//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 - Lean on Me and Let Me Know the Truth // Story: Inkwell - Reflections and Phantoms // by Archmage Ansrit //------------------------------// It all happened too fast! She figured out what was the reason behind the warmth, and then it grew so much it swallowed her up! The scent of delicate perfumes filled her nose and spread a warm cares across her skin, her eyes became full with all of the colors of silence and the pictures painted with words of kindness. A comforting wave from under her made her soar high above while the sunlight dancing on the petals of many beautiful flowers sang for her. A soft embrace left a sweet aftertaste whenever she laughed… That felt good. It made her feel alive. It was just like when Aer held her, or Hana taught her, or Aby sang for her, or Mihi hugged her! They were her friends. They might not be numerous, she might not see them as frequently as she would like, but they were hers… And now? She had more! She had more! She knew she did, because they made her feel the same she did those other times! ***** Somewhere – Around a year ago “She’s scared of us.” Marlon said, and he was absolutely right. How could she not be?! “Particularly of you, sir.” The one she’d come to know as Aby said. And she was right, too. For all intents and purposes, Galleria Marlon didn’t exist. Her senses didn’t pick up anything. No magic, no presence, no heat. Nada, zero. Hell, even his name was a fake; a name to put on the sides of the wagons of their traveling company that was a front for them. Though given all the important and complicated things they did a desire for secrecy was perfectly understandable. “You can’t blame her.” A laid-back, almost sleepy-sounding girl’s voice half-drawled half-lilted the sentence. The wood fueling the campfire crackled a little, and a wolf howled to the moon. “Of course we can’t.” Aby’s lightly accented voice said, whispering… they weren’t yet aware she could hear even their heartbeats from the hole she was curled inside of – save for Marlon’s, obviously. “The only way he agreed to having someone other than his daughter look after her was that any one of us were able to… eliminate her if she ‘went out of control’.” She shivered in reflex, but didn’t cry; her tears had stopped months ago… why bother? Her life wasn’t hers, so why bother showing any reaction anymore? “This is a disaster, and all because of paranoia.” Hana’s voice sounded more ‘awake’ now. “What do we do?” “I do not know; she is not eating anything, even if we offer, and that’s not normal for those like her.” Aby replied. It didn’t matter. She would just get something from someplace near if she felt like it. The door of one of the wagons creaked as it opened. “Thank you, I’m feeling better now.” Aureolus said, speaking with another inside the wagon. “Also, I want to apologize…” “Never.” Marlon said. “You needed to recuperate from the effects of your potions.” “But we had to stop all day…” “We are not in a hurry to go anywhere.” Aby said. “True… and where is our guest? Where is the Water Child?” He said, looking everywhere. Guest? Also… Water Child? She liked the sound of that. “She is over there.” Hana said, and she didn’t need her senses to know that she was pointing at her hole. “She makes one further away if we try to get near.” “Also, water child?” Aby asked, curiously echoing her thoughts. “That is not a good sign…” Aer said. “And that is because I want to be respectful, but I do not know if she knows any languages other than this one and her own. Mixing those words with this language doesn’t feel right.” “Fair enough. But what are we going to do?” “Have you tried food already?” “Yes, but she is still too afraid of us.” “That might be depression… that’s not good, that’s not good at all.” “Depression? Wait, can’t that… kill them?” “You try now.” Marlon said. The steps creaked… and the ground sang out with a low, rumbling bass voice as soon as he set foot outside. It was like a great dragon or a god serenading the very earth, and each step he took was a verse. He was not fully recovered, so he was using earth magic to hold himself up; through it she heard how resolute he was, how kind and how warm he was. She made no movement, even letting him get closer than the others. “Hello?” He called, she shivered a little. “Do not worry… why not come with us? The fire is very comforting, and you must hate the cold of these northern lands.” She did, with a passion, but she just had to trade her dark magic for fire or ice and she wouldn’t be bothered. Her fur helped, as well. “We made town recently, so we have fresh supplies, would you like some…” He trailed off and turned to his companions. “What do we have? For food, I mean.” “Well, they tend to like sweet things, right? We have everything for our candy-making carts, but you will have to prepare them; for things ready-to-eat we have honey preserves, dried fruit like berries… we even have sweet bread – mostly as a treat for ourselves, since it won’t last long.” She perked up slightly when she heard the word ‘bread’, and Aer must have picked up on the movement with his magic, because he then spoke. “Would you like some? I’ll let you have my portion if you like.” He was like that all the time, they all were; they would rather trust and regret it than not and feel remorse. And then Mihi stepped outside as well. Of all of them, Mihi was the oddest. A tough, hard exterior, but warm nonetheless. An inside that is technically empty, but held a