//------------------------------// // Lost History Part 3b // Story: Cursed Eclipse - Across Equestria // by AImostpure //------------------------------// “How can she treat her marefriend that way?” “Probably brought her here just to compare her to the dancers. Makes me sick.” “You think she hits her? Seems like the abusive type.” “Let's wait till they leave then teach the big, dumb one not to talk like that.” “White one is kinda cute. After you smack the big one around, maybe I'll ask her out!” A bulls eye had formed on the back of Spiral Flame's head. With the music dead she could hear every snide remark, every threat, and even a few remarks having to do with her parents. What did her parents have to do with this!? She's not even dating the damnable pegasus! Spiral set both her front hooves flat onto the table. Narrowed eyes glanced back and forth amongst the ponies. The stares had become painful. She adored being the center of attention but not in this way! Okay, Spiral, examine the facts and fast. I have a sobbing filly across from me who just had an uncharacteristic outburst. I swear she gave off no signs of this before. Now, everypony is staring at us and I could very well wind up in a hole in the desert. Music returned at full blast once Spiral brought herself to look at Copy. I think my buzz is wearing off. Just fantastic. Comments and remarks were drowned out, thankfully, by the loud repetitious music. Copy had not moved from her spot on the chair. She still resembled a white egg covered partially in feathers. Legs huddled against her torso and her wings lowered down covering her front. She shook on occasion with tiny sobs. Spiral sighed at the display. She knew what she had to do but would anypony that was making the threats believe it? Would Copy even believe it? “Look... You probably will think I'm saying this just to get out of getting my plot handed to me, but I'm sorry. Normally, somepony would say something like, 'If I'd known you'd had a condition I wouldn't have pushed', but that's just fake apologizing.” Lips pursed blowing a quick sigh from her lungs. “I should know better. Really, I should.” Hoof set against her chest emphasizing who she meant, “You said you never had any friends? Is this true? Why would anypony not want to be your friend?” Spiral recognized the signs coming from Copy. Years before she caused such signs from a pony and it lead to a disaster that troubled her even now. “You're just saying those things, huh?” Even muffled by the blocking feathers and slamming music, Spiral was able to hear mumbles of what Copy was saying. “I hear what other ponies are saying... and I bet you don't want me to say anything to Eclipse either. Don't worry. I won't tell her. I remember what happened to snitches in school and flight school.” “No I mean it. All of it. Look, why don't we go someplace quiet, huh?” Head swished back and forth until Spiral spotted a waiter. Waving a hoof she flagged him over. “I'm sure a VIP room is available. I'll pay the extra bits for it, we'll go in there and talk. Or if you want, so other ponies don't feel the need to, you can pound me to feel better.” With the waiter near her, Spiral gave the request for the room. The pony didn't seem particular fond, offering only a threat that if Copy came out injured, the bounces would be notified. Wings began to part allowing silver eyes to gaze out towards the amber pony across from her. Spiral caught the parting of white trying to give a smile while she argued with the waiter. Copy only shook her head. She didn't understand what Spiral could have been trying to accomplish now. Dejected, she simply spread her wings to drop off the chair onto her hooves. A moment was taken cleaning her face of any damp tears. “Fine...” She murmured. Spiral twisted her self to dunk her snout into her saddlebags producing the needed bits for the waiter. “There, now let's go. Room 3A, Fa...” She bit her tongue hard kicking her right hind hoof into her left. “Copy, let's go, huh?” Treading on social hot coals, Spiral took point guiding the socially frightened pegasus with her. “We got the green room.” VIP rooms were large enough for small groups of ponies to party in privacy. Five in all, each was named corresponding to the color of the carpet inside; red, blue, green, yellow, and orange. Doors were electronically locked. Controls to the locks were kept in a small room in the back with the rest of the electronics in the club. This kept ponies not allowed to be using the rooms from easily accessing them. Each room was identical to the next. Spacious openings with circular satin couch surrounding a round table. Mirrors were used for the ceiling, walls, and table top letting every angle of a private dancer be seen. A control box set into the side of an end of the couch let the user control the volume from the DJ's music, order