“The Ponytones?" Robert laughed. "Oh no, no, I just can't... he fell over.” There were a few disapproving glares, in particular from a pair of pegasi and a small dog.

“What's so funny?” Derpy asked. She'd been delighted when he asked her if she wanted to meet up. She'd been on nights for the past week and so hadn't seen him except when she was headed home in the morning, wings and hooves so sore she could barely keep a smile on her face.

“The Ponytones!” which set off another inexplicable gale of laughter. Even Pinkie paused, staring at the big tiger on the ground.

“What's up with him?” she asked, ignoring the half dozen cookies hanging frozen in mid-air behind her.

“I don't know.” Derpy said honestly. "He just found something about the Ponytones incredibly funny I guess.”

“Huh, strange.” Pinkie shrugged, and caught the cookies in a basket. Robert managed to force himself upright.

“I'm sorry, it's part of a very old Tiger joke. We were once eaters of all kinds of meat.” He paused for a moment, letting imaginations run. "So the joke askes, what do you get from eating the same thing all the time? The answer of course being Ponotony. he chuckled slightly, but swallowed anything more.”

“Oh.” Derpy said, completely missing the joke.

“Never mind. In any case, no, I can't make the show.”

“You're always missing the fun stuff in town.” Derpy said.

“I know, but this time it's for a good cause.” Robert said. “I'm on my way out to Appleloosa. Zecora's friends with one of the Buffalo Shaman and he might have the stuff she needs to fix my mojo.”

“That's a bit of a long flight.” she said worriedly.

“To be able to get my magic back? I'd fly all the way home if I had to.” he shook his head. "I like flying, fear of the ground not withstanding, but not having my magic.. it's like missing an appendage. As you might feel while mising your wings.” he said, deciding on a comparison.

“Oh. Yeah, I see how that could suck.” she paused. "Does that mean you won't fly with us any more?”

“Not at all. Now that they've changed like this, I can fly any time, just by adding a little magic.” he smiled.

“Oh. Will that make you an alicorn?” Derpy asked.

“It'd better not.” Robert said, eyes narrow. "Or I'm going to be very perturbed.”

“Don't worry, I doubt that'll happen.” a pony with a quill and keyboard crossed cutie mark said, before disappearing out the door.

“Who was that?” Robert asked

“Author Avatar?” Derpy asked. "Some weirdo who shows up, says something completely inexplicable and then vanishes again.”

“Oh. So the least weird of all possible things.”

“Exactly.” Derpy laughed.

---

“Hey.” Applejack caught Robert's attention as he was preparing to leave.

“Hello.” Robert said. Silence reigned for several minutes.

“Look.” Applejack lowered her hat. “Ah know Ah ain't exactly been Best Friend Forever material to yah. And Ah don't really have any right to ask a favor of yah.”

“Applejack. Ask. The worst I can do is say no.” Robert said. He was pretty sure there wasn't much he wouldn't say no to.

“Ah heard you were headed to Appleloosa.”

“Nearby.” Robert nodded. "What'd you need?”

“Ah was hopin' to send a package with yah for mah cousin Braeburn. Ah'd send it by Pegasus courier but Ah can't afford it.” she rubbed the brim of her hat.

“And just how does he feel about Tigers?” Robert asked levelly.

“Ah don't rightly know. The subject never has come up.” Applejack admitted.

“Alright. I'll take it.” she looked at him for a moment.

“Look, if you're not sure...” she suddenly seemed worried.

“I'm a big tiger, I can take care of myself”. Robert sighed. "Look, I don't mind. I'm going that way, and it's no more effort to stop there than to continue on. Bring it to the Library in the morning. Tonight, we party.”

“Oh, um... Ah don't think Ah can make it tonight.” Applejack said.

“Oh no you don't. You're coming to the party. I will sick Pinkie on you.” he leveled an eye at her. "Besides, I can't give you your gift if you don't come.”

“Gift, what gift?”

“You'll have to find out with everyone else.” he raised his head and turned away. "You asked me a favor, and in return, showing up is the favor I want.”

“Alright, I'll come.”

---

Talking Pinkie out of the brass marching band took some considerable wheedling. He caved on DJ-Pon3 though, to keep her from doing something precipitous. Twilight threw up her hooves and went looking for earplugs.

“I don't know why you don't want a massive super awesome party.” Pinkie said. Robert took a deep breath.

“I would love one, but I need to be awake for a flight in the morning. So we'll have to keep it somewhat low key.” Robert said, for the seventh time.

“That's the same excuse Rainbow uses.” Pinkie said. “And she likes my parties.”

