Ch. 11 - Superstition And Taboo
“Hello Mr. Rose...oh, just out on a walk. How are things with your draft choice?”
“...interesting. Sounds like she's acclimating as well as can expected...stagnating? Surely you jest...very well, and I won't call you Shirley either, Mr. Rose.
“Listen, it's only been a few days, hasn't it? ...no, as I explained, it was necessary to put her near civilization, even if capture became a possibility. We can hardly have her die of malnutrition or wildlife attack. The whole effort would be wasted, and she wouldn't be properly prepared. It's a risk that had to be taken, you know this...if you think she's not advancing fast enough, you can always 'push' things, so long as the damage is manageable...oh no, that rule only applies when everything begins. Technically it would fall under preliminary vetting...
“...that would be acceptable, I think. You really have access to such things? Oh what am I talking about, of course you do. You all do. Very well. I'll be walking back, then...oh, not too far. At least, it's not far for me...very good, Mr. Rose. Have a lovely cycle.”
“How have you been holding up, dear?”
Twilight Sparkle led her friend Rarity through the library towards the basement. She rubbed her head. “Still have a mild headache,” she said, “Not to mention the nightmares I had last night.” She shuddered. “I'm suddenly really, really sorry I went into Painwheel's head.”
“So it was that bad, I suppose?” Rarity said, scowling. “By the way, dearie, what possessed you to do that in the first place? I mean, I heard you were afraid humans were coming to invade, but they could have waited another few minutes for Celestia to get there. It's so unlike you, to the point where such rash actions...well they just come off like excuses. I mean, no offense.” Rarity tried to offer an apologetic smile.
The alicorn sighed. “Probably,” she said, continuing to rub her head. “Looking back, I don't know what I was thinking either. But then again, I was running on zero sleep two days in a row. There was this one time, I studied for three days straight and suddenly got the urge to jump into the Canterlot Castle fountain.” She giggled nervously, rubbing her hooves together. “I'd convinced myself I was the Lizard Queen. It seemed so reasonable at the time. Celestia had to have the guards forcefully towel me off and tie me to my bed, under orders that 'her majesty the Lizard Queen must go to sleep immediately'. Or at least I'm pretty sure that's what she said. Again, I was really out of it.”
Rarity tried to stifle a laugh, slapping her hooves in front of her mouth. “So...hgh...this isn't...ffff...new for you, then?”
“Just left it go, Rarity,” Twilight said, shutting her eyes as Rarity began laughing wildly. “But I guess sleep deprivation doesn't excuse what I did...you done?”
“Ah! Yes...yes, I don't know what came over me,” Rarity said, shaking off the giggle fit and attempting to restore an elegant, refined air. They finally came to the door of the basement. Rarity coughed nervously. “Now Twilight dear, tell me again why you cannot accompany me in this meeting? Why do I...need to be alone with her?” She shuddered involuntarily. “I'm...more than a little...”
“Scared?”
“Rationally self-concerned.”
“Well, there are multiple reasons for that,” Twilight said. “Well first, because Spike is gone doing...whatever it is he's been doing. He left yesterday morning at the crack of dawn, with a bag of bits and rucksack, saying he's off to run an errand. He said he'd be back today, but I just don't know.” She frowned. “That's going to make explaining things to him difficult.
“Secondly, because Celestia thinks – and I agree – that Painwheel would be better served by interacting with you all one-on-one. If multiple ponies are there, that just puts her in a position of vulnerability, which might induce her to act defensively. Putting her on more even ground should help draw her out.”
Twilight opened the door, bringing them into the basement. They stepped onto the ground-level landing that overlooked the basement lab proper. Down below, the familiar human girl sat, bound to her chair. She looked tired. And bored.
“And the third reason...well...” Twilight said, looking down on the human.
Painwheel looked up, noticing their presence. She spotted Twilight Sparkle, and frowned. Her eyebrows slacked, and she turned her head as far away from the alicorn forcefully.
“...is because she...doesn't want anything to do with me anymore,” Twilight said, sadly. She sighed. “Well, I'll leave you to it.” She turned away, making for the door. “Call me if you need anything.”
Rarity looked back and forth between Twilight and Painwheel, shaking nervously. “...okay...” When she was alone, she shook her head. It was no time to be fearful. Painwheel wasn't going anywhere. Rarity would be fine. Right?
She put on a brave face. A regal face. “Very well,” she said under her breath, “to it then.”
The fashionista descended the stairs, waltzing up to Painwheel. “Good morning, Painwheel. Feeling better today?”
