Spade nodded along as I finished the current abridged foretelling of my story. I left out certain bits and pieces, but this gent had saved my bacon. I could at least give him an explanation for why I'd barged into his reading nook. Spade hadn't spoken up through the whole thing, just sat there and listened with a singular focus. I respected the patience of pegasus, if nothing else.
"So, they started chasing me like I'd been caught red hooved in some nefarious act," I said, finishing my retelling.
Sabre had taken to staring out the splits and holes in the shack's cracked and creaking wooden walls. The majority of the mob had moved on, though one or two citizens still hung about. Maybe they thought we'd dived into a coffin for a quick nap. It was hardly the worst-case scenario. I felt myself sag and sighed to the starry heavens above.
"Well, that's quite the story. I can't speak to thestrals this or nobles that, but never met somepony, so run headfirst to the nearest grave."
Spade nodded to himself and cast a look over to Sabre. Who hadn't even taken notice of my ending our story. "If you were all that bad, you wouldn't have an earth pony so worried about you not dying and whatnot."
"You're a strange one, you know that?" I chuckled and plopped onto my back. I gazed up at the tin roof and felt the tension in my limbs lighten.
Spade shrugged. "Just a shovel for the dead. Here at Sweet Apple Cemetary. I like the quiet and the smell."
I cocked a brow. "Smell?"
"It still smells like apples. Used to be a bit of an orchard, a good family with lots of honest work. Then eternal night hit, and the trees just couldn't keep up."
"Oh…"
I didn't really know where to go from there. Another victim of Nightmare's endless self-indulgence. That list was starting to get silly. I threw my hooves up and groaned.
"They were a good family. The Apples formed Ponyville a few generations back," Sabre said. I hadn't noticed him looking over as Spade, and I spoke. He looked snorted and stamped as he recounted the past. "They deserved better."
Spade nodded. "Poor Granny Smith was the first hole I dug. I wish it'd been my last. I made sure to make her spot nice and pretty. Chiseled the apple flourishes myself."
I sat up. I found myself looking about the shack again. The workbench was starting to make more sense. "You chiseled the tombstone?"
"Every one of 'em. I dig the hole, make it pretty, I visit every service and remember every name. If you forget, that's when a pony really dies."
"Wow."
That was all I could muster. Sabre didn't fare much better. He took his helm off and offered the grave keeper a bow.
"Nothing special. I just want to give everypony a smile here. It might be a place of the dead, but that doesn't mean all the good times died too."
It was official. This was the strangest pony I'd ever met. He could manage such thoughtful words while looking like he'd kicked a puppy.
"So weird," I said with a shake of my head and a smile.
"Takes one to know one, Mr. Charisma. That crowd sure thought so."
I raised my hooves in defeat.
"Coast is clear."
Sabre had returned to looking out at the cemetery. The last stragglers had given up, and now, all there was were the dead and us three in the shack. Not exactly the best company to keep, but I'd apologize to the dead when we left. I'd apologize to Ms. Smith too. I couldn't speak for anypony else, but I wasn't going to sit on my butt and do nothing about it.
Spade must have noticed my pooling anger. He smiled and sluggishly trotted over and plopped himself beside me. That had me blink. But the sudden pull as Spade brought me into a hug had left me utterly floored.
It was all the worse when Sabre laughed for all his training and stoic nature. The big stupid heart pony pointed and laughed at my face as Spade patted my shoulder.
"It's not your fault. Besides, you seem like a decent guy. I think the Apples woulda liked you. Thestral or not. "
So there I sat, one pony hugging me, the other holding his sides in mirth. It was every day in this crazy place. Equestria was crazy, top to bottom, utterly, maddeningly crazy. The fact I liked it meant I was most likely a little crazy too.
"So, I appreciate the hug and all, but it's getting awkward. I also don't want you burying my guard over there. He might end up suffocating on his own stupidity," I said and offered a light pat on Spade's back. "Besides, I think we owe each other a proper introduction."
"Oh, good point."
Spade separated himself from me and scooted back to his original lounging spot. I turned and gave Sabre the tersest glare I could conjure. It didn't have the sobering effect I would have liked, but he did manage to collect himself in short order.
"I suppose I'll start. The name's Sturdy Spade. My friends call me Spade. So please, by all means. I work at Sweet Apple Cemetary and like to nap and read. Oh, I like stonework. It's super relaxing. I'm not a complicated pony, just a pegasus who likes to get dirty."
I nodded and clopped my hooves together. "I can respect that. So," I cleared my throat and struck a pose, one blue might have taken. "My name is Stargazer. I am an amnesiac thestral who was made a noble on a fluke. I've been dabbling in cartography and have a pension for meeting the oddest ponies I can. I apologize for derailing your night, and thank you for helping us out earlier."
Spade nodded once, and we both turned to Sabre. He was back to his attentive self and looked rather tired, if I was honest.
"Corporal Light Sabre, of the Royal guard. I am also the trusted handler of one, Stargazer. It is an honor to meet you, and I too offer my thanks."
Sabre finished with a salute. This earned a salute back. Spade seemed all to play along. The lethargic stallion had a knack for making everything as easy as possible.
"A strange night to make a couple new friends. But don't worry, I won't tell the ghosts. You never know what a jealous spirit might do. Hauntings, possession, angling all of your artwork a quarter centimeter off-center. That last one could drive you mad."
"Riiiight," I said.
"Sir, we should probably go. We had plans with Solemn when the Court ended," Sabre said. He had slowly opened the front door and waited as I clambered back to my hooves.
"He's right. It's been a pleasure, Spade. If you're ever up at the castle, feel free to drop by my rooms or whatever you call them. A friendly face is always appreciated."
