“This is so fucking stupid.” Colton said as he adjusted the bright pink bag on his back.
“Keep your fucking voice down, the infected are everywhere.” Aramis whispered furiously as their group of three skulked down the street.
“It’s not my fault we only had two normal bags!” Philip complained.
“Why did I have to have the pink one though? It fits you better.”
“Because I have mine and Aramis called dibs on the other! Just deal with it, alright? We’ll find you a new one... Maybe.”
Colton mumbled something under his breath, but stopped complaining. They walked down the street in complete silence, stopping every few moments to avoid a passing infected or two.
“What’s in these bags anyways?” Asked Colton, shrugging his shoulders.
“They are empty silly! How else would we carry the stuff we find back? In our hands?” Philip said merrily, chuckling to himself.
“True. So we’re looking for clothes and guns at a mall?”
“Um, there weren’t any gun shops in that mall the last time I checked. But clothes have a one hundred fifteen percent chance of being found though! So many clothing shops!”
“Tyler’s gonna be pissed.” Colton warned, “What about the security office? Think they’ll have anything?” He hefted his weapon as the mall came into sight.
“Is security detail even allowed to carry weapons when on duty?” Philip wondered out loud.
“No idea, but it can’t hurt to look.”
“We’re here! Gallery Lafayette, in all it’s looted glory!”
“Are you saying it’s empty?” Asked Aramis, skeptically looking at the mostly intact store.
“Oh no! Just the actual stores. The warehouse in the back is still full though... I think.”
“Let’s just get going.” Colton walked ahead of the group, his M1911 gripped firmly in his hand. Their group had approached near the back of the mall, hoping to sneak their way in. Colton took point, walked forward and grabbed the door handle. He looked towards Aramis, who nodded in response. Quickly yanking the door open, Aramis whipped his M9 Beretta out, prepared to unleash a wave of lead on whatever hellish nightmare was going to rush out of that open door.
Cadence sat on the large table in the conference room, upstairs in the warehouse, swinging her legs and twiddling her thumbs in boredom.
Tyler was standing by the window, leaning on the wall and occasionally glancing out the window through the blinds. He said nothing, and he wasn’t even looking at Cadence. Occasionally, he glanced at the kids, but didn’t so much as turn in her direction.
She spent most of her time looking at him, and looking down at her thumbs. “So... What’s your story... How did you get here with Phillip?” Cadence asked rather unsure of herself.
“I don’t really feel like talking.” He responded, still not looking at her.
“And why not? You made me talk while I’m fully naked, why?”
“Because this is my warehouse, and my hideout. I don’t have to talk if I don’t want to.” He replied stoically. He spared a small glance at her, but it was a more of a glare than anything else.
She was getting frustrated. At least she was trying to mend things for calling him a Stallion Cock Hopper. She just would have to try harder.
“So are you and Philip partners?” she asked out of total innocence.
For once, his expression turned to one that wasn't anger. More like disgust. “What?” He asked with an upraised eyebrow, “That guy? No fucking way man!”
“So, you like stallions still though, right?” Cadence asked with a small smile, eyes glinting mischievously.
“Where the fuck are you getting these ideas? And why the fuck are you calling men ‘stallions’?”
“Why do you hate me?” She asked, getting straight to the point.
“I never said I hated you.” He had gone back to looking out the window, with his usual stoic face.
“It didn’t need to be said! Why do you hate me?!” She complained, and dropped onto the ground.
“I don’t hate you. I just mistrust you. A lot.” He was back to glaring at her again.
“Well why do you mistrust me? Everypony else loves me, and I have given no grounds for mistrust!” She hit the table with a fist.
“Shut up for a second.”
“No!” She said rebelliously, “I will not shut up! Not until we clear the air.”
“I said shut up!” He hissed and looked out the window.
Cadence walked forward and grabbed his arm and he twirled to meet her.
“I said SHUT UP!” Tyler screamed, face flushed red with anger as a sudden scream echoed from outside. Cadence shivered. “Listen very carefully. When I say shut up, it means shut up.” The screaming continued, and was followed by a large banging noise.
“Alright, there are some infected outside and they heard us, now, will you please shut up.” He whispered through clenched teeth. “Keep quiet and they’ll eventually go away.” Tyler finished with a huff, walking back to the window and looking out at the commotion.
