Things picked up relatively quickly again for the stallions. From one event to the next. Dawn’s transition and day out had left room for Dawn and Acidic to relax. Elixir having returned home the day before what Duskfall and Soundwave had to attend to. For the day after Dawn’s transition, Duskfall and Soundwave would finally meet Mayor Solar Wind V. The fifth Solar Wind in a long line of Mayoral family members. They’d also be accompanied by the Unicorn Sweet Lime. Covet Dawndrop’s shattered form representing the mind. The day started fine for the most part. Duskfall and Soundwave waking up as Duskfall took a quick peek outside from his window. Seeing no sign of bad weather or even clouds.
“I could’ve sworn we were leaving summer behind” Duskfall said to himself, being slightly surprised that there wasn’t at least a cloud in the sky. Soundwave didn’t respond. Not because he was angry or upset. But, instead, it was due to him almost falling back asleep. Duskfall looked back at the almost back asleep Soundwave and trotted over. Shaking him back to full consciousness as Soundwave groaned. Flopping out of bed with a thud a moment later. “I didn’t realize you were so snug” Duskfall chuckled to himself. With Soundwave looking up with a slight smirk on his face. “Well, when the bed is so comfy, why would I bother to do anything else but sleep?”. Duskfall rolled his eyes with a smile as he then trotted into the bathroom. Both of them brushing their teeth and using the morning to shower and eat their breakfast; like their friends would usually do over at Cluttered’s. It was almost uneventful; say for Soundwave almost flooding the bathroom and Duskfall rushing in to try and stop the water.
About thirty more minutes passed by as the two then made their way to the library. The pair having dried off from the shower relatively quickly as they both entered the main part of the town. Passing by the last street as they noticed somepony already standing outside of the library. As they got closer, they finally noticed exactly who it was. It was the one who wanted to accompany them. Sweet Lime. Sweet looking away from them and at the seaside he’d just traveled down from as Duskfall and Soundwave approached. “Didn’t think you’d be here early!” Duskfall chirped, making Sweet jump slightly. Then turning around to see the pair. “Well, the others are just across the road. Sour and Acidic are going to Canvas Corner with Cluttered so I figured I’d use that to detach myself from them to come here. Obviously, I explained before but, it was just perfect timing” Sweet then explained, seeming to almost have an ounce of annoyance in his sentence.
“Well, it’s nice to see that you thought of us during that” Soundwave then said, still somewhat tired, but obviously appreciative of Sweet. With a turn of the doorknob, Duskfall, Soundwave and Sweet Lime entered the Library. The daylight breaking into the perpetually black space as bookshelves finally saw the light again. “You should really ask about the window situation. I get preservation but, like, is it necessary to shy away from the light, too?” Sweet then asked the pair as he trotted behind the pair of them. The pair rolled their eyes somewhat, but Soundwave agreed eventually. “I mean, yeah some light could be good in here” he replied. To which Duskfall seemed slightly annoyed. “And have light ruin and possibly fade the colours from the books we have? Not a chance” he then responded. This making Soundwave and Sweet look momentarily at each other. Sweet almost mocking Duskfall through mimicry before Duskfall turned around and huffed at Sweet. Sweet holding back some laughter as the three of them continued through the library.
As Duskfall and Soundwave sat down, they went to talk to Sweet once more. This time, about the plans for the day. Sweet, however, seemed to have gone missing. “Oh goodness… Where’s he gone now- WHOA!” Duskfall then exclaimed in surprise. A large thudding sound could be heard from a book slamming down onto the table. It looked relatively old; with heavy dust permeating the cover. That’s when the assumed missing Sweet sat down. “I figured some light reading couldn’t hurt. Only about one thousand pages in here I estimate. Can’t hurt to start!” he said aloud with optimism. Duskfall and Soundwave looked at each other, however. Then glancing at the book. Duskfall first asking “Sweet… Do you really consider this light reading?”. Sweet nodding as Soundwave then asked him another question.
“Do you even know what this book is about?”
