//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: All That Lingers 
// by Ice Star 
//------------------------------//

"Can you still do any magic?" Cadance whispered in Sombra's ear as she followed his steps.

"No. I would need my horn for that. I'm barely physical, as you can tell," he responded, voice low as he sidestepped a moon beam.

For them, it was another moonlit night. It was the same hall, and the same two faces: theirs.

"Do you miss it?"

"Not particularly. I was an actor in another, more serious costume — that of a cape and crown. I have never been a sorcerer. Corruption—" he spoke the word with particular disgust, as though there was something about it he wants to dodge, "—was a strange experience for me, but I'm innocent of nothing. We both know that."

She nodded into his wither. "Were you a hedonist in life, then?"

"Maybe as a colt, but I've always been merry. You strike me as one who has had the inclination, no?"

"Maybe I did at one point," Cadance whispered, holding onto Sombra. "I don't know anymore."

Sombra didn't say anything. "Nopony has called you Cadance in some time."

"Just my aunties," she mumbled, looking away. "Twilight, too. I haven't seen her in..."

Sombra raised an eyebrow. "A cousin, I presume? The..." He paused, lost in thought. "Purple unicorn, yes? Poorly styled mane?"

Cadance wondered if Sombra felt her nod. "She's taller now and she has wings and a castle... and everything. Family."

Cadance felt relief flowing throughout her when Sombra didn't respond with another question about 'everything' or what she meant by 'family'. She didn't like answering the second part, not any longer. Even if she did think about it. About him.

"You must have to keep track of a lot of names, then. More than I did. I didn't care much about what I called anypony, dear Pink One."

"...There aren't any servants. Or at least, none in the castle. Not anymore. Not after..."

Him.

"It was a joke. You haven't talked to anypony in a while, have you?"

"No," Cadance whimpered. "Everything feels so cold."

"Perhaps because you're embracing a dead stallion?"

Cadance's laughter sounded too much like crying, but at least Sombra never let go.