“I-I... I’m sorry.” She whispered with a nervous stutter and walked back to her spot on the table. She hung her head low and listened to the infernal screaming and banging coming from outside. Her head jerked up when there was a small tap on her leg, and she looked over to see Andy looking up at her.
“I’m Andy.” He said, holding out his claws. She tentatively reached forward and grasped it back, moving her arm up and down.
“I’m Cadence. Nice to meet you.” She let out a small smile.
“I saw what happened out there. With the infected, I mean. Are you okay?” He asked with concern, despite his body and face being covered with numerous cuts and scratches.
“W-well yes, but what about you? Are you okay?” Cadence reached a hoof out to touch his face and but before she did, a powerful grip grabbed her wrist and yanked it away. She looked up to see Tyler looking at the kid.
“Tyler, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know how the infection works on those who are immune, but you don’t want to come into contact with it. You can get it on your skin, but that’s still a no-no.” He shook his head sadly, and gave the kid a look of sadness, “Sorry kid.”
“It’s okay, I understand.” Andy gave a smile, “I know how it works.” Tyler walked back over to the window, still keeping an eye on the commotion.
“Is he right Andy?” She looked at him with glistening eyes.
“Yeah, it’s fine. He’s right you know, my dad got infected from my mom. I know how it is.”
She looked at the colt. She could feel how much love he had to give. But in the moment of things, she had, had to let this feeling to love and cherish go. For the first time in her life, she rejected her true feelings and let logic go forth.
“I’m sorry.” Was all she could bring herself to say. He smiled again.
“It’s okay.” Cadence was so confused. How could this poor little colt be so happy? With everything that was going on, he was just so... content.
“Are you sure?” She asked uncertainly.
“Yeah, it’s okay.” He smiled again and walked over to his sister. Cadence looked worriedly at him.
The door swung open and out rushed... nothing. The inside hallway was empty and devoid of life.
Aramis breathed a sigh of relief, “Well better empty than trying to fight those fuckers.”
Colton resumed point. “Damn right. Doesn’t mean the place will be empty though. Move quickly and quietly.”
“Um, I think I forgot to load my gun guys. Wait a moment.” Philip said as he stopped and started fumbling with his pockets taking bullets out.
“Damnit Philip hurry it up.” Colton stated angrily.
“Sorry! Sorry!” He fumbled a bit more with the gun and closed the chamber. “There! All set.”
“Come on then.” Colton moved quickly into the building, scanning his surroundings quickly. “It’s clear. Let’s move.”
He took point, with Aramis guarding the rear. They quickly cleared the long dark hallway and reached the door at the end.
Aramis tried to open the door and noticed it was locked. Pulling on it with more force did nothing either so he pulled out his M9 and shot the lock, blasting the door open from the force.
“Are you fucking stupid?!” Colton loudly whispered at him.
“What?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders.
“Are you trying to draw all the infected here?!”
Aramis rolled his eyes, “Did you have any better ideas to open the door?”
“Not now I don’t.” He rolled his eyes.
“Um, we could have always just break the lock with something that doesn’t make so much noise? Right?” Philip asked.
“That would have been better than shooting it. You’re lucky none of them heard that.” Colton shot a glare at Aramis.
“Oh relax, will ya? We’re inside a fucking warehouse, noise ain’t gonna leave this place that hard.”
“It’s still not a good idea to take any risks.”
“Hey, I think there was an electronics shop in the mall. Maybe we will find something useful like a GPS or something! I think...” Philip said, looking around.
“We’ll see. Let’s focus on what we came here for first.” Colton slowly opened the door, his pistol drawn in front of him. The room was dark, and he took a tentative step inside, his eyes flicking back and forth as he scanned as best he could. “Okay, I think it’s safe.” He made a motion with his hand and stepped further into the room, the others following closely behind.
“You’d think that it would be all lighted up and stuff, right? Well, I have a flashlight here! Check it out! It even has a magnet in it!”
“Uh, Phillip?” Colton asked curiously.
“Yeah?”
The lights of the warehouse slowly flickered to life as Colton stood next to a switch on the wall.
