Phebe headed to the surface. She dawdled none and came straightway to the police headquarters. Unlike the bricks that founded the structures of most of the city, wood upheld the police station. Its appearance resembled that of Canterlot's buildings. It was certainly more modern and elegant. Besides the wood, windows marked many locations. The color scheme was white on for the walls, deep brown for the roof, and navy blue for the trim. The word “POLICE” hung over the front gate.
Memories. She advanced. Last time I came here, I quit my job. Hah.
The moment she came inside, the receptionist, who sat behind a desk, burst from his seat and exclaimed, “Phebe!” He darted away before she could respond. “Phebe's back! Phebe's back!”
She sighed. Mostly, she didn't want the attention that would soon ensue, but she had some frustration over the childishness of the receptionist. The guy was nearly as old as she, if she remembered rightly. Being part of law enforcement, he should have acted with dignity—at least, she thought so.
Realizing that she would soon be swarmed by a crowd of fans, she teleported into the sheriff's office on the third floor. Dreading even looking at the sheriff, she faced away from him at first. Sepeartely, knowing that others would soon notice her in the sheriff's office—for it had windows—she shut and locked the door and lowered the blinds. Figuring she would be safe for the moment, she let out a heavy breath. Though, she also knew the worst part was yet to come. Any moment now.
A high-pitched voice spoke with a distinct suave tone. “Heheh, if you wanted to have a love affair, you could have come at a more discrete time.”
“Shut up.” She spun about and took the seat in front of the sheriff's desk. “I'm not here to play any of your games.” The stallion behind the desk smiled. He wore proudly the sheriff's star on his burgundy coat despite the fact that his thoroughly groomed turquoise mane contrasted unnaturally with the star.
The stallion's name was Ferris Wheel, and he was an Earth Pony. If there ever was an interesting person, he was that one. Before his days in law enforcement, he roamed the streets of Dodge City as a sexual pervert, a thief, a drug-dealer, and a murderer. He broke every law at least once. Unfortunately, he was extremely sneaky and deceptive. He knew the ins and outs of Dodge City as thoroughly as Phebe did, if not more so. Plus, he often used his “allies” and “friends” as decoys, so he could escape. For years, he remained uncaptured. However, Phebe did eventually catch him.
After his crimes were counted, he was given a death sentence—an extreme by Equestrian standard and a testament of Ferris' wicked deeds. However, that is where his life took a severe turn.
During the imprisonment before his intended execution, a certain stallion came to visit Ferris. This pony, named Aviram, was the son of the judge who had pronounced Ferris' sentence. Aviram got to know Ferris, and over the course of weeks, the two became friends. Under any other circumstances, Ferris would have rejected the friendship, but he, having to accept the consequences of his actions, was glad to have someone by his side in last days.
On his judgment day, Ferris was supposed to have been taken from prison, but to his surprise, no one showed up to take him away. On the following day, the guards at the station released Ferris without any hitches. He was a free stallion. Initially, he was joyfully surprised, but when others explained to him why he was set free, his upward swing of emotion plummeted.
As he was told, Aviram had gone to his father to beg for Ferris' pardon. The judge would not budge; if Ferris' deeds were not punished, others might get the idea that they could get away with the same evil. Therefore, Aviram asked if his life could be taken in Ferris' place. The laws of the land allowed for substitutionary punishment—that is, the punishment of one placed on another, if the latter party was willing. Aviram was willing, and his father not could deter him from the decision. Thus, Aviram took capital punishment for Ferris. Ferris was completely wrecked. He barely knew Aviram, and yet that judge's son surrendered his life for Ferris.
Ferris' life took a complete overhaul. He turned over his stash of drugs, gave away all his immense wealth, apologized to every living being he had hurt, and committed himself to the police. Phebe, being the sheriff at the time, didn't want him part of the force, but Ferris nagged for months to help. She eventually conceded. He still had some flaws, but he never stole, nor killed again. Over time, his perverseness quieted to immature humor, and at a certain point, his relationship with drugs halted all-together. Between the time she hired him and the time she quit the force, Ferris proved to be the most useful officer on her force beside herself. In fact, when she finally left, the mayor, recognizing the ex-criminal's potential, placed himin the position of sheriff.
Phebe still had one major irk against Ferris. He had an overt crush for her. For years, he spent his free time trying to woo her. Thanks to her emotionless state back then, she didn't care about his affection. Unfortunately, she now had to face him under a whole new set of circumstances and with a whole new view on life. She thus intended on great caution in case Ferris tried to pull a fast one.