soul far kinder than that of many, many others… ===== Mihi was holding her, as per usual after training. It was comfy, no matter what others might think. Aer was gently stroking her hair. She got beaten utterly, of course, because Mihi. Mihi didn’t need to use any of her special tricks yet, either. She simply was that good. “The Broken Armor, upright.” Aby said, holding out one of her more exotic fortunetelling cards for her to see; it was indeed the card of the Broken Armor. “You know when to rise and be brave, and that is great, however, we can all see in your eyes that your soul is in tatters. Not all situations require you to be strong.” “Bu-but if I’m not, I could die!” She replied. “Ah, yes… well…” Aby didn’t know what to say. “You don’t have to worry about that.” Aer said, and his voice just soothed her, even if others found it strange. “Not with us around; we will care for you and protect you when you are not strong, for we are your friends.” That was it. She couldn’t hold it any more. She cried. She cried out for everything that truly bothered her. She called out for her parents to come back, she yelled that she hated being alone, she especially hated being alone in the cold, she hated being hungry, she hated being attacked and treated like a monster, she hated being denied her own life for something she had the potential to do, she hated that she was being punished for something someone else had tried –not even succeeded- to do, she hated that it all continued just because of someone saying it should. Aer held her and, unusual for him, began to sing. Sometimes in our lives~ We all have pain We all have sorrow But if we are wise We know that there's Always tomorrow~ Lean on me, when you're not strong~ And I'll be your friend I'll help you carry on~ For it won’t be long ‘Till I’m gonna need Somebody to lean on~… ===== “Oh no… what happened?” Hana asked, with an unusually high amount of energy in her voice that belied the concern she felt. “Why is she crying now?” “Guess.” Aer said, holding her gently and patting her back. “Again?” She sighed. “It’s hard to stay positive when things like this keep happening.” Aer began to sing again. When you try your best, but you don’t succeed… When you get what you want, but not what you need… When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep… Stuck in reverse~ And the tears come streaming down your face~ When you loose something you can’t replace When you love someone but it goes to waste Could it be worse?~ Lights will guide you home~ And ignite your bones~ And I will try… To fix you… ===== “Oh, yes.” Hana said on one language lesson, again speaking in that singsong voice with the stretching vowels like she was a second or so away from falling asleep. “This language is very limited. The expressions we have available are limited too.” “When you get to love something or someone, it is said you ‘fell in love’… but that is not accurate at all for us. First, we took you in because the way you were treated was unfair –and still is.” Hana hugged her, and she returned it without hesitation. “And we are glad we did, because got the chance to see how nice and cute you are, and as we kept talking, training, and practicing, we got to know how smart and strong you are – how kind and caring you are. So no, we did not ‘fall’ into anything.” Hana playfully and affectively mussed her hair. “We jumped into love, screaming and hollering the whole way!” ===== “Do not worry.” Aby said; the bandage that was almost perpetually around her eyes removed for once, so that she could look directly at her. Her true name was Bea, but through talks of the sea’s abyss and how sensitive her eyes were to the light she came to be referred to as ‘Abyss’, then she let her shorten it to just ‘Aby’. “Your darkness is too black and too deep to be tainted by those fools, and your light, though still devoid of direction, is too affectionate to freeze.” She presented a traditional card, that of The Star. “Your day will come, have no doubt about it.” She looked at Aby’s deep green eyes, and then she knew it to be true. “And when you have reached the mountaintop, then you shall begin to climb.” ***** Outside, there was no sign of it other than a small gasp, as if she tried to breathe in more of that feeling, and it could be seen in her eyes for one brief moment… a brief reflection of the light she was seeing. “Hey! That’s the same face Twilight made in the ancient castle!” Pinkie said. “How do you know what I looked- never mind, if you know, you know.” Twilight shook her head. “Hey, Gem, you there?” Dash asked, waving a hoof in front of her face. “Huh? Oh, sorry.” She blinked away the stars. “Magical sensory overload and loss of self… weird.” “Oh my, that sounds serious.” Fluttershy said, caretaking instincts briefly overcoming her shyness. “Actually, it’s the best I’ve felt in a while.” Gem said, feeling at ease, and even rested! “Ugh, you’re not making sense!” Dash said, slightly exasperated. “I would if you would give me time to explain.” She said with a smirk. Dash shut her mouth and had the decency to blush lightly. “There’s… something in the six of you.” She looked at Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow, Applejack and Twilight. “Something very powerful… it feels like everything that is good in the world, everything that makes you feel… feel…” “In harmony?” Pinkie asked, to which Gem nodded. “You saw that? Just how good is that sight of yours?” Twilight asked, and received a grin. “Do you want me to