“I love your parties, but I have to get up after them and that's not exactly easy. Besides, I want to be awake for presents.”

“Ooh, presents.” Pinkie said and then grinned. "I can't wait.” then she disappeared in an explosion of motion.

“Presents huh?” Spike asked.

“Yes, presents. You're not finding out what you got. So don't bother trying.”

“Why would you think I'd do that? I'm hurt. I have no intention, Dragon's Honor.” Spike said, holding up one clawed hand.

“Uncross the one behind your back and we'll have somewhere to start.”

“Aww man...” Spike glared at him suspiciously. "How'd you know?”

“I guessed. It's not the kind of promise I'd make and intend to keep, so I didn't think you would either.”

“That's not fair.” Spike pointed out.

“All's fair in love, war, and keeping others out of presents.” Robert shrugged. "Besides, it's more unfair for you to know in advance.”

“Stupid logic.” Spike muttered and wandered away. Robert just shook his head.

---

The party had good music, Twilight was sure of it, she just didn't know where it had gone. The DJ insisted on blasting whatever was played, and doing something to the discs on which it was stored that she was certain was not good for them. The 'I've got duplicates' that was shouted at her when she explained it wasn't helping her mood at all.

Blasting them at ear splitting levels wasn't helping either. She was glad she was wearing ear plugs and felt sorry for anyone that wasn't. She hadn't seen Robert in over an hour, and was getting worried when he appeared with his saddle bags.

“Present time.” he announced. "Something for everypony. Robert dug into his bags, and extracted a book. "This one is for Twilight.”

“A first edition of Shield Harmonics in a Localized Resonant Magical field? I've been looking for this for years.” Twilight very nearly burst with excitement.

“Glad you like it.” Robert pulled out the next one. “Ah, this one is for Spike.” the purple dragon took it, and examined it.

“What is it?” he asked after a long moment.

“It's a Gem Brewer.” Robert answered with a smile. "Put in two gems and let them sit for a bit, and viola, a new flavor.”

“Cool.” Spike grinned.

“Let me see... Ah, for Rarity.” an assortment of scented candles, and bath salts. "So you can relax and rejuvenate at home.”

“Oh my, thank you. How did you know the fragrance?” he tapped his face.

“The nose knows.” he smiled. “Ah, for Fluttershy.”

“You didn't have to...” her voice faded out, as the gold inlay on the sign caught her attention. 'Fluttershy's home for injured animals.' "Oh my, thank you.”

“Pinkie, well, it's hard to stop the party, so I figured I'd turn the party up. In fact, it's over NINE THOUSAND!” The DJ had caught his signal to boost the volume.

“Oh my gosh, the Super Streamer 9500? How did you get that?” Pinkie asked before snatching it up. "I've been saving for one of these for months!” she immediately demonstrated the new party decoration machine by whipping around and pulling the trigger. Most of the group avoided neatly. Applejack got a face full of decoration.

“He, he, sorry!” Pinkie apologized.

“It's okay.” Applejack said, wiping the streamers off her nose."What else ya got in there?”

“This one is for you.” he pulled out a box, and passed it carefully over to her. She took it and opened it. There was a small bottle of perfume nestled inside. “Marre au Printemps” she read the label. Rarity choked.

“That, you must tell me where you found it!” she shook her head. "I've been looking for a place to get it for years.”

“It's a little place in downtown Manehattan. Scents and Sundries I believe.” he said, thinking back.

“I saw it but I didn't go in. I must make plans.” Rarity turned away muttering to herself.

“If it means that much to you Rares, you can have this one?” Applejack offered.

“No, no, I need a supply of my own. I'll use it far too often for one bottle to last very long. Besides, it's the scent I'd have picked for you, had you ever asked. Go ahead, smell”. Applejack touched the stem on top. The moment her it hit her nose, her eyes teared up and she dropped the box. Spike threw himself through the air, making a perfect diving catch. At the same time Applejack exploded out the door, tears running down her face. Fluttershy didn't say anything but went after her.

“Well...” Pinkie coughed. "I guess that's a wrap.”

“I didn't... Rainbow's face fell. "We'd better go find them.” The rest of the elements filed out of the library. Spike sat down holding the perfume.

“What was that about?” he asked no one.

“Am I still getting paid?” DJ-Pon3 asked.

“Yes.” Robert replied.

“Oh, good.”

---

Applejack ran for several minutes before finally stopping on the edge of town. Fluttershy caught up to her a minute later. “Applejack? What's wrong?”

“It's nothin'.” she said.

“Applejack, you're a bad liar.” Pinkie said, appearing beside her friend. "You really shouldn't try.”

