"Yo, Toffee, how goes?" Spike leaned on the desk. "Is the chandelier whole?" He reached for a muffin only to find the platter was empty. Starlight, not fair! These were supposed to be for the dragon on duty!

"The chandelier?" Toffee sounded surprised. "What chandelier?"

"You know, the one you were using to learn to fly?" Spike slid his finger along the tray in an attempt to gather some sugar crumbs. A poor substitute for the real thing, but in desperate times they'd have to do.

"Oh, that." A deep sigh followed, along with a sniff at the end. "I wasn't really on the chandelier. I just called because I wanted... Look, I'm not a unicorn. I lied about that too."

"So you're a pegasus?" Spike tried to visualize a muffin in his mind as he chewed the few remaining grains of sugar. Imaginary muffins were nowhere near as filling as the real thing.

"No, I'm not a pega—"

"Earth pony. Hey, there's nothing to be ashamed of," Spike cut her short. Being raised in Canterlot, he knew that the attitude towards earth ponies, even now, was... different. Not as bad as before, thank Celestia, but they still were regarded as the lesser, more unfortunate ponies. "Ponyville is way beyond such things. And look at Manehatten! The city that never sleeps was made entirely thanks to earth pony ingenuity and hard work!" I never thought that Twi's boring lectures would be good for something.

"Umm, that's not it. The thing is..." Toffee's voice was faint. "I am ridiculed for liking certain... things."

"Whoa!" Spike jumped off the desk. "Like eating too many gems before breakfast? Or removing the filling of doughnuts and replacing it with sapphire dust?"

"Comics," the said, the single world having the impact of a thousand screams. The only problem was, Spike had no idea why that was bad. Scratching his head he opened his mouth to ask, then closed it back again. Gee, that's not something I expected. Like, sure everyone says I'm a nerd, but so is Twi, and no one says anything to her. Though, maybe because she’s a princess now.

The dragon scratched his head some more. This definitely sounded like a friendship problem right up his alley. After all, he was probably the third greatest comic connoisseur in Ponyville. Surely he could be of assistance.

"Hey, nothing to worry about!" he said as cheerful as possible. "Lots of ponies love comics. Hey, even Shining Armor is a fan."

"It's not exactly the comics..." A pause followed by the sound of nervous pacing. Apparently, Toffee was in a corridor or hall. Her hooves echoed in a very specific fashion. "I like adventure comics," the words dripped with guilt as if she had confessed to some great crime.

"That's it?" Spike tried not to laugh. "You know that's really stupid, right?"

"Hey!"

"Well, I'm just saying." The dragon shrugged. "Lots of ponies like adventure comic. Those are some of my favourite. Big Mac has a whole stash he keeps hidden, so does—"

"They are colt comics," Toffee interrupted, causing Spike to shrug silently. "As in comics for colts?" Still no reaction from the dragon. "Colts as in boys?"

Why does everypony take me for an idiot? Spike crossed his arms, I know what colt comics are. Some of my favourite series are colt comics! Of course, Twi wouldn't be caught within ten yards of any of those. Like she'd understand fine creative writing! Just because she can't see through her— Suddenly it hut him.

"Oooh! Now I get it! They laugh at you because you read comics meant for little colts?" Spike smirked. Well, it's kind of funny when you think about it. "Err, how old are you exactly?"

"Does it matter?" Toffee snapped. "You sound just like my sister! Why can't you get a proper hobby, Toffee? Act your age, Toffee. Sis, you should stop playing colt games, everypony is laughing at you!" Oops, my bad. Spike took a step back away from the voice crystal. "Well, what if I like colt games and comics? They are different! So the narrative is a bit more cheesy, and the art is a bit sharper, but you know what? The writing is really good!"

Okay, okay, just please calm down. Spike put his hand on his mouth. He hadn't expected this. Of all the times he had put his foot in his mouth—and there were many—this was the first he had actually witnessed a meltdown. The dragon could only imagine how much anger the mare had been bottling up. I still don't get what's the big deal about colt comics, he thought.

"I can't read them in public, I can't be seen having them," Toffee went on, nearly weeping as she did. "When I try to buy something from a bookshop, you won't believe the looks I get! I have to sneak into the comic section of the library just to get to read year old issues!"

"Ouch!" Spike cringed. "Like, Silver Horn hasn't even unlocked his true powers yet! And his father—"

"Stop!" The yell was so loud that even through the crystal it managed to knock the dragon the floor. "I called to get some help, not for you to shout spoilers at me!"

"Sorry," Spike sat up. My bad, there. Although I bet she'll be surprised when she finds out that Crimson Magenta is actually Poppy, his childhood friend, and that she has a huge crush on him this whole time.