describe what it’s like to be like you, and the general type of interaction your personalities have with one another?” “I’m listening.” Twilight said, with parchment and quill in her magical grip. “Where did yah get those?” Applejack asked. “I always have parchment and quill with me, in case of emergency friendship report.” She said, completely missing the irony. ***** A second letter arrived at the royal palace the day after Twilight’s. It had a wax seal in the shape of a smiling face. With unexpectedly elegant writing, it read: “Dear Princesses Luna and Celestia. Hi! It’s my first time writing a letter, and it’s for you! Twilight thought it would be a good idea to share what I experienced that time at the bakery when I extended my senses, and I do mean truly extend them! I can’t thank you enough for teaching Twilight like you have done – oh! And if her family could see this letter as well, that would be great! I was told her brother lives at the castle, and I want him to know how much I appreciate his sister’s friendship. These might look like simple red dots at the bottom, but if you look with magesight or some scanning spell you will be able to see the memories, as well as hear and feel everything I put inside. Yes, I write with memories, like you! I noticed. My caretaker also does, then again, memories and anything ‘recorded’ in some fashion is her area. The Elements of Harmony are unlike anything I have ever felt, and yet, at the same time, like everything good I have ever lived through. It left me feeling like- well, that was a previous experience, when I witnessed something so impressive, so majestic… I did not feel grand. I felt very small. I was part of it, and that made me happy. It made me feel alive. I want others to see through my eyes, since I just know that, if every pair of eyes could see with a renewed perspective each time like mine do, there would be far less problems –not just for me, but for all else. Looking forward to meeting you, Gemini Prismriver.” ***** After recalling the times we have used the elements, I have to say that I agree. I am sorry I never asked but… what were your own experiences with their use? I know they are difficult memories from hard times… it’s just that, hearing Gemini try to describe it with that pleased look on her face, even if she’s a third party… Spike arrived to tell me the chores were done, and just in time as well! Gemini told us we had to be relaxed and merely feeling, not actually doing anything other than extend our hooves on occasion. Our unconscious reactions would do everything for us. She is not an empath, but with her sensitivity she might as well be; the research she inherited from her parents included having deciphered the many magical and physical cues to emotions. Her friends, too, helped her to make her more conscious of these cues somehow. As for her, she appeared to be concentrating quite intensely. She was meditating, and slipped in and out of her emotionally neutral state. She said something when she opened her eyes, something that got me thinking about the nature and purpose of her apparent coldness. The quieter you become, the more you can hear. “That explains why Fluttershy is so proficient with helping other ponies with their problems.” Luna said. Celestia only laughed. ***** The six Bearers sat in a circle around Gemini, who happily munched on a blueberry muffin lathered with butter, held in a hoof. Spike stood next to Lyra, who just took care of the babies. The cherry-haired pony finished the baked good, and Spike took it as his cue to document everything she said and did, as per Twilight’s instructions. “You can close your eyes if you’d like, and breathe.” Gem said, sighing in delight at the warm treat. “Don’t worry about anything. Think of things you’ve done.” Rainbow Dash was about to think of some awesome, mind-blowing, daredevil stunt routine, but her mind wandered back to the cream unicorn’s words. ’Being willing to do something as if it were the last thing I’d do.’ Yeah, she knew that feeling… Gemini spoke like it was the key to unlocking something great. Knowing your limits, not to mind them, but to smash them to pieces and go further. She also spoke of ‘peacetime lands’ like the whole of Equestria was missing something obvious to everypony else – though if discovering meant troubled times, she figured that knowing it was a mixed blessing. Gem could certainly be weird. Dash figured that Gem was kind of like Fluttershy, only that instead of looking frail, she looked like she was about to be yelled at for something she didn’t do; that kind of injustice wouldn’t fly by her, though. If she didn’t have an image to maintain, she’d just give Gemini a hug whenever they saw each other. Speaking of her, she approached each pony and carefully tapped her horn on the forehead of another pony, while touching a spot over the heart of the same. When Dash’s turn came, she could smell a flowery scent –likely from the bath she took- and felt a nice sensation no different from a hug. “Alright, point all of your hooves to the center.” She instructed. When they complied, she had them synchronize their breathing… it was a little hard, since Pinkie and Dash sped up and Fluttershy and Twilight lagged behind. Lyra took care of it by rhythmically tapping her hoof, simply enough. “Think of your friends.” She said, vague as before. She closed her eyes and lowered her head, breathed out when they all did, and raised her head, with her horn passing through the center of the group. She