drinks, control the lighting, or another dance. The door opened before their arrival, Spiral and Copy ventured inside. Each end of the rounded couch were taken up by each pony. It was quieter in here than out on the dance floor. One could finally hear themselves think without feeling the pulsing vibration of electronic sound. With careful manipulation of her hooves, the control box was removed from the side and placed on the table by Spiral. “Want something to drink? If you wanna, you can make the music louder from the box. Just let me know.” Once both were settled, it turned into a one sided, silent staring contest. Copy slumped forward with her head turned away from Spiral. Her wings took a limp posture laying the bottom of her wings over the cushion. She was not speaking, nor did it seem she would be the one to initiate. A brooding pegasus statue sitting on an expensive sofa. If she dared to move, it may have brought the calls of witchcraft or her own show on the strip. Lights became painful to Spiral Flame. She shifted the remote to dim the lights lower. Dim light helped keep her focused without trailing off onto other things. Her attention span when buzzed tended to get her into avoidable trouble. Air from her lungs respired giving her some calm before the storm. “Well I'll begin then. I don't get it. On stage back in Cowhapachi, you didn't show a lick of stopping because of some crowd. I don't know much about medicine but nothing just removes stage fright. I don't want to be pushy, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. The option to just kick my flank freely is available.” “That's different.” Murmurs came past pale lips. Copy leaned forward, finally doing something other than look away, pressing her chin down onto the cold mirror table. “I wasn't me, then, I was The Great and Powerful Trixie.” “I don't follow.” Uncomfortable and feeling heat rise through her, Color Copy shifted one hind leg then the other. “It's like I said. I wasn't me. Like the other times I act like a pony. It isn't me so I don't get anxious.” “But when you're you, you do. It wasn't like that earlier at Wondercheeses or at that fancy boutique.” Pieces didn't fit together for Spiral. More she heard, the more she wondered if Copy wasn't just putting on a show for some sort of revenge match. She slid her forelegs cross to her chest, eye brows quirking as she singularly stared at Copy. Back she tossed her body to the comfort of the couch. Again, she refused to look at Spiral opting to stare at the door. It was an odd door. Blended in with the wall using a form cut piece of mirror. “When I'm around ponies I'm comfortable with it's easier. I feel safe. Eclipse makes me feel safe.” “And your medicine? I don't know much about crazy ponies but what sorta medicine would help you with this? Anti crazy pills or something?” It happen. She got a response from Copy but not the one she meant to. Copy leaned forward glaring across from her to the larger mare. She wanted to shout like she did before, but resisted for the sake of her own brain imploding. “It isn't about being crazy. I.. I don't handle things like other ponies do. You try being in a crowd thinking everypony's staring at you, you try being told your crazy because you can't get along with everypony like everypony else can!” Tone raised sharply, ragged breaths creating a light sensation flooding her body as so much adrenaline. “You... You try hearing voices telling you you're worthless, nothing drowning them out when nopony will even talk to you because you like different things, or being too afraid to draw attention you don't even bother going outside.” No response. Spiral could not form one as she again, metaphorically shoved her hoof into her mouth. She chose the wrong words for the subject, but at least this time there were not ponies around threatening her life for it. Solemnly, she bowed her head unable to look forward. “Again, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply you're crazy, just help me out here. Please. Last time somepony reacted like you did with me, it didn't end well and I don't fancy wanting to see that again.” Copy's head raised inclining forward. “What happened?” Both front hooves waved dismissing the question instantly. “No no no. Won't go there yet. I know you're pouring yourself out to me by my snooping but that's something I'm not wanting to go into. I'll tell ya why my brothers hate me, but I wont tell you that.” Spiral tipped her head back up. “Well?” “Well what?” “Why do they hate you?” A change from her problems set Copy to appear calmed. Not wanting to have her drop this new found, non crying mood, Spiral took it upon herself to dig into her own bag of bones and gloom. The things I do for ponies. “I slept with my younger brother's, just below me in age by a year, fiancee. Night before his wedding, his