//------------------------------// // Chapter 34 // Story: The Mask Makes the Pony // by kudzuhaiku //------------------------------// The verticality of Canterlot was a welcome sight for Flicker as the train pulled into the station. This was a place of harmonic order; well defined right angles against the skyline and efficient use of what space there was. Canterlot was many things to many ponies, but for Flicker, this was home. Patient, he decided to wait for others before he decided to disembark from the train. He turned a cool stare upon Hennessy, aware that he was staring, and noticed how the colt was made out of all soft angles, which stood out in sharp contrast to his own body, which was all hard angles. For Flicker, this was like an awakening. He had been doing it without being aware of it, but now that he was aware, now that he had awakened to the possibility, he allowed his mind to wander in a cautious manner, but refused to think of Hennessy in a lewd sort of way. That would be disrespectful and crass. Hennessy was like looking at a sunrise, or a sunset; pretty, but Flicker never truly understood the appeal—except that now, he did. His brain suggested that there was something to be said about colours and soft curves, indeed, there was a lot to look at. For the first time, Flicker noticed that Hennessy was a bit, well, effeminate. The way he talked, the way he moved; awakened to all of these new thoughts and sensations, Flicker took them in so that he could make sense of them. “Flicker, are you aware that you’re staring?” Piper asked. After a few seconds, Flicker nodded. “Yes, Miss Pie, I am perfectly aware that I am staring. I have lain claim to it, and it is mine to stare at for my own satisfaction.” “Mister Nicker…”—Piper hesitated a little as she thought about what to say and she squirmed in her seat—“a claim of ownership might be—” Hennessy elbowed Piper in the ribs. “Don’t go a ruining this for me. If there’s something I don’t like, I’ll say something. Flicker… Mister Nicker takes care of his possessions and things that are his. I ain’t bothered by it.” “I just don’t want anything bad to happen,” Piper whispered, “there is so much tension right now. It was like Doctor Sterling and what he said to Madam Pakora, about how others might get the wrong idea if a unicorn says they have a claim over an earth pony… tribal tensions.” “Actually, Miss Pie brings up a good point. You might have to share me with Madam Pakora. I like her, she’s really nice, even if I don’t understand her.” Hennessy smiled, and it was like the clouds parting to reveal the sun. “I can share you with Madam Pakora. I don’t mind.” With a slow swivel of his head, Flicker looked at Piper. “Honestly, I don’t see what the big deal is. Marriage is just a very kind word for ownership. My parents own each other and remain in a mutually advantageous relationship that benefits the both of them. It is a social contract of the utmost importance. Marriage is perhaps the most important institution our society has.” “I think… no, you… I am almost certain…” Piper stammered, blinking, and her ears drooped. “I can’t make a good argument against that. Every word you said is true, but it sounds very cold and calculating.” “I am cold and calculating.” “Murder Mountain is a bit chilly, Mister Walker, I would bring something warm.” Piper turned to look at the colt sitting beside her. “We’d better get going, our car is emptied out. Flicker…” “Yes, Miss Pie?” “I was about to say… that you should treat Hennessy as you would a lady, but then I thought about what you did to me when you helped me suit up… and that time in the shower when you mauled me with the scrubbing brush. I’m not sure what to say now.” Hennessy let out an almost coquettish giggle at Piper’s words. Making a smooth gesture with his foreleg, Flicker said to his companions, “Ladies first.” It seemed that he had returned in time for organised chaos. A procession of plague doctors, suited up and wearing masks all filed into the big, blocky building that the guild called home. Flicker’s mind recalled that a plural of plague doctors was called a ‘parliament.’ Also, the guild seemed to be having its sign changed, which concerned Flicker just a tiny bit. The parliament of plague doctors were carrying with them a large crate covered in biohazard signs, signs that mirrored Hennessy’s cutie mark. Looking at the crate made his rat-sense tingle in a weird, unknown manner. Flicker eyed the crowd and saw an appropriate level of fear, which he found reassuring. Ponies kept their distance and remained respectful, which was good. Flicker, head held high and with an almost martial cadance to his gait, approached the door a bit more, then waited for the rest of the parliament of plague doctors to file inside. Leaning against the wall, he saw the new sign that would replace the old one. Ministry of Plagues, Pestilences, Diseases, and Magical Maladies. Frowning, Flicker wasn’t sure how he felt about this. He knew that change was coming, but that sign was a mouthful. And the word ministry… it stunk of bureaucracy, and bureaucrats were just rats in fancy suits, living off of the fat of the land without doing anything particularly useful. There was a fine sense of history to the very words, ‘Rat Catcher’s Guild.’ Flicker could not help but feel that something important was being squandered in the change and already, he didn’t much care for it. There wasn’t anything he could do about it either. The colt let out a sigh and thought about how times were a changing. “I did not expect to see you return so soon.” “Doctor Sterling.” Flicker turned around to look at the doctor, who stood near the gate that lead to the back entrance. “I am fit for light duty. I can study, take exams, and the like. Any more lazing about would just be wasting time.” One silvery eyebrow raised. “Also, Doctor… I need some help… I have a cutie mark problem and I need some sorting out.” The doctor sighed. “Flicker, I am very relieved to hear you say that. I’ll speak to some ponies I know and you’ll get the help you need. I am very, very proud of you for coming forward like this. It takes courage to ask for help.” The bushy eyebrow lowered. “That’s a nice coat, Mister Nicker.” “Thank you, Doctor Sterling. I had