//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 // Story: The Mage's Jump // by Marvelous Cheshire //------------------------------// THE MAGE’S JUMP BY GENOSABER CHAPTER 15 (Twilight) ‘Let’s see… Room cleaned? Check. Furniture moved to provide everypony room to set up sleeping bags? Check. Drinks and snacks set up? check. Trace and Spike thanked for helping set up said drinks and snacks before leaving on their camping trip? Check, and check. All this done with at least thirty minutes before my friends get here?’ I smiled as I scratched off the last item on my list. “Check.” “Now then, I still have about another hour before they’re supposed to arrive,” I muttered. I immediately found myself scanning the room, trying to think of something that could help pass the time. Almost instantly, my eyes landed on the stack of books Trace had finished digging out of his bag this morning. I teleported over to the stack and lifted the first book on the stack and inspected the cover. To Love the Darkness By Melethainiel Blackwood Cardian Translation by Tamera Breckenridge ‘A romance novel? Not my first choice, but it’s better than nothing, and I have been rather fond of the other elven stories I’ve read.’ Trotting back down into the main room, I grabbed a couple of the various fruit kebabs Trace had laid out for me before settling on the couch and opening the book. (Later) I turned the page to the next chapter just as somepony began knocking on the door. I placed a bookmark on at my stopping point before teleporting it back upstairs. Smiling, I opened the door to find the six ponies I had been waiting for on the other side. “Hey Girls, glad you could make it,” I said as I stepped aside to let them in. “Well of course Darling, why in the world wouldn’t we?” Rarity said as she and Fluttershy trotted in, her usual pleasant expression never fading. “After all, we haven’t really gotten a chance to get together and talk in such a long time.” Her smile turned somewhat mischievous. “Of course, most of us have all been rather busy the past few months. And I can’t blame you for wanting to spend as much time as possible with your new coltfriend.” “I-I haven’t been spending that much time with him,” I tried to argue. “No offense sugarcube, but the two of ya have been practically inseparable lately,” Applejack said. “Ain't nothing wrong with that. Ah’d say we’re all glad to see you spending that time with somepony yer happy with.” "Yup!" Pinkie bounced over, grinning. "Especially since it's your first big relationship, not counting that stupid rover..." Her smile drooped for a second before she shoved her face right in front of mine. "This is your first biggie relationship, right?" “Y-yes,” I stammered, caught off guard by the question. ‘I… I guess I hadn’t really put much thought into it. So much has been happening since we got here that I haven’t had the chance to really think about this.’ I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I hadn’t noticed Pinkie had begun talking again before she stopped and hopped away. As the rest of the girls entered I gave each of them a quick greeting as I continued to dwell on my thoughts. ‘To think, just a couple years ago I never would have even considered being in a relationship. I was so caught up in my studies that I isolated myself from everypony other than my family and Princess Celestia. When I told Trace I loved him though, I don’t think I’ve been that happy since I moved to Ponyville.’ ‘The same could be said about my friends. Before meeting them I was content to just keep to myself, but since moving here, I can’t help but look back at how I was before and realise just how foolish it seems. Living everyday like the one before, with only slight change in each one. The idea seemed fine to me at first, but now it just seems so… boring. I guess-’ “Hey, Equestria to Twilight, come in Twilight.” I blinked and looked to my side, finding Rainbow Dash giving me an odd look. “You okay? You seem kind of... distracted,” she said, gesture in front of me with her hoof. I turned back to find myself just a few steps away from one of the tables. “Oh.” I quickly took a step back, turning back to Dash. “Yeah, I guess I did get lost in my thoughts,” I said, giving a sheepish smile. She just chuckled and shook her head. “It happens to everypony once in a while,” she said with a small smile. “So, anything in particular on your mind?” “Just thinking about how much has changed over the years,” I said as we moved away from where everypony else was. “I was thinking about how I