“Nope!” Sweet then replied; an absent-minded smile on his face as he opened the book. Both Duskfall and Soundwave launching their faces into the table somewhat as Duskfall quietly added on “Oh boy…” before he got back up. Soundwave getting his face off of the table as he responded to Sweet with the book’s title. “Dude… That’s Penultima. Specifically, Bound by Time. It’s a love story. One of the most popular here in Buckgrove. We’d let you borrow it, but you’ve borrowed about a million books already” he said, Sweet frowning a bit as he didn’t seem interested in their answers. Rather, he looked at the chapter list. “Why do they all have dashes… Like this Chapter. It’s supposed to be Chapter five so why is it Chapter Five dash One?” he then asked. Duskfall and Soundwave looked at each other, slightly confused. That was, until Duskfall explained. “Well, each part of the chapter was supposed to represent a journey. Imagine each of the dash chapters to be one full chapter. Chapter one dash zero was the prologue. Chapter two dash zero is the first Gear of Time’s- Wait, why’re we explaining this? You’re not borrowing it!” Duskfall then interjected his own explanation, using his magic to swipe the book off of Sweet before Sweet could pry any further. “Hey! I was busy” but before Sweet responded, Soundwave interjected. “If you don’t like it, then consider returning the books you don’t need! It’s not like you can’t have it in the future. Just return the books you already have!” he then responded, with Sweet rolling his eyes in large annoyance and Duskfall putting the book back on its shelf.
After about a moment of huffing and being visibly annoyed at the book being taken away, Duskfall sighed before finally breaking the said tension in the room. “So” he began. “Let’s get the plan established. Sweet, you stay quiet and wait in the lobby whilst me and Soundwave try and speak to the Mayor”. "So, I’ll be just… Waiting?” Sweet then asked, slightly upset as the other two nodded. “It’s not you. It’s just that we work better as a pair, rather than a trio. That doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate you though. Rest assured the fact you turned up at all is great!” Soundwave then responded, trying to reassure Sweet. Sweet looking for a moment at the pair before he simply sighed and nodded, saying “fine” through mumbled disappointment.
The rest of the morning consisted mainly of the odd pony or two trotting in and out. Looking for books they could borrow, with Duskfall, Soundwave and Sweet helping to find the books they wanted to borrow. More than once, the halls felt like a marathon as the books ponies wanted weren’t always obvious. It was a tedious task sometimes, to be sure. “Gosh, we should really also mention possible upgrades to the building. Like a basement! For records, since ours aren’t reliable” Soundwave shouted out after he helped the last pony before lunch. Duskfall and Sweet sat down as Soundwave flew back to the table, they all hung around at. With a sigh, he folded his wings as Duskfall then said “I think it’s time we headed off. It’s nearly lunchtime” as Sweet felt a rumbling in his stomach. “A whole lotta nothing really has me starving” he muttered, slightly surprised but also being the first to get up as he then semi-shouted at the other two. Eagerly saying “Come on then! Let’s go to the shops or something for lunch. Quick and easy before your mayoral meeting” as he waited for a moment. The other two slowly getting up. Duskfall, waiting for Soundwave to rest a little before the three then headed off into the town. An hour left before they had to get themselves to the town hall. They weren’t going anywhere far anyways, so there was no harm in closing the library until after the meeting. Duskfall easily locking the doors again as he did one last surveillance check around the library for any other ponies beforehand.
The trotting around the town lasted about ten more minutes as the lunchtime hour hit. Ponies flocking around them, also aiming to get some lunch before they had to go back to their workplaces. It took a surprising amount of time for the three of them to find a shop that wasn’t crowded, finding one lone shop out on the seafront. Conveniently, it was relatively close to Mocha Motel, so the three of them decided to use that as a place to also get a drink or two. However, they decided to at least get food from the shop. They ended up choosing some basic sandwiches, those being some cheese sandwiches with sauce, and a snack on the side. Sweet choosing a donut and the other two essentially following suit. Although the three got slightly different donuts. Sweet got a simple glazed ring donut. Sugar coating it. Soundwave chose a nice chocolate filled donut. Whereas Duskfall chose a strawberry jam filled donut. It oddly fit all three of them in their own ways. Chocolate resembling how energetic Soundwave usually was. Strawberry Jam resembling Duskfall’s supportive nature in regard to his sister. With the Glazed Ring donut representing a new life for Sweet. He hoped in his mind that he could still avoid the royal life. He’d done some thinking about Sour’s words and feelings. He semi agreed with them to an extent. He didn’t mind it if they all inevitably had to go back to living in Coltney Castle. But a part of him wished they could just live normal lives and stay secreted from the world. Even thinking about it as he waited for Soundwave and Duskfall to deal with the purchasing of the food.
