//------------------------------// // Confrontation // Story: All In // by blowngasket //------------------------------// Confrontation Luna was rendered completely motionless. Everything was looking up to be such a wonderful day, but all it takes is one completely unexpected and unwelcoming experience to ruin it. For her, it was the situation she was currently trapped in. It began with taking a nice hot shower to prepare her for the night. Relaxing and wonderful, it was easy to lose track of time when it came to bathing. She was quite content with singing happy little show tunes while thinking about the upcoming ceremonies tomorrow. Finishing her shower, she walked out of her personal bathroom with towel wrapped tightly around her. That is when her day came crashing down with the paralyzing sight in front of her. "Good evening, Princess Luna. You have quite the lovely voice, but I personally prefer jazz." It was the embodiment of her nightmares for almost two years, sitting in one of her chairs casually, one leg crossed over the other and hands folded together in his lap. Her eyes remained focused on his mask, though, gazing at her with it's frightening glare that she knew all too well. "Before you plan on either screaming or calling for the guards, please hear me out." "Wh-What are you-" "Doing in your room?" Perry finished her question as she remained silent, nerves still on edge."Not to cause you any harm, I assure you," Perry chuckled from behind his mask, the echo magnifying the fright factor for the nearly naked princess. "Well, I wanted to see you earlier, but the guards seemed highly reluctant to let a civilian simply wander the corridors of the castle without a good reason. Didn't help that apparently they were specifically told to never let me in unaccompanied, which is rather unfortunate since this is a private matter to be discussed." "H-H-How-" "Did I manage to get in? Silly Luna! Asking questions one should know the answer to." Luna backed up against the wall the moment Perry rose from his seat. He began walking towards her, slowly and casually. Holding out her hands defensively as he got closer, she watched him walk past her and into the bathroom. "It would be rude of me to not offer you a chance to change in private, though I must insist on talking with you, so please refrain from doing something we would both regret." As much as she wanted to, she was to nervous as to what he might do if she did end up going for help. It didn't seem like he had any ill intent towards her, despite his highly illegal entrance. As he shut the door, she did as instructed and quickly got changed into her evening attire. "Make this quick!" Luna yelled from her room, Perry casually opening the door and walked back into the room. Luna pointed towards the seat forcefully, trying to avoid showing anymore fear towards the man. Perry happily obliged, walking over and taking a seat once again. "You obviously don't want me here, so I shall get to the point. I request a change of guard for Princess Twilight Sparkle for tomorrow's coronation ceremony." Luna began wondering about such an odd request, especially with everything already set up. Shining requested that position personally. Being Twilight's brother as well as captain of the guard, Prince of the Crystal Empire, and the current King of T.E.S.T, it was an easy response to give. "I have no reason to deny Shining the right to protect his sister," Luna responded sternly. "Can't say I didn't see this coming," Perry said, getting up from his spot. "I have been trying so hard to not be the bad guy, but sometimes one must do what one has to do. Please forgive me for this, Luna." Luna watched nervously as he reached behind his back. She put herself into a defensive position to prepare herself for whatever he might be planning. Watching and waiting, she noticed hesitation in his actions. He sighed and sat back down, covering his masked face with his hands. "I can't do this..." Perry said quietly. He reached behind his back once again, pulling out a small blue book with the word 'diary' on it. Before Luna could start screaming in anger, however, he tossed it over to her. "Why did you have this?" Luna asked, her voice teeming with resentment. Perry refused to look at her, instead staring down at his own lap. "I messed up," Perry said quietly. "I made a mistake, and almost made even more in an effort to fix it." Luna didn't quite understand what he was talking about, but at this point they were both in too deep for her not to be curious at the situation. "I'll go make some tea. Just stay here quietly for a bit, and then we shall talk." Perry nodded lightly, and sat quietly as she left the room. The thought of calling in the guards to have him arrested had crossed her mind multiple times while she walked down the long corridors. However, there was something in his tone that reminded her of something. It was so familiar, that she couldn't find the will to go through with it. This man was something she feared, and yet she couldn't do away with him, not like this. Tea set in hand, she returned to the room, her visitor still seated where he was when she left. She sighed and set down the tray, pouring her and her visitor a cup. "One or two sugars?" Luna asked more politely than he deserved. "Five please," Perry said quietly, keeping his head down. Odd request aside, he definitely didn't seem like his usual self. She fixed up his cup and handed it to him, taking a seat on her bed and sipping her tea eloquently. "So what is this about exactly?" Luna asked, getting