//------------------------------// // Resistance // Story: Rough Landing: A Desert Geek's Experience of Equestria // by DrZed //------------------------------// I open my eyes to the dim light in the cage. For a little while I listen to the slow drip echoing from somewhere in the cavern. I look down and see that Rarity's still huddled against the bars next to me. A smile crosses my face as I watch her breathe, looking at peace, even in this place. I hear noises down the hall, sounds like the day is starting.... I reach down and gently tickle one of her ears with a fingertip, "Wake up, Beautiful." Rarity flicks her ear, mumbling quietly, "Not yet Sweetie, I need to finish this ordermmmm...." She shifts her front hooves, moving her chin to a more comfortable position. I sigh, "Sadly, That order's gonna have to wait...." Rarity's eyes open immediately, "Oh... " She lifts her head, "I see... Morning to you, Cedric." She looks up at me, a flat smile crossing her face, "At least I have a friendly face to wake up to." I smile, "Look on the bright side, that's the spirit." Rarity smirks, then rises to her hooves, "Thank you, I'd be beside myself if I were alone here." I nod, "You're welcome. Glad to help." I get up myself, knees creaking. Rarity hides a smirk, "Did I hear you call me beautiful? I must look a fright." I chuckle softly, "Even diamonds get dirty, doesn't change what's inside." Rarity's cheeks pinken and she brushes at her mane. At that point I hear footsteps echoing down the hall. "Talk to you later." I whisper and give her a wink. Rarity giggles softly and nods. Around the corner come our favorite Diamond Dog, Asshole. "WORK TIME! " yada yada... He opens the gates. ----- We're sent back to the site of the cave in, they want us to start digging it out. I start moving rocks into an ore cart, Rarity picking out small gems and crystals with her magic as we toil. Some of the stones are too big for me to lift, so I move them to the side. Asshole growls, "WORK FASTER!" apparently he has a hair up his... well you know. Maybe the cave in counted against him somehow. I keep moving stones, not really changing my pace, after all I have a day full of this to look forward to. "WORK FASTER" Asshole waves the stick threateningly. Rarity frowns, "Oh be quiet!, He's working as quickly as he can!" "SHUT UP PONY!" Rarity growls softly... Strange hearing a pony growl. She goes back to picking out gems. I roll a particularly large stone away from the pile of rubble and slip, landing atop it, hitting my chin on the stone... Oww! Damn that hurt! I let off a pained groan. "GET UP BEAST!" Asshole stomps up and starts flailing at my back with the stick, causing me to grunt in pain. Rarity stomps a hoof, "Leave him alone!" "SHUT UP PONY!" I get to my hands and knees, and Asshole kicks me in the stomach, sending me back to the floor. "GET UP!" He starts smacking my back with the stick. "I have HAD IT!" Rarity lights up her horn and pulls the stick from the mutt's claw, throwing it down the passageway. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Asshole growls, glaring at Rarity.... then he points to a guard bulldog, "PUT PONY IN HER CAGE!" he punctuates this with a kick to my ribs, leaving me gasping. Rarity moves forward, "NO!" "MAKE HER QUIET!" the Bulldog pulls out a dirty rag and muzzles Rarity, who kicks at the guard. The guard growls, binds her legs and drags her away, squirming and squealing in protest through her muzzle. I've risen to a sitting position and am clutching my chest. my breathing painful due to my bruised ribs.. Asshole has retrieved his stick, and taps it against the stone wall, "Back to work, Beast." I nod dully and slowly get back up. --- Finally the day's over and I am returned to my cage, a little more bruised, exhausted. Those were some heavy rocks... I sit down heavily with a groan. I rest against the back wall and close my eyes. After the guards leave, and we're alone, Rarity looks up, "Cedric?! Are you alright?" "I've been better." I lean against the bars on her side of the cage, "How about you?" I can tell she's been crying, what was left of her makeup had run and her cheekfur was matted, and damp. She comes up to the bars and rests a hoof on my arm, "I was so worried!" I give her a soft grin, "Nothing I couldn't handle." Rarity gazes at me, lip quivering, "How do you persist? This seems hopeless!" I reach up, and using the cuff of my shirt sleeve, I gently dry her cheeks, "Shh... It's ok... I'll be fine." Rarity whimpers softly. I reach up and gently scratch behind her ear... "I'm stubborn like that..." She tilts her head and leans into my hand, her frown fading. "We'll get out.. I know it. Your friends are coming." Rarity nods slowly, a small smile appearing.. I grin, "Oh, I brought you something." Rarity blinks, "What?" I dig into my pocket and remove a few little gems, holding them in my hand. "Would you show me more of your levitation?" Rarity blinks, and grins, hoof covering her mouth, "Well of course, Darling."