//------------------------------//
// Chapter Sixteen: Excursion 
// Story: CRISIS: New World Order 
// by GanonFLCL 
//------------------------------//

Rarity had to admit that House Sky’s estate was quite an elegant affair to see up close, just the right amount of splendor to be fancy with just the right amount of charm to be rustic, a fitting combination for the Newhaven aesthetic. Now that everything had been cleaned up—a rather unfortunate phrase considering everything that had happened, including seeing to it that Lord Green Fields’s body was properly transported to his home—the manor could be properly attended to, staffed, and made accommodating to anypony that wanted to visit or have an audience.

Lockwood had left less than an hour ago once he’d finished his meeting with Lord Skycatcher and Lady Silverluck, and Rarity felt that this presented a golden opportunity to engage in some diplomatic relations of her own. After all, she’d offered Bluebolt and Sundial all the help she could give in order to make this journey work, not just so that she, Bloom, and Flurry could go home, not just so that she could help Sundial improve the state of this world, but so that everypony in both worlds could be happy and safe. And that meant she needed to learn a thing or two about the southern lands that she hadn’t had a chance to learn before.

So, while Bloom and Weaver took this opportunity to see the sights with Symphony as their guide, and Venture went off to do whatever it is she was doing—the mare practically disappeared after the whole hangar incident, only saying she had a few things to look into—Rarity saw a perfect chance to visit the House Sky estate with nopony to distract her. Sundial, Bluebolt, and Flurry would be gone for hours, so she had plenty of time to get something done before meeting everypony for dinner.

The staff at the estate were very welcoming of a foreign “diplomat” and guest, especially one that was a close, personal friend of King Lockwood and Queen Blackburn considering all that the pair had just done for Newhaven. Rarity was allowed into the manor without much fuss and even given a little tour of the place by Skycatcher’s steward, Cloudlace, a middle-aged pegasus mare with an off white coat and a light blue mane who was pleasant, helpful, and almost motherly.

The instant that Rarity had been left to her own devices, she went seeking out Lady Silverluck. The other mare was positively intriguing to Rarity, for a number of reasons. First, her family history was surely very interesting, what with apparently being distantly related to Lord Silvertongue himself, so Rarity was curious about that whole aspect of that situation. After all, Silvertongue had been responsible for this world’s state of affairs for centuries, for making life miserable for Rarity and her friends when they were last here, and for creating six mares that Rarity once considered enemies but now considered friends.

Second, Silverluck was such a strong-hearted mare that it gave Rarity a little chill watching her speak during the negotiations earlier. That was a mare who spoke her mind, who didn’t take guff from anypony, and who was so self-assured and brave that she gladly stood in the face of impending death with an air of dignity and grace that Rarity found captivating. A mare like that surely had some interesting stories to tell.

Third, and most frivolous, the mare had a keen fashion sense what with the way she styled herself, and Rarity just knew she was the highest of high-class ponies, definitely somepony she would like to be acquainted with here or back at home. Sure, it was just the tiara, since Silverluck had otherwise been nude, but that was enough. She just couldn’t help herself.

She found Silverluck not in any of the manor’s many, many guest quarters, nor in the grand hall, not even in the dining hall. Instead, Rarity found her in one of the manor’s leisure chambers on the north side of the building, all alone. To Rarity’s dismay, the mare was not in the state now that she had been at the negotiations earlier.

For one thing, she was laid out on a sofa, her tiara lopsided and her mane and tail just a little messy, not at all the picture of pristine perfection that Rarity had seen before. For another, she was seemingly, no, definitely inebriated. If the two empty bottles of wine nearby weren’t enough indication, the one she was currently drinking from directly—bottom-up and everything—was more than enough.

Rarity just stood and stared at the sight for a moment, not quite sure what to make of the whole thing.

Silverluck finished off her bottle of wine and lazily looked about for another, but couldn’t find one readily available. That was about when she looked towards the doorway to see Rarity staring at her. Rarity, completely forgetting herself and dreadfully embarrassed to be caught staring at the noblemare in such a state, was absolutely certain that she was about to get an earful, at the very least. 

However, as she was about to offer an apology, Silverluck spoke first:

“S-Silver Glow?”

Rarity tilted her head, not expecting that response at all. “I beg your pardon?”

She was definitely not expecting, not in a million years, for Silverluck to practically leap over to her and give her one of the tightest, most intense hugs she’d ever received in her life.

“You’re alive!” SIlverluck cried, tears welling in her eyes, a smile on her face. “You’re alive! Thank Harmonia!”

Rarity was at a complete loss as to what to say or do. She couldn’t even speak because she was so flabbergasted by the other mare’s reaction to her appearance. This was not the first time somepony in this world had greeted her not as a stranger but as a known pony, but this was far different from anypony else’s reactions.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Silverluck sniffed. Rarity could feel the wetness from the mare’s nose rubbing on her neck. “They told me what happened to you, and I—” She tightened the hug and started sobbing. “Where have you been? Why didn’t anypony tell me you were alive? Why haven’t you written me?”

Rarity did what she could to pull back from the hug, trying her best to do so delicately. “Lady Silverluck, I think you’re mistaking me for somepony else,” she said, unsure how to break that kind of news. The poor mare seemed so ecstatic to see her that it hurt just to tell her anything otherwise.

Silverluck shook her head, but her smile didn’t falter. “What do you mean? I could never mistake my sister for anypony else, silly. I’d recognize that brilliant blue… mane…” She tilted her head, quirking an eyebrow. “Oh. Did you dye your mane? It’s less blue than I remember.”

“Yes, it’s purple, dear. It’s never been blue,” Rarity murmured. “I’m trying to tell you—”

“I mean, if you’re dying it a new color just because you’re getting older,” Silverluck laughed. Then, she paused and looked at Rarity’s face more closely, putting a hoof to Rarity’s cheek. “By the stars, you look gorgeous. You look like you’ve hardly aged a day since I saw you last. My goodness, this has been a good twenty-six years for you, hasn’t it? You look younger than me.”

Rarity frowned. Her heart was breaking seeing this other mare so convinced of what she was saying. “Darling, I’m not who you think I am. I’m sorry, but you’re mistaken.”

Silverluck’s mouth curled in another grin. “Silver Glow, really, that’s not… nice…” She blinked, then looked more closely at Rarity once again. This time, her grin faltered just a little bit. “I mean, we held a funeral and everything, but now you’re here and—”

“Darling, my name is Rarity, not Silver Glow. I’m not your sister.”

Silverluck paused, and her grin started to turn into a frown. “But… you look just like—” She shook her head and let out a breath, her grin returning. “Maybe you hit your head, that’s it. Amnesia. You’ve forgotten who you were, oh my, that must be why—”

“Lady Silverluck!” Rarity huffed, stamping her hoof to snap the poor noblemare out of her delusion. “Please, believe me, I am not who you think I am.”

“You’re… not? But—”

“No, dear, I’m not,” Rarity sighed. “I’m terribly sorry that I’m not, because it sounds as though you loved your sister very much, but that’s not who I am. I’m sorry.”

Silverluck stepped back and frowned as the realization and embarrassment kicked in. “No… I’m sorry. You look just like her.” Silverluck wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry about all that. You must think I’m crazy or something, coming up to you and hugging you and… damn it all…”

“Or perhaps that you’ve been drinking too much?” Rarity suggested in the most polite tone she could manage.

Silverluck looked briefly to the three empty bottles on the floor, as if considering the suggestion, then looked back to Rarity. “Who are you? Why are you here?”

“As I said, my name is Rarity. I’m a good friend of King Lockwood and Queen Blackburn, and I had hoped for a chance to meet you.”

“Meet me? Why?”

“Well, I got to see your display in those negotiations earlier, and I must say that I was rather impressed with the fiery spirit you seemed to have.” She frowned and looked over Silverluck’s tragic state of appearance. “I’m afraid I don’t understand why you’re not quite looking so well, at the moment.”

Silverluck scoffed. “Isn’t it obvious? I have to leave here tonight under the cover of darkness so that I can return to my House estate to make plans to move forward with my petition. I have to hide my face wherever I go so that I don’t get murdered out in the middle of nowhere, or while I’m on the road, or while walking down some street corner.”

“I’m terribly sorry to hear that—”

“And that’s not even the half of it,” Silverluck laughed. “Even after everything that happened today I know that I’m probably never going to get the help I need to secure the petition with the Harmony Guard. My House is ruined, my friends are dead, my son is missing, and I have to fear for my life every waking moment of every single day. And I have nothing to show for it all.”

“I wouldn’t say that, dear. You got House Sky to agree to the petition, didn’t you?”

“Of course, after King Lockwood showed up to bail me and Lord Skycatcher out of the fire. If it weren’t for him, Skycatcher and I would be dead right now, and probably everypony down in that port. I did nothing but stand there and let somepony else take care of my problems.”

Rarity shook her head. “That’s not how I heard it. Your words to Lockwood are likely what convinced him to ensure your safety as best he could. You stood before all of those powerful ponies and you told them exactly what was on your mind. You were very brave.”

Silverluck snorted. “Even so, House Sky isn’t enough to do anything, and now I have to retreat back to my estate to figure out anything else. I can’t move west as I planned to visit High Mountain and speak with House Wind to finalize our agreement, so I might as well consider my whole plan a bust at this point. And since I have no idea where my son is, I feel as though my efforts would have been better spent trying to find him.”

Rarity eyed the bottles again. “That would certainly drive anypony to need a little liquid courage. Do you have any notion what might have happened to your son?”

Silverluck sighed and shook her head. “I’m not entirely certain of the situation, no. The last I saw of him, he was in command of our House’s army, heading off to battle with House Golden early in the war, after they murdered my parents. The news I’ve heard suggests that he lost. I don’t know if he was killed, or captured, or managed to flee, or… anything, really.”

“I’m very sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine what it must be like to fear for your child’s safety.”

“Hmph, well, I appreciate the concern,” Silverluck snorted. She then turned to the cabinet on the nearby wall, opened it with her magic—terribly sloppily—and pulled out another bottle of wine.

“Darling, don’t you think you’ve had enough?” Rarity asked, concerned for the mare’s health.

Silverluck struggled to get the cork out. “The only thing I’ve got left in my life now is my wine.”

“Still, if you’re going traveling tonight, don’t you think you should be sober?”

“Ha! I’ll leave the actual traveling concerns to my entourage. They’ll get me where I need to go, and if we get caught by House Golden assassins out in the fields then I’d rather die drunk and happy than scared and miserable.” Silverluck still struggled to open the bottle. “Damned thing, open up!”

