//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 - Second Glance // Story: Flash's Secret // by GingerSnatch //------------------------------// “This is so exciting!” Silver Spark shouted, springing into the air. He kicked his hind legs excitedly and landed practically on top of Flash, pulling the both of them to the floor. “Ow!” Flash pushed him off and moved back onto his hooves. “Sure it is, but can you try to contain yourself?” He brushed off his coat. “I swear, you’re more excited than I am.” “Can you try to de-contain yourself?!” Silver squealed, deciding to roll onto his back and wriggle in glee instead of getting off the palace floor. Passing ponies couldn't help but stare. “Oh my Celestia, get up.” “Pre-assigned!” Silver sprang from the floor onto Flash yet again, throwing his front legs across his friends back. “You’ve been pre-assigned!” “Why are you so touchy–” “You’re basically guaranteed a job! While the rest of us are marching up and down courtyards, you’ll be in specialized training.” Silver faked a sniffle and wiped his dry eyes. “My little foal is all grown up. I’m gonna miss ya buddy.” “I’m your roommate, you'll see me every day–” “Just don't forget to remember us little ponies while you're off– What are you pre-assigned to, again?” Flash wrinkled his snout as he thought. “There’s like an old, magical thingy. . . And The Princess suddenly needs guards on it at all times. . . I don’t know. I’m going to the library to read up on whatever it is now.” Finally, Silver pushed off of Flash’s back. “Good to know they’ve got capable, well educated ponies on the job.” Flash shoved him. “Shut up.” Silver laughed. “Well, remember me while you’re off being an egghead. I, on the other hoof, have some very serious lap running to attend to.” He attempted to flex a nonexistent muscle. “Equestria isn’t going to protect itself.” Flash laughed. “See ya, Silv.” Ahead, Silver Spark spotted a beige stallion. “Caaare-ah-meell~!” Silver sang. The other pony looked behind him, saw Silver Spark, and began to trot faster. Silver shot Flash a look that said ‘Can you believe this guy?’ and began tearing down the hall after his new target. “Hey! Don’t pretend you didn’t see me! You know you love me!” Flash shook his head and began heading in the palace library’s general direction. Truth be told, he really was extremely happy with his pre-assignment. It was an honor. He got to shadow a professional guard, earn a small salary, and focus on a specific skill set, instead of wasting time learning all things guard related. But pre-assignment also meant more responsibility and extra work, not to mention research on what exactly he was supposed to be guarding. Flash had never seen himself as particularly scholarly or gifted pony. And, in all honesty, he wasn’t sure why he had been chosen. When he walked through the library doors he was greeted by an extremely exasperated, frazzled librarian, who was slouched over her desk, rubbing her face. “Uhm. . . Excuse me?” Flash prodded quietly. “Hmmmf?” The librarian looked up from her face rubbing. “Oh. Yes, how may I help you?” “I’m here to pick up a book?” Flash said, almost a question. The entire situation of being specially sent to pick up a book saved for him by the ruler of Equestria was more than a little intimidating. “Its called. . .uh. . .” Flash pulled a scrap of paper out of his bag and tried to read it down his nose. “Frew the Looking Glash?” Calm washed over the librarians tired features. “Thank Celestia you finally showed up!” She trotted into the back room, still talking. “You wouldn’t believe what I’ve had to do to save this for you. Some crazy pony came in here like the Queen of Maneland, demanding it! She looked like she might just slit my throat when I told her it was already saved. Had to fend her off with my letter opener. . .” She emerged, carrying a simple, red book and tossed it across the desk to Flash. “I hope it’s worth it.” Flash smiled apologetically, unable to help feeling that this pony’s misery was his own fault. Running his eyes over the back cover description, he couldn’t imagine why anyone would want it. Sounded like your average, dull users guide to him. A sudden explosion of furious yelling made both ponies practically jump right out of their skin. The librarian rolled her eyes up to the heavens and slammed her forehead down onto the desk. “You’re a guard in training, aren’t you? Maybe you can get her to leave.” The librarian’s request was unnecessary. Flash threw the book into his saddlebag and was already off like a shot by the time she finished. Because he knew that voice. He had heard it only once before, but it’s vulgar tone was seared into his memory like a brand. Flash skidded around a bookshelf and discovered what he already had assumed would be the source of the yelling. “What the buck do you mean, ‘All the books on mirrors and Equestrian History have been moved to the Dark Magic section?! That makes no sense!!” A very scared looking clerk cowered before a red faced, fuming unicorn. “Sunset. . .” Flash breathed. Both ponies turned to stare at him, one thankful and the other incredulous. Sunset Shimmer squinted menacingly and took a step forward. “You again,” she growled. The clerk took the opportunity to sprint away as fast as her hooves would carry her, leaving a pony shaped cloud in her wake. “What do you want? Are you stalking me? If you want to know what I do to stalkers, why don’t you and I take a long, romantic walk down to the Canterlot cemetery, you freak of–” “You were the one looking for the book?” Sunset stumbled back, shock and fury melded on her face. “Did you just interrupt me?” She stomped forward and shoved her nose up against his, snarling. The mare had to lean forward on the tips of her hooves to reach. If her eyes hadn't been so wild, the attempt at intimidation might have almost been cute. “Who do you think you are?! First you ask me questions, and then you interrupt me to ask me a question?! Am I not threatening your life enough?! Do you think I’m