//------------------------------// // Family of Breeze Wheat Granary // Story: Living Darkness // by vildtiger //------------------------------// Note: This happens two days after the last chapter. it is not made after any episodes, simply me trying to show what one of Cadence duties might be. Just as Luna has lowered the moon and Celestia is about to raise the sun, most of the residents in the Crystal Empire are still fast asleep except the night patrol and a quite young but very dutiful guard pony. This pegasus guard pony gathers all the reports he got from the other guards— both those from the night and day duty and with them in the saddleback attached to his Canterlot golden royal armor, Flash Sentry flies to the throne room in order to give their captain Shining Armor today’s reports. He steps inside just as the sun raises, wanting to be punctual on the command that Shining Armor wishes the morning reports at dawn. It does take about ten to fifteen minutes before the captain arrives, something Flash Sentry finds a bit off as the captain is a pony who comes on time. He does get a very strong idea to the reason of why when he sees that Shining Armor does look dead tired. However, not wanting to be rude against the captain, Flash simply gives him the morning reports— which takes Shining Armor several seconds to comprehend he is been handing something, when the captain does, he levitates the bag and Flash Sentry, a bit unsure walks over to his post until the captain is ready to move out on today’s duty. His fellow guard, a crystal pony, also realizes that their captain is exhausted and quietly asks the not crystal pegasus. “Any idea why the captain is…” Eyeing Shining Armor reads the reports half asleep. “drained?” Flash Sentry has one, about a small week past the captain was asked to aid the heroines in Ponyville, probably to solve the strange pheromones going on, for when Shining Armor returned, the weird magic occurrences disappeared. “He was needed somewhere else.” He explains the older crystal pony and while carefully watching their captain. “Must’ve been some battle if he yet has recovered from it.” The crystal guard pony can only nod in agreement and quietly they both return back to guard the doors, waiting patiently for the captain to read the morning reports. Cadence walks into the room about an hour later, blinking in surprise seeing that her husband is still reading the reports, usually, he would be ready to eat breakfast with her at this time. At first she is worried that there is something really wrong somewhere in the Crystal Empire, then, after having checked Shining Armor’s face, she gets worried about his well being. “You look terrible.” She points out softly and puts a hoof on his forehead, just to be sure he isn’t running a fever. Fortunately, he isn’t. Shining Armor gives her a weak smile. “Is it really that—“ he yawns “bad?” Cadence nods and asks of what is causing this exhausting. “Haven’t you gotten enough sleep?” She could say that. Ever since the battle against Discord, Shining Armor has been dealing with— well he can’t call them nightmares for those dreams aren’t scary per say. Just… weird. Like his mind can’t get rid of the chaos Discord threw at him, it is quite annoying really. “Sort of.” He admits to Cadence and while the castle servants serve them their breakfast, he explains to his wife what Discord did to Ponyville and threw at him when he walked through the Everfree forest. “He almost drowned me inside an hourglass- and don't get me started on the so called "party" he threw when I entered the ruins.” But there is also another reason why he has trouble sleeping, one he is not really proud of. “And… well, I feel really bad I used Twilly and her friends as bait— I know it was necessary and was the only way getting any idea what Discord weakness was but…” “It does not remove the regret.” Cadence finishes for him, she must admit she can see why if Twilight got angry by her brother's choice, but she also knows that Shining Armor only did it because he didn’t see any other options. He adores his little sister and would much rather get hurt himself than risk Twilight getting harmed. “Is she still angry at you?” Shining Armor sighs but shakes his head. “No, she did forgive me. but I still feel bad.” Leaving her seat and food, Cadence steps over and nuzzle her husband’s head. “You did what you have to and Twilight realized that, now:” She levitates the morning reports from the guards, it’s clear Shining Armor shouldn’t do his duties like this. “You will relax today and I will take care of the reports.” Shining Armor opens his mouth but she