Seasons

by LucidTech

Autumn

(Yes I introduced Dr.Whooves for kicks and giggles. Also, I'm kinda splitting Jack off into his own character and adding additional story behind the song. Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Link to the song. http://jackle-app.bandcamp.com/track/autumn -N64Fan)

The first week of Jack’s house imprisonment went about uneventfully and quickly as he did what chores were asked of him and did what little he could outside the house. During his stay in his new, offered, residence Jack noticed that Lyra and Bon-Bon were a lot closer to each others heart then he originally supposed and couldn’t help but smile to himself as the earth pony mare would blush under the unicorn’s affections.

There was one time that Bon-Bon caught his gaze and made her way over to the gryphon after Lyra finished her good-bye kiss and rushed out to work. Jack immediately snapped his gaze away as she approached and became entranced by the texture of the chair that Lyra had had specially crafted to suit her unique sitting style.

“Did you get a good look then?” Bon-Bon said bluntly as Jack snapped straight.

“I’m so sorry, I won’t tell anyone, who would believe me anyway right? Ahaha.” Jack blurted as the earth pony mare looked into his eyes.

She did this for a few moments before she busted up laughing. “You thought that I was going to punish you for being curious? Oh that is richer than my triple chocolate candies gryphon boy. I assure you that if you told anyone they would respond by telling you that they already knew.” She laughed for a moment longer as Jack looked at her confusedly.

“Regardless of whether or not it offends you it was not my concern to look into your business, Ms. Bon-Bon.” Jack replied evenly.

Bon-Bon stopped laughing and looked at the gryphon, in the past week he had been in the house neither mare had noticed anything different about him. All ponies had heard of the militaristic country of the gryphons of course, but Jack hadn’t ever shown anything that would separate him from the common pony. Here it was though, the training that had been beaten into him since he was young.

Silence hung heavily in the room for a few moments before Bon-Bon broke the silence. “Did you have anyone before you came here? Some special gryphoness that you shared your time with?”

“Yes, I did.” Jack said slowly as he refused to meet the eyes of the earth pony at his sides.

“What is she like?” The earth mare asked, confused by the body language that Jack was portraying.

“What was she like you mean.” Jack replied coldly. Bon-Bon gulped slightly at the implied outcome and a sad demeanor came over Jack. “She was wonderful. We weren’t the best couple according to the higher officers but I felt that we knew more than they did in that regard.” Jack paused for a moment as he looked towards his hind legs. “And sometimes I still miss her so.”

Neither spoke for a few moments until Bon-Bon stood from her position on the couch and approached the fridge. “What say you to some lunch hmm? This dark mood is ruining the spirit I think.” Jack nodded slowly and stood from his seat as he too approached the fridge.

“So what is this then?” Jack said as he looked over the impressive white box that he had seen the mares pull food from occasionally.

“Its a fridge, runs on magical energy and keeps food cold. Had to pay a year’s worth of money for this but Lyra couldn’t resist herself.” Bon-Bon said with a smile.

“It just, keeps the food cold? With no ice? How is that possible!?” Jack said as his excitement grew. From there the conversation had devolved into a chaotic field day about the power of unicorn magic and what it could do.

After that day neither mares nor the gryphon spoke of his life prior to coming to Ponyville but every day Bon-Bon would look over to him and feel a pity for the predatory race of the gryphons. They seemed to be quite the opposite of ponies when it came to emotions, ponies would face their emotion and do their best to work to overcome the trial. Gryphons on the other, they appeared to merely shove their emotions into a closet and lock it as tightly as they could.

It had been several weeks since his talk with Bon-Bon and Jack still couldn’t quite get used to the idea out of his head that he imposing on the two mares. He did the chores just as they asked him to but his insanity at being cooped up would often lead him to overdo a job. Lyra had laughed at the look on the earth pony’s face when she walked out the restroom after seeing the extent to which Jack had cleaned it up, Bon-Bon had to admit that she didn’t think the grout in the bathroom could shine.

Despite this activities the gryphon couldn’t help but think about all the things he still needed to do. However, with his wings as they were, Jack didn’t like the idea of going out into the forest. So, as the season turned to mid autumn, the gryphon was ecstatic to hear from the unicorn doctor that he would be able to use his wings to some extent. Using this news as an excuse the gryphon left the house around midday (Saying goodbye to Bon-Bon as he left.) and set forth into the Everfree to find his old camp where he had left all the belongings that he hadn’t had on him.

This list included, and was entirely limited to, his top hat. That was really all he had left behind that Jack felt he needed to retrieve as any food he may have left behind had either rotted or had most likely been hijacked by some forest animal. The hat itself wasn’t especially important in and of itself, but the relationship it stood for meant almost the entire world to the chivalrous gryphon and he wasn’t about to lose it. So, with a rejuvenated body and a renewed spirit that he had gained from his season of resting, the gryphon approached the forest and made his way into the shaded wood.

