The train ride to Fillydelphia was quiet. The cart Starlight and Polaris were in had no other occupants due to how early of a ride they got. So early in fact that Starlight was still half asleep. She was barley paying any attention as to how they got from to castle to the station. The only thing she could keep her mind on was how Polaris kept smiling when she was looking at him but as soon as he thought she wasn't his face would make this grimace. Something was on his mind.
Polaris had been staring out the trains window for about 10 minuets now, the rhythm of the train and the sun being not quite risen lulled him into a sense of security. His peace was interrupted however by the tired looking unicorn sitting across from him. "You alright?" She asked. He took a big breath as he put his facade back on to answer her.
"Yeah, i'm not much of a morning pony but i'm excited for today." His smile wasn't convincing to her. Starlight looked out the window, not wanting to meet his eyes as he lied to her. She could tell something was wrong, his smile was disingenuous and his eyes looked sad. If he didn't feel comfortable sharing what was the matter then she couldn't force him. But she didn't want to smile back.
" Alright." She said explicitly neutral. Her lack of emotion that was usually present in her voice did not go unnoticed by Polaris. She knew he wasn't telling the truth. After the many years of hiding and lying to distance others from him he had grew accustom to it. It was second nature to fake his feeling around other ponies. A habit he decided right then and there to quit.
"Um, actually," Starlight's ears perked up, "I am kind of worried about how Stella is going to react to me wanting to leave." His face was no longer smiling. "I just didn't want to worry you." He grew silent for a moment. "And I thought if I talked about it the curse might activate." She leaned over and put a hoof on his knee.
"I understand but you cant be afraid of it. The curse is a part of you, and if I've learned anything from you not all curses are evil. And besides, I think bottling up your emotions is only gonna make curse react more don't you think?" Polaris chucked softly.
"My my aren't we an expert on curses now?" He had a playful grin on his face. A much needed improvement to the scowl he was sporting before. Starlight shrugged her shoulder.
"Well curses ARE pretty easy, you just gotta know how to talk to em." Polaris raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer to her.
"And just when have YOU talked to a curse Starlight?"
"Why i'm talking to one right now aren't I?" Her eyes went wide with a slight panic. "Was that too insensitive? I didnt mean- Whats so funny?" Polaris was trying (and failing mind you) not to laugh.
"I'm sorry that was just pretty good." He took a second to catch his breath. "Are you trying to say that im 'easy'?" Starlight had a blush on her face as she stumbled on a response. She began to pout turning her face from him. Refusing to meet his eyes. "Aw don't be like that I thought it was funny!" He got no response. "Come on, Ill buy you breakfast?" His coax fell on deft ears. He got up from his chair and sat next to her trying to get her attention. "Starlight please, Ill clean the whole castle tomorrow." She glanced in his direction for a moment and then wiped her head back towards the window. 'Maybe she really is mad.' He thought. He began to stand up to return to his seat but she grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.
"I'm cold again." She said quickly still refusing to look at him. He smiled and rolled his eyes.
"Probably because I got you up so early." He said leaning into her arm locked around hers. "Cant be helped I guess."
"Ill probably feel warmer after I get some breakfast. She finally turned to face him showing him a devious smile.
"You little- I knew you were just playing!" He said dumbfounded.
"And I expect the whole castle cleaned tomorrow." He gave her a glare as she stuck her tongue out at him. As he slumped into his seat smiling while he closing his eyes in defeat, Starlight happily rested her head on his shoulder.
The cart they were in was indeed cold but the pair kept each other warm as they rode the train. Starlight noticed Polaris's rhythmic breathing and she decided to steal a quick glance at him and what she found warmed her heart. There he was leaning into her fast asleep a small smile on his face. He looked totally at peace. 'Well at least he doesn't snore.' She thought to herself. 'Not that I care!' She quickly added to herself. 'Its not like i'm gonna be sleeping with him.' This one sided conversation caused her blush after her last thought. Still looking at him sleeping her mind began to wonder again. 'I mean I guess it wouldn't be terrible sleeping next to him. I mean he is comfortable after all.' She subconsciously inhaled the sent of his hoodie. It smelled warm and inviting like fresh linens with a hit of dirt from yesterday. She nuzzled her head into neck where his hood was the last thought she had as she blissfully drifted off to sleep was 'I could get used to this.'