will not hear any arguments from him. “You cannot work when barely awake.” She got a point, Shining Armor knows he is being stupid ignoring his own needs in the sake of duty. With a sigh of defeat, he nods. “Alright.” and promises he will rest so he will be more ready tomorrow. Still worried of Cadence handling both of their duties. “Are you sure you can handle this?” Cadence looks at the reports with a smile. “I may have a bit trouble with the patrols or other guard related subjects but I am sure the guards can help me with that.” He smiles in return that she got that right. And to be sure she has somepony to help her properly. “Flash Sentry can help you out, I have been giving him more responsibility after I got more ‘royal’ duties.” After all, after he got married to Cadence, Shining Armor did become a prince and thus got more responsibility than just ensuring ponies safety. Cadence lets out a soft laugh of Shining Armor lighthearted joking that he has become a prince even though he refuses to let anyone speak that title to him. He much rather wants to be known as the captain of the royal guard. “Be careful you don’t suddenly start wearing a crown instead of a helmet.” He laughs and after have eaten the crystal berry pancakes, he gives her a kiss, saying. “A crown suit you better, dear.” And leaves with: “Good luck with today’s duties. Don’t hesitate to call for me if you stumble into a problem.” Even if she does, Cadence will not call for his aid, Shining Armor needs his rest and she is certain that a problem can wait a day or two. it’s not like they are dealing with those Shadow Ponies or Windigoes at the moment. Finishing her own breakfast, Cadence reads the reports and is sort of relieved that none of them are urgent. She asks Flash Sentry to come with her and together with this young guard, she heads out to the empire and helps solve whatever problem they might have. Most of the problems the empire has are the crystal ponies still being out of time and has the problem connecting with the rest of Equestria, but nothing a good conversation and advice from somepony who knows today’s way of life can’t handle. Cadence finishes most of the tasks past noon. “A nice timing, I am starting to get quite hungry.” She tells the pegasus guard and after a moment of thoughts if she should head back to the castle. Cadence changes her mind as she much rather wishes to try out food from one of the many stalls in the Crystal Empire. She buys a crystal berry pie, shares part of it to Flash Sentry who is quite taken aback by this but does take the piece out of politeness. While enjoying her lunch Cadence watches the crystal ponies going about their day in a joyous manner. All except two. Cadance’s eyes land on two crystal ponies arguing intensely with one another, having so much anger that their coats have started to go dim. Worried about this Cadence abandon her half eaten pie and walk over to see what is the problem. “Excuse me.” She calls for the two, but her voice goes to deaf ears. “Isn’t it enough you’re his favorite?” The stallion snorts to the mare, his coat is grayish hazel, although not long ago it was in a shining sand-colored but his anger made the color fade. His hair has faded in color too, now a grayish cobalt and flatten from his negative emotions. “Now you have to smear it in my face I can’t do what I like!” The mare laughs as if he just told a joke, her before pale amber coat, and amethyst hair and tail have paled in color, her laughter comes to a sudden halt and she shoots the stallion a downgraded look with her blue eyes. “Hobbies are fine, but you are treating your hobby as a future job. Father is right, you need to pull yourself together and help us—“ she winches when her brother stomps hard on the ground, shouting. “Don’t speak to me as if I’m a colt!” Cadence decides to step before this fight escalates further, she uses her magic to calm their anger and with them no longer in the red zone, she asks them. “May I ask what this fight was about?” The two now calmer ponies gasp in surprise seeing her. “Princess.” The mare says and bows along with her brother. Straighten up the mare explains. “It’s nothing worth the time of a royal. Simply a small disagreement on how my brother Sifting Citrine should spend his time.