A moment passed, and the raven didn't reply. It merely stared at Kaylee with its beady eyes, cocking its head as it stood with its claws wrapped tightly around the metal grating.

"Wh-what do you want?" Kaylee stammered. She glanced over her shoulder, and saw that there was still nopony there. An eerie silence hung over the scene.

"I think you know what I want," the bird replied after another moment, its voice scratchier than ever before. "I want to make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Kaylee asked.

The bird let out a small squawk, and at first Kaylee thought it was irritated; then, she realised it had been a laugh. It stepped forward, and nodded. "I think you remember the first deal I ever made to you. I require your assistance, and in exchange I will do for you whatever you wish."

Kaylee shrunk back. "I don't... I still don't think this is—"

"You don't think it's what?" the raven inquired. "There's no catch, I assure you. Honestly, you should be glad that I'm even still offering you this; I should have moved on from you long ago."

"Then why didn't you?" Kaylee asked. She wiped her brow, and trembled where she stood. "Why won't you just leave me alone? I already told you that I don't want anything to do with you, and you give me the creeps. Can't you just... buzz off?"

"Flight," the raven said, seemingly ignorant to Kaylee's words. "That filly. You like her, don't you?"

Kaylee's eyes widened. "I don't see what that—she doesn't have anything—leave her out of this, okay?!"

"I'm not going to do anything to her," the raven said calmly. "You have my word."

"But what good is that?" Kaylee grumbled to herself.

"Regardless," the raven continued, "I think there's something I could help you with. Something with Flight."

"I don't need your help," Kaylee replied defiantly. "I just—"

"I can help her accept who you are." The raven closed its beak, letting that phrase echo through the chamber.

Kaylee didn't reply for some time, and she took the opportunity to close her eyes and rub her temple with a hoof. Finally, she opened her eyes again. "I'm not... I'm not committing to anything, but... what exactly would you want me to do?"