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Starlight woke up first as the train conductor announced that they would be arriving at the station in a few minuets. Noticing who she fell asleep on she all but jumped out of her seat. Her normally light purple face was now a deep shade of red. "I cant believe we actually fell asleep." She said aloud. Polaris didn't stir he was fortunately still fast asleep. Starlight took this moment to regain some of her composure before waking him up. The trains breaks caused the cart to jerk making a still asleep Polaris fall over onto Starlight who caught him in a rather awkward fashion. The train conductor made his rounds past there cart and saw they ponies locked in an embrace. He gave a cough as he trotted by making Starlight even more embarrassed. She shoved Polaris off of her and onto the floor causing him to awake suddenly.
"Ima train!" He blurted out not fully conscience. Starlight while annoyed still found it easy to laugh at this sight. Polaris shook his head and slapped his own face slightly to wake himself up more. "Oh my gosh where are we? Did we miss Filly?" He asked worriedly.
"No we just got here. Come on." She whipped her hair across her face as she pranced out the cart. Polaris still groggy from being woken up followed suit.
As the two exited the train Starlight noticed how much the city was moving. She really liked the atmosphere here. She hoped that maybe if they got done with there task at hand they could spend just a bit of time here. Maybe get some food or a coffee or something. 'Business first.' She thought reluctantly to herself. Luckily for her and as if on queue Polaris spoke up.
"Hey would it cool with you if we grab some coffee first. If I have to have an uncomfortable conversation with my sister i'd rather be wide awake for it." He gave a weak smile.
"I was just thinking the same thing." She smiled back. Polaris held out his arm.
"Shall we?" Starlight stared at it for a moment. Devoid of all thoughts but filled with some kind of emotion. Not wanting to keep him waiting she wrapped her arm around his and the began to walk out into the city.
As the pair walked through the city they grabbed some coffee at the first shop they could find. It was one of those cold mornings so the warm coffee felt nice in there hooves. Starlight and Polaris were enjoying there walk together, though not saying a word to each other what they really enjoyed was each others company. Starlight's curiosity began o get the better of her as she broke the silence. "So what are you gonna say to your sister?" Polaris took a long sip of his coffee before replying.
"Honestly I was hoping something would come to me when I saw her." He gave a sly smile at her.
"Your hopeless." She said drinking from her own. "I guess Ill have to save you from your sister if things go south." Polaris scoffed.
"Oh woe is me! My lack of communication skills will surely be my downfall! Thank the heavens that I such a smart companion with me to rescue me from sisters wrath." He feigned fainting on her as she shoved him off of her.
"Hey!" She said in a stern voice. "I'm not just smart ill have you know. I'm also talented and skillful in magics as well as being very polite." She added. Polaris rolled his eyes.
"Let's not forget modest!" She shoved him again almost knocking his coffee out of his hoof.
"Jerk." She faked being offended. She turned her head away from him like she did on the train but this time Polaris was ready for her.
"And did I mention very beautiful?" Starlight's head whipped around so quick he thought her beanie was gonna fly away. She saw the smile on his face a smile that could only mean one thing. 'Gotcha!' She turned her head away again and this time no random kind words would break her facade this time. Polaris took this as a challenge and cleared his throat. "Hmm thinking about beautiful really doesn't do her justice now does it? Maybe radiant? Angelic? But not just that shes also passionate and spirited, a fierce defender as well as noble soul." Starlight now had a second reason for keeping her head turned away from him. Her blush had returned. Seeing as his words were having no affect on her he tried a more direct approach. Words from the heart.
He walked closer to her now being shoulder to shoulder and softly spoke in her ear. "And she's kind." Starlight was startled of the sudden shift in tone. "Shes the kindest pony ive ever meet and I thank my lucky stars that I could see her again." She caved. She had to turn back to him. How could she not? She was prepared for that smug cute look on his face, but when she saw him she noticed that he too was blushing. He had a nervousness in his eyes that she found endearing. This wasn't some form of getting back at her. This was the truth. She stared in his eyes as the stopped walking.
