//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 : My Horn for a Bath! // Story: Abhorsen : Friendship is Free-Magic // by MerlosTheMad //------------------------------// "But Ms. Greenwood!" Sabriel cried out one final time, only to be cut off. "Sabriel! This is final, neither you or anyone else is to leave the grounds or go into the gardens until further notice, not even faculty. I simply cannot in good conscience overlook the possibility that this... creature, whatever it may be, may be a threat." The Magistrix dictated her law without so much as stopping to look at the young school girl. "That is my final word on the matter." Sabriel was following at the teacher's quick walking pace, with her two friends following behind them more slowly at a safe distance. "Ms. Greenwood please liste—!" she began in protest. "Two demerits, Sabriel." Ms. Greenwood looked back darkly at the girl and her two trailing schoolmates, Sulyn and Ellimere gasped as one at hearing this. Sabriel stared disbelievingly at her favorite teacher. "I won't hear anything else about this, Sabriel." She pointed an old finger into the Wyverly College's interior stiffly. "All of you, go to your dormitories at once and do not leave your prefectures. I need to go and speak with Mrs. Umbrade..." The three girls, left with little other choice preceded the teacher into the back entry room. They were followed as far as the first hall's intersection, and watched until they were out of sight. Sabriel cast one last forlorn look at the Magistrix, before following behind Sulyn and Ellimere into a stairwell. Ms. Greenwood heaved a sigh and frowned at the empty passage for a minute. It was her hope that Sabriel was correct about the creature being not only harmless, but friendly. Perhaps then they could easily send it, or her as was the case it seemed, on their way. Rarity absently traded her stare between the pine cone which her hoof was preoccupied with rolling around, and the dismal sight of the greasy purple mane out of the corner of her eye. Unfortunately, even with the aid of the pine cone, her thoughts were unable to fully distract her from either her devastated mane, or the fact that she had probably just thrown away her best opportunity at getting some semblance of help. Smooth Rarity, very smooth... The sunset for the day was already starting, and still she couldn't make up her mind about whether or not to go knock on that castle's door. Or was it actually a school? She had caught glimpses of more young looking humans, and it seemed that it was some sort of academy. Looking up at the somewhat distant building, she thought, perhaps this place is akin to Celestia's school for gifted unicorns? Whatever the building's purpose, Rarity was angry with herself for being so frightened—even knowing full well why she was, it didn't help. They had said killed, those three children, children. The words that pretty black maned girl said had rung in Rarity's ears when the adult human had asked Sabriel to get Rarity to reveal herself... The very idea of such a thing was incredible, only creatures from the Everfree or other such places would dream of harming another. Even then, they mostly just wanted to scare others away from their territory greedily. Had that girl the other night really intended to kill me though? The thought plagued Rarity, even if it had been a misunderstanding, these humans were obviously dangerous. Furthermore, she had heard that entire conversation Sabriel had had with her friend Ellimere. Would they really suspect me of being evil, just for not being human? Will their actual military really want to harm me? Going out there had just seemed so dangerous with that hanging over her head that she... ... It was getting darker quick, Rarity knew she should make a decision... "Augh, I just can't decide, this is horrid." The mare's twinkling eyes traced the horizon and the outline the simple stone building made over the sun's setting. It was rather dull compared to Celestia's sun, to her sun back home. Her filthy hair, coat of fur and hooves all seemed to glare at her in the gloom of that unfamiliar sunset. She needed a bath she resolved, and soon. Rarity resolutely squinted her eyes at the building. They may suspect her of being wicked all they liked, but she would show them just how civilized and friendly ponies were, she decided. The humans would certainly have no cause to harm her then. Thus far, things had been a misunderstanding after all. She would just go up, and make friends; that had always worked out for her before. A little kindness was all she needed to use, nervousness or no—in her mind, it had to work. The undergrowth parted for Rarity before the magic aura she created. A couple dry branches snapped from her nervous touch, her hooves carrying her towards the looming building. While trotting she tried to remember just how Twilight had cast that bubble spell. Or was it called a shield? The unicorn frowned at not remembering just how it was done. Other than the basic spell set she used for dress making, magic was hardly her forte. I'm likely being silly... but death is certainly no joke. It would be best for me to be cautious. The early evening sunset peeked lazily