Leaning forward from her chair, Phebe slammed a hoof onto the desk. “I have to warn you about a new enemy.” Well, this is a good way to start. She knew she could not mention the Changelings, so she had to keep attention away from that topic. The Guardians were the primary concern, anyway. “They've already come to this city once, but I defeated them with my Element of Harmony.”
Ferris eyed her necklace. “I always thought you were worthy of one of those,” she spoke with a grin.
“Ferris,” she retorted strongly, “I'm not joking.” Her hoof pounded the desk again. “Listen to me. They can kill, and they have the intent of killing. Multiple times, I barely escaped from their grasps.”
Grin transformed into glare. The sheriff leaned over as well and gazed into her eyes harshly. “You appear out of nowhere, and you demand help. Is that any way to treat an officer of the law?”
She cocked her head. “I haven't asked for help.”
“But, that is what you're here for, right?”
Her eyes widened slightly, and she sat back in her chair. Wearing a sheepish expression, she nodded. “Yeah. Sorry... I didn't mean to be disrespectful.” After having been a sheriff so long, she still felt comfortable telling officers what to do. Coming to terms with her fumble of respect, she lowered her head and gaze. I hope he'll still listen to what I have to say. If the Guardians have another front to worry about, we'll have a lot more room to work with and a lot more chances to beat them. After a few moments, she turned her head towards him once more. “Will you help, though? It's important.”
Ferris chuckled and smiled. “You asked nicely. That's good enough for me.” He spun around in his swiveling chair before stopping it and hopping off. “Regardless of the feelings I have for you, I owe a lot to you. So does everyone in this building. In fact, the whole city owes you their thanks.” His words sounded genuine. Usually, they were exaggerated as to get on Phebe's good side, but these sounded plain and simple. He walked to a window which viewed the city. “We will do whatever is in our power to do. So then.” He turned to her. “What do you want us to do?”
“Hm...” She frowned lightly. “I haven't determined the best course of action yet. I-”
The door to the office flung open, and a mare stormed in. She promptly shut the door behind her and locked it. “Phebe Hoshana! I should have known.” Phebe turned around to see the visitor. She didn't recognize her. Phebe noted her pale orange coat and white mane and tail, as well as the sport coat and tie which decorated her. Head held high, she looked down at Phebe and marched up to her.
“Hello... mayor Fairoh Tonto,” Ferris greeted though his tone carried disgruntlement. He was not happy to see her. “What brings you here?”
Fairoh glanced around Phebe towards Ferris. “One of your deputies told me that Phebe was here.” She resumed glaring at Phebe. “I've heard stories about you—all of them good. I don't like that.”
Phebe cocked her head and squinted with an eye brow raised. “Excuse me?” Who is she? When she had left law enforcement, the mayor was someone else. He was a calm and collected leader. How did he get replaced by this brash idiot? Who in their right mind would elect her? She already knew she wouldn't like Fairoh; nonetheless, she remained polite. “We have not been introduced.”
“No reason to.” Fairoh walked passed her and move to the window by which Ferris stood. “Sheriff, your judgment is clouded by this 'hero,' but I need you to stay focused on what's important. Therefore,” she spoke authoritatively, “I revoke any favors she asks of you.”
Ferris lowered his head and sighed. “Whatever.” He strolled back to his desk and sat down. “Phebe, I'm sorry, I can't help you.”
Having been a sheriff in Dodge City herself, Phebe understood the power that the mayor had over the sheriff. At any time, the mayor could fire that person. So, despite disliking the quick-bending of Ferris' will, she let it go. “All right. I'll leave.” As she teleported to the outside, some anger rattled her heart, but in significant part, she didn't care all that much. In the end, she figured that it worked out as best as it could. After all, she didn't want any dealings with Ferris Wheel. She will simply inform Artemis that things did not go over so well.
~~~~~
Phebe took a walk around the city. Since her leaving, little had changed. A few new buildings had been added, one or two businesses changed names, and some of the streets had been expanded, but otherwise, all was identical to how it was. As one would expect of lunch hour, The streets were bustling. That hadn't changed the slightest.
Passing by a random side street, she noticed a refurbished street sign. It caught her attention only briefly. The name was “Coaster Street.” Thinking nothing of it, she kept going.
After many strides, she thought back to the name. That sounds familiar. Figuring she had time to waste, she returned to the street and peered down it. Having given a more thorough look, she recognized it. This is where Ferris' parents lived before they passed away. If I remember right, it's named after his father Roller Coaster. She decided to traverse this side street. Small houses with small lawns marked these grounds. The streets were largely empty too. Wow, this is nice. One of the houses bore the name “Household of Coaster.” Roller Coaster was dead, so this building clearly was not in his possession any longer; nonetheless, some of Ferris' family likely lived there. His family? Without warning, a hole formed in her stomach, and she found herself unwittingly walking away. I better stay away.