Moving away from Sweet’s thoughts as Duskfall and Soundwave finished up the purchase process, the three headed to Mocha Motel. Wind from the ocean blowing in their faces somewhat. It was relaxing, to Sweet anyway. Duskfall and Soundwave seemed more annoyed than relaxed as the three then finally trotted up to the door of Mocha Motel. Opening it and sitting down near the entrance on one of the tables. “That wind nearly blew our lunches away!” Duskfall proclaimed with great annoyance. Sweet held back a slight laugh as Soundwave chimed in. “Right? It almost blew me away! I always forget Pegasi are lighter than regular ponies” he added on, making Sweet finally break his laughter. The other two immediately shooting confused daggers at him as Sweet then went on to say “Sorry… But the sea is a nice place! The wind wasn’t annoyed, you two are just nervous” as Duskfall apathetically simply responded with “if that’s what you wanna believe” before Sweet was given his lunch. Mocha working at the counter and not noticing the three until he looked up. “Duskfall? Is that you dude?” he asked, making Duskfall perk his ears up as he looked at the barista. “Oh, here we go” Soundwave muttered, opening his sandwich box to eat as the stallion came over.
“I haven’t seen you two in a while! How’s everything been?” Mocha then proceeded to ask Duskfall and Soundwave. Prompting a conversation that felt to Sweet as if it were hours. But in reality, it was minutes. The conversations being uninteresting to Sweet given the topics. Although one did pique his interest. It was in the middle of almost zoning out that he could’ve sworn he heard Mocha talk about seeing lights outside of the city. “What did you just say?” Sweet then asked, his interest sparking. “Oh, about the glow thing outside the city? Yeah, I don’t know what it is. It’s freaky though. Almost familiar in a way. It was closest to the mountain, but still. It’s nothing to worry about. Probably just some silly adventurer” Mocha responded. But Sweet knew all too well what it was. Instead of worrying the other three about it, he decided to simply pretend he had no knowledge of it. Simply going “oh” in a disappointed tone as he went back to eating.
“Well, it’s not like the queen does anything nowadays. She could send some guards to look into it” Duskfall then suggested, making Sweet ponder for a second. He’d heard of this queen. Her name being Queen Tidal. But he never saw any royal guards… Or any fancy castle… Or even any flags for the land of Ceyonait. But then he reasoned this with the fact they probably weren’t in the biggest of locations within the continent. Almost being a grape to the apple of the capital in his mind. After Mocha left the table and resumed with his barista work for ponies coming in for their lunch coffee, the three exited. Their stomachs somewhat full and the two library workers somewhat nervous. Nevertheless, they all made their way to the City Hall. Where the Mayor resided. As soon as they entered, they saw that the lobby was once again empty. Say for the same desk worker that Sweet and Duskfall had seen. Trotting up to the counter, Duskfall then spoke. “Hey, we’re here for our appointment that we made to see the Mayor?”. The desk worker didn’t speak at first. Instead, going through his list and simply responding with “Yeah, Mayor’s thatta way” as he pointed to the large door to their right. “Although the Mayor won’t sit here and accept your request. Hope you know. He’s too busy concerned with important things” the desk worker then added on. Making Soundwave and Duskfall look at each other. Before Sweet spoke up and responded with “Well, it’s a good thing it’s more important than whatever you’re doing. Come on you two” as he proceeded to trot on off to the door. The desk worker glaring as the other two simply trotted off behind him with their nerves being slightly shaken. When they closed the door and proceeded down the hallway they were in, Duskfall spoke up. “Did you have to sit there and respond?” as Sweet simply nodded. “Obviously. Nopony deserves the kind of sass he was giving. So, I responded in kind” he then responded. Soundwave and Duskfall heavily disagreed but remained silent for the most part. That was, until they finally made it to the room they were meant to be at. Chairs lining the wall as Sweet sat down. Coincidentally, he sat in the chair closest to the door. Soundwave and Duskfall looked at each other once more, before Duskfall simply said “We’ll be in this room for a little bit. Feel free to go out whilst we stay in this building” as they both finally entered. Sweet getting a mere glimpse into the room as the pair entered and closed the door behind them.
