//------------------------------// // One Last Mess Halling // Story: Odrsjot // by Imploding Colon //------------------------------// Eagle Eye blinked, his eyes darting back to the far edge of his sockets. “Wait, you mean it wasn’t Phoenix’s idea for you to shave your manes?” “That’s right.” Bellesmith nodded as she continued braiding the stallion’s violet hair from behind. The two sat on the far end of the mess hall where a series of seats and a table lay. “We needed to get into Blue Nova somehow, and there was a thick barricade of guards at the city gates.” “But what’s that gotta do with your mane, girl?!” Props asked, draped upside down on a sofa. “I bet it was really long, luscious, and chestnutty at one point!” “Hmmm…” Pilate sighed in a seat away from Belle. Kera sat on folded legs beside him. “It was.” “Oh darling.” Belle rolled her eyes and continued intricately braiding Eagle’s mane. “There was a procession of monks from the north. ‘Mintian monks,’ to be exact. They all wore dark rags and had their manes and facial hair shaven. Since enforcers were looking all over for us, I figured that we could pose as them and find our way into the city. We had cloaks with us, after all. The timing was perfect.” “Wow…” Eagle Eye blinked in awe. “Phoenix really loved his mustache too.” “He was quite desperate to make up for his transgressions,” Belle said. “It was a tiny sacrifice, as far as he was concerned.” “Well, I’m glad that he took it off…” Kera yawned and leaned against Pilate. “The melon fudge would have looked like a desert tree with it on. Darn stallion was so gangly…” Belle giggled. “He was not gangly, Kera. He was brave, strong, and most of all selfless.” “He was fuzzy,” Kera grumbled. “If it weren’t for you, I’d never have followed you guys in the first place.” “You’d have have pickpocketed us you mean.” Ebon Mane snickered, trotting up while balancing a bowl of cherries. “You’re kidding me! The little scamp tried robbing you?” “She didn’t try,” Bellesmith giggled. “She succeeded.” “Ah yes, the resourcefulness of a street urchin,” Pilate hummed. As Ebon sat down, Props reached into the bowl and munched on a few tangy bits of fruit. “Mrmmmff… what did she steal?” “What else? The book, of course.” Props nearly choked on a cherry pit. “You m-mean she got her thieving hooves on the energy source of Nancy Jane’s womb?!” “How could it be an energy source?” Ebon smirked and threw a few cherries down his muzzle. “Mrrmmmf… you still haven’t fixed the skystone transference.” “I’m working on it, okaaaay!?” Props growled. “It was a lot easier when I had Simon around to give stuff the zappy zap!” “Woe is the age of ponydom when we rely too heavily on squirrels,” Pilate said. “Well, here in Lerris, I’ll certainly have the opportunity to wear my mane out,” Belle said. “By the Spark--I haven’t even begun to comprehend all the things I could be doing. Back in Blue Shelf, there was so much that was restricted. Why, I can build a private library. Pilate can grow that garden he has always been wanting to…” “Goodness, I didn’t even think of that,” the zebra murmured. “And don’t get me started on the science experiments that I’ve been wanting to conduct with O.A.S.I.S., darling.” Belle said with a smile. “I always knew I could build you a newer, more improved version of that.” “All in good time, Belle. I’m satisfied with my senses as they are, so long as we can properly situated with the locals.” “I get the feeling we’ll have no problem with that,” Bellesmith said. “The only thing about this prospect that bothers me is… well… the weather…” “Yes, what about that?” Eagle Eye murmured. “It’s been gray and miserable and drizzly since we got here, and yet I feel like none of us have seen the worst this place has to offer.” “They did mention nasty storms from the north,” Ebon Mane said. “We’ve certainly heard the thunder on occasion.” “Skystone’s gonna skystone, right?” Props remarked. “Considering how long the villagers of this area have survived the weather, I suspect we’ll blend in with little problem,” Pilate said. “I share Belle’s sentiment about the skystone too. I wouldn’t terribly mind seeing how the material is extracted.” “That’s why I need to reconstruct O.A.S.I.S. for you, beloved,” Belle said with a slight giggle. “That sort of natural energy up close would only cause your sensory units to short out. I’m afraid it would be an anticlimactic endeavor.” “I still have my fuzzy ears, don’t I?” “Ungh…” Belle rolled her eyes. “Beloved…” Eagle Eye giggled. “You know, I just realized something.” “Hmm? What’s that?” “I’ve known you guys for how long?” Eagle smiled from cheek to cheek. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you have one lover’s quarrel.” “Huh…” Belle exhaled. “Best that we part ways without you witnessing one,” Pilate droned. “Belle can level a herd of elephants with a single shout.” “I-I most certainly cannot!” the mare blurted. “Just who was it who had to realign the window pane back at Blue Shelf three times in a row?” “Huh?” Belle blinked. “Blue Shelf? What window pane--” She suddenly blanched, then blushed furiously. “Darn it, Pilate!” The zebra let loose a half-braying chuckle. “I… I don’t get it…” Props blinked. Ebon sighed and leaned in to whisper in her ear. Props’s brow furrowed. “But why would a bedroom window keep getting busted?” “Oh my,” Eagle Eye exhaled. “Things…” Belle fidgeted with Eagle’s mane, biting her lip. “...got really, really boring in Blue Shelf. It couldn’t be helped.” “Oh, I’d venture to say that I helped a lot,” Pilate said in a melodic tone. “Unnnngh…” Belle buried her face in the back of Eagle’s head. “Why’d you wait until now to say something like thaaaaat?” “Probably to end their tenure on the Jury with a bang!” Props said. “From the sound of it, they started their journey with one,” Ebon uttered with a wink. “Ungh!” Belle rolled her eyes. “Seriously, guys. There’s a filly present.” Pilate tilted his head to the side. Kera lay against him, her muzzle agape, her lungs rising and falling in gentle slumbering motions. With a smile, the zebra lay a hoof on her side and held her close to his stripes. “I seriously doubt that is going to be any issue, my little ponies…”