> The Daughter of Drakensdale Hollow
>  by Resurgent Wanderer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The thing from the place.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Lithe laughed gaily as she traipsed through the forest, trailing an errant leaf caught in the tides of the wind. She snapped her jaws playfully in an attempt to catch it, her six canines drawing furrows from her latest attempt. Bounding amongst the trees Lithe could scarcely hide her excitement as she leapt, bounded, and flipped after the silly piece of plant life. As Lithe went along she would half climb trees any time she fully lost her leaf to shake loose a new one for her to follow. Giggling madly, she didn't even hear the manticore until it had lunged upon her and was gnawing upon her lower back.

Twisting about Lithe eyed the beast with nervous yet excited eyes. She had never seen something like this before! Pulling her unmarred hind quarters from the beast's mouth, Lithe hopped side to side before batting the thing on the nose with a foreclaw. It obviously wanted to wrestle, other wise it wouldn't have tackled her. The creature regarded her oddly before lunging forward and knocking Lithe on her back, its claws and teeth searching for purchse against the oddly strong and tough fur and skin that Lithe possessed.

"Stoppit, that tickles! Okay, mercy, I give, I give!" Lithe laughed wildly as the beasts claws and teeth scrapped against the ticklish nerve of her belly.

Kicking out for mercy, Lithe felt her back claws connect with her tickling oppressor, drawing a yelp from it as it jerked back and eyed her warily before turning tail and darting into the woods in search for something easier to eat. Lithe just watched the funny creature go and she shuffled the leathery skin of her wings and shook dirt from the coppery scales that ran along her spine and out of her mane, which shared the same colour. Giving a final few brushes from her two claws on her right foreleg to remove excessive dirt from her golden yellow furred side Lithe shrugged and shook down more leaves, giving chase in her silly little game.

Leaping onto a branch and snapping at one specific leaf, Lithe found it just out of her reach and leapt out from her perch on the branch to find herself clear of the tree on a small hillock over looking one of the most amazing things she'd ever seen in her life! 

A pony town!



M\(>^<)/M




Song~Flutterwonder

As Lithe grew closer and closer to the settlement her eyes grew wider and wider with each step into the town. It was then she saw something so out of this world it blew her mind! A pony pushed a wall open and walked through it! It must have been magic or something! Rushing over, Lithe was determined to place the origin of the phenomenon.

Giving the special wall a few pushes, Lithe's two talons on her left hoof brushed against a small metallic knob that moved side to side. Fascinated, she twisted the knob this way and that before finding that the magical knob allowed the wall to open and close! Never before had she witnessed such a marvellous device. Just as she started to fully understand the opening and closing of the wall she noticed a pony further away using another amazing contraption!

Rushing over Lithe watched as the pony ran off, leaving her alone to marvel over the new item. It looked like a rounded house, but was only an entrance to a 90 degree tunnel. Looking into the tunnel Lithe noticed that there was a bucket down there floating in water. She began to tug on the rope when her wing bumped an odd protrusion that rotated, wrapping the rope around a bar and bringing the bucket closer to her! Utterly amazed that such things could be done, Lithe began reeling up the bucket before gulping down the water as it got to her. Ponies were amazing and she hadn't even met one yet! Inadvertently letting go of the handle, Lithe jumped back into an apple cart as the bucket splashed back down.

Turning about to see what she hit Lithe was shocked to see another miracle, it was a mobile table! Giving the cart a push whilst giggling Lithe was quick to make a game out of it, batting it between her wings until a rattle caught her attention.

Spinning around Lithe saw a sign shaking back and forth from a post. Eyes now drawn to anything post like Lithe was quick to notice the magical powered lamps that were lit up. Flapping up to them with a silly grin, Lithe poked and prodded at them a few times before chalking it up to the miracles that were ponies!

Just as Lithe landed a white ball of fluff launched itself at her, tickling her neck just under her jaw bone. Pulling the thing off Lithe recognized it as a cat, her dad said cats sometimes were pets for ponies. This specific cat was scrabbling at her with all four legs, presumably wanting a hug. Smiling wide Lithe pulled the cat closer to her as it attempted to get a good grasp to return the hug, its paws and claws scrabbling at her furiously. Just then Lithe heard a voice call out.

"Opalescence! Opal, where are you! Where are yo-oh my!"

There before Lithe stood the first unicorn she'd ever seen! The unicorn gave a sudden yelp and took two steps back before a second horned pony stepped past her and looked at her with her head titled funny.

"Er...hi, I'm Twilight Sparkle, who, and if you don't mind, what are you?"

Suddenly realising she had no understanding of how ponies acted or spoke to one another, Lithe began to feel very selfconcious about herself and hid behind one partially uplifted wing.
"M'Lithe...."

The purple pony shrugged, a set of wings Lithe hadn't noticed rustling when she did so.
"Emleeth?"

Shaking her head, Lither lowered her wing just enough to show her face.
"My name is Lithe, I'm a Draken-pony...."
Then like that the wing was back up, Lithe's orange eyes just barely showing over the top edge of her wing.

"Well I'm Twilight Sparkle, resident Alicorn of Ponyville." the purple pony, Twilight, responded with a calm and gentle smile, "So, what brings you about?"

Before Lithe could say a thing four other ponies can careening around the corner to stand by their friend's side except for one. A flying pink pony came to a sudden and abrupt halt next to her and began eyeing her and poking at her sides. Confused and somewhat shy, Lithe began backing away from the 'assault' before a loud voice snapped through the air.

"PINKIE!"

The pink pony froze before turning and facing Twilight.
"Yes?"

"Leave her alone, you're scaring her!" Twilight grumbled with a shuffle of her wing, "So Lithe, what are you doing here?"

Lithe watched as the pink pony bounded back over to her friends and Twilight stepped a bit closer while weaing a disarming smile.
"So, what brings you to Ponyville, Lithe? Also, what exactly is a Draken-pony."

Not exactly sure how to answer Twilight, Lithe suddenly realised that this must have been what her dad meant by 'be herself' when she met the ponies. She just needed to act like they were like the dragons back home! Happy that she'd finally figured out how to act, Lithe raised her head to speak only to realise that all six ponies were staring at her intently. Cheeks suddenly flushing a healthy shade of blue Lithe quickly ducked back down behind her wing as Twilight giggled slightly and stepped forward.

"You must be shy, sorry. How about just you and me head back to the library and we'll figure it all out, okay?"

Suddenly Lithe's head shot up, her orange eyes practically sparkling with excitement.
"You have a library?"

Giving a laugh Twilight nodded while motioning for Lithe to follow her. Before walking away she turned and spoke to the other five ponies.
"Go let the town know that there isn't any threat, just a new visitor."

Lithe watched as the other five ponies ran off before trailing after Twilight. As Lithe followed, she kept finding her attention pulled off to some random object or device. For every item the Lithe found herself investigating Twilight would explain what it was and how it worked, much to the wonderment of the Draken-pony.

It wasn't much longer before the pair reached the library, Twilight leading Lithe inside as Lithe blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to her first view of magically produced artificial lighting.Everything now looked yellow tinted to Lithe, most likely due to the way most magic affected dragons differently. Upon adjustment, Lithe went straight for the books darting shelf to shelf in anticipation. Never before had she seen this many books in one place before! Flitting this way and that by way of her wings Lithe collected the first ten interesting books she'd found and shot over to a spot in the floor, circling three or four times before laying down, confident that her spot was secure.



M\(>^<)/M




Standing ramrod straight, Lithe refused to move a muscle as the alicorn Twilight began explaining such things that were both foreign and confusing to the Draken-pony, having come from a land where dragons ruled and the lifestyles were so different. First on Twilight's list of new terms and phrases was shower and bath. Such as dragons used lava/magma to cleanse themselves of dirt and other grime, ponies used water. On top of that, ponies were accustomed to cleansing themselves in private, not public.

Second came eating habits, namely that food stayed in the kitchen, and books in the library, that and you sure as heck did not read books whilst hanging from the ceiling eating food!

Those two main lessons followed up by a number of books on modern pony culture and society were enough to tide Lithe over for the night before the Draken-pony climbed up onto the highest self she could find(after relocating the books there) and settled down to sleep. 

Two blinks later Lithe was away to dream land.



M\(>^<)/M




Yawning widely as she rubbed sleep from her eyes, Lithe then stretched her legs out until her claws connected with wood. Securing her grip, the draken-pony made her way through to the kitchen. As Lithe entered she used a wing to tap on Twilight's shoulder, as the alicorn was already awake, to get her attention.

"I should get a job. Ponies have jobs, and I'm supposed to be all ambassador-y and such, so I should learn everything about how to live as a pony for a better understanding of the culture. Oh, and that and something called applebucking totally sounded like fun, cause it makes leaves fall."

Twilight did a double take for a second, both at the cheer in Lithe's voice as well as the fact that the draken-pony was currently clinging to the kitchen ceiling.
"Wait, makes leaves fall?"

Lithe then went into a lengthy story through out breakfast about how the Hollow only has evergreen trees, and that she had never seen a deciduous leaf before. She then further explained  about how she liked to watch the leaves float through the wind. As Lithe finished explaining her fascination with leaves Twilight gave her a smile. 

"I suppose that answers my first question, I was wondering what you wanted to do today, so I suppose we can head over to Sweet Apple Acres. It's my friend Applejack's farm. Actually, if you're going to be staying for any length of time it would be prudent for you to meet all my friends, as well as try to befriend some of the other townsponies." smiled Twilight.

Lithe nodded, hearing and understanding the words, but partially ignoring them in favour of the odd flat bread that had been presented to her. She wasn't confused by it mind you, but instead was devouring the food ravenously, having never had such a treat before. Twilight, noting the draken-pony's obvious enjoyment of the meal, promptly poured out some more batter and made a few more before proffering them to Lithe.

"Enjoying the pancakes?" grinned Twilight, "I make them like my mom used to, a bit of cinnamon and pumpkin spice tossed in for an extra kick."

