Mending Light

by Kiromancer


9 - Nightfall

We rushed to the train station. Not quite running, but a hard enough pace that my legs burned. The train station was well lit at least. Dusky raised a hoof and we slowed to a canter. Glancing about, she quickly moved over to the restrooms, then waved me into the stallion's room.

Our hooves echoed in the emptiness. Dusky quickly checked the stalls for occupants, then turned on one of the faucets. I watched her dig through her saddle bag in silence. She was hardly injured, save a few cuts and the line of blood drying on her muzzle. I felt like I could collapse at any moment, but she knew just what to do.

She produced a little medical kit, and began to take care of my wounds. I watched dumbly as she cleaned off the blood and evened out the hair over the cuts. I tried to stop myself from flinching, but couldn't help it. The caress of her hooves, combined with the tenderness of the wounds was nearly too much. She frowned, occasionally looking over her shoulder at the door, as if at any moment our assailants would burst in.

My wing needed some additional attention; one of the hits had ripped a stitch out. Most of the blood had soaked into the bandaging, but thankfully those wounds were nearly healed. Dusky redressed the wing, wrapping bandages gently around me, then proceeded to patch up a long cut along my neck. In the end, I didn't look nearly as bad as I felt.

Dusky stepped back and looked over her hoofwork. "There. That's about as good as I can do. Best I can tell, there's nothing particularly serious, but you should get a professional’s opinion once we get back."

I flexed, feeling the bandages wrapped just tight enough. "U-um, okay.  I... w-what about you?"

She was already looking in the bathroom mirror, her eyes taking in every detail. The blood worried me, but she seemed to take it in stride. "I've had worse."

"T-the way you fought... I c-can believe it." She was more amazing than I could have possibly imagined. "Wh-where did you learn to d-do that?"

She rinsed her face, cleaning off the blood and sweat. She pulled her head up, taking a towel in hoof to wipe off the water. "My mom."

My eyes went wide. "W-wow... she m-must be quite the mare."

"You could say that." She finished her clean-up effort, giving herself one last look in the mirror.

She glistened, the last sheen of water upon her mane dripping away as she turned back to look at me. There was a poetry in her movements I'd never noticed before, now revealed to be athletic grace. She was beautiful, and now I could see her in a new light. She stared into my eyes, and I was helpless to do anything but stare back. The moment seemed to stretch on into eternity.

"Night Flurry? You okay?"

I fell away from those sapphire depths and became uniquely aware of where we were. I dropped my head down, running my hoof along the line between two tiles. "I-I, y-yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure your injuries aren't getting to you?"

It was embarrassing, and wonderful, in a way, that feeling. But now was not the time. I nodded, not meeting her eyes again.

She turned her attention back to her field kit, moving quickly to replace the supplies, both the used and the unused, all shoved in as fast as she could manage. She set it all back into her flight satchel, and stepped towards the door.

"All right. We'd better get going, then. If anyone asks, a stack of crates fell on you."

I watched her work, every movement was intentional, even if I wasn't quite sure what she was doing. I stared past her, watching as she stowed the last of the waste away. "U-um, okay. But why—"

"Because it's pretty conspicuous. We don't want to leave evidence that we were here." She headed towards the door, nodding her head back out into the train station. "Now come on."

We walked through the still silent station as quickly as we could without breaking into a full gallop. Nearing the ticket booth, Dusky held up a wing, motioning me to stop. I just waited as she moved towards the stallion. I twitched nervously, constantly looking over my shoulder, the shadows holding new dangers that I could never have considered before.

"Two for Canterlot." Dusky set down the bits with a smile.

I tilted my head, waiting for her to collect the tickets and make her way back. "U-um, Canterlot?"

She nodded, directing me towards the platform where our train was already waiting. She moved us through the last leg of the station with a glance back every few steps.

Is she really as scared as I am? I shook the thought from my head. No. She’s just cautious.

We headed back through the train to the rearmost car. I couldn't tell if this was the same train we'd arrived in or not, but we soon found ourselves in the same seats we'd rested upon only this morning. I looked across to her seat tilting my head. I was prepared to ask her any of the hundred questions that were gnawing at my mind.

She preempted my curiosity with a shake. "Not yet." Eyes to the train car door, she maintained her vigil. The silence was oppressive, and Dusky kept watch, tensing ever so slightly.

