//------------------------------// // Ch18: The Hawkward // Story: A Vivid Dreamer // by Kronoxis //------------------------------// A Vivid Dreamer – Ch18 The Hawkward As the memory faded, Luna took a step back. The glow around her horn died and the thread connecting her horn to her sister’s faded away. As she returned to Celestia's side Luna watched Bertha shake her head free of the odd sensations of the spell. With a whisper she chided. “It would seem your 'Big Bad' has been bested by a wanting mother. You must be so proud your subjects were able to deal with this ‘threat’ by themselves.” Celestia ignored Luna's taunts and addressed the petitioner. “Bertha, would it be safe to assume you have ‘bonded’ with Lodestone?” Bertha looked down and nervously clacked her claws on the fine finish of the floor. “I do not know. Pup was independent... But several moons ago pup... Broke? Wouldn't respond. Just stared ahead. Not even book or forge ponies's gabbings helped.” Luna's eyes widened as she realized what Bertha was saying, and she glared at Celestia from the corner of her eye as her sister continued. “Book pony? Forge pony?” “Are other petitioners here. Book pony has silly, infantile crush on pup. Pup is forge pony's apprentice.” Celestia could hear a mocking tone in Bertha's voice as she described “book pony”. “I see. But apparently he recovered?” “In one cycle of sun and moon. After pup was less independent. Pup started returning affection more. Pup was more like normal pup.” Celestia rubbed her chin as she pondered Lodestone's reported change of behavior. “So you did bond?” Bertha was an incredibly large and intimidating creature, but her answer made her seem small and pathetic. “I hope...” The air felt uncomfortable after Bertha laid her heart bare to the princesses. To break the metaphorically forming ice Luna cleared her throat and renewed the questioning process. “If you value Lodestone like your own child, why did you participate in his capture?” Bertha straightened under the weight of the implied accusation of her potential disloyalty and regained her intimidating posture. “Duty to pack comes first. You are alpha ponies. You command and I obey. I am not snivelling collar chomper, not like dogs of Rambling Rock. I do not disobey when convenient.” As she finished speaking, however, her bravado melted away again. “... But I do have questions. Why? Pup is just pup. Has been nice, kind, helpful. Even made insufferable book pony more tolerable.” Celestia could feel the erratic airflow of Luna's tail angrily twitching, though the ethereal nature of her tail made the gesture unreadable from a distance. She ignored her sister's silent accusation as she replied. “Lodestone has many apparently impossible traits. For example, he is a Shard Fox, a specie, which has been extinct for a long, long time. He has ties to Old Powers, which have long remained dormant. Powers, which should always remain dormant. I cannot tell you more.” Bertha took another low bow. “Thank you. I trust alpha ponies.” “You are dismissed. However, we would appreciate if you would send... “Book Pony” to see us in five minute's time.” “Yes, alpha moon.” /*\ “Tia, this is a dangerous position. Bertha is loyal to a fault, but she expects loyalty in return. If you betray her... We could end up losing her pack. They're the only thing keeping Dodge and its trade alive. If they turned their backs to us many of the smaller, weaker packs would join them.” Luna sighed as she rubbed her temple with a hoof. “Let Us say this. We understand this is a difficult situation for you... But you have nothing to fear from Ryan, and much can be learned from him. You are letting your fears dictate your actions.” Celestia's eyes were closed as she tried to sort her thoughts. “I do admit... My fears do seem childish after witnessing Bertha's perception of him. But! Looks can be deceiving. I'm not willing to place any trust in him when we know his mind does not reflect his body.” Luna nodded, “Then let us see if we cannot lay your fears to rest this day.” /*\ Book pony was a sky blue unicorn with a dark tan mane, and she was trying walk across the throne room. Her gait had an unsteady stutter, and she was looking at everything in the room except the diarchs. Luna was able to see the square framed glasses, which sat snug on her muzzle, and the brilliant orange eyes behind them. When she finally came to the throne the mare was so frazzled she forgot to bow and landed roughly on her haunches. “And who are you? You'll excuse us, Bertha only called you “book pony”.” “Ah... Eheh. Did she say anything else?” Book pony was sheepishly playing with her tail as she averted her eyes from Luna. “She might have, but we'd like you to tell us about yourself.” The sight of the nervous and obviously embarrassed pony was making it hard for Luna to keep a straight face. “Well, I'm Dust Cover, Dodge's librarian. I sort books. I repair books. I read books, and... that's all I do. I'm kinda boring, really.” Insincerity were oozing from her pores as she finished answering the question. “Huh... And how do you know Lodestone?” “He comes to the library to research things most days.” The reply was more terse than Luna thought appropriate for the situation. “Is that all? Why petition for the release of a simple patron?” Dust's cheeks turned a bright red as she heard the question. “H-he's not a simple patron. Almost nopony visits the library and it gets boring and lonely there by myself. I love books, but being surrounded by them all day is depressing.” Luna could barely contain her amusement as the librarian became flustered. “Bertha said you had a crush on Lodestone. I wouldn't imagine his being your primary form of social contact would be a good basis for a romantic relationship.” Dust's voice squeaked as she fumbled for a reply. “No! Nononono, it's nothing like that! I just enjoy his company! He really livens the place, he's interesting, smart, and I don't even mind when he's noisy!” Luna was barely containing her mirth at this point. “It sounds like Bertha was right, you do have a crush on poor Lodestone.” Realizing she was only digging herself a deeper hole, Dust quickly shut her mouth and nervously rocked her left hoof on the floor. After several moments of silence Celestia decided to intercede on the awkwardness. “Perhaps if my sister weren't so amused by her fantasies of young love we could continue?” “Y-Yes, your majesty.” “As Luna was asking, why is Lodestone important to you? Why petition for him?” “It's embarrassing... I don't think I'll ever... He's help... It's...” And, again, Dust cloistered herself in silence. “Luna, perhaps we should take a different approach? Young Dust Cover doesn't seem comfortable in her words.” Luna stepped down from the dais and lowered herself to Dust's level. “We would like to see your memories of Lodestone. You don't need to show us anything uncomfortable, but we'll be able to make a better decision about him if we know more about him. We would appreciate your showing us as much as possible. Is that acceptable?” Dust had seemingly shrunken to the size of a filly under Luna's gaze. Although Luna had meant to appear less intimidating, it hadn't worked very well. Dust's reply was almost inaudible. “Anything you want!”