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The Golden Armor

by Comet Burst

Chapter 20: Quality Time

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To Valyrie, time seemed to have little meaning in Canterlot castle, particularly when she was with Comet and Angel. While she was sent to Equestria as punishment, it felt more like a vacation. Days of repetitively guarding the princess's prized phoenix, Philomena, just blurred together. It wasn't a job, it was fun. Angel made everything lively and entertaining, putting all her effort into making every other being happy. Comet, who had considerably warmed up to her, tried to maintain his stoic and cool demeanor while around them, which often saved the day when a superior officer came around.

Still, life wasn't all about work. Free time for the guards meant hang out time for the trio, often going into town together, playing card and board games, playing with Philomena or just a day of sleeping. As time passed, the other guards took notice of the trio and often made snide comments behind their backs, particularly about Comet. "Did'ja see that guy with the gryffon and bat pony? Can't keep his fetishes private, huh?" was a popular backbiting remark.

Being a gryffon and used to cruel remarks, Valyrie had easily shrugged off any comment made about them. Of course the other guards were jealous of Comet who got to hang out with a beautiful bat pony and a voluptuous gryffon like her every day. However, Angel often had a hard time dealing with the bat pony remarks she got, particularly those about foals. Comet merely shrugged off rumors, opting for his trademark silent mood, but secretly he did get upset about them, especially when one rumor went around that the only reason he was around Angel and Valyrie was because he couldn't satisfy a regular pony mare. That rumor quickly got quelled by Valyrie, saying if he could keep her happy, then he was four times better than the average pony.

Still, rumors eventually faded and life just kept moving onward. Soon, the warm sun began to set earlier and the temperature began to drop. Talk about the big event of the year, the Grand Galloping Gala, began to circulate in the castle around the same time. Almost every pony, including Angel, was bubbling over with excitement. For days, Angel went on about how it was the biggest party of the year, how she would polish her armor for the event and who she would meet. Comet just kept on being a guard, quiet and stony, but offered insight to Valyrie since she had never heard of the event.

As the weeks passed, Angel slowly became more of a night guard than a regular guard. She was sent out more often on escort assignments, posted at stations that lasted later into the night and pretty soon, she was even taken off Philomena guard duty, leaving just Comet and Valyrie to watch the tempermental phoenix. In her personal opinion, Valyrie absolutely loved spending time with Comet alone. Many conversations were had to pass the time, often about how gryphon culture differed from pony culture.

"So yeah," Valyrie said nonchalantly, "Most gryphons aren't considered adults until then."

Comet shifted uncomfortably as he contemplated what Valyrie had told him. Apparently, gryphons were a very barbaric group if they needed to fight a manticore to become a full adult. Comet couldn't imagine having to wrestle a manticore, much less hope to win, to simply become an adult in the culture. "Well, uh," Comet began unsurely, "Most stallions here are considered adults when they get a job."

Valyrie chuckled at that and smiled. "Oh yeah, it's also difficult for a gryffon like me to become an adult too."

"What do you mean by that?" Comet asked.

"Well, for a gryffon," she began.

"No, no. I mean weren't you just talking about how gryphons become adults?"

Valyrie tilted her head quizzically and said, "What do you mean?"

"You said 'that's how gryphons become adults.' Aren't you a gryphon too?" Comet inquired, scrunching his face up.

"Of course I'm a gryffon..." Valyrie worded slowly. Comet gave a frustrated groan and turned away, upset at the lack of communication. Valyrie shook her head in confusion, but Comet tried one last time.

"You said gryphons had to wrestle manticores to be adults, but then you said gryphons like you became adults another way. Aren't you a gryphon?" Comet asked, hoping what he said made sense.

Upon hearing that, Valyrie's mind clicked into place and she chuckled. "Oh, I get it! Yeah, I'm a gryffon, but not that kind. You see, male gryphons wrestle manticores. Female gryffons like me become adults another way."

"How's that?" Comet inquired.

Valyrie shot him a seductive look and cooed, "We mate," and Comet's eyes shrank at that. The gryffon busted out laughing and said, "No. Us females become adults when we reach the age and size to bear young gryphons."

"Oh, uh, that's good," he replied in a confused tone.

The rest of the day was spent avoiding another such conversation, centering mostly around what gryphon society was. According to Valyrie, male gryphons were drafted into military service once they had proved themselves adults and spent the next six years guarding against Wyvern and Ursa attacks, patrolling the borders of the Gryphon Kingdom or quelling worker uprisings. The king of the gryphons, Lord Bladebeak, ruled with an iron talon, commanding respect among the gryphons and even being rumored to have intimidated Princess Celestia during a border dispute when the Crystal Empire returned.

Comet found it fascinating to hear about a society not dominated by mares, but admitted to himself he couldn't thrive in such a place. At least, not at first. The day passed quickly and as the sun set, so did the temperature. It would start snowing soon and in the rec room for the guards, a magical fire had been lit. It produced heat, but required no wood and gave off no smoke. Valyrie marveled at the fire since gryphons forsook magic long ago in favor of a code of honor, Gryphido, which didn't allow for the trickery of magic, another tidbit she told Comet while examining the fire.

After the dinner of roasted oats and peeled carrots, Comet sat contentedly on a couch positioned near the fire. The other guard ponies had all gone off to bed and the room was silent. He had hoped to see Angel at some point tonight, but it was quickly becoming apparent to Comet that his bat pony wasn't going to be able to make it. He sighed heavily, wondering what she was doing when a voice broke the silence.

"Hey. Comet?" came a familiar voice. He spun his head around and saw a very timid looking set of gold eyes staring at him along with a glowing plume of white feathers.

"Oh, hey Valyrie," he replied, "I thought you'd be asleep."

"It's too cold in the bunk room, so I got up to get myself warm," she explained, "What're you here for?"

"Well," Comet started unsurely, "I was here to meet Angel, but she's probably not coming."

A tense silence permeated the room as Valyrie's gaze dropped to the floor and Comet watched her. Of course he knew she liked him, especially after that kiss they shared. He was wary of her, mostly because he was committed to Angel, but a small part of him wanted her to sit by him. Without even realizing he was saying it, he asked "Hey, you want to come and join me?"

Valyrie's head perked up and her beak kind of moved to the side, but she slowly started walking over to him. Suddenly very nervous, Comet scooted over to make room for Valyrie and she climbed up into the seat next to him. She sighed contentedly at the warmth that greeted her claws and paws, causing Comet to give a smile. The two sat there in peaceful silence, just enjoying the fire when Comet noticed Valyrie was shivering slightly.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Oh, I'm fine. It's just a small breeze," Valyrie responded with a smile.

"Oh," Comet replied, "Here, switch seats with me. There's no breeze over here." Valyrie protested at first, but another cold breeze washed over her and she reluctantly moved. When she took Comet's seat, she noticed how warm it was and thanked him for it. The orange pegasus smiled gently and the two sat in silence again. Nervous, but hoping to get somewhere with him, Valyrie slowly moved over to him. When she was close enough, she could feel the heat radiating from him and sighed. He would be a good pony to snuggle up with on a cold day.

Comet noticed her sigh and passed a quick glance over to her. The gryffon yawned widely and Comet extended a wing over her, wrapping her with it. Valyrie flinched at the initial touch, but stopped herself and enjoyed just being next to him. Soon, she had fallen asleep on the couch, leaning against Comet and dreaming about a warm color orange. Comet stayed awake as long as he could, trying to keep her comfortable before eventually falling asleep himself in her light and airy feathers.

Next Chapter: Monsters and Gryffons Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 30 Minutes
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