through the finely crafted windows of the second form dormitory. The plate glass artistry let in as much sun was possible in order to light the long room's entirety. Lattice work around the ceiling and the wooden beams of the high vaulted ceiling, however, cast shadows which criss-crossed over the many bunk beds. The fading sun bathed the rest of the room in a warm orange glow. Sulyn watched Sabriel, straight-faced, while Ellimere had her head buried in a pillow with her hands covering both ears. Sabriel herself, was busy putting on her shoes once more, trying to convince her friends to accompany her back outside. "Sabriel," Sulyn began once more pleadingly, "we've practically been restricted to our wing of Wyverly. You've already received two demerits, if we got caught..." The blonde haired girl trailed off under Sabriel's sudden scrutiny. She looked warily around herself at the other girls, looking for anyone who's attention was grabbed. Most everyone was still gone however, the short few days off they had only just began that day. Of the other few girls there no one was looking, much to Sulyn's relief. Sabriel crossed her arms and gave her friends a disappointed look, even if Ellimere couldn't see it. "Look girls, Rarity isn't some animal." A blanket and an extra school blazer found their way into a bag. "She's... just like a person, and alone, not to mention scared! You both saw how she reacted to us. Don't you want to help her too?" Ellimere's eyes peeked up from her pillow slightly, only to catch sight of Sabriel's own sad puppy dog eyes turn towards herself. The girl with curly brown hair frowned, then buried her head once more into the cushion. Sulyn, however, washed her hands over one another nervously, in a tense internal debate with herself over what to do. On the one hand, everything Sabriel said was true, and it was the right thing to do too—at least as far as she herself saw it. On the other, was a very risky road. "I- I..." She began hesitantly, causing Sabriel to shift her gaze Sulyn's way. "Uhm... I'll go I guess Sabriel." She sighed, and began wringing her long skirt too. "It's my turn anyway." Ellimere's back received a warm smile from her. "Great!" Sabriel grinned from ear to ear at the news. "Thanks Sulyn, I need you to get some food from the kitchens then. After that, meet me by the caretaker's office, we're going to go out the cleaning closet window this time." She patted Sulyn on the arm and shouldered her schoolbag stuffed with articles. "Well, I don't want to linger on this any more than you, shall we go?" Eagerly, her hand gestured towards the exit, a couple of other girls watched them curiously, wondering what was afoot this time. "Don't wait up for us Ellimere, we'll be back soon!" Sabriel called behind herself. Sulyn nervously opened the door at peered out at Sabriel's gesture. They both peered out into the hallway, and then Sabriel jumped into a mad dash down the hallway without abandon. Sulyn followed after her friend more slowly, wary looks going down every passed hallway. Ellimere groaned in despair from daring to even pay attention to what was being said. She pulled the pillow around her ears roughly and rolled over to watch her friends leave the room. Her scowl stuck the oak of the thick dormitory door, before settling on the ceiling as she fell back on the bed. "I really hope they go easy on them this time." ...At least she knew it couldn't end as badly as the great cake baking fiasco from Sulyn's last birthday... Sabriel gasped just before her hand closed over the closet's handle. "What is it?" Sulyn whispered to her friend. Under one arm she carried a small basket of pilfered goods, acquired through months of practiced stealth. "Rarity..." Sabriel grinned. "I can sense her magic again. She's moving stuff around." The schoolgirl all but flung open the clean closet, causing her companion to squeak in surprise. "Hurry, she's still here, let's go!" The window opposite the door was already open as Sulyn did her best to quietly shut their entryway. "Slow down, Sabriel!" She wasn't much older than Sulyn, but the younger girl was well aware how much crazier she was than her too. Her friends shoes made a light tup sound in the grass outside the window. "No way!" Sabriel called back up the stone and mortar wall. "You hurry up, Sulyn!" Her giggled reply was just a little bit loud for the pretense of stealth they were adventuring under. Sulyn looked out of the still open window and ssshhed Sabriel, smiling herself. Her friend always got way too caught up in her own mischief, but it at least made things fun. It wasn't a very far drop, but Sulyn hesitated all the same. "Are you coming Sulyn?" Sabriel crossed her arms and frowned in the dimming sunlight. "Pssst!" Sulyn and Sabriel, surprised, both looked towards the sound demanding their attention. They quickly found a pale white unicorn, with fur thoroughly mussed with dirt and leaves, laying on her belly and crawling closer slowly. "Rarity!?" The look of shock on the young girls' faces became grins quickly, both of them happy to see she was still there. Sabriel's voice however, was full of disappointment, directed solely at the mare in question. "Why didn't you come out?" Sulyn