“Oh… my… gosh…” Harmony Wishes sputtered out.
“You’ve got this whole room to yourself?” Daisy asked, breathless.
“Heh heh… yeah,” Cotton answered, rubbing the back of her mane. “I wasn’t really intending to have company this soon. Lucky for me the maids clean up every day, otherwise this place would be a mess… Oh geez,” she said, putting a hoof to her forehead.
“What’s wrong?” Flarechaser asked.
“Listen to me, talking about other ponies picking up after me. I probably sound so arrogant,” Cotton answered. “I’m sorry.”
“Are you kidding? You live with the Princesses!” Harmony said. “Of course you’d have ponies picking up after you! There’s nothing to be sorry about!”
Cotton let out a relieved sigh. “Okay, maybe I am being a little neurotic. But still, I hate sounding like a stuck-up, ‘royal’ snob.”
“Don’t worry about it!” Flarechaser replied. “It’s awesome just to get an inside look!”
“If you say so,” Cotton responded. “If you think it looks cool now, you should’ve seen what it was like when I first got here. I had to ask the Princesses to tone it down a bit with everything they wanted to give me…”
Ж
“So, a trident and an eyepatch…” Steadclaw scribbled on a notepad, standing on the upper terrace of the main floor, while Spike sat below.
“If you put those two details into your paper, I bet you your teacher will give you bonus points,” Spike chuckled.
“We’ll see,” Steadclaw said with a smile. “Thanks a lot for the info, Sir Spike. I never imagined I would get a first-claw account of a history subject for a research paper. This is awesome! I’m gonna get an A for sure!”
“Well, there are plenty of scrolls in the Archives that you’re welcome to use. Don’t limit your paper to just one source,” Spike replied.
“Good point. Speaking of which, how do I cite this information? You’re not a book or a journal, and I’m supposed to cite all my sources,” Steadclaw said.
“This would be considered an interview,” Spike answered. “I’m sure Mr. Turner would help you with the right citation format if you asked. I can’t do that for you—that’s your responsibility.”
“Got it, and yeah, I understand. Thanks again, Sir Spike!”
“You’re quite welcome, Steadclaw. I’m glad you were actually interested in the topic—it certainly was an interesting time, I’ll tell you that!” The two of them laughed. “Actually, young tiercel, perhaps you could give me a little info yourself.”
Steadclaw tilted his head. “Oh? Well, I can try. I don’t know what I can tell you that you don’t already know.”
Spike propped himself up and gripped the banister of the upper floor where Steadclaw stood, right outside Cotton’s closed door, and leaned in close. “What topic did Cotton choose for her paper?” he whispered.
Steadclaw flinched a bit at the dragon’s proximity, but stood his ground. “She picked the rise of Lady Rarity’s fashion empire,” he whispered back. “Why?”
Spike dropped down to the lower floor again and clenched his fists against his chest. “YESSSSSSSSSS,” the dragon whispered. “That’s my girl!”
Steadclaw raised a brow as he leaned over the banister. “Uh, Sir Spike? If you don’t mind my asking, why is that such a big deal?”
Spike finished his impromptu celebration and beckoned to the teen. “Come on down here, my good griffon.” Steadclaw beat his wings and descended to the lower floor as requested. As he took a seat, Spike leaned forward and asked him, “Do you know who Lady Rarity was?”
“I know she was one of the Elements of Harmony and a fashion mogul until the Canterlot Fire, Sir, but not much more than that.”
Spike scratched his chin. “Where are you from, Steadclaw? How long have you been in the Upper Canterlot school district?”
“I’m from Griffonstone, Sir. I only moved to Canterlot with my mother at the start of high school,” Steadclaw answered.
“Ah, then that explains it,” Spike replied. When Steadclaw cocked a brow at him, he continued, “The detailed studies of the Elements of Harmony are taught in junior high. You know about Pinkie Pie because of your grandmother—I heard you at the party—has she ever talked to you about the other Elements?”
“A little bit,” Steadclaw answered. “I really only know about Miss Applejack and Princess Twilight, though. Aunt Pinkie kind of… deflates a little when she talks about Lady Rarity, Miss Fluttershy, and Captain Dash. Some of the details come out a bit… I dunno, slurred?”
“I can understand that. Pinkie is very sensitive about our friends that have passed on. Well, I won’t go into all the details since you’re not studying her, but you should know… Lady Rarity was my wife,” Spike said with a sniff.
Steadclaw’s eyes widened. “So… Cotton’s going to be researching her—” Spike cut him off with a simple nod. “So that’s what Mr. Turner meant when he said Cotton had a good resource for her topic.” He looked up at Spike. “Ummm… Did you…?”