“Oh... okay then.” He sighed and tucked the flashlight bag in one of his pockets.
“That flashlight might still be useful though. If we find some batteries, make sure you keep some on you.”
“But I got a spare few! Look!” Philip took out a bunch of batteries out of another pocket. “I think most of them are spent thought...”
“Still, keep that handy. Now let’s get what we need and get out of here.”
“How many of these boxes are labeled?” Asked Philip glancing around.
“I don’t think any of them are.” Responded Colton.
“Oh... okay.”
Cadence was sitting on the table again, observing the foals as they sat on the floor together. Tammy was reading a book to Andy, but he showed no signs of even hearing her. He just looked at the opposite wall with a blank stare. Tammy eventually noticed what he was doing and simply closed the book, got up and walked over to Tyler.
“So, what do you feel about Cadence?” She asked him, whispering to assure that Cadence didn’t hear.
“Don’t trust her. She’s not telling us everything, and she doesn’t know the severity of the situation she’s in.” Tyler responded, leaning in.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that she doesn’t have memory loss. She’s obviously faking it, or at the very least she’s lying to us.”
“Hey, what’re you guys talking about?” Asked Cadence with a curious tone, cocking her head at them.
“Nothing that concerns you. Just wait until Philip get’s back with some clothes.”
“Is this how you spend your time?” She asked with a deadpan tone that was obviously meant to be sarcastic. “You just talk and look out the window at the infected?”
“Yes.” He deadpanned back, “Yes it is. If you don’t like it you can leave.” He gestured towards the door.
She looked at him once more, that pain of rejection closing in on her throat. “Look! Tell me why you can’t just show some friendship! Are you the only one that wants to die alone in this world! I never hated you and I never will why can’t you just show that you care about somepony other than yourself!” She wanted to hit him, hurt him in some way as she shook with visible anger. Never before had she ever considered hurting anypony.
“You want to know why I don’t trust you?”
“Why?!” She asked waving her hands in the air.
“It’s because I don’t trust those who blatantly lie to take advantage of people.” He glared at her.
“Wha... what? How could... How... Could...” She stood up and walking over Tyler. She did the only thing she knew how. She kissed him.
Tyler recoiled briefly in shock before he roughly grasped her face and shoved her off, watching her slam into the table before falling to the floor in a heap. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Slowly, she weakly rose onto her knees before crumpling once again onto her face, tasting blood on her lips. She weakly looked at him with glossy eyes, struggling to pay attention to what he said as her vision was surrounded by thick black rings.
“Oh shit.” He said in a disgusted tone. “Tammy, get the fucking medkit. It’s downstairs.” The girl nodded and took a step forwards before she was interrupted.
“Theres no need to grab anything...Tammy...” Said an eerily calm voice.
“Why, look who’s back.” Tyler said indignantly, a sneer on his face.
“What did you do Tyler!?” Philip shouted, his usual happy demeanor gone, a scowl clear on his face.
“Artie’s girlfriend tried to make out with me.” He said with a glare directed squarely at Aramis.
‘I will be fine... I will be fine...’Cadence thought as she tried to fight the feeling of closing her eyes and letting the world fade.
Aramis looked at Cadence worriedly before fixing Tyler with an equal glare, “Says the hypocrite who goes on talking about trust...”
“She kissed me. I pushed her off, not my fault she can’t help not being friends.” Tyler was still glaring at him.
Philip kneeled down by Cadence’s side. “I think we need the medkit. Um... Tammy, was it? Go get it.”
“That wasn’t a shove.” He began evenly, “You fucking hit her so damn hard she’s bleeding, dumbass!” Aramis growled near animalistically.
“I shoved her, I never hit her. She’s bleeding cause she hit the table. I don’t trust her around me. She’s been blatantly lying to you this whole time, and yet-"
“And whose fault is that, asswipe?!”
Cadence groaned, ‘I’m not lying... I’m not lying...’ the rings around her sight seemed to fade a little.
“Where is that damn medkit Tammy!?” Philip shouted downstairs.
Tammy leisurely walked around, “I’m trying to find it!”
“It’s downstairs.” Tyler motioned out. “Take Philip with you, no one goes downstairs alone.”
Aramis walked up to Tyler and looked him dead in the eye. “Apologize.”
