//------------------------------// // The Arts // Story: Entwined // by janushyde //------------------------------// Auther's Note, i really have nothing to say I drug my hide getting this updated and that's all there is to it. Any how special thanks go to Xaladin for his help with part of Zecora's dailog. she's my thrid favoret charater on the show but damn is she a pain in the plot to write for at times. Five days had passed since the eventful meeting with the diamond dogs. Aside from giving Twilight even more to ponder about on the early history of Equestria nothing eventful had happened. So she went about her daily tasks. However she had something to look forward to, her first alchemy lesson with Zecora was tomorrow so rather than stay up late stargazing and working on some privet studies that were picked up more for her own amusement than anything else Twilight turned in early for once. While Twilight slept after a lazy day of caring for the library and gearing up for her first lesson in alchemy the next day Nightmare Moon was pondering over a slight dilemma that she had recently come across. I’m not gathering power fast enough. I should be able to tap into the dreams of several dozen ponies at once by now! Yet I can only safely draw from about five or so. This snail’s pace simply won’t do. I need to get a body of my own, that way I wouldn’t have to waste time and energy filtering the power through Twilight’s dreams without risking her noticing what I’m doing. Or any side affects to her either she's far too valuable to lose. She huffed to herself as she stood on the ever shifting ground of the dreamscape. There are two options I can take and both of them require Twilight not only know of my presence but actively wishing to aid me. The first is to simply stop being subtle and just pull the energy directly through Twilight’s dreams and absorb it that way. While it would be quick I don’t know how having that much raw dream magic flooding through her system would affect her. It could be quite damaging and that is not acceptable she is far too voluble to me. She thought sighing in agitation. So it looks like option number two it is then. I need to get a body of my own so I can be free to absorb the magic of the dreamscape with ease. However I lack the power to manifest a form of my own and will for years yet to come at this current rate. So, I need to get Twilight to construct a new body for me so I can possess it and claim it for my own. That will prove problematic as when I leave her body I’ll be not only exposing her to vast amounts of dream magic, but also draining her of a good deal of her own power. Regrettibly it is my only option though so it will have to do the question though is when and how do I reveal myself to her and gain her trust so she’ll go along with this venture? Nightmare asked herself deciding to put the matter aside for the moment so she could rest Nightmare left the dreamscape and returned to Twilight’s mind soon drifting off into slumber. The next morning Twilight awoke bright and early brimming with excitement about the new field of study that she would be taking her first steps into today. It was true that ponies had devised a few magic potions of their own like the famous love potion that was a part of the origin of hearts and Hooves day. Alchemy extended beyond that. Powders of incredible potency elixirs that were said to be able to do everything from re growing teeth to having eliminated the dreaded black plague, and even the crown jewel of the art the creation of golems! Granted only the best of the art were said to be capable of creating such incredible living constructs but the idea was so enticing to think about the only other type of magic know to have mimicked the feat was the rune magic devised by the griffons and gargoyles. Golems, Could that be it? Well they are something of an empty vessel… Hmm, that’s a possibility; I’ll have to ponder this idea to see if I couldn’t make it work for my needs. Nightmare Moon mused to herself Finally managing to get her giddy excitement under control Twilight set about her morning routine, shower, brushing her mane, and a good breakfast. Just as she was finishing up her meal Spike made his way into the kitchen. “Morning Twilight, I see you’re excited about today.” He greeted as he made his way to the stove to set about making his own breakfast. “Oh, I didn’t wake you did I?” Twilight asked feeling a bit foolish about getting so over excited. “Don’t worry about it I was already half awake when you woke up.” He reassured waving the matter off. “Okay then so are you sure you don’t mind looking after the library by yourself today?” Twilight continued “Hey you’re giving me tomorrow off so I’d say it’s an even trade.” Spike said smiling at the prospect as he began to whisk up his scrambled eggs, lightly seasoning them with powdered quartz. “I guess that’s true then. Well now that we’ve got that all settled I'll just let you enjoy your breakfast before I head out for the day.” Twilight agreed smiling at the dragon she considered her little brother. “Fine by me, hey Twilight I was wondering what finally made you decide to try jousting? I know it’s a bit odd to ask but the thought came to mind the other day and I figured now was a good time to ask.” Spike wonder as he finished mixing up his