“I hate that.” Applejack said. "How you can tell. I should be allowed to have my own thoughts without anyone intruding on them.”

“We didn't mean to.” Fluttershy said. "Except, you ran off crying and we...”

“It's okay. I didn't mean it.” 'not much' she added, shaking her head.

“Applejack!” the others arrived, following Rainbow, who'd gone high to find Fluttershy and by extension Applejack.

“Darling, whatever's wrong?” Rarity asked, first to arrive.

“Yeah, running off like that's not like you.” Rainbow agreed.

“Ah'm sorry y'all. It's just that fragrance. It was Mom's favorite.” she fought back more tears. “Ah remember she'd put it on when we all went into town. She let me wear some the last time we all went to town.” tears fell this time. "I don't know what happened to the rest of the bottle afterwards. Think I might have done something I shouldn't have.” she was silent, even as the rest closed in to lean against her or lay a wing over her back when they couldn't reach.

They stood together like that for the better part of an hour, not talking, not moving other than the rustling of wings or muscles to remain comfortable. Eventually Applejack broke the silence. “Ah'm sorry, Ah guess Ah ruined the party.” Pinkie gasped.

“The party!” she vanished, which caused the entire pile to collapse, except for Fluttershy who'd been on top and simply took the air by instinct.

“Girls! You okay?”

“Fine Fluttershy.” came Twilight's muffled voice from the bottom of the pile.

“Glad ta hear it Twi. Rainbow, move your leg so she can get her horn outta mah face?” Applejack sounded as though she was trying very hard to not say something else.

They untangled, from one another, and headed back to the library, where Pinkie was busy paying the DJ.

“Sorry, unexpected personal events.” Pinkie chuckled. "See ya next time.” They shared a decidedly complicated hoof bump and a hug. The unicorn tipped her horn to the others, gave the princess a bow, and then trotted on, drawing her bag of bits in a telekinetic grip on the way. "Hey guys.”

“Pinkie, a little warning before you vanish?” Rainbow asked.

“Sorry, if I warn you it's not funny, and then I can't do it. Shouldn't you expect it by now?”

“Probably.” Twilight admitted. "Robert still there?”

“Yeah, he and Spike are cleaning up.”

“It's his party! He doesn't have to do that.” Twilight barked. She stormed past Pinkie. Tried. A massive gust of wind blew out the door, completely ignoring Pinkie as if she didn't exist, but throwing Twilight into the air. A few pieces of confetti drifted out on the wind.

“That's WAY faster than the dustpan.” Spike's voice came from the tree. "Did we miss any?”

“Looked like a couple pieces went out the door.”

“I've got them!” Rarity called, reaching out and pulling them all together with her horn. "Here you are.” she said, trotting into the library and pulling the pieces with her. Fluttershy floated over to Twilight.

“Need some help?” she asked. Twilight twitched slightly.

“No.” she extricated her head from the tangle of limbs. "I do this all the time.”

“Bet that'd hurt.” Pinkie said. "What with the concussions, and the potential for dislocations. Looks like fun though, so it might be worth it.” she paused, thinking it over for all of a second. "How do you keep your horn from getting stuck?”

“Ugh.” was all Twilight had the energy to manage. A few minutes later, they all were in the library, where the last of the books were being reshelved. Naturally there was an argument going on.

“I'm telling you, first editions always go first.” Spike said, clinging to a copy of a book she couldn't see the title of.

“Yes, but alphabetically, an eighth edition should go first.” Robert replied with a copy of presumably the same book tucked under his wing.

“How long have they been at this?” Twilight asked.

“Several minutes darling. Neither seems willing to give up his authoritative stance.” Twilight's response was cut off by the ding of a microwave.

“Popcorn's done!” Rainbow vanished in a burst of backwash and was in her seat before anyone could form a chiding response. She was indeed eating popcorn. Pinkie stole almost half of it.

“Not that it matters anyway.” Robert grunted. "These got debunked by Canterlot University, Manehattan Medical College and the Zebrican Royal Academy.”

“Yeah, and I read the reports on the first two being faked and I've never seen the research out of the Royal Academy.” Spike retorted.

“I have, and even if the other two were faked, I did the math and it does not check out.”

“Wait a minute, what are you two talking about?” Twilight asked.

“This!” Robert threw something, hard with his foot. It was small and metallic. Rainbow bulleted forward and caught a helmet.

“Whoa, that's awesome.”

“It's for you.” Robert grinned. "Thanks Spike.” he stretched out a paw, and Spike bumped it with his own.

“You two staged this whole thing?” Twilight demanded. "What was that argument about?”

