The Ponyville guardhouse was a sturdy, proud wooden building as old as the town itself., a relic of Ponyville's early days where the dangers present in the nearby Everfree Forest were much more of a pressing concern and weapons or armor were needed at the drop of a hat. Lorraine walked with Alastor to her right around the building to the modest training area that lay behind it, nothing more than a circle of packed dirt with some stone benches scattered around it and racks of wooden practice spears and swords by the guardhouses back entrance.
Clunk.
John was in his bipedal form, a wooden sword in hand and looking frustrated as his opponent blocked his attack and pushed his sword away with practiced ease.
"Are you even trying?" Prince Akechi jeered, a smirk on his as he side stepped John's follow-up attack, his own training sword held in his left wing. "Your girlfriend's dog could do better than that."
The doe girl spoke up as she reached them. "Akechi..." she warned.
The prince scoffed as he glanced at her. "The shadows we're going to face will say worse, or do you like the idea of your boyfriend flying off the handle mid fight?"
"Uh-huh, is he doing anything right?" Lorraine queried as she sat on the bench next to the one Futaba was sprawled out on, the mare lying on her stomach as her hooves danced across the keyboard of her laptop.
"If he can stop telegraphing his movements then I might say he's made progress." Akechi said flippantly, he parried John's attempt at a feint and with a flick of a wing, disarmed the changeling and tapped the flat of his blade on John's neck.
"I almost had it!" John complained as the pegasus retrieved the discarded sword and set both weapons aside.
"Almost, but not quite," Akechi agreed coolly. "Why don't we take a break? There are some things I'd like to discuss now that Lorraine has finally decided to join us."
The sharp look the detective sent her way and his accusatory tone caused Lorraine's ears to snap back slightly in guilt.
"I've been training your boyfriend and the damn dog every evening for a week. Just where the hell have you been?" Akechi spat. "We're supposed to be working together aren't we? Or are you so cowardly that you've gone back on your word?"
Both John and Alastor made to protest but Lorraine raised a hoof, sniffling and took a shaky breath.
"I, was targeted by a demon multiple times this week, yesterday said demon tried to poison me but Alastor got poisoned instead. My persona couldn't do jack shit to help and was so unstable it was dispelled as soon as I took a hit. So, I'm sorry that I wanted to stick my head in the sand and not deal with the idea that my friends, including you would be fighting against stuff that could kill them!" she snarled. "Don't you dare say I'd ditch my friends, or John, or you. You may not give two shits about your life but I do."
John reverted back into his regular smol bug form and leaned up against her, softly coaxing her to calm down. Alastor remained by Lorraine's side, watching events unfold with the only signs of his disapproval towards Akechi being a cold grin and murderous gaze as radio static buzzed around him dangerously.
"Sorry..." Lorraine said meekly as her frustration faded to be replaced by guilt-ridden sadness.
"Holy cow Crow, cool it on the Tsun would ya!" Futaba scolded and leapt off the bench, adjusting her hoodie as she cantered over to the doe. "I know you're itching to go beat up some shadows but cut them some slack! They're still newbs after all."
"... I- you're right." Akechi stated after a moment. "I wasn't aware the situation regarding the other Overlords of Tartarus had escalated to such a degree, I apologize."
Lorraine wiped her teary eyes on the hem of her cloak. She sniffed and asked in a timid voice, "You don't like me very much, do you?"
The detective prince, caught off guard, scrambled to explain. "It's not that, I-"
"It's okay," Lorraine continued. "It took nearly getting kidnapped then watching Alastor get hurt because of me-"
"That was not your fault." the buck interrupted.
"Lemme finish," Lorraine said quietly and continued from where she left off. "It took nearly getting kidnapped and Alastor getting hurt because of me to realize that I'm weak, alright? I can't just rock up to whatever bad guy of week pops up and kick their arse... People are one thing. Put me in the spotlight for dealing with arsehats who wouldn't know common decency if it slapped them in the face. Dealing with people is easy, I can do that but demons? Shadows?"
She took a second to gather her thoughts, choosing her words carefully. "My initial persona was all bark and no bite, a deterrent. Persona are a part of yourself, a part you've previously rejected or locked away as your shadow and accepted, tamed into a persona," she explained. "My shadow started out as the stuff I repressed, from the way I expressed myself to more simple things like wanting to stand up for John and everyone else I care about. I know I equate my attempts at emotional support as being selfish and I always wanted to be able to do more than just that so, that's what the Unicorn was, my desire to see you all safe coupled with my knowledge of the Persona series."
Akechi held his chin in a wing in thought. "And when your intimidation tactics failed, you cracked under pressure."
"Pretty much," the doe admitted. "I did some... not exactly soul-searching but I realized a few things. The Velvet Room I've been seeing is a fake. I can't fight. Like, it goes against everything I am to be physically violent and I realized that I haven't been thinking clearly when it comes to my Shadowmancy."
"Oooo, what'd you figure out?" Futaba asked.
"Uh, well think of Persona like a foundation," Lorraine replied and she looked more sure of herself as she explained. "I got the new form and elemental resistances but aside from that I wouldn't really call it a persona..."