When the train finally jerked into motion, she let out a sigh.

I released the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "U-um, so... Canterlot?"

Her voice was a whisper, and she answered without looking at me, eyes still watching the door. "Yeah. It has to stop in Ponyville first, so we'll get off there."

The answer made sense, but it still didn't answer my question. "Then why?"

The train began to pick up speed, the constant noise of the wheels already beginning to fade into the background as I tilted my ears toward Dusky.

Her head didn't move, but her eyes flicked over to me and then back to the door. "In case anyone asks after us... or if the ticket vendor is working for them."

"Wh-what?" The last word hung ominously in the air. "'Th-them'?"

Now she turned her head, looking into my eyes for the first time since we'd boarded the train. It was like she was appraising me, her stare bored through me, and after only a second, it was past.

Her gaze relaxed. "Yes, 'them'. The thugs. They work for a criminal organization."

My jaw dropped with the weight of her implications. Too many scenarios played through my mind. "H-how do you know that?"

"Because I've seen him before. He was among those they sent after me."

"Wh-what?" Sent after her? Those scenarios only became more complicated. Was she a Special Ops Guard posing as a weather pony? Some kind of Superhero who had to maintain her secret identity while she battled criminals? Or perhaps a former criminal who had turned her back on her dark past. "Why would c-criminals be after you?"

"I made a naive mistake." She glanced past me, just for a moment. "I came across the site of a scuffle, tables and chairs knocked every which way. And there, in the middle of the carnage lay a scattered dossier, unattended, unguarded. It was an obvious plant. Someone wanted that information leaked, but they didn't want to take the fall for it. I was too eager, too blinded by my desire to be a hero. I took it straight to the Guard."

She'd turned them in. "Mistake? B-but it was r-real, right? I-If it could help bring down scum like that... h-how could it be a m-mistake?"

"People like that don't appreciate having their activities brought to light." She paused to look aside, as if lost. "Of course, I didn't charge straight ahead like an idiot, but my precautions were pretty nominal. I thought I was so clever, allowing myself to be interviewed under the condition of anonymity. Turns out anonymity isn't particularly helpful when some of the Guard is on their payroll."

The Guard is on their payroll. The words struck me, but I kept pushing through. "B-but that's... that's not your fault." My ears dropped. "I... I don't think I could have made any other choice."

"At the time, I thought the same thing. That's why I called it naive."

Her words were like a slap to the face. The world was so much larger that I imagined. So much more I hadn't seen or done that she had. But there was also so much more I didn't know. So many utterly horrible, terrifying things out there. Dusky was speaking from experience she knew I didn't have. "You... you r-regret it?"

She sighed. "I... I don't know. They knew where the safe house was; it wasn't even a matter of if, so much as when. The Guard who remained true to their station fought back valiantly, but... they never stood a chance."

I tried to come up with a reply, but failed. She'd been betrayed by those sworn to protect her. Those who remained true... never stood a chance. I swallowed. It’s all wrong. That's not how it's supposed to work. That's not how the stories go! That's not what... My thoughts turned to my father.

Dusky choked out her words, whispering grimly in the darkness. "I did what I had to. To survive, I... I left them behind; fled into the night."

I stared into my reflection in the darkness of the window. I could almost see him looking back at me. We have a duty. To protect Equestria, and everypony who lives within it. To honor the gifts we have been given, and to respect the others with whom we share those gifts. Not to destroy. Not to hurt. 

I asked him in a low tone, as if I expected a response. "H-how... how can ponies even d-do things like that? I-I don't understand." He had no answer. I turned back to Dusky. "You did what was right. And i-if you did nothing else but survive, you w-won. If you had d-died, then... it would have been for nothing!"

"Shhh!" Dusky glared, raising a hoof to her lips. Her eyes moved from me to the door.

I waited. My ears dropped slowly as the silence surrounding us once again.

When nothing else happened, she looked back at me, voice a whisper once again. "No. It wasn't a victory; it was... barely getting by. And then I... I couldn't let it go. I found some Guard I could trust and they raided the operation, but the criminals knew they were coming. The Guard 'won' only by the strictest definition."

None of it was right. None of it was how it should have been.

"They came for me again, during the raid." Dusky continued. "I didn't hold back; none of us did. They lost someone important that day, but all that did was make me a target. And at what cost? How many lives?"