looked skywards, again at something only she could see… for the moment. “Let me know the truth.” She smiled, and then turned her eyes towards the pony directly in front of her. “Pinkie Pie.” She said, slowly and in a neutral tone; looking at the puffy purplish energy coming out of the party pony’s mane and tail, as well as little green vines wrapped around her hooves. Only Gem saw this, and only she knew what it all meant. “You are like the clouds, refusing to be bound, drifting wherever you please…” Everypony else was about to say something, but then remembered the clouds of the Everfree Forest… “You can be moody, and a little unpredictable; clouds can become stormy with little provocation, after all.” She exhaled. “Whenever hardship becomes too much to bear, you give your friends rest and protection, expanding to cover everything… you are like the forest in that regard; growing, nurturing. Like the pine trees, always green in the face of adversity. Like the Plum blossom, you are bright when others cannot find a reason to smile. You sometimes lose sight of things during your flights of whimsy, however.” Twilight’s eyes widened. That had been pretty accurate! “Fluttershy.” Gem turned to face the butter-coated mare. She could see many twinkling lights inside her eyes, but those weren’t stars – it was rain! There was the occasional flash of lightning inside those wide eyes of hers, and more swirling, water-like energy came from her hooves and wings. “You are like the rain and the rivers; you wash away everything, be it troubled feelings from your friends or even the resolve of your enemies, so that your friends may have the tranquility they deserve. There is a hint of lightning, as well; you do not tolerate threats to your friends, and would rather take them yourself to reduce or remove them. Just remember, though you might be easily affected by things thrown your way, you never know how high you are until you are called to rise.” Twilight thought that, while still somewhat vague, it was an excellent description of her friend. She out-stared a cockatrice to keep the crusaders safe and help her, heck, she cowed a dragon for pony’s sake! Not bad for having just met her few minutes ago. “Rainbow Dash.” Gem said, turning to the athletic mare. “You are like a relentless storm, fiercely moving forwards.” A red, whirling energy lashing about gathered at the cerulean mare’s wings; Gemini could hear the howling of the endless gale within the prismatic pegasus. She also saw many-colored sparks all over her body. “Never giving up, never stopping, always the core of the charge, a surging wind that never rests, that’s you. Along with the lightning, you make the problems of others your own, and it also keeps pushing you further to protect your friends, you can be quite resolute and bold. Keep in mind that not everything is straight ahead – watch the sides and things around you.” Another hit! It’s a Home Run! What would Gem say about her? “Rarity.” The two unicorns were face to face. Rarity’s features were hidden among a bank of fog the color of her coat and mane, while a shimmer not unlike that of hot air surrounded her horn. “You are the mist and the mirages, distracting danger and concealing those close to your heart to protect them; you go to great lengths to do so, as I have experienced myself. You put your hooves to work on making your vision a reality. However, going too far or too long without a reminder might cause you to lose sight of others.” Yeah, that had happened a few times, but Rarity always corrected it herself! Still, now it was Twilight’s turn, at least if Gem had- “Applejack.” Gemini said, spinning around to face the farmer. Her eyes and mane shone with a golden light, and her hooves were covered in bright stones. “Like the sun, you shine through adversity and illuminate the sky, and it is also in your nature to nurture. You have the strength of the mountains, standing resolutely to protect that which you hold dear, be it by being firm against calamity or acting as sturdy support for your friends. Sadly, your flaw can be the deadliest; being stubborn and arrogant –especially at the same time- is a luxury you, of all ponies, cannot absolutely afford under any circumstances.” Twilight… found that a little bitter to swallow, but no less true. Whenever Applejack’s confidence turned from a virtue to a flaw of pride, her stubbornness caused huge problems that required the five of them and great pressure to solve. Regardless, it was her turn! What would- “The storm and the rain are nigh-inseparable, sisters that pull one another and build up to make a formidable force; along with the lightning, I’d be surprised if you two don’t get along in some fashion. No matter how different you might seem, you feel comfortable in each other’s presence, right?” That- well, it was absolutely true. They had been friends since they were fillies and, despite being almost polar opposites, were incredible friends. “The clouds make the rain, the rain feeds the forest; you two have the same goal, even if you go at it through different means.” Well, true again. But- “The rain and the mist, too, have a close relationship. The rain makes the right conditions for fog, especially in rivers. Two gentle spirits that blanket everything with their affection.” Yeah, Fluttershy and Rarity were great friends and shared many interests. “Mist and clouds are family, and as such, the way they care for their friends are very similar; the differences are so subtle, yet produce