//------------------------------// // Chapter XIV - Aggravation // Story: Collateral // by Ogopogo //------------------------------// Princess Cadence seemed of two minds right now. Her gaze constantly shifted around the room, and she held herself like a coiled spring: ready to bolt at any moment. Still, she had come here, so I doubt she was just going to run away. From my perspective, it almost looked like she was quivering, though very faintly. Yet, feeling for her emotions, I found myself rather baffled. Sure, one part of her wanted to run away, but the other seemed genuinely curious and ignored the danger. The unknown and unexplained were both equally dangerous and mystifying, though I would be giving myself way too much credit to describe myself as mystifying or dangerous. “Alright,” I replied. “What do you want to talk to me about?” Pastel rose from the floor, giving me an apologetic nod before returning to her cart. She had other places to be, then. Warily, Cadence took a seat across the table from us, eying my plate carefully. She had interrupted our supper, but we weren’t going to stop on account of her. I speared another piece of fish on my fork and let it melt on my tongue. “That’s amazing,” I muttered. “You like fish?” Cadence asked carefully. “Up until about two minutes ago, didn’t even know I did. Never tried it before.” I paused, thinking of something. “Say, where did she even get the fish?” “Well, fish is something we keep on hoof for when gryphons or minotaurs come to visit. Gryphons especially cannot stand for many of the things we eat, like milk or flowers.” “They can’t eat either of those things?” “No,” Cadence answered. In her explanation, a trace of her uneasiness vanished. “As hosts, we need to accommodate any race who might visit us, regardless of our own choices.” “Say,” Marmalade interrupted, “mind if I try a piece?” “Are you sure?” I said, surprised. She shrugged, maneuvering her fork to spear a small portion of fish flesh. “It can’t be all that bad.” Lifting it to her mouth, she stopped to take a sniff of it, before biting it from her fork. Almost instantly a grimace crossed her face, and she painfully swallowed after chewing it a few times. “That’s disgusting!” she exclaimed, spitting out the taste. “More for me then,” I said, patting her hoof comfortingly. “So Cadence, back to the question. What did you want here?” “Well, I wanted to apologize for how my husband acted. Had we known your story, he would have never reacted like that. You just caught us unaware.” “So why isn’t he here?” I sneered. “Amethyst!” Marmalade reprimanded. “Shining was going to see Celestia,” she answered, shifting slightly “I decided to come here first and offer my apology.” “So you haven’t seen her yet?” I asked. A disconcerting weight settled in my stomach. “Oh no, I came directly here after Luna finished telling us your story. You have my deepest condolences and my sympathy.” I stood up from the chair, stepping around to hide behind the couch. Focusing my magic, I built an illusion of myself at the center of the room. “Trust me,” I assured my bewildered watchers. “This is going to prevent me a lot of pain.” Marmalade got it and gave her head a sad little shake. ‘So Princess Cadence, how was your honeymoon?” she asked. The alicorn smiled widely. “Quite well, thank you for asking. Shame it couldn’t have gone on for a little longer.” “Where did you go?” “Well, at first we visited Las Pegasus,” she admitted, “but we tired of it quickly. I suggested we head to my family’s cottage by the ocean. We had been there for a day whe-” The door to the room burst open, and Shining Armour galloped in, his steel shoes pounding against the floor. The moment he spied the illusion I had set up a bolt of magic lanced out, only for it to pass right through the disorganized light. “Where is he?” he snarled, scanning the room. “Right here,” I said, rising from behind the couch carefully. He leveled his horn at me. “Get out where I can see you.” “Shining!” Cadence exclaimed, snapping his attention from me. “Come sit down and explain to me what happened!” “Honey –” he protested. “Sit!” she commanded. Still scowling, Shining Armour trudged over to the couch where his wife sat and took a seat next to her. “Cadence, do you know why Princess Celestia wasn’t there to greet us?” “Luna mentioned to us she was indisposed,” Cadence replied. “I assumed that meant she was in a meeting.” “She is recovering from an injury, Cadence. Amethyst gored her eye when they first met.” Cadence snapped upright, panic in her eyes. “What!” she exclaimed. Oh boy, here we go. “Is she alright?” “She is fine and recovering well. Her eyesight will return to her, but Amethyst suffered