Spike chuckled. “You’re quite a perceptive griffon. Yes, I requested that your teacher put that topic on the list in the hopes that Cotton would choose it.”
“Wow, that’s… that’s pretty cool, actually. And sneaky,” Steadclaw said.
“I do have my moments,” Spike replied with a smirk. “Do me a favor—don’t tell Cotton.”
“I won’t, Sir. My beak is sealed.”
“Thank you.” Spike looked at the upper floor towards Cotton’s door. “Oh, but look at this. You’ve been spending all your time with me instead of your friends. Go on, have fun. Just knock first; you’re entering the feminine domain—you never know what you might find.”
As Steadclaw alighted on the upper floor once again, he said, “I understand knocking in respect for privacy, Sir, but what would be so strange for me to find?”
Spike laughed. “We’re talking about a filly that was raised by the Royal Family, Steadclaw. I can barely fit my head into that room, and even I’ve seen things in there I never expected.”
Steadclaw’s eyes widened as he raised a talon to the door. “I’ll keep that in mind, Sir.”
Ж
“…And these are some of the books that my Aunt Twilight lets me keep in my room if I want to read anything… I guess you could say ‘obscure’.”
“Wow, talk about shelf space,” Daisy said, looking at the book-filled shelves lining the north wall of Cotton’s room.
“Y’know Cotton, I just realized, you made a pretty smooth move when we got here in your chariot,” Harmony Wishes said.
“What’re you talking about?” Cotton asked.
“You totally got away with not telling your dad or aunts that you were flashing your chariot to Gem and Jewel. You can’t tell me that wasn’t your plan from the start,” Harmony teased.
“Oh…” Cotton said. “Well, yeah, it kinda was… I don’t think my dad would like me doing that, though. Besides, I did want to give my present a test run, and I wasn’t lying when I said I needed the extra space for everyone.”
“I guess I can buy that,” Flarechaser said, rolling her eyes.
“Besides, you’re like, one of the humblest fillies in school,” Daisy said. “You’re allowed to be vain from time to time.”
There was a knock at the door. “Am I allowed entry into the feminine domain?” came a muffled, male voice.
“That you, Featherhead?” Flarechaser asked.
“Yeah. Cotton’s dad told me to say that,” Steadclaw answered from the other side.
Cotton laughed. “Why am I not surprised? Yeah, come on in.”
“Now you kids behave yourselves,” Spike said as the door opened.
“We will, Dad, chill out,” Cotton replied.
“If I wanted to do that, I’d go see your cousin Flurry Heart,” Spike said with a chuckle.
“Oh, wonderful, dad jokes,” Cotton responded, rolling her eyes as only a teen can. Steadclaw stepped inside, then Cotton shut the door behind him. “Sorry, Steadclaw, my dad can be a little weird.”
“Nah, it’s all good,” Steadclaw replied. “He was really helpful with info for my paper, and he’s pretty cool for a dragon dad.”
“Hey Cotton, whatcha got in your wardrobe?” Harmony asked, interrupting them.
“Clothes, whaddaya think?” Daisy replied, sticking her tongue out.
“Well, duh,” Harmony said, “I meant what kind of clothes. I bet you’ve got some beautiful, royal dresses. Would you mind if we took a peek?”
“Well…” Cotton hesitated, moving toward the wardrobe. “Okay, but don’t take anything out, alright?” Cotton opened the wardrobe’s massive double-doors to reveal rows upon rows of dresses hanging up.
“Woah! Some of these are Lady Rarity’s originals!” Harmony gasped. “Most of them look brand new! Please tell me you’ve worn at least a few of them!”
“Yeah, a few, but only to special occasions,” Cotton replied. “I don’t really have many chances to wear them. I’d—”
“Well, the dance is coming up in like, barely two weeks!” Daisy exclaimed. “That’s a perfect chance!”
“Yeah, maybe… I dunno if—”
“Daisy, you interrupted her!” Harmony chided. “Cotton, what were you saying? After you said you don’t have a chance to wear your dresses?”
Cotton blushed, then answered, “Oh… Well, I was saying I’d wear them to school, but then I’d just stand out even more than I already do,” she sighed, settling herself on her haunches. “Nopony else wears clothes to school.”
Steadclaw, who had kept his distance from the ‘feminine domain,’ finally made his way across the room. “But if you did wear clothes to school, you’d cover up your scars.”
Cotton glanced over at him. “Yeah, that’s the point.” She tugged her mane, which she’d purposely grown out over the years, over the right side of her face.
