Study Sessions (Part 1)

[sharpwit]

Golden Scales trotted along the ragtag group of creatures as they walked into the Royal Library, a familiar sight to him. He had spent many an afternoon in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns studying in the vast facility, sweating over the ancient tomes in preparation for the dreaded exam days. However, rather than bring comfort to the stallion, these memories only made Golden more anxious- the sharp contrast between the bustling library he knew from his training days and the haunting emptiness of the current environment brought chills down his spine.
Sharp's voice broke the unicorn out of his pensive thoughts. "You may have a point, Riptide. Agent White, do you happen to have any knowledge of temporal magic?" the Inspector asked, pointedly ignoring Golden.
The unicorn shook her head. "I'm afraid I'm rather specialized in my field, Inspector," she admitted. "Even if I did, I'm using most of the energy I have on keeping us concealed."
"Lovely," Sharp sighed, pressing his hoof to his forehead. "Very well, Primeval will just have to keep us posted on whatever she finds. In the meantime. I think we'd better keep to the subject at hoof. I don't suppose you could locate the Starswirl wing for us?"
Primeval nodded and focused her attention to the front. "Starswirl the Bearded Wing, ahead by 300 paces," she stated, moving forward almost mechanically.
Golden took the opportunity to trot up to the grey pegasus. "Sharp, what's going on?" the unicorn asked, exasperated. "First, I find you in your apartment with the strangest bunch I've ever seen. Then, you throw me out of the apartment and don't let me back in till the lot of you are done discussing whatever it is you've been discussing. Now we're here, and you still haven't given me a straightforward explanation, or even made eye contact!"
Sharp kept facing forward. "I'm sorry Golden, but perhaps its best you keep to yourself if you insist accompanying us," the stallion said flatly. "It's all very hush-hush, you know, very secretive. Things that you should keep out of, to be honest."
Golden growled in frustration. "For Sister's sakes, Sharp! You've been colder than a Windigo's breath these past few weeks! I've put up with it because I thought I could help you, but I'm starting to think that I'm mistaken!"
"Perhaps," Sharp said quietly, "it would be best if you kept out of my way for a while."
The older stallion's eyes grew wide in surprise before he turned away from his partner. "If you think that's best," he shrugged coldly. "I'll be with the rest of the platoon, if you need me."
Sharp didn't even bother turning around as his mentor began his calm trot back outside the library. Captain Jack, noticing this, flew up to the Inspector in curiosity. "Marital strife?" he asked teasingly.
"Very funny," Sharp snarled. "For your information, this is for Gold's own good. He'll be safer with the others. For all I know, I might have just saved his life."
A sudden slamming of the library doors made everyone turn to the front of the library to find Golden barricading the entrance. "Uh, guys? We have an issue here!" the unicorn yelled. "The changelings are on their way here!