bachelor party at the local pub, I drank enough to give two pegasi alcohol poisoning,” hooves waved forward and back emphasizing the sheer amount she had guzzled, “Well, this mare comes hitting on me and one thing leads to another. Next morning my five brothers show up at my hotel saying the bride to be went missing. I told them to hold on and I had to tell the pony I brought back I had to go...” “You didn't...?” She gasped at the realization of what was about to happen next. Copy could have swore she read a story like this in one of her raunchy novels she kept under her bed at home. “Yes. There was my brother's fiancee. In my bed. Heard of a bucket list? She had a ball and chain list. Didn't like mares but wanted to experiment before marriage. Being the beefcake and, as she described it, 'coltish type' she decided to hit for me. Three years and they still wont even return a letter or go to my folks if I'm there too.” Feeling ill, Spiral slumped on the couch. It wasn't an easy story to tell. This telling was only the second time she told somepony about what she did. Her brothers weren't blabbing about it. Ruining her celebrity reputation would only hurt the family name and they depended on it too. She better not get any ideas to turn this all around on me with this. “So, I told you something. Now, tell me about this medication.” Diffidently, Copy would talk about the medicine. Chin pressed to upturned hooves, knees bent against the glass table. “It's anti anxiety medicine. It doesn't take the problem away, just helps to calm it. It's also a mental thing, at least that's what my therapist says. It wont work unless I want it to work.. and I ran out two days ago.” Hoof slid the control panel device back in front of Spiral. The small keys were carefully pressed, as careful as hooves could do, placing an order for some pizza rolls, drinks, and peanuts. “Ran out?” “Yeah. I have the prescription I can get it refilled just.. don't have the bits.. Probably be feeling even worse soon. I was told that not taking it is like withdrawal or something. Not pleasant I hear...” Copy mumbled trailing off the last words. She peeked up at Spiral. It was all she could take. Dear Celestia. I can take a hint when you lay it on that thick. “Tomorrow morning before we leave I'll buy your pills.” Okay, why she freaked out and her medicine are both check... Onto subject three. Celestia dammit when did I become a therapist for a mental, albino pegasus. “And you've never had friends.” Her cheek pressed to the table while arms flopped across her head and neck. “None. Never had a single pony. Try imagining what it's like to invite the entire class to see the Wonderbolts for your cute-cenera only for nopony to show up.” “An entire class to see the Wonderbolts? Family loaded or somethin?” Spiral took notice of the door opening ushering in a pegasus waiter. On his flank was the treasure trove of earthly delights ordered moments before. His flank bucked upwards sliding the tray onto an extending wing and then sliding it onto the table. Invasive looks were set on Copy examining her. “Um...” Spiral muttered sliding the appropriate bits for the pegasus. A hoof waved brought the waiter closer letting them share a short, private conversation. Satisfied with his examination of Copy, and the bits, he bowed his head and departed. “Geez, guess some ponies still think I'm beating you.” Copy hadn't noticed the examination from the waiter. She was too focused at her salivating mouth at the fatty foods delivered. Unladylike hoof motions shoveled a few pizza rolls into her free mouth. Spiral grinned sipping her alcoholic beverage. Even with the devouring of pizza earlier, Copy still had room for the small snacks now. “My mom's a nurse at Cloudsdale General. She co-ops at the stadium during events so she meets a lot of celebrities. Always gets free tickets and stuff. But it was always like that. Birthdays I was lucky to have one pony show up who wasn't family... Even then my sisters always had plans to do stuff.” “Couldn't imagine something like that, personally. Not wanting to sound like I'm bragging but I was always crowded by friends and ponies.” First drink was lapped down in a hurry, rushing to her second. I can already see what I'm going to have to do. I can do it now and cut away having to hear more or let her go on. Dammit, Spiral, she's not the guy form High School, she doesn't seem like she'll... Quivering voice cut Spiral's thoughts in twain. “It's not pleasant. It only got worse. Try being nothing but the color white then being lost in a cloud by your parents. Then the bullies...” Another shoveling of food, this time nuts, was her comfort to the reviving melancholy. “Well, you have a friend now.” It's only right. Save one pony when you let down another. Amber hoof thrust forward across the glass table. It was small, and