Rarity firmly grasped the wine bottle in her magic and took it away. “Lady Silverluck, darling, perhaps you should sit down for now, hmm?” she said, gesturing to the couch. “Take a little rest? You’ve surely had a difficult day.”

Silverluck grunted and staggered back over to the couch, then resumed her lazy lounging position. “Ugh, fine, maybe a little nap first.” She set her head back and tried to use the armrest as a pillow, but she was on the wrong side of the sofa and her head just sagged over the side instead. It didn’t look at all comfortable.

Rarity paused, then took a seat next to Silverluck and gently patted the noblemare’s leg. “Lady Silverluck, if you don’t mind… would you like to talk about your sister?”

Silverluck clumsily lifted her head up and eyed Rarity curiously. “Why?”

“Well, I feel just awful getting your hopes up like that, even by accident. And you seemed so happy and full of life when you spoke to me earlier that—” Rarity paused, then smiled. “Well, maybe it’ll help get you out of your funk, if even just for a moment?”

“I mean, I guess I could,” Silverluck muttered. “You really do look just like her, you know? Just like she did when I last saw her, except with a purple mane, you’re right. And a bit of a different style, too.”

“She sounds lovely.”

Silverluck smiled. “She was. She was the most beautiful mare in all of the southern lands, bar none. She was the envy of every mare, the desire of every stallion.” She shook her head lazily. “So naturally, she was the mare of choice for King Stormchaser when his first wife died. He loved my sister, and she loved him. Their marriage was more than just political like mine is.”

Rarity put her hoof to her heart. “Oh dear, you say your marriage is a political arrangement?”

“Indeed it is. It’s how things are done down here in the south. Firstborn nobles—like my sister—typically get to pick and choose who they wed… who they love. Secondborn foals and beyond, like myself, are usually married off to strengthen our political alliances.” She then scoffed, rather loudly. “For all the good that seemed to do.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

Silverluck took a breath. “My husband is Lord Goldenglow of House Golden, the third son of Lord Golden Shield. The arrangement was to strengthen the connection between our Houses for we have been allies since the era of Silvertongue. Lady Golden Heart was his right-hoof mare and lover.”

“Really? Silvertongue had a lover? That comes as rather… surprising, actually. He seemed the sort to only care about himself.”

“Our family history tells us he wasn’t always like that, not in the least. Harmonia made him her Warden for a reason. He was good, and honest, and pure of heart. He loved life, music, and art. He loved meeting new ponies and making new friends. He loved her, Golden Heart, more than any mare in the world… except maybe Harmonia herself, of course,” she added with a grin.

“But whatever happened to him, whatever changed… nopony knows what it was. Nopony knows when it happened, or why, or if he was at fault for it or not. He just changed.” Silverluck shook her head. “He betrayed every ally he had, down to the last.”

“Even this Lady Golden Heart, you say?” Rarity asked. 

“Yes. She apparently found out about his plan to exterminate the gryphons just before he enacted it, after he’d constructed the Beacons. She tried to stop him, but… well, obviously she failed.”

“How does anypony know that? It happened hundreds of years ago, and as far as I know there weren’t any witnesses.”

Silverluck shook her head. “That tower of his stored an awful lot of information, including his personal journals. By that point he’d already joined forces with Nihila and openly wrote about his actions against the gryphons, against Harmonia, and against Golden Heart. I know not how House Golden acquired them, but they did.”

Rarity scoffed. “And everypony just believes it? Silvertongue was a master manipulator, he could very well have been lying. For all you know, Golden Heart sided with him and stayed with him until the end of her natural life. And for that matter, doesn’t it seem suspicious that such information came into House Golden’s possession but not, say, House Silver’s?”

Silverluck clenched her teeth. “My father likely asked those same questions when House Golden revealed their betrayal. If Lord Golden Shield told him an answer, nopony who was in that room and is still alive would ever deign to tell me.”

Rarity frowned, more concerned than ever for the noblemare’s safety and well-being. “And this is the same House Golden that’s been hunting you down?”

“It is. So you can see how deeply House Golden’s loyalties and honor go, that they would not only betray our Houses’ ancient bonds, but even turn on one of their own because he married into my family.” Silverluck shook her head. “Silvertongue’s actions were evil, but what House Golden has done is the same, even if to a lesser degree.”

“I agree, darling, it sounds simply deplorable.” Rarity then tilted her head as a question came to mind. “Earlier, you said your sister married King Stormchaser? As in, Blackburn’s father?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes. It was a political arrangement, primarily. Stormchaser, just a prince back then, wanted to open up relations with the south beyond just Newhaven. He had spoken with my family, for we were the most politically powerful House then, about arranging a marriage with his daughter. But then… Blackburn’s mother died in a tragic accident, so I’m told.”

Rarity was given a brief moment of pause. Blackburn’s mother had passed away under rather horrible circumstances, she knew that much, but the queen had never mentioned that she was so close to never meeting Lockwood. She just couldn’t imagine a world in which those two weren’t together.

“Stormchaser was devastated,” Silverluck continued, “but he still attempted to push forward with his goals and dreams for his city. He hadn’t met Silver Glow before then, but when they met… well, my sister used to say it was truly magical, more than what any unicorn was capable of. They married soon after Stormchaser’s father, King Flashfire, passed away. My sister became Queen of Hope’s Point.”

“Ah, that would mean that Blackburn and Lockwood’s children are your great nieces and nephews, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes. I don’t speak much with Bluebolt or Dreamchaser, of course, as they stay in the north, mostly. Fireglow, though…” She frowned and shook her head. “I have done what I can to support his marriage to Gleaming Dawn. Her parents are close friends of mine—” She clenched her teeth. “They were close friends until they, too, were murdered.”

Rarity nodded sadly. “Yes, I heard as much. That poor mare…”

“I’m just glad they are safe, and I hope when this is all over she can one day return to the south and rebuild what she has lost with Prince Fireglow by her side.” She gave Rarity a sidelong glance. “Their marriage was arranged as well, you know? But even so, they truly love each other. Most political marriages are rather… strained.”

“Ah, you speak of your own, then?”

Silverluck huffed. “Goldenglow is of House Golden, as I said. We married to strengthen our Houses’ allegiance, for all the good that seems to have done.”

Rarity tilted her head. “Isn’t he here with you?”

“Yes, he is. Why he stays, I’ll never know. His father has demanded he return home multiple times, and he refuses.”

Rarity grinned. “Sounds to me like he wants to stay by your side.”

Silverluck sighed. “Perhaps, but all things considered I don’t know if I can ever trust him after what his family has done to mine. I know it sounds hypocritical to judge him based on the actions of his father, but—”

“What does your heart tell you about him, dear?”

“I… don’t know,” Silverluck mumbled. “Our marriage has never been typical. I have never shown him affection in all these years. We were only intimate when trying to have our son, and that was a rather brief period. We sleep in separate rooms, for Harmonia’s sake. 

“But… he stills remains. He has never even taken a mistress despite me taking paramours of my own, as these marriages often encourage of their participants. I don’t know if that means that he cares for me or not, but… it feels wrong if he does, for I have never given him that same caring.”

Rarity paused for a moment, then gently patted Silverluck’s leg. “Give it time, then. Perhaps when this is all over, you’ll realize what he feels for you, and maybe, after doing all of this together, you will come to see him in a new light.”

Silverluck hung her head again. “Perhaps…”

“Well, this certainly has been quite a tale, darling,” Rarity said with a smile. “Your sister sounds like a wonderful mare from how you describe her. It’s truly a pity I never got to meet her.”

“She really was…” Silverluck shook her head and gave Rarity a small smile. “Sorry, I’m probably boring you with all of these trips down memory lane. You said you were friends with Blackburn and Lockwood? May I ask how you know them?”

“That’s a rather long and complicated story,” Rarity said with a nervous smile of her own. “I’m afraid you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, and I’m actually not sure I’m allowed to tell you anyway. It’s supposed to be a secret.”

Silverluck’s smile widened. “Well, that just makes me more curious, doesn’t it? Come on, tell me something.”

Rarity thought for a moment, then decided on the best way to put things. “Let’s just say I’m not exactly from around here, and that Lockwood and Blackburn helped me and some of my friends out of a fairly serious bind. Lockwood actually injured his eye and wing in the process of saving the life of my dearest friend. We owe them a lot.”

“Hmm… fair enough.” Silverluck groaned and rose back upright, then got off the couch. “I’ve probably taken up enough of your time, Miss Rarity. I should start speaking with my husband and our entourage about our departure.”

Rarity rose from the couch as well. “Would you like any help?”

“No. Not that I don’t appreciate the offer, but if anypony found out that you, a friend of the King and Queen of Hope’s Point, were helping us in any capacity, they might consider that a violation of the Pact. Even this conversation we’ve just had might be considered suspect if somepony really stretched the rules. I don’t think either of us want to risk making things worse.”

Rarity frowned. “No, I suppose we don’t.” She then had an idea. “Well, perhaps you can be of some assistance to me and my companions?”

Silverluck tilted her head. “Hmm? I’m afraid I cannot offer much.”

“It’s a simple question, actually. My companions and I are heading south, towards Zeb’ra’den. Are there any Houses in that direction that we can trust? Any we should avoid? I want to be sure our group doesn’t get wrapped up in all of this if we can avoid it.”

“Ah, well, the only Houses you should reasonably encounter are House Night and House Snow. The former is… peculiar in their traditions, but they are neutral in this conflict and staunchly so. I am sad that Lady Stormy Night did not accept my petition request, but she rightly feared for her House’s safety.

“The latter, House Snow, is a loyal ally of the zebras, and they, too, are neutral in this conflict. They refused me on grounds that it might draw the zebras into the war as well, which would be disastrous, I feel. If you are looking to go to Zeb’ra’den, they will likely be of some assistance.”

Rarity nodded appreciatively. “I see. Well, that is certainly useful information, thank you.”

Silverluck nodded back. “It was nice meeting you, Miss Rarity. May luck be with you on your travels, wherever they may take you.”

“And with you as well, Lady Silverluck,” Rarity said with a smile and a bow.

Silverluck grinned. “I always have luck with me, my dear. It’s in my name, after all.”


*****


It was shortly before dinnertime, and Bloom, Symphony, and Weaver had already taken the time to get a table at one of the restaurants in Newhaven. This one was called Legume’s Legumes, and it was a neat little diner that specialized in legume-based meals, obviously, in case the name wasn’t clear enough. Symphony proudly noted that the restaurant was a favorite spot of Crossfire, one of her idols, and that as such it was a favorite spot of the royal family when they visited Newhaven.

