//------------------------------//
// A Taste Of Maple 
// Story: Spike The Dog 
// by bakersong 
//------------------------------//

	His ears perked up as a knock came to the door and waking him up from another ice cream filled dream. Yet another knock came and he heard Twilight hoof steps as she called out that she was coming. He could here her answer the door, and though he couldn't here exactly what was being said he could still make out who was at the door.

"Sorry again, Celestia wanted me to work on a speech for the new Starswirl museum opening. That and I've been packing for a trip for a few days now, which is why I called you here." Twilight said as she walked into the room being followed by Fluttershy and Maple. "But first, how has it been since taking her in?"

"Oh, it's been absolutely wonderful! I already figured out that Timberwolf sap actually has many healing uses." Fluttershy replied.

"Huh, like what?" Twilight asked as she pulled out a note book and quill.

"Well, when you mix it with honey it'll actually stop bleeding. I'm not exactly sure how, but it's been working wonderful. Also when brewed with tea when sick, it seems to help you get better." Fluttershy said. "But so far that's about what I have, now what's this about you going on a trip?"

"Okay, got it and as for the trip somepony sent me a ticket for a cruise. Which brings me to why I called you." Twilight replied putting away the notebook ad quill.

"You don't have to ask me, I would be happy to watch Spike. Just like I'm sure Maple would be happy about it." Fluttershy said looking down at the wolf.

<It would be nice to spend a little time with the pup.> Maple said.

"That's good, because I'll be gone for about two weeks if that's fine with you." Twilight said.

"It's more than fine Twilight, but you said you've been packing for the past few days?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah, I'm having trouble deciding what to take." Twilight replied with a sigh.

"Would you like me to help you?" Fluttershy asked.

"Actually that would be great, thanks!" Twilight said as she hurried up the stairs dragging Fluttershy with her magic.

<How are you doing little pup?> Maple asked as the door slammed shut up stairs.

"Better, though it still stings a little bit. But how have you been?" Spike asked.

<it's been difficult, I mean it's different from the forest.> Maple replied. <But I have been getting along thank to Fluttershy. Thank you for asking.>

"Hey, we're friends now so it's no big deal." Spike said, wincing a little as he moved his leg.

<I am truly sorry for doing that to you little pup.> As Maple said that Spike could see the regret and guilt in her eyes.

"It's okay, Fluttershy said that all it'll do is leave a scar which will make me look cool." Spike said, getting a little chuckle.

<In the wild scars are a symbol of toughness, but from what I've found here is that it'll take more than a scar to make a little pup like you cool. At most it'll just get you pity.> Maple said.

"So does that mean I'll be cool to you?" Spike asked.

<You will always be cool to me little pup, whether you have scars or not.> Maple replied, though Spike could still see the sadness in hers eyes as she looked at his leg again. <But I will make sure you will never receive another scar like that again.>

"Woah, you do know that'll be kind of hard right? I mean thanks and all, but we don't even live close to each other and accidents happen." Spike said.

<I see, you haven't learned your new senses yet. For I come here at night and guard, if you had control or even awareness of your new found senses you would know that.> Maple said making him a bit confused.

"What are you talking about?" Spike asked, making Maple give a sigh.

<Maybe you don't have the senses that I'm talking about since you were changed magically. But what I'm talking about is wolf senses, and before you ask yes even dogs that ponies keep as pets have these senses. For it's these senses that help them determine threats, friends, and even help them hunt with their ponies.> Maple replied.

"Huh, I wish Winona had told me that." Spike said.

<And who is this Winona?> Maple asked.

"She's a dog, who has been a very good friend to me since I've been transformed. Shot, I think you would like, I mean she can be a bit annoying with how hyper she can be. But at the same time she has been there for me, she nice, really cares about her friends, and not afraid to tell you what's on her mind." Spike said giving a little sigh.

<Hmm, I guess I'm going to have to meet this Winona then.> Maple said, and Spike noticed the look she was giving him.

"Why are you looking at me like that? It kind of reminds me of Twilight's mom look that she gives Twilight." Spike mentioned.

<Oh it's nothing to worry about little pup, I just want to meet her in person is all.> Maple said, though Spike got a little bit of a mother trying to protect her foals from her tone.

"Well as long as you don't scare her away, because she honestly been a good friend to me." Spike said, just passing that feeling off as him being tired and her feeling bad.

<I would never scare away a friend of yours little pup, especially given what I heard about how some ponies treated you.> Maple said.

"...thanks for helping Fluttershy." Twilight said as they came down the stairs.

"No problem, and I'll be over tomorrow to pick up Spike, if that's alright with him?" Fluttershy asked looking at him.

<Oh yeah, that's fine by me.> Spike answered, making Fluttershy nod her head and Twilight look a little confused.

"Uh, what did you say Spike?" Twilight asked.

"I said that would be fine with me, but didn't you hear me just a second ago?" Spike asked.

"Uh, yeah guess I wasn't paying attention. Oh, would you some tea Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.

"That would be lovely, and if you don't mind could you put honey in it?" Fluttershy asked.

"Of course," Twilight said as she went to the kitchen.

<Sheesh, don't know what's going on but it's like she's going deaf. That the third time in the past couple of days that she didn't seem to hear me correctly.> Spike said.

"Spike, I think that's because you keep talking like a dog. You're slipping in and out of it." Fluttershy said. "But that doesn't surprise me since you can talk with animals now." 

"Fluttershy quit joking around." Spike said.

<She's not joking young pup, Twilight probably didn't want to point it out to you because she fears that it would upset you.> Maple said, and Fluttershy nodded in agreement. 

"Riiigghhtt, but anyways how are you Fluttershy?" Spike asked as both Fluttershy and Maple sat down, and Fluttershy started talking about her animals and all of them seemed to drop the previous conversation completely.