//------------------------------// // Playing With Long, Hard Things // Story: STA Extras // by KingNyroc15 //------------------------------// "So where have you been?" Soren asked Nyra. The batpony mare returned to Ponyville after being gone for a few months. Ever since 'that night,' she left with a goodbye and hasn't been back since. "I was just exploring the land, looking for a good place to settle down." Soren smiled at her. She really has come a long way. From the way she talks to the way she acts, Nyra was definitely a better pony than the Nightmare Guardian she used to be. They strolled through Ponyville as they caught up with each other. "Don't like Ponyville that much?" He would feel a tad hurt if that was the case. She laughed. "Of course I do! That's why I'm here. I just wanted to see the other cities." "It's been months..." "A girl has to see all the cites. Cider definitely helps wasting more time though. Rough mornings." Soren shook his head. Nyra now sounded sad. "I couldn't see Canterlot." He stopped. "They wouldn't let me in. Not that I blame them because of what I did." "They're just thinking of ponies' well-beings. Don't think of it as something personal. I still like you." She smiled, showcasing two of her fangs. "Tell you what..." Nyra ears perked up. "How about I show you Canterlot? I'm sure they'll let you in if I'm with you. If not...we could always sneak in." "Soren," Nyra pretended to sound disappointed in him. "I didn't take you for the trouble-making type. Shame on you." "I've caused havoc everywhere I go. Sneaking into to Canterlot will be the most innocent. I'll go let our friends know where we're going." "Our friends?" "Yes, Nyra. They're your friends too. You're one of us now. Part of the family." She ran up and hugged Soren. It's hard to think this innocent and lonely mare used to lead an army and tried to kill me. ---------------- After Soren explained his plan to Twilight, she decided to send a letter to Shining Armor. She nicely asked him (also saying pretty please a few times) to give Soren and Nyra the tour of the castle. Within the hour, Shining gave in and accepted. He explained that he was somewhat free this week and that giving those two a tour would most likely be an interesting day. Soren was half-tempted to see if Shining Armor was wary of Nyra. Soren and Nyra took the early train the next day to Canterlot. They arrived within a few hours and trotted towards the castle. Nyra took in all the scenes of the capitol; it was definitely different when you weren't strategically planning an assault on it. It didn't take them long to reach the castle, and when they did they were immediately stopped by four palace guards at the front gate. "Halt! State your name and business!" Nyra took a step back. Soren put a hoof on her shoulder then stepped closer to the guards. "Soren Melody and Nyra. We were promised a tour of the castle by Shining Armor himself." A unicorn guard was told to fetch the captain while the other three continued to point their spears at the two ponies. Soren and Nyra sat down after a few minutes and waited. They sprang up upon hearing a new, commanding voice. "Let them through, guards!" Shining armor shouted with authority from atop the wall. "They were approved to enter ahead of time. We can trust them." Two of the guards exchanged glances with each other then at Nyra, who refused to make eye contact. The three guards stepped aside as the gates began to open. As Soren and Nyra stepped into the courtyard, Shining Armor met them halfway. "It's been quite a long time since we've met, Soren," the captain said. "How have you and the girls been?" "Pretty good. We added another mare to our clique." He gestured to Nyra, who was being surprisingly quiet. "...and Twilight and her friends are ok with that?" "Of course. Why? Don't think she can fit in?" "I wasn't saying—" "Not to be rude, but I'm getting a little tired of Nyra being shunned for her past mistakes. I get it, she was evil, but she's done with that. I made sure of it. She's a normal pony now; I don't care what others think." Instead of feeling irritated by Soren's outburst, Shining smiled then patted his shoulder. "And that is the kind of dedication I like in a pony. You're a good pony, Soren. She's lucky to have you." "We're lucky to have each other. Nyra?" She looked up at him. "Feeling alright?" "Just feeling a little out of place." Shining smiled at her. "Don't worry. I don't think negatively of you. If Soren trusts you, I do as well. You're in good hooves." The three began walking into the castle, Shining asking Soren to walk slightly ahead to whisper to him. "How do you and Nyra feel about each other? Honestly." "She has quite the crush on me." "I can tell you both have a connection. More than friendship most likely." "Ask Twilight if you really want to know. Not something to say to just anyone. Just ask her about 'that one night.' If she tells you, have fun. If not, maybe I'll tell you at some point." "Awkward night?" "It shouldn't be." "Soren seemed to really enjoy it," Nyra commented out of nowhere. She now walked along the two stallions. "Did you two forget I'm a batpony?" She tapped her ear. "Amateurs." She smiled and trotted slightly ahead of them. "She's something though," Soren said to Shining. "You like her?" Soren looked down. "There's no harm is being really close to another mare, so long as you don't ruin a relationship because of it. A girl like Rainbow Dash shouldn't mind, especially after 'that night.'" Soren snapped his head to Shining. "What? Twilight is my sister. We tell each other everything, and you didn't tell her to keep it a secret. You're quite the lucky stallion though." Soren blushed. During the tour, Shining Armor showed Soren and Nyra the guard training grounds, the throne room (Celestia was pleased to see Soren again), the library, the observatory, and the ballroom. It was between midday and sunset when the trio arrived in the armory. Soren and Nyra gasped out a 'wow' as they gazed upon the stone flooring, white walls, and various weapons. "Welcome to the Canterlot Armory," Shining Armor announced as he swept a hoof across the medium-sized room. "Do you mind...?" Soren pointed to the swords. "As long as I'm here supervising you. I still have to ask if you've had previous training." "Of course. Plus I wouldn't have it in me to become hostile to innocents." "Just be careful." Soren nodded then scanned the room. He gasped and practically dove for a particular blade. Sitting and holding it in his hooves, Soren marveled at... "A broadsword... Simple. Clean cut. Slightly heavy but makes it up with strength. Not easily blocked and fairly reliable." "So you do know something about blades," Shining said. "It's a small hobby ironically." "Well, Soren," Nyra smirked as she walked over to the swords. "As a mare, I think I would know more about swords and how to work them." She winked at him. He thought it over for a second then understood the joke. "Are you really going to make innuendos about this?" "I bet I can do it better than you." "That means two things. Do you really want to make a contest out of this?" Nyra picks up a longsword and begins stroking it gently. "Let me explain how to clean your sword." Soren rolled his eyes while Shining decided to remain silent in order to see where things went. "First you have to start with the head," Nyra continued sensually. "I like to polish it slowly, but sometimes being rough is better." "But if you're too rough, you'll scratch it. Some may like that but you have to be sweet to your blade if you want it to have a 'nice finish.'" "I can't argue with that. Wet finishes are always the best, especially if the sword was dirty to begin with. How about we talk about sheathes?" "Sweet Celestia..." "You need to have a firm grip on the sheathe before you stick it in." Soren was already chuckling; Nyra wasn't even trying to be subtle anymore. Nyra put the sword in its sheath then had an idea. Looking at Soren with playful eyes, she began slowly moving the sword in and out of the sheath. Both Soren and Shining blushed slightly. "Is she always like that?" Shining asked. "Yeah," Soren almost whispered. "And you're sure you don't like her?" "When did I say that?" "Just buck already!" a random guard passing in the hallway shouted into the room. Nyra smirked. "Oh, we have! And we might do it again..." She looked at Soren with sultry eyes. "No. That was a one time thing," Soren replied evenly. "Aww." Nyra appeared sad but quickly became happy. "Well that was fun!" She trotted past Soren and Shining, brushing her tail under the former's chin. "Shall we continue with the tour? I would love to see Luna again." Shining and Soren exchanged glances of shock. "And Twilight wonders why that night happened," Soren said finally.