“Fine. I’ll apologize once she stops lying.”
Cadence groaned loudly before speaking, “No... he... has no need to... say sorry...” She had started to understand most of what they were saying now.
Aramis’ eyes burned angrily, “He does. Regardless of what happened, he pushed the line too damn far.” he said before looking at him again, “I'm not going to ask you to a second time.”
“It’s okay... When I kissed him I found out why he refuses to trust me... or any older woman for that matter.” She grabbed the table and let it help her stand up.
“Oh great, she’s a fucking mind-reader now. Tell me, what the fuck did you manage to get out of my head from kissing me?”
“I’ve had enough of your fucking attitude!” Aramis yelled, grabbing Tyler’s shirt before slamming him into the wall, fist held at an angle. “If you don’t apologize right the fuck now, I’m going to beat you so fucking hard, I’ll leave you in a coma.” he threatened with a snarl.
“DO IT! It would be better than spending another day in this fucking hell.” He spat at Aramis’ face and laughed.
“Aramis! Tyler! Stop it now!” Cadence felt like she was going to faint but it had to be done. “I’m going to tell about that woman if you don’t stop!”
Tyler froze. “You wouldn’t dare.” His eyes narrowed dangerously. “You wouldn’t fucking dare.”
“I got it! I got the medkit guys!” Philip and Tammy stopped as soon as they breached the door to the room. “Uh...” Philip coughed into his hoof.
Aramis still glared at him before he felt a soft hand wrap around his fist. Turning around, he was surprised to be face to face with Cadence.
“Please? It’s important to Tyler that you stop.” She looked at Aramis, then at Tyler.
He let go of Tyler’s shirt and allowed him to drop to the floor.
“You tell anybody, and I mean anybody... and I will kill you.” He threatened, glaring at her with his dark brown eyes. “I’m not fucking kidding.”
Aramis spat on Tyler’s face, “And if you so as much touch a pretty hair on her head, I will fucking murder you!” he yelled in the other man’s face.
“Fine you do that.” He briefly turned his face to Aramis for a brief second before looking at Cadence again. “Don’t tell anyone.”
She looked away. She hated the thought of blackmailing somepony to be friends, but it had to be done. “I won’t, your secret is safe with me.”
“Good. Now, would you please get this bitch some clothes?” He waved his hand at her and stormed out of the room.
Aramis growled. “Cunt.” he muttered as Tyler left.
Cadence looked at Aramis. “What does that mean? Cunt?”
He gulped nervously, pulling at the neck of his shirt as he thought about it. “Well um...” he began as he fumbled for words, “Its the word for uh...female genetilia...but is used more as an insult in today’s society...or during sexual activity...” Aramis explained, his face increasingly becoming a darker shade of red.
“O-oh...” She blushed as well.
“Can I come in now?” Asked Philip nervously, waving his hand through the doorway.
“Yes,” Groaned Aramis, smacking his face. “You can come in.”
“Alright!” He said, moving in and dropping the bags on the floor. “We got plenty of stuff! Shirts, socks, panties, skirts, pants, so many things!”
“What are panties?” Asked Cadence which made Aramis blushed even harder.
“Their undergarments to keep you clothed and warm.” he explained, as he began to rift through the pile of clothes they got for her.
“Oh... Could you leave while I get dressed?” She looked away from Aramis, covering herself up again.
“Sure thing.” Aramis said as he and Philip stepped out of the room, waiting patiently as he heard her try to get dressed. Suddenly there was a loud thump and the sound of groaning.
“Uhhh, Aramis?” She called out.
“Yeah?”
“Could you help me get dressed?”
He sighed quietly as Philip gave him a supportive look, patting his back.
“Sure.” Aramis said as he tried not to blush when he stepped in, not prepared for the sight in front of him.
Cadence was sitting on the floor, a bra strapped to her chest lopsidedly, while a short sleeve blouse was halfway on her arm.
Aramis shut the door behind him and laughed loudly, holding his sides painfully.
“What?” She made a frown, it turned into a smile... he was almost as good looking as... ‘What am I thinking?’ Cadence shook her head, and mentally kicked herself.
"I’m s-sorry, it’s too funny!” Aramis responded, laughing and weakly pounding the wall.