Rarity, in Ponyville, make it for me.” “A few days ago Wicked lost his mind and began cursing wildly while shouting your name. Would you happen to know anything about that?” Doctor Sterling had a very visible smirk beneath his mustache. Worried, Flicker shook his head. “Go in the back way and go to your room. Miss Pie, Mister Walker, welcome back. Wicked will probably come looking for you soon, Mister Nicker.” The doctor shuffled closer to the sign, but did not look, and kept his attention upon his apprentices. “Right.” Ears low, Flicker headed for the gate that lead to the back entrance, with Piper and Hennessy right behind him. “It is good to see you again, Doctor Sterling,” Piper said as she passed. “I’ll be coming up later to examine the two of you,” Doctor Sterling replied. “Spud, you are looking well. Glad to see you back.” “Meow.” Piper’s single bed had been replaced with a bunkbed. Flicker supposed that it didn’t hurt anything, but it somehow made the room feel smaller. Perhaps another apprentice was coming. More trunks had been added, big trunks, just like his own. Hennessy had one, and it had his name engraved on a brass plaque, and so did Piper. Yep, the room felt a lot smaller now. “The room feels cosy,” Piper said as she stood near a small table that had been placed in the corner, along with some cushions to sit on. “This needs a tablecloth. I think I’ll get us a tablecloth. And maybe some curtains.” “Can we get something with flowers? Something in yellow?” Hennessy turned his big, soulful eyes on Piper and did his best to look both irresistible and pathetic. For extra effect, he whimpered a bit. “Fine, fine, we’ll go shopping together and find something in a nice floral print.” Piper shook her head and waved her hoof at Hennessy as she whined, “Just… stop looking at me like that. Stop that!” “Miss Pie…” “Yes, Mister Walker?” “There is something I’ve always liked ever since I saw them in a fancy store window…” “And what’s that, Mister Walker?” “Lace doilies—” Flicker let out a ragged sigh of exasperation and began to break down his coat to something more suitable to wear indoors. “—they’re just so fancy. Do you think we can get some?” Piper’s lips pursed as she ignored Flicker and gave thought to Hennessy’s words. “Well, I don’t see why not. Not sure where we’ll put them, but I am positive that something can be figured out.” The filly crossed the room, her eyes on Hennessy, and her horn glowing. With a blast of magic, she set Hennessy’s mane in order, giving the colt a perfect slicked back coif. “There, that’s better. The wind ruined your glorious mane.” Piper and Hennessy both turned to look at Flicker, and Piper began sizing him up, her horn still glowing, and her lips puckered into a thoughtful pout. Flicker, whose mane was half missing after the fire, and was missing an eyebrow, was a sight to make eyes sore. After a few seconds, Piper realised that she could do nothing for her scowling, glowering companion but keep her distance while hoping that everything grew back. Loud, dreadful snores came from Spud, who was now sound asleep on Flicker’s bed. Flicker, his ears perking, crossed the room in a fluid series of movements. Reaching his trunk, he lifted the lid of his trunk so that he could have a look inside, his eyes wide, twitching, and manic. He let out a low, shrill whistle when he saw the two scabbards and the leather belt with brass trim. He lifted one a little, undid the snaps, and pulled out a blade to have a better look. Beautiful perfection. Flicker held it aloft, mindful of his companions, and he didn’t behave like a foolish colt, waving it around like a feebleminded idiot. He lifted the scabbards and belts to have a better look, and realised that the leather sheath was lined with a sheet of brass to keep the blade from cutting the leather. The leather itself couldn’t make up its mind if it was dark, ruddy red or brown, and had a pebbled texture to it. He slid the blade back into its sheath and put his swords back into his trunk. After one final look, he closed the lid. “I think you looked happy for there a moment,” Piper said to Flicker. “I saw it too,” Hennessy added. “There are things that make me happy… like my sister.” Flicker wasn’t sure why he felt so defensive, but feel that way he did. “I’m not used to having companions or roommates,” he blurted out. “For the past year, I’ve been mostly by myself. They have to keep the younger apprentices away from the older ones because of hazing, bullying, and abuse. Bad things have happened, but I don’t know what. Wicked wouldn’t tell me, he just kept me by myself.” Crossing what little bit of space there was, Piper moved to stand a bit closer to Flicker. “It all happened right after I got my cutie mark. It was all I had… all I was. Rather than be lonely, I just… buried myself in my training. Rather than cry at night because I was alone, I’d stay up until the still hours of morning whacking on my training dummy with a heavy wooden sword. I just focused on what I would become, rather than what I was feeling. I thought if I just gave into what I was meant to be, it would make everything better. And I guess it didn’t.” “Flicker, I’m sorry…” Piper moved a little closer, and looking a little fearful, she brushed up against Flicker’s uninjured side and then leaned up against him. Closing her eyes, she rested her head against his neck and stood there. “Rather than be afraid of my older peers, I grew hard and mean. On those rare occasions where I did get messed with, I left them in a bloody heap on the floor… because I spent so many nights swinging a heavy wooden sword all night long. The only pony who was even sort of my friend was Moonlit Gambit, and if he tried to be nice to me, all he got was shit on by his own crap-sucking peers. And… I… just… don’t… know… what… happened…” Flicker panted out his final words and then his jaw clenched shut. “Things will be better now… shh… just let it all out if you can.” Piper’s low whisper was soothing and soft, like a favoured foalhood blanket. She stood beside Flicker, who was much larger and bulkier than she was, looking very much like a smaller sister trying to comfort her bigger brother. Flicker, distraught, stood there as still as a statue and did not make a sound.