“Oh, no, the argument was real. These did get debunked. Robert waved a copy of Modified Shield Dynamics, eighth edition. "I checked the math myself and they don't hold up in field conditions.”

“What is this?” Rainbow asked. She'd put the helmet on, and was staring out from under it.

“That, is a crash helmet. Isn't it awesome?” Robert replied casually.

“I'd love to see that math, I haven't heard of any of these studies.” Twilight said. The others looked between one another.

“I guess it's a little awesome.” Rainbow said cautiously. At the moment she said awesome, the helmet snapped into it's closed position, and was all but gone under her mane. "I was wrong. IT'S TOTALLY AWESOME.”

“Thank you.” Twilight said.

“You're welcome.” Robert said. "I don't have them on me, but I believe I brought them with. I'll get them when I come back from Appleloosa.”

“Why are you saying thank you?” Rainbow asked Twilight.

“I did the enchanting for him.” Twilight answered. "I'll get the results of the studies from those universities. Why would the medical college do research on that?”

“Oh, cool. How does it work?” Rainbow asked.

“Broken shields induce blow back. Excessively failing shields are a health hazard.” Robert answered Twilight, then turned to Rainbow. "When the enchantments sense you falling the helmet opens up and keeps you from hurting your head, but when collapsed, it shouldn't effect your aerodynamics very much.”

“Awesome.” Rainbow said. "I almost want to try this out, but at the same time, I'd rather not crash if I can help it.”

“Don't worry darling, just keep it on and I'm certain some disaster will befall us that will cause you to crash.” Rarity said.

“Yeah, not very comforting there Rares.” Rainbow laughed. "Thanks for the thought though.”

“Any time Darling.” Rarity said. "Now, we should probably go home, since Robert has a rather long flight tomorrow.”

“Right, umm... Robert, can I walk yah home?” Applejack asked. Robert nodded, and dropped from the second floor, landing softly, not even bothering to open his wings. “Ah don't think Rainbow could have done that without wings.”

“I totally could have.” Rainbow said.

“And would have totally broken your legs.” Twilight laughed. "Seriously how did you do that without breaking your legs?” she asked.

“It's all about making sure you absorb the landing in your legs. Still hurts, but won't snap a bone.” Robert replied. He held out a leg to Applejack, who took it after a moment. "Let us away home.” And he lead her out into the night.

Rainbow Dash stared after them. “Is it just me? Or was that really weird?”

“Not at all.” Rarity said indignantly. "It's always nice to see a gentleman who knows how to treat a lady.”

“Yeah, sure.” Rainbow said, rolling her eyes. She trotted out the door, and exploded upwards towards her house. Rarity sighed, and said her good-byes before heading home. Pinkie said the same and then just vanished. Twilight sighed. Fluttershy flew home after a good-bye with Spike, and fluttered off home.

“Well, that was some part...” Spike's snoring interrupted her. Twilight sighed. She lifted him in her levitation, and flew them both to the second floor. She settled him into his basket, and pulled up the blanket. "Good-night Spike.”

---

Robert and Applejack kept up the locked leg just until they were out of sight of the library, then let go. Partially because they weren't that close, but mostly because it was a really awkward way to walk.

“So...” Applejack started.

“Don't say anything.” Robert advised. "Just enjoy the nice walk.” she gave him a sidelong glance.

“Ah have to.” she said after a minute. He closed his eyes, took a breath and then looked her in the eyes. “Ah'm sorry.”

“Okay, that it?” Robert asked. Applejack's eyes narrowed.

“Ah'm trying to apologize.” she snapped.

“I'm trying to figure out what you're apologizing FOR.” Robert replied.

“Runnin' out of the party.” she said, still a little angry, but less snappish.

“Oh, don't worry about it.” Robert waved a paw. “Apology accepted if you require it, but you're not the first female to flee from me in tears. Besides, scent memory can be inexplicably powerful.”

“Worst of all though, I haven't even thanked you. So thank you.” she held out her hoof. Robert shook it. "Do you want to get the package tonight? Or pick it up in the morning before you leave?”

“I'll get it in the morning. I'm starting to go cross-eyed.” Robert chuckled. "Nocturnal is fine, but when you're around diurnal friends, it messes with your head.”

“Umm.. what?” she asked. "Not Twilight here.”

“I am usually a creature of the night, where ponies are usually creatures of the day. It takes some time to fully adjust to a change in schedule.” Robert shrugged. "So, I'm going to go have a nice long nap, and then in the morning, I shall return for the package and wing away south... ish.” He waved in the wrong direction. She pointed it out. "I'll probably do better in the morning.”