The Accruing Phial- Chapter 3
The next morning, Umbra was awoken by a brilliant shaft of mid- morning sunlight from the high window across the room. It woke him slowly, and he creaked his eyes open, shutting them again as he covered his face with his pillow. He contemplated trying to ignore nature’s wake up call and go back to sleep, but he stole the idea from himself; he would have a very busy day ahead of him planning and buying the necessary supplies for the long journey ahead. Donning his glasses, he dressed himself in his cloak and proceeded towards the stairs. He glanced over at his friend, who was still sleeping soundly in his bed. Somehow, the pillow had become scrunched up between his friend’s horns. Umbra decided to let him be for the moment; they had both been very tired and he probably wouldn’t appreciate being woken up.
As he reached the top of the stairs, his nostrils flared; picking up the scent of frying eggs and toast. His stomach growled impatiently, and he realized he was suddenly very hungry. Thinking back he hadn’t eaten for days. He slowly opened the door, the smell of the delicious food intensifying as he did so. His mouth was practically watering at the thought of cooked food.
He moved across the room, moving quietly so as not to disturb Twilight, who was happily humming to herself as she cooked breakfast in the kitchen. He took a seat at the table as quietly as possible. She turned around, noticing him sat at the table.
“Oh good, You’re up. I was beginning to think your breakfast might get cold” She said, levitating a plate of fried eggs and two slices of toast over to him. Twilight took a seat at the table, levitating her own breakfast over.
“I hope you like eggs and toast!” She said, clearly trying to strike up a conversation.
“Yes. Thank you.” Umbra Responded quickly, and began eating. She levitated her own breakfast up to her face, taking a bite out of the sandwich.
“So…” She continued. “Did you sleep well?
“Yes.”
“Beds comfortable?”
“Yes”
“How was the journey?”
“I guess it was OK.”
Umbra looked up at the unicorn. She was clearly becoming annoyed at his refusal to have any kind of proper conversation.
“Why won’t you talk to me?” She asked, almost distraught. “Did I do something wrong?”
“He’s shy.”
Both Umbra and Twilight turned to look for the source of the voice, although Umbra already knew who it was.
Sure enough, at the top of the staircase was Tyedye, a pillow nestling neatly between his horns.
“He’s shy.” Continued the Pegasus, walking across the room and into the kitchen. “He finds it
difficult to talk to mares”
As he approached, Umbra gave him a long fiery glare that would have had a hydra worried. The Pegasus however, merely walked over to the nearest plate of breakfast and pulled it to the edge of the counter. He hit the plate, causing it’s contents to fly through the air and into his awaiting mouth. The plate continued spinning for a few seconds before landing neatly on the pillow located on Tye’s head.
Twilight did not understand. “Why? What exactly makes me so hard to talk to compared to colts?” She said, trying to understand Umbra’s reasoning.
Umbra sighed. That cat was already out of the bag. He might as well go down with the ship.
“Well,” Umbra said, “Most colts aren’t as... cute as fillies like you.”
Twilight’s cheeks flushed red. “That’s a very flattering thing for you to say.”
“Just remember, we’re friends. Whenever, you try to talk to me, talk to me as friend. Not just another mare.” She said, reaching a hoof across the table and grabbing Umbra’s hoof.
“I…” He began. “I suppose you are. You’ve already taken us in and given us food, neither of which I can thank you enough for-“
She interrupted him. “Then don’t thank me. Just think of me as a friend.”
From that point on, Umbra had a new friend.
After breakfast, Umbra and Tydye had set out into Ponyville with Twilight as their guide. They had toured various shops with Twilight’s help, gathering the necessary supplies for their journey. Their supplies included a week’s worth of food, larger saddlebags and various herbs for Umbra’s alchemy. Their next stop was Carousel Boutique. Twilight approached the door of the grand boutique, it’s various tiers towering above her. Umbra and Tyedye fell in line behind her, as she raised her hoof and knocked on the door. She looked at Umbra and Tye.
“My friend Rarity owns this place. I’m sure you’ll like her.” Twilight said.
“One minute dear!” Sang a harmonious voice from behind the door.