straight to the point. "You break into my room, try and steal my belongings, and I am guessing you were going to try and blackmail me." "Yes," Perry admitted, staring down into the cup of tea. "Do you know why I wear a mask?" he asked, swirling the amber colored liquid around. "To hide your appearance?" Luna answered, unsure herself. Perry chuckled, shaking his head. "I used to think so, once apon a time, that very same thing," Perry responded, his hand reaching upwards, grasping at the edge of the white mask, shaking heavily. Luna sat quietly and watched him pull it off, still shaking nervously. "In my refusal to face the world, I built up a barrier to protect myself from it. Like a child to a blanket, even long after it's usefulness has ran out. Some cling to it as a means for comfort and protection, even though their more matured minds know that it doesn't work like that." "And this has what to do with changing up the guard for the princess?" Luna asked, finding it hard to keep her gaze off of the glowing red eye in front of her. As dark and sinister as it was, the solemn look it held was too contradictory to be understood fully. "I didn't ask for your life story," Luna said, trying to get the conversation on topic. "No, I guess you didn't," Perry said, a small smile on his face showing through. He took a sip of his tea and turned his gaze at Luna. "Catacomb has always worn a mask, though it be natural for one such as himself. I neglected to notice this until it was too late. His insecurities are far greater then he ever lets on, holding back his emotions with a combination of lies and liquor." "Are you perhaps talking about his current relationship with Princess Twilight?" Luna asked, starting to get a feel for what was going on. She figured at this point what he would say next, but held her tongue to give him a chance to speak his mind. "I am," Perry responded, looking over at Luna. "He is loading himself with doubts and fears, and I myself fear that if someone doesn't help him out of his cycle, he will be too far gone to come back," he finished his statement, taking another sip of the tea and frowning slightly. "My efforts have only succeeded in worsening the situation, so here I am, stealing your belongings in an effort to coerce you into cooperating with my plan," Perry chuckled, knowing how stupid his plan had sounded once it came out of his mouth. Luna took a sip from her glass and stared at Perry, shaking her head slightly. "It would have probably worked, though I would not be happy with you afterwards," Luna admitted. "Why not bring this to the attention of Twilight, though. She would be far better suited than you for dealing with this situation." "Cata has been avoiding her, as well as everyone recently. If I told her that he has been purposely keeping his distance, how do you think she would react?" Perry asked nervously. "In a completely calm and rational manner considering the circumstance," Luna said, finishing her tea. She stood up and began walking around the room, her pacing a means to help calm her own nerves. "Someone like you, trained for the worst, has a hard time dealing with outcomes that are genuinely easy. Not everything has to be strategically played out. Try being straight and upfront about the situation, instead of tackling it like an adversary." "I guess I understand." Perry said, finishing off his tea as well, placing the mask back into place once he was finished. "Still, I would be indebted to you if you were to grant this request regardless Princess Luna. He is still my friend, after all, and I would like to see him smile again." Luna clasped her forehead and shook it gently. "I will not take Shining off, but I shall arrange to have two guards instead of one. But in return..." Perry waited patiently for the request, his morale already improving with the news. "...never do this again." Luna said, staring at the man. "It's bad enough that I have to improve personal security, but while I was taking a shower?! Do you realize how embarrassed I was?!" Perry laughed calmly as Luna tried to be angry while blushing. "I must admit, had my trust not been tested, I might have attempted to steal a peek myself." Perry said slyly, already returning to himself. He get up and held his hand out politely. Luna looked at it nervously before taking it in hers and shaking. "Thank you again." "Your welcome, Perry." Luna said halfheartedly. She still felt somewhat coerced into this agreement, but at least her secrets were safe. "Before you go, I must admit I am curious. Why do you still need your mask?" "Because despite all that has happened, I am still no more than a fool," Perry said honestly. "Also, I have noticed that you have attempted to drop the silly royal 'we' thing." "Only in private, really. Sister said I should practice so I may one day be able to speak normally. Now if you don't mind, get out!" Luna said pointing to both the door and the window. At this point she didn't really care, she just wanted him gone. She might learn to tolerate him one day, but for now, she needed a time out from the crazy. Perry happily obliged, walking towards the balcony and leaping off, letting his magic do the work from there on. Luna walked over towards the spot where he remained seated for most of the time and grinned slightly. Even if it was in her head, she managed to fend of the mighty monster and lived to tell the tale. She went to grab the book he threw on the ground, but stopped as she noticed a note where it used to lay. Will return when finished. Sincerely, Perry.