To Valyrie, time seemed to have little meaning in Canterlot castle, particularly when she was with Comet and Angel. While she was sent to Equestria as punishment, it felt more like a vacation. Days of repetitively guarding the princess's prized phoenix, Philomena, just blurred together. It wasn't a job, it was fun. Angel made everything lively and entertaining, putting all her effort into making every other being happy. Comet, who had considerably warmed up to her, tried to maintain his stoic and cool demeanor while around them, which often saved the day when a superior officer came around.
Still, life wasn't all about work. Free time for the guards meant hang out time for the trio, often going into town together, playing card and board games, playing with Philomena or just a day of sleeping. As time passed, the other guards took notice of the trio and often made snide comments behind their backs, particularly about Comet. "Did'ja see that guy with the gryffon and bat pony? Can't keep his fetishes private, huh?" was a popular backbiting remark.
Being a gryffon and used to cruel remarks, Valyrie had easily shrugged off any comment made about them. Of course the other guards were jealous of Comet who got to hang out with a beautiful bat pony and a voluptuous gryffon like her every day. However, Angel often had a hard time dealing with the bat pony remarks she got, particularly those about foals. Comet merely shrugged off rumors, opting for his trademark silent mood, but secretly he did get upset about them, especially when one rumor went around that the only reason he was around Angel and Valyrie was because he couldn't satisfy a regular pony mare. That rumor quickly got quelled by Valyrie, saying if he could keep her happy, then he was four times better than the average pony.
Still, rumors eventually faded and life just kept moving onward. Soon, the warm sun began to set earlier and the temperature began to drop. Talk about the big event of the year, the Grand Galloping Gala, began to circulate in the castle around the same time. Almost every pony, including Angel, was bubbling over with excitement. For days, Angel went on about how it was the biggest party of the year, how she would polish her armor for the event and who she would meet. Comet just kept on being a guard, quiet and stony, but offered insight to Valyrie since she had never heard of the event.
As the weeks passed, Angel slowly became more of a night guard than a regular guard. She was sent out more often on escort assignments, posted at stations that lasted later into the night and pretty soon, she was even taken off Philomena guard duty, leaving just Comet and Valyrie to watch the tempermental phoenix. In her personal opinion, Valyrie absolutely loved spending time with Comet alone. Many conversations were had to pass the time, often about how gryphon culture differed from pony culture.
"So yeah," Valyrie said nonchalantly, "Most gryphons aren't considered adults until then."
Comet shifted uncomfortably as he contemplated what Valyrie had told him. Apparently, gryphons were a very barbaric group if they needed to fight a manticore to become a full adult. Comet couldn't imagine having to wrestle a manticore, much less hope to win, to simply become an adult in the culture. "Well, uh," Comet began unsurely, "Most stallions here are considered adults when they get a job."
Valyrie chuckled at that and smiled. "Oh yeah, it's also difficult for a gryffon like me to become an adult too."
"What do you mean by that?" Comet asked.
"Well, for a gryffon," she began.
"No, no. I mean weren't you just talking about how gryphons become adults?"
Valyrie tilted her head quizzically and said, "What do you mean?"
"You said 'that's how gryphons become adults.' Aren't you a gryphon too?" Comet inquired, scrunching his face up.
"Of course I'm a gryffon..." Valyrie worded slowly. Comet gave a frustrated groan and turned away, upset at the lack of communication. Valyrie shook her head in confusion, but Comet tried one last time.
"You said gryphons had to wrestle manticores to be adults, but then you said gryphons like you became adults another way. Aren't you a gryphon?" Comet asked, hoping what he said made sense.
Upon hearing that, Valyrie's mind clicked into place and she chuckled. "Oh, I get it! Yeah, I'm a gryffon, but not that kind. You see, male gryphons wrestle manticores. Female gryffons like me become adults another way."
"How's that?" Comet inquired.
Valyrie shot him a seductive look and cooed, "We mate," and Comet's eyes shrank at that. The gryffon busted out laughing and said, "No. Us females become adults when we reach the age and size to bear young gryphons."
"Oh, uh, that's good," he replied in a confused tone.
The rest of the day was spent avoiding another such conversation, centering mostly around what gryphon society was. According to Valyrie, male gryphons were drafted into military service once they had proved themselves adults and spent the next six years guarding against Wyvern and Ursa attacks, patrolling the borders of the Gryphon Kingdom or quelling worker uprisings. The king of the gryphons, Lord Bladebeak, ruled with an iron talon, commanding respect among the gryphons and even being rumored to have intimidated Princess Celestia during a border dispute when the Crystal Empire returned.