Inside the treeline the gryphon carefully wound his way between the trees; trying his hardest to ensure that he avoided any unnecessary confrontations. Occasionally having to backtrack to avoid an animal den the progress in the direction of the camp he had set up a month or two ago was quite slow and Jack couldn’t help but wish that his wings were still working. Jack had a few scuffles with a timberwolf but managed to make it to the clearing where he had set up camp. Immediately Jack noticed the tree where he had rested his top hat and, somewhat clumsily made his way up the bark. Upon reaching the branch that his hat rested upon Jack was relieved to see it undamaged.

After descending the tree once again in an act that looked closer to falling then it did to repelling Jack reached the grass of the clearing once again and made his way back across the open grassland to head back toward ponyville. As the gryphon did so his eyes fell on a set of tracks that had been left across the ground. Upon closer inspection Jack was astounded to find that they were gryphon tracks, they were not his own, and they looked familiar.

She’s been here, the tracks look a few days old a best, but if I leave now maybe I could- The gryphon paused in his thoughts as he looked to the sun that had just started to set. As if in response to his thought process an uncomfortable shiver ran through his wings to remind him of his current handicap. I can’t do anything about this right now, if I’m caught by any of the predators of this forsaken forest I’ll be a sitting duck without my wings. Regardless the rational the gryphon still didn’t move for several minutes as he looked off in the direction that the tracks led as if hoping that his target would show herself if he looked long enough. With a shake of his head the gryphon cleared his thoughts and, with a moment more of hesitation, Jack proceeded towards Ponyville, leaving the tracks of the gryphoness behind.

Jack managed to sneak past the creatures that were beginning to stir in the forest and made it back to Ponyville with his top hat intact and securely on his head. As he exited the forest the gryphon found himself in a lightly wooded area that felt familiar but he couldn’t quite place it. Only when he saw a large trench of grassless dirt did it hit him that this was the same place he had crash landed a few weeks back.

The gryphon strolled casually through the lightly wooded area until he realized he was almost completely lost. Just as he was about to say ‘to heck with it’ and fly above the canopy he heard a filly laugh in the distance. His own dilemma currently forgotten the gryphon began to head toward the laugh. If nothing else then he could ask for the way back to town.

After he had walked for a minute or two Jack found himself looking at a grey pegasus mare who was playing with a young grey pegasus filly. The gryphon approached slowly from the shadows until he came into the area where the two were playing. Jack quickly deduced that the pegasus was the mother of the filly and smiled to himself. I still have to admire how ponies can treat their young so tenderly and have them end up so strong in character. Jack thought to himself.

Realizing that if one of them were to spot him right now he would look like an uncouth stalker the gryphon lightly rapped his claw on a nearby tree to get their attention. The pegasus turned around to face him with a puzzled look on her face and a pair of oddly crossed eyes. The puzzled look quickly faded and was replaced with a smile.

“It’s good to see you out and about again after that injury you had when you were flung from the forest.” The grey pegasus said with the same smile splayed wide across her face, giving her a distinct appearance of being quite a happy-go-lucky pony.

“Ah, you heard about that did you? Yes a kindly mare helped me to the hospital and I have been resting for the past few weeks to get my wings working again.” Jack said as he smiled kindly to the unicorn filly. It was at this point that he recalled what had occurred with the nurse when he had smiled at her and hesitated. The filly paused for a few minutes as she tried to decipher the strange smile his beak-like mouth produced. After a few moments the filly started laughing again.

“I was just happy that I was there to take you to the hospital.” The mare replied as she bent her neck down and nuzzled the grey unicorn filly with her muzzle. The filly smiled and nuzzled into her mother’s neck as well.

“Oh, so you must be Derpy Hooves then? My apologies for not recognizing you sooner. My name is Jack.” As the gryphon spoke the mare froze up and the filly looked to the chivalrous predator.

“My mommy doesn’t like that name. You should say you’re sorry for that.” The filly informed the gryphon. Jack looked from the filly to the mare before he bowed his head slightly.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t aware that you’re mommy’s name wasn’t what I just called her. I was going off of some other pony’s words. Would you be a good little filly and tell me her actual name so I can apologize correctly?” Jack asked as he raised his head and smiled at the small off-pink filly kindly from underneath his top hat. The black felt headwear always seemed to make the gryphon feel more like a gentlecolt. Gentlecolt, though the term was originally derived from ponies it had eventually drifted over to the other races as well.

“Oh that’s easy. Her name is mommy, duh” The filly said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. With those words the unicorn filly began to bounce around, quite proud of herself. With a small grin the gryphon turned his look to the mare with inquiring eyes.

“That’s my little muffin, protective of her mother as always.” The grey pegasus said with a short laugh as she turned to face Jack once more. As she did so the gryphon’s attention was attracted towards the mare’s eyes once again for a moment before he blinked and managed to move his gaze directly behind the mare. “My name is actually Ditzy Doo, a few people around town call me Derpy though. Mostly due to the way my eyes look.”

“It’’s very nice to meet you Ditzy, and you as well little filly. Pray tell, what is your name, you little ball of energy?”