Sundial, Bluebolt, and Flurry were supposed to be arriving in time for dinner, so they still had a little bit of time to show up before anypony would start to worry; Rarity had just arrived after a little trip to House Sky’s estate and was in the midst of telling the others about her meeting with Lady Silverluck; Venture was still nowhere to be found, but nopony was really bothered by it since she practically never shared meals with them anyway.

Bloom admired the menu with a certain level of appreciation for their selection. She’d never been much on beans and the like, coming from an apple-loving family and all, but the creativity on display here was something else. Everything from spicy black bean soup to green bean casserole was available, and though Bloom hadn’t quite figured out the pricing of things in this world, everything seemed reasonably inexpensive. Judging from the nearby tables the portions served were tremendous, and judging by the crowd the quality was excellent. Bloom hadn’t even eaten yet and she loved the place.

Speaking of the crowd, it had only been a few hours since the entire town had been threatened with force by House Green and House Waters, and yet everypony was back at ease relatively quickly. It helped that they’d had their faith in Hope’s Point paid off, and nothing made that clearer than the Hope’s Point militia ponies patrolling the streets, tall and proud in their defense of the town until this war was over. It definitely inspired confidence in the populace.

“Can I get y’all anythin’ ta drink?” asked their waitress, a pudgy earth pony mare with a face absolutely covered in freckles.

Bloom hadn’t gotten used to the fact that the ponies native to this town had accents startlingly similar to her own and Applejack’s, considering that ponies all throughout Ponyville sounded like they came from practically everywhere in Equestria. This was apparently the Newhaven accent, which meant that for the past few months every stranger she’d met probably thought she was from here and so nopony asked where she was from, which meant she didn’t need to make up a story. Convenient.

Drink orders were simple enough: chocolate milkshake for Bloom—they didn’t have apple juice on account of apples not existing on this world—water for Weaver, iced tea for Rarity, and strawberry lemonade for Symphony; they had everything here and more. The waitress was quick to deliver them as well, and well-practiced with handling a tray of food and drinks even as an earth pony.

Sundial, Bluebolt, and Flurry—back in the coat Sundial had given her and so back to being just a “unicorn”—arrived a few minutes later, right on time actually. Flurry looked absolutely exhausted and immediately started muttering to Rarity about hats and wind or something. The arriving trio put in their drink orders, then took some time to look over the menus and pick out their food orders while the rest of the table put theirs in with the waitress. The food orders weren’t really important in the end, and Bloom hadn’t paid too much attention to anypony’s but her own—the succotash sounded good—as she was more focused on Flurry’s state of being.

So, once the waitress had left, Bloom leaned over to Flurry. “Hey, what in the hay happened up there? Ya look like… well, ya look like heck, if’n ya pardon mah honesty here. Are you okay?”

Flurry nodded at Bloom, a small smile on her face. “Oh, I’m fine, thanks for asking. I’m just exhausted, that’s all. I had to use up a lot of magic.”

“What for, darling?” Rarity asked, also clearly concerned.

“Should we be talking about this here?” Flurry asked, looking around.

Symphony grinned. “Hey, no need to be shy. This here’s a private table just for the royal family and such—you know how Her Majesty likes her privacy and all that—so we’re good to talk about whatever.”

“Oh, well, that’s good.”

Sundial patted Flurry on the back. “This lassie put all o’ her effort inta activating an old gryphon techno-magic project that nopony—or Gilderoy—knew anything about. Go on, Flurry, tell them what ye did.”

Flurry smiled. “Well, the project was apparently made to keep some gryphon eggs safe in case of a huge disaster. So, we were able to get them out of containment, and the computer system up there is programmed to make sure they hatch and are taken care of. I used my magic to help power the process since it was out of ‘juice’, as Bluebolt called it.”

Rarity’s eyes widened, amazed. “Wait a moment, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Yup!” Bluebolt said with a proud grin. “Flurry totally helped give the gryphons another chance! There’s one hundred eggs up there right now, incubating or whatever.”

“No way,” Symphony muttered, also amazed. “Sei per davvero? Are you serious?”

“Heck yeah, we’re serious.” Bluebolt pulled Symphony in close for a hug. “We did good up there, songbird. Flurry especially! We couldn’t have done any of it without her.”

“The eggs are set ta hatch in about twenty days from now,” Sundial said as she sipped her drink. “Bluebolt’s already volunteered ta get Hope’s Point involved in any way she can, too, so things are really looking up, aye?”

“We flung a little light of hope into the future,” Flurry said with a smile. “I feel exhausted, sure, but I also feel amazing. I made a difference. I gave them a second chance.” She turned and nodded to Weaver. “I thought they deserved it.”

Weaver sipped from his water. “I don’t know much about gryphons, but I know they’ve been gone for a long time, and that Gilderoy was the last of their kind. It sounds like this is a really good thing that you did for them all, and for him in particular. He won’t be alone anymore. So… well done, Flurry. I’m proud of you.”

Flurry put her hoof to her heart. “Thank you, Weaver.”

“It seems that when you and Sundial work together, you’re good at giving others a second chance,” he added, nodding at Sundial.

Sundial grinned. “Aw, thanks, lad.”

Bluebolt’s grin suddenly widened and she started excitedly tapping Symphony on the shoulder. “Ooh! Ooh! Also! Also! I got confirmation, songbird!”

Symphony tilted her head. “Confirmation of…?” Then her eyes widened. “Oh! Ohhh! You did?” She turned to Sundial and smiled. “I knew it! Ahaha! I knew it!”

“Aye, cheers lass, do ye want a bloody medal?” Sundial grumbled and sipped her drink some more. “I probably should’ve ordered a stiffer drink.”

“Confirmation o’ what?” Bloom asked, looking between the pair, completely lost.

“Sundial got laid!” Symphony cheered. “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!”

Bloom looked at Sundial with wide eyes, completely taken aback by this information. “Wow, really? Huh. Well, color me surprised.”

Sundial narrowed her eyes. “What the bloody hell is that supposed ta mean, lass?”

“Nothin’, I just didn’t think you were even interested in anythin’ like that. Ya always kind o’ stuck ta yerself, y’know?”

“It’s rather good news, I think.” Rarity gave Sundial a coy grin and took a sip of her iced tea. “I’m glad to see that you followed through with my advice, darling.”

Bloom turned to Rarity. “Wait, ya gave her advice on gettin’ some? What, like, positions or somethin’?”

Rarity nearly choked on her iced tea. “N-no, nothing quite like that, dear. Goodness, no. I merely helped her figure out how to… er, initiate things.” She glanced at Sundial briefly. “And it would seem she heeded my words.”

Sundial held up her hooves and gave Bloom an accusatory glare. “Hang on a bloody minute, what gives ye the right ta start talking at me like ye didn’t think I could get shagged in the first place?”

Bloom scratched her chin. “Well, I mean, ya got a kind o’ way about ya that makes me think ya don’t ever want any company. Like, ever. 'Specially not in the bedroom.”

“That’s what I told her,” Bluebolt said with a nod. “She’s a total sourpuss, usually. Buuut, lately she’s been a lot better about it, right?”

“Yeah!” Symphony added. “She looks like she’s actually getting a proper amount of sleep, and she’s more talkative, and friendly, and she even hangs out with us like this here,” she continued, gesturing at the table, “out in public and everything! She’d never do that before. She hates public places.”

Bloom pondered this. “Huh… yeah, now that ya mention it.” She shook her head. “Well, alright, I buy it.”

“Aye, cheers, thanks for the vote o’ confidence, lass,” Sundial grunted. She then sunk into her hooves on the table. “Just get on with it.”

“Get on wit’ what?”

Bluebolt turned to Symphony and held out a hoof. “You owe me eighty bits.”

Symphony rolled her eyes. “Awww…” She fished eight thick coins out of her saddlebag and passed it over. “Damn, I thought I had the guy picked out and everything. An opposites attract kind of thing, y’know?”

“Nope! She’s actually insulted you even considered him. Called him a ‘posh twat’ and everything.”

Bloom smirked and nodded in understanding. “Ah, y’all’re talkin’ bout who the lucky stallion is, huh? I guess that means ya know? It is a stallion, right? I don’t wanna go makin’ assumptions 'n' all but Sundial seems like she’s more inta that.”

“Yup.” Bluebolt then pointed at Weaver. “It was him.”

Bloom stared at Weaver wide-eyed with disbelief. “No…”

Weaver tilted his head, but didn’t say anything.

“She straight up admitted it,” Bluebolt continued. “Said he was great and everything. No details, but there you have it.”

Symphony guffawed. “Oh shit, really? Ha! I should’ve known Sundial was totally into scars and muscles and all that.”

“Yeah yeah, and get this, she said he was packing.”

Rarity nearly choked on her iced tea again. “My word, I think I need another drink if we’re going to keep this up.”

Weaver tilted his head again, clearly confused more than ever. “What am I packing? Am I packing something for Sundial?”

Symphony giggled into her hooves. “Oh my stars he’s prezioso.”

Bloom smirked and looked Weaver over, just for a brief moment. She’d never really been curious, exactly, but then again, he wasn’t bad to look at. “Well, I bet a colt like him’s got plenty o’ stamina.”

Weaver nodded. “I was engineered for stamina.”

Symphony was barely holding in laughter. “For more than just galloping, apparently! Ahaha!”

Sundial groaned into the table, her hooves threatening to break her glass, her face redder than her hair if that was at all possible. “Can we just be done with this bloody conversation already?”

Rarity patted Sundial on the back gently. “It’s alright dear. I’ve put up with the same thing before, believe me. They’ll let it go.” She paused, biting her lip. “Eventually.”

Bloom smiled and held up her glass. “Well, I guess congratulations are in order.”

“And everypony wants ta congratulate me!” Sundial huffed, rising back up to glare at Bloom again. “Bunch o’ bloody muppets...”

“Congratulations, Sundial,” Weaver said with a nod.

The entire table turned to stare at him.

He tilted his head again. “What? Are we not congratulating her for something?”

Sundial groaned and sank her head back into her hooves. Bluebolt, Symphony, and Bloom just laughed. Flurry giggled lightly into her hoof, and Rarity just shook her head and muttered something about “youths”.

Weaver didn’t seem to get the joke.


*****


It was five days later when Rarity and her friends saw the next sign of civilization after leaving Newhaven. The southern continent’s population was not nearly as concentrated as it was in the north, so there were towns and villages here and there throughout the countryside. It was agreed amongst the group that traveling the roads while soldiers were patrolling and searching for “enemies” who might be hiding was not a good idea, so they traveled in a rather roundabout fashion southward.