Painwheel grumbled in response. Rarity supposed it was a marked upswing in spirits if the girl was merely angry instead of weepy. “Very well,” said Rarity, putting on a smile. “Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way...let's see what I can do with you.”
“Do...with me?” Painwheel asked, puzzled.
“But of course!” Rarity said, taking a good, hard look at the prisoner. “This might offend you, dear, but you look absolutely dreadful. Like I said yesterday, I'm going to do my best to get you looking like a proper lady!”
The human's response was...unexpected. Rarity assumed she would become incensed – ponies tended to act indignant when told the truth about their visual shortcomings. She assumed humans would be no different, and this one did have a predilection towards anger. And indeed, she did seem annoyed...until the subject of being a lady came up. With that, Painwheel went from irked to...downcast. Like her heart was just shot through.
What was that about? “Painwheel...are you alright?”
Painwheel shot to attention. “Uh...I'm...I'm fine,” she said, though a subtle frown betrayed otherwise. “Um...what are you going to do?”
Rarity considered the question, stroking her chin. “Hmm...” she said, moving from side to side to catch the girl at multiple angles. Her nose sniffed the air absentmindedly, and she scrunched her face in disgust. “Ugh! Definitely the first thing is a bath.” As the human self-consciously sniffed herself as best she could, another thought came to Rarity. “Painwheel...have you ever had a bath?”
“Wha...of course I have! What k-kind of question is that!?” Painwheel sputtered, growing perturbed. That's more like the human Rarity remembered. “I've had tons of baths!”
“Really?” Rarity said, skeptical. “Because you positively reek! When was the last time you had one?”
“I...I don't know...” Painwheel responded, anger melting. She seemed to contemplate the question. “I don't remember the last time I had a bath.”
“Because it's been so long ago?”
“Maybe...there's a huge period of time I can't account for, because...um...”
“Because? Because what?”
“...I don't want to talk about it...” Painwheel said, averting her gaze.
“Ugh...” Rarity said, rubbing her temple. Were all humans so evasive and troublesome? Or was it just this one? The thought occurred, however, that perhaps she referred to the time she was modified. After all, to have a mechanical tail grafted to the back of a tail-less species, and be infected by parasites. That kind of thing doesn't happen by accident. Okay maybe the parasites could have infected her independently, but for such a pervasive, ugly infestation she highly doubted it.
Rarity gulped. Twilight Sparkle had been right about one thing: Painwheel was turned into a weapon by outside forces. And probably not of her own volition, if the extent of her suffering was concerned. Because really, who would hear any doctor promise invasive medical procedures that would leave the subject in agony and think that was a good idea to sign up for? Rarity shuddered. “Very well, then how about we get to cleaning you up?”
She moved in close, before stopping. Those magical chains tying the human down caught her eye. “Oh wait,” she said, reaching out a hoof to poke them. “You...you aren't allowed out of these, are you?”
“No duh,” Painwheel said, pouting. Eyes wandered to her bonds. “So are you going to take them off?”
“He he...I don't think I can...” Rarity said nervously. An accurate statement; she doubted she had the magical knowledge or skill to undo a spell weaved by the Element of Magic herself. Moreover, “You are technically a prisoner. It would be...irresponsible...to just let you loose...” Rarity grew more nervous watching Painwheel glare at her. “I mean, I guess I could ask Twilight to come down and undo the magic...”
“Eh!” Painwheel squeaked, squirming in her seat.
Sigh. “Very well, I won't get her,” Rarity said. “Guess a bath is out. Cursing shame. If I had my way, I'd drag you off to the spa and have the girls there give you a full treatment. You sure need it.” She walked behind the recliner, examining Painwheel's...swastika, was it? “I suppose we'd have to take care not to get this thing wet. It's ghastly, but it would spoil what...” Rarity strained her mind, searching for the word while scowling. “...aesthetic you have going for you. For what that's worth.” Then she noticed something about the chair itself. “Oh, what's this?”
“What? What is...gah!” Painwheel gasped, head falling back as Rarity levitated away the top of her chair back. “What the hell?”
Rarity floated the section of padded furniture away. “Ah ha! This part can be removed!” She used her magic to turn the chair to the side, then adjusted the mechanism that controlled the recline. “Hold on, dearie. I can't give you a bath...” She ran of hoof over Painwheel's head, stopping to examine her hoof with disgust. “Oof! ...but I can at least wash that mane of yours. It's oily and disgusting. It must be tended to immediately!”
