//------------------------------// // Book Two: Chapter Seven // Story: Wishing Well // by Nobrains //------------------------------// Book Two: Chapter Seven “I can see that very well,” Shining was looking out the window of his small home as Twilight tried to explain everything that had happened in the past few hours, while you and Cadence exchanged worried looks by the table. “I don't know why, but it just started,” she was now on the part about the strange snow that had begun to fall well out of season, even for this far north. It stayed quiet for a long moment after that. Shining's eyes never left the outside streets, the blue orbs only seemed to strain further in contemplation. Twilight had made the mistake of mentioning you once more to him, as if it was supposed to sway things to her advantage, but you knew it only had made things slightly more rigid for them. You were the reason and the reason alone they weren't acting like siblings should. Shining said, “You want me and Cadence to put the city under our protection. What would you and he,” he made a careless gesture towards you with his hoof without bothering to look, “be doing during all this? As if I didn't already know.” Twilight ignored the last statement by Shining. “I know so much as happened, at Canterlot I mean, but we have to figure out what exactly is going on. Something is supposed to happen beyond all of this, and I think it's going to be soon.” “See there's that word. Think. What if it's nothing?” Even now, watching these out of season snowflakes fall, he was hard pressed to believe something was off. Was this really happening? You'd think after what happened at the wedding, he'd be more prone to trust Twilight with this sort of judgment. Just another side-effect of your presence here. You just wanted everything to stop for a bit so you could just make the right impression, show you weren't here for anything other than to help Twilight in any way you could. “You know it's not nothing,” the purple unicorn went over and looked out the window along with her brother. “You're seeing the same thing as I am, and this isn't right. You can't just say it's going to be nothing when it's already something.” Shining's eyes grew a bit darker, but no words followed his change in look. He didn't look like he was going to budge from his standing. Not just yet. Twilight suddenly started making her way to the door. “Come on,” she told you. You followed eagerly, ready to get out of the pressure cooker. She led you as far away from the house as you could, which had you in the town square once more. It was barren, all the ponies too skeptical of this change in weather to even bother coming out. Your teeth were chattering as Twilight paced about under a tree in between two small stores. A jacket would have been nice right about now, or at least a scarf. You reminded Twilight it was cold, since she didn't seem too bothered by it, but she rolled her eyes every time you mentioned it. “Couldn't we pace around inside someplace?” You suggested, swearing you were going to get frostbite the more you stood there watching her. “Hush. I'm still thinking of some way we can convince him,” despite the boldness of her command, you cut her some slack and simply obeyed. A few more moments went by and you swore it was just getting colder. If Twilight was going to continue this, you might just go hide inside one of the stores and watch her from the windows from at least an environment that wasn't at the mercy of the weather. “T-Twilight c-can we please just go inside somewhere?” You couldn't take it anymore. Even if she said no, you'd probably slip into one of these buildings. The sight of you shivering seemed to be enough for a change of heart from your partner and she finally agreed to slip into a small store that had a few seats for you two to use. The mare that sat behind the counter ahead hardly seemed to notice either of you enter. She was much too busy writing notes down and taking sudden inventory. It was safe to say that all the vegetables and fruits laying in the open crates around the store wouldn't be up for sale much longer. Whatever was going on, none of the ponies were prepared for it, and with some snatching up their own stock for sale since they had not accumulated enough supplies for the harsh weather, it seemed like things weren't going to bode well for Saddleworth. “I'm not buying or selling right now,” she spat out a marker in her mouth, finally noticing the two of you. Twilight was still deep in thought so you took the liberty to assure the mare that you were here simply to get away from the cold. “If only we could outrun this chill,” she speculated, tossing a few signs marked with prices out into an unseen trash heap. She continued to mumble as she went on with her work, tallying off numbers and throwing away things no longer needed for this time of the year. You twiddled your thumbs and kept your eyes on your feet, kicking away in boredom. You heard a sigh next to you and soon Twilight was leaning upon your side, a look of emotional strain clear in her weary eyes. You decide to speak to her. “Couldn't think of anything?” “Couldn't think of anything...” You pulled her in close, reminding her that you were still there to help. “He's going to have to come around eventually.” “Before