"And don't you tell me to calm down!" Toffee was still shouting, be it half as loud. "I've been getting enough 'advice' from everypony. Even from stallions! I tried to get one to buy me the latest issue of Go Go Goldenhoof, and do you know what he did?!"

Trick question! It's got to be a trick question. Spike climbed back onto the desk. He could venture a guess, though the state Toffee was in right now, humour wouldn't be the best approach. When in doubt—say nothing.

"He went and got me Lunar Adventures!" Toffee cried.

"Ouch! Harsh!" The cringe! That's like, really bad. The art is meh and the story is argh! Pretty much just another attempt by big publishers to cash in on the Nightmare Moon angle, and failing. "No wonder you're in a bad mood. Like, that's pretty bad. Well, not as bad as The Alicorn that Cried, but still."

"Precisely!" I wonder what family she comes from? "And even that got thrown away as soon as my sister found it. Apparently I have to be responsible, a pillar of society, and have no time to waste on 'silly nonsense.'" Well, that answers my question, Spike sighed. "Meanwhile it's okay for her and her friends to go drinking and partying, which they do pretty much every other night. That is considered normal. Me reading colt comics, though..."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Spike nodded. "Like, It's the same with my O&O collection. I get away with it because ponies still consider me a baby dragon. When I go to Manehattan, though... boy, the looks I got in some shops—"

"And it's only getting worse," Toffee sobbed. "Ponies close to me have started talking about me going to therapy, because, you know, something must be wrong with me. It's not as if I'm the only one who does this. I happen to know several ponies at very important positions who do exactly the same."

"Oh? Who?" Spike's curiosity got the better of him. There probably were a dozen rules why he shouldn't ask this question—Twilight herself had reminded him of ten just yesterday morning—yet he couldn't help himself. It's not prying, he thought looking around guiltily, in case Twilight happened to walk into the room. I'm just being thorough.

"Fancy Pants," Toffee said with a note of bitterness. "He's the most important pony in Canterlot and he has a mint issue one collection of nearly everything that has been published. And, of course, since he's influential, nopony dares make fun of him. In his case they talk of it as 'a clever investment,'" she snorted. "Investment my flank! When I tried to use that reasoning, I was told I'm an idiot right to my face! And that's not the worst part! I—"

"Hello?" a new voice came from the voice crystal, cutting Toffee off mid-sentence. "Blast this new technology. I might as well just teleport there."

"Discord?" Spike blinked. The voice crystal flickered green, then changed form taking the shape of the draconequus' head. It looked around, suspiciously, as if searching for something, then directed its full attention to Spike.

"Why, hello there, Oubliette Master," the crystal face said with a wide smile. "It is I, the captain, and have a few inquiries—"

"Bro, not cool!" Spike jumped off the desk. Drops of sweat forming on his forehead. "Don't just call when I'm at work! What if Twi finds out?" I'm such a hypocrite. I laugh at Toffee about having to keep her hobby a secret, yet less than a dozen ponies know about my role playing nights... and I begged all of them to keep it a secret. The sudden realization made him look down at the floor. This wasn't the first time it happened either. He'd mock Twilight about reading tomes on dating, yet he himself had done the same before she even got her wings. He'd constantly complain about having to clean up the castle, yet he never bothered lift a finger when he made a mess at Sugarcube Corner. Maybe I really do need to grow up a bit?

"Well, excuuuuse me if I wanted to bring somepony new to our weekly O&O sessions," the discord face pouted. "It's not like we need a decent healer or anything. No, I guess I'll leave you to your 'important' work and tell the poor newbie that our awesome OM is too busy to help him out."

"That's really low, drake," Spike whispered under his breath. There was no way he wouldn't help now.

"No matter," Discord sighed dramatically. "I guess he can always try to join in after a few months... if there's still interest, and you aren't busy again."

"Right." Damn it, Discord! You always do this! "Go ahead," Spike mumbled, defeated. "But no more mares!" He added sharply. "Pinkie and Dash are cool, but every time someone tries to bring 'a close friend' things get way out of hand!"

"Don't remind me," the crystal draconequus winced. "Big Mac bringing that school teacher was a total disaster. All she did was min-max, not grasping the fine nuances of roleplay."

"You said it." Spike nodded. Having Cheerilee join for a few sessions was a total disaster. Of course, no one said anything since Big Mac was dating her, but she was a horrible player. Not only that, but she would get constantly in fights with Rainbow Dash, especially when Dash's character hit on Big Mac's. Some ponies just can't tell the difference between in character and out of character.

"Or when Pinkie brought her sister," Discord continued. "Her attempts to get her hitched were so obvious. Almost like the time you asked Rarity to join in."