Polaris could feel his heart in his throat. He was hiding the lower part of his face in his hoodie. He wanted to hide. What he said was so embarrassing! He tried to look away but when he saw her eyes it was like he was put under a spell. He was lost in her soft purple eyes. The only thing that got his attention away from them was the fact that her face was dangerously close to hers. He tried to regain control over his body. "She can be a brat at times though." He said trying to coolly look away from her. She laughed and shoved him again. But this time she pulled him back and embraced him in a hug. She buried her face within the collar of his hoodie.
"I'm glad I got to see you again to Polaris." He was stunned. 'She did it again.' He thought as he wrapped his arms around her hugging her back. 'This mare has me wrapped around her hoof.' He ever so slightly inhaled the smell of her hair. It smelled like lavender and ink. They stood there in the middle of the sidewalk not paying any attention to the world outside of there bubble. Before they let go of each other Starlight had a daring thought. 'Maybe I could give him a peak on the cheek.' She froze. The idea excited and scared her. What if he rejected the kiss? Or worse still. What if he didn't. 'Maybe i'm not quite there yet.' She thought pulling away.
There mood was slightly interrupted by a passerby who remarked on how bold today's youths were, causing the pair to almost jump away from each other. "Oh shoot! Were not gonna make the afternoon train if we dont hurry." Polaris said finishing his coffee. Which was still scolding hot indicated by the look he made when he finished it.
"That must have hurt." Starlight said cringing at the sight.
"Nah It wasn't that hot." He croaked out. "Lets get goin." The two quicken their pace to make up for the lost time
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As Starlight and Polaris arrived at Curses and Curiosities Polaris stopped his hoof before he reached the door. He looked at Starlight. She gave him a smile and a nod. She could see the worry on his face. "It'll be alright, I'll back you up." He gave a heavy sigh and opened the door.
The bell to the shop rang out as they entered "Welcome in." Stella said not looking up from her book. Polaris walked up to the counter and gave a knock on the book she was so intently reading. "Oh Polaris. Your back." She said with a smile. "And you brought Starlight with you!" She walked around the counter to give Starlight a hug. "Hows Ponyville?" She asked. Starlight couldn't meet her eyes.
"Hey Stella its good to see you too, Ponyvile is doing a lot better after Polaris solved that problem." Polaris flexed an arm.
"What can I say? I'm pretty reliable if I do say so myself." He admired his own muscles, (or lack there of.) Causing Starlight to roll her eyes.
"So everything's back to normal yeah? Ponyvile is back to its beautiful self?" Stella asked cleaning up the book on the counter that were strewn about. Polaris cleared his throat and gave Starlight a look. She nodded to reassure him as he began to speak.
"Actually Stella that's why we are here." Stella stopped and slowly put her books down. Her back turned to them. "Stella I know you don't like the idea of me movi-"
"Would you like some tea Starlight?" Stella interrupted. Her smile seemed genuine but her eyes seemed cold. Starlight was taken off guard for a moment.
"Oh, no thank you." She said quickly nodding again to Polaris who continued.
"Stella I wanna live in-"
"Well can I at least offer you some breakfast? I make a killer omelette." She went back to picking up her books as she started to walk out of the room. Before she could Polaris shouted as loudly and quickly as he could so he wouldn't be interrupted again.
"STELLA I AM MOVING TO PONYVILE AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO STOP ME!" She stopped in her tracks. She turned around slowly her face neutral but her eyes looked furious.
"Polaris I thought we talked about this." She said in a low tone. Polaris was starting to shake.
"N-No, you talked." He said through a squeaky voice as his sister moved closer. "But now I'm the one who's gonna be doing the talking!" she was right up to his nose now looking him dead in the eyes.
"No. Your not." Her words sounded like venom. "Its not safe for you there." She looked like she was doing her best not to explode. But still maintaining her threading stance caused Polaris to slightly coward from her.