“ The brother snorts, it startles Cadence how quickly the stallion shakes off the calming spell, that only happens if the root to the anger is deep. “Oh yes, you and father have no idea what the word fun means anymore.” and his sister retort, also showing her anger is deep. “Work is not supposed to be fun! We work to earn bits we then can use to do the fun stuff!” She glances almost uncaring to the stallion. “That silly ice arrow thing you have going should stay as one.” “It’s a hobby I earn bits on, Agate Gale!” Sifting Citrine snaps back, his tail swings in his agitation. “Besides, I am helping out with the family business; by selling our bread to the rest of Equestria!” “Ha!” Agate Gale laughs mockingly and turns to the starting to get the uncomfortable princess. “He’s just saying that so he can get away from our father and play with that bow of his.” Before the two can really start fighting again, Cadence asks. “Who is your father?” “It’s Ivory Storm.” Sifting Citrine explains. “He’s the boss of the Breeze Wheat Granary.” Cadence recognizes that name if she remembers correctly that middle-aged stallion is the one most of the Crystal Empire get its flour from. “I have heard about him.” She tells the two. “It would’ve surprised me if you haven’t. He is well known in the empire and when he retires, I and my brother will take over the granary.” Agate Gale says in a matter of fact tone. She shoots her brother a glare when he rolls his eyes. “My dear brother of mine however does not care about the family trade as he much rather wants to play around.” And he retorts back with a fair reason. “I earned my mark thanks to that bow! Do you really want me to ignore my special talent?” Again Cadence has to stop them, a bit more aware of the problem and yet she still feels far from being able to help her new subjects. Perhaps she better speak with Mr. Storm about this and hears what his thoughts are about his children fighting. “Could I speak with your father?” “Of course, princess.” Agate Gale says and starts to leave. Cadence does not like how the brother grumpily walks the other way, it seems that if nothing is going to change soon, then this family will lose a son. Before leaving with Agate Gale, Cadence turns to Flash Sentry who has been listing to the conversation but stayed quiet as he didn’t want to be rude in interrupting a princess talking with her subjects, only would if he sense the princess is in any danger. “Could you keep an eye on that stallion? I would like to speak with him after this.” Flash Sentry salutes and leaves to follow Sifting Citrine. With that done, Cadence follows Agate Gale to the wheat granary. Like everything else in the Crystal Empire, the Breeze Wheat Granary is made out of crystals, having several clusters of crystals dotting the area and although it’s hard to see thanks to the summer sun, Cadence does notice a dim shine coming from those clusters. She has a feeling they offer the workers light in darker times. She also notices two statues in form of ponies are standing in the middle of the wheat field, now knowing that these aren’t just art but trapped ponies, she feels sorry watching this scene of two guard ponies trying to fight off whatever there had attacked them before they got frozen in time. This does explain why there are so few crystal pony guards; most of them have been entrapped in the black crystals. But as it stands now, there is nothing anypony can do for them, the crystal heart and not even Celestia or Luna know a spell to free them or the drakes. Putting aside of the tragedy that all those trapped in the crystal might never be free again, Cadence instead turn her attention on something, she hopes, she can help with. Agate Gale takes her inside the granary, several crystal ponies are trotting around, preparing the wheat for future use to bread or cakes. In the middle of this buzzing place walks a middle-aged indigo colored stallion, and from how the workers go to him for advice Cadence is very sure this is Ivory Storm, and so right she is, for when Agate Gale calls for her father, this pony turns to them, asking with a frown. “Where’s your brother?” He walks over to them. “Didn’t you tell him I need him out in the fields?” “I did, but Sifting refused to come.” Agate Gale replies, her father snorts. “He's supposed to be the oldest and yet he’s acting like a foal.” That she agrees on but they can talk about that later, when they do not have royal on visit. “Father, Princess Cadence asked for your audience.” Nodding to said princess. This catches Ivory Storm by surprise. He bows and is sort of happy he chose to wear his formal attire in form of a senate scarf and golden hoof-bands, after having paid his respect by bowing, Ivory Storm asks a bit confused. “What brings you here? Come to talk business?” The princess shakes her head, explaining. “No, I came because of your son.” He starts to get worried what his rebellious son has done to make the princess come. “What did he