Vacil whimpered softly as she rubbed the top of her head with a hoof, the inside of her feeling like a thousand tiny little apple buckers were kicking the inside of her skull, another too pushing on the back of her eyeballs. Laying her head on the table of her mistresses chambers, she thanked her lucky stars that Luna couldnt see her like this. The mistress were thankfully away for a few days visiting Cadence and Shining, and Luna had graciously allowed the currently hungover stygian a few days R&R, and the use of her private library. Unfortunately, she had granted the same allowance to that incessant pain in her side.
Looking up from the book, Aduros grinned, 'You know, for someone so smart, you can do some pretty dumb there honey."
Too much in pain to once again remind him not to call her that, she grumbled 'Shut up. Im still mad at you for what you did to Prince Blueblood, and what do you do instead of trying to get in my good graces?' Horrified, she shudders, the trauma still fresh.
.....
Vacil woke with a start, and blearily looked around. Her Mistresses chambers.... she must have wandered in here. Rolling over to get out of the undoubtedly comfortable royal bed, she rolled into Aduros. Grinning, he kissed on the end of her nose, and said "Morning hot stuff'
Eyes widening, it didn't click for a moment, then those words clicked, but before she could react, a flash of light went through the room, and with a deepening sick dread, she looked up at open chamber door, a few of her fellow guards snickering behind a camera. Screeching in revulsion and fury, she jumped up, conking her head on the ceiling, and fell back on her hindquarters, the bump adding more pain to her already throbbing head. Screeching her peoples tongue all manner of horrid words, they stopped at the words of Lunas human guard
"Why lover, what a filthy mouth!" sitting up, he winked. "But i already knew that."
Looking at him, her eyes glistening with tears over what she'd done, she pleaded, "We,,, we didn't... oh, by the name of the moon....' Grin widening, Aduros replied, "No, we didn't."
And in that instant, a passing group of school foals learned a new word.
.....
Scowling, the grieved stygian lifted her head, and looked out window, watching birds fluttered through the sky.
"I'm sorry."
Vacil looked back, and saw the human had closed the book, and was looking at her with an odd expression. Still not used to the new Aduros, she scratched her right foreleg with the opposing hoof, and muttered 'Nah, its okay. I mean i was pretty mad but...' She jumped slightly as his palm slammed onto the table, and he shouted "No, its not all right!" Sighing, he looked away from one of the only friends he had. "I used to do the same damn thing as a kid. Id get bullied or get in trouble, and...' he face palmed. 'Damn it... i cant fucking learn anything without hurt someone damn it... what is wrong with me....'
Looking back to the sky, Vacil thought for a moment, head still in turmoil, and then looking back, said 'Nothing."
Shaking his head, aduros snapped back 'Bullshit.'
"Aduros. Look at me."
For a moment, she didnt think he would, but when he did, she smiled, her usually gruff tone strangely gentle.
"Aduros, we all like that. Do you think i learned to fly from when i was born, or when you were born you learned to walk?"
As she spoke, her... well, i guess you could say friend, rose, and she finished, walked over to the bookshelves. And looking thoughtful for a moment, then said "That's sound logic,' and with re-shelving of the book, he added 'for children.'
Growling in annoyance, she snapped 'You know, you really aren't the easiest person to help.' Looking over his shoulder, he yelled back 'And who asked you too help me?" Jumping up, she shrieked, "Because damn it, i love Luna!'
Now completely confused, Aduros turned back, and crossed his arms
"What are you talking about?"
Stamping her hood, she glared furiously at the idiot, leathery wings now stretched out in her fury.
"She was hurting long before showed up you know! I heard her at night crying, and when i asked, she told me of how show moved the stars to make art, and... and...' a sob choked out her voice, and her wings went limp, as did her hindquarters, which flopped down helplessly. 'I... i talked to her. she was so sad, i couldn't bear it. I wrote a fucking essay like fucking filly, and,,, and,,,,' tears started to leak out, not Blueblood weeping but somehow worse, 'When i saw... how happy it made her... i.... Damn, I knew it was wrong...' she hiccuped, and began to bite her bottom lip, ignoring the pain her sharpened teeth brought her.
Stunned, Aduros unfolded his arms and took a couple steps forward, saying 'Vacil, if you feel this way, why didnt you tell Luna?'
Clenched eyes flying open, she leaped up again, this time jumping across the room and knocking the human against the bookcase, and shrieked, 'Because of you!' hitting the human hard at the end, then raising it again shrieked, 'Because I watched while despite her every time she pushed you just came back!' Again, she banged her hoof on him, his voice beginning to fail her 'Because i saw how you too laughed and talked, how she looked on her throne when she peeked at you' She raised her hoof 'How much trouble you caused her when you did that to Blueblood!" Strike, 'And.... and...' she raised her hoof again, but it didn't have any force this time, ' How she still looked when you came back...' she couldn't even bring the blow down, she just sat on her haunches again, sniffling miserable. Kneeling down, Aduros said, 'I.... I didn't know...' she merely let out a snort, and looked down.
Suddenly, he grabbed her, and drew her close, Quickly getting over the initial shock, she snarled, 'Get off me,' He said nothing, just embraced her tighter. Bottom lip quivering, she shrieked 'Get off me!" and bit down hard into his shoulder. Even though hissed slightly, he just held her. For what seemed an eternity, they just sat there, and slowly she unclenched her jaws, and laying her head against his chest, wept silently. Once it was over, she muttered 'Aduros?
He looked down. "Yes honey?"
Looking up with the tears still there, she growled menacingly "If you ever mention this to anyone... Especially Luna..."
Grinning at the expression in that slitted eyes, he released her. and saluting replied "Not a word."
Snorting again, she pushed herself off the human, and looking behind her, gave him a swift kick to the crotch.
Satisfied at the reaction, she added curtly ' And don't call me honey.'
.....
Sighing happily, Luna glided through balcony of her bedroom, and giggled as her servant started awake. Rubbing his eyes, he stood and muttered 'What time is it."
Smiling, she shrugged her wings. "Late.' Her though waned somewhat with a twitch of her nostrils. 'Why do i smell blood?" Smiling back, Aduro grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry Master, i sort of stepped on a glass i forgot about...' frowning now fully, she asked 'You didnt get on my books did you?" With the same grin and a shake of his head, her smile returned. As she to lay down to read, Aduros asked 'Luna, while your gone...' turning back, she looked behind her. "Yes?"
"Well, Vacil sort of mentioned something about you and the stars. She refused to discuss further, only told me ask you." Laughing out loud, she slid of her bed, and walked back to the balcony. "Wanna watch?" Nodding numbly, he followed.
The beauty of that scene only matched Aduros self hatred.
.....
Leaving a now peacefully sleeping princess, Aduros walked out, and with a nod to the night guards, walked to the bathroom. Once there, he undid his armor, and opening it, revealed his unbruised chest. Moving the garment a little further, he still could the faintest of bite mark, but that was all. Satisfied, he slowly ran a finger over the tattoo on his chest, then buttoned up his mail once more.