Stopping for but a moment to reply, Lithe licked her chops in approval before giving her thoughts.
"Your mother needs to be recorded in the great Dragon Annals for such a creation, I love them!"
Lithe quickly finished devouring the pancakes and licked the plate clean of any crumbs before grasping it in her foreclaws and bringing the plate up to her face to nuzzle it near lovingly. It wasn't until a few seconds later that Lithe noted Twilight looking at her curiously, causing her to flush blue.
"Really good...sorry."

Giving another disarming smile Twilight just shook her head.
"If it makes you feel any better, I tried to crawl into the pan when I was a little filly because I thought it held more of them." admitted the alicorn with a mild red blush of her own.
"Do you want a couple more for the walk to Applejack's?"

Five minutes later the pair were headed out the door, two pancakes quickly disappearing into Lithe's mouth as they went.



M\(>^<)/M




As it turns out, Lithe had an amazing knack for farming, the dragon-borne muscles in her body able to snap out strikes on the trees on par with Big Macintosh. This was exactly what the Apple family was looking foe coincidentally. Big Mac was needing to make a run into Manehattan after hearing the Oranges been having some issues. On top of that Applejack was set to run a stall in Canterlot that was going to bring in big business. The worry had been that they wouldn't have found somepony for the job, and on that note they'd been right. As it were, there was a very pleased half pony that was more than willing to take the job.

"Now you sure yer up fer this, sugarcube? It can be a lot of work, and to be honest, mah younger sister an' her friends heard all about you and Ah don't want 'em botherin' you if yer not up for it." Applejack explained as she cast a wary look at Lithe.

"You can count on me!" Lithe barked while snapping a quick salute with her right wing.

Applejack cast a few more glances across her farm before nodding and heading out towards the train station. As Applejack walked away Twilight got Lithe's attention.
"You need help or if there's any trouble, you fly to the library and come get me, okay?"

Snapping a second salute Lithe turned and moved towards the trees. She had a quota of ten and five trees bucked and ten and five treefuls of apples brought into the barn and she was darn sure she wouldn't be late. Setting her mind to the present task Lithe pivoted on her foreclaws and struck hard against the first tree causing every apple to drop into the awaiting baskets. Nodding her approval at her own claw-work Lithe couldn't help but bounce giddily at the rush of a strike well placed.

Moving quickly with aide of her wings Lithe danced a merry dance throughout Sweet Apple Acres bucking the apple trees and basketing the apples in record time. After moving the baskets to the barn Lithe went and rolled amongst the leaves for a few minutes before realising that she should probably tell somepony that she was finished. Moving towards the cabin Lithe's movements shifted slowly from those of a happy, giddy, carefree mare to a more subdued, shy step. It suddenly seemed as though she was unsure of her task as she knowcked on the front door and an elderly green mare answered it in reply.

"Why hello there young'un, you must be that filly Twilight told me was coming to help." Granny Smith smiled with the warmth only the elderly could pull off. "Were you needin' a few pointers on how to buck all them trees?"

Shaking her head meekly Lithe gestured to the barn, the front of which was open to reveal that all the apples were in baskets and placed inside.

Granny Smith's features lit up suddenly at the sight.
"I'll be darned, you done and bucked all those apples already. You have yourself a special gift there little missy. Not every pony under the sun can even do half of that in the time you have. Well, if you're done then there's not much else that you can do. Why don't you come on inside and I'll cook you up something nice for your hard work for lunch?"

Lithe assented and began moving inside, slowly warming to the general accepting attitude of the elderly mare. So far it was a good day.
> Family values, and water....lots of water.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Lithe groaned loudly as she stretched her full belly. Granny Smith and herself had just finished their lunch and settled themselves in the den when the young Draken-pony began to notice the pictures. The first pictures she noticed were those of Applejack, Big Mac, Applebloom and Granny Smith-Apple. As she continued looking amongst the pictures whilst regaling Granny Smith with her tales of dragon life she began to take note of another two ponies. They were only in a couple of pictures, but they seemed to be from when Granny Smith was younger. Finally unable to fight her curiosity Lithe asked the nagging question.

"If you don't mind me asking, who are those two ponies?"

Granny Smith's gave followed the point of Lithe's claw to a pair of ponies, one stallion, red orange in colour, wearing a stetson, and a mare, light red, standing next to them. In their hooves was a small red foal, a colt, just out of the hospital. To Granny Smith, they were her everything, her daughter and her son in law, the bringer of her grandfoals that had brought her so much joy. Granny Smith almost forgot she was supposed to respond until she noticed Lithe twitch an ear.
"That there's AJ, Mac, and Bloom's ma an pa, my daughter and my son in law. Not a day goes by I don't miss 'em."

Cocking her head to the side, Lithe failed to understand why Granny Smith would miss them.
"Are they out migrating, or trying to find new land?"

There were many things you could call Granny Smith, and insightful was high on that list. It didn't take a genius for Granny Smith to piece together the idea of dragons, half dragons, and then a lack of understanding of death for said half dragon. Even then the elderly mare was at a loss for how to take care of the situation. On one hoof, she could explain to the young filly exactly what had happened, but on the other she had no idea if she would understand. In the end the option was chosen for her when Applebloom's two friends came bolting in the door, worried expressions plastered across their face.

"Applebloom....Tiara....parents....fight...." panted Sweetie Belle, only for a more in breath Scootaloo to translate.
"Diamond Tiara mouthed off about Bloom's mom and dad and Bloom went crazy and beat them up and ran off!"

Granny Smith's eyes grew wide before settling. She knew where her youngest grandfoal had gone, she also knew that her body, especially now, couldn't make the old climb. She only had one choice.
"Well, I hate to bother ya more young'n, especially after your work outside, but would you mind giving me a lift. I need to go help my granddaughter."

Recognising the urgency in Granny Smith-Apple's voice Lithe nodded immediately and gently lifted off the ground before lifting Granny Smith just as gently. 

"Where to?"



M\(>^<)/M




Lithe and Granny Smith stood a ways off as they both looked upon a sobbing young filly, red bow in her mane, laying before two simple gravestones on a hill. They had stood there for a while now, Applebloom screaming at Granny Smith when she'd tried to get closer. Lithe had been arguing with herself for a while now, and it was finally culminating to a point. Setting her shoulder, the filly pat Granny Smith-Apple's back gently with a wing.
"I think I can help."
With that Lithe moved forward.

As she neared Applebloom the little filly tossed her a 'dirty' look, or as dirty as one could when their eyes were red and puffy from crying.
"Whadda you want!"

Laying next to the Applebloom calmly Ltihe just gave a shrug of her shoulders.
"Curious. You know, it isn't an easy thing, losing a parental figure..."

"Don't you start," Applebloom growled, "All ya big ponies think thacha know what's wrong. Well ya don't! Ya don't know anything! Everypony felt so bad for mah older brother'n'sistr cause they 'lost' their ma an' pa, but not me! No, Ah didn' even get to know them!" Applebloom yelled, her voice threatening to break, "An' it's worse, 'cause Ah don't even know if they loved me! An' Diamond Tiar is probably right, they don't! Ah'm just a stupid blank flank!"

As Lithe watched the filly finish her rant she swept a wing out to embrace her, pulling her close. This only seemed to further enrage to grief driven Applebloom.

"Ah don' want yer pity, Ah jus' want ma an' pa! Lemme go, Ah want ma an' pa!"

Rather than comply Lithe moved her head closer so that she could speak to Applebloom.
"I can understand why it's hard. Never knowing your mum and dad. I never got to know my mum, and my dad and I...we get along, but not as well as we could. He's always off playing dragon king somewhere. My mum passed away when I was just a little draken-pony. I never had any true memories of her, and I felt the same way you did once too. But that's where the best memory of my family comes in."

"Ah don' care....Ah jus' want mah ma an' pa back..." Bloom sobbed, no longer trying to strike at the mare.

Regardless Lithe carried on.
"Dragons are unique in the fact that they consider every other member of their species family, and there was this one dragon, an orphan, who helped me. He told me that he knew my mum loved me because if she didn't she wouldn't have made me. He also told me that my mum was always watching after me, no mater what, and then he taught me how to talk to her."

Applebloom looked up with a look that read of hope and intrigue. Her mane blew back from a strong gust of wind flowing towards the Acres so Lithe blocked it with a wing before continuing.
"Whenever I want to talk to my mum, I just have to think of her real hard and talk. That's all there is to it."

Suddenly Applebloom grew sceptical as Lithe focused her eyes on the slowly setting sun before them.
"Heya mum, having a great time in Ponyville so far and making friends. Did you know it's only been two days and I've met over six ponies! Pretty crazy, I know. I'm a little shy too, but I'm working on it, oh, and when I come and see you someday in the sky I'm going to have to have my friend show me how to make something amazing called pancakes! Well, that's all there is for now, catch you on the flip side mum!"
As Lithe finished speaking she had a rather content look on her face. Lithe turned to regard Applebloom who was looking at her in disbelief.

"You jus' talked to nothin', nopony was there!"

Grinning cheekily Lithe rolled her eyes. 
"How do you know nopony was there?"

"Well...Ah didn' see anypony!"

Lithe nodded at this, but pressed on.
"You don't have to see somepony to know they care. Do your brother and sister care? I'm pretty sure they do, but they aren't here. Come on, give it a try."

Applebloom looked apprehensive for a few minutes before screwing her eyes shut in concentration. The wind still blew strong towards the Acres from the hill they were on.

"Hey ma an' pa. Ah...Ah don't really remember you, but Ah wish Ah could. Ah wish everyday Ah could remember you, and Ah wish Ah could know you still remembered me, but it's hard an' stuff, an' some ponies are mean..." Applebloom stopped for a moment as a sob broke free from her lips and Lithe hugged her closer, "But Ah jus' got told that you were always listenin', so Ah jus' wanted you to know that Ah wish Ah could've remembered you two, an' thanks for makin' me an' such....Ah love ya ma an' pa...please...please let me know you love me too...please..."

For a devastating minute nothing happened at all, and just as Applebloom was about to give up any semblance of hope a strong and stray gust of wind came whipping out from Sweet Apple Acres towards the hill, lifting a few leaves and swirling around the farm filly while carrying the homey scent of apples. As it died away the wind continued blowing towards the farm, but Applebloom's face was wide with shock and joy. Excitedly she threw her hooves around Lithe's neck.