do?” “Nothing” Cadence quickly says before this father gets the wrong idea. “I simply overheard the fight between him and your daughter, it troubled me how unhappy he seemed.” Adding to both father and daughter that she does sort of understand their side of this argument. “I understand why you need him here at the granary, but… are you really trying to make him abandon the very thing there earned him his cutie mark?” “Of course not.” Ivory Storm shakes his head. “I respect Sifting Citrine has a talent with a bow, but although it’s his special talent, he can’t live on it as he wants.” He gestures the princess to follow and he leads her outside where he shows the large wheat fields. “All I want him to understand that his bow and arrow is an enjoyable hobby while this:“ he waves out to the fields. “is where he will earn his bits. Sifting Citrine still thinks that his special talent shows he is destined to be a world known archer, but we both know that’s not how a cutie mark always works.” Cadence smiles weakly to this elderly pony, she can see his point of view but she can see why Sifting Citrine feels so… lost. After have thanked Ivory Storm for his audience, Cadence leaves the granary and heads out to speak with Sifting Citrine about this family problem they have going. Thanks to Flash Sentry, she tracks the stallion down fairly easily. Walking into the stadium, Cadence swiftly realizes why this stallion earned a bow and arrow as his cutie mark, he is very talented in using it. Just as Sifting Citrine covers the target fully in ice, he notices the approaching princess, he gives her a polite bow and asks both curious but also grumpy as he already knows what his father said: “Did you talk with my father?” “I did.” Cadence replies and since she does not want to take a side of who is right, she instead asks this stallion. “Do you hate working at the granary?” Sifting Citrine shrugs. “Not really, it’s just… boring.” He replies and starts heading over to the frozen target. Cadence follows him, allowing the stallion to explain his side of this. “Tending crops is just not me, I find it tedious and, well boring.” He kicks at the target, letting the ice fall off. “Don't get me wrong, I want to help father and my sister keeping the family business going, I am rather good at crunching numbers but…” He sighs and for a moment forgets about the ice to explain the listing princess. “because I am one of the stronger ponies at the granary and know how to do it properly. Father keeps sending me out to the plow and harvest duty.” He sighs again and returns to remove the ice on the target. “Maybe I would be better off leaving the empire and follow my dream, you know?” He sends Cadence a weak smile. “That way we all would get out from each other’s hair, so all happy.” Cadence is not so sure, it’s clear Sifting Citrine still cares for his family, if not then he would’ve left long ago. And it’s also clear Ivory Storm simply wants the best for his son, even when he is doing it wrong. Cadence also has a sense Agate Gale loves her brother, but the tension has made a bad wrap around her and she chose to side with her father; making Sifting Citrine feel as if something wrong with him. “Won’t it be lonely?” She asks and from how the stallion drops his gaze, she knows his answer that it will. Cadence is really close to tell Sifting Citrine that he should follow his dream, but in this case, it will only tear the family apart for good and this stallion won’t be happy if he did chase after his dream as he wouldn’t have his family to share it with. He won’t be happy being stuck at the granary either. This is quite troublesome, and as Cadence leave the stadium, she is not entirely sure how to help this family. Unlike Sifting Citrine, she never dealt with a personal crisis, she has always been sure who she is, even before she accented into alicornhood. That evening, during dinner with a well-rested Shining Armor, Cadence tells him about her meeting with that family. “It made me realize I can’t step in Sifting Limestone’s place.” She explains her beloved. “For I have never dealt with uncertainty where I belong in the world.” Shining Armor scratches his chin in thoughts about this family issue his wife wants to help with. “Hm… I did deal with some during my training as a royal guard.” He admits as many of the ponies kept poking him at the fact he was too young. Usually ponies in the age of sixty would become a guard, not somepony at the age of twenty as he did when he joined. “A lot of the trained guards looked down on me for being ‘still a colt’ as they said.” He did earn respect when he proved he wasn’t a whiny