Early that afternoon, as the little group crested over a little hill far from the proper trails, they spotted a town off in the distance some ten or so miles away. From here Rarity could see the town’s unique charm as clear as day. The buildings were made of cobbled stone and reinforced with wood, giving them an old-world charm even by Rarity’s standards. They simply didn’t build structures with such a style anymore in her Equestria, but she’d always found the architecture charming and quaint when she’d seen it in some of the smaller, older towns on her fashion tours.

“There it is, Old Town,” Venture declared, gesturing towards the little burg with a flourish. “Seat of power for House Night and the oldest settlement in all the south, hence the name. Which is weird because it was new when it was named, so, uh, that’s confusing, right? Ponies sure have silly naming conventions, don’t they?”

“Aye, but none o’ that’s important. What’s important is that that’s our midway stop on the way to Frostburg,” Sundial noted as she gazed off towards the town. “Not bad on the travel time, though, Venture. Ye know yer southern routes well, aye? Here I thought you were just a bloody historian, not a navigator.”

“Well, the south hasn’t changed much in thousands of years, really,” Venture said with a little shrug. “Basically, the maps that were made from before the Beacons were built still hold up today, apart from Newhaven since that’s only about one hundred years old and didn’t have a fancy port then anyway. Sooo, I’ve seen a lot of these maps in my research duties, y’know?”

“Well, it looks absolutely charming,” Rarity noted. She gestured at the largest structure she could see from here, which looked like a large manor complete with a clock tower. “I take it that glorious mansion is House Night’s estate, then?”

Venture nodded excitedly. “Yup! That would be Nighthall, the home of House Night and one of the oldest buildings in the whole town. The clock tower is relatively recent, built about, say, four hundred years ago, after clockwork mechanisms started to be the new ‘in’ thing down here. House Night went bold and built that just to show off.”

Sundial whistled. “As an enthusiast on all things time and clock-related, I will say that that tower is a thing o’ beauty, aye? I can’t wait ta see it up close. Get a good look under the hood, ye know, check out the old girl’s gears and bits, if ye catch my drift?”

“You’re gonna have sex with the clock?” Symphony asked, eyebrows up.

“That’s not— shut up, Symphony.”

“Well, whatever you want to do with it, I think you’ll get your chance,” Bluebolt said with a thoughtful nod. “We’re still going through with the plan to petition House Night for aid in traveling further south, right? No last minute objections?”

“I see no reason why not,” Sundial said. “They’re one o’ the only neutral Houses in this bloody war, them and Houses Sky, Snow, and Wind. Since we’re heading ta House Snow next, House Night might be willing ta give us a hoof in getting there safe and quick-like, aye? Be a lot easier if we could follow the roads.”

“Oh, for sure, that was my thought. Nothing against traveling through the countryside and all that, but I think we took an extra day having to stay off the damn roads.”

“Closer ta eighteen hours, but aye, it’s a significant hassle ta be moving around like a bunch o’ fugitives even though we haven’t done anything wrong.” Sundial shook her head. “And we might as well try. What’s the worst that can happen? They say ‘no, bugger off’?”

“Hmmm… hmmm…” Venture hummed, rather loudly, clearly trying to get everypony’s attention. “Well, if we’re looking to speak directly with Lady Stormy Night, I’d better ask everypony here a real quick question seeing as Princess Bluebolt is looking to me for guidance on all of this. I mean, it applies to the whole town, really, but it really applies to House Night itself.”

“What sort of question, dear?” Rarity asked.

“Easy peasy, actually. So, is anypony here either in a relationship—the extent of it doesn’t matter too much—or at the very least in a prospective one? Like, if you’re not dating somepony, or engaged or married, does anypony here at least have somepony that they’re trying to date? Even a casual sort of ‘friends-with-benefits’ relationship will do.”

Bluebolt, Symphony, Rarity, and Sundial raised their hooves; the later nudged Weaver—back in his uniform, incidentally—to do the same, which he did. Bloom followed suit a moment later, albeit nervously.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Apple Bloom? I didn’t know you had a special somepony back home. You never said a word.”

“Ya never asked,” Bloom said with a shrug.

“Well, now we’re asking!” Symphony said with a grin.

“Ooh, I’ve gotta hear this!” Bluebolt said, practically jumping in place with excitement. “Bloom’s got a coltfriend! Or fillyfriend! I don’t actually know yet!”

“Ehh…” Bloom shook her hoof back and forth. “Not exactly. Venture said ‘casual’ too, yeah? Well, I mean, I ain’t datin’ nopony back home at the moment, but I’m in kind of a… interestin’ arrangement wit’ somepony else. We like it the way we’ve got it.”

“Oh my goodness, who is it, dear?” Rarity asked.

She beamed as her inner gossip sprung into gear. She wondered if Applejack knew. Did Sweetie or Scootaloo know? Ooh, what it was Sweetie or Scootaloo? Those three had been best friends for more than twenty years. Or, what if was both? Rarity wasn’t one to judge.

“I’d rather not say, if’n y’all don’t mind?” Bloom muttered, casually adjusting her ribbon. Rarity knew that was a sign she was nervous. “I just wanted ta throw mah hat in the ring, so ta say, since Venture asked 'n' all.”

Symphony shrugged. “Fair enough. Good on you though, Bloom.”

Sundial grunted loudly. “Oy! Oy! So when I have a wee bit o’ fun, all o’ ye grill me like a bunch o’ bloody policemares looking ta pinch me for robbing a bloody bank, but when she hints at being in the same bag as me, ye just bloody let it go? How is that bloody fair?!”

Bluebolt set her hoof on Sundial’s shoulder and let out a breath. “Ah, Sundial, it’s just more fun giving you a hard time, huh?”

Symphony came up on Sundial’s other side and did the same. “Yeah. I mean, we’ve got ten years of history between us, right? We’re practically sisters at this point. You’re the older, meaner sister we look up to. Even though you’re shorter than us.”

“At the very least, we’re best friends,” Bluebolt noted. “You’re just the friend nobody really likes and ponies always ask us, ‘hey why do you hang out with that weirdo?’ and stuff.”

Sundial closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I hate ye both.”

Bluebolt and Symphony both hugged Sundial tight. “We love you too, buddy,” they said together.

Venture cleared her throat. “So, that just means Flurry and I are single? Right? I’m not missing anypony? Everypony else got a little love or something like it in their hearts?”

Flurry scuffed her hoof in the grass. “Yeah… I suppose so.”

“Aww, don’t feel bad about it, darling,” Rarity said, patting the alicorn’s back gently to soothe her. “You’ll find your special somepony someday, I’m certain of it.”

Flurry rolled her eyes. “Yeah, if my dad’ll let a colt even get close to me. I think my mom’s right, maybe I should start considering mares.”

“Well I wouldn’t go that far, dear. That’s not exactly a choice you just make on a whim, you know? And especially not for such a superficial reason.”

“Being single’s not all that bad,” Bloom said with a grin. “I mean, Rarity’s single, ain’t she? Sure, she’s got her eye on somezebra, but even if ya don’t got nopony like that it ain’t all that bad. I mean, look at Venture! She seems perfectly fine 'n' happy an’ she don’t got anypony special neither.”

Venture smiled brightly. “Nope! My true love is the smell of a dusty old tome, the thrill of adventure, and the excitement of discovery! And making new friends, of course. Not that I’m in love with any of you. I just loved making friends with you. And I love you as friends.”

Rarity giggled into her hoof. “Well spoken, dear. You’ve got an awful lot in common with Twilight Sparkle with that sort of attitude, and she’s perfectly healthy without that sort of thing in her life. If only we were all so lucky.” She sighed. “So, what exactly was the point of that question? It was rather personal.”

“Oh! Right, duh. Well, House Night is one of the oldest Houses, y’know, and they’re pretty pious, too. I think other than House Light, none of the other noble Houses are nearly as dedicated to the teachings of Harmonia in all of the south… even if House Light seems to have lost their way…” Venture added with a troubled frown.

But Venture shook it off. “So anyway! House Night adheres to Harmonia’s teachings on the subject of love in all its forms, and they’re a little… well, let’s say they practice the concept of ‘free love’ quite frequently and openly. The head of the House especially, at least if she’s like the stories say she is.”

Bloom tilted her head. “‘Free love’? What does that mean?”

“Basically, they have no qualms about sharing a bed with anypony at any time, because they believe that sex is just as much a part of love as romance is, and since romance is hard to develop at times and sometimes leads to heartache, they choose to adhere to the former in a casual—though reverant—manner. They’re very ‘free’ like that. Hence the term.”

“So, why the question 'bout us bein’ in relationships?”

“Well, they respect the boundaries of ponies that are already occupied in a relationship, prospective or not, since jealousy and betrayal are antithetical to Harmonia’s teachings and the quickest way to inspire such feelings is temptation.”

“Wait, so if we were single, they’d try to proposition us or something?” Bluebolt asked.

“Yup! So, if you’re bothered by the prospect of Lady Stormy Night, or her steward or her servants, or really anypony in Old Town being a little ‘forward’, just stick with your partner or be ready to note you have a partner elsewhere. They’ll respect that and won’t bother you about it, okay?”

Sundial nodded. “Aye, so, if we don’t want somepony walking up ta us at random and asking for a shag, we just tell them we’re already with somepony. Sounds simple enough.”

“You make it sound like having sex is no more different from a friendly hoofshake,” Symphony noted with a grin. “I mean, talk about a welcome wagon.”

Rarity turned red and coughed into her hoof. “My word, this town sounds a little odd, if I might say so.” Under her breath, she added: “Maybe this is where Briarthorn really picked up his old habits?”

“Odd, maybe,” Venture said with a shrug. “But they’re very friendly and welcoming, and you probably won’t have to worry about everypony in the town trying to flirt with you or whatnot. Just be honest with anypony that asks, and you’ll be fine. They won’t try to force themselves on you or anything. They’re more respectful than that. Just friendly. Okay? Okay.”

By now, they’d arrived on the outskirts of Old Town and made their way onto the cobblestone road leading in. Now that she was closer, Rarity could appreciate the sights of the quaint little town more readily. Shops were set up on several corners on the way inside, where she could see that some offered traveling supplies, others food, drink, or both, and even a cozy little two-story inn that called itself the “Old Town Lodge”. It was like walking through a picture book of towns long gone, lost to the medieval times of her own Equestria.