"They love me too, that was their sign! Ma an' pa love me too!"

Tears of joy poured from Applebloom's face as Lithe held her close.
"I told you they were always listening, and you know what the best part is? You can talk to them whenever you want. Doesn't matter when or where you are, their always watching out for you."

Nodding Applebloom gripped Lithe a little tighter as Granny Smith can out and sat next to them. As Applebloom told her tail of how she knew her ma and pa loved her, the elderly mare's eyes took a younger light to them, like a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

As the sun continued to set the trio stayed out on the hill for a while longer until Lithe realised that she would need to head back to Twilight's for the night. As Lithe walked down the hill and into the acreage she stopped for just a moment to remove an apple tree branch, complete with two apples, out from under her wing. 

Looking down at it, the draken-pony sighed, content for the night and flapped lazily back towards Ponyville.



M\(>^<)/M




Twilight trotted into the bathroom much like she would any other morning. Her routine was simple, brush her teeth, brush her mane, relieve herself and then go about her day. Lifting her toothbrush in her magic she quickly applied the toothpaste while simultaneously lifting her mane brush and straightening out the knots from her sleep. Once satisfied with her looks she turned to make use of her toilet only to start slightly as she realised something-no, somepony actually- was in her bathtub!

Drawing the curtains wide Twilight was both relieved and mystified to find Lithe curled up in the bottom of her porcelain shower base. Smiling slightly at the odd humour of it Twilight lifted Lithe in her magic and carried her through to her own room. She set the draken-pony down on her bed above the covers and released her hold only to freeze when Lithe shifted slightly. 

Lithe yawned wide and Twilight only just now noticed the two razor sharp, vicious looking canines that jutted from her lower jaw and the four more jutting from Lithe's upper jaw. Twilight watched as Lithe's tongue arched like that of a cat's own and how all four legs stretched out, claws flexing, as if trying to find something. Then as soon as it started it ended when Lithe's left claw bumped a pillow and she quickly snatched it closer to her and curled around it, still sleeping lightly.

For Twilight it was like one of those precious moments when you watched a foal do something really cute, only instead it was a half dragon half pony adult. In fact it was so cute Twilight realised that she'd been sitting there staring for the past minutes. Blushing slightly she scurried away back to the bathroom to finish her business and start her day.



M\(>^<)/M




After a number of half asleep half awake rolling around Lithe was soon racing through the library screaming at whatever creature was stuck to her face. The worst part was that when she'd tried to pull it off it had grabbed her right claws and held fast, apparently determined to consume her as it slowly wrapped around her wing during her frantic running.

After impacting two walls Lithe successfully managed to inadvertently find the stairs and go tumbling down them before landing on her back. During the tumble she also managed to further become ensnared by the foul beast that had assailed her. 

As she struggled and flailed about Twilight trotted out from the kitchen to see what the commotion was about when she spotted Lithe struggling fruitlessly against the hold of an entangled blanket. Her first thought was to laugh, but that thought ended just about as fast as it started when she swore she heard Lithe crying. Moving quickly Twilight grasped the blanket in her magic and teleported it off to her room to reveal two frantic blue flecked orange eyes and a hyperventilating draken-pony. As soon as Lithe realised she was free she leapt to her feet, looked around for any other threats, then half hugged half crawled under Twilight while shaking fitfully, tears running down her face.

It was this that made Twilight happiest that she hadn't laughed before, and after thinking about it realised that coming from the dragons it was no small wonder that Lithe might not have known what a blanket was. Especially if she'd awoken with it already wrapped around her. Rubbing a hoof through Lithe's mane gently, much like her own mother had used to do when she was scared.

"Hey now Lithe, you're fine, everything is fine." Twilight soothed as Lithe slowly began to relax and dry her eyes, "I took care of it, you're perfectly safe. How about we go get you some breakfast? I usually only make them on special occasions, but I'll make my mom's style pancakes again, okay?"

This drew a nod and slight smile from Lithe as she sniffled and rubbed her eyes dry.
"O...okay. Are you sure its gone? I don't think it wanted to let go of me until...until..."

When Twilight saw Lithe was about to upset herself she pulled her into a quick hug and led her into the kitchen so she could start making breakfast. She also decided to steer the conversation in a less blanket oriented direction.
"So, how was working at the farm yesterday? I'd imagine you worked hard."

Any apprehension or lingering fear that had been plaguing Lithe before hoof disappeared at the mention to the work she had done yesterday, and the two new friends she'd made as well. As the draken-pony delved into her tale of the events she'd taken part in the previous day she couldn't hide her excitement. Lithe bubbled with joy and excitement as she told of how much fun it was to flit amongst the trees. The leisure and satisfaction when she felt her hind claws connect with a tree and the sounds of the apples falling into the baskets in response. The rush of a job well done, it was all just so much!

As Lithe finished her tale(and her pancakes) she stood and placed her dish in the sink before turning to Twilight.
"Any thing we plan on doing today?"

"Actually," Twilight smiled as she looked up, "Pinkie Pie, a friend of mine, has a party set up for you today. We should actually be on our way over soon. Why don't you head upstairs and take a shower after working yesterday, then we can head out? I'll get the dishes."

Nodding, Lithe turned and skipped off out the room allowing Twilight to take free reign over the dishes in the sink. 

Twilight watched the bubbly mare skip off with a smile. She moved forward and began cleaning the dishes, marvelling over how such a mare could fear for her life one moment and then be so carefree the next. Maybe it was the makings of a new friendship report. Just as she finished the last dish there was a call from upstairs and the sound of rushing water.

"Twilight! I think I broke it....."



M\(>^<)/M




Both Twilight and Lithe giggled ridiculously as they shook bubbles and excess water from their manes and tails, the latter also attempting not to skid around too much on her not-meant-for-wet-tile claws. Twilight was currently waving a soapy ball of water threateningly in her aura as Lithe playfully glared back with a wet wrapped towel hanging from her mouth.

"Give it up Lithe, I've got magic and wings on my side!" Twilight mock bragged.

"Meah? Wew I've go' a toew!" the draken-pony pretend threatened right on back.

In response the alicorn sent the ball of water straight at Lithe's face, but the draken-pony blocked it with a wing and lunged forward in an attempt to land next to Twi and pop her in the flank with the towel. The one thing Lithe forgot about but quickly remembered upon landing was her not-meant-for-wet-tile claws as she went sliding into the alicorns legs causing them both to slip a few hooves in a tangled mess.

Upon coming to a halt in their slide Twilight and Lithe both made to get up at the same time, again causing them to slip and fall against each other again. Landing half on top of the other half on the ground, both Lithe and Twilight stopped for a moment to regain their breath, having just spent upwards of the last hour having a water fight.

"Well, that was fun." wheezed Twilight as she lay under a wing and a leg of Lithe's.

In response the darken-pony flicked some excess water at her and blew a raspberry.
"I won. I won and you know it!"

Shaking her head Twilight got to her hooves and flicked some water right on back at Lithe.
"You slipped and accidentally tripped me..."

Lithe attempted to leap to her feet and defend herself, but found she still had no grip on the wet tile and started falling again. Twilight quickly stepped forward and caught Lithe against her causing Lithe's head to rest just under Twilight's chin in an almost intimate yet awkward hug. Realising what what they both pulled back from on another, albeit carefully, as a red hue rose to Twilight's cheeks, both matching and contrasting the natural blue hue gracing Lithe's cheeks.

"So..." Lithe trailed, suddenly feeling very shy again, "About that party, shall we clean up and head out?"

At a nod from Twilight Lithe went to fetch the mop and bucket she'd seen in the kitchen.
> And that, my friends, is Guinness.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Lithe's eyes fluttered slightly at the morning light, wincing as the rising sun played havoc with the nerves in her head as they sent waves of displeasure towards the backs of her eyes. She made to pull a claw up to her face, but it was for nought as she realised that something-no, not something, but somepony-held her close. Casting a look down Lithe immediately caught flash of purple fur and feathers wrapped around her midriff. Bright blue coloured Lithe's cheeks as she took a smell of the air and recognised not just crisp, cool morning air, a unique lavender that accompanied Twilight, and something else that she knew she knew the name of but couldn't place her claw on it.

Summing up that she was unable to settle what exactly had happened the night prior Lithe figured that pulling herself out from Twilight was the most important current objective. Carefully manoeuvring her legs up, Lithe pulled them loose of Twilight's unconscious embrace. Next she softly slid her claws into the gap between Twilight's forelegs and pulled them loose. Once that was done Lithe made to stand up but froze and had to stifle a embarrassed yelp when Twilight's wings brushed her sides, tickling her.

Once loose, Lithe took two steps back before quickly finding out that she was perched on a cloud. That and her new standing position didn't agree with her throbbing temples. Choosing to listen to her head rather than her mind Lithe decided to lay back down and rest her head just over the edge of the cloud, watching idly as small colourful ponies shapes ran this way and that far beneath her. Laying there allowed Lithe to think over the current issues plaguing her mind. 

First and foremost was why she had woken up in the hooves of Twilight Sparkle, a thought that quickly brought a blush to her face. She wasn't exactly sure what to make of that incident, but she also didn't necessarily feel it was a bad thing. In fact just thinking about it seemed somewhat welcoming, but she couldn't place a claw on why. 

That led her to her second question.

Just what happened the night prior? She couldn't remember a thing after she and Twilight had had their water fight. Anything post waterfight was seemingly non existent. Finding this rather odd Lithe decided it was time to wake up Twilight. Moving over to the snoozing mare Lithe found her recent memory of waking up in Twilight's hooves drawn back to mind, causing her to blush again. Pushing the thought to the back of her head, Lithe leaned down and nudged Twilight a few times with her nose.
"Hey, Twilight, wake up, we're in the clouds."

The alicorn 'princess' let out an adorably un-princesslike snort as she shifted away from Lithe's prodding nose. Needing Twilight awake, Lithe nudged her a bit harder, rousing the alicorn from her sleep.

"Huh, wazat?"

In answer to Twilight's question Lithe repeated herself.
"We're in the clouds. I don't know why, can't remember why exactly, or anything after our waterfight."