“Are you being a ‘cunt’ now?” She asked with a cute smile.
Aramis immediately collapsed on the ground again, laughing even harder.
“Are you okay?” She reached forward and poked him.
He kept on it for a minute before he calmed his laughter and took a shaky breath, “Y-yes... Just hearing you use a swear word with that smile and how goofy you look right now was... Too much.”
“Well, at least somepony here knows what happiness is.” She couldn’t help but think of how sweet he had been to him.
Aramis sat across from her and looked at her curiously, “Somepony? Why do you keep using words like “Stallion” and “Somepony” instead of “Men” and”Someone”?”
“I uh...” She looked around the room. “Can I get dressed first?”
“When are you gonna explain yourself, Cadence? I’m not going to get up in your case, but they're things about you that are making me really curious about who you really are.” He said as he stood up and offered her a hand.
Tyler stormed downstairs after he had left the room. He didn't care if he was breaking his own rules, it didn't matter right then. He leaned against a large box and let out a deep, aggravated sigh. He pinched his nose and took a deep breath to try and calm down.
It didn’t work. Without warning, he slammed his fist into the crate, breaking the weakened wood, and the splintered wood cut into his hands.
"Christ dude, calm down." Tyler spun around and looked at Colton with an angry glare. Colton simply threw his bright pink bag on the ground, metal clunking coming from inside. "The security office at the mall was generous."
Tyler opened the bag with his good hand, a small grin playing across his lips. "Guess you guys aren't completely useless after all. You’re my new favorite person.”
"Whatever. I needed to prove we can pull our own weight, so I did.”
“You rock man. Did you get me a rifle?" He opened the bag and began to root through the guns.
"There were none, sorry. It was a security office, not a military outpost."
“Ah it’s cool man. You got some new guns, so that makes you okay in my book.”
Colton simply shrugged and crossed his arms.
“Well Tylie, sorry to disappoint, but mostly there were empty shells and stuff. Took it all. But hey! I got a cool new holster!” Philip turned to the side, showing off his new black holster on his hip.
“Don’t call me that. Screw you.” Tyler remarked.
"You count up what we gathered yet Philip?" Colton asked.
“Not yet, I’ll get on it!” He walked away, almost bouncing.
Colton shook his head and turned back to Tyler. "So, anything happen while we were gone?”
“No, not much. Artie’s girlfriend tried to make out with me, attracted some infected. Yeah, stuff like that." He waved his hand around.
"We should get that hand fixed up before you get your ass infected somehow. Where's the Medkit at?"
“Aramis has it upstairs tending to the bitch.”
“Why do you hate her so much anyways?”
“I never said I hate her, I just don’t trust people who lie/blackmail others.” He opened and closed his hand several times, making sure it wasn’t broken.
“Whatever. I'll be back in a minute." Colton made his way upstairs and quickly opened the door to the conference room.
“Okay, the bra goes on this way.”
“Wait, what? I don’t understand.” Cadence furrowed her brow in frustration.
He sighed. “Just look at the mirror as I put it on, okay?” Aramis aligned the cups with her breasts and slowly pulled back on the straps, latching all three on before patting her shoulder.
It was at this moment that the door opened and Colton walked in. Aramis and Cadence stared awkwardly at him as he glanced at them, picked up the Medkit and left the room. Cadence coughed into her claws.
“Sooo..."
Aramis blushed as he picked up the underwear and held it up to her, “This is very easy. Have you ever worn a bikini?”
“W-well yes I have but...”
“What is it?” He took a step back.
Cadence lifted her claws and wriggled the ones on the end. “I’ve never had these before. How do you use them?”
“Those are called “hands”, Cadence. Do you want some help?”
“Well.... Yes.” She blushed even harder.
Aramis walked behind her and wrapped his hands in hers, “Bend over and lift one of your legs.”
“Fine...” She began to bend over. Then stopped. “Well don’t look cunt-er.”
He sputtered and blushed deeply as he felt her crotch press against his jeans and prayed to whatever gods were out there that he didn’t get a boner. Aramis slipped Cadence’s panties on quickly, dropped her leg and backed away, the blush still bright on his face.
