Extended Holiday
Chp 8: Reunited We Stand
Act 1
Shawn rolled his shoulders from where he sat on his bed. The last couple of days had finally past and now he was just waiting for his friends to show up, the blinds covering the window was open to reveal a nice bright and sunny day. In which blinded him due to his light sensitive eyes.
“Eeyup…” He mumbled to himself while waiting.
There was a knock by the door and Matthew stood there wearing some new clothing. “Well, I got something new. Rather all chocolate brown but at least it is nicer than jungle fatigues.” He chuckled. “This showed up from some tailors after some dreams I had.” He had a cap tucked under his left arm. Over his lip was a trimmed mustache now.
Shawn only raised an eyebrow and gave a couple of claps. “Nice uniform.” He said, standing up.
Matthew smiled. “Yeah, must admit that I never expected to get a World War Two officer uniform in another world, which reminds me we should ask Luna not to enter our dreams too much. I worry what she might find from any of us.” He shook his head and moved to look at the front of the hat where the same emblem from his chestplate was pinned to. “Just amazing what they are doing for us after the changeling’s failed invasion.” He looked back up at Shawn, “The others should be here soon, I kind of out walked them once we got onto the floor.”
“So yeah Octavia I want you to take this music and get it to every pony in the band, this is very important.” Taze told a grey pony as he opened the door handing her a stack of parchments. Walking into the room Shawn noticed he was wearing a simpler steel light armor only the chest piece had been made to resemble scales, two pauldrons adorned his shoulders each inscribed with an ornate design that looked distinctly like a clock, but slightly off and with two straight lines running through it. He wore studded leather greaves and bracers with a solid plate adorning both his wrists. Taze smiled as he turned to his friends entering the room.
“So Shawn you gonna tell us about your centuries battling others like you and your inability to fight on holy ground now?” Taze chuckled.
Matthew looked to Taze. “Uh, What?” He looked the Shawn, “What’s he talking about now? I have no clue.” His face lost and had a look of confusion that could only make people laugh at just how silly it looked.
Shawn only blinked a couple of times while looking at Taze. “Uhh… Kay.”
“You’ll be happy to know both your swords survived.” Taze said. “They’re being maintained as we speak”
Behind Taze Rarity came in with a large flattish box. “Hello darlings, and friends. I just came by, when I heard Sir Shawn had lost his shirt and coat to those dreadful Changeling I had to take time to make him a suitable replacement.” She levitated the box over to Shawn who was sitting with his pants and boots but only wrapping around his upper body with no shirts really. “Also it is a little baggy so to allow you to put it on and not pull at your stitches.”
“Thank you very much Lady Rarity.” He said with a smile.
Upon opening the box it opened to reveal a familiar style coat but with different colors this time, making Shawn wonder if every piece of clothing he would ever have would be the same thing in different colors. The colors of this coat were a dark red with a gold trim, inside was also a white dress shirt and a bright red vest. His eyebrows traveled up a bit in surprise at the outfit.
“This is amazing, and very well made.” He said studying the look of the coat, shirt, and vest.
“Why thank you dear.” Rarity replied with a small bow of her head.
“Oh and Shawn?” Taze reached inside his belt pulling out a small scroll with the royal seal. “This is for you.”
“Oh?” Shawn said, grabbing the scroll. “Oh boy…” Shawn said removing the seal and opening the scroll. Holding the scroll in front of him, he read it, mumbling a little here and there in the process. “A what?”
“Well, seeing as you did just risk limb and body for all of Equestria, and as you can see, there's a ceremony to officially thank us all for our service to Equestria. I only know that they will present all three of us with items of thanks, but other then what is in the letter I do not know.”
“They’re honoring the Nightguard too.” Taze noted “they probably deserve as much credit, well aside from Shawn, you did die twice after all”
Shawn only shrugged, a look of confusion on his face. “Apparently, from what one of the Night guards said, I apparently died three times…”
“Did you eat any green mushrooms down there?” Taze laughed.
“Well, now that I think about it, they did seem to make a jingle every time I accidentally touched them.” Shawn said before looking back at Taze with a more dull expression. “Nah, but that would be… Interesting to say the least.”
Out of the pocket of Shawns vest something bright pink erupted before expanding quickly soon a bright pink balloon floated in front of Shawn. a string was tied to it holding a get well soon card. The balloon proceeded to pop in a shower of confetti before dropping a cupcake on Shawns lap.