looked up and down at the ground until she finally decided to remain in the window. "I wanted to Sabriel, I really did..." Rarity sat up and stirred a hoof in the grass without looking away from the girl. "I just... I guess I'm scared, alright? I mean, you girls are really sweet..." She struggled to think up excuses for why she hadn't come out. "...But your teacher was so tall, and then... Ellimere was it? Mentioned an army and... and I'm sorry, I just couldn't." Sabriel sighed, but smiled once again. "Well, it's understandable if you're lost like you said. I'd be scared too, Rarity." She knelt down to hug the unicorn, though surprised the gesture was welcomed by Rarity. "...Thank you Sabriel." She really does have a pretty name. "What would you like to do then?" Sabriel asked over the unicorn's shoulder. "Well, I've thought on it some, and I've decided..." Rarity leaned back and looked up at Sulyn, then met Sabriel's intent gaze. "To accept your help, and meet your teacher of course. I won't get anywhere just hiding after all, and I don't really think anyone here means me harm, either. She did seem rather friendly. But, I'll only go on one condition..." The pained look she gave the girl's was one of desperation. Both girl's turned and look at one another in confusion, then focused attentively on their friend again. "What is it?" They asked in tandem. "I need a bath, perfume, anything please!" Rarity fell on hooves and knees begging, and caused both girls to start giggling. "You're sure this is what you want to do Rarity?" Rarity looked up proudly at her escort from under the bed sheet she had draped over herself. "Oh yes, I'm quite sure Sabriel. If I'm to have any chance of not being taken for a monster around here, then I must at least clean off all of this filth. A lady should never have to undergo or suffer through conditions such as these, anyway." She sniffed disdainfully at the dirt smudging her normally pristine coat, and noticeably tried to look elsewhere while remaining incognito under the bedspread. "I guess that makes sense." Sabriel had scratched her head at first from the unicorn's explanation, then stifled her own laughter as Rarity began the dramatics again. Something about the little pony caring more about her hair than she herself ever did, would never get old. Sulyn giggled at the near comedic tone of the conversation from behind them. She still looked everywhere for anyone that may have spotted their little trio though, ready to distract the onlookers at a moment's notice. "Girls keep it down," she whispered through cupped hands. "We don't want to get spotted." She assumed they all would likely be okay, what with everyone still being gone for the short holiday. "Oh, Rarity." Sabriel looked away from Sulyn and down at the bedspread enshrouded pony. "I have good news too, by the way, I had an idea during the day after you left." They came to a flight of stairs then and began to climb as quietly as mice. The mare's ears picked up in interest at hearing there was good news. "Good news?" she asked. "What kind of good news? A chance at getting me home maybe, or would that be asking to much?" The weak grin she flashed to Sabriel said that truly was her wish. "The next best thing, I'm seeing my dad tonight in my private study. I get to have one because he lives so far away you see, and tonight's the full moon of the month!" Rarity stopped at the floor landing as Sabriel opened the door, smiling broadly down at her. Rarity was clueless as to how any of that made sense. "Okaaay..." she said questioningly, trying to put the pieces together, but failing. Luckily, Sabriel continued from there after getting the hint. "My dad is a super smart guy, he's one of the greatest charter mages alive. At least I think he is, anyway I see him every full moon and you can meet him! The moon lets him talk to me from anywhere in the world almost, well, north of the wall anyway. If anyone knows anything about... Equilia?" "Equestria, darling." Rarity corrected with a smile, her hope building while listening to the girl. Sabriel smiled back. "Right, if anyone knows anything about Equestria, then it's my dad, Abhorsen!" Rarity couldn't help but let out a whinny-like giggle of excitement, a hoof covered her mouth demurely and proceeded to thank her friend. "That sounds terrific Sabriel, thank you very much. I certainly hope he can help me, and I can't wait to meet him." She had noted that Sabriel had not even considered her teachers as able to help. Is Equestria really not common knowledge? Her worries plagued her relentlessly, but they abated a bit when her young acquaintances finally opened the door to a lavatory. Mrs. Umbrade hummed absently to herself as she traversed Wyverly College's halls towards the washroom. It was time for her evening bath and cleansing ritual, something she took very seriously. All the more so tonight from how hectic things were around here of late. "First Para comes screaming about a monster, and then Ms. Greenwood confirms its existence and says everyone needs to stay indoors!" The college headmistress clicked her tongue as she pulled the looped handle of the washroom door. "Honestly, everyone around here is losing their minds."