"I can assure you its 100% safe." Starlight said walking up to them. "The ponies who live there are like a big family. And by looks of things i'm sure the others in town will like him just as much as Applejack and Rarity." She patted Polaris on the back and stood with smiling warmly at his sister. Who at this point was now seething.
"I appreciate your kind words for my baby brother Starlight. But there are just some things you don't understand about him. Hes a special little colt." She was dancing around the actual issue, But Starlight could see what was actually bothering her.
"You mean the curse right?" She said bluntly. Her straightforwardness shocked Stella and caused Polaris to wince. Dumbfounded Stella looked at Polaris who was looking at the floor.
"YOU TOLD HER." She hissed now dropping her calmer manner and releasing her true emotions. "What in Equestria possessed you to that!?" He took a big sigh before raising his head. His eyes were clear and focused as he spoke.
"I trust her." He said flatly. "You DO remember what its like to trust somepony else right?" His comment looked like it hit home.
"What I remember is what happened the last time YOU trusted somepony." She poked her hoof into his chest. "They burned our house down and we were run out of town! You almost killed a kid for Celestia's sake!" Starlight piped up again.
"Actually I've experienced the 'curse' firsthoof and it wasn't that bad." Neither of them could read Stella's face. A mixture of fear, confusion, and shock came about her.
"No he said he felt like he was going to die." Stella said backing away from them.
"And you've never known a child to lie?" Starlight rebutted. Stella was at a loss for words. Polaris was as well. He never seen his sister on the loosing side of an argument. It was... Refreshing to say the least.
"No, its still too dangerous! When ponies find out that he has a curse they'll do nothing but try to get rid of him. Ponies dont like what they cant explain!" Starlight chuckled slightly before replying.
"Yeah the residents of Ponyvile are pretty much used to idea of 'the unexplained' Pinkie Pie is a living testament to that."
"Wait who's Pinkie Pie?" Polaris asked.
"Ill introduce you when we get back to town." Starlight said. There little side bar infuriate Stella.
"There's not going to be a 'back to town' because hes not leaving Fillydelphia again!" Stella pushed her way in between Starlight and Polaris. "I knew you were trouble." Her eyes narrowed at Starlight. "I thought it couldn't do any harm to let him have his little crush. But no! You just want to exploit him! And now you've manipulated him in wanting to leave! Get out." Starlight was shocked in the leaps of logic that she was making. She began to voice her concern but was interrupted by Stella. "I SAID GET OUT!" She lowered her horn and shot a beam of magic which turned the floor next to her into ice. Starlight lowered her horn as they two unicorns prepared a spell for one another.
"ENOUGH!" Polaris declared causing the shelves around the shop to shake and the gravity around Stella to increase. Her body slumped closer to the ground as she braced herself.
"Polaris stop! The curse-" There was fear in her voice. He had never used the curse on her before. 'He must be confused and angry.' She thought.
"See? The curse isn't that bad." Stella looked back at Starlight who was also being affected by it. "Sure its a bit of a shock at first but its pretty lame as far as curses go." She flashed a smile at Polaris who looked like he was about ready to cry. "If the curse business doesn't pan out you could always go into can crushing." There was an odd silence. "But I hear its soda-pressing." A chuckle was heard from Polaris as the pressure around them left.
"That was terrible." He said wiping his face. "You should be ashamed." He said smiling. Starlight shrugged.
"Why start now?" She said. It was now Polaris's turn to stand in between Starlight and Stella. He gave her a stern look. She hadn't seen a look like that on him before.
"I'm moving to Ponyvile and there's nothing you can do to stop that." She was still shook from felling the curse. "Your the most important pony in my life Stella, so that's why I want you to understand why I want to leave." He paused and breathed deeply. Starlight put a hoof on his shoulder in support. "I know how much you've had to give up to try to solve this curse, and that's not fair. I want you to start living your own life, doing things that you love. Remember when you got your cutie mark? I do! You were studying astrology and i've never seen you happier. I want that Stella back. I want my sister who loves the wonder of the stars not the one always looking over her shoulder. You taught me so much that I can take this burden alone. I'm old enough to handle it from here."