Rarity’s jaw dropped a little. “I didn’t put that there.”
Shawn proceeded to pick up the cupcake, and gave it a quick look over before turning to the group. “I was wondering when the first psychotic thing would happen.” He said, shrugging before taking a bite. “At least it’s good.”
“So your internal injuries are almost fully healed, you stitches seem to be holding up fine and your body seems to be almost fully recovered.” The doctor analyzed looking at his chart. “To be honest your recovery has been astonishing, from what our books say larger creatures like minotaurs usually heal slower, anyway as long as you keep up with the pain killers for the next week, the sleeping pills for the next month, I see no reason to keep you here any longer, just don’t go jumping out of any more windows for a while.” He noted setting the chart down with his magic.
“That’s wonderful news doc.” Shawn said with a small smile. “And I make no promises.”
“So I’ll leave you to get ready and the nurse will have some forms for you to fill out before you leave, goodbye my lord, I hope we don’t see each other again too often.” The doctor said before leaving the room.
Shawn sat there facing the door for a moment before finally opening his mouth. “Do I have a full on noble status now..?” He mumbled to himself. With a shrug he stood up, stretching, he had put on the articles of clothing that were given to him by Rarity earlier so all he had to do was exit and get certain forms filled out. With a sigh he stood off of his bed and headed for the door.
Passing some hallways and doors he slowly made his way to the front of the building, and into the lobby. His dealings with the nurse and forms thankfully didn’t seem to last long and afterwards he was greeted by his friends.
… and an explosion of confetti from the obvious source. A bright pink banner hung on the corner of the room reading, ‘Happy getting out of the hospital just before the wedding and your big hero parade day party!’. Pinkie vibrated in place excitedly.
“SURPRISE!” Pinkie said holding a whole plate of colorful cupcakes out to Shawn.
Taking a second he reached over and pulled one of the cupcakes off before looking around. “Certainly, this was… Unexpected actually.”
Taze walked up to Shawn holding both his blades which were currently sheathed and tied to a single blackened leather belt. “Here, managed to get a new belt made for both of these.” He said handing the weapons too him. “Doc wouldn’t let me put them in your room.”
Matthew only watched with a small smile on his lips, he was leaning against a wall and just seemed to watch the proceedings. He took a deep breath in and let it out slowly never losing the smile as he watched Shawn’s face on the gift.
Shawn chuckled at the two swords before placing them around his waist and fastening the buckles on it. “Thanks.” He said.
“Good to see your back on your feet sugarcube.” Applejack walked in carrying a mug. “The way the doctor was talkin’ I was sure you’d miss the weddin’.” She handed him the mug. “Granny’s special herbal cider, help put the wind back in ya.”
He smiled as he grabbed ahold of the drink. “Me? Miss the wedding? Nah.” Shawn said chuckling, he paused for a moment, something catching his eye, before lifting the mug as quickly as he could without spilling any.
A blue streak passed by where the mug had been and hit the wall with a loud crash. Rainbow Dash’s eye’s spun in her head for a moment before she shook her head and stood up. “Pony feathers just missed it.” She said. “Well if it had been me I’d have been out of the hospital the next day.” She puffed up.
Shawn only raised an eyebrow in response before shaking his head lightly and taking a drink.
Matthew chuckled at seeing that. “Come on, leave Shawn to his drink, I’ll buy you a Cider next time they are in season, that way you have double the opportunity to have some Cider.
Rainbow Dash grumbled but nodded.
Fluttershy approached Shawn slowly, and of course quietly. Trying hard to remain courageous after what they’d been through. “Excuse me Mr. Shawn?” She squeaked.
Upon hearing his name he turned towards the source. “Yes Ms. Fluttershy?” He asked.
The pegasus quite suddenly flew up and gently threw her hooves around his stomach. “Thank you, I know you wouldn’t have hurt those changelings if you hadn’t needed too, you're a good pony.” She said hugging him tightly for Fluttershy which resulted in a light squeeze for Shawn.
Shawn only smiled lightly, not able to find any words he returned the hug with his one free arm.
Releasing him Fluttershy shyly retreated to the corner of the room.