"Hey!" Spike's face turned a burning red. "As if it was any different when you invited—" A zipper formed on his mouth, denying him the option of getting one back at the draconequus.

"Anyway, let's get to the point." Half a dozen sheets of paper popped into existence surrounding Spike on all sides. Three were basic character sheets, with class stats and inventory all filled in. Two were a backstory—quite edgy, judging by the references. Newbies. Spike shook his head. Gotta love them. The last piece of paper made him stare in awe. Technically, it was nothing but a character sketch, but calling it just that would be like calling the Canterlot Palace Celestia's house. This wasn't just a sketch, it was a living pony looking back at him from the piece of paper, almost as it it would step out into the room any moment.

"He drew this?" Spike unzipped his mouth.

"Hmm?" Discord feigned ignorance as he glanced at the sketch. His eyes were glowing green with envy. "Oh, I suppose so." He raised his chin. "He still has a lot to learn about proportions and—"

"He's so drawing all our characters!" Spike grappled the sketch. Can't wait for him to draw my leveled up archmage! Or maybe I can commission him to draw me Princess Rarity? A slight pink tint covered Spike's cheeks.

"What is the point of pictures when we are in the game?" The crystal head humphed.

"Are you kidding?! Drake, he can record all of our adventures!" Whoa! We can even make a comic! Best idea ever!

"Well, I don't know about that. He's quite busy, and he only draws in his free time." Discord's face became stretched forward. A pair of limbs appeared, transforming him in a miniature version of the draconequus. "Although..." he scratched his paw with his nose.

"Hey, no pressure." We're totally pressuring him, when he joins! "How'd he learn about the game?"

"Apparently, he's a friend of Rainbow's and overheard her discussing a scene of our campaign."

Dammit, Rainbow! How many times must we go over this! Spike crossed his arms. Rainbow's habit to openly discuss their gaming sessions was quite annoying, mostly because when she did it everyone thought it was cool.

"He's part of the military or something, so he really wants to keep this quiet," Discord went on. "But thanks to yours truly he's agreed to join. As long as he can have a plus five staff as a starting weapon."

"Hay, for what he can do he can have a full plus five gear for all I care! What does he want to play?"

"Crystal pegasus healer," Discord laughed. "He's one of the 'sparkly' ones." The remark made Spike's left eye twitch. He really didn't like the sparkling phenomenon the Crystal Empire had created. Then again, he was really good at drawing. Welp, nopony's perfect.

"If you can take care of the effects I'm fine with it," Spike shrugged. "I really gotta get back to work, though." Drat! I totally forgot about Toffee! I'm the worst! "You set him up."

"Fine, fine," Discord grumbled. "I'll leave you to your important work." The crystal reverted to normal.

"I mean, seriously?!" Toffee's voice flooded the room. Apparently Discord had upped the volume a bit before he ended his call. "It was just one time! And the stallions didn't seem to mind. But, no! Do I get any understanding? Not me! And I even got Moondancer in trouble. Going to her Comic Club is outright out of the question now thanks to certain concerned parties."

"You know what?" Spike asked. Think fast! I gotta come up with something quickly! "There are always ways to hide your hobby, but will it be fun?" I'm really spewing nonsense right now. "Sounds to me that this is causing you more grief than joy. If you ask me, you should accept it. There's nothing wrong in liking adventure comics. If it won't cause any problems at your work or with your family, just be open about it. Maybe have a serious talk with the concerned parties and explain it makes you happy. If you think it might cause problems, take it one step at a time. I know it's difficult doing something you'll get ridiculed for, but don't feel guilty about it, and don't let anypony bully you." Cold chills went down his spine. Was Toffee being bullied? Was this what it was really about?

"You're a good dragon, Spike." The sadness with which this was said almost made him tear up. "Thank you for listening to my ramblings. I must go now..."

"No! Toffee, wait!" Spike shouted, but it was too late. The crystal had list its glow, returning to its inert state. "Dragonscales!" He slammed onto the desk with both hands. I'm a complete idiot! Of course she wouldn't start with that! I should have helped her and instead I was too busy making myself look good! "Toffee," he said to the inactive voice crystal. "I promise that I'll help you. From now on I'll take this job seriously and not let any—"

*blink* *blink* *blink*

Somepony was calling again. Spike looked at the flashing crystal, took a deep breath, then tapped on it.

"Hello, this is—" he began only to be cut off by a scream.

"Spike!" Twilight yelled from the other side. "Grab the voice crystal and get to Bon Bon's! Hurry!"

"Wha, what?" The dragon blinked. "Twilight? What's—"

"No time to explain! Just get here! We're in big trouble!"