“What’s wrong? Am I doing it wrong?” Cadence asked, turning around as she played with her panties, her thumbs hooked around the band as she stretched it while trying to find out what was making Aramis so flustered.
Aramis pulled his shirt neck, “Um...I...uh...” he felt short of breath as he tried not to openly gaze at her lower abdomen, despite the fact she had been naked for hours. Taking a breath he coughed, “It’s just a bit uncomfortable watching you play with your underwear when you were naked for hours, alright?” he said as he grabbed a pair of jeans and a skirt, “Which one do you want to wear?”
“The skirt looks easier to wear.” She motioned towards the article of clothing.
Aramis nodded and held out the black skirt to her. She tentatively grasped it with one of her hands, her fingers taking in the feeling of the fine silk. "Think you can try and get it on yourself?" He asked her. She nodded and slowly began to put on the skirt.
After a short while and some minor struggles, she had managed to finally get the skirt on properly. "I did it!" She shouted with glee at her accomplishment. It was then that Tyler walked in, hefting a new pistol in addition to his glock. His one hand was wrapped heavily in bandages. He didn’t spare Cadence and Aramis a glance as he looked out the window. Assessing whatever was going on outside in just a moment, he left as quickly as he came.
"Does nobody knock anymore?" Aramis pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration and went over to his bag of clothes. Fishing around, he found a black long sleeve shirt with orange accents on the shoulder blades and sleeves, “I think this would match with these long black socks.”
“Oh yes! I love to match.” she cooed excitedly.
“Here you go then,” he said as he handed it to her.
“Thank you, Aramis...” She felt herself blush. ‘Where did that come from?’
“Phillip! I need your help.” Aramis called.
“Yeah mate?” Said Philip popped out of the door, without knocking of course.
“We gotta fit her with a pair of shoes." He gestured to Cadences sock covered.
“Sure thing!” He chirped and disappeared before bringing back about fifty pairs of shoes. He dumped them unceremoniously on the ground.He then promptly left them alone.
“Really man?” Called out Aramis, sending out a glare.
“Yup! She’s probably thirty seven. Have fun!” He called out merrily as he made his way for the door.
Aramis grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him back, “Oh no you don’t! You’re going to help me find her pairs of shoes.”
“Fine...” After he was let go by Aramis he plopped on the floor and started going through the pile of shoes. He sifted through the pile, sorting out the shoes that were obviously too large and throwing them in the corner where they would gather dust and never be used again.
Aramis took a seat next to Cadence on the table, “So, you liking your new clothes?”
“Yeah, they’re pretty warm. I still don’t see how you haven’t developed fur coats yet.”
“Huh? What are you talking about, Cadence?” He asked with a puzzled expression.
“Silly Caddie! That’s not how evolution works! We lost fur a long time ago! Like a really really long time ago!” Philip exclaimed, throwing a rather oddly shaped shoe into the corner with the rest.
“What do you mean? Why would you give up fur coats, they’re so practical. And what’s evo-loo-shun?” She tried to pronounce the last word, struggling on it.
“Because when we got clothes, we didn’t need fur anymore! Simple! And it’s pronounced ev-uh-loo-shuhn!” A pair of shoes found its way to a small pile with usable footwear.
Aramis took a look at them as he picked out a pair of dark purple sneakers with black skulls on them, “These look pretty sick, huh?” he asked, holding them up to Cadence to see.
“Why would they look ill? Does that mean they look bad?” She cocked her head at him.
“Silly Caddie! That means they look good!” Another weird shoe went into the corner. Seemed like a match for the previous one.
“Do they look nice in your opinion?” Aramis asked her.
She did like the purple, though the skulls were odd. Why would a pony put that on anything? ‘Not pony... why would we put those on anything?’ “I do like the Purple...” She made herself stop after that.
He set the pair of shoes down next to her. “Well, then that’s settled for now. We’ll pick out more shoes later on after we go scavenge for some food. We all need to keep in tip top shape if we’re gonna be any good at surviving out there.” Aramis said as he brushed forward his short dark hair.
“Alright.” Cadence agreed. “Say, is there a restroom somewhere?
“Sure is! There is one by social room in the back of the warehouse! First floor, that is. There is a toilet there. No idea how the plumbing still works though.”