Twilight smiled and walked up and presented Shawn with a small book. “Thought this might help with some of your learning.” She presented Shawn with a Primer book on the different letters, showing every letter of the alphabet, and a picture associated with the letter. “I hope it helps speed up learning.” She smiled and stepped back.
He chuckled at the book. “Yeah, I don’t want to rely on this-” He gestured the amulet around his neck. “-all the time. Need to learn it naturally at some point.” He said tucking the book into one of the inside pockets.
Twilight smiled wider. “That is great, just let me know where you plan on staying and I can hook you up with some teachers. I am a little bit of a network. I look forward in helping you continue your education.”
“So how do you feel Shawn?” Taze asked.
”Could be worse, they gave me some painkillers to deal with the small aches but other than that, not as bad as I possibly should.” He replied with a shrug.
“Well hurry up and finish, we can hit the arcade before you have to go see the Princesses.” Taze said.
Shawn only chuckled, finishing off his drink. “Alright, two games tops. Don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“Yeah…” Shawn said while they walked towards the castle. “Pipe Wrench… That’s going to take some time.”
“And Pac-Pony won’t?” Taze asked.
“Okay, Okay. Most of them really.” He replied again shaking his head.
“So two games top, you didn’t say you meant beating both game.” Taze laughed. “We are so late.”
“It didn’t take us that long, just longer than it should have.” Shawn mumbled the last part.
The guards nodded towards them as they approached letting them straight in. After checking they were alone, Taze removed his amulet. “So we end up in a world that we know as a cartoon, meet talking ponies and fight a war, wonder what our next adventure is?”
Shawn only chuckled. “Something confusing like most likely.” He replied, removing his amulet just for that sentence, afterwards putting it back on.
“There you are.” Matthew yelped from the top of the steps as they rounded a corner. “Do you realize the time? What did you two go off to? You weren’t trying to get into more trouble are you?” He tugged a little on the jacket of his uniform. “Come on. Your public awaits their heroes.” he turned around and the sound of his shoes echoed off the wall and stone floor.
“Lead the way then.” Shawn said, walking up to Matthew. “It was only five minutes…” He mumbled very quietly to himself just before he got up to him. Thankfully nobody else seemed to hear him.
Matthew waited for the two to catch up before he started again at a brisk walk that seemed to convey that this was important and don’t interrupt him. “Come on, come on, we have places to be.”
“Matthew, I don’t run unless it’s life or death, so calm down.” Taze said not bothering to pick up his pace.
Matthew blinked and turned back to look at Taze. “Oh… uh, this is my normal walking pace, default setting, I’ll, I’ll try to slow down.” Matthew replied shortening his steps and trying to restrain his speed. His face clouding over as if something triggered a memory.
“It’s alright, as you said we’re a little late.” Shawn said shrugging.
The grand hall had be cleaned up to the point no one could notice there had been a battle here at all. The day guard stood around the room armed and ready just incase. Large green crystals floated inside of a glass orb beside each set of guards, the light they gave off had been tested and proven to reveal changelings.
Twilight Velvet and Nightlight stood at the front of where the three humans could imagine a crowd of ponies would be. On a raised platform stood Celestia and the mane 6. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity stood on the brides side well Twilight stood on the grooms beside her brother. Shining Armors military uniform and been pressed and redone. His uncles crest hanging proudly on his chest.
“Well now that you two have graced us with your presence we can start the rehearsal” Celestia said her annoyed look was echoed across the room.
“Sorry ‘bout that.” Shawn replied.
Taze just shrugged as the three humans were put into places, Taze was placed in the crowd on the brides side. Matthew was placed where the front of said crown would be, and Shawn was placed to the side of the platform in view of the room.
Over the next few hours they watched as the bride, groom and wedding party rehearsed their jobs and positions during the ceremony. After the first five minutes Tazes mind had packed up and left realizing it would not be missed for a while.
Matthew looked to the sky and put an umbrella up to cover his head and Rarity was near him. “So. They letting it rain because?”
Twilight was who answered. “Helping to wash away the soot and other smaller pieces of debris. It also is allowing those with roofs to find and identify any cracks.”
Matthew just nodded his head. “So, using water to find out just where to fill and fix the smaller places that you cannot see.” He looked to the sky a little. “Well at least,” he stopped as thunder rumbled. “Nevermind.” He muttered and looked towards where Twilight Velvet and Nightlight were trotting with umbrellas over their bodies as well. “Where are we going again?”
