//------------------------------// // II. Mother of Luster // Story: Journey to the House of Dust // by boardgamebrony //------------------------------// II. Mother of Luster (1) The cold sleep wanderer Marcus Dewstone and the mother of flora known as Roseluck spoke of each other’s similarities on their walk through the edge of the Everfree Forest. Though she was a pony in both name and manner, Marcus found infinite interest in the soft-spoken equine Rose. (2) “I have never beheld a human before!” Roseluck’s excitement was contagious and Marcus mimicked her every positive gesture. “How do you walk upon two legs without falling over? Is there some sort of weighted system in your torso? Do you eat grass? Have you ever tasted grass? What’s it like breathing through such a small nose?” (3) “Dear Rose, I am more than capable of handling my own balance issues. Humans are made to walk on two legs and I’ve never eaten nor tasted grass. My nose works quite well.” The wandering clouds of light bugs traced disappearing paths through the forest. Deer frolicked through the dark with eyes glowing bright from the light of the bulb bugs. The trees twisted in ways unnatural to Marcus and the way they swayed hinted of moving bodies always on the edge of his vision. Wherever there was light, the trees remained still. But in the dark shroud, their branches reached out and trunks became curved as though seeking to flee some unseen thing. (4) Rose eyed her companion and the nearby plant life followed her lead. “Marcus, I am no expert on human emotion, nor do I understand the meaning behind the messages on your face. But you and I are very similar and I would detect fear upon you, like a blanket submerged in water and placed over your back. You are heavy in movement and your eyes lack focus. What ails your mind?” (5) “Rose, before I came here I was bedridden thanks to an illness which was not identified. I cannot remember a time where such a thing occurred in my family, so that rules out my genetics. I was not doing anything I considered out-of-the-ordinary and my health, although not of peak physical condition, was adequate enough for my daily needs. Slowly I recall these details, but still nothing points to the cause of my sudden and inexplicable incapacitation. And now I am here, in a place that I cannot judge as authentic or merely hallucinatory. Tell me, has this ever happened before with any other visitor to your land?” (6) “Poor Marcus! I cannot say that any other individual has found themselves lost in the land of Equestria. Perhaps it has happened before, but I was never aware of it. Yet there are those in this realm who would know the answers to your questions. I can think of one within the Everfree Forest who is rarely seen and often talked about by the denizens of this area. She is known as the Crystal Dam and she and the sire horse Sky Mountain have birthed seven gem stallions and mares which patrol the edges of our realm. Diamond Star, Ruby Sea, Sapphire Sky, Emerald Fire, Quartz Earth, Topaz Sun, and Meteor Moon are all children of the Crystal Dam and Sky Mountain.” (7) “Perhaps your world is far different than my own in many respects, but the last time I checked, a meteor was not a gemstone.” Marcus spied a few glimmers of starshine high above the canopy in the Everfree Forest. (8) “That is a very long and sad story. Let me be brief and say that it would be best not to mention it to the Crystal Dam once we arrive at her Midnight Grove. There is rumor that she is not Meteor Moon’s mother and it would sadden her thus to be reminded of the tale. Only she knows for sure, but she speaks not of it. And neither should you.” (9) Marcus grunted at the thought of such a restriction. “Am I a small child that I must be told how to act in the presence of elders, be they human or otherwise? I should be but half my life span, at the very least, and yet I am facing death on a bed back home! Should my body still be born upon the blankets of the death watch ward, then my goals in life would be few and far between. I think now would be a good time to cast off limitation and pursue every avenue of life with the utmost vigor! No secret knowledge shall evade my sight and no wall shall stand in my way, for if I am dying, I shall exit life by making my mark upon this world or my own! Either way pleases me.” (10) Rose stood in front of the human. Her eyes were narrowed and carried a spark of flame. “You would do well to remember when you told me you were no more dangerous than dog, dragon or griffon. But one who disrespects others for the sheer sake of amusement is dangerous still and far more conniving than the dog’s bite, the dragon’s breath or the griffon’s claw. For the speaking races of the world can carve deep trenches where careless tongues dare to tread. And remember still that you not only represent yourself, but me as well, and if you should cut the Crystal Dam so that she walks flawed in luster from thence forth, you will find yourself wandering the rest of this journey alone. For my plants are far more respectful in their humble beggings for water than you are thanks to your aforementioned pronouncement!” (11) Marcus was taken aback from the tongue-lashing he had just received from the