foal as they thought he would, but Shining Armor does still have bit trouble with the older captains, one of them is Quick Lance. “It got easier as I got older but if it wasn’t for the support of my parents, I am not sure I could’ve handled the pressure.” “But this stallion does not have the support of his father.” Cadence points out, sighting from how helpless she feels of not having really a clue how to help this slowly breaking apart family. “If he follows his talent and dream, then he might lose all contact to his family.” “And he doesn’t want that I take?” Cadence shakes her head. “No, Sifting Citrine wishes to be with his family but the frustrations he’s dealing with is him making walk further away from them.” Shining Armor can relate a bit on this other stallion there. After Twilly left Canterlot to live in Ponyville, it has been really hard to keep the contact with his little sister. They both tried to keep a certain flow of letters, but that tactic dried up after a month thanks to both occupied with their tasks. Him in being one of the captains of the royal guard, in other words: he is never really off duty. And Twilly schedule might be more open than his but from the few letters they managed to send to one another, he quickly got the idea that she rarely had a boring day in Ponyville and when she does have some free time. Twilly was spending it studying on magic which he completely understands as she has the honor of being Princess Celestia’s personal student. And sadly, they are dealing with the very same problem with him being in the Crystal Empire. Perhaps more so now he is sort of the prince of this place. But there is a major difference with his lack of seeing his own family and this Sifting Citrine. If this other stallion turns his back on his family then his sister and father really need to love him to open the door if Sifting Citrine returns back to them, if not then he will be more alone than ever. “I can’t tell you how to fix this dear.” He admits honestly. “But if you really want to help them, then perhaps… just listen to them?” Cadence nods slowly and after a moment of silence, she says with a smile. “I can think about this tomorrow. Right now, it’s only you and I.” “Oh, I like the sound of that.“ Shining Armor smirks, he abandons his mostly eaten plate and his seat, walking over to Cadence and after a kiss asks her. “Any plans in particular?” She replies after has learned her horn against his. “If you’re not too tired, I did notice how certain crystal shines in Luna’s night.” A nightly walk huh? Sure, that does sound romantic and Shining Armor knows Cadence is a sucker for that. It’s a wonder how he managed to earn her gaze for behind that golden armor and soldier attitude is a giant socially awkward nerd. Shining Armor might be an adult but his mind is still young, and thus he enjoys comic books and other nerdy things. Cadence knows of that side of him and he has a feeling that what she fell for, maybe both his royal guard aura and dorky colt? Whatever the case he feels like a very lucky stallion. “Alright, let’s go for this walk after I have checked on the night patrol” She nods and after giving her a kiss, Shining Armor heads out to speak with the pony responsible keeping track on the night patrol. When done, he and Cadence go for this walk, must say that even at night; the Crystal Empire is a remarkable sight. Can’t beat the alicorn walking beside him, though. ****** Cadence return back to the Breeze Granary as soon as she is done with her other royal duties and when she find Agate Gale, she asks the mare about her views on this family problem. “Don’t get me wrong, Princess, I love my brother but-” Agate Gale lets out a long sigh, clearly tired from this situation. “I just wish he would stop fooling around and help us out. I don’t have the mentality to deal with the workers and father is too busy to teach them how to work on the field correctly.” Cadence nods, starting to see why Ivory Storm wanted his son out in the fields. It seems Sifting Citrine also has a talent for conversing with other ponies, something his father and sister really need. “Have you told your brother this?” She asks. Agate Gale blinks almost surprised by this suggestion. “Not directly, I mean my brother should be aware of this. Why else would father keep sending him out in the fields?” And Cadence tells her what Sifting Citrine told her. “He thinks it’s because you need somepony doing hard labor, something he finds tedious and boring.” Agate Gale lowers her gaze. “Oh… what else did he say?” That question does give Cadence an idea, instead of working as the communication