soft, but Spiral smiled to the other when she did this. “If anypony messes with you, I buck their teeth in. If anypony messes with me.. you... You just do what you do and run for help if I can't take em.” A judgmental, partial smirk showed full and well the distrust Copy had when she looked at the offered hoof and back at Spiral. Not sure what else to do, she reached to shake the extended limb. “Thanks?” It was confounding how weak Copy's shake was compared to Spiral's. I've heard of a dainty little flower before but this pony might as well be a twig. “See? We're friends now. Since we're friends... Why Eclipse?” Boastful grin splayed out across eager features. “Not asking as a rival or anything like that. With you being... you it makes me wonder why you're stuck on her.” Promptly, she expectantly looked to the door then back again. “I'll tell you if you tell me.” Skeptic of Spiral's reasoning, Copy decided it would be suitable to at least give this friendship a try. As far back as she could remember, Spiral was the first pony to offer friendship first to her. “At first it was just a, 'look a cute mare' sorta deal. But when she saw through my act in Cowhapachi,” Her hoof pressed over her heart, “It felt just wonderful. Whenever I did that sorta deal, change my voice or change my looks, nopony has recognized. Even my folks were always fooled... or claimed to be. Having her remember me after only knowing me for a day then doing that? It just... made me feel like air!” Cute. She's acting like a school filly now. “I'm a lot simplier. Aside from a hot flank... It's because she completely blew me off and had no idea I was even trying to bag her.” Images of Eclipse's sleeping face popped one by one in Spiral's mind taking her back to the first night. “So you didn't sleep with her...” “Not in the sense I made it seem.” “Me neither.” In turn, both fell into repose and laughed. It was the first either felt at ease in one another presence. Perhaps just to spoil the moment, or to see what the pegasus looked like flustered, Spiral parted her lips and spoke, “Virgin?” Through white fur the red glowing on Color Copy's cheeks was as apparent as the sun in the sky. It spread quickly over her ears and straight to her withers. Particles of food flicked from sputtering lips as words were jumbled in her throat. “Wha? What? Why would you ask me something like that?!” “So you are!” An accusing hoof prominently pointed at Copy. “You just had this whole innocent vibe about you. Dunno what it was.” Nonchalant sigh fell from Spiral. They were making headway in such a short time. She had to admit, seeing the pegasus like this was better than the bundle of sobbing fur and feathers before. It was almost cute. “So, just mares? Or mares and stallions?” Taking a turn at the food, a few rolls were snatched away before Copy finished off the plate. “Just mares... And no, it isn't just because I've never been asked out by a stallion,” Copy scoffed at the idea, “Somepony actually asked me that while buying a Playcol.. a magazine..” Discerning grin at Copy's near admission. Hooves came back behind Spiral's neck when she reclined against the sofa. “Me? I go for either. Yep!” Again, she earnestly looked at the door, “Sometimes you feel like a sweet, hot apple pie. But sometimes you need a nice raging bucking bronco. Of course! They do sell things that let mares do that sorta thing to other mares. Never tried them myself. I do remember what unicorns can do with their horns!” She laughed slapping her hoof onto the table. “This one time I was with an earth pony mare, and a unicorn stallion. Each of us took one spot on him and just..” “Please, stop.” Copy pleaded pushing her hooves against her ears. “It was bad enough when my mother told me about the birds and the bees. It was bad enough having to hear about the things pony put into orifices of their bodies that she had to remove. I don't want to hear about any of that!” Copy's blush had only intensified. She shook her head when a chorus of laughter roared from Spiral. A click from the door signaled another arriving. Spiral looked far too eager as she plastering a lewd grin on her face. The fake smoke rolled in coating the ground in thin gray. “Since we both like Eclipse, I asked if they had any dancers that did the whole fake horn or fake wing thing and acted like the princesses. Sure enough, they have one that does! Lunass!” “Told two hot mares needed a dance!” Spiral's grin vanished instantly when she heard the voice. It sounded raspy and rough as if somepony had eaten gravel while smoking three packs of cigarettes at once. It was expected that the dancer would be either a unicorn or pegasus wearing a fake novelty to compensate for the missing alicorn article, but it was worse. An earth pony was before them wearing the cheapest knockoffs bits could buy. Wings and horn were a