Silver walked along with Night hovering beside his head. She wasn't flying of her own power. She still had a busted wing, but his magic was supporting her as he went along.
"You know I can walk on my own, right?"
"You could." He glanced up at her. "But today's a relaxation day. You went through with seeing the doctor when you didn't want to, and I'm very proud and happy you did so."
She smirked a little. "So you're rewarding me like a filly?"
"I'm doting on you. It feels nice to me too." He lowered her to get a nuzzle in. "I'll let you go when we get to our room and you can do a heavy workout if you want to."
Surprise tilted her head as she walked alongside them. "Do you do that a lot?"
Night twitched her ears at Surprise. "I forgot you were there a moment. Yes, I do, and I will. Relaxation day..."
Surprise produced a sweatband from her mane and donned it on her head. "Want a partner?"
Night peered at Surprise. "I wasn't aware that was something you enjoyed."
Surprise waved off the disbelief. "Why wouldn't I? You can't host a dozen parties in a day without being fit. I did that before, did you know that? That was crazy! Party planning requires optimal physical condition!"
Silver snorted loudly at that. "You're sounding a little nerdier than usual."
Surprise rolled her eyes. "Well, duh! Parties are what I'm passionate about."
He looked her up and down. "When's the last one you hosted?"
Surprise went stiff and retreated to silence. Night reached out a wing and swatted at Silver. "He was trying to encourage you to host a new party, not make you sad, Surprise."
She bounced back, smiling brightly. "I'd love to do that, but who would I... oh!" She looked up at Night. "I bet you haven't had a foal shower!"
Night cringed faintly. "Must I?"
"You must!" She clopped her forehooves excitedly. "Now what kind of parties do you like?"
Night raised a brow lightly. "The kind that aren't parties?"
"Alright, small, got it. Favorite snack?"
Silver carried Night into their room, Surprise collecting information as they went. He placed her on the bed as promised, still glistening from the oils she had received from the spa. He let out a sigh, the strain of holding her released. As if tiring of being ignored, his slime suddenly slid off his horn and dropped to the floor with a wet slap.
"Oh, right. I need to figure out what I'm doing with you." He grabbed out the book and moved to the desk in the room, ready to get reading as the two mares had their conversation. He flipped open the book to where he left off.
Now that you've created and exerted basic mastery of your aetheric slime, it's time to go over its basic uses.
Silver giggled a little. It was exciting to think he was reading the direct words of Star Swirl the Bearded, one of the most potent magicians of his time.
Your aetheric slime is an extension of your internal aetheric network. Your slime is you, at the most central point. This nature allows it to be of use in unique ways. Created while you are healthy, it can help restore imbalances, tangles, and snags in your network at a later point. When your network is impeded in any way, it is physically painful for the slime, and it will naturally seek to correct it.
Silver tilted his head a little, then whipped his head around at his smooth tail, giving it a little swish back and forth.
That is why it is very important to create your aetheric slime when you are as uncluttered as possible. Any imperfections in your net will be seen as natural and upkept.
Silver let his head thunk on the desk lightly.
Night looked up from where she had been working out alongside Surprise. "Something wrong?"
Silver let out a little nervous laugh. "Nothing major, just that I'll be stuck with mother's tail a little longer."
Surprise peered at the tail. "It's got some blue in it." She shrugged a little. "It isn't that bad, is it?"
Silver stuck out his tongue. "I am not going to badmouth Trixie's tail, but it's not my tail."
Night pointed at the book. "Well you better keep reading then. The answer's probably in there."
He did just that, turning to the aged book just to find the Slime parked above it. It was almost as if he was being watched by the slime. He reached out and gave it a gentle poke. "Hello there."
The slime offered no words in reply, but seemed to swirl in place. Silver nodded at the slime before turning his attention back to the page. It explained how the slime could be used to assist in healing and recovery of unicorns talented enough to create and upkeep one. He warmed a little at being called talented. He had just followed the directions. Was that all it took to be talented? Maybe it was a matter of his reserves?
He flipped the page and found another spell staring at him temptingly.
Before you go rushing forward, my likely young apprentice, this spell has serious repercussions.
Silver withdrew a little, but nodded and kept reading. He wouldn't be fooled twice.
This spell can be used with an item that has an imprint of another pony's magic or aetheric net signature. It will impress it on the slime, allowing you greater access to the targeted pony. This is temporary, but very useful for long range spells and rituals. A lost unicorn can be found with this over a great distance if the seeking spell is channeled through a properly attuned aetheric slime.