This returned to the the reason she wanted to avoid Ferris in the first place. Despite his obnoxious attitude and over-the-top crush for her, she didn't mind him too much. She wanted to avoid Ferris because of to whom he was tied—that is, his brother Flame Tosser.
Flame possessed a clean record, and he was a noble person. In fact, he occasionally assisted in stopping Ferris' illegal activities. Phebe's problem with Flame was not of his known deeds; rather, she feared Flame for what he and she had done together in secret. Trying to forget, she shook her head before returning to main street rejoining the crowds.
Her stomach growled. I should get some food. Ah, I know I'll go to my old favorite.
After some walking, Hoshana came to a small restaurant in a lesser-traveled section of the city. Off-duty officers came here often to eat. It was a simple escape from their hectic lives. She walked in and sat down on a stool at the front counter. Having heard Phebe enter, the chef came out from the kitchen. His eyes widened when he saw his old customer. Phebe told him, “the usual, please.”
Smiling, he answered, “You got it.” He returned to the kitchen.
Phebe patiently waited for her meal. She intended on enjoying the smell of the food cooking, but a voice interrupted. “I knew I would find you here.” She turned back and found Ferris standing at the door. “I wish you wouldn't have left so quickly.” Smiling, he nodded. “I still want to help out in whatever way I can.” His legs carried him to the stool next Phebe.
Terror gripped her suddenly. I don't want to talk with you. If Flame finds that I'm in Dodge again, I... I don't know that I could handle that. She did not voice her thoughts despite how much she wanted to shoe Ferris away. “I don't know how that's possible. The mayor already said...” She was trying to get rid of him.
The sheriff laughed. “You're kidding, right? You should know that I still have some leeway.” Though Ferris had abandoned his illegal activities, some of his henchmen from those days honored his change of sides and stuck with him. They would be aids to the police, though outside of the force itself. Ferris was referencing them. “Besides, I need to know what I can about whatever might threaten my city. Even if I can't do much 'officially,' a heads up would be nice so I can be able to call up my deputies at a moment's notice.” Phebe regretted hearing those words. She wanted more reasons to get rid of him, and Ferris' reasonable and serious speech gave her less reason to do so.“So, who is this new enemy?”
Phebe sighed. I can't hide from him now. Why did I agree to talk with him in the first place? I could have given Artemis good reasons not to pursue this. Pain tickled her heart, as the fear of being found out grew, and worse yet, she started worry how her mistake would affect Artemis. Remorse created difficulty in speaking. “They were... they are the G... Guardians.” She wasn't nervous, but her mouth and tongue felt sluggish.
“Guardians? They sound like the good guys.”
Her head shook weakly. “No, they're not. They can steal souls...” Her chest felt tight, thus her breathing became heavy. “I don't feel well...” she murmured. I just want to get away. All her thoughts were in favor of escaping from Ferris. Why do I feel so horrid? This didn't happen back then. “Hold on...” Removing herself from her seat, she exited the building. Immediately some relief came to here, and this instantly caused her to realize the cause of the problem.
Before she had left Dodge City, she was still numb to most everything. Originally, her deed caused more of an annoying constraint than anything else, but now that she had regained her emotions, a full weight of guilt bore down upon her. Turning around, she told Ferris. “I need to rest. Can we talk tomorrow around dinner time?”
“Uh...? Okay.” Shrugging, the pony got up from his seat. Probably sensing her uncomfortableness with his presence, for he stated, “I'll leave. See you tomorrow.”
She smiled weakly. “Y-yeah.” Once he left, she came back to the counter where he freshly cooked food sat. “Time to eat.” She took a single bite of her food but instantly spit it out. Her meal was delicious per usual, but her stomach would not accept sustenance. Her internal distress unsettled her stomach to an extent in which she lost her appetite. “Gah... I'm sorry. I'm sorry!” She didn't know why she yelled, but she did. Then she paid for the food and left promptly.
Though her breathinh had calmed, the weight of remorse remained. She was no foreigner to pain. For instance, she had emotions troubles when Chrysalis passed away. However, this instance was different. Unlike any previous situation she could recall, apprehension, fear, and anxiety mixed with her hurt. She didn't want to cry; she wanted to curl into a ball and disappear. Why is this happening? Why am I so sensitive to that now? She growled within to demonstrate frustration, but the other feelings overwhelmed her so much that the growl was insincere. What do I do? What if Artemis finds out? She began to shake. I'll... I'll sleep out in the stars tonight.
