It was yet another busy day in the kitchen, as tended to happen. I was focused solely on the work, and was looking forward to a group that had mailed in a reservation for a group of twelve. Gilda handled the paperwork on that one, so I had no idea who was coming, except that there were twelve of them.

Thanks to having gotten used to the constant din of sounds of the kitchen, I was able to make out Sylvia ask, “Group of twelve?” I wasn’t the only one who had picked up that skill, as the rest of the kitchen staff were already moving about to get ready. “And you have a reservation as well. Right this way.”

As soon as I heard a “Thank you,” I froze. “He’s back. He’s back and I. . . I. . .” I turned to Gavan. “Ileaveeverythingtoyou, kaythanksbye.” I ran out the back of the kitchen, went into the shed, opened up the doors, got on Bumblebee, and drove right out of there, putting as much distance between myself and the Carne Den as possible.

I came to a stop on Sweet Apple Acres, under a newly built clubhouse, and even though I had driven there, I found myself leaning against the tree to catch my breath.

“You okay, Yang?”

“Huh?” I turned to the speaker and saw Applejack. “Oh, uh, yeah. Just, umm. . .” I stopped as a questioning eyebrow went up on Applejack’s face. “Spooked?”

“Really? Somethin’ spook ya?”

“Yeah.”

Applejack simply looked at me for a bit before continuing. “Are you sure you were spooked and ain’t just running from something?”

I gave the question a bit of thought. “Umm, can I say both?”

“Ah’ll take that.” The farmer glanced upwards briefly. “Let’s talk up there. It may be a bit of a tight fit for ya through the door, but it’s better than talkin’ out here.”

“Alright.” I followed Applejack up and into the clubhouse. There was a low ceiling past the short doorway, so I wound up sitting down inside. The window next to me provided a decent view of the sunset.

Applejack sat across from me, our eyes nearly level with each other. “Who’s on your mind?”

“Garr- why are you asking me that?”

“Ah’m no Princess of Love like Cadence is, but Ah do know a few things about it, and a few things about you. Ah also know that talking things out makes it easier to deal with them, so start talking.”

“You’re really going to force me to talk about it?”

Applejack motioned towards the closed door with a forehoof. “Door’s right there if you want to leave. Ah won’t stop you.”

I looked between Applejack and the door for some time before deciding to talk. “Yes, I think I’ve got feelings for Captain Garrison. No, I don’t know why. They’ve been distracting me since Gaston’s visit, and I’ve been trying to ignore them every way I can so I don’t get disgusted by them."

“Why would they disgust you?”

“You know I used to be a guy, right?”

Applejack had to think for a bit before answering. “Yeah, Ah do remember that bit. You don’t bring it up that often.”

“Scrawny as I was, I can say for sure that I was straight. Now, I have no idea what I am.”

“How about confused?”

I thought a bit on Applejack’s suggestion. “That works.”

Applejack enjoyed a brief smile at her little joke. “Yang, life can take weird turns, and not just where Discord and Pinkie are. Ah’m not saying to blindly follow your emotions, but maybe you should see where they lead you. It may not be as bad as you think.”

“And if it does turn out he’s bad?”

“You can punch him if he deserves it.” Applejack briefly looked out the window. “Feel free to take some time to sort it out a bit before you head home. Just don’t let it fester too long.” Just before she left, she turned back to me. “You can make it home on that bike thing of yours in the dark, right?”

I was caught a bit off guard by Applejack’s question. “Huh? Oh, yeah. Bumblebee has a headlight.”

“Headlight?”

“It’s a bright light on the front that lights up what’s ahead in the dark.”

“That sounds useful.”

“It is.” I briefly cracked a smile. “Now shoo, Applejack. I need to get back to my brooding.”

“Ah’ll leave you to it then.” With that, Applejack left the clubhouse.

Once the door was closed, I started reflecting on Applejack’s words and my actions. I looked at the door when one particular thought crossed my mind. “How did she know what it was?”

I came back into the busy kitchen, and was promptly greeted by a concerned Silver. “You okay?”