no punishment for it.” He crossed a line with that. “So what about you, huh?” I shouted, rising from behind the couch. “Were you punished because the guard failed to protect my parents, or Marmalade’s inn for that matter? Besides, why would I suffer punishment for something Celestia deserved?” My comment caught him off-guard, but he quickly recovered. “Even if she was, vengeance isn’t justice,” he retorted. “There are proper channels to see justice-“ “Oh, you mean the courts, don’t you?” I interrupted. “Last time I tried to show my face in public, I had a mob trying to bash my skull in, in front of the Royal Guard.” It was a lie. This hadn’t happened to me –yet. However, when I had layered the disguise over Gallant Warning, it had taken all of a few seconds for the guards to absolutely clobber him. “The only justice I can get is the justice I get myself.” By this point I had stepped around the couch, and was only a few strides from the captain. “I cannot speak for the rest of the guard, but I assure you-“ “You cannot speak for the rest of the guard, yet somehow you are the captain?” I asked, cutting him off again. I could see the muscles in his jaw clenching as he fought back a retort. “It sounds to me like you are a pathetic choice for the position.” I went to continue, but my mouth was shut with by a yellow glow. “This has been lovely, Princess, but perhaps we should part ways until cooler heads prevail,” Marmalade said, giving me a sharp glare. “I think you are correct,” Cadence replied sadly. “Perhaps you and I should have some tea tomorrow and talk.” “Sounds lovely,” Marmalade replied. “Perhaps around three?” “It works for me, see you then. Why don’t we go check on Celestia, Shining?” It looked as though he wanted to protest, but something about the way she had phrased it made him wisely nod and comply. Anger still fell from him, but he managed to rein it in and follow Princess Cadence out. Marmalade rose from her seat and walked over the table to resume eating her meal. The magical bindings around my mouth still persisted, like she had cast the spell to remain. But as I pushed my own magic against it, I realized that it was being fed power, not draining a fixed amount. Marmalade was still holding the spell, and a quick glance across the room at her horn confirmed it. I took a moment to focus on her emotions. What I sensed was not something pleasant. She was sad, irritated, annoyed and pissed off with me. Why should she be? What I said had been true. It’s not like… Without a doubt in the world, I was an absolute ass. Meekly, I stood up and went over to sit at my half empty plate. Though it had been delicious, my appetite had vanished altogether along with Cadence. She said nothing, needed to say nothing, till she finished her meal. Even as the pressure around my mouth lessened, I kept my mouth shut. “Hell Amethyst,” Marmalade said, setting down her fork next to her clean plate. “Do you even pretend to keep your promise?” Words that should have me up in arms had no effect on me. I definitely deserved whatever was coming to me. “I asked you to keep cool and not lose your head and what is the first thing you do?” The answer hung in the air, over my head like an axe. “You promised me you would keep your cool, but...” “You greet Cadence in such a flippant manner, and then nearly get into a fight with her husband, Shining Armour, when they’ve both simply been away on their honeymoon.” Suddenly she rose, cocked her hoof and clocked me in the nose. Holy stars above, she could hit hard. I saw stars as I reeled back. “What would you do now?” Marmalade shouted at me. “Are you going to try and hit me now? It would sure as hell fit your line of reasoning.” With that, she walked over to the door, and left, slamming the door behind her. Only after she was gone did the constrictions around my muzzle vanish. I didn’t bother trying to run after her to apologize; what would I say to her? I’m sorry for breaking the promise I made, I promise it won’t happen again? It made it even worse was that I hadn’t even begun to tell her of the effects of my magic upon her. What would it make me to her now? Again, as if my room was the welcoming desk for an office, my door swung open. Starlight walked in, the Lunar guard bearing a sympathetic smile. “What do you want?” I snarled. “Amethyst, you did the right thing,” she assured me. “We saw Marmalade leaving your room, but I’m sure she’ll come around. She would much rather have honesty then deception.” Wait, did Starlight think… I nodded my head, feigning emotions I did not feel. I could deal with Marmalade on my own, and I did not need Starlight breathing down my neck or forcing my hoof. However, there still was