, sure, whatever you say… Wow, they’re kissing!” “What!?” Albert’s neck popped from how fast he turned it, only to see Gerard and Citrus still walking slowly in their direction. Looking back to the smirking pegasus, he growled, “That doesn’t prove anything. I was just shocked at the prospect of such a nonsensical occurrence. They’ve just met today and Citrus Spritz is no such mare,” he directed his narrowed eyes at the gryphon, “and she would most definitely not do that with such a suspect individual as him. You must’ve noticed how his cohort was looking at the Dr. Zariba upon their arrival. They’re up to something, and I’ll not let them get away with it.” His chest puffed out. “No one crosses the good doctor while Albert Nile is on guard.” While he approved of the young pup's distrust as it was always good to be suspicious of newcomers in their line of work, Phantom couldn’t resist one last poke as Citrus and her companion neared. “Ah, so you don’t have feelings for Citrus after all. I guess it was stupid of me to assume you did; it’s pretty obvious your heart yearns only for the zebra you’re so protective of.” Albert sputtered before managing, “I do not love Dr. Zariba!” “Wow, okay, what did I just walk into?" a feminine voice questioned. “I was going to introduce you to my friend, Albert here, but maybe now’s not a good time.” “Citrus!” the dog squeaked as he spun around. “I- That is- Er- Hello!” “Hi,” was the dry response as Citrus leveled Phantom an unamused look. “I take it you let him rile you up again, Al? You really have to stop getting tricked like that; it’s wrecking that genius image you’re always trying for.” Albert forced a scoff. “As if someone of such meager intelligence could bait me into making a fool of myself- Ow!” Phantom, placed his hoof back onto the ground as the small dog rubbed his head. “I was just coming to talk to you, Citrus. How was your trip?” “Better than yours from what Gerard’s been telling me. You really do have the worst luck.” She tilted her head in contemplation. “Maybe it’s that karma thing I heard about. Well anyway, my wings are getting sore, so what’d you want?” Phantom raised an eyebrow. “Why doesn’t the gryphon help?” “She said she’s not allowed to accept any. Boss’s orders,” Gerard answered with a hint of anger. “It’s no big deal,” the mare said as she gestured for Albert to paw over his bowl. “Hopefully the doctor will forget that it’s supposed to be my punishment and I’ll be able to rope some of the guys into dish washing duty like usual. You still haven’t said why you were looking for me, by the way.” The scarred pegasus snorted. “That’s wishful thinking. Like the boss would ever forget about making somepony’s life miserable if he was angry with them.” He shook his head. “Anyway, I was going to ask if I could get some extra coffee rations for a while. I’ve got my own punishment to deal with and I’ll need the extra energy.” A small frown pulled at the mare’s lips. “You know, if I recall, you threw me under the carriage a few days ago when Dr. Zariba was asking who broke out the lemonade. And now you’re asking for favors?” She cut him off as he attempted to defend himself. “Sorry, but that’s a no-go. You know I don’t play favorites around here. You’ll get the same amount of caffeine as the rest of us. Maybe you can barter with someone for their share.” As she began to walk away, she called over her shoulder, “Actually, Albert just got some caffeine pills if I recall. Maybe he’ll share.” Watching the two go, Phantom looked down to the small diamond dog and opened his mouth, only to once again get interrupted with a curt “No”, before Albert scurried off to poorly tail Citrus and Gerard. “… Maybe I can talk Cooper into splitting Toby’s share with me.”