Winter

"Hah, I'm pretty sure they are a bit young for that. Maybe you should try later... when you are all a bit bigger. AND...." Storm trailed off as she crept closer to Light. "You should watch your weight while you wait!" She exclaimed as she poked his belly and laughed. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding." She said in a fit of giggles. "But you caught my pun, right?"

"It takes a lot more effort than most would think! But yeah, it is much faster than walking. Maybe one day you could get a pegasus to carry you while flying. I know a friend that once did that. He enjoyed it... I think. I am pretty sure he was doing that to get a better view of the area around him..." Storm responded, trying to remember just how the story went. "Yeah, it was something like that. I guess."

"Oh, you aren't too far from there. You must go get new books often!" Storm smiled down at the colt and then looked up to the sky. The breeze was blowing softly and a single pegasus was lazily flying by. "Have you ever gotten books on flying? I know it is a bit out of the norm for a unicorn... but have you?"

"Maybe one day when you are older I could make you one... Maybe I could even teach you what I know! I'm sure I'd be a lot better by the time you were able to! But, er, that is something for another day." Storm looked around and then took a glance at the map she had just got. "So, your house, is it close to the library?"

"Yes, I do enjoy it... I just don't happen to be very good at it. I'm better at making swords than using them. I usually spar with Dunder Blust or Rok Anarch when they come by... Which isn't very often. I haven't won yet, but some day... Some day I will." Storm lifted a claw before continuing. "This here makes it easier for me to grasp the swords, having fingers and all. Yet I still can't beat either of them. I'm guessing they just have more training. I hope that is the case..."

"I got a map of Ponyville, finally, "A Smith's Guide to Steel," and "How to Tame Your Sword." Both look like good books, I think. The first looks like it had a good section on sword smithing in particular, which should help me with doing a friend's order. The other I got so I could learn a little sword play for next time my other friend comes into town." Storm said triumphantly with the books held against her chest with one arm. She looked down at the two books the unicorn was carrying. The two seemed to be a fitting combination: one on fictional characters using magic and the other teaching how to do magic.

The library was impressive, to say the least. It really was a living tree! It looked like the library resided in the tree's hollowed out trunk, which would seem unhealthy for the tree. However, this one was flourishing, growing very tall and having vibrant green leaves. This had to be the work of magic of some kind. "Well, it looks like it is open. Let's go in!" Storm said as she puffed up her chest, strode up to the wooden door, and knocked four times. "Hello? Anypony in there?"

"That would make sense. I'll have to start reading more fantasy soon... Maybe the Battle Mages you mentioned? I could always get something like that with anything else that strikes my fancy. I hope you can find something good, too, once we get there. How far away do you think it is, Light?"

Winter stared confused at Dusty as he slowed and stopped. Just moments ago they had been running what seemed full speed away from the diamond dogs. Was he tired already? As Winter got closer he heard Dusty say he didn't have any idea where they were. This was terribly disheartening news; he was the navigator! If he couldn't do it, nopony could. After Midnight and Muggo' gave their bits, though, Winter felt confident Dusty would be able to build up some confidence and get them out. "We have hurt ponies, Dusty, and you are the only one that can get us out. I'm sure you can do it." He said to the pony, hoping it would help him focus and give him the will to straighten out his memory and get them all out of these tunnels. Though the rest gave Winter and the others a small chance to rest, he still knew they had to get moving soon. He could hear the dogs' trundling steps getting closer and closer.

"I figured as much. I'll look for a mapmaker next time I go to Cloudsdale then. In the mean time, I'll keep my eye open for one down here, if you don't mind. If I can't find one, I'll have to add that to my list of things to search for once we get to the library. What are you looking for in the library?"

"Ah, good. I bet they wouldn't want you getting lost again! Although, I'm sure you'd be much better at finding your way back if you ever took a wrong turn again with your special talent." Storm thought a bit more about the situation Light was in and continued, "Maybe a map could have helped, too. Do you know any good mapmakers around here? I might need one for myself... After we go to the library, of course!"

"Seems a lot of ponies wind up in trouble in the Everfree. I'm glad you made it out alright. It speaks a lot for your special talent, you being able to light up your way out of there, especially as a little colt. Getting lost on the way home and winding up in the Everfree doesn't sound like a fun way to spend your night, though. Do you live by there?"

Storm laughed aloud. "I remember last time I was in the Everfree. I was going to gather some wood and wound up needing a little help. Luckily there were some stallions nearby willing to help." She pondered Light's question before answering, "Well, I like flying a lot. Flying near water is one of my favorite things to do. I also like exploring a bit, but I can't really go too far from home. I still need to keep up with my work."

Storm giggled with Light. "It's funny how many different names there can be for things! I guess it matters more what you call yourself than what others call you, then." Storm paused a second before changing the topic, "Light, what hobbies do you have other than magic and reading?"

"No, no, no, no, I know for sure there are others! There just isn't a place devoted just to us... and I haven't been lucky enough to meet any others yet." Storm responded quickly. "I'd really enjoy meeting another hippogriff. If I ever do I'll have to ask about magic, you've got me curious. I wonder if one that is a cross between a unicorn and a griffon would have a horn and be able to do lots of magic..."

"No, not really... Griffons don't use much magic, only being able to stand on the clouds but not really shape them. I make up for that a little from my pegasus heritage... but not too much. The clouds poof when I try to move them too often, shaping them is a mess, and weather is out of the question. So I'd say hippogriffs don't have much magic, but..." Storm drew out the word "but" as she continued thinking of how she could best finish the sentence. "I'm the only one I've ever met! Maybe I just happen to be bad at it. Oh well... There are other ways to get things done."

"A library made out of a tree?! That must have taken a lot of hard work and time... or magic." Storm came from a background where she was born and raised with very little to no magic around her, so she was still a bit wary of it. Her home had always put value on hard work and dedication, but magic always seemed to make things too easy for her. "How do you think they made it?"

"Oh, I see. The library... do you think you could take me there some time? I'm a bit new around here and definitely new in Ponyville; I'm still trying to work on mapping this place out in my head. I'd like to see what kinds of books they have on crafting here."

Winter struggled to keep up with the other ponies as they fled through the dark cave. It was very under lit so Winter had to constantly scan in front of him for any debris or jutting rock he might have missed. He was surprised when Muggo' started to pull off to the side of the tunnel and got ready to bring him back up to speed before realizing the look on his face. Muggo' had a plan and a smiling look of mischief on his face to match. Winter decided to focus back on himself, the older stallion clearly had his own well being perfectly under control. Winter was taken by surprise when he saw Muggo' start to catch back up with the group, this time his leg bare of both wood and rope. Winter laughed aloud with joy to see the old pony that had previously been injured running now with them like he was of youth and full of energy.

"Ah, that sounds like an interesting series... Do you read a lot, Light?" Storm's imagination got to work and displayed an image before her of Light sitting in a room during a dark night with a little light floating and flickering above his head as he read a book below. She suppressed a smile and looked back at Guiding Light.

(Hehe, alright) "No, I can't say I have. I am not really a big reader... Although I guess I should be. I prefer informational texts with pictures... You know, like reference guides. They can be very helpful in learning new skills. I can't remember the last time I read fiction. So... Tell me, what is the Battle Mages series like?"

Welcome to the herd! AND welcome to Canterlot! Hehe, official welcomes all around ^_^ Have fun here!