“It’s a little resturant me and Nightlight found when we were younger.” Twilight Velvet said. “It’s out of the way so we shouldn’t draw too much attention.”
“That sounds nice.” Shawn said out loud. “Huh, I think my painkillers are wearing off.” He said, placing a hand on his side for a moment. “Ah well.”
“Okay, we get there and you are taking those meds right then.” Matthew grimaced. “You cannot function on pain, those pain meds will be able to help you keep going, just be careful you’ll get drowsy.” He grimaced as he remembered his own times from pain. He looked around him. “If you need to we can get you to bed. Cancel the rest of the night.”
Shawn only raised a brow in question. “Woah now, it’s only a slight pain, I can wait until I get some water to take the medicine.” He chuckled. “Plus it’s not really strong enough to make me tired.”
“Deep breaths Matthew.” Taze laughed. “He’s survived worse then a little pain.”
Matthew looked at Taze. “Okay, I just, I worry for my friends. I get that from my mom to be honest. As well as bits of my medical knowledge, just bare stuff nothing fancy.”
“Well sugarcube, as Granny Smith says, ‘what don’t kill ya makes ya stronger.’” Applejack noted.
“What happens if it apparently did kill you?” Shawn questioned, in a joking manner of course.
“Maybe it makes you super duper stronger!” Pinkie said. “But wait, you died twice that means your doublely stronger!” She was suddenly in Shawn’s face. “You could be the strongest pony ever!”
“Two notes, I don’t think I’m a pony. And two, I’ll test for super strength later.” He said chuckling.
Matthew looked at the two and shook his head failing in hiding a smile that was growing on his face. “Don’t change.”
“Pinkie Pie? Change?” Rainbow dash changed. “I’m pretty sure you’ll see a dancing ursa major first.”
Matthew looked at Rainbow Dash. “After today, I doubt that would surprise me. Scare me, yes. Surprise me? Most likely not anymore.”
“Well that would suck.” Taze said. “I hope I never stop being surprised.”
Matthew looked back at Taze. “Well, Rainbow Dash did mention the possibility of dancing Ursa's if it is not a dancing ursa but something akin to that level of randomness. Then yes I will be surprised, but now that I have even contemplated the concept of said dancing space bear, then the surprise will be lower and not as real or genuine.”
“Cause that creature book you read was very informative.” Taze coughed, drawing Matthews attention that the fact that an ursa was a space bear was beyond their current realm of knowledge.
“Actually, Moonshade told me about them.” Which was true, “I am still having troubles with about half the alphabet and it takes a while to translate even a page at the moment.” Matthew replied with a pained look, “I am doing better but slow going.”
They found the restaurant just as Twilight Velvet and Nightlight had said it was a small place out of the main hub of Canterlots elite.
When they entered they were greeted surprisingly enough by a weird mix of pony and dragon. Standing slightly larger than a pony and scaled this creature had a long flowing white mane that seemed to resemble lion hair. It’s tail seemed most definitely lion like being long and ropey with a single tuft at the end. four hooved feet stood elegantly against the ground and a large curved deer antler shot from it’s forehead like a unicorn horn.
Taze yanked off his necklace. “Holy mother of monkey it’s a kirin!” He exclaimed.
Matthew looked at Taze and gave him his patented confused look of things. He more calmly took his necklace off and spoke finally to Taze. “A what? Remember We are speaking dragon so he might understand what you just said.”
“It’s a creature that kin to dragons, according to myths it is good luck, cures injuries and diseases, breathes fire and according to some legends it can even walk on water.” Taze said.
The creature gave Twilight Velvet a confused look, in return she just smiled and explained they were creatures visiting from abroad.
Matthew looked to Taze, “You lucked out, he doesn’t understand Dragonic.” He shivered and put the translator back on. “Better, I can understand and communicate.”
Taze put his back on as well. “sorry about that, little overwhelmed by so many new things”
The group had to wait several moments as multiple tables where set together. Finally they were seated near a decorative fountain that was in the middle of the restaurant. While they jostled a little to find just where they wanted. Matthew just stood and looked at the fountain, “Reminds me a little of a restaurant that use to be in existence back in the nineteen hundreds, a fancy restaurant complete with indoor stream with real trout in the water.” He smiled a little. “Last I saw of the place it was or had been converted into a church.”