"B-but you did the right thing!" I struggled to keep my voice low. I needed to believe it. "I... I-if nopony else will stand by you, then I will. I sw-swear it!"

She raised a hoof to her lips and I let my vow linger. "Look... Night Flurry, I appreciate the sentiment, but you're better off putting as much distance between us as possible. The sooner you do, the safer you'll be."

"I-I don't care. I c-can't leave you now; it wouldn't be..." My heart raced.  I pulled up to look her in the eyes, and every fiber of my being told me it was true. "...it wouldn't be right."

"Rarely is it ever that simple." She met my eyes, then let out a sigh. "Besides, we don't need anymore heroes. Promise me you won't try to be a hero. Because heroes, they..." She broke her gaze.

I hesitated. After everything she had told me, after what she'd been through, both tonight, and before, here she was telling me she didn't need a hero. No. That wasn't it. I flexed my bandaged wing against its bandages, the dull pain reminding me of my stupid lunge. She didn't need me to be that kind of hero.

I sighed. “O-okay then I… I p-promise I won’t be a hero. I’ll j-just do what I can to h-help.”

She tilted her head at me, raising an eyebrow. “Are you really sure about this? This isn't some game; it will be neither short nor easy.”

I was committed. Not only to her cause, but to her.  I slid off the train seat, stepping over to her and cautiously raising a hoof to set against her shoulder. We’re just friends… but… but she needs me for this. “H-hey… Don’t worry about me. I l-learned my lesson. I’ll b-be careful.”

She looked at my hoof a moment, then followed it back to look me in the eyes. “I hope so. There is little room for error in what lies ahead.”

I gave her a nod, and tried my best to smile.

“All right.” She returned the nod, then lowered her head to rest it on her forehooves. “Well, in any event, we should rest and conserve our energy, just in case.  But don’t fall asleep.”

I withdrew my hoof, looking at her resting on the seat. “Um, o-okay.” I stepped away, back to my seat, and settled down in the same position she rested in. No more heroes. As the train continued to move through the countryside towards home, I pondered just what exactly that meant.

---

The train arrived in Ponyville without incident. After everything that had happened, I wanted to be sure Dusky was safe, but she insisted she could make it home by herself. Instead, she let me walk with her through town.

Ponyville was quiet in those early hours, and we didn't talk as we made our way through town. At last, Dusky gestured for me to stop. She smiled softly, and motioned me back, and then continued walking home. I wanted to follow, but knew that I shouldn't. I wondered if I’d even be able to, or if she’d simply find a way to vanish from my notice. The times she’d slipped out of my sight when I’d tried following her so many months ago suddenly held a new perspective.

I watched her go until she was too far to see in the darkness. That was the end of our day together, the trip to Fetlock. And with all the weight of it in my mind, I breathed out a long sigh and trotted back to the clinic, and the room I was using until I could fly home.

Nurse Redheart hadn't been happy to see me, and the makeshift excuse Dusky had given me didn't seem to impress her. She’d insisted on redressing the wounds herself, but she at least commented that they’d been treated well. The burst stitch beneath my wing had nearly been healed, and thankfully no additional damage had been done. Just another few days and I’d be airborne again.

I’d spent the next day walking the town, trying to process everything that had happened.  I went to the bar that night, but Dusky hadn't shown up. I checked her shift schedule, her next one being a few days off, and best I could think was she’d been trying to lay low.

It was the next night that my path took me to through the park. I wanted to lay back on a cloud and watch the stars, but the closest thing I could do until Redheart declared my wing fully healed was the stargazing hill.

I wasn't paying too much attention, honestly, lost along the pathways of my mind. I thought about Dusky and the criminals after her. About the train ride in, and the games, and the waterfall. The ice sculptures, and all the beautiful things… along with all the horrible ones. I didn't know what to think. And then I heard her voice again.

“Aren't you a little young to be looking for a job?” She was standing not too far ahead, with a filly who seemed to be having a deeper conversation with the dirt than with Dusky.

I slipped forward, stopping a few feet away to call out. “Hey D-Dusky!”

Damned stutter.

She looked over her shoulder and nodded at me. “Hi, Night Flurry.”

I walked up alongside her, glancing down at the young pony whom was occupying Dusky's attention.

The filly was covered in dirt, digging a hole in the middle of the park, and seemed rather upset with the entire process. She muttered something as I came closer. “Oh, great, another one.”