Steadclaw furrowed his brows. “But… why?”
Cotton almost glared at him, but the look in his eyes revealed nothing but sincerity. “I’d love to cover these stupid scars. I look horrible… I stand out like an ugly, swollen hoof. I’m amazed I even have the few friends I’ve got,” she said, looking at the four of them before lowering her head.
After a moment, Cotton felt Steadclaw’s talon under her chin. He lifted her head until she looked him square in the eyes. “Why in Grover’s name would you want to cover your scars?” Steadclaw asked. “You look amazing.”
“What?” Cotton’s eyes widened. “Are… are you serious?”
The griffon nodded with a slight smile. “Cotton, maybe you don’t know this, but scars are a mark of pride among griffons. The more scars you have, the stronger you are, as long as the scars aren’t self-inflicted. Self-mutilation is abhorred, but earning scars shows your strength,” Steadclaw said. “When I first met you at school, you said you got these scars in the Canterlot Fire when you were little, and you’ve grown up with them. They’re a part of your character—who you are. You might look at these scars and see something ugly, but I look at you and see a strong, pretty, young mare.”
Cotton’s cheeks flushed. At first she didn’t believe him, but the look in his eyes… She could tell he meant it. “You… you really think I look pretty like this?”
Steadclaw moved his talon to her face and gently brushed her mane away, fully revealing her scarred right side. “…I think you look beautiful, Cotton.”
The two of them looked at each other for a minute in silence. Eventually that silence was broken by three fillies.
*Squeeeeee!*
Feminine domain indeed.
Ж
“Rutherford, please, you don’t need to—”
“RUTHERFORD’S FUR MUST BE PERFECT FOR DINNER WITH MOTHER-IN-LAW!!”
“Of course it does.” Flurry Heart shut her eyes for a moment before she sighed, walking out of their room and into the crystal hallway. “Honestly, why do I put up with you?”
“RUTHERFORD NOT KNOW. PERHAPS YAK HUMILITY?” Rutherford offered.
Flurry Heart suppressed a snort. “Sure, let’s go with that.”
Moments later, Princess Cadance came bouncing down the hallway—much in the same way Pinkie Pie would have done in her younger years. Flurry Heart tilted her head at her mother before she asked, “Um, is everything alright?”
Cadance zipped to her daughter and pressed their eyes so close together that there was practically no room for their muzzles. “SOMEONE’S GOT THEIR EYES ON YOUR COUSIN COTTON! I CAN FEEEEEEEEEL IT!”
Flurry Heart took a breath. “That’s great, Mom. She’s sixteen. It was bound to happen at some point.”
“THE LOVE! I CAN FEEL THE LOOOOOOOOOOVE!” Cadance cried, tears of joy flowing down her cheeks.
“Honestly, Mom, how does Dad put up with you?” Flurry Heart asked.
Cadance sniffed and wiped her eyes. “Unconditional love.”
“Surrrre,” Flurry Heart responded with a roll of her eyes, “let’s go with that. And the fact that you still look young enough to be his granddaughter has nothing to do with it.”
“RUTHERFORD… SUBTLY SNEAK AWAY FROM AWKWARD CONVERSATION!!”
“Hey, don’t get me started on how we put up with you.”
“RUTHERFORD ESCAPE TO SEE IF PONY-FATHER STILL HAVE DRINK!!”
Ж
“No way!” Daisy whispered.
“So that’s why Featherhead’s been hangin’ around us!” Flarechaser whispered back. “He’s totally got the hots for Cotton!”
“And I always thought he was just a weirdo that hated the other griffons in school,” Harmony added. “He has always been the most chill.”
“Hey, I just realized something,” Daisy said, still whispering. “Remember when Gem made that ‘burn the midnight oil’ remark to Cotton? Did you see the way Steadclaw reacted?” The other two fillies shook their heads. “He was totally going all ‘knight in shining armor’! Which is kinda appropriate, actually, considering Cotton’s practically royalty. Filly or not, I bet he would’ve busted Gem’s jaw if Cotton hadn’t stopped him.”
“If that’s the case, then Featherhead’s on fire for our little Cotton,” Flarechaser whispered with a conspiratorial giggle.
“Shh!” Harmony suddenly said, also giggling like an idiot. “Look!” The three of them looked at Cotton and Steadclaw, neither of whom had moved for a couple of minutes—until Steadclaw leaned his head forward. “He’s going for it!” The three fillies looked on, filled with smirks and giggles.