The ponies here were, as she expected, exclusively nude, as southern ponies were not ones to wear clothes unless needed for a job or position. Thus, for the most part, only the few guards that patrolled the streets wore anything and they just wore light armor—dark purple with black streaks—and carried some crossbows. Sure, there was a hatmaker who wore a hat as he advertised his wares and a coatmaker doing the same to help ponies prepare for the coming southern winter, but there weren’t many others.

As noted, the group got quite a few looks as they walked the streets. Rarity hadn’t felt so many eyes on her in quite a while, and she could tell they were looks of admiration and excitement. It felt nice, actually, having so many younger ponies looking at her like that, but she didn’t consider, even for a moment, indulging in an opportunity if it presented itself.

Luckily, since the group was so large, nopony came up and bothered them as they were a little intimidating when all walking together, even though Venture was taking the lead with a big, goofy smile on her face as she waved at nearly everypony she saw as she went.

Nighthall, as Venture had called it, was more impressive up close than Rarity had expected. It looked rather like the old-world style mansions that Rarity remembered from her world, typically the homes of older families with a great deal of history. She recalled reading about the ancestral home of Princess Platinum which still stood to this day, though it was no longer owned by that family line as far as Rarity knew.

Sundial, meanwhile, was practically salivating over the clock tower as it loomed over the manor’s gates. Rarity was certain she saw the mare licking her lips, and rather suggestively at that.

Two guards at the front gate barred the way further inside. It was at this point that Rarity noticed that every single guard she’d seen thus far had been a mare. The populace of the town itself had been a pretty even mix of both sexes, but seeing no stallions in the guard was odd. She chalked it up to just not having a full representation of the guard force in front of her, but the sample size so far had been substantial enough to notice a pattern.

“Halt! Who goes there?” called one of the two guards. She was a blue pegasus with a green mane, and Rarity noticed that her armor had a gold stripe, so she was clearly the ranking officer between the two.

Bluebolt took a breath. “Okay, my turn. Here goes,” she muttered. She approached the guard, putting on what Rarity assumed was the most royal expression she could manage: a proud, tight-lipped smile. “Ahem! We seek audience with the head of House Night. Am I to assume that that would be Lady Stormy Night?”

Rarity had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Bluebolt was trying a little too hard with that voice.

The guard tilted her head. “Ja, Lady Stormy Night’s still head of the House. Vhat’s all this about?”

“My companions and I are seeking an audience with her, and our business is our own, good mare.”

Rarity shook her head. Bluebolt was definitely trying too hard. The poor dear.

“And who might you be that’s lookink for an audience vith her?”

Bluebolt nodded slightly and put a hoof to her side as if posing for a painting. “I… am Princess Bluebolt of Hope’s Point.”

Way too hard.

The other guard—a pink earth pony with a blue mane—bowed low. “Willkommen zu Old Town, Your Royal Highness.”

The lead guard rolled her eyes. “That might be a little too much too soon, Kadettin.” She turned back to Bluebolt, eyebrow raised. “Vee veren’t informed of your comink, though, if you’ll pardon me for beink a little surprised, ja? Do you have any proof of your identity?”

Bluebolt nodded, and lifted up her dominant hoof, revealing the “power hoof” attachment, as she called it. “This is a signature weapon used by Queen Blackburn herself, as well as me, her daughter, and as you can see it bears my royal seal.”

Rarity had seen the attachment before and knew that it was engraved with an insignia that bore the emblem of Hope’s Point—a black lighthouse over a field of red and gold—with Bluebolt’s cutie mark overlaid upon it. Bluebolt even briefly displayed her cutie mark as matching proof.

“Perfektion.” The lead guard then gave a slight bow. “Guten Tag. A pleasure to have you here, Princess Bluebolt. Willkommen zu Old Town.”

“And it’s a pleasure to be here. I’ve never been to Old Town before.” Bluebolt then cleared her throat. “So, about that audience?”

The lead guard nodded. “Oh ja, we are already takink care of—” She paused and turned to the other guard, who not only hadn’t moved, but was still bowing. “Hey! Vhat are you still doink here, Kadettin? Go let Frau Strings know about the guests! Geh weg!”

The other guard hastily snapped to attention. “Jawohl Kapitän! Right away!” And then she opened up the gate—rather easily considering its size compared to her—and ran into the manor grounds.

“Hmph! Damned rookies,” the lead guard muttered. She turned back to Bluebolt. “She’ll be fetchink the House Steward, Frau Lunar Strings. Von’t be but a moment, ja?”

“Certainly, that sounds fine,” Bluebolt replied. She briefly turned to the group and whispered, barely loud enough for Rarity to hear. “So far so good, right? Am I doing okay?”

“You’re doing great, pecha,” Symphony said with a smile. “Look at you, your first real diplomatic mission! I’m so proud of you.”

“A little strong at the start, darling, but you’re doing just fine,” Rarity added. “Keep it up!”

A few minutes later, the gates reopened, and out came a unicorn mare with a grayish-blue coat and a lovely purple mane streaked with blue. She bowed as she came before Bluebolt. “Princess Bluebolt, it is my pleasure to velcome you to Nighthall. I am Lunar Strings, the steward of House Night. How may I be of assistance to you?”

Bluebolt nodded in affirmation. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Lunar Strings. We’re seeking an audience with Lady Stormy Night. Can you arrange that for us?”

Lunar nodded. “Of course. As it so happens, my lady is currently unoccupied vith any business, so I vill take you to our lounge inside vhere you may vait for her vhile I inform her of your arrival. She will be eager to greet such a…” She glanced amongst the group and smiled. “Colorful group.”

“Well, lead the way!” Bluebolt said with a smile.

The group all took a single step forward.

“Ah ah ah!” Lunar paused them by raising her hoof, then gestured at Weaver briefly. “Except for your stallion companion there. I am afraid that my lady and House Night do not allow stallions into the Nighthall except under very specific circumstances. And this is not one of those, tut mir leid.”

“Why the bloody hell not?” asked Sundial, eyebrow raised, a little indignance in her voice. Rarity noted this to herself; Sundial was quick to stand by Weaver these days, quicker than she’d ever been.

“It is just our way, fräulein,” Lunar said without missing a beat. “He vill have to remain outside, but he may still remain in the town itself.”

Bluebolt blinked. “Oh. Well, okay then, if that’s your custom, we’ll happily oblige.” She turned to Weaver and nodded. “Uh, sorry buddy, you heard the lady. No colts allowed.”

Weaver tilted his head. “She said ‘no stallions’. And I am not a colt—”

“You know what I meant!”

Weaver grinned and nodded. “I do not wish to cause a fuss, so I will remain outside.”

Sundial nodded as well. “I’ll stick with him, aye? Just ta make sure he doesn’t get inta any trouble.”

“Or get into any mares,” Symphony snickered.

Sundial slapped her wing against Symphony’s ear, then abruptly grabbed Weaver’s hoof. “C’mon then, lad, let’s go have a look around town, aye? We’ll get something ta eat, too. You hungry?”

Bloom followed after them. “Hey, can I come wit’ y’all? This here fancy noble stuff ain’t really mah speed.”

Sundial stared at Bloom for a moment, then sighed and nodded. “Aye, come along then, lass, just stick close.” She shook her head as they wandered off. “Bloody hell, I really wanted to check out that clock tower.”

“Anypony else want to leave?” Bluebolt asked, looking to Rarity and Flurry, the only others who Rarity knew didn’t need to be here with her for any of this. Symphony was the bodyguard, Venture was the expert, but Rarity and Flurry didn’t add anything specifically.

Rarity shook her head. “I’ll stick around if you don’t mind, darling. I’m rather eager to get a look inside the Nighthall, hmm? The estate looks simply divine, and that’s just from out here. I imagine the interior is just as lovely.”

Flurry stepped forward and smiled. “I just want to see you at work, Bluebolt. You supported me back on the islands when I needed you, and I want to support you as well, whether you need it or not.”

“Aww, thanks, Flurry,” Bluebolt said with a grin.

Lunar cleared her throat and smiled. “Vell, now that that’s all settled, shall we proceed, Princess?”

“Yeah, lead the way,” Bluebolt replied with a nod.

Rarity and the others followed Bluebolt as she followed Lunar through the gates, which were then closed behind them. Now that the gates weren’t in the way, Rarity could get a clear view of the entire manor, which was a truly glamorous affair, exactly like the old-world mansions she’d been thinking of before. In fact, she was fairly certain it resembled a famous home in the north of Equestria, just south of the Crystal Empire. What was it called? The Ardvana?

Well, the colors were different, but that was about it. The walls were made of a dark brick-like stone that matched the black-painted tiled roof, which had several high points. There were so many windows that Rarity wasn’t sure how many rooms the manor had, exactly, but it must’ve been quite a large number. The western tower was integrated into the tall clock tower flawlessly, and if she didn’t know better she’d say that the clock tower had always been a part of the structure.

The grounds were well-maintained with freshly cut, healthy, green grass all about despite the autumn season rolling through the countryside. A large central fountain made of a lovely black marble drew her attention next. She was a little curious about the statue that made up the centerpiece, which looked like two gorgeous mares locked in a rather passionate embrace, one of them holding a bottle of wine from which the fountain’s water spewed. 

The group then entered into the manor, which had an interior just as lavish as the exterior. The floors were decorated with some of the most exquisite rugs that Rarity had ever seen, the ceiling was decked out with chandeliers in every room they passed through, and most of the walls were decorated with splendid paintings. Some were of gorgeous southern landscapes, others of objects or places, and others were of ponies. Mares, specifically, in rather tasteful, artistic poses.

Eventually, the group was led into the estate’s lounge, which was a cozy little room with plenty of seating available upon a number of differently shaped couches and sofas. The lounge also had no windows, which was odd, but a rather luxurious fireplace, which was lit at the moment with quite a decent-sized flame, giving the room an almost summer-like warmth.

Lunar bowed to Bluebolt briefly. “I vill return shortly vith Lady Stormy Night, Princess. Please, make yourselves comfortable. You may disrobe, if you vish. It might be chilly outdoors, but as you can plainly tell, it is not so cold in here, ja?”

“Thank you, Lunar,” Bluebolt replied with a nod.

Lunar then left the room, allowing the group to do exactly as instructed: get comfortable. 

Rarity removed her cloak and set it on a handy nearby coat rack; she wasn’t bothered by the nudity stigma the northerners of this world had, and besides, this was the south, and when in the south, you did as the southerners did, or so Blackburn had once said in regards to the whole thing. Besides, the room was too warm to be dressed in such a coat. Spring up north had already been cutting it.