we're all buried in snow preferably,” she whined pitifully. That just made you pull her in closer. “Uhh...” You turned to see the mare at the counter give you a bug eyed look before quickly returning to her duties once she realized the two sets of scowling eyes upon her. Neither of you were in the mood. Twilight spoke wearily. “We're going to have to go back...” She sounded like you felt, reluctant for another go at it. “Yeah,” you pinched her ear and brought your eyes to ceiling. This life you had now was just one big snowballing bunch of stress. Luckily, you had somebody to share it with, which was the only thing that even made you consider what you were about to suggest. “Did you leave the book back over at their place?” Her face contorted into one of frustration, and then she brought a hoof to her face. “Oh... I did. How could I be so forgetful? I didn't even try to show Shining anything from it while we were arguing, did I?” “I don't think so,” you laughed lightly. “Maybe if you show him what you showed me, he might at least know where we're coming from?” She brought a hoof up to your face and brought your face in close. “That's a great idea. It's worth a try.” “Heh, yeah,” you squirmed away and she giggled. “I guess we'll be going then. It's not like we've got all the time in the world,” she got up and you followed meekly. You felt the eyes of the shopkeeper down your back the entire time you made your exit, and even a bit through the windows as you passed by the front of the store. Some people. Cold. Cold. Cold. You pulled your arms into your scruffy shirt, hoping that it would be a fraction better than just leaving them at in the cold. All you got was more giggles from Twilight, which was just as well you supposed. You flailed your armless sleeves all the way to the temporary home of Shining and Cadence, trying to keep things in high spirits, despite your nearly frozen skin. You brought your arms back out when you arrived outside of the home, things serious once more. “Are you sure you want me in there with you?” “I want you with me always. What kind of question was that? It's too cold out here for you anyways,” she seemed perturbed, but in a playful manner. Good to see that nerves weren't going to be a problem. Well, for her at least. “I don't know,” you admitted. “It just felt necessary to say. Now can we please get in there? I'm going to be an icicle.” You both went up and you knocked on the door. You waited for several moments before the door reopened with Cadence on the other side. She hurried you in before Shining, who was now sitting back at the table, could say anything. He gave you both a hard look, but something was a bit different. You noticed the book you and Twilight had read was opened right in front of him. He had been reading it since your earlier departure. “Shining-” Twilight began, before being cut off by her brother. “No. I'll stop you right there. I've seen what I needed to see,” he flipped another page in the book and whispered angrily to himself. Twilight's expression grew hopeful. “Does that mean... you believe us?” The opened book suddenly slammed shut, its sound leaving a deafening thump. Shining tapped a hoof over the cover and whispered a bit more before speaking up. “I'm not sure what to believe right now. What I do believe is that you really think something is going on, and I'm not going to make the mistake of doubting you again, Twiley.” You could tell it was getting harder for Twilight to contain her grin. It seemed like things were going somewhat your way for once. That would sure make for an easier time to getting to the bottom of all of this. “But,” Shining continued. “Only when I start seeing things beyond some out of season snowfall, will I consider putting my wife or myself under any sort of strain.” “We understand,” Twilight quickly replied, standing up straight. You nodded in agreement, but you know it meant nothing to him. “Alright,” Shining finally answered. “Just... do whatever you're going to do, and be careful about it, okay?” It seemed hard for him to say all of that, and you could guess why after all this. “I promise. I already have an idea as to where we can start.” Her brother spoke, much more stern this time. “Then you should get to it. If there's something going on, the sooner the better.” “We're on it.” You felt a tug and you contemplated just what she had in mind as you left. Just as you were about to close the door behind you, Shining called out. Surprisingly, it was for you. “You... you take care of her for me, okay?” This was even harder to say than what he had spoke to Twilight, his glare faltered upon you several times. “I will,” you gently closed the door and felt the burden upon you lighten by just the tiniest bit. Did that really just happen? “What did he say?” Twilight asked when you stepped away from the door. You were still a bit surprised from what you had heard, but you told her exactly what you had heard and responded with. That just seemed to add even more pep in her trot. “Hold on,” you called after her. “Where exactly did you have in mind to start this whole search? I mean, we don't even know what we're looking for.” She swayed her hips and turned around, giving you a look as if she expected you would know what exactly she had in