In response Twilight groaned and clutched at her head, obviously suffering the same symptoms as Lithe.
"I hate hangovers..."
And obviously knew more about them than Lithe.

"Does, you're head hurt too?"

Nodding slightly Twilight grumbled under her breath before rising to her hooves.
"C'mere Lithe."

Not really nodding or anything Lithe walked over next to Twilight while the alicorn powered up her horn.
"This is why I don't drink, I can't handle it and then I wake up with massive hangovers....that and I'm running late today, and aren't you supposed to be working?"
Obviously grumpy Twilight let her spell enact with a flash.

In the span of seconds the headache dispersed from Lithe and Twilight and their memories of the night came back to them. Lithe promptly cocked her head to the side, blatantly confused by a memory in her head. Twilight on the other hoof had a red blush that could rival that of a sunburnt naked mole rat and a highly embarrassed look on her face. 

The lavender alicorn's hoof rose to her lips as she looked up at Lithe.
"We kis-"

"Why did we try to eat each others faces?" questioned the draken-pony, "Seems like a silly thing to do, was it because of the drinks we had?"

Lithe's words completely derailed Twilight as her mind went from embarrassed and flattered to suddenly annoyed and somewhat angry. The alicorn sputtered helplessly for a moment before snapping at Lithe.

"Don't you have work?! You're going to be late!"

Realising that Twilight was right, and that she was probably already late, Lithe nodded and leapt from the cloud winging towards Sweet Apple Acres, confused as to why the alicorn was so angry.

Twilight watched Lithe go. As the draken-pony flew further and further Twilight's anger receded more and more until a watery eyed alicorn was all that was left. Lifting a hoof to her lips again, Twilight watched as the first of a more than a few tears fell from her cheek.
"I wanted it to be for somepony special..."



M\(>^<)/M




Lithe came to such a fast stop at the porch of Sweet Apple Acres she tripped over her hooves and went sprawling across the deck, coming to a stop at the porch of Granny Smith's rocking chair. It didn't help that she was feeling bad about Twilight. She was positive she'd done something wrong, especially after hearing her crying as she flew away, but didn't know what she had done.

"Easy there young'un, no reason ta be rushin' 'round everywhere, is there?" Granny Smith chuckled. She knew Lithe was a little late, but she also knew there had been a party for her last night. Kids'll be kids after all.

Lithe nodded and attempted to smile, but the nagging feeling that she'd done something wrong left her heart out of the act. It was something the wise old mare that was Granny Smith picked up on nearly immediately.

"Something wrong young'un?" asked Granny Smith with a calm smile. She knew the answer, the real question was getting Lithe to figure out how to fix it.

Lowering her head, Lithe scratched idly at the porch and shrugged.
"I..don't know, I think so...I think I made Twilight angry, or sad. Like I said, I don't know..."

Nodding understandingly Granny Smith led Lithe inside and sat her down in the den before heading into the kitchen. Upon her return she had a plate of apple and cheese slice and a pitcher of tea. Setting them down on a relatively new coffee table Granny Smith took her seat in her favourite rocking chair before smiling encouragingly.

"Why don't you jus' start from the beggining, and then we can work our way from there?"



M\(>^<)/M




Twilight sat rather miserably at her desk as she tried and failed to focus on anything important to her studies, but found the thoughts remained from her grasp. It had been two days since the morning after Lithe's party, and she'd felt terrible since. For the most part her past 48 hours had consisted of self pity parties and half angry outbursts at nothing. She didn't even have Spike to comfort her, as the little guy was off in Canterlot learning to control his flames better.

Lithe hadn't even come home the day prior, in her stead was Applebloom who'd been told by Granny Smith to tell Twilight that Lithe was staying the night there. If anything it had just made matters worse because it left Twilight with the haunting feeling that she might have ruined a friendship.

Groaning in annoyance the alicorn slammed her head against the book on her desk with a muffled 'whumpf' and laid there for countless minutes before suddenly hearing three knocks at the door. Twilight was halfway to the door to answer it when she saw a glance of herself in the mirror. Pausing for a moment, Twilight quickly rearranged her mane to look passable before answering the door. 

As the door came open it first revealed a pair of flowers and a delicious smelling apple pie. After peeling her eyes from the first two item, that were honestly oddities for Twilight's standard she noticed the pony, or draken-pony as it were, holding the two item.

"Oh...hey Lithe."

Lithe squeaked as she was  brought the the centre of attention. The draken-pony shifted uncomfortably as Twilight stared at her. The pair stood there, unmoving, staring back at the other, expecting the other to initiate the conversation.

Twilight finally caved.
"Are you going to say anything? Usually when a pony shows up at another pony's house they say why."

Blushing slightly Lithe scuffed her right wing tip on the ground nervously in lieu of her currently occupied right claw. With a awkward flick of her ears she shrugged.
"I'm sorry. With dragons if somedrake wishes to speak with another about something important they wait for the offended dragon to speak first...because it's polite...sorry."

Realising that Lithe was actually trying to be polite as possible Twilight backtracked quickly and invited Lithe in.
"Oh, no, nothing to be sorry for, I swear! Um, come on in I guess. What can I do for you?"

Stepping past the doorway and into the library Lithe quickly deposited the pie and the two flowers on the nearest end table and took a seat on the couch. She looked a lot braver than she was feeling. Lithe watched as Twilight took a seat on the opposite side of the room. Using Twilight's momentary pause to get comfortable as a chance to gather her nerves, Lithe began to speak.
"I...wanted to apologise...for..." she stopped for a moment to let her massive blush fade a bit, "The whole...kiss and...I...yeah..."

Twilight watched sympathetically as Lithe floundered with her apology. The current situation, as well as the earlier reminder that Lithe had no understanding of modern pony culture made Twilight realise that she may have blown the whole situation so far out of the water. That coupled with the fact that Lithe was now practically sobbing out an apology and feared losing her friendship. Moving forward Twilight shifted from her seat to the couch and put a hoof gently on Lithe's shoulder.

"Hey, you're fine. It...it wasn't that big a deal," soothed Twilight, "I wouldn't stop being friends with you just because we both did something silly. Come on, you don't need to cry."

Nodding and sniffling Lithe did her best to recompose herself as Twilight rubbed her back above her wings.

"Ye...yea, okay...I also bought a pie, I thought you might like a pie..."

Giving Lithe a warm smile Twilight lifted the still warm pie in her magic.
"So, why don't we enjoy the pie. Actually, why did you even bring a pie?"
A light chuckle escaped Twilight as she took a sniff of the apple treat.

Lithe slowly started to smile more and more as she followed Twilight into the kitchen and took a slice of pie to the table. As they ate the pie one scrumptious slice at a time something began to gnaw at Twilight. As they both finished devouring the pie Twilight realised what it was.

"That was amazing pie, but why the flowers?"

Scratching her chin Lithe shrugged with her wings.
"I'm not sure either. I told Granny Smith what the issue was and she told me to make you a pie, then to go get two nice looking flowers and bring all three to you.  Do ponies like to eat flowers too?"

Doing her best not to facehoof too hard Twilight fought a steadily rising blush and not laugh at Lithe's naivety. Sighing, she began to wonder why she'd gotten so worked up over the situation from the party to begin with. Besides, what was there to get worked up over? A mare with no social understanding of ponies? Probably best to leave expectations at the door from now on when dealing with Lithe.

"Um, Twilight? Thank you...for still being my friend." 

With that Lithe gave Twilight a quick but friendly nuzzle and walked out towards the main library room. Fighting her rising heartbeat and the heat steadily rising in her cheeks Twilight couldn't help but question herself.
'Nothing to get worked up over? Then why do I feel so happy to see her...and why does the kiss we shared bother me so little?'
As a quick image of her a Lithe kissing over apple pie flashed through her mind Twilight made the connection that she may have finally found somepony special.

And that they weren't full pony at all.
> Carpe diem! Seize the...well, late afternoon really...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Lithe trotted happily through the market with a basket with two Apple family made apple pies, one loaf of bread, two fish, a dozen eggs and one Pinkie Pie brand box of muffins. As she made her way down the path she made sure she returned any and all smiles or waves sent her way. After all, all these new friends were precious to her, and she wanted to make sure she didn't upset any of them.

Turning the corner, Lithe waved hello to Lyra as she played on the corner, being sure to drop a few bits in the lyre case in front of the mint green unicorn. Turning from the lyre inclined mare, Lithe made to leave but quickly spotted somepony else she knew well.

"Granny, goodmorning!"

Granny Smith turned to face Lithe, giving her a light hug as the draken-pony returned a friendly hug.
"Morning young'un, aren't you s'pose'ta be out in the orchard helpin' my grandfoals?" chuckled Granny Smith with a mock severity she usually saved for her family."

Smiling Lithe nodded to her groceries.
"Just taking them home, I'll be out as soon as possible, I promise!"

Laughing, Granny Smith shook her head as she watched the mare disappear off towards Twilight's house. The old mare couldn't help but see a mature young foal, ready to work hard and make a name for themselves, a young mare, ambitious and eager to please, and a young filly, needing guidance in a strange and confusing world. Thinking about her grandfoals and Lithe in such a way almost brought a tear to Granny Smith's eye as a wave of nostalgia washed over her.
'All four of 'em are gonna go far, yes indeed they are.'



M\(>^<)/M




*Swish**CRACK*

Lithe grinned as each apple fell expertly into the baskets placed beneath them. Due to her attention span problems Applebloom was the one moving the baskets to the cart due to Lithe's occasional attention issues. That being said, when her task was as simple as go from tree a to tree b to tree c, she was a pro. As the draken-pony darted amongst the apple trees she failed to notice Applejack and Big Mac heading her way.

"Ah'm tellin' ya Mac, they have it. It's just Twi is Twi and Lithe is Lithe!"

"Uh uh, not havin' it unless there's proof. Not fair that way."

"Fine, watch!" Applejack snapped back.

*Swish**CRACK*
"Hey Lithe."
*Swish**CRACK*
"You're doin' real good."
*Swish**CRACK*
"Me'n'mah brother are probably gonna get to work soon."
*Swish**CRACK*
"Applebloom'll just stay with you."
*Swish*
"How's Twi, Lithe?"
*Whumpf*

Lithe looked up nervously from her spot on the ground. Her hindlegs had missed the tree by a longshot.
"Oh, er, still great friends!"