the matter of Marmalade being rather upset with me. “Can we go out into the city for a bit?” I asked. Hearing the request from beyond the doorway, Ocean Wind stuck his head in. “Where do you want to go, and for what reason?” There are few things I am as inexperienced with as mares. My mother was a different matter, but mares my own age just had me in knots. The extent of my knowledge was primarily advice given by my father. There were a few other pointers from books and the like, but those had never been of much help. “I was thinking about getting something for Marmalade, to apologize.” “Are you sure you want to go into the city again?” “Well, where else am I going to get it?” I asked. “She can tell if I made someone else run around to get it.” “There is the issue of the ponies in the city.” “I’ll take a disguise.” Ocean Wind shifted uncomfortably. He knew it was the best way, but it went somewhat against his standing orders. I understood why the orders were in place, but perhaps I could find a way around it. Focusing on my form, I altered my body slightly to get rid of the defining features of what made me a changeling. I was left as a black unicorn with purple eyes and an amethyst, two-toned tail. There was no question of who I was, as I had even left my size unaltered, but a second glance at me would yield no further suspicion. “How about this?” I asked. He sighed, nodding wearily. “That will work.” “Why don’t you leave your armour here?” I suggested. Ocean Wind shrugged, shedding his helmet and breastplate. “Alright, if it will attract less attention… The only thing is, we won’t be able to exert the authority of the guard if push comes to shove.” “After the other night, does it really matter?” “I guess not,” he sighed. Starlight, undid the clasp on her helmet, sliding it off and giving her mane a shake. “What did you have in mind to get Marmalade?” “I have no sweet clue,” I admitted. “May I make a suggestion then?” Starlight grinned. “Sure.” “Make sure it is something of meaning for her.” I snorted. “That much is obvious.” “No,” Starlight said, firmly shaking her head. “It can’t just be something you think might have meaning like flowers or a pretty piece of jewelry. It would have to be deeply personal. A gift is a just a gift without any meaning behind it, but it is so much more if it has a story. For instance, I bought Ocean a watch recently, just like the one his father gave him when he was a foal, one which finally broke a few months back. It wasn’t just any old watch – it meant so much to him because of the story behind it. Flowers and chocolate might be nice, but little thought ever goes into those gifts.” I fiddled with my locket, running my hoof over the engravings. What would it take for Marmalade to forgive me? I’m sure with a little bit of time it would pass, but she was so emotionally unstable right now, it was something I didn’t want to risk. All it would take is a few bad pieces of news to send her over the edge. I looked down at my locket, noting the tarnished silver, coated with ash, then froze as I realize the perfect thing to get Marmalade. “What happened to her inn?” I asked, spinning to face Ocean. “Fireponies put out the blaze, but have not begun clearing the remains yet,”he responded. “They’re getting some of the weather team in later today to move around some of the larger debris.” “Couldn’t they get unicorns to do it?” I questioned. “You would think, but on occasion, items which may react violently to magic may survive the fire. Imagine lifting a beam, only for your magic to trigger an explosion which set the whole area ablaze. That has actually happened in Canterlot before.” “Well, anyway,” I continued, “Could we get the opportunity to dig through it first?” The warm smile I managed to extract from Starlight was proof enough my idea had merit. “That’s wonderful of you to think of her like that.” “It may be, but there is still a problem,” Ocean Wind interjected. “Normally the fire department is the one who does the search. We’d never get in without raising suspicion.” “Ocie, don’t worry about it,” Starlight said. “I know how to take care of it.” For a few seconds, Ocean’s face twisted into thought. Then he sighed, with what seemed like exhaustion filling him. “Oh right, your brother.