Using a chart he had made and kept with him for reference Taze started translating the menu, sushing any of the ponies who attempted to speak.
“Excuse me Velvet?” Taze looked up. “Am I mistranslating or are there several meat dishes on this menu?” Taze asked
“Kirins are omnivores in their home, as such they are licensed to serve meat dishes.” Twilight Velvet explained.
“Is ordering any of these going to bother anyone?” Taze asked looking around.
Fluttershy blinked and jerked her head up. “Do I get to observe you eat meat?” Her question caused a few others to look at her. “What? Animals do so, Mr. Fox I had to help after he didn’t chew part of his meal correctly.” Somehow she made talking about what nature did seem cute.
Rarity did seem to pale but she waved a hoof. “If you must, I, I shall not complain.”
Twilight’s only answer was to have a small pad of parchment out and her mom tisked at her. “Now dear, you know that is not.”
Twilight interrupted her mom. “You’ll get a copy of the notes.”
“Deal,” Twilight Velvet agreed and smiled. “Imagine this, this will do great for my next novel.”
Shining shook his head. “Don’t mind those two, usually they do that so as to keep the other happy.”
Nightlight laughed a little. “Do remind me to tell you about this one time.”
“Not now dad, We’re busy.” Twilight Sparkle replied.
“Meh, Gilda ate meat, you get use to it, didn’t help she was a little messy with her eating habits.” Rainbow Dash muttered with a wing shrug.
Matthew looked to Shawn and Taze as the rest were a little more silent with nods of their head. “Anyone else suddenly feeling like a fish bowl?” He gave a nervous smile to his friends. He looked down to look at what kind of meal to get.
Currently there was several kinds of fowl on the menu, well not chickens Taze had managed to translate grouse, goose, and pheasant. Also there appeared to be pork though instead of pigs it seemed to come from some kind of foreign wild boar and beef imported from the griffon lands. Using a pencil from his belt he passed Shawn and Matthew copies of what he had made out.
A kirin came to the table with a paper pad and a quill. “Can I take your orders?” she asked.
The ponies ordered one by one until finally it came to Shawn, all eyes were on him for the first human to order.
“I’d like to go for the spaghetti and meatballs.” Shawn said.
“With soup or salad?” The waitress asked.
“I’ll go with a cream of broccoli soup.” He replied.
“Very well.” She smiled. “Be nice to get some meat sold rather than having to eat it ourselves.” She said turning to Matthew. “And for you?” She asked.
Matthew smiled sheepishly. “Well, I have one question, how, fresh are the fish? Do you fly them in frozen from the coast?”
“Well, Canterlot isn’t exactly coastal but the fish are frozen with the strongest cryogenic enchantment we can afford so they arrive practically still flopping.” She assured him.
Matthew smiled with a look of nostalgia. “Then I shall have the Horseshoe bay Salmon on the bed of wild rice, replace the Asparagus with one cup of steamed broccoli.” he paused a little. “I have to watch the amount of Vitamin K I consume, I miss eating asparagus.” he cleared his throat. “As for the sides, I will go with your Griffin Clam Chowder.” He smiled a little and closed his menu. “As well as some sliced lemon to place within my water if you do not mind.”
The kirin nodded making sure to get the details she turned to Taze who cleared his throat.
“I’ll start with a ribeye well done with the pale cider marinade, followed up by two bbq pheasants, a glazed ham and baked potato, two hamburgers with cheese and the goose dippers with marinara sauce.” Taze said. the waitress, the ponies and the other pony’s around them just stared. “What? I haven’t had good meat in a while.”
“And this is why I stopped by our room to grab what money I had.” Shawn chuckled lightly, tapping the pocket that had some bits in it.
“I can’t believe you ate all that!” Rainbow Dash said for the fifth time since they left the restaurant.
“It’s replacement of spent energy.” Taze said smiling as he walked.
“Replacement of what now?” Rainbow asked.
“Predatory and omnivore species need to replace the energy they spent with high protein meals.” Fluttershy answered out of the blue. “Unlike us ponies who get all we need from plants, they can’t get enough energy from fruits and vegetables and so they need to feed on other organic life forms.”
Everyone looked at Fluttershy who proceeded to squeak and attempt to make herself smaller. As well as hiding behind her long pink mane.
