Books

by All_Hail_The_Smooze

Book Club? Book Club!

Rarity scrubbed down the table with furious intent. A rubber, yet still very fashionable, biohazard suit covered her delicate, white body and a fuming, purple bucket that was filled to the near brim with a mysterious solution sat by her side .

"Spike," she spoke, her voice muffled by the mask that came with very cumbersome suit, "be a dear and go get me some more bleach, please."

Spike gazed at the table, it had been an hour since Rarity had invited him inside and gave him the drink that he had promptly spilt on it. Rarity could only watch on in absolute terror as the horrific mix of herbal ingredients and saliva found their way onto her beautifully carved mahogany table. As soon as the liquid began it's assault on her furniture, she began to clean. Except, cleaning was not the right word to describe her actions; a more appropriate one would be Micro-biotic Genocide. To be honest, Spike was kind of impressed by the lengths Rarity went through to clean the mess, but he still couldn't comprehend how one could be so thorough.

"Spike?" Rarity spoke again which snapped Spike out of his daze. "Did you hear me?" She shot him a look that seemed to imply that the fate of the world was resting on the successful removal of this stain.

"Rarity," Spike began, trying to word this as nicely as he could, "I'm pretty sure that we've added enough bleach already." He paused, "Also, whatever you're using smells less like a cleaning solution and more like a War Crime," he joked.

"I really don't see any humor in all of this." Rarity scolded. He was pretty sure that she was giving him that adorable pout she would use whenever something displeased her but the mask she wore kept him from confirming it.

"I'm just saying that maybe you should consider stopping." Spike replied with a great deal of hope.

"But what of all the germs and bacteria!?" She asked desperately, unable to digest the simple task that Spike had asked of her.

Spiked sighed, "Trust me, you've killed them all." He looked and saw that Rarity was still giving the table a suspicious one over. "And, even if your chemical reign of terror left a single survivor, it is legitimately the loneliest life form on that table right now." He said lightly.

Rarity sighed and shook her head to clear some sort of misplaced idea that had lodged itself up there. "You're right," she finally relented. A blue, magic aura surrounded the bucket as she dumped her 'cleaning solution' outside of the nearest, open window. Spike had to forcibly ignore the fact that whatever was in her solution was now murdering the grass. "Better?" She asked rather pointedly.

"Much better." Spike gave her a grateful smile.

"Good." She said, rather pleased with herself. Her horn glowed, once again, as she removed the biohazard suit and it's mask from her form; revealing the Rarity that Spike knew and loved. "I'm glad that's taken care of." She opened a closet and neatly placed her suit in a box that was labeled 'CONTAMINATION CONTROL' in big, black letters. Finally, she turned back to Spike "Now, where were we?"

"Well, actually," Spike began "I was wondering if you wanted to do anything today?" He asked awkwardly.

Rarity's brightened considerably "Why Spike, I would love to."

"You would?" Now the over-all mood in the room brightened.

"Yes," Rarity confirmed "but I'm afraid we wouldn't have much time. I have an appointment that I need to attend in an hour or so. It is certainly not enough for a proper time out."

Spike watched helplessly as her words mercilessly killed his happy mood and spat on its grave.

"So how about we reschedule for tomorrow?" She asked.

"Sure!" Spike eagerly replied, he had no problem in compromising. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

Rarity beamed "I can't wait."

--O~O--

Twilight Sparkle stood over her writing desk, her mind fast at work. She was a mare on a mission. Albeit, a very unimportant mission- but a mission none-the-less! In the grasp of her horn's magic laid her quill and on the table in front of her was a piece of parchment. She knew the job that was ahead of her this morning and she knew that, despite the difficulties, it had to be done.

She would write this friendship lesson, even if it meant the death of her.

There was something in her eyes and in the way she wrote. One could compare it to the artists of old, who struggled endlessly to create their epic novels and poetic operas. If one also believed that novels, operas, and three-paragraph letters detailing obvious lessons in friendship were interchangeable.