device between this family. “What about we find your brother and let him explain?” She suggests and after this crystal pony agrees, although unsure, they head over to where Sifting Citrine lives. The stallion is quite surprised at seeing both the princess and his sister at his door, the latter he is not that happy to see. “I’m not in the mood for a lecture today.” He points out hard and about to shut the door, Agate Gale stops him. “Brother wait, I’m… I’m not here to lecture you.” The stallion eyes her suspiciously, turning to surprise when the princess says. “We’re here to hear you out.” “Oh, alright.” Sifting Citrine muses and after some hesitating, he lets them inside his house. A very awkward moment of brother and sister standing, not sure how to start this as they have been arguing for quite some time. So Cadence decides to get this hopefully first step to redemption started. “Sifting Citrine, please tell us again what you told me.” He nods and after having taken a deep breath, he tells both princess and his sister. “I don’t like tending the crops, it tedious and very boring throwing seeds, plowing and harvest the wheat. I think I will be way more of use crunching the numbers or maybe getting our flour sold to the rest of Equestria.” Cadence then turns to the sister, requesting. “Can you tell us what you told me not long ago?” Agate Gale nods and tells her brother mostly. “The main reason to why father keeps sending you out on the fields is not because of your strength but because you know how to talk with our employees. Teach them how to do things correctly way faster than I and father can do.” Sifting Citrine blinks and after a moment of silence he points out quietly. “I don’t have to be out in the fields to teach them that…” He eyes his sister, for the first time ever since they got free from Sombra’s control, he does not feel frustrations around her. “I can teach them or a new employee in a matter of days, quicker if I wasn’t exhausted from working on a stupid field.” His sister nods slowly in understanding, she shifts on her hooves, asking. “Why didn’t you tell us?” He groans somewhat annoyed. “I did try and tell you.” He explains exaggerated, “but neither of you listened! You were too busy thinking I was lazy and I much rather want to play with my bow than to hear me out!” “But you want to play with your bow.” Agate Gale points out, feeling a bit annoyed. He snorts loudly. “It’s my special talent for the crystal heart sake.” and throws that back to her. “What would you do if ponies kept telling you got the wrong cutie mark? That your special talent is not worth it?” She shifts on her hooves, really uncomfortable of that mere thought of her talent tending the crop wouldn’t be appreciated. Now she knows how he feels, yes he is aware that having the talent of being good with a bow is not as important as being able to have a good harvest pretty much all the time, but it’s still important for him. “Do you now understand why I react the way I do when you and father keep telling me to ‘grow up and start helping in the granary’? When you tell me that…” He turns his back to his younger sister, unable to look into her eyes. “It feels like you want me to be somepony I am not...” “Brother, I never meant you to feel like this.” Agate Gale steps over to her brother, feeling really sorry how she has pushed him away without thinking about it. “And I am so sorry I did it.” She learns her head up against his neck, a sign she does still care about him. “I will try and listen to you better in the future, even if I don’t understand why it’s so important to you.” Her brother nuzzle’s her over the mane, replying softly. “That’s alright, I don’t understand why you like wheat so much either.” That last remark she laughs lightly about. Both siblings then turn to the politely watching princess, Agate Gale speaks for both when she says this: “Thank you, if it wasn’t for you, I might have lost my brother.” Sifting Citrine nods in agreement. Cadence is glad the two siblings have made peace, still, the main issue hasn’t yet been solved. “Will you speak with your father?” They nod and the younger sister must admit. “Father might not change his mind right away. He’s very set in habits, but,” she eyes her brother with a soft smile “I think it will be easier if both I and Sifting work together on this.” “As we should from the very start instead of fighting like foals.” Sifting Citrine says. Cadence leaves the house not long after, feeling a sense of pride that she helped two siblings to remember the love they feel towards one another and together can make life easier for the older brother.