garden master. Without blade or claw, he had been cut cleanly through to the core of his arrogance. He felt a small part of the weight of his resentment fall off and watched the anger in Roseluck’s eyes through the clearing fog of his vision. He took a step back and watched her proceed one step forward without hesitation. It became clear to the man that though he may be in the company of a small pony folk, she was not without her own methods of protection. (12) “Fiery and honest Rose, how do you grow so much with such high-reaching flames? I meant no offense to you, though my words were careless and ill-chosen. I apologize for having angered you and bringing forth the ire of one who works hard to grow goodness. I am merely upset at the state of my life and what remains left of the ticking clock counting down from that hospital bed. For I do not know if I am still there and seeing this through closed eyes, or if a hole opened beneath me in my slumber and cast me into the boat from which you found me. Be this my physical or mental trial, I am angered at the mystery of my sickness and wish to spite it dearly so that I may say I did not go into the night without a final word.” (13) Rose’s features dropped their guard and all at once she was watching Marcus as though viewing a flower wilted by lack of rain. She shook her head. “Spite is not a path you should take, nor are any of the lesser emotions. I do not grow my garden in fits of fury and I certainly do not find fire as nourishing as the cool touch of a spring rain. Heavy emotions will drown you and fiery feelings will scorch any fertile thoughts you may have had. Too much rain is just as bad as too little. If you are indeed suffering greatly here or there where you say you may have left a second body, then know this: you will not find your way home by burning all the bridges in your path.” (14) Roseluck walked into the darkness as Marcus’ contemplations guided him after her. He had never met one with such wisdom and in such a menial thing in his eyes. The man had never grown, nor partaken of any natural gardens, and all his food and nourishment were packaged, watered down, and preserved with cheap additions and nutrition cheaper still. His life back home consisted of acts upon various screens, whether at home with those across the world, or at a theatre with repetitions of action which grew more banal as time marched on. He was told what to do and where to go and what to think and how to act, but rarely did he break the cycle passed onto him by those who were also told what to do, where to go, what to think and how to act. He had little to claim his own, for even his understandings were hand-me-downs. And what small bits of rebellion he exhibited sometimes resulted in the cutting of the most precious of diamonds. (15) “Oh Rose, grower of good things and speaker of truth! Hear me know and weep for me. I may have discovered the source, or perhaps one, of my unknown ailment.” The pony folk listened as they marched forward. “In my life there were but simple things given to me. Not simple like the spring rain or the light of the moon, but simple as in lack of meaning and substance. I was fed diluted nourishment and led to believe I was given all that I need. I drank from poisoned springs, made sour by carelessness of others who then passed such legacies on to me. I tried to claim much as my own, but all of my aspirations were air and escaped through my grasp. I believe my body and spirit have become sick of the life I lived. Not because it was bad, but because it was nothing! There was no risk, no gain, no passion for life beyond the vague recollections of my youth! I gave away too much and kept too little for myself. And now I am here, with only thirty years under me, but my body has decided that if nothing else is to be gained, then it should check out early and dramatically so that at least my death will have some importance!” (16) And all at once Roseluck embraced Marcus as tears streamed from her eyes. Upon hitting the ground, the grass sprung upwards not out of nourishment from the tearfall, but out of concern for the sorrow-hearted gardener that was their mentor. “Such sadness! Such despair! Do not give up, dear Marcus! The Crystal Dam will have a heart that will feel your own pain and she will know what to do. Follow quickly and with great haste! We shall defeat your shadow of death yet!” (17) They pushed forward and Marcus felt as though he had left the heaviness of his concern behind. With the embrace of Roseluck, she had planted a seed of hope in his scarred heart. Clever gardener! Always seeking fertile ground even when no one else could see it. He smiled and she noticed, though Marcus was partly disappointed his grin did not blossom nearby flowers like hers did. But then again, her name was Rose and she did smile thanks to him. To think that a small pony would make him laugh again! (18) In the deepest dark of the forest they fell upon a grove cast in the radiance of celestial splendors. Star heart flowers twinkled in the moonlight as they felt the kiss of the sun shone down by their sister moon. Pools of unbroken mirror images reflected the lights twice, sending the blue night all throughout the Midnight