eggs and began scraping them onto his plate. Well, this could be problematic. Nightmare Moon thought to herself. “Oh I guess it was a number of things, the lance being reasonably priced, Dad’s stories, watching Shining practice, and well to be honest I’d like to be in better shape for the next running of the leaves and winter wrap up.” Twilight replied without much thought. “Huh, I guess I didn’t about it like that I just thought it was kind of weird for you to impulse buy it like that. Still I can’t wait to see you start training I’ll bet you’ll have it down in no time.” Spike said as he sat down at the table with his breakfast and began to eat happily. Hmm, don’t know if it was because he just trusts her or because he wasn’t too bothered by the issue either way that was lucky. If he’d been persistent he could have backed her into a bit of a corner there. Nightmare mused to herself slightly relieved. “No big deal Spike, I’ll admit I was kind of surprised I bought it myself but I think it was a good idea and I intend to follow through on it.” Twilight began as she left her seat at the table and proceeded to grab a basket full of tea bags and a set of empty saddle bags. She adjusted the latter in place on her back and paused before picking up the former with her mouth. “I’m heading out to Zecora’s now Spike have a good day.” She added, once that was said she grabbed the basket in her mouth and proceeded towards the door. “See you later twilight have a great day!” Spike called as she opened the door and trotted out. The walk through town to the Everfree Forest was relatively uneventful. The only real highlight to it was Twilight spotting Fluttershy making her way to the market. The two friends waved to each other and were on their way without a word as both had business to attend to. The Everfree Forest as always held something of a foreboding atmosphere to it. Even in the daylight the shadows seemed to play off each other in unusable ways, the swamp like flora was not only overgrown but seemed to twist and stretch out in unnatural ways, The ambient sounds were somewhat intimidating as you never knew what was being concealed in the underbrush and whether or not whatever it was watching you. Still Twilight was fortunate enough to make it through the forest unmolested and soon enough Zecora’s hut came into view visibly relaxing Twilight even further. The small bastion of civilization seemed to have a comforting presence about it. When she approached the door Twilight knocked to announcer her presence. After a slight delay her zebra friend opened the door and bid her enter. “Good morning to you Twilight, as always seeing you is a delight.” She greeted as The aforementioned unicorn entered and set the basket of tea bags down on what little free space she could find on the counter. The counter tops and shelves were full of jars and bottles made of clay or hollowed out gourds, small pouches sat on shelves next to small phials, wooden mixing spoons, tongs and knives of what appeared to be silver, and a large mortar and pestle occupied the majority of the available space. As always in the center of the room sat the large pewter cauldron ready to be put to use to create whatever brew the zebra wished to make be it magic or mundane. “Wow, I wasn’t aware that alchemy requited such specialized tools of the trade.” Twilight said as she took in all the aforementioned items and the numerous herbs and other ingredients held within the gourds, phials, and clay containers. “Alchemy is a very exact art, in which every factor plays its part.” Zecora began. First she indicated the mortar and pestle made of white stone. “For mortar and pestle, clay can suffice, but I recommend that you take my advice, for only in jade are true ingredients made.” Then she indicated the phials and pouches next. “Any powders that you store should be kept in pouches made of dried mantacore hide. Should the dead you wish not to defile I recommend using a crystal phial.” From there she continued on to indicate the mixing spoons “For any wooden instruments some wisdom I shall impart to you, only those made of the finest yew will do.” Next she pointed out the knife and tongs.”There are only two metals with witch alchemy will work pewter for whatever you wish to brew and silver for all other tools shall do.” From there she indicated the various containers made from hollowed out gourds and the clay vessels “For your ingredients and completed potions to be stored I recommend that you use only clay or a fine gourd. Any other type of container I would avoid lest the magical properties be destroyed.” “Now we come to the two most important things I shall say. Learn well to keep track of the time for day for even the light in the sky will have a role to play. Some potions and powders can only be brewed in the light of day; others requite the gentle touch of moonlight.” Zecore informed before taking a deep breath. “This above all else you must learn if skill in alchemy you wish to earn. All work must be done the Earthpony way. I do not lie; mixing magics is never wise for the results are always a surprise. From the stories I have heard breaking this rule could cause you to shrivel up and die.” She finished in a dead serious tone. Indeed barring bardic magic the differing types of magic never play nice with each