"Mhmm," smirked the farmpony, "Real good friends, you've known each other for two weeks now, you two looking at starting up on your peace negotiations yet?"

Shuffling nervously Lithe didn't really meet Applejack's eye.
"Um, books, and we may get distracted with games and stuff..."

Turning to her brother Applejack whispered her victory to her brother, who in return gave an approving glance.
"Alright, well we got our bit o' the orchard done, and you look like you just need to get these apples in the barn, so how 'bout we help out and you come in for lunch?"

Jumping at the chance for a topic change Lithe sprang to her claws and delivered one final buck to the tree. Once the apples had dropped the four ponies gathered them up and delivered them to the barn. Once that task was finished they went on inside for their lunch.



M\(>^<)/M




Twilight sighed as she continued to struggle with her internal debate. There was a large part of her that recognised the steadily growing crush she had developed for Lithe. Even still, she refused to act upon it. After all, such as was the cruel hoof fate had given her, in less than one hundred years, whom would she have left? And if her crush developed into a full blown relationship? She wasn't sure she knew how to handle that...

But she knew three ponies who might...

Dear Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence,



M\(>^<)/M




With Applebloom in out playing with her two friends, the other three Apples seized the chance to try to help their new, and hopeless, friend as well as their other older, and equally hopeless, friend.

"So young'un," started Granny Smith as she slid a glass of cider over to Lithe, "Any plans in the next coup'la days?"

Shaking her head Lithe explained how she had no plans other than working and staying at the library. It was pretty much true. Sure, there was the matter of making a peace treaty with Equestria, but while her father had laid out the directive, he'd also explicitly stated that the  peace treaty mattered less than her safety and well being, and that he wished for her to garner friends before attempting peace.

Applejack couldn't help but scratch her head at that.
"Ah don' get it. Why isn't peace considered important?"

"That's simple. Daddy is High Drake King over all dragons. They wouldn't dare openly defy him unless they were challenging for his role as king, and that hasn't happened in years. A signed peace treaty would only have any real use should daddy be displaced from the throne." explained Lithe simply, as if it was everyday news.

And for the first time since Lithe had met him, Big Macintosh formed a whole sentence.
"Should he be displaced?! How in the hoof is that not a big deal?!"

In response to the stallions shock, Lithe shrugged. 
"Daddy's been in charge for the past one thousand one hundred years, I'm not too worried about it."

All ponies present let out a low whistle before Applejack suddenly got a serious look on her face.
"A'right, Ah've put this off long enough! Lithe, you like Twilight, dont'cha?"

"Well duh," scoffed the partially oblivious draken-pony, "Everypony likes Twilight!"

"Well, what Ah meant was, you see Twilight like, all romantically-ish and such, right?" Applejack amended.

At this Lithe froze. Sure, she had entertained the idea before, but Twilight was a Princess! She couldn't just up and tll a Princess she was interested in her as a life-mate! In fact, Lithe figured it would be best to explain that...all whilst blushing furiously.
"Twilight is a princess, I can't just suddenly be romantic with her!"

Nearly facehoofing Applejack decided to point of the proverbial elephant in the room.
"Sugarcube, yer pa is High Dragon King, doesn't that make you High Dragon Princess or some such?"

Again at a loss for words, Lithe realised her one bit of 'cover' had just been blown away and attempted to hide behind her own wing, as was habit when she got really nervous. Her cheeks were turning bright blue as she blushed and she couldn't seem to find anything to look at other than the floor. In fact she was so out of it she didn't even realise that Applejack had walked over until the farm pony pat her on the back.

"S'alright to like a pony Lithe, in fact Ah support it 'tween you an' Twi. Mah cousins the oranges sent mah brother and me these tickets to a new fancy nightclub, but we don't do that sorta thing. Why doncha go take Twi? Go on now, cause if you don't, Ah'll go ask for ya!"

Knowing Applejack well enough to know that she wasn't joking, Lithe quickly made her way out the door with the tickets and started idly winging her way towards town.

At a pace she knew Applejack couldn't beat.



M\(>^<)/M




Twilight was studying when a flash of green lit up the side of her desk. Lifting her head from her book the alicorn began to envelope the scroll in her magic, intent of reading the return message from her best friend and faux-sister Celestia. The scroll lifted all of four inches from the desk when Twilight heard the door slam open and then right back closed with a deafening bang.

The crash caused Twilight to drop the scroll on the desk mere seconds before Lithe collided with her, sending them both sprawling across the floor in a jumbled heap. As Twilight began to open her eyes she found Lithe looking down at her intently.

"Has Applejack come by?!"

Rolling her eyes at Lithe's quirkiness Twilight shrugged. 
"Nope, just me, studying...well, laying on the floor now, but hey, same difference. All in all nopony's come in except for you, and had they come in I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have tackled me, so what's up?"

Backing up away from Twilight Lithe wrapped a leathery wing around Twilight and helped her up before realising that the wing she'd extended was the one she'd used to hold the two tickets to the nightclub. Before she could grab them they lit up in a purple glow to be held before Twilight.

It took Twilight all of two seconds to read what was on the tickets, but she wasn't sure what to make of them.
"Where did you get these by the way? This is for the premiere of my cousin's club opening, and it's in Manehatten...seriously, where did you get these?"

*Thump thump thump*
"Twilight, are ya in there?!" hollered Applejack, "Ah need ta talk to ya bout somethin' important!"

Giving Lithe and odd look and turning to move towards the door Twilight stopped abruptly when the mare leapt in front of her with burning blue cheeks and out spread wings shaking her head.
"Don't answer that!"

"Why not?" Twilight asked suspiciously as she tried to work out a way to get past the now oddly acting Lithe to her front door.

Suddenly Lithe's expression got very fearful and nervous as her jaw worked open and closed giving her the expression of a fish somewhat. Twilight remembered her own expression mirrored Lithe's once before, when she was admitting to turning Fluffle Puff's, her old pet hamster, coat into a giant pink afro. Worried now that Lithe may have mistakenly gotten herself into trouble Twilight softened her expression.

"Hey, okay then, the door can stay shut, but you need to tell me what's wrong." 

Lithe again worked her jaw, and her blush became a brighter blue.
"I...I....I don't...exactly know how to...say it?"
The reply from the draken-pony was halting and sounded a thousand time more like a question, even to Lithe's own ears, so she tried again.
"I don't know how to say it, but I think I...well...I think I know how to show it..."

Nodding, Twilight acquiesced.
"Okay then, show me."

All the muscles tensed up in Lithe's neck and shoulders at that moments while her head drew back some. Twilight couldn't help but relate it to how a viper would look right before striking at it's prey. In fact, that was nearly exactly what it looked like, but Lithe wouldn't attack her, so Twilight wasn't exactly sure what to think. 

Suddenly all of Lithe's tensed muscles sprang into action as the draken-pony's lips met with Twilight's for the briefest of seconds before it snapped back into place near instantaneously. It all happened so quickly it took Twilight a moment to come to the realisation that Lithe had just kissed her. 

Logically, Lithe only understood what a kiss meant after Granny Smith explained it to her. Logically, that meant a number of things, primarily that Lithe knew exactly what she was doing. Again, going by logic, that meant to Twilight that Lithe was essentially trying, in her own Lithe-ish way, to express that she had feelings for her.And yet again, because logic had a tendency to be the ruling factor in of of Twilight's decisions, this meant that Twilight, who has feelings for Lithe, should totally go along with this.

Snapping herself out of her mental mire Twilight looked up from the floor to see Lithe looking at her scared, like she was about to be reprimanded for her actions. Instead Twilight lifted the two tickets.
"So, a night club premiere? I don't usually do nightclubs, but this is being done by my cousin and her marefriend. I take it you were wanting me to go?"

Nodding enthusiastically Lithe began to smile and come out from hiding behind her wings, acting altogether more Lithe-y.
"Yup, that was kind of the plan. Applejack said if I didn't tell you, then she would come tell you herself. I knew I should be the one to tell you, so I rushed over here. "

Nodding pensively Twilight's horn began to glow as she regarded Lithe.
"Why don't you go wash and re-braid your mane, and if you want your tail too. I'll get myself ready in a minute or two."

Smiling Lithe bolted upstairs while in a flash of magic Applejack appeared before Twilight on her back. In two seconds Twilight had hogtied the country mare and levitated a quick note over onto her.
"That wasn't very nice of you. I understand why you did it and such, but Lithe isn't as tough as you seem to credit her to be. You need to remember that while she may work hard and tire slowly, her mind isn't nearly as ready for the world as it should or could be. I'm sure you'll enjoy a trip to the spa though, as 'thanks' for the tickets I'm sure Lithe got from you, which you got from the Oranges."
With a second flash Applejack, still hogtied, disappeared, but not before she caught a glimpse of the note Twilight stuck to her.

Full makeover/The works

Satisfied with her work Twilight blinked upstairs so she could get herself ready. It was going to be fun evening, and she had her first date!
> So an Alicorn and a half Dragon walk into a club...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It didn't take Twilight long to get ready at all. While she herself wasn't the most 'club acclimated' pony, Rainbow and Pinkie had managed to haul her off to plenty of raves and nightclubs. A sprinkle of sparkling purple eyeshadow later, as well as ditching her crown, Twilight was on her way downstairs on the assumption Lithe was already down there waiting for her.

Moving down the stairs Twilight was surprised to find that Lithe was not in fact waiting for her in the main lobby. Curious of where the mare was, and somewhat sure that she would have already come down stairs Twilight checked the kitchen but couldn't find Lithe there either. It was when Twilight was heading back to the main room that the alicorn found Lithe, who had just made it to the bottom of the stairs.

The draken-pony's mane was out of its usual braid and now hung elegantly down the side of her face and neck in a flowing and gentle wavy curtain of copper. This contrasted her tail, which was now braided masterfully. Lithe was bare of make-up, but her coat now had a sheen with a lustre on-par to that of her scales which made the light dance off of it playfully, reminiscent of a disco ball only much less gaudy.