Silver looked down to the dangling necklace that still glowed purple with Twilight's magic. He could... He shook his head vigorously. Almost anything he could do would be improper and plain wrong. Except... He played the magic of the spell over his horn, focusing on the crystal and the slime. The slime suddenly turned a deep lavender shade and even sprouted Twilight's cutie mark within its gooey interior.
He clopped his hooves with glee and then swept his eyes over the page.
Besides location, it can also be used for communication.
Exactly what Silver had been hoping for. He read over the spell and grabbed a sheet of paper, scribbling hastily on it.
Hi Twilight!
Sorry I was so curt with you in the Crystal Empire. There was a lot on my mind, but it wasn't anything you did, promise. You had some questions, and I just learned how to do this trick, so just write me back and we can be penpals, alright?
Hoping to Be Friends,
Ambassador Silver Watch
He added his cutie mark on the bottom, and folded the paper and put it into his slime, which gurgled and swirled around it. With a new spell, the paper was suddenly consumed, shriveling up and vanishing into nothing. According to the book, it would appear beside Twilight, much like Spike's mailing system. He tapped at his chin, wondering why Celestia didn't use a slime of her own.
His eyes returned to the book, only to find Surprise was looking up at him, the back of her head to the book. He recoiled in surprise, falling over backwards. "W-wha! Pinkie, don't do that."
"Surprise!" She giggled softly and bounced towards him. "Whatcha doing? Why's your little goopy friend all purple and why's it got Twilight's cutie mark in it?"
Night peered at the two of them and beyond at the lavender slime. "Are you doing something that I should be annoyed at?"
Silver rolled back up to his haunches and waved his forelegs. "Nothing bad! I just sent Twilight a letter apologizing for being a jerk to her in the Crystal Empire."
Surprise peeked back at the slime. "It sends letters?" The slime shuddered suddenly and spat out a letter in return before the cutie mark and coloration faded from it. "Oh, she musta replied." Without asking she grabbed the letter and unfurled it. Silver tried to swipe it with his magic, but she somehow ducked around his force despite it being a nebulous point of pressure. "Dear Ambassador Silver Watch, Thanks for writing to me. It's good to hear there aren't any hard feelings. I was wondering if I had said something wrong." Silver's attempts were continuously foiled as she danced and shuffled out of the way of what should have been instant and invisible grabs of his magic. "I have so many questions to ask, starting with how you sent this letter, and how my reply can reach you. I'll send another letter soon with a survey if you don't mind. Respectfully, Princess Twilight Sparkle."
Night smirked a little. "You've done it now, Silver. She will never leave you alone."
Silver paused at that. Being 'bothered' by Twilight didn't sound that bad, even if it reminded him of what could have been but never was. "Nothing wrong with some written stuff back and forth." So long as he wasn't looking her in her face, he was sure he could handle it. "Besides, I can't pretend I'm not involved in the churning wheels of politics. I can't go putting princesses on my Do Not Contact list." He snorted softly and looked back towards his book. "This little slime is full of interesting possibilities. No wonder Star Swirl devoted a whole book to it."
Night sat down beside Silver, pointing at it. "Does he say what happens if somepony else gets access to your slime?"
Silver stiffened at the thought. "I didn't read about that, but the slime has... It is me, on a magical level."
Night rolled a hoof. "So anypony who had it could cast spells at you through it whenever they wanted to, and there wouldn't be much you could do about it."
Silver felt a cold chill run through his body. "Maybe... that's why it's not so popular..."
Surprise grabbed the slime suddenly and began tossing it up and down. "I think it's kind of cute!"
Night reached out with her good wing, snatching the slime back. "He's mine to play with."
Silver tilted his head at Night. "I don't argue the idea, but you don't cast spells, do you?"
Night stroked over the slime with a hoof. "Oh, but I do." She half-lidded her eyes, giving Silver a come hither expression he couldn't miss if he tried. "Is it working?"
Silver licked over his lips. "Surprise, we need a little time, alone."
"Aw."
"Sorry, married things."
"Oh!" Surprise perked up. "Oh right, you two... like the Cakes. Roger! I'll come back later." She bounded off quickly, closing the door gently behind herself.
Silver approached Night as she stroked the slime and gazed at him, speaking volumes without a word. "Your spell has ensnared me, lovely wife, but are you ready for the results?"
Neither were very upset with those results.