“No, but I’m better,” I answered. “Did I miss anything?”

“The group of twelve griffons hasn’t left yet. Apparently, they want to talk to you.” I resisted the urge to turn right back around and drive off again. It wasn’t easy, and I had to take a few deep breaths to calm my beating heart.

Gilda came up, mildly irritated. “There you are, Yang. You had all of us scared when you ran off like that.”

“I did?”

“Yes, you did. We were able to handle everything just fine, but you had us concerned.” Without warning, Gilda smacked my face. “Now you’re even with everyone here. Gaston’s elite guards have been waiting for you since you left, so get out there and face them.”

It didn’t take long for me to recover from the punch. “And if I don’t?”

Gilda casually examined her talons. “I may just do something that would make you burn my feathers off a few times.”

“You wouldn’t. . .”

“Oh, I would.”

We stared each other down for a few seconds before I caved. “Fine, I’ll. . .” I took a breath to calm myself. “I’ll go talk to them.”

“Atta girl,” Gilda encouragingly said as I walked past her.

Before I made it out of the inside kitchen door, I was already getting myself into the server mindset and doing my best to forget about Garrison. “They’re just like any other group of guests. Nothing different, just treat them well.”

I found the group easily enough, as twelve armored griffons sitting together in the dining area stood out like I did amongst ponies. On the way there, Garrison and I made eye contact and I nearly lost my nerve. Fortunately, I managed to keep it together and made my way to the group. “I heard you wanted to talk to me?”

“We did,” Garrison answered. “We wanted to give you another Thank You for what you’ve done for us, and give you some news in person. We’re also fulfilling our King’s wishes.”

“Has it been published in the newspaper yet?”

A nearby pony raised her forehoof. “That’s what I’m here for. Spring Dew, from the Canterlot Times. I’m also here for the food.”

Garrison continued. “There will be a change in the Griffon Empire very soon. King Gaston has recently died a tragic death, and as per his wishes, we are travelling around to spread the news. The funeral ceremonies will last for a couple weeks before a new ruler is established.”

“So who’s choosing the new ruler?” Spring Dew asked before I could.

“We are. Gaston, unfortunately, did not have a council to turn to for help before he died, so it falls to us.”

A question came to mind and I promptly voiced it. “How did he die?”

“A couple days after he returned from his trip out here, he got very upset and started taking it out on his secretary. She didn’t take kindly to it, snapped, and fought back. Normally, whoever kills the king can claim the title, but Gaston had a rule in place preventing any secretaries from being able to claim the title.”

Another griffon spoke up, looking at me. “We looked over the requirements for becoming king, and realized that there’s actually no laws requiring the ruler to be a griffon.”

A couple pieces fell together for me. “And you wanted to see if I’ll take up the title?”

“If you turn it down, that’s alright. We will not pursue anyone who refuses.”

I didn’t have to think long on the offer. “I’ll turn it down. I’m fine with what I have here. What if one of you takes the role?”

Garrison turned to the griffon who had made the implicit offer. “How about you, Ironbeak?”

“Me?” Ironbeak asked in response. “Nah, nah. I couldn’t do that.”

“You’d be really good, though. You’ve always been the more diplomatic one out of us all, at least when we’ve had the chance.”

“But I don’t know anything about economics,” Ironbeak firmly protested.

Before I knew what I was doing, I had raised my hand and said, “I know a bit about economics.”

Silence permeated the area around us for a bit before Ironbeak turned to me and said, “Go on.”

“If you cut down on cumbersome rules and restrictions, then more businesses will appear and grow. Cut taxes down by a lot and that will give more spending power to the citizens. Allow them the freedom to build and choose, and things will get even better. It won’t be an overnight fix, but it’s a good path.”

“So, just do the things Gaston didn’t like, right?”

“So long as you don’t impose on the populace very much, stick to your promises, and maybe give some encouraging speeches, things should just go upwards.”

Garrison spoke up. “All in favor of setting Ironbeak in charge with this new knowledge when we return?” Ten talons went up in agreement. “Congratulations, Ironbeak, you have been chosen to be king. Since you’re a royal guard like we are, you have no escape.”