"Wow..." mumbled Twilight, who only just now realised she was holding her breath, "You look absolutely amazing..."

At this Lithe blushed profusely and ducked her head down in an attempt to hide behind her mane. Twilight found it very similar to what Fluttershy usually does when embarrassed, but found that on Lithe it was about 20% cuter. As Lithe slowly peeked out from behind her mane her honed eyes were quick to pick up on the eyeshadow and the other light hints of makeup that accented the lavender alicorn magnificently.

"You look really pretty too, Twilight." Lithe replied with a blush bright enough to rival dragonfire. Lithe was quick to preoccupy herself with the floor after her comment as Twilight turned and gave her a grateful smile. It was also about the time Twilight realised that if Lithe stayed as insecure as she was already being then nothing fun would come of the night.

It actually caused Twilight to give pause and think about why such a usually exuberant and inquisitive mare would find herself so hesitant and shy at times. Still, now wasn't the time to ask, but Twilight could still reassure.

"You know you don't have to worry about what I think, right?" As she spoke, Twilight moved forward until she stood right in front of Lithe and lifted the draken-pony's chin until their eyes met, "You are no different than you were two days ago, and I am no different than I was two days ago. I want you to be able to enjoy the night tonight without being worried or embarrassed about what I think of you every second. Just smile and enjoy the night, I'm the same Twilight as always."

Lithe nodded and took a deep breath and swallowed.
"Same as every other day, okay...I think I can do that."

"Good," Twilight smiled, "Now, let's go catch our train to Manehatten."

Suddenly Lithe's eyes lit up as she bounded towards the door.
"Oh, I've never seen the train before!"



M\(>^<)/M




Twilight couldn't help but smile at Lithe's childish excitement as the mare bounced in her seat while watching the trees and occasional rocky outcrops flash past them. This, after all, was the Lithe that Twilight had come to enjoy the most. Perhaps it was just seeing the huge smile plastered across Lithe's face or maybe it was because, much like herself, Lithe was so eager to learn new things. Either way, Twilight was most definitely already enjoying the trip.



W/(>V<)\W




"Dartani, where is this Ponyville I sent my daughter to anyway?" rumbled a deep, gravelly voice, "Since the feud between those two fools solved itself I know have free time, and if Lithe is still in Ponyville I would very much wish to meet the friends that she should have met by now."

Dartani, a slight dragon dark brown dragon of medium build, nodded to his king and set off to find the maps.



M\(>^<)/M




Though generally a lot more calm in new places, both Twilight and Lithe were excited to see Manehatten, Lithe because she had never been to such a place before, and Twilight due to the length of time since she had last seen her cousin. To make things even more exciting and new was that the entirety of the city had had speakers put up to play the music from the premiering club throughout the streets. This meant that even though the pair hadn't even arrived, they already had a beat to go off of.

As Lithe bounded along the streetways whilst investigating the many wonders of the big city, such as the fire hydrants and the automated lighting, and even a blue police call box that a strange bowtie wearing stallion disappeared into, Twilight followed after her at a slight jog. While not the biggest on working out, even Twilight couldn't deny the fun she was having at the moment and they hadn't even reached the club yet!

At the speed that Lithe was going, even with all the distractions, it didn't take her more than twenty minutes to find herself frozen outside an extremely large building that's very walls seemed to shake with the beat of the music. Staring at the pulsing lights and the crowded line in the front was enough to immediately set Lithe on a nervous edge akin to what she would feel while out hunting. The draken-pony's pulse quickened while her eyes narrowed to slits. Her nostrils flared as she took in the smells around her, namely of sweat from the heated crowds. There was also a hint of blood, but not enough to signify anything more than a bloody nose. Ears swiveling as if on pivots, there was no conversation with in the first thirty hooves that Lithe could not listen in on.

This was not normal, and Lithe knew so. The only other time she had ever gotten worked up like this before was when she had met one of the Thestral, Luna's guard, who were semi-undead beings and unnatural and unnerving for her to be near. Snapping her eyes around quickly, Lithe took note that there were no Thestral in her sight lines, but there was a mare walking up casually behind Twilight. A mare whose hooves made far too little noise on the cobblestone street, and who bore no identifying smells save for one very light scent drifting from the mare's mouth. The smell of blood...

Throwing her wings wide Lithe snapped them down to the ground while her finely toned and muscled hindlegs uncoiled, both launching the draken-pony into the white mare just as she made to lunge onto Twilight's back. There was a short tumble followed by two fangs snapping close to her face, and act that Lithe responded to by baring her own six fangs back coupled with an angry growl. The response was enough to cause the white mare to falter just as both Twilight and a second unknown mare came in between Lithe and the unnatural pony.

"What was that? You...that wasn't like you at all?!" Twilight balked, noticing that her date's hackles were still up, and didn't look like they would be going down until the situation was explained.

Lithe just fixed the white mare a glare past Twilight before responding.
"The white one has no smell like the Thestrals, and she lept at your unprotected back."

Twilight stood still for a minute or so, thinking over all that Lithe had said and also taking into account Lithe's sudden demeanour change. Never before gad Twilight seen Lithe react in such a way that she had openly attacked somepony. Not even with the Thestral guard, where Lithe had instead just stared at him. No, this was something new that Twilight didn't quite know how to handle. Then again, there were many things she had yet to learn how to handle, but if Ponyville taught her anything, it was that friendship is a never ending process.

"Eh-heh, yes, well, Lithe, meet Vinyl Scratch, my cousin on my dad's side. Next to Vinyl is Octavia Philharmonica, my Vinyl's mare friend," Twilight established, "Vinyl, meet Lithe, part dragon part pony, and can not smell you, which bothers her. So then Vinyl...shall we head into your club and maybe get to know each other better?"

Giving a somewhat annoyed look to Lithe Vinyl nodded and turned to walk off. As Lithe and Twilight followed Lithe leaned close to Twilight.
"I don't like her so far, but her friend smells nice."



W/(>V<)\W




Twilight was happy for a number of reasons, but the first and foremost being that Lithe was now sitting nervously on the couch, a faint blue blush gracing her cheeks as she half hid behind her wing. This was the a side of Lithe she knew how to deal with. Not her favourite mind you, but again, she knew what to do with this Lithe. Moving to her date's side Twilight wrapped a wing around Lithe's shoulder and gave her a quick nuzzle.

"I should probably thank you by the way."

Turning her draconic visage to face Twilight, Lithe couldn't help but give the mare an incredulous look as the draken-pony thought over how she'd attacked Vinyl, Twilight's cousin, so viciously.

Twilight smiled gently as she continued.
"You saw some random pony leap at me and the first thing you do is tackle them. Kind of dashing in a way, but why exactly did you go after Vinyl anyway?"

It wasn't until now that Lithe truly looked towards Twilight, and Twilight could see the tears building up in Lithe's eyes.
"I...she 'felt' dangerous, and then she jumped at you and I thought you were in trouble...I'm sorry I almost hurt your cousin Twilight."

It was true sorrow that Lithe felt for a number of reasons. First and foremost was due to the fact that she had almost hurt an innocent pony, but that led to one of Lithe's greatest fears. Regardless of how Lithe was the size of a pony, or was more akin in features to a pony than a dragon, Lithe still had dragon blood flowing through her veins. In a sense, she was part predator, and there was little that scared Lithe more than to delve into that side of her that she feared so much. 

As her eyes threatened to overflow Lithe felt Twilight wrap her hooves around her neck.
"Hey, don't worry about it. Besides, it would only make sense for you to have a negative reaction to Vinyl, she has a condition. My cousin contracted a Thestral disease, nothing more than a flu for the Thestrals, two years back. Very rare, very unlikely, one-in-a-billion chances. Regardless Vinyl contracted the disease and it causes an somewhat undocumented disease in ponies commonly regarded in popular culture as Vampirism. Not anything special, just the lack of a smell, and the ability to move more quietly much like the Thestrals and the lack of ability to produce her own blood cells, a unique phenomenon only found in the ponies. Anyway, Vinyl promised to go put on some perfume to make you feel better around her, and she also wants me to apologise for her for both scaring you and snapping at you. Oh, and we can head through that door anytime we want and go enjoy the club."

Nodding Lithe started feeling a thousand time better. It was common knowledge for Dragons that the Thestrals were created well over five thousand years ago by Celestia and Luna's predecessors during a war between the two species specifically to fight the dragons. It was only natural for one such as herself to have a slight fear or aversion for anything Thestral related. 
"So, you're not angry with me then?"

Booping the tip of the scales on Lithe's nose, the alicorn gave her a grin.
"Of course not, now, you want to go enjoy the party?"

Nodding, both Twilight and Lithe got up from the couch and moved out through the door.



W/(>V<)\W




Dartani skittered quickly out of the way as a tree came sailing past his head. True, it had been a fair point to acknowledge that, Lithe, being part predator, could have adverse affects on her relations. And even truer was the point that Luna, the newly returned princess of the night, now used Thestrals as guards. This fact in particular did not sit well with the High King. 

Little known to the Dragon public was that their High King had been alive for just over 210 years as the war between the ponies and Dragons came to a close, and he had a particular distaste for the Thestrals. He didn't really want them dead, just far, far, far away from his family. And now he was faced with the knowledge that he had unknowingly sent his daughter into the awaiting hooves of a species originally bred to kill dragons.

Needless to say he was absolutely furious.
"How did no drake know this?! I swear on the eggs of our species, if any harm has befallen my daughter due to this oversight, there will be blood!"



M\(>^<)/M




It had taken some doing, but two hours post arrival and meeting Vinyl, Lithe was starting to really enjoy herself, even going so far as to have had a couple of drinks despite swearing them off after the Guinness incident with Twilight. Another thing that Lithe had gotten used to was the loud music. Her ears were far more sensitive than the average ponies, but after a bit of magical genius Twilight had managed to create a way to block out some of the noise. 

Twilight, the very mare that Lithe hadn't really removed her eyes from since they'd arrived. It wasn't just the nervousness from the crowd or the fact that she'd successfully noticed that there were four ponies other than Vinyl that had vampirism or the twenty or so Thestrals hanging out in the far corner. No, it was how amazingly different Twilight was when she had loosened up and how beautiful she managed to look in the lighting. And maybe a little because of the Thestrals in the far corner.