mind. Unfortunately you didn't and shrugged. “Somepony left that book there for us at the estate. It wouldn't just be sitting there for our convenience. Something else is there we're missing. It's only logical,” she looked just as confident as the words she spoke would suggest. “Logic. I miss that,” you laughed to yourself as you both retraced your steps back to the estate. ******************* It wasn't long before you were once again in front of the estate. The place looked like it did the first time, except for that hole in the roof and- “We left the front door wide open?” You were growing more careless by the second, forgetting to do such things. “We were hurrying an injured pony out. I doubt it ever came to mind,” Twilight gave the door a curious look before slipping inside. You went in a bit more slower and left the door open, feeling as if something was off. The entrance hall was as magnificent as it always had been. Nothing was noteworthy as of yet. “We haven't been upstairs. Maybe there was something up there that was left for us as well?” Twilight suggested, stepping up to the first stair leading to the upper floor. “Aren't you tired of looking around places so much?” You began to climb the stairs with her, musing about better times that seemed to be falling away like sand between your fingers. “Not if it helps everypony. We don't know how much time we've got,” she kept her eyes forward. When she set herself to something, it was all work and nothing else at all. “How much time until what, though?” That's what stressed you out. You didn't know if this would all benefit you, or if you'd be running around in circles just to have nothing happen. At the top of the stairs you looked back down and you nearly swallowed wrong when you saw that the front door was now closed. “Okay, what the hell...” “Hmm?” Twilight said ahead. She was already heading down to the private quarters. “The door... closed,” you pointed down towards the door in question, utterly confused. She frowned after looking at it a long moment. “I'm sure it was just the draft. That old stallion left quite a large hole in the roof after all.” You looked back once she began to head down the hall again. Oh well, if she wasn't bothered by it... These were some nice bedrooms. Almost every room in the hall had at least a queen sized bed and sizable desk with a few quills and dried up inkwells that had once served for everyone's convenience. That wasn't all though. I think the one both of you found was impressive in each room was that there was a small shelf, only about to the height of your own shoulders, that carried an assortment of literature for the visiting equestrian. You found yourself literally having to pick Twilight up to get her out of every room after noticing that. Then came the place where this mess all started. It seemed like a small study, a damaged desk laid by two frosted windows and under a rather thick beam of light that seemed to be guiding snowfall down from the whole in the ceiling above it. There were two overturned large chairs sitting at either side and one that was beyond the desk that still stood, turned towards the windows. You wondered why anyone would do that, since you couldn't look out these windows anyways. It was then that you swore saw the chair shift ever so slightly. Twilight had taken to sifting through what was in the desk of the study, pulling out drawers and such, leaving you to be the only one to witness the chair move just a fraction, as if something on it had changed position. “Twilight...?” you stammered out, unsure and a bit disturbed. After what had been going on previously with the doors closing and shutting, you were easily on edge. You heard her irritated voice behind you. “Yes? What is it now?” How many times were you gonna freak yourself out, whether that be from malignant sources or not? “Uhh... nothing.” “Don't stress yourself out,” and she went back to searching through the desk. You didn't know why she had to pull all the drawers out, but she was doing it. Your eyes were still on that damnable chair. You approached it slowly, ready for anything. The plan was to look over the shoulder quickly and then hurry back, more than likely looking silly to Twilight. That is, if she would even be paying attention at that point. You're right upon it now. All you had to do was look over the shoulder and... What you saw, you weren't exactly expecting, and you were ready for anything. You were staring at a floating teacup, well that's what it had been. Now it was on the ground as you found yourself screaming against another voice that seemingly came from nowhere. You fell backwards and blinked for just a second. In that instant, the chair was once again filled, but with what appeared to be a young stallion. His hair was combed back and looking rather noble. He wore a suit brown suit and had a comically pencil thin mustache. He looked rather angry. You, on the other hand, probably looked downright terrified. You scurried backwards until you felt yourself touch the frosted window the chair had been facing. “I must say,” the gentlecolt began, staring you down. “I wasn't expecting you two to return. I thought I had given you enough to prevent future events.” “What?” You asked, confused and scared. You were also wondering where Twilight