Around a minute later, the door knob glowed a soft baby blue, and the door creaked open, revealing a stunningly beautiful alabaster unicorn with a curled amethyst coloured mane.
“Oh! Hello, Twilight Darling! I wasn’t expecting a visit from you today. She looked past the purple unicorn at Umbra and Tyedye. “Who are your um… friends?
“These are my new friends Umbra Nightshade and Tyedye Tundra”
She replied, stepping to the side so the duo could walk forward and properly introduce themselves. Umbra was first to step up.
“Hello Miss Rarity. I am Umbra Nightshade. He bowed, lowering his head. He backed away, allowing Tye to step forward and introduce himself. Tyedye stepped forward, grinning his trademark grin and offering his hoof. Rarity stared at it in bewilderment, before slowly raising her hoof to meet his, shaking it slowly.
“Now shall we get down to business?” Twilight asked.
“Can we please come in, Miss Rarity?” Umbra asked, taking a step toward the door.
“Why yes! Of course darling!” She said, wandering back inside. “Do please close the door and wipe your hooves!”
All three entered the boutique, taking the unicorn’s advice and wiping their hooves. Twilight closed the door with her magic.
“Now darling, what is it you wanted?” Rarity asked, addressing Umbra directly.
“Umm… two more cloaks, much like the one I have now. Please.” Said Umbra simply.
“May I take a look?” Rarity asked.
Before he could respond his cloak glowed a soft blue colour and unbuttoned itself from his neck, floating towards the alabaster unicorn. She eyed it scrutinously, with eyes narrowed and a hoof held up to her chin.
“Oh, darling this simply won’t do!” Cried the unicorn dramatically. “It needs a complete redesign!”
“But... I like it the way it is!” He protested
“Nonsense! The unicorn said. “I insist.”
“And how much is this going to cost?” Asked Umbra sceptically.
“Oh, don’t worry about the price darling! Any friend of Twilight’s is a friend of mine and I can offer you a generous discount.”
With this she swept him up in a tide of chaos, taking measurements, doing sketches attaching templates to back and shoulders. The whole affair had Umbra feeling very, very, uncomfortable. He felt like he was being forced into some sick experiment. Several hours later, the process was finished.
“You sure do work fast, Rarity.” Umbra commented.
“I’m not even sure what just happened.”
“Why thank you, darling. I do try my best and I take pride in my work.” She said, levitating a box over to him. “Here are your new cloaks, darling. I know you’ll simply LOVE them! Do try one on.”
She removed one of the cloaks from the box, and Umbra lowered his head to allow her to attach the drawstring.
The cloak flowed over his back like water, rippling as it did so. The instant it touched his back, Umbra felt… warmer, somehow. And the fabric! It was soooo soft. He turned his head, inspecting it. The cloak had a multitude of pockets arranged neatly in rows at his sides. All were easily in his reach.
“I saw all the supplies you were carrying around, dear, and I thought you could use some extra pockets.” She said, smiling happily.
“What do you think, dear? Do you like it?” She said expectantly.
“Hmmm…” The earth pony said. “Stylish yet practical, Soft and warm, Plenty of room for my alchemical supplies…”
“Yes. I love it” He said. “I cannot thank you enough for your hard work, Rarity.”
“You are quite welcome, dear. Now do run along. I hear that we both have lots of work to do.” The unicorn said, smiling pleasantly.
Umbra nodded. She was right after all.
It was around noon when they left the Boutique. The trio of ponies spent the next several hours gathering the rest of the supplies needed. Their final destination was a confectionary store known as Sugarcube Corner. As it came into view. Umbra had an odd feeling as they approached; the town seemed strangely abandoned, and the lights were off inside the store. Umbra opened the door to the store. So it is open… He thought. He peered through the door, attempting to let his eyes adjust to the inky darkness. Just as his eyes began to adjust, the lights abruptly flicked back on. When his sight returned, most of the residents of the town had appeared
“SURPRISE!” They all shouted in unison.
A familiar looking pink pony appeared, seemingly from nowhere right in front of him
“Surprise!” She yelled. “Darn. I always do it too late.” She said, disappointed