"Is it a Stand?" John asked jokingly with a grin.
"Oh god no," Lorraine replied flatly, smiling despite her exasperation. Both the smol bug and doe girl giggled and Lorraine continued. "Less something that is a part of me and more along the lines of this form is me at my best, doing my best and anymore who says otherwise can go to hell. You know, like a Shadowmancy mage form or something, the most efficient way of actively using it."
Alastor looked absolutely delighted by the news. "You have a Dark Form! I knew you were something special!" He grinned. Seeing a few blank looks, he continued. "Dark Forms are one the purest forms of Shadowmancy techniques as it permanently fuses the Shadow Self and the conscious mind by tapping into the Black Abyss, shadow magic in its purest form! It can create worlds, bridge the gap between realms and define the very laws of reality! Why, it's the stuff dreams are made of!"
"Does that make her like, super op?" Futaba asked.
"No, not in the way you're thinking! Our darling little shadowmancer here is restricted by her own moral fiber, shadow magic unfiltered by the subconscious is greatly influenced by the desires of the conscious mind, a nonviolent individual like Lorraine wouldn't have raw power or magical might unless it was to heal someone." Alastor stated and he looked rather amused at Futaba's suggestion. "Why, if she was blatantly powerful, I can guarantee you she'd be sent straight to Tartarus!"
"Eh? Why?" John asked.
"Because individuals with enough power to destabilize the very workings of reality are guilty of endangering, well, everything! Such individuals are either locked up in the depths of Hell, recruited and trained by The Nightmare to wield their power for a better purpose... or disposed of."
"So, me being a fuckin' pansy is a good thing?" Lorraine suggested.
"You, a pansy? Dearie it takes some incredible nerves to try to talk down a demon not once, but twice!" Alastor pointed out. "Your strengths lie in using words instead of weapons!"
"So what's your new form look like? Can we see it?" Futaba excitedly.
Lorraine blinked. "I dunno but I don't want to just show it off. I'm not exactly comfortable with the idea just yet. I'm still processing everything that's happened and I just, want a break from all that, you know?"
"Yeah, that's fair," Futaba agreed and glared at Akechi. "You better make it up to her for making her upset! Got it?"
"I already apologized what more could I possibly do?" the pegasus retorted and the mare shrugged as she shot him a knowing look.
"Oh I dunno, maybe prove you actually want to get to know her and be her friend?"
The stallion sighed in resignation. "You do have a point, as tactless as it is-"
"Oh like you're one to talk!"
"-Anyway," Akechi continued and turned his attention to the smol bug and doe girl with a quick glance at the setting sun. "It is getting rather late... John, would it be permissible to take Lorraine out to dinner? I know of a few places that can cater to her specialized diet and ensure our privacy." Akechi looked somewhat embarrassed as he continued. "And truth be told, I'd rather resolve this as peacefully and swiftly as possible as I fear waiting for an opportunity to correct my mistake may only add to the issue. We can't afford any infighting if we're to be working together and since it was a grave misjudgment on my part, I'd like to set the record straight sooner rather than later."
Instead of answering, John looked up at Lorraine. "You okay sweetie? Do you want to go talk with Akechi or go home?"
"I don't want to sit around waiting either. I'd like to hash things out too," the doe admitted. "Some food will probably do me good as well."
"Okay, I'll see you when you get back." John nodded and went to go put the training swords away.
"I'll keep an eye on them," Futaba added confidently. "Operation Dinner Date is a go!"
"Not a date." Lorraine deadpanned.
"Do let me know if I need to threaten him, It would be a shame if the lessons didn't stick." Alastor stated.
The restaurant Akechi led Lorraine too was one of the more high-class establishments in Ponyville. With a few words and a smile, Akechi had gotten them a table near the back, away from prying eyes and the duo ordered their food without much fanfare.
Seated across from her, Akechi looked frustrated as he spoke. "...To answer your earlier question about whether I hate you, I don't. Rather, I am confused... You have a clear moral compass and a set of rules you live by and yet you're incapable of violence?"
He continued. "Many would call you a coward but I've heard how quick you are to defend your boyfriend in an argument or how easily you rescue your friends from unwanted attention... Even the kindest person will lash out when cornered but not you."
"To be fair, I cast Megidolaon on Pentious but I wasn't aiming to defeat an enemy, I just wanted to get away." Lorraine explained.
"That's what I'm talking about, you have such a strong aversion to physical altercations that I don't know how to react. By all rights you should be more than capable of holding your own in a fight. So why?" Akechi asked. "If you weren't going to fight then why even try? Trying to act tough will only get you or someone else killed."
"Because I didn't wanna sit there an' do nothing. I can offer as much advice and support that you guys need but it's not enough is it?" Lorraine retorted. "John's gearing up to fight monsters, Gilda faces danger every few days while hunting, Alastor nearly died yesterday and your more than willing to jump into monster-infested dungeons because you don't want to be a pawn in some higher power's plan. How can offering emotional support and healing spells stack up to the real, tangible things everyone else is doing?"