Flurry, of course, had to keep her coat on in order to hide her wings, even though Rarity noticed that she was sweating a little. The fireplace was definitely doing it’s job keeping the room warm, and Rarity felt rather bad that Flurry couldn’t get herself out of that bothersome thing at the moment. Perhaps if she had worn her hat instead—she had no idea what the fuss was all about, since it was a lovely thing—but Flury had been quite insistent to just ditch it.

Bluebolt and Symphony took a seat on one of the sofas—which was shaped like a heart—together, side-by-side. But, after a few minutes of sitting in relative discomfort because of the heat, they, too, removed their clothes, though they did so with a great deal of embarrassment. 

It was the first time Rarity had seen either of them without clothing—naturally—but she didn’t gawk or stare, just made note of what she saw. Symphony was wonderfully well-toned for a mare, for example, and Bluebolt had an envious flank. No wonder they were attracted to one another and all over one another most of the time. Ah, young love.

Venture, curiously enough, did just as Rarity had done, just more enthusiastically. She’d gotten out of her clothes almost immediately after Lunar had suggested it, and in fact, Lunar hadn’t even left the room by the time Venture was taking her clothes off, which Rarity found rather odd. Was the mare excited or something? Stupid question. Of course she was excited. Venture was always excited. And quite fetching, to be honest.

Rarity noted a couple of other oddities about the lounge after being in it for a few minutes. For one thing, there was a lovely fragrance in the air that Rarity recognized almost immediately as jasmine and ylang ylang. It was faint enough not to be too distracting, but the choice in scent was odd as Rarity knew the two were considered aphrodisiacs. Because she read it in a book, not because she’d ever used them herself. Why it was used here in the lounge, though, Rarity didn’t know.

For another, as she sat on one of the sofas, she found the cushions to be just the perfect blend of hard and soft that they’d be more than comfortable enough to sit on, but not so soft that one’s rear sunk into the frame. Rather like a well-made bed’s mattress than a couch cushion, really. She almost felt like laying back on the sofa and falling asleep right then and there, and it wasn’t even nighttime yet.

Bluebolt, who was clearly extra nervous now that her diplomatic conversation was going to be done while she was nude, cleared her throat uncomfortably. “So, uh, Venture, what do you know about this Stormy Night? Is she nice?”

Venture rolled over onto her back—she’d taken one of the smaller sofas and was clearly enjoying the feel of it—to give Bluebolt a smile. “Oh, yes, she’s very nice. She took over as head of the House about a year before the Beacons fell, and she was very young at the time—her mother fell ill, you see—but she took to leadership like a fish to water.”

“So, how old is she?” Symphony asked. “Like, are we dealing somepony our age, my mom’s age, or, like… older?”

“She’s thirty-eight, I think? It’s not an exact guess, though. I’m not great with numbers.”

“So she was only sixteen when she took over as the head of the House?” Rarity asked, curious. “My oh my, that’s quite young to be thrust into such an important position, isn’t it? And the poor dear’s mother passing on like that, how dreadful.”

“Why didn’t her dad take over or something until she was of age?” Bluebolt asked. “I mean, my mom became Queen kinda young, but not that young, and that was because of a pretty shitty set of circumstances.”

“Oh, well, that’s easy: she doesn’t know her father,” Venture said with a matter-of-fact nod.

“Oh no, that’s awful,” Rarity murmured. “Did he pass away before she was born?”

“Nope.”

“Maybe he’s just a deadbeat and left,” Symphony noted. She nudged Bluebolt. “Like your dad’s dad, eh?”

Bluebolt rolled her eyes. “If anypony did to their foals what my dad’s progenitor did to him, then nopony should want to know them. Dad hates him, and I mean like, hate hate, and you know he doesn’t hate anypony.”

“I recall the story,” Rarity said with a nod. “Hopefully that’s not the case here.”

“Yeah, this is a noble we’re talking about. If some deadbeat tried to pull that kind of crap here, he’d be hunted down for sure. Harmonia knows my dad would’ve loved to do the same,” Bluebolt grunted.

“Oh no no, it’s nothing like that, guys, sheesh,” Venture said, shaking her head. “House Night’s traditions run pretty deep, y’know? That’s all it is. Remember how they wouldn’t let Weaver in?”

“Huh? Oh yeah, that’s right. Except in special circumstances or something?”

“Yup! Other than those special circumstances, no stallions are allowed in the estate. And the only special circumstance is usually in the spring.” Venture waggled her eyebrows. “Get it? Huh?”

“Oh?” Symphony’s eyes widened. “Oh. Ohhh. Okay. Yeah, got it.”

Flurry raised an eyebrow and raised her hoof. “Um… I don’t get it. What’s so special about springtime?”

Bluebolt tilted her head. “Do you guys not go into heat where you’re from?”

Flurry shook her head. “I don’t even know what that is.”

Rarity cleared her throat. “The ponies of our world don’t, no. Certain animals do, though, but it’s not necessarily always in spring. It depends on the species.” She turned to Flurry. “Fluttershy can tell you all about it when we get home, dear, if you’re curious. It’s not polite conversation.”

“It’s actually very scientific!” Venture said. “I could tell you—”

Rarity cleared her throat more loudly. “Darling? Just drop it. If we had more polite company,” she said, looking straight at Symphony, “it would be fine, but I’d rather not get into any juvenile discussions.”

Symphony nodded in understanding. “Yeah, that’s fair. I’d make it weird.”

Flurry tilted her head. “Um… okay?”

Venture leapt up. “Anyway! So yeah, Stormy’s dad got invited to the estate one spring, and eleven months later, Stormy Night was born. He was probably only here for that one night and either has no idea which mare he was with or isn’t even from Old Town at all. I mean, if you gave me a week I could maybe track him down.”

“It’s quite an odd tradition,” Rarity muttered. “Do all of the mares in House Night continue the family tree in such a way?”

“Oh, definitely. Been doing it like that for generations. Even Stormy herself did the same for her daughter, Nightshade.”

Symphony leaned over to Bluebolt. “This place sounds like it gets freaky in springtime, yeah?”

Bluebolt gulped. “Well, at least it’s autumn.”

“Yeah, down here. It’s spring for us.”

“Well, just be glad we’re not, y’know, there yet,” Bluebolt grunted. “Not that it would matter, anyway! Other mares aren’t gonna get all weird around us because of that, goofball. Sheesh.”

“What happens if a colt is born?” Flurry asked.

Venture tilted her head. “Y’know, I have no idea. Every record in the family shows that there hasn’t been a male born to House Night since its founding. Not even like a ‘once in a thousand years’ prophecy sort of deal. Nope, just mares all the way through. It’s pretty interesting.”

“Explains why the House values mares so much,” Bluebolt noted. “I mean, if I was playing a coin-flipping game and it kept coming up heads every single time after a thousand flips, I’d assume either the coin is rigged or that I’m destined to always land on heads. Either way, tails loses, right?”

“This world’s customs and cultures get more curious and interesting every day,” Rarity said shaking her head in awe. “A shame Twilight isn’t here, she’d have a field day studying this sort of information. The history, at any rate. Not the rest of it.”

Several minutes passed, and finally, the lounge door opened and Lunar Strings walked back inside, escorting another mare—a pegasus—behind her, who could only be Lady Stormy Night. 

The noblemare had a lovely amethyst coat and a brilliant sapphire mane. Rarity would usually never embellish a pony’s coloration so vividly, but Stormy Night seemed rather deserving of it. Not only was she a noble, but she was absolutely stunning to look at. She was just as nude as Lunar was, but despite not wearing any symbol of her nobility, she carried herself in such a way that there was no need. She was distinctly of a higher status, and she knew it, and she owned it.

Lunar bowed to the group, and gestured at her lady. “Princess Bluebolt and company, may I introduce Lady Stormy Night of House Night, ruler of Old Town.”

Bluebolt gulped and gave a little bow. Rarity noticed her wings were a little stiff. “A pleasure to meet you, Lady Stormy Night.”

Stormy’s mouth curled in a little grin as she bowed as well. “The pleasure is all mine, Princess Bluebolt. I have never had northern royalty in my halls before. This is quite a titillatink experience.” She glanced over the rest of the group as she rose back upright. “And such a sumptuous entourage as vell. My oh my.”

Bluebolt cleared her throat. “R-right. Um, so, we wanted to talk about—”

“Ah, please, vee can save the business for later, ja? It has been so long since I’ve had such exquisite company, and I don’t even know everypony’s name yet. Vhy, it would be simply disrespectful to such lovely mares to continue vithout a proper House Night greeting. It is tradition.”

“Oh, uh, sure,” Bluebolt said, tilting her head. “We will of course respect your traditions and customs. Ahem. Let’s see—”

Venture, ever the excitable one, didn’t waste any time moving forward to volunteer. “Ooh! Hi! Me first, m’lady. Hello! I’m Venture!”

Stormy’s coy grin widened just a little. “Oh my, you are an eager one, aren’t you? I do enjoy a bit of eagerness in a mare, hmm? And you’re not at all bad to look at either. Come here, meine liebste.”

She approached Venture and gave her a hug that Rarity considered a little more than friendly, using her wings and hooves together to fully embrace the unicorn. Rarity was now nearly positive that Briarthorn has somehow gotten ahold of a manual of some kind from these House Night nobles to learn how to greet a pony.

Still, Venture seemed not only to not mind the attention, but to actually enjoy it. “Ooh! Wow, that’s a nice hug you’ve got there, m’lady. Very strong, very warm, kinda like being wrapped up in a cozy blanket. Ooh! That tickles.”

Stormy grinned even wider as she rubbed her wings just a little lower onto Venture’s flanks. “Ah, if you like my hugs, meine liebste, then perhaps you vould enjoy more later, ja? Perhaps tonight? I can show you all sorts of special hugs that I am told I am an expert at,” she added with a small glance at Lunar, who gave a knowing smile.

“Oh wow, that sounds wonderful!” Venture gushed, a huge smile on her face. “I love hugs, so if you’ve got more types of hugs to show me, I’d love to learn! I just know like, two or three, tops. Maybe four. None of them particularly special or anything, but I’ve been told I’m a good hugger.”

Bluebolt just stared at Venture like she crazy. Rarity was already doing the same. “Hey, uh, Venture, you do know what kind of hugs she’s talking about—”

Venture waved Bluebolt off with a hoof. “Oh, don’t get all uppity with me now, Princess. Lady Night here is offering me a chance to learn some new, ‘special’ hugs to expand my repertoire. I don’t see you offering to teach me any special hugs, huh?”