Before Painwheel could speak, Rarity walked off, returning minutes later with a small table, bottles of shampoo and conditioner, a towel, and a washbasin filled with water. “Now just relax, Painwheel, and let Miss Rarity handle everything!”
“...okay...”
“Okay what?”
“Okay...Miss Rarity?”
“Good girl!” Rarity set up her supplies and set to work on the oily tangle of brown hair. First order of business: removing the garish hair ornament. It was actually a bit of work pulling it off, as Painwheel's three head “nails” were poking through the skull's eyesockets. “Hmm,” Rarity said. “Painwheel dear?”
“Yes?” Painwheel said, one eye shut, flinching under the fashionista's ministrations.
“If I may be so bold, why the skull?” She floated the skull into Painwheel's field of view, then set it down on the table.
Painwheel scrunched her face in contemplation. “I guess...it's a ward.”
“A...ward?”
“Yes...” answered Painwheel, wincing when Rarity splashed lukewarm water into Painwheel's hair. “Many people where I come from wear some kind of skull on their person. It's supposed to protect you from...from the Skullgirl.”
“Hmm? Really?” Rarity said, feigning at least partial understanding. This “Skullgirl” was likely some figure of superstition, like the Headless Horse or the Bogeypony. “So this Skullgirl...from your wearing this, can I assume you believe in it?”
Then Painwheel gave Rarity a look. One that froze Rarity on the spot. It was a look of profound, existential confusion. No, not mere confusion. Painwheel made a face one might expect to get if one seriously asked what color the sky was or who raised and lowered the sun. Or why it was important not to break a Pinkie Promise. “...what?” asked Rarity, eyes widely noncomprehending.
Painwheel blinked. “Do I...what kind of question is...?” She shook her head. Rarity heard her sigh, and felt as though she came off as a massively ignorant fool. It was...disconcerting. “Yes,” Painwheel said, “I do believe in the Skullgirl. I believe in her harder than anyone alive.” She paused as Rarity resumed washing the brown mane. “But...it wasn't really my choice to wear that. It...came with the clothes...and everything else...”
Rarity regarded the human's clothes, then the weapon mounted to her back. “Oh...oh!” Rarity said. “Oh, well, yes of course. By the way, darling, your clothes are rather shabby as well. I presume you've had no other change of garments in the time...you haven't been bathing?”
“No.”
“Tsk tsk,” Rarity said, shaking her head. “Well that shan't do either. We will have to get you a new set of clothes. Remind me to take your measurements.”
“Do they sell stuff for...” Painwheel began to ask, before grunting. Rarity thought she could hear the girl curse under her breath. “I guess they wouldn't sell human clothes in Equestria, huh?”
“No, they do not,” Rarity said, lathering the shampoo into Painwheel's hair. “Which is why I shall be making them myself,” she declared proudly.
“Make them?”
“Naturally. I'm a dress maker, Painwheel. It's my vocation and calling to produce the most beautiful vestments. If my special talent wasn't in finding jewels, it would most certainly be in fashion.”
“You don't have to do that for me,” Painwheel said sadly.
“Nonsense!” Rarity said, shushing the human quiet. “I'll have none of that. Fashion is my life! It's what I live for! So I've never made anything for a human. No matter!” She bounced in place, a great smile on her face. “I consider it a personal challenge. I would do it anyway, even if you didn't ask or didn't need it. It's a matter of personal pride!”
So distracted was Rarity that she rubbed Painwheel's head and smacked her hoof on one of those nails. It barely fazed Rarity. It sent Painwheel into a convulsion. “Ah! Careful!” Painwheel yelled, contracting in pain. Muscles across her upper body quivered visibly.
“Sorry, sorry!” Rarity said, stroking the side of the human's head gently. “Sweetie, I'm so sorry!”
The poor girl settled down, clamped teeth parting. “Hrm...it's...okay...” she said, unconvincingly.
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief, minding her hoofwork in an attempt to be more careful. This girl was a bundle of nerves, and not just her own.
This would be a tough fix. Assuming, that was, Painwheel could ever completely be fixed. She showed a fair bit of promise, but seeing how much pain she was in left Rarity wondering again.
“I absolutely can't believe you, Twilight!”
Spike stormed into the kitchen, carrying a rucksack, a paper bag, and a cooler. He threw the items on the counter. Twilight Sparkle followed behind, head hung in shame.
“I mean, come on!” Spike exclaimed, throwing up his arms. “Just two days! I go out for two days, and you manage to violate Painwheel's brain!”