changed when I first came here and met everypony, how I was overjoyed when Celestia let me stay here in Ponyville. And then there’s what Pinkie said, about this being my first real relationship.” Her smile faltered as she looked away for a second. “Yeah, there was actually something I wanted to talk to you about concerning that,” she said as she adopted an sorrowful expression. “You know that Alex has some pretty bad scars from his past. Not just physical ones either.” She glanced over at the others. “And from what I’ve heard from Fluttershy, Matt’s no better. I don’t know if it’s the same with Trace, but from what he’s said about his world, I can’t imagine his life was perfect.” I thought back to when we went to Canterlot. “I don’t know about physical, but I’ve heard him mention something about a ‘magical’ scar. I tried to ask him about it once, but he said he’d rather not talk about it.” I suppressed a shudder at the memory of the tone he had used when I brought it up. Dash simply nodded. “If it’s anything like what Alex went through, it best if you don’t force him to. There may come a point in the future where he feels comfortable enough to talk about it with you, but until then Twi, just wait.” I opened my mouth to speak, but she stopped me with her hoof. “I’m serious Twilight, nothing good will come of you trying to force him to talk about any darker points in his past. The only things you can really do is wait till he’s ready. Even if you feel like you need to know, wait. Forcing him to talk about it will just end in both of you being hurt, understand?” I blinked a bit before nodding, surprised by her tone. Almost instantly, her expression brightened, and she gave an almost forced smile. “Come on, don’t want the others to start wondering why we’re just standing in the corner looking depressed while they’re enjoying themselves.” I nodded and trotted over to the tables, noticing Rarity and Trixie looking over the various snacks that had been laid out. “I must say, Twilight, you’ve outdone yourself with the catering,” Rarity commented as she grabbed a lemon bar and took a bite. “These are simply divine.” I gave a nervous chuckle. “You can thank Trace and Spike for the food. They spent most of their free time today making everything.” “I’ll be sure to give my thanks next time I see them,” Trixie said as she finished a pastry, grabbing a napkin to wipe off a few stray crumbs from her muzzle. Once she was done, she set the napkin done before turning to me with a curious expression. “By the way Twilight, I wondering how your research on a way to help Alex with his problem with magic. You mentioned last time we talked that the information from Trace’s medical examination might help find an answer?” “Well, yes… but at the same time, no,” I said with a small sheepish look. “It’s a little difficult to explain, but unfortunately- ” I quickly teleported my notes in front of me, “I haven’t made any major progress in actually finding a cure for Alex’s problem, but I’ve got some ideas that might work. “Unlike ponies, who draw magic in from the world around us through our starswirl glands, Trace, and I suspect every other magic user on Gaia, instead draw magic from within themselves without any discernible origin or-” “But, that doesn’t make any sense,” Trixie interrupted, looking over the notes. “How can his body produce magic without a definable source?” “I asked Trace about it the other day. He stated that magic on Gaia comes from the user’s soul.” “But, wouldn’t that mean that using is magic would shorten his life span?” Trixie’ asked, her face turning pale at the thought. “Not exactly,” I said quickly, flipping through the papers before finding one with a series of quotes written on it. “Basically, mages drawn on excess energy generated by their souls, mixing it with a small amount of the magic generated by the world around them to reshape the energy into various spells. However, there are a few types of magic that do draw directly from ones life energy. These are not widely practiced and the few that know of them are to only use them when no other option exists.” I gave a small sigh of relief as Trixie’s face regained some of it’s color. “That’s the basic idea anyway. I’m pretty sure Trace has a few books on the subject in his collection if you’d like to read up on it tomorrow.” “I’ll think about it,” she said after a moment. “I think I’ll go see how the others are doing. I truly hope your research goes well, Twilight.” With that, she turned and began trotting with Rarity over towards where Rainbow and Applejack were seated. “So do I,” I whispered before glancing around the room. After a moment I caught sight of Fluttershy sitting by herself at one of the tables. ‘Guess now would be as good a time as any to ask her.’ I quickly teleported my notes back to the bedroom before trotting over towards Fluttershy. “Oh, hello Twilight,” she said as I got close, giving me a curious look. “Is something wrong?” “No,” I said quickly giving her a reassuring smile. “I was actually just wondering if you’d seen Owlowiscious? I haven't seen him that much since I got back.” “Oh.” Almost immediately her lips turned up in a small smile. “I guess I should have told you, Owlowiscious found a mate not long after you returned. He’s probably been too busy hunting to visit that often.” “T-that’s great,” I said, failing to hold back a grin. “I’m glad he’s finally settled down to start a family.” I sighed as my expression dropped. “Still hope I can see him again though.” “I’m sure that in another month or so when the owlets are able to fend for themselves he’ll be sure to come visit more often,” she replied, giving a comforting smile. I couldn’t help but smile in return. “You’re right, when he can he’ll drop by the library,” I said, taking a seat across from Fluttershy. “Was there anything you wanted to talk about?” She hesitated for a moment before speaking “Well… I was wondering how Fei was doing. I’m sure it’s been difficult adjusting to life here.” “Not really,” I said after a minute. “Overall it seems like she’d adjusting just fine. I guess her past has something to do with that.” Fluttershy quickly looked down with sorrowful expression, remembering what Trace had said about what happened to her parents. “Though from what Trace has said, she actually seems to be in a much better state emotionally. He thinks it might be due to her having a chance at a real childhood again, as well as the support from both her new father and the crusaders.” “Oh, that’s wonderful,” she said. “Though I’m sure she must be quite a hoof full at times, considering how energetic she can get.” “Yeah, I was actually wondering that myself.” Dash’s voice behind me caused me to jump slightly. “I mean, Scootaloo’s great and all, but she can be pretty tiring when she wants to be.” “Well, I can say for sure, since for the most part I’ve only had to help her with her studies so far,” I commented. “Though, Trace would definitely agree that she can be a hoof full at times.” Dash chuckled as she sat down next to Fluttershy. “Something tells me you have a few stories from personal experience.” “Well, there have a been a few times that Trace wasn’t around to see,” I admitted, already expecting what she was going to say next. “Oh I gotta hear this,” she said as she leaned forward. I gave a brief hesitant look before sighing. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. Now, where should I begin...” (later) As everypony began settling in for the night, Dash spoke up. “Hey Twi, there was something I wanted to ask you.” I turned to find both her and Rarity looking at me with rather… mischievous expressions. ‘I have a bad feeling about this.’ “Okay, what’d you want to know?” “Well, Rarity and I were wondering if you gotten to… ‘experience’ how Trace’s fingers feel?” ‘And that would be why.’ “W-what!?” I stammered as I felt heat rush to my face. “Ah don’t need ta hear this,” Applejack muttered, covering her ears with her pillow. After a moment Trixie and Fluttershy followed suit. “Oh yes darling, you simply must give us the details,” Rarity added, ignoring Applejack’s comment. “From what Rainbow Dash has said, human fingers can be very… satisfying.” “I-I haven’t anything like that with him,” I stammered, my blush deepening. “I haven’t even thought of doing anything like that with him. I’m not even sure he’d want to doing something like that!” Dash just rolled her eyes. “Twi, I’ve seen how to two of you act when you’re together, how happy both of you are. Do you honestly think he’d be against being frisky with you just because of something like the fact that you’re a different species? Last I checked he said his parents were of different species, even if they looked similar.” After a moment's pause he expression turned mischievous again. “And honestly, you never once thought about anything with him?” “Oh fer Celestia’s sake,” Applejack muttered, turning to glare at Rainbow Dash. “If she said she hasn’t thought about, then she hasn’t thought about it. Besides, what the two of them do in the privacy of their own bedroom is none of yer business.” She quickly turned back over, laying her head on her pillow. “Now if you wouldn’t mind, some of us would like to get some sleep!” “Killjoy,” Dash muttered before laying down. “Maybe if Elusive gave you more slap and tickle, it might loosen you up.” Moments later the sound of her snoring confirmed she had fallen asleep. Not long after everypony else had followed suit and drifted off to sleep, while I tossed and turned for several minutes trying to get comfortable as Rainbow Dash’s words echoed in my mind. ‘Gah! why did Dash have to bring up something like that!? Of course I’ve never thought of doing that with Trace...’ I let out a soft sigh and turned over once more. ‘Okay, maybe I have thought about it once in the past. But that was Rarity’s fault! I never would have thought about it if she hadn’t brought it up in the first place. Besides it’s just like I tried to tell Dash, we’re two completely different species, I can’t help but feel like that he wouldn’t want to take the relationship that far. Not yet at least. ‘Though, maybe Dash is right. I’m sure Alex had some reservations about it at first, but it’s not like it’s a secret that he and Dash have… consummated their relationship.’ I let out another sigh and turned onto my back. ‘I suppose it might help that Trace, despite only knowing me for little over a week, was willing to leave everything he had behind, all because of the feeling he had for me.’ I paused as a memory from a few weeks ago popped into my mind. “H-hey Trace?” I said hesitantly, making him look up from his cup of coffee. “I have to ask, do you ever miss your friends and family back on Gaia? Or ever regret coming here?” “I miss them every day of my life Twilight,” he said without any hesitation, a solemn expression growing on his face. “But it’s not just people like Arcana and Louis, everyone that I’ve lost, my mother and father, Laura, ” his voiced dropped to a low enough whisper that I couldn’t hear what he said next, before quickly returning to his normal volume, “But do I regret it? never.” He leaned back in his seat, calmly taking a drink of his coffee before continuing. “While I may have left the majority of my life behind when I came here, it’s given me opportunities I likely never would’ve gotten if I stayed on Gaia. A job I love, a peaceful life, the chance to raise a family of my own,” he stopped and turned to me, his usual calm smile appearing once more, “And of course, the chance to be with a woman that I love again.” Without another word he stood up and walked around the table before sitting down and wrapping his arms around me. I remained silent as he simply held me there for a minute before speaking once more. “It’s unlikely I would have gotten this chance if I remained on Gaia. I had become such a shut in that I rarely ever really interacted with anyone anymore. My life had fallen into an endless pattern of either working for hours on end or moping around my house with nothing to do and no reason to go outside. I didn’t think I’d ever fall in love again… until you dropped into my life.” He tightened his hold one my a bit, to the point where I could hear his heart beating in his chest. “Thank you, Twilight.” I sat there stunned, unable to even form a response. Finally I settled on adjusting myself so that I could wrap my forelegs around him in return, closing my eyes as I pressed my head against his chest as his words repeated themselves in my mind. ‘Maybe… maybe I’m just overthinking this. It’s still a bit too early to really consider doing anything with Trace just yet. I should really just go to sleep.’ I gave a small grunt of annoyance as I tried to adjust to a comfortable position. ‘Easier said than done. I’ve been trying to get comfortable for Celestia knows how long now, and so it seems as if-’ I paused as it finally dawned on me. ‘Right, this is the first time I’ve slept alone since I told Trace I loved him. I guess I’ve just gotten so used to cuddling up next to him at night that it feels weird to lay be myself now. I suppose I was too busy thinking about what Rainbow Dash said to really notice.’ I turned my head over to the upper section of the room, seeing part of Trace’s pillow hanging off the edge of the bed. Carefully, I grabbed the pillow with my magic and pulled it down to me. “I suppose this will have to do,” I whispered as I wrapped my forelegs around the pillow in the same way I usually did with Trace, laying my head on it as I let out a final sigh before closing my eyes. After a few moments, I felt my sleepiness take over as I slowly fell asleep.