Cotton’s breath hitched in her throat as she watched Steadclaw’s eyes slowly move toward hers. Other than her family, he was the first to ever talk about her scars in a way that didn’t make her feel awful. In fact, he did just the opposite. His talk about pride and strength made a lot of sense to her, and for the first time in her life, she felt good about her scars. She never imagined she’d ever feel that way. Someone that could make her feel like this… was special. She wanted to keep him close, and there happened to be just a tiny gap between them at the moment. She decided quickly, then and there…
…and she closed the gap.
Ж
“Well, it was wonderful to see the four of you,” Spike said to Cotton’s friends outside the castle gate. “It’s a shame Princess Celestia is still in day court—she would have loved to meet you all. If you’d like, we’d be happy to have you drop by anytime.”
“Thank you, Sir,” the four of them said in unison, doing their best to hide smirks.
“Are you sure you don’t want rides home?” Cotton asked. “We’ve got singles.” All four of them shook their heads.
“Nah, I can fly home from here pretty quick,” Flarechaser said.
“Same here,” Steadclaw added.
“Just a few quick teleports for me,” Harmony said.
“I’d enjoy the walk, actually,” Daisy finally said.
“If you say so,” Cotton responded. “Don’t expect that chariot ride too often, though. See you guys tomorrow!”
“Catch ya later, Cotton!” Flarechaser called behind her as she took off, a knowing look in her eye.
“See you in the morning!” Daisy said as she cantered down the walk, giggling softly.
“Have a good night!” Harmony said, before she charged up her horn and teleported out of sight before giving anything away.
“See you tomorrow, Cotton.” Steadclaw gave her a small wave as he turned and flared his wings. “And thank you for your help with my history paper, Sir Spike!” he called over his shoulder, keeping his voice calm and even.
“You’re quite welcome, Steadclaw! Good luck!” Spike called as the griffon flew off. Looking down at his daughter, he saw her smiling and waving at the griffon flying away. “Speaking of which,” he said, poking Cotton lightly to get her attention, “you’re supposed to have a topic for that class yourself. Did anything from that list I gave Mr. Turner pique your interest?”
Cotton flinched at her father’s touch. “Huh? Oh, right. Well, honestly, no.”
“Really? Of all the cool stuff I can provide that’s normally forbidden from public record, you couldn’t find anything that interested you?” Spike prodded, hiding his own smile.
“Actually, Mr. Turner added a few topics of his own to that list; I chose one of his,” Cotton said.
“Oh really,” Spike said. “Well, he is your history teacher, but I have to wonder what he could have put on that list that’s more interesting than the forbidden scrolls of the Canterlot Archives. What topic did you pick?”
Cotton smiled up at her father. “The rise of Lady Rarity’s fashion empire.”
Spike gasped on cue. “What? He put that on there? That seems like an easy way out for you—you’ve got an inside source right at home. That doesn’t seem particularly fair.”
Cotton cocked a brow at him. “I said the same thing when he told me that your one condition for providing Archive information was letting me pick first.”
Spike shrugged. “What, I can’t give my daughter advantages like every other parent?”
Cotton giggled. “Well, I do want to know more about Lady Rarity, and talking with you about her would not only be educational, but it would mean some father-daughter time. I know you’re always trying to get more of that.”
“Well, you’ve got me there, sweetie," Spike said with a smile. "That’ll be at least two of Mr. Turner’s students citing an interview with me in their papers.”
Cotton’s ears perked up at the comment, and a tinge of red appeared on her cheeks. “Hey, Dad, what did you think of Steadclaw? It sounded like you two really hit it off talking about the S.C.C.”
“You could say that.” Spike nodded. “He seemed genuinely interested in the topic, and of course I always like talking about it. Maybe you remember—that’s one of the first stories about me that I told you when we met.”
“Yeah! That day in the park! How could I forget? Um, so anyway… what did you think of him?” Cotton asked, hiding half her face behind her mane as she so often did, but this time for a different reason.
Spike put a claw to his chin. “Well, he carries himself well… seems to respect authority, that’s always good… appears to be serious about his education…” As Cotton stifled a snort, Spike cocked a brow, then finished, “…overall I’d say he’s a decent fellow. Why?” Spike asked. “Is there something else I should know about him?” He looked at her, unblinking with his massive eye.
Cotton’s blush brightened. “Well… I…”
Spike brought his head down to her eye level. With no signs of any particular emotion, he raised his eyebrows and said, “Yeeeeeeesss?”
Cotton’s eyes darted about before the blush took over her complexion. After a sigh and a smile, she finally said, “Well, let’s just say that kissing a beak is an interesting experience.”