I continued to smile, although I wasn't quite unsure what was being discussed. “H-hi. Um… w-who is this?”

Dusky paused. “I don’t think I caught your name.”

The filly wasn't even looking at us as she dug at the ground. “Aster.”

“Nice to meet you, Aster. I’m Dusky,” She raised a hoof to herself, then waved it towards me. “And this is Night Flurry.”

“Mmm.” Aster didn't seem to care, more concerned with her task, planting a sunflower into the hole she’d dug.

Dusky continued with the line of thought that my arrival seemed to have interrupted. “Anyway, as I was saying, you might want to think more carefully about the difficulty of juggling school and a job at your age. Besides, I suspect that offer was for a bit farther into the future than immediately.”

Offer? “W-what? H-her? A job?”

Dusky nodded to me. “She’s apparently in with the park gardeners.”

“B-but she’s just a filly.”

“Exactly.”

Aster, meanwhile, had finished whatever task she’d set out to do, and was tired of whatever point Dusky was trying to make with her. “You’re dumb. Just ‘cause I’m a filly, doesn't mean I’m helpless.”

She bent down to grab her bucket in her teeth and headed away, leaving behind only the sunflower she’d planted.

Something wasn't quite right with that filly. I watched her go, wondering if we shouldn't go after her to make sure she was alright. “U-um…”

“Don’t worry about it.” Dusky shook her head, apparently considering the exact same thing. “Whatever her deal is, it’s not worth it. It’ll sort itself out when she realizes that reality doesn't match her expectations.”

Aster was nearly gone, knowing exactly where she was heading. Although, that final destination in life was never where you expected it to be. “I hope s-so.”

We watched until she crested a hill, and then was gone. With that, Dusky turned to me and smiled. “How are your wounds treating you?”

I lowered my head. “O-oh, they’re, um,  a b-bit sore.” I lifted back up, not wanting her to be concerned. There wasn't really much to be concerned about now. “But they’re healing!”

“What are you doing out here, anyway? Getting restless?”

“Um, y-yeah, you could say that.” I glanced over towards the stargazing hill. She’d seen right through me. I didn't have any reason, but somehow I felt a little embarrassed by the whole thing. “I thought I m-might enjoy the sunset.”

She looked up, then tilted her head towards me with a sad smile. “You don’t get to see many of those, do you?”

“No... “ If I was awake before the sunset, I didn't often stop to watch it. I usually had paperwork to do, or some other preparations. And then, once I was in the air for my weather shift, it was already gone. “N-not many sunsets, no.”

Dusky pointed to the hill. “Wanna head up there? Sunsets are usually best seen from higher up.”

“O-okay.” I wished I could fly again. I wished I could go even higher with her. The thought of sharing a sunset with Dusky was… amazing. “That sounds n-nice.”

She headed towards the hill, and I followed. The top didn't take long to reach, the hill wasn't anything too high, just enough to let somepony sneak a peek over the tree tops of the Everfree or Whitetail Woods.

We prepared to settle down when somepony else arrived at the hill with us. I turned to find Dusky staring at the new mare. Her coat was almost the same charcoal shade as Dusky’s, capped by a pale violet mane, and a headband holding her hair back from her eyes.

The mare was locked on Dusky, and the hairs on the back of my neck rose. “Hello, you u-um… here to watch the sunset t-too?”

The tension was thick, and I cautiously moved closer to Dusky. She remained fixated on the other mare, and I began to worry more. Was this like Fetlock? More of… 'them'?

I tried to glean something, some clue. “Um… e-excuse me… what’s your name?” I looked to Dusky, trying to find some reaction, some hint of recognition to help me. “Do you t-two know each other?”

As if my words were a signal, the mare lunged forward, wings opened, swinging her hoof at Dusky.

I staggered back in surprise, but Dusky was ready. She stepped away, punching back.

The mare parried and pushed Dusky backwards. She tried to strike, but the mare seemed to take it into account, not even moving.

I froze as Dusky went on the offense.  My hooves were shaking. I wanted to help, more than anything, but Dusky’s words played through my mind again. No more heroes. I’d seen what Dusky could do, she’d beaten two thugs with hardly a scratch, while I’d only barely managed to fight off one. She’d be fine. She didn't need me.