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Starlight’s brother was a freakishly large and loud individual. The milky white unicorn was one of the deputy chiefs of the Canterlot fire department. It almost didn’t seem possible they could be related, though they both had the same vivid raspberry manes and eyes. When he looked up from the papers he was studying, his face lit up into a grin. “Starlight!” he boomed cheerfully. He rushed forward to sweep her into a hug, lifting her off the ground. I’m pretty sure the creaking I heard was her ribs. “Hey… Sill…” she managed to gasp, weakly returning the hug. When Sill set her down, Starlight took a staggering step to recover her balance. “Ocean!” he called out, trotting over towards him. He offered his hoof out to shake. “Hello Sill,” Ocean Wind replied, taking the offer. I winced as Sill pulled him into a one leg hug and gave Ocean a few good thumps on the back. “And who might you be?” he asked, turning his gaze towards me. “I’m Amethyst,” I answered, waiting to see what he would do. So far, both of the greetings he had given seemed rather painful. Thankfully, it would seem such greetings were reserved for his close friends; a friendly nod was all I received. “So what can I do for you, Twinkle?” he asked Starlight. Twinkle? There must be a story behind that. “Are you aware of the inn that burnt down last night?” He nodded, strolling over to the table. “It wasn’t just the inn. The wind also spread some embers to a few houses to the West of it. I was just going down there now to give the go ahead to begin clearing the wreckage.” “We need the inn to remain untouched until we can search the remains.” Sill sighed. “Guard business?” he guessed. “Guard business,” she confirmed. “Then where’s your armour?” he questioned. “Discrete guard business,” Ocean Wind corrected. “If you were anypony else, I’d have to turn you away,” he said, grabbing his helmet from a stand in the corner. “You’re supposed to get a permit for this sort of business or at least go through the proper channels.” “What’s the worry?” Starlight asked. “Apparently there were several ponies inside at the time the building collapsed. No one has confirmed whether they managed to make it out, but all information indicates that they didn’t.” I rolled my eyes at the efficiency of the whole thing. Even though the castle knew we were alive, they had failed to report it to anyone needing to know. I imagine the fire department’s work had been much more frantic when they had finally arrived because of it. Most certainly there had been a much more grim tone to their efforts. “Are you going to tell him?” I asked Starlight. “Tell me what?” Sill asked. “There were no ponies in the inn when it collapsed. We managed to escape before then,” she answered him. The most important word of her information was lost on him. Yet, when his mind walked over the words again, he froze, his eyes widening to the size of dinner plates. “You were in there!” he shouted. “Yes,” Starlight answered simply. “And you didn’t think to at least tell me?” “What would have you done then? All you do is worry. And pointlessly at that,” she added. The set of city plans laid on the table jumped as Sill slammed his helmet down furiously. He did not appreciate his sister’s response, especially the tone of it. The look he gave her would melt paint off a wall. “I worry, because you throw yourself into danger all the time. With all that’s happening and all the rumours about–“ “What rumours?” I interrupted. I ignored Ocean Wind tensing alongside me, muttering under his breath. “Now’s not the time, Amethyst,” Starlight instructed me. Since when has that ever stopped me? I flashed my eyes once to purposefully trigger a reaction. He did not disappoint. Sill stumbled back at the revelation that I was a changeling, and both the table and accompanying chairs before he regained his footing. “You’re a-“ Starlight wrapped a tendril of magic around Sill’s mouth before he could finish the exclamation. “Yes, Amethyst is a changeling, and the reason ponies tried to burn down the building with him inside. Can you please keep this to yourself; we don’t need anyone knowing he has come back here.” When the magic was released, Sill sat down, looking at us warily. Sure as Tartarus, he was suspicious of me, but how much that would affect his decision would remain to be seen. “And why do you want to go back to the inn, then?” “The owner is a close friend of Amethyst,” Ocean explained. “He wanted to see if there was anything he could retrieve for her from the remains.” “Anything found on the site of a fire is collected and held for the property owner to claim. You don’t need to be here.” “It’s a personal matter,” Ocean offered. Sill threw up his hooves in resignation. “Alright, I’ll let you have first crack at it. I can only give you an hour before cleanup begins. The local council won’t tolerate it being delayed and more than that.” “Thanks, Sill,” Starlight said. “Just give me a little warning next time, Twinkle. Chief won’t be happy, but he’ll understand. Let me just go get my things.” “Twinkle?” I asked Starlight, as he climbed the stairs to the second floor. Starlight adopted a look of slight embarrassment. Ocean Wind chuckled. “Fusillade used to call Starlight ‘Little Star’. Later on he started calling her something else.” With a mischievous look in his eyes, he sung out the first line of a famous lullaby. “Twinkle twinkle little star.” He laughed as Starlight cuffed him. “Can we just get going?” Starlight shouted “Just give me another minute,” Fusillade called down. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was interesting, but the crowds which parted ways marginally for us did so with a bit more respect when they saw Fusillade’s helmet. Although perhaps it was also because he stood a full head above anypony in view and looked as though he could easily smash them into a fine paste. A police line separated the site of the fire from the rest of the city, though the few fireponies around were certainly having a tough time keeping errant pegasi reporters away. I imagine a fire of the size that it was rarely occurred in Canterlot. Though the inn itself was out of sight, I could make out the burnt wall of a building, probably one of the ones the fire spread to. I didn’t know whether the ponies who owned them should get my sympathy, or contempt. It was one thing if they had had no part, but it was another if they thought ill of us to the extent that the others had. You play with fire, one day you would get burned. My ears had been wide open on the walk down, and some of the rumours that had been floating around, in addition to their responses, had been particularly unsavoury. When I finally did see her inn, it was all I could do to forcibly quell the memories of the two nights; it looked exactly like my home had. Spires of charred wood decorated with flakes of ash dominated the entire scene. The remaining sections of the roof had caved in and buckled. Despite all of this, the most noticeable thing was the smell. Old burnt out fires often smelled of wood, maybe the odd bit of plastic or burnt piece of food that fell in. The entire area smelt far more sinister, as if the events of that night had fueled the fire. When a house burns, so does anything in it. That means paint, metals, chemicals, plastics, family… It was an unnatural smell, and my chitin just crawled as I stood there inhaling the putrid air. “Chief!” Fusillade called out at the sight of a steel-blue earth pony with a bristling mustache age had stripped the colour from. He looked over from his conversation with two other ponies, one wearing a similar fire helmet, and the other an unburdened Pegasus. “What is it, Fusillade?” he asked, eyeing us. “Can I speak to you for a second?” “Certainly,” the chief answered. “I’ll be back in a moment,” he said to the others. The pair walked a short distance, stopping beneath a cloth awning. As evident from the expression which quickly formed on the fire chief’s face, he was not happy with the request. He glanced over at us again, sizing us up in a different light. A minute past before he broke from the conversation, trotting towards us. “You can have your hour but nothing more,” he said plainly. “I have the Canterlot weather crew standing by, along with twenty members of the fire department. I will not have you delaying them any further.” The pegasus nearby stepped forward angrily. “Now hold on!” he exclaimed. “The weather team was– “That’s enough, Cirrus,“ the fire chief cut in. “They are allowed this.” “I’ll be filing a complaint over this,” he cut in. “Do yourself a favour and make that complaint to Princess Celestia,” I said, rolling my eyes. “And who might you be?” he questioned. “Name’s Amethyst,” I replied, offering a hoof. “Feel free to mention that she can go sit on a cactus.” “Thank you, Amethyst, that is quite enough out of you,” Ocean Wind growled, making his desires quite clear. “And who do you think you are, speaking about the Princess like that?” Cirrus demanded. “Oh look, it’s another one of them,” I sighed. “Excuse me?” “You’re excused.” A vein bulged above his eye, and he took a step towards me. Starlight cast a spell to prevent me from saying anything more, and tugged me back. That spell seemed to be favourite of hers lately. Ocean Wind stepped between us, diverting away any conflict, or at least bearing the brunt of it. “Step back, sir,” he commanded. “I want you out of here,” Cirrus demanded. “I don’t-“ “Step. Back. Now.” Ocean commanded. Cold steel lined the authority in his voice and, meeting his eyes, the other pegasus backed off. “Your hour started five minutes ago,” the fire chief said scowling. “I suggest you do whatever it is you wanted to do. Fusillade, keep an eye on them.” Thank goodness Starlight was holding my mouth shut.