[Slice of Life]

This is a continuation of Rambling Writer's A Peck of Peppers (3,165 words, [Comedy][Slice of Life])

A PECK OF SPOILERS: Because of how different species process capsaicin, Gallus barely notices the heat of peppers, and Smolder can guzzle the things. They decide to test Ocellus's reaction, which leads to her taking charge of the group and broadening the experiments. For science.

"So," Smolder sighed. "We're never getting out of detention, are we?"

Gallus shook his head in time with the clock on the classroom wall. "No. No, I don't think so, Smolder. And yet, I am strangely comforted by the thought that this, at least, isn't either of our faults."

Ocellus merely sulked. "It was for—"

Gallus managed to snarl before Smolder could. "If you say it was for Science, I will personally... personally..." He threw up his claws in frustration. "I don't know what. But it won't be nice. I can guarantee that."

"Well, it was," the changeling retorted, unusually petulantly.

"She's not wrong," noted Smolder. "We only knew what effect it had on ponies, not—"

Gallus groaned. "Look. I don't care how much reverence they are held in. I don't care that ponies actually use their names in oaths! Alicorns are still ponies!"

"Well, we know that now," offered Ocellus, hopefully.

"And Princess Twilight was awfully understanding about it, once she stopped screaming," Smolder added.

"Maybe. But Headmare Starlight wasn't. Thus, detention." Gallus spread out his claws to take in their surroundings. "Possibly until the end of time."

It was actually only a month.