Symphony grunted, giving Venture a terse look. “She’d better not be. Those ‘special hugs’ are for me only, capiche? They’re secret.”

Venture tilted her head. “Alright then, keep your secrets.”

Stormy came to Bluebolt next and drew her up into a hug as well. “And velcome to you as vell, Princess.”

“H-hey!” Bluebolt grunted. “Uh, hi, yes, it’s really nice to meet you, Lady Night—”

Symphony clenched her teeth. “You might be getting a little too friendly with the princess there, m’lady, if you don’t mind?”

Stormy tilted her head towards Symphony slightly. “Ah, you said you and the princess engage in ‘special’ hugs, then? Does that mean you two are liebhaberinnen? Ah… lovers?”

“Very much so, yes,” Symphony snorted.

“I can see vhy,” Stormy cooed, rubbing her wings just a little bit along Bluebolt’s flank. “She’s perfect.”

“Whoa! Um, careful where you put those wings, m’lady,” Bluebolt said, clearly uncomfortable but trying to remain courteous.

Venture cleared her throat. “Um, Lady Night?”

“Yes, meine liebste?” Stormy asked, tilting her head towards Venture with a smile.

“Lady Harmonia teaches us not to inspire jealousy in one another, especially in acts of love. These two are a very loving couple—trust me, I know—and I think you might be being too forward with the Princess. It might be upsetting her partner.”

Stormy paused for a moment, then immediately dropped Bluebolt from the hug to her original upright position. “Vergib mir, I sometimes get carried avay vhen meetink new ponies, ja? It is a House tradition to greet newcomers varmly, you understand.”

Bluebolt gave a nervous smile. “It’s no trouble, I know you didn’t mean anything by it. Foreign cultures are like that sometimes.”

Stormy next approached Symphony, who just stared at her with a not-too-pretty frown. “I am sorry if I caused any discomfort for you or your lover, freundin.” She offered out her hoof to shake. “It is unbecoming of a lady to treat her guests so rudely.”

Symphony eyed Stormy’s hoof, then glanced briefly at Bluebolt, who was giving her an insistent nod. Symphony rolled her eyes, then took the other mare’s hoof and shook it briefly. “No trouble at all. I’m Sweet Symphony, by the way.”

“Charmed.” 

Stormy did not hug Symphony, and instead moved straight on to Rarity next.

Before Stormy could approach to hug her, though, Rarity quickly held up her hoof. “Forgive me, m’lady, but I, too, am already ‘taken’ as it were. I do not know if that makes a difference or not, but I felt I should say it now just to avoid any potential drama. I’m afraid I’ve never been to Old Town either and know little of your customs.”

Stormy gave a sad smile as she offered Rarity her hoof, which Rarity took and shook delicately. “Oh dear, that is a shame. I can tell you are not as young as your other companions, but might I say that age is not alvays a negative thing for a mare’s beauty? You, my dear, have aged like fine vine. Fine. Vine.”

Rarity smiled briefly. “Well, thank you, m’lady. You’re too kind. I’m Rarity, by the way.”

“A gorgeous name for a gorgeous mare, if there ever vas one. And your voice is heavenly. I could listen to it all night.” Stormy batted her eyelashes. “I could alvays be more kind, if only you vould permit me. I’ve learned how to share.”

“I’m afraid I prefer the company of stallions, m’lady,” Rarity coughed. “Though I appreciate the offer. You flatter me.” She was really, really trying to maintain an air of decorum here. This Stormy Night just rubbed her the wrong way. Which was not the turn of phrase Rarity wanted to use right now.

“Ah, vell, nopony’s perfect,” Stormy sighed. “So close, though. A shame.” She next turned to Flurry, and her grin widened again. “Ah, and now the last of this vonderful little bunch, and the youngest as well. You are simply adorable, mein lieber freundin.”

“H-hello,” Flurry said with a nervous nod. “My name is Flurry Heart. It’s a pleasure to meet you, m’lady.”

Stormy clicked her tongue and batted at the collar of Flurry’s warm coat. “Liebling, you simply must get rid of this ratty thing at once. You are clearly much too varm in it, and it does not suit your delightful complexion at all.”

Flurry shook her head. “Oh, no, that’s quite alright, I’m fine.” 

Rarity knew that Flurry was not, in fact, fine. It was warmer in here than it had been before, and even though she wasn’t wearing her cloak Rarity was beginning to sweat just a little. Flurry had to be simply dying in that coat she was wearing, especially since she was more accustomed to cold weather.

Stormy shook her head and turned to Bluebolt. “Did Lunar Strings not tell you all to disrobe?”

Bluebolt tilted her head. “Uh, yeah, but she made it sound like an option—”

Stormy laughed. “Ah! I see. Lunar, you are too polite. No, Princess, I am afraid I must insist. Ponies do not vear clothink in my home. I understand you northern ponies have an odd taboo towards the concept, ja? I assure you, vee do not share such a taboo here in the south.”

Lunar nodded quickly. “Verzeih mir bitte, m’lady, I should have been more clear vith them. It vill not happen again.”

“Tsk tsk, I should hope not. You vill have to be punished of course.” Stormy grinned briefly. “The usual time and place, ja?”

“Of course, m’lady.” Rarity noticed Lunar was grinning as well. Odd.

Stormy then turned back to Flurry and gestured to the coat. “I am sorry, my dear, but as I said, I must insist you remove this article. Fret not, you have nothink I have never seen before.” And, with a wink, she added: “Or vouldn’t mind seeink, I am sure.”

Flurry turned to Bluebolt, as if for guidance. Bluebolt bit her lip and shrugged. And so, Flurry let out a little sigh, nodded, then removed her coat and spread her wings.

Lunar took a step back and nearly tripped over a sofa. “It is H-Harmonia in the flesh! Die göttin selbst!”

Stormy, who’d seemed significantly less perturbed—Rarity suspected she just had excellent control of her emotions, unlike her libido—shook her head. “Lunar, please, she is clearly not Harmonia. She gave me her name, for one thing. You said it vas Flurry Heart, correct?”

Flurry nodded. “That’s right. And no, I’m not Harmonia in any way, shape, or form. Uh… w-well, I mean, I guess we share a form. Alicorn and all.”

“I have never seen an alicorn before,” Stormy murmured, giving Flurry a once over. “You, my dear, are not simply beautiful, but much more. Many a Varden has attempted to put the beauty of Harmonia—an alicorn, like yourself—into vords, and all of them have failed. Even the traitor Lord Silvertongue himself failed, and he vas gifted vith his namesake, ja?”

“Oh, um… th-thank you.”

Stormy offered Flurry her hoof. Flurry eyed it for a second, then took it and gave it a delicate shake. “I vill remember this moment, my dear. It vill be burned into my memory. I believe I shall have to commission a paintink, although Fräulein Heart here is deserving of so much better.” She shook her head and stepped away with a sigh. “Ah, such a colorful group you are. As it is only late afternoon, vould you like to join me for dinner?”

“If we could, we’d like to discuss our business here, then we can take our leave,” Bluebolt suggested. “We don’t want to impose.”

Stormy waved her concern off with a flap of her wing. “Nopony is imposink anythink. Vee can discuss your business over dinner, can vee not? I know not how far you have traveled, but surely you are tired and hungry? Please, I insist that you join me for dinner, and stay tonight as my guests.” She glanced briefly at Venture, and Rarity was positive she saw Stormy licking her lips. “Meine geehrten gäste.”

Bluebolt took a deep breath and looked to the others. Apart from Venture, they were all giving her fairly neutral looks, though Symphony was clearly just barely containing a scowl. 

Venture, however, was all smiles and nods. “Dinner sounds great!” she said. “And I’d love to spend the night here with you, m’lady. You said you were going to show me some special hugs, remember?”

Stormy tittered just a bit. “Oh my goodness, you are just too sweet, my dear Venture. I could eat you up. Maybe later, for dessert.” She then turned to Lunar. “Lunar, meine geliebte, please inform the chef that we have extra guests tonight, and have some rooms prepared for them as vell.”

Lunar bowed briefly. “Right avay, m’lady.”

Bluebolt took a step forward. “H-hey, hold on just a second. We have three other friends out there in the town that didn’t come in with us, and they’re not expecting us to stay here for dinner and overnight. Can we accommodate them?”

Stormy tilted her head. “Ah! More guests? I don’t see vhy not—”

Lunar cleared her throat. “One of them vas a stallion, m’lady.”

“Ah, I see,” Stormy said with a frown. She turned to Bluebolt and shook her head. “I can accommodate the others, but not the stallion, I am sorry. If it were springtime I vould allow it, but sadly it is autumn. However, I vill send a messenger to inform them of our business and send vord to the Old Town Lodge to put them up for the night, ja? Compliments of House Night.”

Bluebolt let out a breath. “That’ll be fine, I think. Knowing those three, I think staying the night in an old-fashioned lodge would be more their speed than a nice place like your estate, Lady Night.”

“Wunderbar,” Stormy said, clapping her hooves together briefly. “Then we have a dinner date. Trust me, you vill not be sorry.”


*****


Rarity had expected dinner to be as awkward as introductions had been, but to her surprise, it was actually quite pleasant all around. Lady Stormy Night might have come on rather strong at first, but in the time between greeting the group and sitting down for dinner only an hour or so later, she’d become startlingly professional and respectful of everypony’s boundaries and personal space. 

Well, mostly. 

Stormy still made little flirty comments towards Rarity every now and again, but was clearly just being polite and courteous, and Rarity rather appreciated the compliments. The noblemare mostly ignored Bluebolt and Symphony except for business discussion and the occasional coy remark. Oddly, despite Stormy’s earlier complimentary words towards Flurry, she treated the mare politely and hardly made any overly flirtatious comments, just a few polite comments here and there about her figure and beauty.

With Venture, it was another story altogether. 

Stormy was, in a word, thirsty for Venture in every possible way Rarity could imagine, and she could imagine quite a lot. The noblemare insisted that Venture sit next to her at the dining table—which Venture did without question and with her usual enthusiasm—and had her eyes locked on the intrepid explorer through most of the evening. 

She wasn’t shy about using her hooves and wings to touch and caress Venture throughout the meal, either, which Venture didn’t seem to mind one bit. Rarity was also positive that Stormy was using one of her hindlegs under the table to engage Venture in a way that was definitely not appropriate for the context of this dinner.

But, since Venture seemed open to it and rather encouraging of the whole deal, Rarity wasn’t about to judge. The explorer-historian had made it perfectly clear what everypony was getting into, obviously knew what she was getting into, and if anything had seemed a little excited at the prospect. This wasn’t like Twilight naively agreeing to something she didn’t understand.