other, though hopefully when the time comes I can separate from Twilight without affecting her too much. Nightmare Moon agreed. Twilight winced at the warning that she was given by Zecora and nodded her head in understanding. The process of learning this new type of magic just became far more difficult as she tended to rely on her magic for quite a few mundane tasks. However the added difficulty this added only encouraged her to continue along all the more. After all the effort put into a task made it all the more rewarding when it was properly accomplished as her own studies had taught her over the years. “I see, thank you Zecora I’ll be sure to take what you have said to heart. Now is that all for our first lesson or did you having something more in mind?” She asked ever eager to learn more as always. Zecora smiled brightly at her student in return and chuckled a bit. “I can see that teaching you will be quite a delight. It makes me proud to say that I did indeed have more in store for us today Twilight. The rest of today we shall spend making the containers upon which your work in this art depend. “She explained as she trotted over to a cupboard and opened it up revealing its contents a large number of gourds that needed to be hollowed out. Twilight moved over to the cupboard and took one of the gourds in her mouth and brought it over to the clear worktable and set it down. Once that was done she braced it firmly in place with her left for hoof and took up a silver knife in the right. She then began to work on hollowing it out. The first step was a relatively simple one. Namely cutting a circular opening in the top and removing the now free lid of the container. The next and by far the most time consuming step was to remove the innards from the gourd. Once hollowed out and empted the next step was to rinse out the vessel and dry it. When it was finally dry A potion premade by Zecora was delicately spread along both the inside and outside of the gourd. This simple brew was used to preserve the gourd to both prevent it from rotting over time and to make it more resilient incase it was ever dropped or the like. For the next three hours Twilight went to work on making the first set of her tools. It was a learning experience for her. Not only was she making the tools that this school of magic required she was also learning to both be less reliant on her magic and to better appreciate how much effort it took to perform even the simplest seeming of task with nothing but hooves and mouth to work with. When the three hours had passed twilight now had a set of eighteen such containers. Witch she was now loading up into her saddle bags. Next time she would work on making some clay containers while Zecora lectured her about the basic ingredients she would use; how to identify them, where to obtain them, the properties they contained and so on. She would also be taught how to make the potion that she had used today so that she could make it for herself should the need arise. Once Twilight had finished loading up her saddle bags she turned to Zecora and smiled gratefully. “This was an interesting lesson Zecora; I can’t wait for next time. Also thank you again for teaching me this. I’ll be sure to have those books on basic magical theory and proper conducting of magical energy to you by tomorrow.” She said as she adjusted her saddlebags on her back. “It was no trouble at all; I must admit that today’s lesson was a ball. Though there is enough to learn to fill each day, I think for now I’ll stay with one lesson each week. I think it wise to temper the pace for this knowledge you seek.” Zecora replied as she waved her friend off. It was near sunset when Twilight returned to her home. Most of the citizens of Ponyville had already turned in for the night. Though in some houses there was still the presence of candle light. Just as she was about to open her front door Twilight noticed a note stuck to the door. It read “meet me on the balcony in five minutes I’ve got something I want you to see, signed G” Well it seems our griffon friend is back in town. I can only wonder what’s on her mind. Doubt said to Twilight. The spirit was pleasantly surprised by this turn of events. I guess we’ll just have to find out. I didn’t figure that’s she’d be free to drop by again so soon but still I’m not complaining. Twilight replied as she entered her home. Once inside and the door was shut she headed down to the basement to drop off her saddlebags. Once they were resting securely on a tabletop she quickly trotted upstairs and made her way to the balcony. Once outside she sat and waited. No more than two minutes had passed before Gilda landed before her grinning widely. “Hey Long time so see.” She greeted. “Gilda it’s good to see you again how have you been, had any good odd jobs lately?” Twilight replied. “Oh I’ve been fine, I’ve kept busy too, a few deliveries here some weather work there, I even sold a few sculptures just yesterday.” She began.”Though what really blew me away was when I went to go see my uncle. I asked him a few questions about you. I have to admit I’m impressed he confirmed not just your status as Celestia’s student but your tale about defeating Nightmare Moon, with the most convincing evidence one could hope for an account of everything that transpired that night, from