Inside the room, the walls looked pale yellow. Say for the blue carpet. It was a very greyed and dark blue. Almost Prussian in colour. But less saturated. Infront of the two sat a singular stallion looking down at some paperwork. His mane matched the carpet almost perfectly as his eyes darted up. The Azure Blue eyes observed the pair as his yellow coat made the eyes contrast well with his body. “Yes? Take a seat. Duskfall, correct?” he then said aloud as he put his papers down. Observing the two. The pair took a seat in their respective chairs as Duskfall finally spoke. “Yes, well, that’s me. Thank you for allowing us to see you” he said, with the Mayor looking sort of phased out of the conversation. Him then pulling out some papers from a drawer in his desk and putting them in front of him. Moving the previously observed papers to one side. Then pushing a few toward the pair. “Your letters were ignored because the cost would be too great. We’re not a goldmine and you certainly need to manage your expectations. That library is going to be demolished anyway soon for a grand hotel in my great-great-great-great grandpop’s honor!” the stallion then exclaimed with great enthusiasm. Duskfall and Soundwave however, looked horrified. “But sir, your ancestor built that library! Surely, we could-“ but Soundwave, as he tried to speak, was cut off. “I don’t want to hear such nonsense! My ancestor would’ve wanted this! Our town needs to be thriving with the future! Not stuck in some boring literatures past! That stone is ugly, the library is dusty, and the books are so old. You won’t change my mind!” Solar Wind interjected, leaving the other two almost stunned and speechless. At a loss for words as their proposal wasn’t even considered. “We’ll… Leave then” Duskfall said, disappointment in his voice until the three in the room heard a deafening shout.
“NOT UNTIL YOU CONSIDER THE PROPOSAL MAYOR!”
The three looked to the door, dread hitting the other two as Solar Wind asked “Might I be curious and ask who just released such a stupid yell in my office?”. When Duskfall and Soundwave looked to the door, they saw none other than Sweet. As he trotted in and in between the other two. “What’re you doing?!” hissed Duskfall as Sweet looked at him for a second. Before he directly turned to the Mayor. “Now where do you expect the colts and fillies to go if they want to go to the library! It’s the only one in town! It’s a basic resource we all deserve Mayor! You can’t just build a hotel over it! The kids will only have school to go to for books! Besides, think of the other ponies. The reading days, the archives of knowledge just oozing from the books that you’re willing to THROW AWAY!” Sweet then very loudly said. Making the Mayor incredibly annoyed. “First you enter my office, then you interject in our conversation! I said NO! THAT’S my final answer! Now get out! The three of you!” Solar Wind then shouted out. With Duskfall and Soundwave physically having to lift and carry Sweet off as he shouted many an expletive at the Mayor. Both angry with Sweet, with Sweet angry at the Mayor.
Once the three had gotten Sweet out of the building and the three finally crossed over to the library, Sweet was tossed onto the floor as Duskfall, filled with anger, shouted. Asking “Why’d you go and do THAT?!” as Sweet seemed confused. He knew he had to wait, but he responded with “Well I overheard the conversation! He shouldn’t have dismissed the proposal right off the bat! It’s INSANE!” as Soundwave sighed with annoyance. “Yes, but you barging in didn’t help things now, did it?” he then asked Sweet as Sweet then looked down slightly and huffed. “Don’t huff” Duskfall simply added on as the pair sat down. Sadness filling their gazes as they looked around. “We worked here for three long years… It’s just bonkers that he wants to get rid of it…” Soundwave then said, almost giving out a sigh as Duskfall responded back. “Yeah, but there’s nothing we can do I suppose. He’s more concerned with how many Ceyan he can make. Not about the wellbeing of the youth… Or the average pony” as Sweet finally got off the floor and huffed once more. The three staring blankly for a few moments. Until Soundwave then said “let’s start getting out the boxes then” as he began flying to the back of the library. Duskfall following as Sweet pondered. How could somepony be so inconsiderate!? It reminded him of… Himself. Back when he went by Covet. It was a slightly cruel, but necessary final wake-up call to how he used to be. He hadn’t thought about the past until today. But he had become completely different. Almost new. Almost as if Covet ceased to exist in his mind the longer he was separated. He almost sympathized with Sour. But if the three of them didn’t reform, they’d most definitely not see the sunrise on the day Dallasite and Arcane returned.
After about a moment, the other two finally came back. Their hooves filled with boxes that they placed down. “Well, tomorrow we get packing I suppose” Duskfall said, sighing as he put his down. Soundwaves shortly following as the three then exited the library. Electing to close it early. “I’ll write a notice to all the ponies who joined our reading hours about the unfortunate news. Sweet, you better head off home” Soundwave then said, both Duskfall and Soundwave bidding farewell as Sweet headed for the beach to simply sit down for a while. To let his thoughts simmer for a bit as the day passed by once he got lost in his thoughts. Heading back to Cluttered’s house as the sun began setting. The day ending on a negative note to say the least. Sadness invading as he felt like he’d disappointed the other two. But the hourglass was dripping, and the clock was ticking. He couldn’t ponder on his thoughts forever. They’d be out of time soon, and Sweet dreaded the day once it came to catch up to him.