"Stella I can promise you, Ponyvile has good ponies in it. Not one of them would ever run someone out because there different." She grabbed Polaris's forearm. "And there's no way i'm gonna let him deal with it on his own." Starlight had a fierce and determined look in her eye. 'Shes being protective of him.' She thought. Stella was quiet for a long time. She wasn't able to form any thoughts in her head which was new for her. A lot of new things were happening today. Without responding she walked over to the register and pulled out an envelope.
"Here." She said shoving it into Polaris's chest. "Don't be here when I get back." She started waking to the door. Starlight tried to stop her but Polaris put a hoof out. Before she left Stella turned her head back to Polaris and Starlight. "Starlight?" Her voice was shaky but soft. "Take care of Polie."
"I will." She answered with as much conviction in her voice as she could muster. And with that the sound of the bell from door was heard and Stella left. the room was devoid of all sound for a moment. Starlight wanted to comfort Polaris who was still looking at the door as if waiting for his sister to come back.
"Well that was dramatic." He said breaking the silence.
"Polaris are you okay?" Starlight asked softly. He let out a big sigh.
"Yeah, believe it or not that went pretty well. She doesn't like anypony seeing her cry so I think that's why she left."
"She tried to turn me into an ice statue." Starlight said coldly. To which Polaris laughed at.
"Ha! Yeah she once froze me for like 6 hours when I read her diary. Boy were my joints stiff after that." Starlight gave a defeated sigh.
"Alright well , whats in the envelope?" She asked relenting to change the subject.
"Looks like my last paycheck." He slipped the envelope into his pouch and proceeded up the stairs. "Anyway! You wanna help me pack?" He asked with an upbeat attitude.
As the door opened to Polaris's room Starlight noted the smell. Not a terrible smell but it definitely smelled like boy. "Wow this is not what I expected."
"What did you expect?" He asked gathering a duffel bag from his closet.
"Well, more than this I suppose." She saw how empty the place was save for a few random objects here and there.
"Yeah I guess I kinda knew I didn't want to stay here." He said putting some clothes into a bag. "Hey could you bring those books over here?" He asked as put some clothes into the bag.
"You like Shadow Eye the Detective?" She asked looking at the books she levitated over. "And whats this one? 'Earth Ponies Guide to Impressing Unicorns'?" Polaris snatched that book out of the air.
"That one was a gift!" He said quickly. "Uh yeah I love Shadow Eye. He's the reason I love resolving curses. It kinda feels like i'm solving a mystery."
"Sounds like you and Rarity have something in common then." She said giving him more things from his desk. "She loves the Shadow Spade series." Polaris's ears picked up at this.
"Oh man, did you know that the writer of Shadow Eye was inspired by the Shadow Spade series?" Polaris looked extremely excited.
"I guess that explains the name." Starlight said sheepishly. Polaris however look incredibly puzzled by her comment.
"How did I never think of that?" He said to himself. He shook his head free of this thought as he zipped up his bag and threw it over his shoulder. "Well that's everything ill need for now. We should probably get going."
"Are you sure your okay?" Starlight asked again. "That seemed pretty rough."
"I'm fine. In fact I'm better than fine. For the first time in I don't know how long I finally feel free. And I know that Stella will one day feel that too. None of this would have been possible without you Starlight. Once again it looks like I owe you one!" His smile hurt her. She could see his sad eyes again though the smile and instinctively pulled him into another hug.
"Please just be honest with me." She squeezed him tightly. "Are you okay." His smile faded as he realized he didn't need to keep his facade.
"No." He croaked out. "Im scared." He let out a big breath as he returned the hug. "But, I know I'll feel better once we get back home." 'Home.' Starlight thought. 'Hes already calling it home and we haven't even left yet.'
"Well lets get out of here then." She said smiling. As the two went down back into the shop Polaris grabbed a necklace off of the counter.
"There it is!" He said putting it over his head. "Now we can leave." And without looking back the pair left Curses and Curiosities.