A smile began to break out on her face, signaling that her work was completed. With a critical eye, she levitated the scroll up to her face and read the letter word for word.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today I have learned a rather valuable lesson in friendship. Friendship is gift, one that should be enjoyed by everyone as it gives us many valuable things: joy, togetherness, even love.

But I have also learned the differences of receiving this gifts and taking advantage of a friend's giving nature. We often find ourselves complacent when such great things are bestowed upon us and we should look to our friends to guide us and show us the real powers of each bond we hold with them.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle.

A true masterpiece, indeed. Contented with her writings, Twilight placed her letter down of the table for Spike to send off later in the day. Today is definitely up to a better start, Twilight thought, still trying to repress the terrible hybrids that had ruined her previous day. She pulled out another scroll, a checklist, to see the things that she still needed to do.

Twilight's Checklist!
1. Rewrite friendship lesson (X)
2. Visit Rainbow Dash ( )
3. Find other things to put on my checklist ( )

Well, I guess that means I should go see Rainbow, she thought, not wanting to question the all powerful scroll. Twilight put the checklist back in it's proper place and headed out of the library.

Now, If I were Rainbow Dash, were would I be? Twilight pondered. She decided to make Dash's house her first stop. But this was Rainbow Dash; she could be anywhere, doing anything.

--O~O--

Wow!

Just-

Wow!

I mean...

Wow!

There were times where Rainbow Dash could be described as a mare of elegant or, at least, coherent speaking; this was not one of those times. Her eyes sped over the last page of the novel multiple times, re-reading that last sentence.

Content with their adventure, the four friends rode off into the sunset, happily.

It was a perfect sentence that finished a perfect book. In all honesty, Rainbow had believed that this book would last her a while. She was only planning to use it every now and then to syphon off her boredom. But that changed as soon as she read the first chapter and the next one and the one after that. Soon enough, she had spent the whole night absorbed in this incredible literary world.

She was definitely glad that she had not been scheduled for work today. Her mind and body were fighting a losing battle to stay conscious; a battle, that she was finally willing to lose. It seemed like the bed had transformed into a nest of ultimate comfort. Today would have to wait; right now, it was sleep time...

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Or not.

--O~O--

Spike stood dejectedly in the Ponyville market place. He had no problem with rescheduling with Rarity for tomorrow. But doing things with Rarity had kind of been the whole focus for today and, now, he was just stuck with himself. And he knew, from personal experience, that he wasn't all that fun.

Sometimes, he envied Twi; if one of her friends had canceled on her, she still had other options. But Spike was really only friends with two people: Twilight and Rarity. Everyone else were more acquaintances than anything.

He was unsure how to feel about that. Should he hold resentment for his duties and The Library which had cut him off from most social interactions? Or for Twilight, who gave him these responsibilities? Or himself? There had been many opportunities for him to make friends, he had spent most of the day in a hot air balloon with Pinkie commentating on the Running of the leaves, he had also attended both the Gala and Shining Armor and Cadnece's wedding with all of Twilight's friends. Maybe that was the real problem, he had a lot of opportunities to improve his relationship with everyone, could it be that, maybe, he wasn't so keen to make any new friends?

Spike shook his head, this kind of introspective thinking was reserved for... not today. He made his way back to the library; at least there he could read or continue writing his novel. He opened the door, only to find Rainbow Dash and Twilight waiting for him.

"Hey Spike," Twilight said while she placed some items in her saddle bag, "I thought that you were hanging out with Rarity today?"

"She rescheduled." He admitted.

"Oh. Well Rainbow and I are going to head out and see if any of the girls would be interested in having a picnic." She replied, it was clear to Spike that sympathies were not on the top of her priorities right now.

He looked over to Rainbow Dash, who looked dead but somehow worse. "Hey Spike," she finally said through a fit of grogginess, "I finished it." Her faced cracked into a sleepy smile.

"Finished what?" Twilight asked, still packing things away in her bag. She looked over to Rainbow Dash, genuinely interested in the direction the conversation was taking.