The fight gave lie to my hopes. Dusky tried to counter, but the other mare pushed past with a strike to her head. Dusky blocked, but couldn't push her back, and then Dusky buckled, letting the mare go over. Dusky pushed her aside, but the fight was taking a toll on her.

The other mare staggered, then returned her gaze to Dusky. It was my chance. I couldn't sit back and watch, not while her life was on the line. I could at least buy her time to recover. With no choice left, I charged.

The mare turned to me, raising one eyebrow.  Then, a smile on her face as if she’d been waiting for me to make a move. She changed her stance immediately, ready to meet me head on.

Dusky’s voice cut through the air in ragged breaths. “Ni… Night! ... W-wait!”

I dug in my hooves, halting my charge.  The mare glanced back at Dusky, and instantly relaxed her stance. “B-but… she…”

“I… it’s okay…” Dusky tried to catch her breath. “It was… a… a—”

“Pop quiz.” The mare glared at Dusky.

I was shaking. Those words weren't right. Was this all just some elaborate prank at my expense? No one was laughing. “A… pop quiz?”

The mare turned back to me and watched me. “That’s right.” Her tone said it as if I should have known all along.

I snapped. After everything that had happened in Fetlock, this was supposed to be some kind of stupid test? What kind of pony could possibly be so cruel? “Is… is that s-supposed to be some kind of joke?”

Dusky managed to come over, seemingly recovered. Her tone was more annoyed than angry. “Mom, what did I tell you last time?”

I blinked. “Mom…?” I glanced at the mare, then at Dusky, holding up a hoof. The charcoal coat was a hint, of course… and now that I looked, the similarities between the two was obvious. I deflated, totally unsure what was even happening now.

“Yes, I know. But not every fight is going to show up when it’s convenient for you. I waited until the filly was gone, didn't I?”

“I understand that, but this is also the kind of place where somepony else might call the Guard.  Or get the wrong impression.”  Dusky looked at me. “And yes, Night Flurry, this is my mom, the mare who taught me how to fight.”

It was all so matter-of-fact. I could barely even process it. “O-oh… y-yes, um, th-that mom.”

She continued to watch me, as if expecting me to make some other move. “Hmph, and you are?”

I started. “Oh, um… s-sorry. I’m Night F-Flurry… Mrs…?”

“Ward. Windy Ward. But you can call me Windy.” She looked back at Dusky with a smile. “And don’t worry about that. There won’t be any problems with the Guard.”

It seemed Mrs. Ward was already done with me. “Um, n-nice to meet you?”

Dusky stood firm against her mother. “And the ponies we freaked out? Being able to talk the Guard down doesn't guarantee they won’t be forming their own impression.”

“They’ll get over it.” Mrs. Ward looked at me again. “Unless you’re talking about him. Then he needs to get himself sorted.”

I shrank at her gaze. “U-um? I d-do?”

“See? How’s he supposed to back you up getting all like that? He’s already kind of scrawny for a stallion; he needs something going for him. At least the postal pony has muscles.”

Dusky let out a sigh. “My friends aren't just here to be bodyguards. Besides, I can take care of myself and I’d rather they not be in harm’s way. Anyway, what are you doing here?”

Mrs. Ward moved closer to Dusky, and this time, rather than throwing a punch, she leaned in to nuzzle her daughter. “Your father and I are on our way to Canterlot. He caught wind of a few deals and you know how he gets when that happens.”

Dusky leaned in, pressing against her mother’s neck. “Of course.”

I stood back a bit awkwardly, not wanting to break in.

A deep blue pegasus stallion set down as well, balancing a large wagon behind him. I glanced from him, back to Dusky, trying to see any resemblance. It was obvious, the eyes. They both had the same kind eyes. It could only be her father.

“Bravo!” He called out in a clear voice. “You’re giving your mother more of a run for her money each time.”

Mrs Ward hmphed. “Don’t spoil her. As I was saying, since we had to fly over Ponyville anyway, we just had to stop in to check up on our favorite daughter.”

Dusky smiled, and confirmed my suspicions. “Thanks, dad.” She rolled her eyes. “Only daughter.”

“Same thing, right?”

Dusky merely grinned. “Yeah, sure. Anyway, Night Flurry, this is my dad, Splendid Speech. Dad, this is Night Flurry, a friend of mine.”

Splendid stepped over, extending a hoof. “A pleasure.”

