//------------------------------// // Close encounter // Story: Royal Reformation - The Encounter // by Skrive Flip //------------------------------// The rest of the day seemed to fade into obscurity as the prince´s social encounters forced his attention away from the strange occurrence with Sombra, even as it was constantly gnawing at the back of his mind, like a particularly nasty parasite. He could barely even remember who he had been engaged with after the encounter. It wasn't until 20 O’Clock that Blueblood found himself back in his own chambers and alone with his thoughts again, that he had the time and energy to once again burst out into the very confused: “What in the name of Faust happened???” The Prince paced back and forth inside of his ornately decorated chambers, his conundrum completely tearing away that previously so isolated and luxurious admosphere of which he had specifically requested his room be designed with. His massive bed with space for himself as well as a thorough number of partners should he need it, with silken bedsheets and phoenix feather mattresses which always seemed to have an almost siren like call towards him, was completely snubbed in the Prince’s distress. “I mean, I know what happened!” Blueblood postured aloud. “That cruel buffoon toyed with me! Like one would a kitten with a piece of string!” He continued pacing back and forth in frustration, only occasionally stopping to stomp into the ground or kick against something in impotent rage. “This was not the way it was supposed to go! He was supposed to be dazzled by my blessed self! Realize the error of his ways and then rush off to gush about my greatness to Auntie Celestia!!” The Prince paused. “And of course… become reformed and become a better pony and all that pish posh” He added with a dismissive flick of his hoof. “But instead he taunted me! Insulted me! Besmirched my honour!” Blueblood said angrily as his pacing took him to his bedside window, allowing him to gaze out over greater canterlot and to see the slowly dimming light of a reflected sunset. “Such callousness. He should be grateful that I did not challenge him to a Duel right then and there! I could have struck him down. And done Equestria a great service in the meantime!” he continued his self righteous ranting. “And even worse! Attempting to manipulate me with his… foul words! ‘you will be without a consort’, what nerve!” He ran a hoof through his mane, the motion reminding him of the flowers tossed at him earlier that day. “He was simply exploiting Miss Aldermann hysteria. Trying to rattle me, like a manipulative fiend.” Replaying the scenario in his head, a strange constricted feeling came in his chest as he remembered how easily he had been strung along by the former monarch. That way he had wrapped him around his hoof to… what end? “No! I was not manipulated. I was simply… Playing along… Yes, that's it!” He insisted to a world which even if it was listening couldn't care less. “I was playing along so that I was not thrown off by his advan…ces?” As the word barely managed to escape his lips, the prince began to feel a little hot under the collar. Had, Had Sombra actually made advances towards him?? Those ‘courtship lessons’ seemed quite a lot like thinly veiled flirting now that he was considering the situation in his blessed, completely unbiased point of view. And as that thought had embedded itself into the Prince's consciousness, the rest of the signs all seemed to begin pointing the same way. Like if someone had tossed a tile puzzle out on the floor and they all landed to form their intended picture. “He… He was attempting to seduce me!!” Concluded the prince in a somewhat shocked and scandalized tone. Nervously, he could feel his magic activating in its own, pulling the curtains on the windows and readjusting his collar and vest. “Oh no no. This cannot be! This is terrible! I cannot have a stallion attempt to seduce me. Think of the presses! Think of the heartbroken mares across Equestria! Think of my reputation!!!” The self sufficient loop of anxiety filled rambling torrented from his mouth. Now now, the logical side of his brain told him, there was nothing wrong with stallions coming together, and hardly any gave any couple the side eye these days. BUT, burst in his anxiety again, a prince is supposed to get their princess. Get heirs, become old and glorious. That's not the point, added another intrusive thought, the point is that he was being eyed by an unwanted admirer! Though would that be all that bad? Of course it would be bad, for if Sombra was desiring him, there was no way that Blueblood could reciprocate. After all, he had never before had any sort of attraction to his fellow stallions. And he was certain he never would! Whatever, strange, draw towards the former monarch must have been some sort of lapse of judgement. Perhaps a relapse from the sudden rejection of Lady Aldermann. So that meant this was a completely one sided arrangement. Blueblood froze in the middle of his mental rant. A thought occurred to him, overshaddowing all the other thoughts. If Sombra was attempting to seduce him, he must be having some sort of emotions towards him. Which would mean... “Oh no!” Whined the prince in despair. “My irresistible charms have woven up another into its tangled web of broken hearts!! What am I gonna do!?!?” He flopped backwards onto his bed and rolled back and forth. “My handsome visage has betrayed me! Now there is no way I can reform him. He'll be crushed!” Then the metaphorical bulb appeared, as the prince burst up from the otherwise perfectly comfortable bedding of despair with a thought: “Wait no!