"Really? The book was like, six or seven hundred pages." Spike replied, his emotions ranging from disbelief to impressed.

Books! Now, Twilight was definitely interested. "What book did you read!?" She asked excitedly; much like a young filly would ask for a toy or more dessert.

Rainbow carefully pulled out the book from underneath her wing and placed it on the table for Twilight to see. Twilight looked at the title and then back at Rainbow Dash, wearing a very puzzled look on her face.

"Rings? You read that? In one night?" She skeptically asked.

"Yeah"- Rainbow yawned- "I was going take my time reading it. But it was just so addicting!"

Twilight's mouth pursed into a firm line, "That's impossible, this book took me three weeks to read."

A smug grin crept across her face, "Maybe I'm just smarter than you." Rainbow bragged.

"That might be the most factually inaccurate statement that I have ever heard." Twilight deadpanned.

"That's debatable." Dash countered.

"No. No it isn't."

"So does that mean you're looking for something else to read?" Spike interrupted their pseudo-argument.

Rainbow nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you definitely have an awesome taste in books!" Somehow, talking of literature seemed to fill Rainbow with energy. "Maybe we can meet up tomorrow or something."

Spike raised an eyebrow; suddenly those thoughts of missed opportunities sped through his mind, "You mean, like a book club?"

Book Club! Every inch of Twilight's body froze. Ever since she came to Ponyville and defeated Nightmare Moon, Twilight dreamed of starting a book club with the residents of Ponyville. Oh, how she fantasized about reading about this classical novel and talking about that epic poem with other intelligent scholars. But alas, our Twilight was doomed to a lifetime of literary solitude. That is, until now. Sure Rainbow Dash and Spike may have not been ideal partners for discussion but they would do. Now, she had to figure out some way to subtly drop a casual hint that she might be interested.

"Well," Rainbow Dash began-

"CAN I JOIN!?" Twilight yelled.

Both Rainbow and Spike gave her identically similar strange looks.

"I mean, if it's okay with you guys." Twilight added in a much calmer tone.

"Sure," Rainbow replied, "how about we meet up tomorrow morning for our first 'official meet up'."

"Sounds pretty good to me." Spike said.

"Same here." Twilight agreed.

"So it's settled." Rainbow Dash said but, just then, another realization hit her, "Uh Twi, we should probably head out if we want any chance of catching the girls at a good time."

"That we should." Twilight said while grabbing her saddle bag and heading outside. "Look after the library Spike!" She called back.

"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Rainbow added before joining Twilight.

"See ya!" Spike said, waving after them. Once they were were out of sight, Spike headed back into the Library. The prospects for tomorrow looked promising, hopefully they would deliver. He stopped in front of one of the book shelves. Now, Spike thought to find a book that both Rainbow and Twilight would enjoy.

Comments

[ItsDandan]

Nice, interesting story. Can't wait to see where it goes!

[latinpegasister]

a book both twilight and rainbow can enjoy? now how are you gonna do that spike?
nice story so far, keep it going

[Oneyearwarpilot]

Twilight as smooth as monster truck.

[Sirius Dreams]

Very nice. More is all we ask

[Roach of Wrath]

Let me guess spike wrote rings under an alias

[TF141Soldier]

"That has to be the most factually inaccurate statement I've ever heard!"

Damn Twilight. That's really, really mean. :/

Anyways, great story.

[BlazingRage]

Lol, I'm really loving the humour in this. Keep 'em coming!

[Spark of Inspiration]

Wow... way to be subtle, Twilight.

Everything in here is amazing, and I thoroughly enjoy the way you leave us guessing at which pairing it's going to be. Keep writing, and I'll keep reading.
-SoI

[Swashbucklist]

Okay, now I'm enjoying this story since things have finally started happening. It always makes for good character development when Dash discovers something new, since she's typically thought of as the jock. I also liked your quick speculation on Spike's relationships with the other ponies (the show writers REALLY need to start building those), and Dash's interaction with Twilight over the book was fun. Can't wait for more.

[wazzup]

Me Booksta

[Lateinshowing]

Update?