|[=-=]|

'Well you shouldn't go near the rapids if your-' I stopped walking down the stairs, I could hear Big Mac and runt talking, I could even hear some laughter.

'Well, it's hard to tell the stingy plants from the safe ones.' Runt was trying to defend himself from something.

'Eeeyup.' Big Mac responded, I smiled and walked out.

'Look who's feeling better.' I said as I put the beaver down before Big Mac, but it walked up towards him and started thrashing him with its front paws.

'Good. . . to see your better. . .' he said, nervously.

'I think you better say sorry, after all you bumped him into the water.' I mused, he sighed before he bent down.

'Well, look I think I. . . I'm. . . sorry, little fella.' He was thrashed on the leg once more, he just sighed and put him on his back, 'Alright, thanks Shy, and. . . holler if you need help.'

With that, Big Mac left. I entered the lounge room and sat on the floor.

'Talk about anything interesting?' I asked.

'We talked. . . I don't know what interesting is though. . .' Runt admitted. I laughed a little, before I realized he wasn't joking.

'. . . So, I was thinking and. . . maybe. . . this is something that my friend should know about, she would love to learn more about you, a-and your pack.' I offered.

'No. . . the only thing she should learn is how dangerous they are, they've grown sick of the wilderness, and Mother will come. Tell her this.' He said, almost ordering me for that last part.

I knew that he wasn't going to budge, it was time for a last resort.

'. . . No.' I braced up and marched towards him, 'You are in my care and supervision, so you. . . y-you have to listen to me. We are going to see Princess Twilight, today. '

'. . . Ok, and if I refuse?' he asked, seemingly menacing.

I closed my eyes, before I gave him The Stare, he sat there unaffected for a while, but after a moment his ears drooped, and he lowered his head, 'OKSTOPPLEASEITSVERYUNPLEASANT!'

I smiled afterwards, and his ears perked up.

'Please. . . don't do that. . .' he asked, I finally found some pony- something it worked on.

We approached Twilights house, Runt was covered in a black cloak and I helped him hobble along the way. He constantly groaned and whimpered. . . and it was hard to keep him compliant.

'Can we. . . turn back . . . please?' he asked.

'But were almost there, you can rest inside.' I assured him, as we were outside the door, I knocked.

'Coming!' I heard spike call, and not a moment later he opened the door, 'Hey Fluttershy, Twilights upstairs. . . whose this?'

Runt leaned down and looked spike over.

'Why. . . is this crocodile talking?' he asked.

'I'm a dragon.' Spike defended.

'Huh. . . I thought dragons were large, ferocious beasts-' I nudged his leg softly and he almost fell over, 'well. . . I guess. . . I could be mistaken. . .'

'Well. . . not completely. . .' Spike muttered, 'come in!'

We followed him inside, but as we made it in, runt fell onto his belly on the floor.

'Ok! I'll. . . wait here. . .' he said, so I just urged spike upstairs and I followed.

'Well be quick, I promise.' I said as I left the room.

'. . . Please do.' I heard him call.

We made it to the top of the stairs to see Twilight in her library, there were books all around the room in piles as wells as many books following Twilight.

'Hey Fluttershy, sorry I haven't cleaned up today.' She began, as books started moving and neatly sorting themselves into the bookcase.

'Oh, its fine, I just. . . wanted to ask you something. . .' I began, trying to think of something to say, 'So. . . say there was this beaver, ok but I could talk to it. . .'

'Ok, so what was different, you talk to animals all the time.' She reminded me.

'Oh-uh, yes b-but. . . say. . . Big Mac could understand it as well. . .' I continued, 'say if maybe. . . this beaver drank something called. . . Waters of Mind, would we consider it and other talking beavers. . . civilized?'

'. . . Hrmm, the Waters Of Mind. . . supposedly ancient pony kingdoms were founded thanks to it, if these beavers have their own civilization or hierarchy I suppose they would get the same rights and could be considered an ally to the us.' She said as she put the last of the books away, and laid one on her desk, 'so. . . can I meet this beaver?'

'Uh. . . yes, but. . . I just needed to know how you'd treat the beaver. . . but. . . if he's not a beaver. . .' she looked at me, tilting her head a little, 'I-I mean-'

|[=-=]|

They were gone a while, I haven't moved since she left, but I found myself missing the company.

It's been weeks since I had this much contact with speaking creatures, but. . . I am starting to feel. . . hungry. Tempted even. . . I can myself. I will not succumb to-

'WHAT!' there was a scream from upstairs, and all of a sudden, a dark grey horse flew down, a horn on her head glowing. . . bright, 'remove your hood!'

She demanded, Fluttershy flew down beside her and tried to calm her down.

'Your friend said you could learn something from me. . .' I shook off the hood, and my head was exposed, 'consider me. . . a warning.'