such varied results, that untrained eyes will miss the similitude.” From a certain perspective, that was true. Pinkie was certainly selfless, and Rarity loved raising ponies’ spirits; she hadn’t thought about it like that though. “Rain and sun are both very important; they nurture all life and care for it. I can tell you are affectionate each in your own way, of course – while the sun’s warmth helps lift spirits, its intensity can get domineering and derail the effort; nothing like gentle rains to calm down the heat.” But what about- “The clouds are the catalyst for many types of weather, like storms. The storm can guide the clouds in turn; sure, maybe they won’t have the same destination, and there could be a little bit of conflict between the two of you, but with a little faith in each other you can accomplish many incredible things.” Twilight still had to double-check her inkwells in case of invisible ink. “The sun and the clouds might not seem very cooperative, but do remember that it is possible to have too much sun. In any case, when something troubles your friends, you are there to help them get through hard times, and heaven have mercy on anything standing in your way.” “Mist and mountains… you two can be fiercely protective of those you care for, and together there is little that can get by you. Your differences here are precisely what helps you two… even if the sun doesn’t always agree.” Why is everypony else getting a turn? “Dash and Rarity… you two may look like you have nothing in common… but you have your friends’ backs at all times. They don’t even have to ask, do they?” “At first glance, Dash and Applejack can look incompatible; I bet there is friction between the two of you, what with your shared tendency to be rash and hasty. However, when trouble arises, ponies know there are few better options than to seek you out. Mountains are reliable, and the support they give makes troubled souls be put at ease. Storms mark a direction, and the lost and wandering are swept in its intensity. You are leaders, and while you might disagree and fight over things, you won’t let anything happen to those who have gathered under you.” “Even leaders need help sometimes, and so you turn to a very special kind of pony… something much more of a rarity than a leader.” Twilight’s eyes grew wide as she saw Gemini turn slowly to face her and begin to smile. She was- was it- is this one of those ‘the best for last’? What that why she waited? “Twilight Sparkle.” She said, and her vision was overcome with swirling colors that left nothing untouched. “You are the open sky, the vast seas, and the outstretching earth. You are the one that colors and engulfs everything, tying everything together. Without you, the clouds lose their place to play, the storm is just a shout without a voice, plants have nowhere to grow, and that guiding light and peaceful nights are lost. You bring them together, and you keep them together.” “Oh… I can’t be all that…” Twilight said, blushing slightly. “I mean, my friends are perfectly capable of solving their problems and differences. Rarity and Applejack-…” “Ah, but what about when those around you are losing their heads, and likely blaming it on you? And when there is a problem that others are at a loss as to what to do?” “That’s true, sugarcube.” Applejack said. “Ah mean, yah were willin’ ta go into th’ Everfree forest, on yer own, just ta keep everypony safe.” “And do not forget that you made us regain our senses when Discord used his foul magic on us.” Rarity said, shuddering a little in disgust. “And do not try to bring the princess into it, since it was your friendship both in the first place and at the end what allowed you to help us.” “Yepers!” Pinkie said. “And you are always trying to keep everypony happy, even if you forget yourself some times.” “And if somepony has a problem, you’re always there to lend a hoof.” Dash said, nodding. “Sometimes you keep too much for yourself though.” “Yer a littl’ blunt sometimes, but yer level with folk.” Applejack said. “Yah treat everypony with respect and such.” “You may craft intricate schedules and spend many hours studying in private.” Rarity said. “But if any of us has a problem, you are quick to stop worrying about yourself and devote yourself wholeheartedly to help us.” “And you might get angry, but you care for everypony and are very… nice and considerate with us.” Fluttershy said. Twilight was stunned, and her eyes were misty, a soft smile starting to show in her slightly-opened mouth. “And I-“ “Well, we-“ “What I-“ “Oh! Oh!” Pinkie waved her hoof in the air excitedly. “Are we doing one of those?! Let me start! Let me start!” Pinkie coughed into her hoof and looked at Twilight. “What we are trying to say is…” She turned to Applejack. “That’s an honor…” Applejack turned to Rarity. “And a privilege…” Rarity turned to Dash. “Being able to say…” Dash turned to Fluttershy. “That you are…” Fluttershy turned to Twilight, and so did the others. “Our friend.” They all said at once. Twilight covered her mouth with a hoof and turned to try in vain to hide her blush, letting out a few tears of sentiment. Gemini wrapped her hooves around her in a hug, and was soon joined by Pinkie, and Fluttershy… and the others, even Lyra and Spike. Gem took advantage of the proximity and stole the foals from Lyra’s grasp. Twilight let out a small, embarrassed chuckle. “Spike, did you get all that?” She half-joked. “Every word, Twilight, every word.” “Aby, my day might be closer than I though…”