Grove. So although it was dark, no shadow dwelled where the moonlight touched. (19) And in the shelter of the everfall water oak stood the shimmering sight of the Crystal Dam. Fountains of pure water cascaded down onto her reflective form so that all around her was thrice cast back, where the second was in the water and the third was on her hard-edged crystal coat. She moved with grace and elegance, breaking no surface of water even with her hoof-falls. The everfall oak appeared to lose some of its luster when she moved out from under its umbrella of branch spouts. When she walked, the wind played a melody and Marcus remembered the quiet song he heard upon his arrival into the world, though he saw no lyre or instrument anywhere in the grove. (20) The Crystal Dam stood with each hoof above unbroken water. The star hearts yearned for her touch but were content to shine their light upon her and see it reflected back. Rose knelt down and stared at the eyes of the mirror Dam. The garden pony motioned for Marcus to follow suit, though he was slow in doing so. He was too distracted by the glitter of color and light playing off the coat of the Crystal Dam. With mind absent of thought, he reached out towards her cheek. Roseluck nearly gasped in disbelief as the magnificent mare caressed his hand with her muzzle. (21) The feeling was surprising to Marcus, for it was not hard like a mirror, but fluid as though living water stuck in the shape of armor. The double-form of his hand rippled under his touch and he spoke in amazement. “Is this what wonder feels like? Have I forgotten for so long that only now see what my heart has missed? Who is this lovely creature which has awakened the joy within me?” (22) A voice rose through the silence of the forest, but the mouth of the mare in front of Marcus did not move. Instead, the form in the mirror pool matched the words with its own mouth and the man now knew why Roseluck looked down into the reflection within the water. “Many moons have passed since visitors last looked upon my hidden form. I have waited long years, tending the forest as child and the stars as mother.” The Crystal Dam nodded at the moon above her. “Many have sought my counsel and few have earned my friendship. Still less have caught my heart. What brings you, Roseluck, to my Midnight Grove? And who is this mysterious wanderer who walks upon two legs instead of four?” (23) The rising tide of the moment caught Marcus in its grasp and he was eager to speak. He did not intend to cut off Roseluck’s response, but his enthusiasm was unmistakable. “Fair Crystal Dam, I have been washed ashore by an unseen event. I was once dying in a bed, but now am alive in this strange and wonderful land. Roseluck saved me upon my journey to shore, but now I am lost as to what to do next.” (24) Roseluck stared in silence at her human companion and her eyes were chastising. The Crystal Dam, however, continued past the quiet. “You speak well, though too early, wanderer. I sense your strong heart, but I also see nervous action. Your impatience may be forgiven this time should you allow Rose her word in.” (25) “Great Crystal Guardian, please forgive my eager acquaintance.” Roseluck tried not to stare at Marcus and instead focused on the mirror form and its minute movements. “His name is Marcus of the Dewstone. He was washed upon a shore and I mistakenly considered him foe upon first sight. However, his species is new to me and I soon learned of his near-death plight. He believes he has identified the source of his problem, though I am not so sure.” (26) Marcus bit his tongue at Roseluck’s last words. He knew he had upset her, but to doubt his words was hurtful to his heart. What more had he to say to gain her trust? He remembered his promise not to bring up the question of Meteor Moon and re-considered what he should say. (27) “Marcus of the Dewstone, listen carefully.” The words of the Crystal Dam were firm, but kind. “I sense your discomfort and the swell of emotion which has plagued you ever since your entry into this realm. You need not tell me more at this moment, for I believe your words will not escape unscathed from the anger which seethes in your heart. Instead, I have a task for you which will seek to bring clarity to your situation.” A sparkling path shone behind the Crystal Dam. Fireflies danced above it and thought themselves stars in the sky. “A child of mine by the name of Meteor Moon has taken up residence in the deepwood home of an Everfree Forest dweller. His heart burns as does yours and he has scorched a trail of broken hearts and bruised bones all throughout the land. He will not listen to me and treats my words as though they were fire in his mind. This sickens my heart so and I yearn to embrace my child once again. If you are to seek my counsel in any matter, you must first prove you have the peace of mind to soothe the wounded heart, for if you can quench the flames of fury residing within Meteor Moon, then you will know the way to finding calm within yourself. May the luck of the rose be with you.” (28) The firefly path danced in Marcus’ vision. “Majestic mare, I respect you, but I have not yet accepted this task.” (29) “I know.” The Crystal Dam spoke with finality. “Go now.”