“Oh okay... I think I need to... you know.” She blushed once again.
“You should probably put those shoes on before you go.” Aramis suggested, wagging the shoes in his hands.
“Okay.” She kneeled down and put them on, looking confusedly at them.
He smirked, leaning down as he tied her right shoe, “Look closely and try to copy after me.” Aramis said as he tied it.
She cocked her head a little and brought her other foot forward, and tried what he did, but her inexperience with her new dexterous fingers wasn’t quite one-hundred percent yet and all she ended up doing was tangling the laces together.
“Uhhh, Aramis? How did you do that?” Cadence blushed once again. She was being such a burden.
He chuckled, “I’ll show you using your hands.” Aramis said as he gently grasped her hands in his, slowly tying her shoe by guiding her fingers and hands.
“How do you use your fingers so easily? Why don’t you just use magic instead?” She looked confusedly at Aramis again.
Aramis chuckled, “Well, we humans aren’t adept at magic. We just simply don’t possess such a trait or skill.” he explained frankly.
“Well then how do you build things? You couldn’t possibly have made this whole place with just your hands.”
“We have big cranes!” Philip butted in from the floor.
“You’ve tamed giant birds?” She lifted an eyebrow in skepticism.
Aramis laughed, “Cranes are machines that can lift several tons of weight and carry a lot of the materials one would use to build a building. Their design is modeled after the crane bird though.”
“Oh.” Cadence blushed for what must’ve been the thousandth time in an hour. She just kept embarrassing herself. She coughed into her hand. “So do you have any idea why Tyler pushed me off of him?” Cadence asked, trying to change the subject.
“Philip and I weren’t really there to see it, but from what I could hear, the prick was just agitated. I feel bad I left you here alone with him though...” he admitted, looking away from her with a neutral expression.
“What happened anyways?” Asked Philip,
“Well, I was asking why he hated me, and he said that he didn’t... That he only didn’t trust me because I was “blatantly lying.”
“And were you?” Aramis asked, cocking his head to the side curiously.
“No I wasn’t! I just... May have... You know... Not told the truth.” She replied sheepishly, nearly whispering the last part in the midst of her embarrassment. .
He took a deep breath and looked her dead in the eye. “Cadence.”
“W-what?”
“You need to everyone here the truth. I’m a very easy going person, but if there’s one thing I can’t stand for, it’s gotta be dishonesty. Right now where in a situation where loyalty, honesty, and brotherhood are the only things anyone can count on. Without one, you can’t have the other two.”
“The t-truth?” She asked nervously.
“Yes, the truth.” Aramis said.
“W-well... It sta—”
“Not until everyone is in this room.” he said before turning to Philip, “Get the kids and the asswipe.”
Philip spoke, “What about Colton?”
“Him too.”
He nodded and ran off to get them promptly before returning with them.
“Can I go to the bathroom before I explain everything?” Cadence chuckled. “I uh... Yeah...” She trailed off, letting the context of her words explain themselves.
Aramis nodded, “Take your time, Cadence. Just take a breather if you need to. If you don’t keep a cool head, I can guarantee you this will be nerve wracking.” he warned as she walked past the group, looking at the ground as she hurried past Tyler.
He didn’t spare a glance at her.
Cadence hurried into the bathroom, which she had little trouble locating, leaning down over the sink as she splashed cold water on her face, trying her hardest to steady her breathing. As she stood back up and looked at her reflection, she nearly jumped when it gave her a sarcastic sneer.
“What? Cat got your tongue?” Her reflection spoke back to her with a jeer.
“W-what?” Was all she could stutter out. “H-how... w-what?!” To say Cadence was completely shocked would be an understatement.
Her reflection laughed at her, “You should have see the look on your face!” she teased before gasping and placing a hand in front of her mouth, “Oh wait! I can!” The reflection said before copying her expression with the same enthusiasm and mannerism.
“W-who are you?” Cadence gasped in shock and brought her new hand to her mouth, “Are you me?”
She giggled like a schoolgirl, “Did you already forget me, Caddie?” Her reflection said with a sad pout, silver-purple eyes tearing up with rejection.
Cadence froze when she heard her own reflection call her “Caddie”. Only Philip calls me that. Then it all clicked in her head, “You.” she said with a venomous edge. “TAKE ME BACK!” She demanded, pointing a threatening finger at her reflection.