… It's not over yet. He may have fallen for me, and of course who could blame him, but I do not have to do anything about that! I can simply explain to him carefully that I am not interested in Stallions!” He summed up to himself, a small smile appeared on his lips as a surge of relief came over him. “Yes, he may be heartbroken, but if I play my cards right, I may in fact be able to help him get beyond his obvious infatuation with me. And if I do that, he would no doubt be grateful!” The Prince rolled out of bed, getting back on his hooves and took to readjusting his mane and vest to make sure he looked perfectly presentable while he continued his summary. “And with my brilliant social skills, that should be a piece of cake! I may in fact be able to help him find a nice mare around town. Or perhaps Fancypants knows some seedier establishments that could cater to a former monarch. Maybe… Maybe if I just befriend him!” That was it! The plan was set! And perfect in its simplicity: Help a heartbreak, make a friend. With incredible excitement over the fact that his position for guvnor was not yet completely lost, Blueblood cantered out of his room and made his way down through the castle! The faster he´d initiate the plan the better. If he could nip this in the bud before the Monarchs obvious affection turned into resentment, then he´d no doubt have befriended him by the end of the week. None could stand against the Prince of Equestria´s handsome charm. Although perhaps now he would have to lament that he was so desirable. “One problem at a time.” He reminded himself as he continued his good speed down the Hallways of Canterlot castle, it now being illuminated in the dull light of the lamps on the walls. Completely unaware of his surroundings however, so taken with his own genius was he, that this passed the Prince by without any notice as he simply continued on his path. And a short canter later, Blueblood was in the hall that Luna had told him about. ‘Lets see, Room four. Thats this one down here. Silken King sized bed in there.’ Thought Blueblood, a tiny chuckle escaping him over the irony. But being a stallion on a mission, he went up to the door and with all the confidence of an emperor, he knocked on the door. A few moments passed with nothing, So he knocked again, but only got to the third knock before the door opened up slightly, in the small gap behind revealing a sliver of Sombra´s grumpy visage. But Blueblood was prepared! He smiled brightly and yet courtly. “Why good evening Sombra! I take it you are enjoying my Aunt´s hospitality?” Sombra stared back at the prince of Equestria in dulled disbelief. “It's in the middle of the night.” Blueblood paused, finally looked around himself and seeing the blackness outside the windows and the dulled light from the lanterns in the hallway. Embarrassment flushed his face red, forcing him to clear his throat to try and mask his blunder before turning back to looking at Sombra through the gap in the door. “Yes it is!” He said, a tone too loud, quickly trying to ease it down. “You will have to forgive me, I was terribly busy up until now. You understand the responsibilities of royalty, yes?” The Prince´s previous confidence was already rocking enough on its own, but seeing Sombra´s unimpressed expression made it all the clearer that he wasn't buying it. ‘J-just keep talking, don't give him time!’ Blueblood thought to himself. Another awkward clearing of the throat. “Well you see, I come to clear up a terrible misunderstanding-” “A misunderstanding?” Sombra interrupted in a bored tone. “Yes! A misunderstanding. A terribly unfortunate misunderstanding which has been planted between us! Your uhm… Helpful advice earlier today, had quite the unfortunate implications!” Blueblood brandished his best courtly smile, dismissive and superior. “And such implications, while flattering in their most bases form, are thoroughly improper and impossible. For while I understand it must be an insurmountable task to resist my legendary charms-” He lifted a hoof to ‘casually’ inspect it for anything and appear just mildly disinterested. “I must ask you to bear with it, for I am not interested in the intimate company of Stallions.” Finishing his explanation, a wave of relief washed over Blueblood. He had said it, and in a perfectly presentable manner! There could be no denying nor misunderstanding his message! Now was the time for damage control! There was a pause. Nothing exchanged between the two Stallions. At most a small wavering of the door as Sombra opened the door a little more and looked back at Blueblood with what appeared to be a mildly perplexed expression. Then he turned his face away, his features masked by the doorframe. Blueblood bit on the inside of his cheek. He just had to hold out. Sombra looked back at Blueblood, holding an unreadable mask. Then, his face twisting into a solemn frown as his head fell, he spoke. “Oh, I see. I understand… I’m, sorry for, my forwardness.” His voice was soft and tender, a small shiver even sneaking in. Blueblood felt a slight cold chill go down his spine. This would be problematic if the former villain was, too heartbroken. He'd have to salvage this somehow. The dark unicorn slowly put his hoof up to gently close the gap in the door, pausing only to give a great sigh. “And to think, I was ready to throw myself on my knees and offer myself to you.” Lamented the former monarch. That slight chill from before turned to absolute ice, as Blueblood felt himself straighten up in a confused mess of panic and embarrassment. His face lit up in warmth even as his body froze. H-Had he actually been… That eager?? “Y-You were??” Blueblood asked in a rather high pitched voice, uncertain what to feel about this, as he was receiving lots of mixed signals from himself. Plan and Ego