Ironbeak put his head in his talons. “Can’t I back out of it at all?”

“Nope. At least you’ll have ten good friends to help you on the way.”

“Ten? Wait, are you leaving us, Garrison?” a different guard asked.

“After things are set and going, yes. I have. . .” I caught Garrison looking at me briefly. “Matters that I’d like to pursue here. This is an interesting little town, after all.”

Deep in the Party Planning Cave, a pink mare looked up from her party cannon maintenance. “Things are going to happen,” she said in an ominous and happy voice before going back to the cannon maintenance.

“That’s. . . One way to describe Ponyville,” I admitted. “Is there anything else you need from me?” As I surveyed the group, I caught myself looking at Garrison a bit longer than the others.

“I just want to say how nice this place is. It’s not extravagant like a castle, it doesn’t boast about anything, it just feels comfortable, like a place you can really relax at. The staff are wonderful, the food is amazing, even without being smoked, and everything’s just so nice. It makes me wish I could live here.”

“Well, I could arrange. . . NO. Bad thoughts, bad thoughts! Even if he would be an excellent. . . NONONO! Brain, why do you torment me like this?” The image from the dream of him holding and keeping me warm in the cold came to mind. “As nice as that looks, I don’t want it. No no no no-”

“Are you okay, Miss Xiao Long?”

Garrison’s concerned question snapped me out of my thoughts and made me realize I was looking at him. I looked away before quickly answering, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just got a bit, umm, distracted there.”

Ironbeak elbowed Garrison. “Looks like she’s-”

I quickly turned on Ironbeak. “Finish that sentence and I will make your time as King a negative amount.” In the silence that followed, I realized what kind of threat I had levelled in my emotional moment. “I’m sorry!” Without another word, I ran off, heading upstairs and to my room.

Some time later, after crying myself to sleep in shame, not even having taken off my work clothes, there was a knock on my door, waking me up. “Who’s there?” I asked through the pillow.

“Searing,” was the answer that came. “I have something that might help you.”

“Bring it in.”

The door opened and Searing entered. “Wow, you look like a wreck. I don’t know whether to give you this delicious apple cider or not now.” I slowly sat up and reached for the mug, which Searing pulled away. “Ah ah ah, tell me what’s got you so flustered first, then you get the good stuff.”

I looked at her in disbelief. “Really?”

“I know how to make this stuff evaporate in front of you, so start talking.”

After looking at Searing a bit longer, I flopped back onto the bed with a sigh. “Nobody’s out in the hallway listening, right?”

“Just us two girls up here.”

I spared a glance to the closed wardrobe before making my confession out loud. “I think I’m getting feelings for Garrison.”

“What kind of feelings?”

I took a moment and a long sigh before saying, “Romantic. And I don’t like it.”

“Aww, that sounds so sweet. What’s not to love about it?”

I sat up long enough to glare at her after her pun before flopping back down. “What’s not to love? I’ll tell you what’s not to love: I used to be a guy, interested in girls. Now put the pieces together.”

Searing was quiet for a bit, during which she set the mug of cider down. “So, it’s not the species difference that’s getting you?”

“It is, just a bit. It’s that whole other thing that’s really getting me, though.”

“Hmm. Have you tried coming up with any positives?”

“Huh?”

“One thing I’ve learned in my travels is that focusing on one negative is a good way to ruin your mood. So tell me one positive thing you can think of about him, related to you, no matter how small.”

I took a breath and the dream came back to mind. “Well, he can keep me warm when it’s cold.”

“Oh?” Searing teasingly asked.

“It was a dream! I don’t know if he actually can or would. And it was just cuddling. Nothing else.”

“Hmm. Alright, cider’s yours.”

The closing door signalled Searing’s departure, and I sat back up. The mug of cider was right there on the nightstand, waiting for me. I brought it up and took a long sip. “Hmm. Not the hard stuff.” A moment of contemplation followed. “Oh well.” I drank some more of it. “Probably better that way.”