“Oh, you want back so soon?” She said in surprise. “I thought you loved it here on Earth.”
“NO! It’s dreadful here! I almost died the first few seconds I was here. You promised me a place where I wouldn't be sad anymore!”
She looked at her sad and whined. “But you aren’t sad! You’re terrified for your life, scared of everything around you, completely clueless about the world around you, and you’ve already garnered the interest of one of those humans!” she pointed out joyously.
Cadence blushed momentarily before her anger returned in full force. “I don’t care! I just want to go back to Shining! I am the Princess of Love, and I order you to take me back, this, instant.”
“For the Princess of Love, you’re not very loving at all ya’ know.” Her reflection pointed out honestly, nearly laughing at the infuriating look Cadence flashed her.
“Stop playing games with me!” She slammed her palm onto the counter, producing a sharp smack which startled her reflection. “I want to go back, right, now.”
“Well, well, well. I see that this could be a problem later on.” Her reflection lost its cheery demeanor, “But first off, no. I will not send you home. I am rather enjoying the amount of chaos bleeding out of this situation. I’ve never felt so alive.” Cadence narrowed her eyes.
“Chaos?” Cadence leaned closer to the mirror. “What does that mean?”
Her reflection smirked as she leaned forward herself, “I love chaos, just as much as my daddy. Gods! The way it seems to roll of you and those pesky humans is simply to die for!”
“D-Discord? He’s your father?” Cadences eyes widened a bit. “He had a daughter?!” She stepped back in revulsion. “With a pony?! That’s disgusting! Discord must have been a horrible dad.” Her reflection laughed.
“Well I don’t see what’s wrong with that.” Her reflection drew back as if struck. “At least my father and mother were kind and loving unlike yours.” Sneered her reflection.
“D-don’t talk about my father like that. He loves me very much!” She was beginning to tear up. “M-my dad loves me, probably more than yours.”
“Is that true Cadence? Are you really, really, sure that he loved you? Because, oftentimes the ones we lie to most, are ourselves.” Her reflection grinned sadistically. “Don’t you remember the days you would wake up, to find your father waiting outside your room, holding his belt just waiti—”
“STOP!” Cadence screamed at the mirror and slumped down across the wall, close to breaking down. “P-please s-stop.” Her breathing was heavy and erratic.
“You call your father a saint, and say that he loves you, but he doesn’t.” she said snidely. “All he ever did was just abuse you, and you still loved him, but he didn’t love you. The only activity he ever looked forward to that concerned you was beating you until you cried, until you begged for it to stop.”
“N-no.” Cadence was about to break down. “S-shut up!”
“Why? Your father was just a dirty low-life who—”
“I SAID SHUT UP!” Cadence screamed at the mirror.
Her reflection jumped back in surprise, not expecting her to openly rebel her as she had done. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
“Cadence, you okay in there?” Came Philip’s voice, laced with concern. “I heard yelling.”
Tears ran down her face, but she dare not make a noise about it. She sucked up her chest and tried to sound happy and chipper. “I’m fine... Perfect actually. Just need a bit... a bit...” She tried not to sob. “Longer.” She finally managed to spit out before feeling her body shake. She looked back at the mirror.
“Awww look who’s “okay”. Why do you care about those humans, all of them hate you.”
“That’s not true!” She felt her body shake in rage and sadness. “You’re a liar!”
“Caddie? Who are you talking to?” Philip knocked on the door again.
“I just want to go home.... I just want to go home.... I just want to go home...” She cried, falling to the floor. She felt her mind wanting to fall away.
“Caddie, what’s going on in there?” Philip asked.
“Just... want... to.. go...” Sleep seemed to call to her.
“Caddie, are you sure you’re okay?”
“I promise I won’t make any noise, daddy... I promise...” She curled up into a small ball and fell away from the world
“Cadence?” Philip asked quietly. “What’s wrong?”
Silence.
“P-please, I said I would be quiet!” Cadence whimpered under her breath and scuttled away from the door. “Please... daddy I just want to go home...”
Cadence’s mirror image watched the pitiful heap on the floor. “Well... That’s new.”