~9~
"Where Is Spike The Dragon?"
The Golden Oaks Library never moved. The wind harassed its branches and blew its leave, but could never cause it sway even an inch.
Falcon paused at the door. The bottom hinge was loose; scratches ran down the bottom right of the door; the wood the door met whenever it closed was missing a chunk.
“The door is slammed more than it is closed,” Falcon said. “This tree has two inhabitants… wait. It is a library, so, ponies come and go. But why would any need the feel to slam the door so often? No, this tree, at some point, had two inhabitants. And it appears they liked to fight.”
Falcon went to knock on the door, but the sign before his hoof declared the library open for business. Knocking would make him look suspicious as well as an idiot. So he opened the door and entered the library.
Books occupied the library's floor; the shelves were vacant of books, and the library had no staff.
“Hello?” Falcon called out, only to hear his voice. His eyes scanned across the room, as he needed no deductions to tell him what had occurred. Then snoring came from above.
Falcon quirked an eyebrow. Just how much of this library am I allowed to explore? Bah, who cares? He made his way through the tunnel and traveled up the stairs to the second floor. This room was in worse shape; instead of books and items that belonged to the library on the floor, this room held shattered photos, torn up pictures, and a basket that looked to have been lit on fire.
A lavender unicorn slept on a desk.
Is she always this worried about security? Falcon wondered as he gently shook her awake.
“Miss? Miss? Are you okay?”
“No...Spike. Go away.”
Falcon removed his hat and placed it on the floor. So the dragon is near then.
“Miss. I’m going to need you to wake up.” As if on his commanded, the mare opened her eyes and stretched her back. She turned her head to the visitor and recoiled back.
“Whoa!”
Falcon held up his hooves. “Easy. I bear no threat.”
“Who are you – what are you doing here?”
“My name is Sir Falcon, but call me whatever you like.” Falcon offered a smile. “Pardon my asking, but isn’t this a public library?”
The mare rested in her chair and breathed. “Yes, it is. But we’re closed until further notice.”
“Oh, that’s unfortunate.”
“Yep.”
Ouch, Falcon thought. “I’m sorry, but I’ve given the courtesy of announcing my name. May I have what yours may be?”
“I don’t see why you need my name,” the mare said, “but, whatever. I’m Twilight Sparkle, and I guess it’s nice to meet you.”
“Ah, Twilight Sparkle: lovely name,” Falcon said. Twilight expression didn’t change. “Ah, forgive my asking, but I’m trying to find someone in this town—”
“Who?”
Falcon closed his left eye and looked away. He sighed, then looked back at the mare. “I’m looking for a dragon; Spike the dragon to be exact.”
“Oh.” Twilight looked away. “Him.”
Falcon perked up. “You know him?
“Used to know him; used to know him best!” Twilight’s expression never changed from that of a tired librarian that wants everyone to be quiet.
“Really?! What can you tell me about him?”
“That his diapers are as stinky as his current attitude.”
“Pardon?”
Twilight sighed. “He’s a dragon, yay big”– Twilight spread her hooves apart, displaying his height and size –“who use to live here. Not anymore, though, and I believe that to be for the best.”
Falcon shook his head. “So where is he now, the dragon?”
Twilight shrugged. “No clue. He left here a few days, and I haven’t a clue where he could.”
Falcon put his hat back on and stepped forward. “Look, I know that you and this dragon got into a fight, and you’re still sore about it.”
Twilight opened her mouth.
“Let me finish.”
Twilight closed her mouth.
“But my finding him is of great importance.”
“Why do you need him for?” Twilight asked. The words came off as if the topic were annoying, but her tone betrayed her feelings.
Falcon coughed into his hoof. “You’re aware of our lack of knowledge on dragons; how their bodies work and other such things. I’m just looking to expand my knowledge on dragons, and he seems like the best source.”
“Then you best find him fast; soon he’ll be a dragon.”
“O-Okay?”
Twilight sighed and rose from her seat. “When we last spoke, Sp- the dragon wanted to go on an adventure, and, apparently, find something out there.” Twilight walked over to the tunnel and motion a hoof down the stairs.
“Now, that’s the best I can give you – left a few days ago to go on some adventure. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have things that require tending here.”
Falcon glanced around the room. “No kiddin’,” he muttered. He went to the tunnel, nodded his head with a smile, and left the library.
Outside, the wind sent Falcon coat flying up. He was glad for it, the tension in that room made him sweat – something he hasn’t done in a long time.
“Kid wants to go on an adventure, eh?” Falcon muttered to himself. “Heart of a dragon; mind of a pony. A desire to grip a sword in a claw and go fight bad guy– HA!” Falcon began to laugh.
He wiped the tears from his eyes. “Kid’s naive. A mentor who doesn’t quite care for him; a few words and the drake is mine!” Falcon struck a hoof at the sky.
Then he brought it down upon seeing the looks of the town folks. “The drake will be mine, but I still have to find the damn kid.”
He clenched his eyes and inhaled a breath. Think, Falcon, think! Angry mare = angry dragon. Books on the ground; items relating to the two together are broken. All out fight? No. Reports on the dragon all suggest he's a passive, while Twilight is still livid.
The disarrayed books and smashed photos were done by Twilight in the aftermath of the affair.
The gets mad or sad and leaves. Where to? Friends? Reports suggest his friends are of that of the mare so that he would stray away. Embark on the adventure now? Possible: dragons are an impulsive lot.
But there’s no vibe to give that feel. He’s a dragon and bound to stir trouble by his appearance alone. So why hasn’t there been any word on a wandering dragon? The agency hasn’t felt any disturbances, so the drake can’t be there.
The drake must be somewhere in this town. But where is Spike the dragon?