Matthew smiled. “That about sums it up.” He looked at the others, “What? I think it is logical she knows this, she does take care of animals near the Everfree Forest, or that is what one of the guards told me the other day.”
“What gets me is why he.” Twilight pointed to Taze. “Needed to consume several times the organic matter to replace the same amount of energy, technically even less considering Shawn is healing.”
Matthew was the one who spoke this time. “Actually speaking from personal experience, what I see is Taze my friend has a faster metabolism meaning that what is normal for Shawn or others, is just a first helping. Before the surgery that gave me these ticking valves, I had to eat about three times the average adult just to maintain body weight, I once cut back to what was a normal dinner plate and I lost five pounds in that half month, which for me back then was not something I should do, even now I am struggling just to maintain my weight from the fifth one, I lost at least ten pounds and well, for him, he needs to maintain a good diet and food intake, when some of us not eat, it can mess us up with a lot of small problems that could turn into bigger ones depending on how our genetic makeup is.”
Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight, “Uh, translation for those of us not eggheads?”
“What he is saying that some types of their species burn off the food consumed at a faster rate than others, making them either eat bigger meals at one time or more frequent eating than others.”
Rainbow looked at AJ. “Translation of the translation?”
“He’s their Pinkie Pie” AJ explained.
“Ooh! Why didn’t you just say that?” Rainbow asked. Behind Rainbow Dash, Matthew could only smile and chuckle a little bit at what he just saw, while he felt like a third wheel with the group, he was happy to observe what was happening.
“So what now?” Pinkie asked hopping all over the place.
Taze felt a weird rhythmic pulsing in the ground. “What's that?” He asked.
“Ooh thats DJ Pon3’s Nightclub!” Pinkie Pie said happily. “It’s like a all night party, but I’m not allowed in there again.” Her ears lowered a bit.
“She got into the hard cider, it wasn’t pretty.” Rainbow whispered.
“DJ Pon3 huh? I think I may check this out, I’ll catch you guy later.” Taze said wandering off.
Matthew looked at Taze wandering off and heading towards the source of the vibrations. “Uh, anyone or pony going to keep an eye on him?”
Rainbow Dash looked at Matthew with a fierce look. “Why not go follow him yourself?”
“Those places have loud music, beats that you can feel through your entire body, and it makes my heart feel funny. I think I will stick with the more classical of realms.” He smiled sadly, “Frankly I want to be alive for a long time to come.”
Rainbow Dash shook her mane. “Then I guess I can keep an eye on him, anypony else want to come along?” She looked at the others.
“I think I’ll pass.” Shawn said pulling a small orange bottle from one of his front pockets a little bit to put emphasis on why.
Matthew smiled a little. “Come on, let’s leave the party stuff to the younger crowd. Let’s go back to the room and talk about how it was better in our youth.” They all could tell he was joking around a bit. “See you all tomorrow at noon for the wedding.”
three hours of heavy music, colored lights and at least, in Rainbows case, pints of hard cider later the two of them walked into the castle. Taze had insisted on carrying Rainbow Dash home seeing as her attempt to fly out of the building had caused her to run headfirst into the roof ...twice
After dropping off the inebriated, that was right he could use big words too, pegasus into her room. He headed back to there room casually walking in.
Matthew was staring up at the wall and had a frown and moved to punch his pillow in frustration. “Gah,” he looked up and paused to only smile weakly at Taze. “Can’t sleep, I, I miss bunny.”
“Stuffed animal?” Taze smirked.
“Yeah, I had it with me since surgery number two… which was in third grade.” He frowned, “The last two weeks, I was able to handle it but it’s gotten to me now.” He closed his eyes. “I can still picture him, well worn, velveteen rabbit almost in how loved it was, and an heirloom,” he chuckled a little bit. “It was made by a company based in a nation north of mine, you might like it, Canada is the name and a bit different than my home.” He sighed and lay back down resting his head on the pillow. “I think it is just the forefront I, I’m homesick.” It seemed he had just placed the real problem of his emotions.
Taze reached under his chestplate pulling something from around his neck and over his head. He opened his palm revealing a brass locket. unclipping the top caused the front to fall forward, on the left side a piece slid off from the top, on the right a twin piece moved from the bottom. Each piece and the top and bottom held a picture. “I miss my home too Matt.” he said “You know this locket was my inheritance from my grandmother, the one I told you about? Her father worked for the romanoffs? I had planned to pass this to either my son or my nephew if I never had a son.” he said “Now it’s pretty much lost to my family. Her legacy, her family.”