“I know...” Twilight said, looking away. “Where were you even? It's not like you to go off alone like that.”
“Hey, don't try to turn this on me, Twilight,” Spike exclaimed, pointing a clawed finger at his employer. “This isn't about me, it's about you! What were you thinking?”
“I don't even know anymore,” Twilight said, clutching her head. “You're right, Spike. I'm sorry.”
“It's not me you need to apologize to,” Spike said, folding his arms. “Did you say sorry to Painwheel?”
“I can't, Spike,” Twilight said. “She won't listen to me. Won't even look at me.”
“I wonder why,” Spike commented, rolling his eyes. “So you're going to do what exactly? Sit around until she stops hating you enough to hear you apologize?”
“Well there's that...” Twilight said, pulling a chair out from the table and sitting down. “Mostly I've been trying to dig back into the books, looking for medical knowledge that might help me remove those parasites. I've sent letters out to various hospitals, asking for advice. Until I hear from them, that's all I can do on that score.
“I'm also looking for ways to send her home.”
“What do you mean, Twilight?” Spike said, scratching his head. “Isn't Painwheel from the Smokey Mountains?”
“That's where Pack Watcher found the last group of humans, sure,” said Twilight, “but Painwheel didn't come from anywhere on this planet.”
“Wait what?” Spike looked dumbfounded. “Shes not from this planet? How do you know?”
“Spike, I've been inside her head.” Twilight sighed. “I know Celestia said not to tell anyone about it, but I've been trying to make due with everything I learned inside Painwheel's head. Let's just say I know for a fact that she comes from somewhere that could not possibly be in Equestria or any other continent. Not the Gryphon Kingdoms, not the North or South poles, not even in the mysterious West. We've mapped most of the world, more or less. Painwheel's civilization isn't some obscure patch of ground hidden on an island or in the brush of some exotic wilderness. If it existed in this world, Equestria would know about it.
“That, and because she's been outside the universe. I've seen it too...what little she could comprehend.”
Spike had to lean on the kitchen counter to steady himself. Maybe Celestia was right to tell Twilight to keep everything under wraps. “There's an...outside? Of the universe I mean?”
Twilight nodded. “And I can't even begin to describe it. The problem is that Painwheel has an imperfect memory of the space between spaces. So unless I can punch a hole in reality and take a gander outside, I'm not going to be any closer to figuring out how to send Painwheel home.”
“Heavy...” Spike said, rubbing his forehead.
“I think that's enough talking about that,” Twilight said. “So where were you these last two days? I see you bought stuff.”
“Yeah,” Spike said, fiddling with his bags. “Well, you know how you said Painwheel was an omnivore? That means she eats meat, right?”
“Oh yeah,” Twilight said, head drooping. “I know now for a fact she eats meat.” Twilight shuddered.
“Thought so,” Spike said. “That's why I decided, if it was going to help her, I'd make her more at home by finding her something...meatier...”
“What!?” Twilight exclaimed, shocked.
“I traveled over to Baltimare and looked up the black market,” Spike said, picking up the cooler and fishing out some bundles wrapped in paper. Her noticed Twilight's shock turn to horror and disgust. “Oh don't give me that look, it's just chicken. I didn't go out and buy cow or donkey or pony meat. I'm not a monster. And really, who are you to judge, mind raper?”
Twilight blushed, frowning. “You have a point,” she said. “Still, that's pretty grisly. What if Fluttershy finds out?”
“Then we just need to never tell her,” Spike said. Still, the thought of her reaction worried him. “Although thinking on it, if Painwheel can eat fish, I should just as Fluttershy where she buys the ones she gives to her carnivore animals. I realized how easy and less expensive that would be when I realized the black market also sold fish. But only after I bought the chicken. What a waste of royal funds.”
“Yeah, maybe we should have words about putting state bits into the hands of flesh peddlers,” Twilight said. No doubt Spike referred to the Gryphon black market, catering mostly to their kind, given how much meat Gryphons are accustomed to eating. “By the way, were there any ponies buying?”
“A couple, but I didn't look too closely, and they didn't either,” Spike said. “I didn't think ponies ate there, but I guess there's nothing stopping one from eating meat. What do you think?”
“Well, I guess thanks to Painwheel, I now know what it's like,” Twilight said, nervously. “It's...an experience I can say I don't need to research firsthand anymore.” She looked away, sweat dripping down her neck.
“Then maybe while you're saying you're sorry, you can say thank you.” Spike giggled sardonically.