Refracted Love

by Silentpegasus


Chapter 1: Scraps

Refracted Love

Chapter 1

Scraps

In the Crystal Empire a small crimson unicorn colt with a jet black mane and bright purple eyes carefully made his way through the dark rainy streets of the crystal city. He ducked behind a trash can to avoid a pair of guards. After the two had left he quietly made his way to the Crystal Castle. He crawled through the storm drain until he came out to where the scraps from the kitchen were put out for trash. After the chef had gone back inside the colt quickly opened the trash and began to rifle through the trash.

He let out a sigh at the barely edible apple core and half eaten piece of crystal cherry pie. The colt looked up to see an open window just a few feet above him. He weighed his options on finding another place for food. He began to stack nearby trash cans and struggled to get on top of his makeshift ladder. He carefully balanced himself on top of the cans and stealthily made his way through the window. As he lifted himself off of trash can tower his weight made his creation fall to the ground.

He heard hoof steps and quickly hid behind a statue. He heard the guard stop in front of the window and let out a sigh. “I keep telling that maid to remember to close these things.” He said as he slammed the window shut and continued with his route. The small colt checked for other guards and silently made his way into the kitchen.

The colt’s eyes boggle at the stacks of bread and freshly made goods. He quickly grabbed a roll and shoved it into his mouth. The red colt couldn’t believe the flavor of the rolls. As he reached for another he accidentally knocked over some pots and pans, the metal implements fell to the floor with a loud clang. The chef instantly burst into the room and saw the small colt bolt through the side door.

“Thief!” He yelled as two guards chased after the intruder. The colt ran down a random series of hallways as he heard a loud noise fill the hallway. The colt looked behind him to see more guards give chase. As he rounded a corner his face hit a soft pink object, knocking him onto his back. The colt looked up to see a pink Unicorn mare with wings and holding a confused look on her face. The guards quickly surrounded the colt with spears drawn.

“Guards! What is the meaning of this?” The mare said as she looked at the group of stallions.

“We caught this intruder your highness.” One of them answered as he gave a salute. The pink pony raised an eyebrow and looked at the colt who was shaking in fear.

“Return to your posts, I will deal with him personally.”

“But your highness-”

“That is an order sergeant. Follow it.” She said in a stern tone.

“He could be an assassin sent to kill you ma’am.” One of the guards protested. The colt’s stomach let out a loud growl of hunger causing him to blush. The Pink mare looked at the guards with a raised eyebrow.

“An assassin on an empty stomach? I’m more interested to know how he got past your best guards.” She said in a stern tone. “I suggest you return to your posts before I report this incident to my husband.” The guards immediately made themselves scarce leaving the Alicorn and fear stricken colt alone in the hallway.

The Alicorn then shifted her gaze to the shivering colt. Her expression softened and smiled at the crimson unicorn. “Are you alright?” She asked as she offered him her hoof. The colt looked at her in confusion and hesitantly allowed the mare to help him up. “Why were you in the castle?”

“I was hungry.” He said as his ears dropped to the sides of his head.

“We can’t have that now can we?” She said as she turned to go back down the hallway. “Are you coming?” She asked with a smile. The small red colt looked at her in confusion and trotted up next to her. The two ponies made their way back into the kitchen and the pink Alicorn made herself some tea and a sandwich for the red colt who looked at her in confusion. “Here you go.” She said with a smile. He dove into the sandwich and felt the food fill his empty stomach. The Alicorn sat down across from him with her tea in hoof. “Why did you come to the castle looking for food?”

“The trash didn’t have any scraps in it so I-”

“What? Don’t your parents feed you?” She asked in shock. Te colt lowered his head and gave a small sniffle.

“I don’t have any parents.” He said in a low tone. The Alicorn put a hoof to her mouth in surprise.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” An awkward silence fell between the two for several minutes. “Are you on your own?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have a name?”