kidding, because believe you me: I will rip your–” Flash took a step back, causing Sunset to stumble forward and collide with his chest. He reached back and pulled the book out of his saddle bag, holding it up for her to see. Sunset pushed off his chest and took a deep breath, about to hurl more abuse no doubt, but stopped dead when her eyes landed on the book’s title. Flash smiled, book still between his teeth. “Where did you get that?” Sunset asked in hushed monotone. As casually as possible, Flash slipped the book back into his saddle bag. “The Princess put it on hold for me. Wants me to study it tonight.” He looked back at Sunset with expressionless eyes. “I’ve been assigned to guard a certain magic mirror.” Sunset didn’t move for a minute. Her eyes remained trained on Flash’s saddle bag, but didn’t see a thing. Flash could almost see the gears in her head turning. Calculating. Would she attack him now for the short term goal of the book? Or would she take another route for the long term goal of endless information? When her weight shifted seductively to one side, Flash knew which decision she had come to. She glanced up at him through long fluttering lashes. ‘Well shit,’ Flash thought. ‘There goes my composure.’ “I think we may have gotten off on the wrong hoof here.” Sunset purred, drawing slow circles on the carpet. She moved forward with the prowling step of a cat. “You see, I can get a bit . . .aggressive when I’m attracted to somepony.” A soft blush dusted across her cheeks and Flash wondered where she had learned that trick. It was definitely effective. She leaned against him, her mane coming to rest just above his nose. The sweet smell of citrus filled the air. In spite of himself, Flash felt his heartbeat speed up. “I didn’t mean a word of it. I just. . . have a hard time correctly expressing my emotions. It’s a little quirk of mine.” She looked up into his eyes, blinking rapidly. “So you’ll be all alone tonight? In your room? Studying?” Flash suddenly found it very hard to swallow. “Uh. . .” Was he alone? It was impossible to think with her rubbing up against him like that. A less than intelligent “Yeah. . .” was all he could manage. Sunset pouted. “That sounds so lonely.” She trailed a hoof up his foreleg and leaned in towards his ear. Flash shivered. “Would you like some. . . company?” Flash swallowed far too loudly. “Yeah. . .” He cleared his throat. “Yes, uhm, that would be wonderful, if, uh, you wouldn’t mind, that would, yes.” Sunset giggled girlishly and pushed away from him. Finally Flash could breath again. He had forgotten what normal air smelled like. He didn’t care for it. Sunset had walked over to a discarded saddle bag and pulled out a pencil and paper. “Why yon’t you gif me your room numer?” she said, pencil sticking out of her mouth. Flash almost died. “N-nine twenty two,” he stuttered. Sunset scribbled it down with a smile. “Great. I’ll see you at seven?” Flash could only knodd. She strode out of the library like a vision, hips swaying in a way that made it impossible to look away. He took a few entranced steps forward. ‘How. . . did that happen?’ He thought to himself. ‘Sunset Shimmer is going to be in my room tonight. Just the two of us.’ He began to pant slightly. ‘Wow. I haven’t been this nervous since I took my royal guard entrance exam–’ “Oh my Celestia! Silver!” Flash half screamed aloud. He couldn’t believe he had forgotten about his Sunset-hating roommate. With little regard for any surrounding ponies, Flash ran towards his room. Hopefully, Silver would manage to put aside all jokes and actually take ‘Get out now’ as an answer. The small room rang like a bell as Flash stormed in, throwing the door open so hard it nearly shattered the thin wall. Silver Spark didn’t look up from his comic. “Silver Spark, you need to go. Now” Silver rolled over onto his belly with a puppy dogs pout. “Aw, come on buddy I didn’t mean to set your mattress on fire!” Flash blinked. “What?” “Nothing. I said nothing.” Flash shook his head violently, as if trying to clear his ears. “Whatever, just grab anything you need for an overnight bag and leave. You’re spending the night with Caramel Corn.” Silver Spark laughed from the back of his throat and went back to reading. “Nice one.” “I paid him twenty bits.” “Ah. That makes more sense.” Flash began throwing Silver’s toothbrush and paste into a grocery bag, finally getting Silvers attention. He rolled off his mattress and walked over to Flash. “Whoa whoa whoa. Hold your horses, mate. What’s goin on here?” Silver Spark smiled like a joker and nudged Flash playfully. “You got a hot date or something?” Flash ignored the touch and moved on to gathering his roommates manecare products. “Something like that, yeah.” Silvers smile faltered. “Wha. . . What?” “A . . . mare I met is coming over tonight to study with me. And, I’m not gonna lie, Silv – ” He shoved the now full bag at his friend. “ – I’m hoping for a little more than studying.” Silvers usual happy go lucky sparkle had vanished from his eyes. “But- But I thought . . .” Flash stared at him. “What is it, Silv?” Silver remained silent. “I’m on a little bit of a time crunch here. No offense, but your side of the room is a mess, and I gotta fix that asap.” Silver Spark stared at the ground. “Right. I. . . I, uh, I’ll just go.” He turned and walked to the door. “See ya, Silv.” Flash called in the most upbeat voice he could manage. Silver Spark didn’t respond. His roommates sudden character change worried Flash, but not enough to keep him from preparing for the night. Everything had to be perfect. Well, clean. Everything had to be clean. The room was sparkling, the candles were lit, and Flash was wracked by the ever present paranoia that Sunset wouldn’t show. He paced back and forth, checking the clock every five to ten seconds. One minute past. Five minutes past. Ten minutes past. Flash was beginning to consider blowing out the candles and reading the stupid book alone like a normal pony. And then there were three small knocks on the door.