So caught up in her thoughts as she was, Lithe didn't even notice Twilight saunter up to her until the alicorn nuzzled against her.
"You okay there Lithe? You seemed a little caught up in thought or something."

Shaking her head and returning the nuzzle Lithe couldn't help but smile at the affectionate interaction. 
"Mm, just thinking that I was really lucky to have you of all ponies as my friend."

Flushing red Twilight was about to deny it when Lithe nudged her.

"No denying it either. I know I'm a little off compared to most ponies, and a little clunky when it comes to interpony connections, but you've stuck by me, even when I messed up after my party. You know, I over heard a few ponies back in Ponyville say they felt sorry for me once...because I looked so different, they said no pony would ever want to be with me. I don't think they thought I could hear them, but I could...But then you decided to be here any way, and come on a date with me and all."

Struck by those odd words that seemed so inherently mature and grown up from Lithe, it called up a question that the alicorn realised she never asked. Just how old was Lithe? Sure most of the time Lithe was either shy or somewhat introverted, only really getting excitable when learning new things, but then there were times like this when Lithe acted very mature, but that hadn't happened too often, and finally there were both the incident with the Thestral and the one hours ago with Vinyl where Lithe acted near battle hardened. It was now that Twilight realised she was overcome with a near overpowering urge, one that could not be denied.

"I, uh, I'll be right back, I need to run to the fillies room."

Lithe just nodded her head and watched Twilight run off towards the lavatories. It was about a minute into waiting when a strange stallion walked up to Lithe and offered a drink.

"You look lonely here by yourself missy."

"Oh, um, no, just waiting for a friend to come back is all. And you didn't have to get me a drink, but that was nice of you."

The strange stallion just nodded and watched as Lithe downed the glass in one go. 

"So, where's this friend you're waiting for?"

Lithe wanted to answer, and she swore up and down that she knew who her friend was, but her head was starting to feel fuzzy. 

"Oh, you don't look good, here, I know somewhere where you can just lay on back and take a nap."

"But...Twi-"

Giving a slight nudge towards a door at the back of the club the stallion grinned oddly.
"Oh don't you worry about your friend. Once I have you taken care of I'll come back for her."

Stumbling slightly, Lithe could only nod, not understanding why she suddenly felt so tired. It wasn't until the stallion reached the back door and opened it that she realised something was off. The door led to the alley, why was he taking her to the alley?
"I don't...I don't think I should...go back there...Twil-"

Receiving a second nudge Lithe tripped towards the door. She turned to say something but froze up at the cruel looking expression suddenly plastered across the stallion face.
"Haven't you ever heard not to take drinks from strangers."

Suddenly the stallion's mane was wrapped in a violet glow as he was dragged backward until he was spun face to face with a seething alicorn.
"Haven't you ever heard that you don't touch my friends?"
Before the terrified stallion could respond he found himself personally learning that an earth pony skull was hard enough to shatter a table. Dropping the disgusting wretch, Twilight rushed to Lithe's side to find that she was merely asleep, most likely due to a drug such as Rohoofnol. As Twilight lifted Lithe in her magic, she turned to see Vinyl hauling off a very angry Octavia from the unconscious stallion.

"That disgusting, dirt dwelling, disgusting, despicable piece of slime! I'm ashamed to be of the same subspecies as him! Stallions like him should be gelded for such acts!"

"Easy, easy Tavi, the guard are on their way to pick him up now, and we don't need you getting in trouble for beating him." Vinyl soothed, "And I'm sure he won't be getting off easy since my cousin, the freakin Princess of the Stars, was the one that caught him in the act with her own marefriend! Oh, and you said disgusting twice Tavi."

Once satisfied that Octavia was calm, Vinyl turned to her cousin.
"Hey, Twi, here's the key to my apartment above the club. Head up there for the night. You can get some rest, and Lithe can sleep off whatever that ass gave her. Tavi and I will probably head up there later, but feel free to take our bed."

Nodding, Twilight walked towards the back room that led upstairs, the suddenly quiet night club-goers clearing far to make a path for the princess.



M\(>^<)/M




Lithe awoke with the distinct feeling of her mouth feeling kind of fuzzy. Finding the sensation odd Lithe yawned wide, only to find that it caused her mouth to grow even fuzzier still. Growling in annoyance Lithe made to move, but found she was wrapped up in Twilight's hooves and wings, and inadvertently figured out why her mouth was so fuzzy. On a further note, Twilight's mane, while odd in texture, tasted strongly of lavender. 

Nudging Twilight a few times until she groaned at the morning light Lithe noted, with a large blush, what was obvious.
"We wound up like this again...and I can't remember what happened last night...I'm sorry, I swear I didn't mean for this."

Rather than respond adversely Lithe felt Twilight's hooves wrap tighter around her body as the alicorn's breath tickled at her ear.
"Yep, I know."

"Oh." 

That was all Lithe knew how to respond with. She wasn't sure what to do exactly, and Twilight seemed to recognise this, and coupled with Lithe having been drugged worried her.
"Are you alright Lithe?"

Nodding, the draken-pony attempted to figure out exactly how to convey her feelings.
"Uh, well, you were annoyed last time we woke up like this. Or, I woke up like this and slipped out of your hooves, you're just holding me tighter this time."

"I know." responded Twilight.

"So....?"

Rolling her eyes and suppressing the urge to snort Twilight explained what she was doing.
"I woke up, I'm comfy, you're warm and safe, I don't really want to move. I figured we could cuddle."

"Oh." replied Lithe, "I like cuddling."

It was said as if it was the simplest thing in the world, but for Twilight, who was accustomed to Lithe's tones, managed to pin it to the draken-pony being somewhat embarrassed and being too insecure to say more. Before Twilight could chuckle at this she felt Lithe wriggle further against her chest before slowly falling asleep again. It was but minutes before Twilight rejoined Lithe in slumber.



W/(>V<)\W




The High King glared at the small orange mare that had dared strike him with a stone on the nose. Lowering his head down close to the mare, he saw her eye's were bloodshot and puffy, most likely a reaction from crying, though he did not understand why she would have been crying.

"Hey, Ah don' know what yer doin' here, but iffen yer here to make trouble, Ah'll have ya know, this is sure as sugar the one time Ah won't have a problem hospitalisin' ya!"

Resisting the urge to give a snort of laughter, as he recognised that something was bothering the mare, the High King simply did his best to smile.
"I am but seeking my daughter, Lithe. But please tell me, whatever is the problem?"

At this the orange mare's eyes teared up even more than before and it looked like she was carrying a heavy weight.
"Oh shoot, Ah forgot about Lithe...listen, sir, Lithe is like family to me'n'mah kin, but she's out for the day, won't be back 'till evenin'. That's only part of the problem though. You see, her an' mah Grannie were thick as thieves, but...well...Granny Smith passed away last night."
> 115 Years Young
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Lithe awoke to find herself still held in the embrace of Twilight. Groggily the draken-pony lifted a claw up to rub at her eyes as she yawned widely. Even though she was somewhat awake, Lithe didn't want to open her eyes. In her head, the longer she pretended to be asleep meant that she could stay as she was with Twilight. But as life tends to remind the world, all good things must come to an end. The 'bed' Lithe believed them to be on suddenly bumped slightly and nearly sent her tumbling out of Twilight's grasp. 

Yelping, Lithe's foreclaws shot out to grab at something to keep her balance only to find she was floating in a violet aura.

"So, is it safe to assume you're awake?"

Sticking her forked tongue out playfully, Lithe shook her head in mock defiance.
"Nope, sound asleep."

Grinning like the Cheshire cat, a plan formed in Twilight's head, a wickedly horrific plan.
"Well, almost to Ponyville, guess I just have to wake you up...and you're ticklish."

Suddenly stiffening at the realisation of what Twilight was implying, Lithe began to struggle wildly against the hold.
"Nope, nope, nope, nope!"
Struggling futilely against Twilight's unyielding hold, Lithe began to giggle wildly as she felt Twilight's magic began to prod and poke at her sides and belly. Sputtering, Twilight watched as Lithe took a light blue hint to her cheeks before letting up and placing the mare down on the bench.

"You okay?"
In truth, Twilight was a little worried she might have taken it too far. Moving over towards Lithe, the alicorn was relieved to see her breathing was normal and she was nodding. Realising the train had stopped, Twilight opened the compartment door and headed out with Lithe following.

Completely unaware of Lithe's smirk, a plan forming in the draken-pony's mind.

Using the padded, softer scales of her feet, Lithe stealthily moved closer and closer to Twilight. Drawing just up behind the mare, Lithe shook her tail, her actual tail, a slim prehensile appendage, out from the braid and out from the mass of hair. Manoeuvring it carefully, Lithe waited until the last moment to wrap her tail about Twilight's trailing hindleg, causing the alicorn to trip and start to fall. Move lithely(giddit?) Lithe snaked under the falling alicorn and swept her up in her claws as she winged into the sky, spun three times and then lowered a now disoriented Twilight to the ground.

"Whoa...which way did the ground go..."

Nearly falling over giggling at the sight of Twilight stumbling around near incoherent Lithe leaned in close, sure that no one was watching, and gave Twilight a quick peck on the cheeks.
"You look cute when you're confused."

"Well, glad to know you're enjoying yourself. Your father will be happy."

Eyes shooting wide Lithe leapt around to see none other than Dartani towering over both her and Twilight.
"Darty! When did you get here?!"

Dartani found himself quickly wrapped in a tight hug from the mare, but found he had trouble bringing himself to a smile.
"Your father is here. He wishes to speak with you before you talk to any of the ponies here. You should probably go see him over at the outskirts of the apple orchard."

Nodding, Lithe winged away quickly, her fast track mind almost instantly forgetting about most anything else upon hearing that her dad was in Ponyville. In fact, Lithe flew off so fast she didn't catch the death glare Dartani unleashed upon Twilight when he turned to face her.

"You have no known idea what kind of troubles you have most likely caused, do you?!"