He pointed to the top picture. “That’s my grandfather,” he pointed to the left, “My father and his younger brother,” the one on the right, “His older brother” and the bottom, “And her, every time I think about how they must have reacted when I vanished, it worries me to the bone, that’s why I’m looking for distractions Matt, thinking about it is too much.” He sighed his face was red and Matthew could almost see tears. “But as long as I have this, I can carry a piece of them with me”
Matthew slowly nodded, “I think we must feel what our ancestors felt when they traveled to the new world, leaving behind family, and their past.” He grimaced, “Thank you for sharing that with me. I wonder if their are any spells that will help keep that intact for a long long time, like a preservation spell.” He moved a little stiffly. “I, I think I am going to take a walk around the castle.” He looked at Taze and smiled weakly. “I have to come up with something to distract me with, if my mom saw what I did to that pillow she would have yelled at me not to do it because I could bruise myself.” he moved and slowly walked to the door. “See you all later.”
“See you later.” Taze said collapsing the locket and replacing it around his neck. “If you ever need to talk...” he said. “I’ve got good ears.”
Matthew turned at the door and smiled, a little warmer. “I might do that. Treasure that picture, I, I need to look again to see if I have any pictures, but treasure it.”
“That goes for you too Shawn.” Taze said getting ready to sleep. “We’re in this together you know.” Taze noted looking through his belt before laying it on the edge of the bed and laying down. Soon he was asleep.
After a while Shawn turned from his spot at the writing desk they had and faced Tazes sleeping form. He stared for a moment before turning back to the document he was writing. “I know.” He mumbled, he rolled up the parchment and added it to the large collection hidden behind the books on the top row of their bookshelf. “I know…”
Outside Matthew had found an open balcony and just stood there leaning on his arms as he looked up at the sky and the stars. He smiled sadly and softly. “The sky is beautiful.” He bowed his head and finally cried. He didn’t want to do it in front of his friends but here in the open he slowly sank to sit on the stone floor of the balcony and let it out. In his mind he had not cried this much since the death scene in the movies Of Mice or Men, Saints and Soldiers, when Kittyhawk passed or his grandparents. He let it all out in loud wet sobs and sniffles. He had enough and just pulled his legs up to his waist and continued to cry. Remembering his father, his mother, his brother and sister in law, as well as his two year old niece. He would never see them again. He felt sick and light headed from the crying and it wasn’t till a half hour later that he had slowly calmed down, as he did so he slowly moved to lay on his back on the balcony and watched the moon and stars, at least until a voice from above startled him enough that he felt his entire body leave the stone floor for a second before crashing down as the pain of adrenaline coursed now through his body.
“You okay human?” He didn’t smile at the joke this time and ignored his friend at the moment just staring up and focused on his family.
He ignored her up until she landed on the Balcony and poked her head into his vision. “What’s wrong with you? Usually your Mr. Happy.”
Matthew turned his head away but muttered out an answer. “Star gazing, thinking of home, wishing I had pictures of my family.”
Moonshade looked up to the sky. “So you came out to look at the stars?”
Matthew slowly nodded his head. “Yeah, if I wish or dream hard enough, I can imagine that instead of being in another section of the multiverse, or something. I can imagine that I am seeing my star out there somewhere, and they looking back at me.” He closed his eyes a little to try and stop another burst of crying. He did not succeed in that endeavor.
He heard movement and felt a hoof on his chest. “I miss my family as well, Seems the nobles of Canterlot dislike the idea of too many of us around. The only Thestrals in the city are those in Luna’s guard, my family while not as far away as yours, is still pretty far.”
Matthew looked over to Moonshade and smile. “Thanks,” he did smile a little at seeing Moonshade’s confused look. “For trying to make me feel better.” He moved his head to look back up at the stars. “Maybe I can visit your folks… if they don’t mind a lost soul like mine trying to find surrogate parents.”
Moonshade chuckled, “We’ll have to see. Not due for a leave till another six months but we will have to see about that.” At the moment while they talked about parents what Matthew said both knew was just talk, and no real energy to actually do what he said. Heedless of the actions to come, it still felt good to just get some thoughts and ideas off one’s chest.