Princess Luna herself. I’ve got to say I’m impressed Twilight. You’ve got some real friends in high places yet you seem pretty level headed.” Gilda finished still grinning. “I-I well, the thing is. I-I’d rather not get involved in politics and it just wouldn’t be right to throw my weight around like that for petty reasons.” Twilight stammered scuffing her forhoof on the wooden balcony in slight embarrassment. Hmm a reasonable stance to take but considering the plans I have fore her I’ll have to subtly encourage her to be a bit more willing to use her authority. Nightmare Moon noted. “Heh, modist I see well I guess I’ll have to take that into mind the next time I use you for inspiration.” Gilda said. “Wait, are you saying what I think you are?” Twilight asked slightly confused. “If you’re guessing that I made a sculpture biased on you then the answer is yes.” Gilda began as she fished a box out of its hiding place a bag on her side that her wings concealed. Once she passed the box over to Twilight she continued. “As soon as I found out that your story about beating Nightmare Moon was true I got inspired and just had to make something. I took a few artistic liberties but well I think it’s quite fitting.” She explained. Her curiosity peaked by her new friends explanation Twilight opened the box and carefully fished out a small figurine wrapped in paper. With but a thought the paper was removed revealing the fruits of Gilda’s labors. It was a depiction of Twilight which was easy to tell by the coloration of coat and mane, along with the detailed reproduction of her cutie mark. Though as stunning as that was there was more to it than that. The miniature depiction of Twilight was standing tall and proud on her hind legs. She was adorned with a billowing black cloak that was caught in some unknown breeze. The hood of the cloak was tossed back to show twilight gazing in determination at some unseen adversary. Around her neck was a necklace that bore the five commonly known elements of harmony. While in twilight’s for legs was a staff held aloft ready to cast a spell of some sort the jewel at the head of the staff being the six pointed star that represented the element of magic. The figure was done with stunning detail Twilight looked like a powerful sorceress ready and able to take on any comers. Twilight had been stunned by the gift. She stared at it for several minutes wide eyed and open mouthed before finally coming back to her senses. With a soft click of her teeth she finally closed her mouth so she could speak. “I, Gilda this is incredible! I really don’t know what to say. I really don’t ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem like nearly enough for all the effort this must have taken to make.” Twilight replied before carefully setting the gift aside and wrapping the griffon in a quick hug. “You really didn’t have to do this you know.” She finished. The craftwork here is truly well done. It is rare to see such detail in work. I can tell that she takes pride in her craft by how much effort went into this. Twilight looks most formidable here. I wonder if it wouldn’t be possible for her to replicate the look should she ever have to take up the elements by herself. Nightmare mused. “You’re welcome and I know. Like I said after I found out that your story was true I got inspired so during my free time I made three of these guys, one for me, one for you, and another to sell if I can find a good buyer.” Gilda replied with a grin. “I’m glad you like it though, it shows that you seem to understand the time and effort that went into making it. Some time I’ll have to show you my studio, I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of some of my other stuff.” She added. waving the matter off like it was nothing. “Sounds like a plan Gilda, so do you live in Cloudsdale, or with your uncle?” Twilight wondered. “Nope, I own my own little cloud house, not as grand as Dash's but it works and it’s easier to move about when I need to. Given that I tend to do odd jobs all over the place so a small house that’s more mobile fits me well.” Gilda replied. “I see, would you like to come in for a chat then? I could heat up some tea and make some biscuits.” Twilight offered. Gilda shook her head with a slightly sad smile. “Some other time, I’ve got a job over in Baltimare that starts the day after tomorrow and it’s a bit of a flight from here especially when you’re pushing a house. I just wanted to pop in for a quick visit and drop that of is all.” She explained. Twilight nodded her understanding. “Well then I won’t keep you any longer Gilda, thank you once again and good luck with your new job.” She replied. “Later Twilight I’ll drop buy when I can.” Gilda agreed before leaping into the air and taking wing she circled the library tree once and acknowledged twilight’s way with one of her own before disappearing into the distance as the sun finally set for the day. After Gilda had finally disappeared from sight Twilight took the clay figurine into her magical grip and walked inside her home. She made her way into her bedroom and set gift down on her nightstand. From there she tucked herself in and drifted off into sleep, unknown to her Nightmare Moon following soon after further evaluating her plans for the days yet to come and how to best implement them.