Comet found it fascinating to hear about a society not dominated by mares, but admitted to himself he couldn't thrive in such a place. At least, not at first. The day passed quickly and as the sun set, so did the temperature. It would start snowing soon and in the rec room for the guards, a magical fire had been lit. It produced heat, but required no wood and gave off no smoke. Valyrie marveled at the fire since gryphons forsook magic long ago in favor of a code of honor, Gryphido, which didn't allow for the trickery of magic, another tidbit she told Comet while examining the fire.
After the dinner of roasted oats and peeled carrots, Comet sat contentedly on a couch positioned near the fire. The other guard ponies had all gone off to bed and the room was silent. He had hoped to see Angel at some point tonight, but it was quickly becoming apparent to Comet that his bat pony wasn't going to be able to make it. He sighed heavily, wondering what she was doing when a voice broke the silence.
"Hey. Comet?" came a familiar voice. He spun his head around and saw a very timid looking set of gold eyes staring at him along with a glowing plume of white feathers.
"Oh, hey Valyrie," he replied, "I thought you'd be asleep."
"It's too cold in the bunk room, so I got up to get myself warm," she explained, "What're you here for?"
"Well," Comet started unsurely, "I was here to meet Angel, but she's probably not coming."
A tense silence permeated the room as Valyrie's gaze dropped to the floor and Comet watched her. Of course he knew she liked him, especially after that kiss they shared. He was wary of her, mostly because he was committed to Angel, but a small part of him wanted her to sit by him. Without even realizing he was saying it, he asked "Hey, you want to come and join me?"
Valyrie's head perked up and her beak kind of moved to the side, but she slowly started walking over to him. Suddenly very nervous, Comet scooted over to make room for Valyrie and she climbed up into the seat next to him. She sighed contentedly at the warmth that greeted her claws and paws, causing Comet to give a smile. The two sat there in peaceful silence, just enjoying the fire when Comet noticed Valyrie was shivering slightly.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm fine. It's just a small breeze," Valyrie responded with a smile.
"Oh," Comet replied, "Here, switch seats with me. There's no breeze over here." Valyrie protested at first, but another cold breeze washed over her and she reluctantly moved. When she took Comet's seat, she noticed how warm it was and thanked him for it. The orange pegasus smiled gently and the two sat in silence again. Nervous, but hoping to get somewhere with him, Valyrie slowly moved over to him. When she was close enough, she could feel the heat radiating from him and sighed. He would be a good pony to snuggle up with on a cold day.
Comet noticed her sigh and passed a quick glance over to her. The gryffon yawned widely and Comet extended a wing over her, wrapping her with it. Valyrie flinched at the initial touch, but stopped herself and enjoyed just being next to him. Soon, she had fallen asleep on the couch, leaning against Comet and dreaming about a warm color orange. Comet stayed awake as long as he could, trying to keep her comfortable before eventually falling asleep himself in her light and airy feathers.
oh sweet
I hope you've got something happy planned for Valryie...I like her character. And feel rather bad for her too
AND ANGEL WALKS IN ON THEM....that would be one way to add a HECK ton of drama
Yay update!
Edit: ugh I'm sick I didn't process any of that, anyone care to explain what just happened?
Huzzah another amazing chapter, This story does getter better all the time!
That is going to be one awkward wake up call.
"Comet!"
"....Morning Angel"
"That's Private Beats to you"
".......Angel, what's wrong?"
"Why don't you look to your left?"
"........Buck"
no! Not the love triangle!
Oh boy....this is bad. CHANGELINGS! ABDUCT COMET BEFORE ANGEL FINDS THEM!
And BOOM! Angel gunna walk in, see them like that and think, "Gasp Comet is cheating on me"
Awkward situation ensues and then somehow they all gain super powers and lead a double life fighting crime and solving mysteries!
Im still voting for Angel x Comet, but there is always room to be good friends! XD
i like the angel x comet, but i hope Val finds someone soon
Comet ends up with Valyrie and Angel. Thus by the power of polygamy their friendship is saved.
oh boy a love triangle
Come on Comet, you know it's best to be honest. Next time you see Angel, march right up to her and tell her that you slept with Valyrie. I'm sure she'll understand.
lol made my day
2142260
Indeed, good sir, I approve of this course of action.