Flinching at the harsh tone Twilight was quick to come to the realisation that she was now standing, alone, before a bipedal dragon easily double her height that seemed very, very pissed off.

"Ninety six years ago I first met Lithe after she'd run away from home. She had just found out that her mother, who'd she'd never known once in her life, had died shortly after her birthing. Four years later, Lithe ran away again when her pet Cockatrice had died! Lithe does not, can not, and has not ever handled the idea of death well, and now you come along, willy nilly not a care in the world, and decide to date her?!" raged Dartani, "But who are you to do so? Let me hazard a few guesses. Early twenties, naive, no thoughts towards the future. Happy to live day by day, not thinking about the fact that in one hundred years you will be naught but a corpse in the ground while we dragons strive onward! And now? Now Lithe goes to meet my king, her father, to find that her newest friends and...fillyfriend...are going to die while she is still considered an infant. So yes, you stay in your perfect little life with no worries, and I'll be here for Lithe in one hundred years as she mourns and you rot!"

Dartani made to head towards Sweet Apple Acres, but quickly found himself yanked backwards off his feet only to come crashing down on his stomach before Twilight.
"Perfect life?! One hundred years?! You have no idea who under Celestia's sun you are talking to! I am Twilight Sparkle, Alicorn Princess of Friendship. Now tell me, what does that mean to you?!"

When Dartani shrugged Twilight snapped back her reply full force.

"Because to me, that means I'm going to be spending my entire existence making friends...and as an alicorn, it will be with ponies whose lives are but the blink of an eye to me. So, where will I be in one hundred years? Moon willing, standing next to Lithe and enjoying the day. Now, where exactly is your king? I need to stop Lithe before she does anything rash."



W/(>V<)\W




The High King sighed sadly as he watched his daughter flee into the woods, the sound of her crying like a knife twisting in his heart. He wished to follow, but he knew it would do more harm than good, both for Lithe and for the forest. Frustrated, the High King slammed his face into the dirt and left it there for a few minutes before opening his eyes, his left catching an interesting view of a purple alicorn storming up to him.

"Which way did Lithe go?!"

'Well, isn't this is sure to prove to be interesting...'



M\(>^<)/M




Lithe sat at the edge of the world. Or at least that was what the cliff face was known as to the known world. In truth, there was next to nothing known about the area known as 'The Edge of the World' aside from what history stated, and all that any historical books knew was that this area was where Celestia and Luna made their final stand against Discord.

The aftermath was an unnatural mist that limited vision past the cliff face and disrupted the magnetic fields, leaving giant floating chunks of earth throughout the visible sky.

There were two other known things about the area. The first was that anything that entered the mist never came back, and the second was that it was where ageless beings, such as alicorns or dragons, came to when they decided to die. And thus Lithe found herself standing alone at the cliff face, staring down into the unfathomable depths of the mist.

It was almost soothing, the wind flowing through her fur as it was while watching the mist swirl mesmerizingly.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" called a familiar voice from behind Lithe, "I came out here myself a few years ago as well."

Lithe didn't even bother to turn around. She knew who it was, and she had known she was being followed.
"Eight days Twilight. I figured you would have been here in five..."

Twilight wordlessly moved to Lithe's side before seating herself on the edge of the cliff.
"The dragons respect you. You seem very much loved, and they were fierce in your supposed 'defence'."

Nodding, Lithe and Twilight spent the next few hours simply admiring the sight before them. There was literally no other place on Avol quite like 'The End of the World' and nothing else could match its haunting beauty. Thoughts drifted in both of their heads, nearly parallel to the other's own.

"Why run-"
"It's easier you know-"

Both mare's stopped talking, having started at the exact same time. After another moment of silence Twilight nodded for Lithe to continue.

"I was just going to say that it's easier, for me at least, to run. I know it doesn't really solve anything, but it numbs things."

Twilight couldn't argue Lithe's response. When she'd first learned that she would be outliving everypony she knew and loved she had also run out here and contemplated what the future held. Needless to say, she hadn't been at her best at the time.
"And the ones you leave behind?"

"They will al...some will be there in time..." Lithe replied emotionlessly, "Those that won't will have forgotten me by the time their ends come."

It was logical thinking, but Twilight didn't like where it was leading.
"And if they never forget? And if you never forget?"

Simply nodding towards the mist, Lithe refused to look over at Twilight. As for Twilight, while her face showed nothing, her mind was racing.
"You can't just leave now! Not like this! Besides, you're important-"

"Don't" try to tell me I have this or that to live for, I don't need to be here Twilight." Lithe growled, "You and your friends, they always see me happy go lucky, occasionally ditzy and weird, but this...this is the other side of the fence now. Down the rabbit hole as it were. My mother, countless bodyguards, assassins...115 years of trying to ignore the hard truth of the world. Everything dies."

"Fine, you don't want me to tell you why you can't die yet due to yourself, then I'm going to get selfish!" Twilight growled right back, "First off, I have feelings for you, otherwise I wouldn't have come to find you! Second, you know who Applebloom wanted to talk to? Y-"

"Me, Granny Smith told me she would." the draken-pony responded, "I knew Granny Smith was going to die, she knew so too. I just didn't know how short lived ponies were before my father told me."

Again they both sat there for a few minutes, digesting the information.

"You won't listen to me then?"

When Twilight got no response she leaned over and gave Lithe one more kiss despite the lack of response.
"Lithe...I love you...and I wish I could change your mind, but I won't force it on you."
Turning reluctantly from Lithe, Twilight started trotting away morosely, old words from Celestia in her head.
'To love one enough to ensure their safety is one thing, to restrict their rights to save them, though, will only make them resent you.'
Barely suppressing a sob that threatened to escape her lips, Twilight didn't even here the rock surface of the cliff she was on break until after noticing that she was falling. The startled alicorn let out a single yelp of surprise before falling into the mist in front of Lithe.

Shocked and horrified, Lithe did the only thing she could think of and dove into the mist after her friend. It honestly didn't take long to catch up to Twilight, but the tricky part was actually figuring out how to hold her as there was a large gash in between her wings. Lithe Finally settled with one hoof around Twilight's neck, the other around her waist, similar to two lovers embracing each other. Twilight was quick to return the embrace as well despite her surprise.

"Lithe?!"

"Which way is up, Twilight?" 

When the alicorn shook her head Lithe began to panic, especially as she started to hear whispers and see shadows flitting across her limited vision. Even despite her resistance to most any damage, Lithe began to feel true fear, her instincts reacting as if she were surround by vamponies or thestrals.

Suddenly one of the shadowed forms rushed out faster than anything either mare had ever seen before and struck out at Lithe leaving a shallow cut across her left thigh. The draken-pony let out a shallow whimper at the stinging sensation, but for the most part ignored it. Desperately Lithe began flapping in the direction she believed was up. As she did, the shades struck out at Lithe six or seven more times, each time leaving another stinging cut. 

The latest hit having spun her around, Lithe began to desperately look around, fearful of the next attack. To make matters worse, Twilight had passed out and was nothing but dead weight in her claws.

"This way my child."

Ears catching the slightest hint of the voice, Lithe spun to find a very faint light in the distance.

"The lights will guide you home."

Devoid of any other options Lithe began powering her way towards the lights. Each time she drew close to one it would disappear only for another to show up even further away. Finally when Lithe felt her wings were going to cramp the mist was suddenly gone and the draken-pony found herself barreling out of a thunderhead just outside Ponyville.

Making a beeline for the ground Lithe set Twilight down gently just as the alicorn's eyes began to flutter slightly and open.

"Ow...my back...what happe-"

Before she could get any further Twilight found her lips silenced as Lithe's own lips locked over them.

"Well, that happened...guess I got you back to Ponyville after all."

Lithe suddenly jerked back away from Twilight and glared at her in rage.
"Did you plan that?! Was that all a ploy?!"

Attempting to rise to assure Lithe that this was not the case, Twilight inadvertently stretched the damaged muscles in her back wrong and let out a cry and nearly fall only to have Lithe catch her on her chest much like what had happened back during the waterfight.

"Well, no, and I didn't just plan falling just now, but I don't necessarily feel like arguing with it."

Lithe's features softened into a smile as she lifted Twilight up and began to carry her off towards the orchard.
"You're ridiculous."

"So says the one fascinated with doors..."



M\(>^<)/M




After ensuring everypony was okay, after Lithe assured Applebloom she wasn't leaving again, after Twilight got around to reading Celestia's letter(ironically warning Twilight that Lithe may not understand the aging differences of ponies), after Twilight's back was fixed up magically and after everypony had a quick memorial service for Granny Smith, Lithe was found rolling on the ground spastically laughing at the sight of her father who had himself both a black eye and chipped tooth.

"So father, you're saying..."

"Yes."

"So that means..."

"Yes."

Suddenly Lithe held out her claw for a brohoof from Twilight, still trying her best and failing to remain serious in light of her father's appearance.

As for the High King, he even couldn't hide his smirk at his daughter.
"So, I would assume that Twilight and yourself will be heading to Canterlot soon? After all, there is still a peace treaty to be signed."

Twilight nodded.
"Correct. There are many reasons for this, namely that the peace treaty will need to be presented before a council appointed by Celestia and Luna. Anyway, there is much to do, and our train will be leaving shortly."

The massive dragon king nodded.
"Safe travels you two...oh, and Twilight, I understand why you did it, but if you ever lift half a mountain and suckerpunch me with it again, I'll roast you alive and swallow you whole, understood?"

Twilight just smirked before turning to follow Lithe towards the station.



M\(>^<)/M




Awakening warm and comfy the next morning, Lithe was quick to note, with much appreciation and joy, that she was in the overnight car of the train in Twilight's hooves. Squirming towards Twilight somewhat to get closer to her Lithe felt the alicorn plant a small kiss on her ear.

"You know, completely should have told you this yesterday, didn't really think about saying it until now, but alicorns live forever."

Too comfy to care, Lithe just shrugged.
"Doesn't matter anymore. Shouldn't have mattered to begin with. I love you Twilight."

Squeezing Lithe a bit more tightly, Twilight's breath caught for a moment before she could respond.
"I love you too Lithe."




~Not the End~