Akechi stared at her. Something akin to understanding dawned on his face. "I see... You believe your skills were inadequate and sought to prove you could handle things yourself. You really are something else..."
"Sorry if I- I dunno, annoyed you or something..." Lorraine said.
"Well, I misjudged you," Akechi replied calmly. "I thought you were merely a passive do-gooder but no, you're outburst at the guardhouse proves you do indeed have a spine, just one that's better suited to domestics," the prince commented and looked thoughtful. "Now that I think about it, that will prove useful. Celestia has been pushing me to be more of a crowd pleaser in response to my popularity among the citizenry."
"I was surprised Celestia took you in, I had no idea until you told me at the party." Lorraine said. "I'd ask how but I don't want to be rude..."
The stallion looked surprised and somewhat touched at the fact she wouldn't pry. He fiddled with a loose strand of his mane and averted his gaze. "It's fine... Even in this life I'm still a throwaway child. My mother passed away when I was a child, overworked by my moneygrubbing father and stressed from the high expectations Neighponese society places on women. My father bled her dry and, unable to handle the stress of his demands, her job and raising a child... She took her own life. That alone was enough to reawaken my Persona and regain my old memories."
"Afterwards, I was shipped off to some distant relatives that lived in a small town out in the countryside. My relatives were cruel to say the least. It was there I met Wild Card, also stifled by the way society coddles stallions and together, we began hatching a plan take down my father," Akechi explained. "We ran away from home and bumped into Celestia when she was in Neighpon for a diplomatic dinner with my father. I not only warned her about the kind of person he was but I earned my special talent taking him down. I was fifteen at the time and after she learned of how Wild and I were treated, she took us in. Though Wild rejected his royal title and is instead, an agent of the crown."
"That's... horrible, losing your mother and all. At least she's in a better place now." Lorraine said after a moment.
Akechi looked back up at her. "I suppose." he agreed quietly.
The conversation was put on hold as their food arrived, some sort of vegetable soup for Akechi and a fish sandwich for Lorraine. The doe's front hooves shifted into clawed paws and she began to eat. The pair ate in silence. The doe had zeroed in on her food that Akechi had to wave a hoof to get her attention.
"Huh?" she said as the prince looked amused.
"I wanted to ask, how are handling your current form?" Akechi asked. "From what I understand, you underwent a polymorph to escape the expectations associated with the form you held previously?"
"It was also because being a Luck Dragon was fuckin' weird," Lorraine replied and backpedalled. "Sorry, didn't mean to swear."
Akechi waved her off "I don't care, I've certainly said worse when fighting shadows," he looked at her curiously. "Was it odd in comparison to being human or was it something else?"
"It was fun at first, dragons are cool and I was healthy but, I could never get used to it," she stated. "The proportions felt off so I could never get comfortable, the fur was an absolute nightmare to deal with and it... felt off, like I was tired yet way too alert at the same time. Not to mention the way I was treated... It didn't feel real some days, you know? I just made do and dealt with it because I thought I didn't have a choice. Didn't bother complaining either."
"And how do you feel now, as a Flora Doe?" Akechi asked.
"I feel more grounded, I know what I am, what I can do and what I want to do." Lorraine replied casually. "Still getting used to having magical abilities and I'm trying to get used to physical activity, but at least I'm not in a hurry to figure out Floramancy and I at least look like something recognizable as normal, even if I don't act like it."
"Oh? I often go on walks to stay in shape, it's not quite the same as cycling but I find it more cathartic than flying everywhere, perhaps you could join me?" Akechi suggested.
"Between you, John and Alastor, I won't be bored at least." Lorraine replied with a grin.
"Ah, I see. I certainly won't intrude on the time you spend with your friends." Akechi said politely.
"I wouldn't mind if you tagged along," Lorraine said brightly. "It'd be great if everyone could get along, to be honest. Hell, bring Futaba along and we'll call it a team building exercise or something."
"She isn't fond of exercise but that does sound like a good idea." Akechi agreed.
"Cool... So, do you play video games?" Lorraine asked.
"Occasionally, usually competitive titles with Wild Card but I do enjoy the odd strategy game. I'm assuming you play regularly?" he replied.
She grinned, her eyes lighting up. "Yeah, whenever I'm not writing fanfiction or watching something online. I prefer games with either an interesting story or a good progression system, a gameplay loop with enough busy-work to keep me occupied. Like RPG's or life sims."
"Any you would recommend to a newcomer?" Akechi asked. "I've been meaning to find a new hobby as a way of... dealing with the idiocy I'm forced to witness as part of my job."
Lorraine blinked and looked at the prince in concern. "If you need to talk to someone about it, you can vent to me about it. I don't mind."
"Thank you but, I wouldn't want to bother you given the way I treated you today." Akechi replied stiffly.
"I'm your friend, it's the least I can do," the doe assured him. "I know some good games too, you play any stealth games?"
"No I haven't."
Lorraine's grin widened. "Ok! I think you'll like this. There's this series called Metal Gear Solid..."