(Though, for all we know, whoever gets left out of the triangle might even pair up with one of them changelings XD)
Comet, don't be afraid to try your luck with Valyrie. Angel will surely be busy being in the Night Guard.
Well then...This is going to end up being awkward.
2142421 I'm looking more toward awesome than awkward. Valerie and Angel are friends. This'll test that for sure (if it happens).
Foreshadowing. You evil author. Angel is gonna come in on them, isn't she.
really cute chapter
is it sad I totally ship val and comet, as like, really epic friends? I just really want it to end up with val being happy staying friends with comet while comet/angel happens and eventually finding somebody nice for her
maybe gilda reappears and isn't a douche XD
YES!!! NEW CHAPTER!!
Now how about another one.
*music* A Wild Love Triangle Appeared!
Moves Items
Ponémon Run
What shall Comet do?..
I don't like this...I want him to pick both and...
:O What if...you branched off and did both choices? DO IT!
surely, you have expected the rest of the readers to predict that Angel will walk right into them when you wrote this, right?
Great chapter, but I happened to notice you using both the words gryphon and griffon. Was this a mistake or is there a difference between the two?
2142662
"male gryphons wrestle manticores. Female gryffons like me"
fairly clearly explained
2142182 Yeah, that what I was thinking- eep!
It's gonna really suck when Angel walks in.
Man, Gryphons are badass. I can only imagine what the sons of this race have to go through...
Father: Alright son, your fifth birthday is today and that means it's time to throw you into the wilderness for 20 months with no help or adult supervision. You will face many foes, fight many beasts, and feast on the bones of your enemies! And when you return, your family will finally be proud of you and you will be christened a hero. You will be gifted 5 gryffon virgins for which will do-
Son: Dad?
Father: Yes my valiant son!
Son: I have to pee.
Father:
Angel is going to be very angry. Mother Of Celestia angry.
Everyone shut up with the cries for polygamy. How can you (I'm assuming that you consider yourselves fair-minded individuals) expect to make a fair trade out of exchanging 50 percent of your love to two individuals for 100 percent of both of their loves, seeing as how they do not love each other?
2142886
Magic, of course!
Wait, what?
I feel bad for wanting there to be social drama. Still it is fun and exciting. But at least multiple mares fighting over a "normal, nice guy" stallion makes since because there are so many more females than males. That is why some anime just annoys me. 5+ girls are all obsessed with this one guy for no real reason and he is just ment to be the average Joe so that the audience can sub themselves in.
Can't wait for the next chapter. Getting a new chapter to this story always makes my day!
2142886 But what if they did?
Love triangles are a nice thing, aren't they?
2142182 Too predictable though
2142361 well... that's awesome
2143085
From what we've seen of their interaction, you might as well ask "What if they're in the Matrix?" If they were, (and only then) it would be a viable possibility. Still, polygamous relationships are ungodly difficult to manage even under ideal conditions. Imagine "we're just not communicating" multiplied three ways.
Anyone see the bushido reference?
THE DEFECATION'S GON' HIT THE BLASTED OSCILATION, SON!!
FO' REAL!
2143238 Tell that to the guys in the Middle East who have like 4+ wives.
2143292 Hmmm explain?
It looks like Comet having both girls is still a possibility. I hope it happen
......
Comet Burst, don't make me get out my swords again.
One little plot hole I've picked up on is: So if Gryffons [female Gryphons] don’t like the conditions of their patriotic home, then why aren’t they flocking in droves to migrate to Equestria? Valerie has already expressed delight for being in a civilization that respects their gender as equals, Valerie sees this ‘punishment’ as a mere vacation, and Valerie has proven that friendships, and thus; relationships between Ponies and Gryphons is possible.
If I were Valerie I would ‘serve my time’ and return back home. I would endure ridicule and, when the male gryphons least suspect, spread the news of this new land like wildfire. I would encourage my girlfriends to run away, or break the law and ‘serve time’ in Equestria, and never return. Heck, I would be informing the princesses of their ordeal back home, and plead for Equestria to be a sanctuary for those Gryffons who are escaping persecution. Not just that, but to also form an alliance between female Gryphons and the Equestria’s Leagance. I would even fight against Lord Bladebeak’s rule.
After Valerie has served her time, will she return home? Or is she already home?
"Griphido"? really? I kinda facehoofed at that. Too punny.
Other than that, great chapter! Valyrie makes her move...