//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10: Reunion Part 2 
// Story: Lake of Reflection 
// by Richer19 
//------------------------------//

Chapter ten is here for you all to enjoy. FYI, I move in to my dorm next week and start classes the following Monday. Also, I’m going on a short vacation starting in a few days. This all means that you may or may not see an update as soon as I usually like to update.

Chapter 10: Reunion Part 2

Of course Twilight would have gotten nothing but blank looks from the ponies around her. Without waiting for them to ask the obvious question, she said “It was a form of punishment that was popular during the Renaissance Era. Rather than face time in a dungeon, a pony was offered the option to work off the crime they had committed. That saddle is the mark of a serving pony.”
Rarity then asked “What do you mean ‘marked’?” Twilight made a gesturing motion to Trixie, who was still making her way towards the group of ponies before replying “It’s symbolic. The saddle symbolizes their lack of freedom and the tact symbolizes their lack of voice. There were modifications to account for pegasus and unicorns of course.” Twilight took a small breath before continuing “This way, the guilty pony has a chance to repent for their crime and the victim benefits from it.”
The Mayor, who had remained quiet for the most part, finally decided to ask “So…how will we know who is the ‘victim’ as you put it.” At that point, Trixie had managed to reach a point where she was about a few feet away from the group of ponies. At a closer distance, Rarity was able to notice how the brown color was actually leather. Leather was and is still considered to be one of the most unfashionable and uncomfortable material. Ponies who wore something made out of leather were considered to be either poor or had no taste. The leather even had a rather mild but noticeable stench of decay. Rarity did notice the showpony’s expression and was mildly surprised to see that she was showing actual nervousness. Rarity almost prided herself on her ability to read other ponies expression and it was the first time she saw the blue unicorn looking almost fearful of the situation.
Twilight looked over at the Mayor and replied “You need to go over to Trixie and search her saddlebags. Inside one of them, you should find a letter or a note. Whatever name is on that letter is the pony in charge of her.” The Mayor nodded her head in understanding before making her way towards the blue unicorn. Trixie showed no signs of response to her advance. She appeared to be lost in her own little world, when actually, she was watching her purple counterpart with a mix of anger and longing.
Silence was in the air as the Mayor of Ponyville searched through the saddlebags until she found that slip of paper. Looking at Twilight to see if she could continue, she saw the purple unicorn give a small nod before opening the letter and pulling out the single piece of paper. She took one look at the name on the paper and she was both mildly surprised and a little happy at the irony of the situation. She looked up at the group and said in her best speech voice “Twilight Sparkle.”
The group let out a collective gasp of surprise, though the pony who was most surprised was Twilight herself. She looked over at the blue unicorn and saw that she appeared to be ignoring the situation developing, preferring to have her attention focused on the sky. Twilight was now feeling somewhat suspicious about the blue unicorn’s actions. However, as far as she could recall at the moment, there was nothing she could do to alter the situation.
The purple unicorn nodded her head before making her way to the blue unicorn. She saw her ears twitch with the new noise and she returned her attention back to Twilight. Twilight, unlike Rarity, was not as skilled at reading a pony’s expression but she had a feeling that she had been tricked somehow. In a whisper, Twilight asked “What are you planning Trixie?” Trixie didn’t respond except for a slight shrug of her shoulder and a roll of her eyes. Twilight felt a slight burning sensation in her checks and was about to try and force Trixie to give her an answer. However, she remembered the tack that was still in her mouth and realized that she wasn’t going to get a straight answer out of her until it was removed.
Vaguely, Twilight felt the breeze shift slightly. She looked over and saw that the sun was just hovering over the ground. She estimated to only have about an hour until the moon started to rise. She sighed to herself, realizing that she was going to have to deal with this in the morning. With a flick of her magic, Twilight gathered the reins that were draped on Trixie’s back and started to make her way back to her house. She felt a slight resistance from the other end of the reins before they became lack, and there was the sound of hoof steps behind her. The group didn’t do much to stop the two unicorns, though they still gave Trixie what appeared to be the evil eye. Trixie ignored their looks, relishing in the fact that, so far, Luna’s plan was a success.
Eventually, Twilight and Trixie made it back to the tree house. Twilight led Trixie inside and down to the basement, was she would stay until Twilight was able to convince Spike to give her a chance. Twilight gathered up spare blankets and pillows to form a makeshift bed before turning her attention to Trixie and saying “This is where you are going to sleep.” Trixie nodded her head and made her way to the bed before settling down. Twilight watched her for a time, wishing to just cuddle up alongside her. However, she was still unsure of what Trixie’s feelings were and her tired body and brain were urging her to retire to her own bed.
So the night continued on with both master, on in this case mistress, and servant lost in their own dreamscapes. Unaware, that both dreams were the same. However, even amongst the blissful rest, they both felt a slight fear about what the rising sun will bring. Still, for the first time since the Ursa Minor attack, the two unicorns were once again with each other, and that was enough for them.
So ends the first story arc and begins the second. I’m glad that you all are enjoying the story and if I could, I would put as much attention on this as I was able. However, life can be an unforgiving mistress and I can’t ignore my other responsibilities. I do have something planned for the second arc, but I still need to work out some details first. Thanks for reading.