battling like tigers over who were to receive the boon of this sign of affection. For just a moment as Sombra´s face was obscured by the door, a foul smile returned to his lips, before he sealed it away and revealed his face once again in the opening. “But of course, Young prince. You´ve said it yourself, you are a beautiful specimen of Equestrian royalty, with legions of heartbroken lovers laying in your steps. And no doubt a veritable harem of followers, willing to serve you at your slightest whim.” Sombra spoke forlornly, like one would about a treasure just out of your reach. “I-I am?” Blueblood asked, only for his ego to kick in as he snapped back. “I mean, I am!” The door almost closed, but still large enough for a hoof to come in between, Sombra slowly reached out a hoof, being incredibly careful and gentle as he placed it on Blueblood´s shoulder. “Yes, Such a handsome prince.” He said, tracing the hoof slowly up from Blueblood’s shoulder, up his neck and tenderly making small circles in the Prince's soft groomed furr. “With no doubt a tender touch for the mares, those who swoon at your mere gaze.” As the metaphorical butter slipped down Blueblood´s ego, everything around him seemed to fade away, and right now he was just staring at another stallion. Not just any though, a former monarch. He may have been evil, but he was acknowledging him! Him! Prince Blueblood! He was recognizing him for the pony he was born to be… that so few seemed to recognize! And he slowly became aware of the gentle warm touch of Sombra´s hoof, which had reached the side of his face. The tender touch was just tickling his nerves, feeling such electric warmth as he felt himself forgetting it was attached to Sombra and just wanted that hoof to reach up and rub his head or perhaps massage his ears. And then suddenly, the magic moment was gone. “Ah but Alas.” Sombra pulled his hoof back and placed it back on the door. “I guess it was not meant to be.” Blueblood stared forlornly back at Sombra´s hoof like an abandoned puppy for a moment before forcing his gaze back to the dark unicorn´s face. “I-It would appear so!” Blueblood shakely said. “Quite regrettable.” Mused Sombra, his face turning to a more soft smile, as he was already certain he had him. “Q-Quite…” Whispered Blueblood as he faced away, trying to regather his thoughts. And so, Sombra thought it was time for the undignified Coup de Grace. “So, would you like a roll in the hay?” “Yes please.” Blueblood blinked in confusion with himself as he barely realized what he himself had just said, before he felt a strong hoof reaching up to his collar and yanking him forwards. His face was pressed against the former monarch´s, his mind abuzz with mixed messages, as his body just rolled with the sensation of being kissed, and returned the gesture. About as abruptly as it started, Blueblood found himself lip locked with a guest of the royal castle and dragged inside their room, the door slamming shut behind him. Outside the room, unbeknownst to the Young prince, someone finally could not hold themselves back anymore. And a massive burst of giggling began echoing through the hallway, as the Princess of the Night flipped over from her hiding place and began rolling on the floor. “Oh this is Delightful! Ohhh just wait till Tia hears about this! This will certainly be the BEST Night EVER!” She announced for herself, trying to subdue the volume to ensure nopony heard her. As much as the princess of the night wanted to just lie there and wallow in the sheer mirth of the scandal that had just witnessed from her hiding place, there were better places to do this. Oh she just hoped she was able to restrain herself and keep this under wraps. Except for her sister of course. Even if she had WANTED to keep this from her, it was simply too golden to not let her know. The Prince of Equestria and the usurper of The Crystal Empire? It´d be like a fairy tale. At least if everything went ideally. Though, what if it didn't? A small shameful stinging in her chest formed as she began to realize what a less ideal result might entail. Anything from an unreformable Sombra, to a heartbroken Blueblood. Perhaps she had been too cruel in her encouragement of this little prank? Was Luna being a bad Pony? “Princess?” A voice roused Luna from her reverie as she noticed one of the Night Guards, who were looking perplexedly at her. Clearing her throat and getting back up to her hooves. “Uhm, We were just… Laying down. In the hallway. Because we could.” She explained dismissively. The guard did not look convinced, but she knew they had to accept it, as she waved her hoof at him. “Carry on Soldier.” Confused, but following orders, the guard simply continued on his patrol path down the hallway. However, as he was just about to reach the door of the Castle´s latest ‘guest’ the door burst open again. The Guard´s jaw dropped as he and Luna witnessed a very disheveled Blueblood bolted out of the room and down the hallway, past both Guard and Luna, seemingly not even registering them as he looked so incredibly spooked. The Princess and the Guard exchanged puzzled expressions before he took the next steps to look inside the room and figure out whatever had spooked the prince. His eyes widened and seemed to freeze with an exclamation of “By Celestia!” Luna´s heart lodged in her throat for exactly two seconds, as she feared the worst. But then had said heart hammered straight back into her chest, and almost crushed by a new fit of giggles as she heard the frustrated snarl of the former Crystal Monarch: “What!? Have thee never seen a stallion with cum on his face before!?!?” And the door slammed shut. Luna was a very bad pony. Because she fell over again and burst out laughing.