sickly yellow plastic attached with thin straps. Lunass' coat and mane were at least the proper colors to mimic Luna. Unfortunately, the product line she used had burned out any softness or volume. Then came the sagging. Lunass must have been in her older years or have done something wrong in her life. Her skin and flank sagged in the wrong places creating an effect found on wrinkled clothing. “Who's first?” Copy did not waste any time frantically pointing a hoof in Spiral's direction. Spiral quietly cursed at the quickness of the pegasus. “Look... Maybe this was a bit of an.. ah mistake or something. See I never said alicorn. I said acorn. Ya know, a pony dressed as an acorn!” “Don't give me that lot!” Lunass sashayed to Spiral hoisting her forelegs up. Hooves set against the amber pony's thighs as she leaned in close. Fearing what was to come, Spiral fell back onto the curved cushion scrambling to escape the less then desirable pony. Her head turned when she heard it. It was a voice, her voice, but her tongue hadn't moved to speak. “When I thought we were getting Luna I didn't expect the moon to be her ass! Must be a full moon cause that flank is huge!” That was me. But I didn't say that. But it was me! Wait she thinks it was me! Abhorrence stared at Spiral through raging eyes. A dark blue hoof crashed down against Spiral's muzzle splaying her across the couch. Spiral thrust her hooves up rubbing against the side of her nose where the strength of the stripper blind sided her. “It wasn't me! I swear!” “Tooth! She insulted my flank!” Setting a hoof next to her mouth, Lunass shouted out towards the door. A large stallion emerged from the smoke and lasers nodding towards the badly costumed stripper. “Toss 'er out on her fat plot!” Spiral thrust her body up with forelegs pushing behind her. She stared around the room searching for whatever had spoken in her voice. It all came back to Copy. Peering across the table, at her newly made pegasus friend, it returned to her mind what Copy's special talent was. “Wait! You got it all wrong! It was her! I swear she said it! Not me!” Copy simply watched Spiral's frantic outburst while grinning with a feigned innocence. Fore hooves touched together resting against her knees. She spoke not a word since the mirth set in her visions would tell Spiral all she needed to know. Moment later Copy and Spiral were escorted from the club. Spiral was given a first hand introduction to the pavement from four ponies who had tossed her out. Copy, on the other hoof, had the door held for her and coupons for complimentary drinks on her next visit. “We don't want to see your face here for a month!” A bouncer shouted at the fallen earth pony then turned to Color Copy, “We apologize for the way your marefriend treated you and would welcome you back at the soonest convenience. Have a good night.” The four retreated inwards, swinging the doors closed behind them. Tossed out like an unruly bag of garbage, Spiral Flame was quiet the sight. When she hit the hard pavement her flank had continued to move as the rest of her skidded to a stop. It sat now above the rest of her body upturning her saddlebag spilling precious bits and small items out across her form. Lips placed a passionate kiss onto the hard surface of the ground. Soon parted she spat out pebbles until the approach of a pegasus in front of her. “Wow. They threw you far!” Copy giggled extending a hoof down to her self proposed friend. Grudgingly, Spiral accepted the white leg using it as aid to hoist herself up. Much to her own surprise, she wasn't as angry at Copy as she expected herself to be. “Ya know, I actually thought I was talking in there. Not bad. Not bad at all.” With Copy's aid, Spiral collected her possessions strewn around where she landed. Each bit was counted making sure she didn't have to make another trip to the bank because she lost money in a gutter that wasn't a casino. Satisfied with their collecting, the pair began to trot back to the boutique. “Hey... Since we're friends... Can I borrow some bits and buy some mane and coat dye on the way?” Copy shyly asked trotting a few steps behind Spiral. A sidelong glance was set upon the white pegasus. For a split second there was worry that this would become a friendship of pure dependance from Copy relying on Spiral's bits. Surveying the worry clouding Copy's expression, Spiral shoved this doubt aside. With a swift motion she fell back to keep pace with the other and pulled her into a quick headlock. Her free fore hoof dragged repeatedly across Copy's head. “Ah what the heck! As long as you don't copy me again, I'll buy ya some dyes. Don't tell that Trixie about it. She may want something too.” Brandishing a smug grin, Spiral released her hold and motioned with a tip of her head. “Let's drop by a drug store then go back. Only take a few minutes, right?”