I raised my hoof to meet his, and quickly found him firmly pumping it up and down with more strength than I was ready for. “S-same here.”

Dusky looked between her parents. “Are you heading straight there or staying overnight?”

Splendid stepped away from me and gave Dusky a sad smile. “Straight away, unfortunately. The market waits for no one.”

“That’s too bad. Maybe on the way back? Or perhaps I could stop in Canterlot?”

Mrs. Ward moved towards Splendid’s side. “Probably. We’ll see what we can do. But I think it’s time that we left. We've had a long journey and there’s still a few hours left.”

Dusky moved towards them, stepping between her parents as they nuzzled against her mane. She smiled wide, closing her eyes, and I couldn't help but smile as well. I thought of my own parents, a pang of guilt in my heart. But I’d made that choice a long time ago. 

She stepped back, and whatever I’d seen in that moment was gone.

Mrs. Ward looked back at me with a nod. “It was nice meeting you, Night Flurry.”

Splendid followed suit. “Perhaps next time we can chat for a bit.”

I nodded dumbly, the whole encounter just confusing things in my head. “Th-that would be n-nice.”

Soon, they were back in flight, Splendid carefully pulling his sky wagon while Mrs Ward flew alongside him. They waved, then continued their journey to Canterlot.

Dusky stood silent, watching them go.

I waited, alternating between watching Dusky, and following their progress until I couldn't see them any longer. “Well… your m-mother seems… um, interesting.”

“Yeah, uh, sorry about that.”

“No, no, she’s… a-amazing. I just, um…” In a flash, I realized just how close I’d come to assaulting Mrs. Ward. I looked away from Dusky, feeling my cheeks go red. “S-sorry I tried to attack your m-mother.”

Thankfully, she giggled. “I’m glad you think that. And… well, it’s no problem, really. I just didn't think you wanted one of her lessons just yet.”

This had only been a pop quiz… I cringed at the thought of what her lessons must be like. “No, um… p-probably not.”

“I must admit, I’m a bit surprised you held back as long as you did.”

I looked away. I’d wanted to help her, but at the same time, “W-well, I did make a p-promise, so, um…”

She nodded. “I’m glad you've taken it to heart.”

I raised a hoof up, then just stood there lamely. First the attack in Fetlock, now Mrs. Ward. Her words came back to me. How’s he supposed to back you up? “I, um… I’m w-working on it.”

Dusky looked back towards Canterlot, and I followed her gaze out into the sky. “Huh. Looks like we missed the sunset.”

I laughed, still not sure of what exactly we had experienced in its place, but simply glad things had turned out alright. “Th-that’s okay… things got p-pretty exciting.”

Dusky smiled at me, then her eyes traced back towards where her parents had flown. “So it did.”

---

The moon was on full display as Dusky and I parted ways. She left the park for home, but I was still a few days off before I could go home. I was awake, though, and I couldn't sleep. Not this early into the night. And the past few days had put too much in my mind.

The organization after Dusky. Heroism. Windy Ward. And of course, Dusky Down. When I stopped walking, I found my hooves had brought me to the Lusty Seapony. I stared up at the sign, wondering if the path I was walking was the right one. What other course of action could I take? I wanted to be somepony worthy to stand besides her, to help her in whatever way possible. Mrs. Ward had pointed the way. To back her up when she needed help.

I breathed in the cold winter air once again before I slipped into the bar's murky atmosphere. The hearth's glow was as welcoming as ever, and the typical night crowd was already dying down. I scanned the room, looking towards our group's usual table, but found it unoccupied. Instead, my target was sitting at the bar, levitating a glass of wine and leaning towards the barkeep with a lopsided grin.

"Oh, um... Merri! H-hey!" I called out; trotting forward as she lazily turned her head back towards me.

She waved a hoof when she saw me, that predatory grin widening. "Oi! Lover boy!"

I nervously stopped in front of her, bowing my head just slightly. "It um... it's Night."

"I know your name~."

"I... r-right. Yeah." I paused, looking down as the doubt began to weigh on me. I stammered at my words, not sure how to even approach what I wanted.

Merri watched me sputter a moment, then began to snicker. "You're cute when you're all flustered. Now come on, we're buds! Have a seat! I'll buy~."

"N-no, um... no thanks." I raised a hoof, scratching at my neck, and unable to meet her eyes. "I... wanted to a-ask you... about... t-that offer..."