was right about now. “And my library... I should have you both pay for all the damage you and your bunch caused. It seems ever since I came back, it's been maintenance, maintenance, and more maintenance. Then you all come along after I leave that kind book down there in the library for your use, and what do I get? A written word genocide!” “Who are you?” You pulled yourself back up against the window. He tapped his head in realization. “That is right. I suppose introductions are necessary,” he shifted slightly in his chair, kicking a hind-leg carelessly over an armrest. “I am simply known as Baroque. A pleasure I'm sure.” You just stood there and gave him a strange look. Wasn't this place abandoned? Why was he invisible just a moment ago? Why did you still bother questioning anything in this world? Where was Twilight? As if on cue, the chair below the pompous stallion began to levitate and he slid out with a yelp forward and Twilight was upon him with a horn aglow, ready to end the stallion at any second. “Whoa! Whoa! Calm down there little filly!” He cried out, somehow frightened. After a quick survey of the situation, she realized he wasn't about to attack you. You wondered how a pony in a chair could have really hurt you. He didn't look like the fighting type, but she hadn't known. “What are you doing here?” She questioned, still on edge. “I am the owner of this home!” The stallion cried out. “How is that possible? This place was obviously abandoned.” “Abandoned? Abandoned?! Have you not seen all the work I have done to make sure this place is in top shape! Not a single speck of dust! Not a problem to be seen! Until you both messed up my library!” He might have been frothing at the mouth at this point, you weren't sure. Twilight didn't flinch a bit and the gentlecolt seemed to be growing in nervousness. “Isn't it obvious?! I'm from the dead!” “Okay, seriously?” You interjected, suddenly now scared and interested. “Of course! I'm clearly out of my element here, am I not? Surely you've all fallen into barbarism since the sophisticated seem to be in short supply here,” he stuck his nose up in complete ignorance. “How did you know to leave the book?” Twilight's horn began to glow again. “I can't just tell you! You must understand!” He was quivering, which struck you as odd for a ghost pony. If he was what he said, then he had nothing to be afraid of. “Why's that?” “Why so many questions?!” “Why?” “Why!” “Okay, okay. Hold on here,” you spoke out again, desperate to find some sort of rationalization for everyone's behavior. “We need to start answering questions.” “I wish it was that easy,” Baroque sighed. “Please, we got off on the wrong hoof,” he stood back up and patted himself off. “You two weren't supposed to be back here. You weren't supposed to see or meet me.” “We kind of got the idea when you were whining about it,” you commented, waiting for this conversation to actually get somewhere. “Oh... yes,” he looked slightly disgruntled after that. “Why are you two back here anyways?” “That's another question,” you reminded him and he groaned. “Why don't I just explain then? Though I suppose I'll be in hot water after that,” he plopped down on his flank and wiped his snout, trying to look as pitiful as possible. “Why? Who's keeping you from telling us anything?” Twilight inquired. “That's more questions,” you pointed out, but were quickly shot down by an angry mug from Twilight. “I've said too much already!” He suddenly propped up, his eyes full of horror. “I apologize, but I cannot linger around you much longer!” “So what? You're just going to leave your house?” You countered. He looked at you with what seemed like defeat. “Perhaps there is another way,” a smile soon grew across his face. “I was told I couldn't tell you.. but... what if I showed you? Like the book?” The gentlecolt was now looking relieved. He quickly darted back to the desk Twilight had been searching through. You watched him pull some sheet of paper in his mouth and a quill dotted in ink for him to write following soon after. He scribbled down a sentence on the paper and walked over to you, noticeably avoiding Twilight. She puffed out her cheeks just a bit in offense, but did not say anything. You took it from him, but didn't bother looking at it, instead choosing to hand it over to Twilight for inspection. The fancy stallion looked just as offended as Twilight had a second ago, and you gave him a mocking smile. “Fine. Fine,” he trotted back to the desk. “I'm going to have to ask you to leave now. I don't feel like getting banished to any sort of afterlife again.” A torrent of questions began to flood from Twilight's mouth. “Who brought you back? Why are you so afraid to get sent back? Why-” “That's it. You'll see me again when I want to be driven insane,” he took a deep breathe and just... disappeared? Well that was weird. “That was probably the most interesting encounter we've had since coming here,” you commented, scratching your head. “But.. I think we should leave.” “We'll see him again. I know it,” Twilight's eyes were on the paper you handed to her. “Why do you say that? He didn't seem too happy with meeting us.” “That can wait,” a confident grin grew across her face. “Are you ready for another trip? This time out of town?” “No?” “Good enough.” Figured.