//------------------------------// // Good Evening // Story: Old Wounds // by AlexitsAlex //------------------------------// Following Luna's directions, the trio found the suspect pony's house located near a stream by the Everfree Forest. The chariot landed smoothly on the damp ground, and when it came to a stop, the princess stepped out of while Far Side and Crater unhooked the chains from their armor. "We shouldn't have to worry about anypony stealing the chariot, should we, Princess?" asked Crater, scanning his surroundings. "I don't' think that will be necessary Crater." replied Luna, who was taking in the cool damp air. "The ponies here aren't the ones running around committing felonies or any of the sort." "Whatever you say, your highness." replied Crater, who was now looking into the deep forest, listening intently to the croaking of frogs and chirps of crickets. Not many ponies lived near the Everfree Forest due to it's large number of wildlife, so the houses were more spaced out than the ones in town. The only other house they saw was a few ways down the winding, dirt street. The cottage they stood in front of was a two story, with two windows on the first floor but none on the second. It look like a warm and inviting, yet the two guards weren't certain who the occupant inside caused Luna's interest. "Should we be getting ready to arrest someone?" Far Side spoke to no one in particular. "No," replied Luna, turning back to the house and trotting up the steps towards the front door. "This is a more friendly visit." Far Side looked to Crater. "I would've guessed somepony important enough to get a visit from the princess would be living in Canterlot." he whispered. Crater merely shrugged in response. They both looked at Luna, who was now knocking on the front door. They waited a few moments before the door opened to reveal an earth pony mare. She had a tan colored mane and a white coat. Her cutie mark consisted of three small pots. She didn't look surprised at all, despite the co-ruler of Equestria standing at her doorstep. The mare gave a wide smile. "Why hello there, Princess." She opened her door wider and gestured for Luna to enter. "We've been preparing for your arrival as soon as we got the letter. I'm sorry if my house is a bit of a mess. Dinner's almost ready. Did you bring any company?" She said, looking over the Princess at the two confused bat winged guards. "Indeed I have. I brought my night guards," Luna said in a friendly voice. She glanced back at them. "I was hoping they'd be able to join us tonight, if that's not any trouble of course." "Why not at all." said the pony, who didn't seem to show any reaction to the strange colts outside. "We have plenty of food for them as well." "That's excellent." stated Luna, nodding her head. She looked back and nodded her head, gesturing Far Side and Crater to enter as well. The guards looked at each, with Crater giving another shrug and going first. Far Side gulped and followed closely behind. The interior of the home was very pleasant. It was well lit, and despite having a small space, it was very comfortable. The living room had a number of couches and cushions arranged in an organized manner. Shelves on the wall contained picture frames, and a lighted fire place kept the room warm. The pony mare led them into the kitchen that doubled as a dining room. It had a stove and a large number of cupboards that were painted light blue. There was a good sized dining table in the center with a few extra chairs to accommodate the guests. "Pipsqueak!" the earth pony called up the stairs. "May you please bring an extra chair to the dining table please?" "Yes, mum!" called back a voice that resembled a young colt. "He'll be right down in a minute." said the mare, looking back at the group. She glanced at the two guards. "I don't recall introducing myself to you two. I am Potsherd, and my son's name is Pipsqueak." "Pipsqueak," mused Crater. Why would you name him that? His question was answered when a small pinto patterned colt, dragging a large chair behind him, bounded down the stairs. Once he reached the floor, he released the chair from his mouth and announced himself to no one in particular. "Sleep in fear, dreaded pirates, for I am Pipsqueak the Valiant!" declared Pipsqueak, a hint of an accent in his voice. He started bounding around with too much energy for a pony to have this late at night. The young pony was incredibly small, smaller than the ones Far Side and Crater saw dressed up on Nightmare Night. The patches on his coat were brown, with one over his eye that resembled an eye patch. The tiny colt stopped his jumping long enough to see Princess Luna looking at him with an amused smile. Oh, boy. Thought Far Side. He's going to freak. He was taken back as Pipsqueak ran right up to Luna and hugged her lower leg. "Princess Luna!" exclaimed Pipsqueak. "I was so excited when I heard you were coming over for dinner!" "I am happy to hear you were looking forward to it." Luna beamed. She nudged a hoof to Pipsqueak's shoulder. "I would like to introduce you to my two faithful guards." Far Side and Crater looked at each other in confusion as the little pony ran up to them. "Cool! Are you the two bat ponies I saw pulling Princess Luna on Nightmare Night?" Pipsqueak asked enthusiastically. There was an unsteady moment of silence as Crater was the one who answered. "I suppose that was us." he said sheepishly. "That's awesome!" exclaimed Pip as he hopped around once more before suddenly stopping and giving a curious look at Far Side and Crater. "Why are you still dressed up? Nightmare Night was weeks ago." The question stung Far Side, even though he knew it was an innocent one. He didn't necessarily know if the pony meant his armor or his bat body. He hoped his blue eyes hadn't transitioned to their yellow counterparts. "Uh, this is our regular armor." Far Side answered with uncertainty, giving a look to Crater who seemed unsure of what to add to it. Pipsqueak was quiet. Far Side and Crater exchanged glances while Luna looked on with worry. Then Pip shrugged and said, "Okay!" before he started bounding around in his small circle again. Potsherd just gave a smile. "He's a curious little pony, always going out on adventures with his new friends at school. Pip, may you please set the chair up at the dinner table?" "Yes, mum!" replied Pipsqueak as if he received his orders from a ship captain. He took the chair back into his mouth before dragging it to the table. "Here, let me help you with that." said Crater. He took the chair from Pip and set it up himself, before he took Pip into his mouth and set him on the chair. "There you go, buddy." While this was happening, Princess Luna was using her magic to aid Potsherd set food onto the table. "Oh, your highness," said Potsherd while pouring some water. "You should take a seat. I can take care of setting up dinner." "It would be rude not to give you my assistance." reassured Luna, while levitating the cups of water that had been filled and setting them on the table. "It feels nice to do things yourself instead of having servants do every single task for you back at Canterlot Castle." Far Side was standing on the side of the room feeling a bit lost. Luna was with Potsherd, and Crater and Pipsqueak were getting along quite fine. It still shocked him that Potsherd and Luna were conversing as if they were old friends, and how the earth pony didn't seem at all surprised at Far Side's and Crater's odd appearance. His musing was interrupted by Potsherd. "Okay everypony." she said while putting the last dish on the table. "Let's get ready to eat."