"Oh? I thought you were only interested in Dusky~."

The heat rose in my face, but I shook my head to clear it away. "N-no! I mean, I... I am! I meant... your other offer. About... b-becoming a... knight." My voice dropped as I said the final word, letting it drop to the bar floor.

Her ears perked up, and she raised an eyebrow. "Wait, really? I mean... I didn't really think any Equestrians would take me up on that one. I just told Sis’ I'd give out the stuff and make the offers. I wasn't all that serious."

I nodded. "I... I need to become something more. I-if I want to help protect Dusky... o-or any of my friends... I need to be able to do more."

She mouthed out an 'ooooo', then her wide smile returned. "I think I get it." She jumped up from her seat, landing in front of me. "Alright, step one!"

"S-step one?"

"Kiss my hoof." Merri raised one hoof, presenting it before my face.

"I... w-what?" I sputtered, picturing all those old stories of knights swearing fealty to their Princess by kissing her hoof. Still, this was Merri. "I... is t-this some kind of joke?"

"Nope! This is ritually the first step to becoming a Knight of Ostfriesen." She lifted her head proudly, then tilted it just enough to see her wink at me. "On my honor."

"I... d-don't know if that helps..." I stared at the hoof, but when she did not relent, I leaned forward, bringing my lips to the hoof and gently kissing it.

As quickly as that, she withdrew it, stomping it to the floor of the bar. "Right! Step one, complete! Now then, come with me!" She rose up, heading to a small flight of stairs up to the bar's rooms.

"I... a-are..." I shook my head, terribly sure I was making a huge mistake. With a sigh, I followed up the stairs.

The second floor of the bar wasn't anything too impressive, a hallway over the length of the bar, with a over a dozen doors evenly spaced on either side. Merri stood in front of one of the furthest from the stairs, knocking loudly.

"Oi, Sis’! Open up! I got company!"

As I approached, I could hear Starshadow's voice clearly through the door. "I already told you that you cannot use the room for your... conquests while I am reading."

Merri craned her neck down to grin at me. "Nah, this time's different. He conquered me~." She fluttered her eyes at me for what felt like far too long.

Finally, the door cracked open. Starshadow tilted her head to observe first her sister, than me. "Him? He is the one who suffered from your ill-conceived magical intervention."

"Yep! And look at him! Already up and about. He's made of some sturdy stuff. I wouldn't have believed it myself, but he did it." Merri raised her hoof, waggling it before her sister's nose. "Kissed it and everything~."

Her sister blinked in surprise, opening the door all the way to look me over in a way that made me feel particularly uncomfortable. "Truly? You passed the test?" She turned to Merri, her expression becoming more of an accusation. "You actually administered the test?"

Merri nodded enthusiastically. "Sure did!"

"Were you drunk when you administered it?"

"Hey! No!" She paused, scrunching her nose. "Okay, maybe a little.  But Night has got what it takes!  He's rough around the edges, but with your training, he's sure to shine."

I interrupted, looking at Merri. "W-wait, her training? I thought you um... well... I mean... I don't really even know your s-sister..."

"Heh, nope!" Merri smirked. "I do recruiting. Sis does the training."

Starshadow bowed her head towards me. "I assure you, I am a far more competent trainer than Merriweather. I am proficient at both hoof to hoof combat, as well as several blade forms, both magical and non-magical. If you were able to best my sister, than you are prepared."

"I... don't really think I—"

Merri interrupted quickly. "He's Equestrian, Sis’. We can't hold them to the same tier as us. I admit, I held back a little. So take it easy on him, alright? Just start with the basics." She tilted her head away from her sister and gave me a wink, just out of Starshadow's line of sight.

"Hmmm. Perhaps you are right. He will be an excellent gauge how best to train other Equestrian knights." She turned around, leaving the door open as she marched back inside. "Come in, Night Flurry. We will begin with the basic tenants of Ostfriesen Knighthood and combat training drills."

Merriweather nudged at my shoulder with her muzzle, whispering to me. "You're in!" Then she followed her sister inside.

I stopped at the door frame, looking inside. It was just an ordinary room, sitting above a bar in the midst of Ponyville. But it felt like the portal to another realm. An Ostfriesen Knight. I swallowed the lump in my throat, and prayed I wasn't making a huge mistake. For Dusky. I stepped through.