I offered a hoof, and Spade tapped it with a hardy clack. "Sounds like a party. Maybe I'll take you up on that one of these days."
That settled, I followed Sabre out the door and waved back at Spade, who returned with a wave of his own. I was mentally exhausted. First Blueblood and now Spade. I was all over the place today. Though if Solemn had anything to say about it. I hadn't even got to the complicated part. One can only hope.
The return trip was far less chased out of town and more walking back after a disappointing day. Spade had been a good sport, though, if nothing else, there was one pony in town who gave me a chance. The Court was most assuredly done by now, which meant the real night would begin. It also meant things were very well gonna get more complicated.
It was a surprise when we were met at the gate. Her lady Rarity stood scrunched up, scowl scanning the horizon. I mouthed my surprise to Sabre, who seemed just as confused. He also went full cautious on-guard. He tapped the hilt of his sword as we made it to the gate.
"Busy day?" Rarity asked.
I offered a shrug as I did everything in my power not to meet, Rarity's own unscrupulous stare. I could feel her dark blue eyes boring a hole through my head. I gulped down what little spit I had and waited.
Rarity huffed and readjusted the collar of her business attire. "I was surprised to hear our newest noble missed the Night Court. A shame, really. How does one learn if they skip out on the actual experience?"
I shrunk on the spot and felt my coat stand on end. If Rarity was this upset, I can't imagine how mad Nightmare was. Solemn said it'd be fine. This was not okay, not fine at all. The guards behind Nightmare's favorite unicorn took a measure of stiffening up and readying their spears. This did not sit well with Sabre, who shook, hoof still tapping the pommel of his blade.
"Now, now, gents. We do not use violence when a lesson can be learned. Well, Stargazer, where did you wander off too, as it were?"
Rarity's guards wilted as soon as she'd spoken. She hadn't even needed to raise a hoof. She spoke, and they obeyed. She might be the third most powerful mare alive. The first went to Nightmare Moon and the second to this mysterious Lady of Hearts. I hadn't met her yet, I hoped, but if reputation means anything.
"Well, I was working with Blueblood, you see." Rarity snorted, jaw tightening as I spoke. I had to look away just to stop my body from shaking. "I saw a map for the local town." Rarity stamped the ground, and her glare darkened further. The air seemed much heavier all of a sudden, and it looked like Rarity's guards had fallen back. That can't be right."
"You visited Ponyville." The hiss at the end of Ponyville had me flinch like I'd been caught cursing by my mom. "Go on."
I nodded.
"Right so, I walked through town until the locals pointed me to a town staple. We ended up at Sweet Apple Cemetary. Um, the history seemed nice?"
I offered the largest fakest smile of my life. Rarity didn't react. For a minute or so, we simply looked at one another. When Rarity did come too, she hmphed once, turned on ear, and started back into the palace proper.
"We're done here," Rarity said.
That was that, and her guards followed, and Sabre and I were left at the gate alone. I heard the thump of Sabre falling onto his haunches. I found my body had completely locked up. I stood shaking in place. Nightmare herself commanded fear and awe. Rarity, she inspired something else together.
"My room?" I asked.
Sabre nodded. "Yep."
So off we were to any such sanctuary that would leave us free of those who were more than capable of ending Sabre and me, with ease if I had to guess. We hadn't shut my door behind us two minutes before a knock had me jump in place. I'd worked too hard t not to die to go and break my record now.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"Star, you home?"
Bright didn't bother waiting for a response. He simply threw the door wise and strode in a big stupid grin and all. Solemn offered a mumbled apology as he followed behind. I was glad Solemn had found time to chat tonight. Because I had a few words for him, he nearly got me killed by the world's scariest unicorn.
"Solemn."
The thestral managed a nervous cough and took a seat beside Bright, who seemed to be bouncing in his seat. Sabre took a position between the seating arrangement in my apartment and the door. He'd caught my meaning, good.
"Would anypony care for some tea?" I asked.
"I would," Bright said. He was making it increasingly hard to be mad.
"That sounds lovely, Star, thank you." Solemn affirmed.
"Great."
So, I did exactly as I was asked. I made tea, bags, and boiling water the whole shebang. It was an easy, relaxing chore, but that was just fine. The moment the pot whistled. I took up a tray with cups and small biscuits the staff seemed to refill every time I stepped out. I placed everything on the table in the lounge area and offered everyone the sum they desired.
"By all means."
"Thanks," Bright said as he helped himself to a biscuit.
Solemn, however, seemed more cautious with his consumption. He managed a cup of tea for himself and nodded to me. Everything was nice and cheery, it was no doubt. I certainly didn't feel a constant twitch in my left wing. I didn't offer a toothy smile every time Solemn looked up from his drink. The older thestral squirmed in his spot all over tea.
"Star, I must apologize."
Solemn let out a sigh and looked up at me. I shrugged and took a sip of my own tea. The declaration had also grabbed Bright's attention. In less time than I could conceptually take in, the writer had had a somber look in his eye.
"For what?" Bright asked.
"For what indeed?" I asked.
Solemn sat his tea down with a clink. He steadied himself and matched my look with a veteran politician's poker face. The mask he wore was one of genuinely mastful craftsmanship. "Today has been quite the debacle. The summary of the Court gathering in reference to yourself was not as understanding as I assumed. I had no idea Her Majesty would take note of such. Though, that is hardly all of tonight's surprises. A myriad of our own making, I am afraid."
"You mean the Resistance?" I asked.
Solemn nodded. "I do."
"Go on," I said and waved eagerly.