Rarity didn’t understand it either at first, then realized that the poor mare traveled about at least as much as Sundial did, and unlike Sundial she didn’t even seem to have a home to call her own for any part of the year. Perhaps Venture was just lonely and desperate for companionship? Or perhaps the mare adhered to the teaching of Harmonia and believed in free love and so was merely following the traditions of Old Town? 

Either way, if Venture wasn’t protesting, then Rarity wouldn’t either.

Incidentally, dinner itself was amazingly unique, with several dishes that Rarity had never tasted before, though she understood they were similar to dishes she’d seen before on a trip through Germane back home and just never tried.

First came the cream of asparagus soup, which had baffled Rarity at first, but once she’d given it a try she was convinced that the rest of dinner would be exquisite. That they had asparagus at all in autumn was itself a feat, but she supposed a noblemare like Stormy had the resources to make it possible. Perhaps it was shipped from Hope’s Point, where it was currently spring?

Next came a dish she’d never heard of before, which Stormy called “Käsespätzle”, a sort of pasta dish served with cheese that reminded Rarity of classic macaroni and cheese when she got a good look at it, but which tasted much different. It was served with a side of potato fritters and sauerkraut as well, which were at least things that Rarity recognized, though she’d never been a fan of the latter.

For dessert was some classic chocolate cake, made with some of the richest chocolate that Rarity had ever tasted in her life. It was so rich that Rarity made sure not to eat too much, lest the cake go straight to her rear. She could walk it off in the next few days on their way further south, but she was a lady and ladies never indulged in such things so voraciously when they had a figure to maintain.

Bluebolt cleared her throat as dessert was being served. “So, we’re in agreement then, Lady Night?” she asked. “No objections?”

Stormy smiled and nodded politely at Bluebolt briefly. “Ja, I vill see to it that you and your companions have a safe journey from Old Town to Frostburg. The roads in this region belong to my House, so House Golden’s soldiers vill not patrol them if I issue a request. I vill have it sent tonight.

“And, in exchange, I get to enjoy the company of such a lovely group of mares in my home for an evening.” Stormy brushed her hoof through Venture’s mane and smiled. “Particularly this adorable schatz, ja?”

Venture smiled and nodded. She at least had the decorum not to speak with her mouth full of cake, but once she’d swallowed: “Yup! I see it as a win-win scenario we’ve got here, y’know? I get to learn some new hugging techniques, Lady Night gets to make a bunch of new allies and friends, and we all get to travel to Frostburg a little bit faster. No downsides! Unless anypony is allergic to chocolate.”

Despite her earlier confidence, Rarity still wasn’t convinced that Venture had any idea what she’d been agreeing to since she still kept referring to what Stormy surely had planned for the evening in such foal-like terms. Either Venture was fully aware of what was happening and just having a bit of fun teasing the group by making them think otherwise, or she was horribly unaware and would be in for quite a shock in a few hours. Rarity certainly hoped it was the former.

“Although, I vill also vant to have an open discussion about perhaps benefiting from Hope’s Point’s vonderful trading agreement vith Newhaven,” Stormy added with a grin in Bluebolt’s direction. “Vee get many crops from the northern lands that are in the off-season for us down here, such as the asparagus vee used for the soup, ja? I vould like to ensure that Old Town gets a better price.”

“I will certainly be open to discussing that with my dad,” Bluebolt said with a nod. “He handles most of the business dealings for the city, and he’d probably be happy to arrange something for you as thanks for helping us on our journey south.”

“I hope so. Vhy exactly are you all goink south, hmm? If it is not imposink for me to ask, of course.”

“Just a few business dealings with the zebras that we need to take care of. With all this fighting going on between the other Houses, my mom wants to be sure that our alliance with the zebras isn’t in jeopardy or anything, and to maybe get the ball rolling on an alliance with the hippogriffs, too.”

“Ah, and she trusts her lovely daughter viz these negotiations, ja? You must have quite a talented tongue, my dear.” She turned to Symphony with a coy grin. “Though perhaps I should ask your liebhaberin?”

Symphony coughed loudly into her hoof to keep from choking on a mouthful of cake. Rarity tactfully patted the poor mare’s back.

“Oh my, but it is getting late,” Stormy said, glancing at the clock on the far wall; it was later in the evening that Rarity had expected. “I am sure you all are tired from travelink so far and so quickly.” She clapped her hooves together, and Lunar entered into the room. “Lunar, meine geliebte, please take our guests to their chambers.”

Lunar bowed. “Jetzt sofort, m’lady.”

Now that dinner was over, Rarity and her friends were escorted to their guest rooms, which Rarity found to be exquisite. They were well-decorated with vases full of flowers—nightshades, incidentally, without the deadly berries—and dozens of candles that just made the room seem warm and inviting. She noted the same palatable fragrance in the air here that she had in the lounge, only a little stronger, and that purple rose petals were scattered just so around the bed. The mirror above the bed was a little too much—its use was obvious—but otherwise the room was pleasantly quaint.

Rarity figured that if the other guest rooms were like this, Bluebolt and Symphony wouldn’t last thirty minutes before their hooves were all over each other.

“Is the room to your tastes, Frau Rarity?” asked Lunar.

Rarity nodded with approval. “It’s certainly welcoming, isn’t it? You like to make your guests feel… well, loved, I suppose. And well-loved, apparently.”

“Ja, that vee do,” Lunar said as she stepped up alongside Rarity, gently swishing her tail along hers. “And you vill find our staff caters to every need. So, if you need anythink—” She leaned into Rarity’s ear. “You only have to ask.”

“As I said, I prefer the company of stallions, and I am quite happy with the relationship I have, dear,” Rarity said, red in the face. “But thank you for offering. It’s flattering. I think.” She cleared her throat. “Though I am sorry if my companions and I got you into any trouble with your lady.”

Lunar tilted her head. “Hmm? Vhat do you mean?”

“Well, I believe I heard her arranging a punishment for you due to the whole clothing issue. If you’d like, I can speak with her—”

Lunar smiled and shook her head. “Oh, no no, you do have have to vorry about me, dear. I am lookink forvard to it. In fact, I should be goink. My lady vould not vant me to be late.”

“You are? What does that—” She paused, then blushed even redder. “Oh. I see. W-well, then, ah, d-don’t let me keep you.”

“Dankeschön, Frau Rarity, and gute nacht.”

Lunar bowed and left the room, leaving Rarity just a little flustered.

What in the world was Venture getting into?


*****


Flurry walked through the middle of a green, beautiful field late in the morning. The sun was shining. Birds were singing. Flowers were blooming. It was a gorgeous day with not a cloud in the sky, and a cool breeze tied everything together in a perfect little bow of a perfect little morning, and Flurry walked about without a care in the world apart from feeling nature all around her.

She was all alone with her thoughts out here with nothing to disturb her whatsoever. The only sound she could hear apart from the birds and the breeze were the buzzing of insects. The sensation of fresh, healthy grass under her hooves was just wonderful, like a cool pillow after a sweltering night. She loved the warmth of the sun on her face and the wind in her mane. It was heaven.

A few cute little animals frolicked about and played in the grass. There were birds, of course, as well as squirrels, rabbits, and lovely little butterflies with all sorts of differently colored wings. Flurry had visited Fluttershy’s animal sanctuary in Ponyville on a few occasions, and this felt like being back there again. She could almost see the little ponds and streams that held all the fish and frogs that Fluttershy cared for as well.

She felt like she was home again.

But then the breeze grew colder. Flurry shivered from the sudden sensation despite never being bothered by the cold before. Her sudden movement startled the animals and they fled from her like she was some crazed beast. She tried to call out to them, to plead for them to stay, but she found that she could not speak.

Clouds formed overhead quickly and without rhyme or reason, blocking out the sun in seconds. The brilliant morning day became shrouded in overcast darkness and the breeze evaporated entirely. Soon the cool morning air turned to mist. Gone was the lovely spring day, like a fleeting memory of years long ago.

Flurry took a step forward, and she felt a wet sensation in the grass below. She gazed down at her hoof as she lifted it up to her face. It was red and viscous, and just the sight of it made Flurry terribly ill. Then she felt the wetness all around her hooves, and looked down to see the green grass was soaked with dark, thick red. She knew what it was, now. Blood. The scent assaulted her nose. She could almost taste it.

A sound in the distance drew her attention. Screams, not of terror but of fervorous, raucous anger. The screams grew louder, as if by a crowd of unseen ponies all screaming together. Their screams were soon accompanied by the sound of clashing metal, and yowls of pain, and cries of anguish. It was more vivid than Flurry ever remembered it being before.

Then, the sky went totally black. No clouds. No sun. Just black, like the dead of the night, but with no stars. And yet Flurry could still see the grass around her, soaked as it was with blood. She tried to move, but found herself locked in place, unable to do anything but stare off into the endless expanse of grass and blood.

But then the field of green and red vanished. They were replaced by a field of deep snow, so thick that Flurry could feel it up to her knees and so white that it was blinding. The breeze turned into a fierce, howling wind as strong as the storms of the northern winter, whipping snow about with enough force that it stung Flurry’s face. The mist thickened into a cloud of white fog that trapped Flurry within its prison.

The screams off in the distance slowly died down, drowned out not only by the winds, but by a new sound. A horrifying screeching rippled through the storm, and the white fog thickened further into a dark storm cloud as it swirled about Flurry. She could see figures moving in the cloud, shaped like ponies but larger and more elongated. They galloped through the air without the aid of wings for flight, their bodies glowing a ghastly blue without the aid of horns for magic.

Another figure appeared in the cloud, directly in front of Flurry, but she could not see it clearly. All that she could see was that it, too, was equine. It was as tall as Aunt Twilight in all her radiant glory, with great wings of fire and a fearsome horn of liquid magma. But it was otherwise purely black. It had no warmth or light with which to guide her, despite the flames.

In the back of Flurry’s mind she felt the most intense sense of terror she’d ever felt before. Instinctively she tried to run, but still could not move. The ghastly blue equines circled closer and closer towards her. Flurry could see that they were made of ice, with eyes of burning coals, teeth of silvery steel, and breath that froze the air.

The shadowy figure that had not yet moved opened its eyes, and gave a chilling laugh as it stepped forward, illuminating its features.

But Flurry saw her own eyes staring back at her. She heard her own voice laughing. She saw her own face, and her own wings, and her own horn.

And she was filled with the most dreadful fear that she had ever felt in her life.