“It’s Geode.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Geode, you can call me Cadence.” She said with a warm smile. The colt gave her a nod and stated to trot towards the exit. “Where are you going?”

“To find a dry place to sleep.” He said as he looked out the window.

“I refuse to let a little colt catch his death out in a storm.” She said as she shut the door with her magic. “You can use one of our guest rooms.”

“I don’t have any money to give.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She said with a smile. The two began to walk back down the hallway. Cadence looked at the colt who kept his eyes forward.

“That guard called me something before. Intruder, what’s that mean?”

“It means you were in a place you weren’t supposed to be in.” She said with a smile. “That reminds me, how did you get in here anyway?”

“Since I’m an intruder I guess I came in ‘tru’ the window.” He said with a small smile. The pink Alicorn started to laugh at the response.

“Ha, good one. I still can’t believe that you managed to outsmart my guards.”

“I just ran away.” He said with a shrug.

“Looks like I’ll have to update the security around here.” She said with a smile. Cadence then noticed a small chain necklace with a fine cut amethyst hanging between two silver spheres. “What’s that necklace from?” Geode looked down at the small purple rock and his smile dropped.

“I think it belonged to my mother.” He said in a low tone.

“Must be special to you then.” She said as she put a hoof on his shoulder.

“Yeah, I’ve always had it with me.” Geode said with a shrug. The Princess opened a door to reveal a large room with a Queen sized bed against the far wall.

“Feel free to grab yourself a snack if you get hungry.” She said with a warm smile. The red colt looked up at her with a weak grin.

“Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it. Goodnight.” She said as she smiled and closed the door. Geode looked around the room in amazement. He trotted into the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror.

Man I’m a mess. He thought as he let out a sigh. Geode got into the tub and turned on the shower. The colt let the warm water wash over his tired and dirty body. Despite being a Crystal Pony his coat remained it’s dull red color. He felt his black mane droop over his eyes, Geode felt three days worth of grime and dirt wash off his body. He turned the water off and eventually made his way into the massive bed. The colt laid his head on the soft pillow and eventually drifted off to sleep.

The colt opened his eyes and felt Celestia’s sun blaze through the massive windows. Geode rubbed his eyes and got off the massive bed. Geode made his way into the restroom and looked at himself in the mirror. He let out a sigh and trotted back into the massive room and heard a knock on the door. The colt trotted over to the door to see the smiling face of the pink Alicorn.

“Good morning. How’d you sleep?”

“Great.” He said with a smile.

“Breakfast is being served if you’re hungry.”

“Sure.” He said as he and the Alicorn made their way to the dinning hall.The red colt sat across from the Pink Alicorn. The two were served crystal berry omelets with sides of toast and fruit.

“What will you do now?” She asked as he finished his meal.

“Head back out there, see if I can scrape together enough money for a train ticket out of here.” He said as he finished his food.

“You want to leave?” She asked in surprise.

“I’ve been here for over one thousand years. I want to go out and see the world.” He said as he looked out the window.

“On your own?”

“Is there any other way to travel?” He said in a stagnant tone.

“You’re only a colt!” She protested.

“So? I can take care of myself just fine.”

“You don’t even have a Cutie Mark.” She said as she pointed to his blank flank.

“The best way for me to get it is to go out in the world and explore my options.”

“I will not sit idly by and let a young colt grow up on the street!” She stammered.

“I appreciate the offer Cadence but you’re a Princess. You have bigger things to worry about then just some random colt you caught rifling through your trash.”

“Nothing is more important than the well being of my subjects.” She said with a warm smile. Her eyes instantly lit up at an idea. “What if I got you a train ticket out of here and got you a roof over your head? You get to see the world and I know that you won’t be on your own.” The scarlet colt looked at her in amazement.

“Y-you’d do that for me?”

“Of course. Just give me a little bit of time.” She said with a warm smile. She withdrew a quill and parchment. After she had finished scribbling the message she made it vanish. “All we have to do is wait for a reply.”