After a brief pause the filly broke out into a set of giggles. “My name is Dinky!” She said as she smiled up at the gryphon. So very different from the near-militaristic attempts at raising the young. If I had asked that of a gryphon child I would probably be more likely to get their I.D. number and serial code then their actual name. Jack thought to himself as the filly once again started jumping up and down, she was so proud that she knew all the answers today.

With the names of all parties correctly assembled the two adults began a conversation that ran over a few of the more common things that one would chat about. As they did so the filly stopped her bouncing and yawned loudly. By this time Jack had laid down on the ground to rest for a bit and a chill had settled into the air. As he lay on his stomach the small filly climbed onto his back and within a few moments a snore sounded from her tired body.

Realizing that her filly had just fallen asleep on Jack’s back Ditzy stood to retrieve her. Jack silently waved her off and stood slowly from the ground. “It’s fine.” The gryphon whispered to her as the filly curled up tightly on top of his feathers. Derpy nodded in response and indicated that if he would carry her home it would be much appreciated. With a affirmative from Jack the duo set off back towards Ponyville.

Ditzy was leading the way towards home as the cold air of the night settled about them. Ditzy began to shiver as a small gust began to blow through the wooded area and she clenched her muscles as she walked. Jack and Dinky were perfectly warm under his layers of feathers and hide but after not but a minute of witnessing Ditzy shiver Jack stepped alongside the mare and curled his wing over her back and down her back. The mare blushed in response to this but walked closer to the gryphon as they trekked the remainder of the distance to Ponyville.

As they walked in their symbiotic warmth both the gryphon and the pegasus were reminded of their respective mates that they were no longer able to walk with. In this warmth as their minds drifted to happier thoughts Ditzy barely noticed when they had arrived outside her house. She stopped and tucked tightly against Jack’s feathers before pulling away and retrieving Dinky from the muscular being’s back.

They stood their for a moment looking into each other’s eyes before Jack tipped his hat to the mare. “I think I’ll be going now Ditzy, have a good night.” Jack said, breaking the silence as he did so.

The gryphon had just turned to leave when a hesitant call from the gray pegasus reached his ears. “Wait, Jack.” Jack turned expectantly as he looked into the mare’s eyes. “I don’t mean to seem forward but... would you mind coming over tomorrow? For lunch maybe?” Ditzy asked.

The gryphon gave a small nod and a smile “It would be my pleasure Ditzy, I’ll see you for lunch tomorrow yes?” The gray mare returned the nod and the gryphon once again walked away from the door, this time without interruption. As he heard the door to the house swing shut behind him.

As if the door had given the queue Jack let out a sigh and turned around to take a look at the door that had been closed behind him. If only you could see me now Andromeda He thought to himself as took one more lingering glance towards the building. Little did he know that a gray pegasus within the structure was looking towards him with similar thoughts about her late husband.

With a steady walk the gryphon meandered through the silent town of Ponyville until he stumbled upon the door to his rented home. Subconciously the gryphon reached for the handle out of habit but something made it pause inches from the metal surface. The gryphon remained like that for a few odd moments where his claw hovered inches from the passageway but he couldn’t get the idea out of his head that he went in that house tonight he would leave something behind.

Just as he was about to abandon the door and find his way back to the tracks in the Everfree the door to the building swung open and a brown earth pony looked out towards the street. He quickly discovered a gryphon was in his way.

“You must be Jack, come in quick. Lyra bought a new device called a juicer and we are trying it out. Apparently it can liquify fruit into a drink and let it keep its taste and all you have to do is shove the food into the shaft. It really is quite amazing I think for this time period.”

Without further explanation for his words the stallion retreated into the building and Jack continued on with a smile. He may have a duty but he very much doubted his target would leave anytime soon. She was much too stubborn for that. Definitely Andromeda's sister. Jack thought to himself with a smile as he swung the door shut behind him.

Comments

[C0NN3X10N5]

I love it!

[suijin228]

Beautiful. I'm loving jacks character and his attitude. Although I do wonder how a meeting between him and rarity would be like. Anyway great job, keep goin and stay golden^^

[Jade Mer]

"For this Time Period"

You, sir, are a sir with the highest honours of sir.

[LucidTech]

1000944

*bows* Thank you, I'll see what I can do about finishing this story sometime soon.

[Jade Mer]

1002077

Man, you did so well, I don't care if you never finish it.

But it would be great if you did!

[LucidTech]

1002563

I just have a few other fanfics that have taken my attention recently and Seasons never was a particularly high priority for me. I forgot that there are still people who read it and want me to update...

[Jade Mer]

1003701

I know the feeling. I have so many irons in the fire (Fanfics in the publication?) that I have to remember to write at least a paragraph a day on my older fics...

Anyways.

[Bronzedragon]

Just found this story. Love the take on the odd gryphon. He seems more like the ones in the Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey. Following and waiting also reading “To Befriend the Night.”
Both well done.