//------------------------------// // Passion // Story: Student Jehsa Kor Ann // by Gallants //------------------------------// "Sasha, are you okay?" Fleur asked stepping away from the cameras, "you seem distracted," I looked up at her before turning away and grabbing her a glass of water. "I'm sorry Fleur, it's just something that was found in my master's ship," I said handing over the glass, she gladly took it before leading me over to some chairs. "Et what was found in the ship?" She asked motioning for me to sit, "It must have been something big for you to be so distracted." "It was a journal and armor, and a blaster," I started while dropping into the seat, "And it was locked how a Sith would lock something away, and then while thinking on it I realized the Journal is in Sith runes," Tears started to land on the lap of my pants, "F-fleur, was my master an S-sith?" I choked out. "And then there's Mallory who's trying to get into my head, I-i want to, I don't know what I want," I clamped my hand over my mouth and looked at Fleur's worried expression, "I shouldn't worry you with my issues, I'm sorry," I apologized standing back up, "Next on the itinerary, is an interview with PONY magazine," I said quickly muttering under my breath, "still not cover page," I almost jumped when I felt a hoof on my shoulder. "We'll talk about this over dinner, oui," She said before having me follow her out. Fleur had chosen the park for her interview, the fresh air filling my lungs was calming. Slowly I closed my eyes and drifted off. "Welcome back Sasha, are you ready to join us," the voice was double-layered and deep, but feminine. Whipping around I saw Mallory but he was different, his eyes were unfocused, limbs seemed to be stretched painfully, "Do you like what I've done with my host?" I took a step back but he never moved, "He doesn't know it's happening yet, not even aware he's in the dreamscape," I suddenly realized I was stuck where I was, sinking, "His mind is weak, I will make sure he is unable to be saved," I started to breathe heavily as the ooze that sucked me into the ground reached my chest, slowly it filled my mouth. There was a scream that pulled me from my dream, jumping to my feet I looked for the source only to be met with a confused stare from Fleur and the interviewing griffin. I soon noticed that my clothes clung tightly to my body with sweat, 'they're judging me,', I thought in between breaths. "Mon amie, did you have a nightmare?" She asked, I was confused, before realizing the scream was mine. "Pas important, we should get you something to eat, the interview is already over," She said taking my hand in her magic and leading me out of the park. She took me to a small restaurant, where I slowly ate, "Sasha, was it Mallory?" I simply shrugged, "You can not face this problem if you don't accept help," She insisted. "I don't know he seemed different, it might be a way for him to try and corrupt me," I explained to her, "Only Princess Luna can help me," I told her pulling up my coin purse. I saw Fleur's horn light up, lifting her own coin purse she opened her mouth to say something, 'she pities me,' I didn't let her speak, "Just let me pay Fleur!" I yelled out slamming my hand on the table. "B-bien bien," She stammered out her eyes contracting, looking around at the ponies staring intently at our table; I dropped a handful of bits on the table and apologized before running off towards the castle. I sank into Luna's beanbag chair wiping the tears from my eyes, "I-i just lost it and yelled at Fleur over nothing," I said as Luna wrapped a wing around me, "What's happening to me?" I asked looking for an explanation. "Heightened emotions are a common side effect of aggressive mastering of Oneiromancy, " She said to me, "We suffered the same thing from the stress of dream walking so often," Her magic placed a tissue against my nose, "Blow, we will provide a reprieve from lessons so you can adjust emotionally to the toll of oneiromancy," I felt myself get lifted and placed in front of her vanity, "Let us clean you up," Slowly she worked a clean rag across my face, "We will let Fleur know what is happening with you, go home and rest," 'she's lying,' "I CAN HANDLE IT!" I yelled pushing away from her and leaving her room. I made my way through the winding halls, something called to me however before I left. I turned around and went to Celestia's quarters, I told the guards Celestia told me to get something, minds tricks are wonderful, entering I spotted the equipment locker still against the wall, I reached out and took the damaged pieces of armor, along with the blaster. Before I left however I quickly grabbed the journal and stuffed it into my pocket.