"How about if I went?" Spike said. He and Twilight had spent the last ten minutes sitting at the table in the study, trying to think of what to do. "I could go to Canterlot and talk to the princess—ask her about the forcefield and all that."

"Hmm... but would that really be much better than a letter?" Twilight looked up at the ceiling, her eyebrow arched. "Heh... no offense, Spike," Twilight added. "I just mean... she might want to hear it from me."

"She'll understand if you're busy," Spike countered. "It'd be better if you sent me than just a letter—it's a sign of respect or whatever. I dunno."

"No, that's a good point, Spike," Twilight agree, nodding. "And it would buy me time in case something came up... I mean, not that something would come up, but you know." The alicorn laughed nervously. "You sure you're willing to do that, though? That's kind of a big task."

"Yeah, it shouldn't be too bad. And Princess Celestia will be nice about it, whatever she says." Spike paused. "Hey, do you think I'd be able to stay with Rarity?"

"Oh, wow, Spike—that's a great idea," Twilight said. "I'm sure Rarity would be up to it, too. How long has it been since you seen her—a month?"

"Nah, longer than that," Spike said, thinking. "I was in the Crystal Empire then, remember?"

"Oh, wow, then I guess it hasn't been since... since my birthday," Twilight concluded, eyes wide. "Have you even seen Canterlot Boutique?"

"Um... yeah? I helped her and Sweetie move in, remember?"

"Oh, right," Twilight said, nodding. "Gah... everything's been a blur. I guess this is what getting older feels like, huh?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Ugh, don't remind me. I'm still a teenager and even I can feel it."

"Mmm, yeah." Twilight took a deep breath and then trained her gaze back down at her notes. "Now I've just gotta get organised what you're gonna say."

"Pfft, c'mon, Twilight," Spike said, dismissing her words with a claw. "It's not like I'm a salesdragon giving a presentation to the Board of Directors or anything. I'm just gonna ask Celestia what's up. She's our friend, remember?"

"Hmm... you may be right, but we can never be too careful. Just the other day, I read a study that showed that the exact words you use can affect how cooperative other ponies are by up to twenty-five percent!"

"Golly gee," Spike deadpanned, "I'm sure that'll win her over."

"Oh, shush." Despite her annoyed tone, Twilight smiled. "I'm gonna keep working on this anyway."

"Alright," Spike said. He stood up and jumped off of his chair, landing squarely on his feet. "I'm gonna go back to my room and figure out what I'm gonna pack."

"Good luck!" Twilight called after the dragon as he walked out of the study, into the hall. His footsteps reverberated up and down the empty crystal hallway as he walked leisurely back in the direction of his room.