She went to the edge of the city where grass was plenteous. Laying down, she watched the sun. It's only mid-afternoon. I just want to fall asleep. Her head lowered and eyes shut. Maybe I can nap. In only moments, the turmoil of heart became suddenly more powerful. Her vision was a distraction to her feelings, but while eyes clasped closed, the distraction was gone. Oh God, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. She apologized in her mind. The torture lightened a smidgen but no more. Being constantly confronted with it, Phebe thought back to that eventful day. Why did I do that?
Tears readied to flow off her face, so she decided to get farther away from everypony. She left for the forest east of Dodge and, once at its edge, settled underneath the first few trees. From there, her eyes loosed their precious liquid. I just... I feel terrible. I don't know why.
“Crying again?” The voice of Black Star rippled into her ears. “You've changed.” The Earth Pony then sat down in front of her. “I think I get it now. I mean, why I keep showing up where you're at. Initially, I tried keeping away, and I just wound up meeting you repeatedly.” He put a hoof on her head and massaged gently. “Even this time as I journeyed aimlessly, I stumbled upon you.” She looked up at him but said nothing. “Our Lord needs to establish something in you, and due to the circumstances, it cannot wait. You have to learn fast. Therefore, from now on, I'll stop avoiding you.””
“It hurts!” She yelped. No real care stayed in her heart for Black's explanation; she simply sought relief. “Please help me. Help me!” The temptation of suicide still lingered in her mind; however, the pain held her so strongly that that desire withered away. She didn't feel like she could escape at all.
“Yeah... I figured,” he spoke gently while he nodded. “Talk to me. Why do you hurt?”
“I... I...” She knew her mistake had some relation to her agony, but she truly had no idea why that would cause anything. Therefore, she answered, “I don't know.” Nonetheless, she still wanted to avoid that subject.
Star chuckled. “Oh, okay.” He lowered himself to get a closer look into her eyes. “Yours is the grief of failure, but more.”
Her eyes widened; he was right. How... how did he figure that out? His understanding of her situation flabbergasted her.
The Earth Pony tilted his head bobbing his blonde mane. “This is how I know: if you had lost something or someone by someone else's action, you would tell me.” He turned around and looked at the treeline above. “Oh, but your failure is so embarrassing and thick that you don't want anyone to know.” Filled by shame, Phebe covered her head with her hooves. Black went on, “I don't know what you did, but I can tell by your state that you've already turned from it. You've already apologized, correct?”
She pondered the issue of apologizing. I apologized to God, I think. Does he mean to Flame, though? I have that base covered regardless. The day following her act, she did, in fact, meet with Flame calling out her failure as wrong and made amends. She nodded to Black. “H... how do you know this?” She wondered how her emotional state would reveal her past.
“Oh...” His head lowered and glanced to the side. “I've been where you are... multiple times.” He faced her. Despite a more sorrowful expression, his eyes held stark resolve. “Why are you so sad for your mistake, Phebe?” His voice was quiet yet stern. “You don't know. It's confusing—that is true. But, I have to ask, why don't you feel forgiven? Has not our God said that he requires mercy?” While Phebe was trying to wrap her brain around what he said, he went on, “How did Dark Shade feel after his mistake? Did he not still feel guilty even after you had long forgiven him? And did not our God also forgive him?”
He knows about my talk with Dark Shade!? When she had spoken with Shade, she had the whole of the tunnel lit up, so she would have seen Black Star if he were there.
Since Black's words struck at her heart, she let this go and thought through his message. He correct in large part. After having turned from her wrongdoing, she apologized, but one thing nagged at her that she felt she should do—that is, tell Artemis. Nonetheless, she feared his potential reaction. Outside of sharing with him, she had done everything she knew to do. That being understood, she had seen God's forgiveness work amongst the Changelings multiple times and practiced the principle on them, but apparently that was not enough for her forgive herself. “I have seen his mercy in front of my eyes, and I give it like he does, but” she admitted, “it seems I have not accepted his for myself.” Unfortunately, her internal pain yet remained active. With all the insight she had been given, she tried to force herself to feel better. She could not.
“There is more, as I said before.” He barely acknowledged her statement speaking all the more. “Some voice in your head tells you that you need to share what you did—that, if you don't, you are holding onto your mistake. 'You have to make it right and apologize to everyone for everything.' The voice may not say this outright, but that is ultimately its conclusion.”
He nailed her again. I was going to talk with Artemis. Though, until Black Star brought it up, she did at all consider why she needed to apologize. What purpose would filling Artemis in have?
Black Star nodded. “Seeking forgiveness and setting problems straight is good—great, in fact!” His hoof lifted, and he looked at it. “Nevertheless, there is an extreme. I see it in your eyes. 'Apologize until everything feels better.' I've been there. What an idiot I am.” His hoof lowered, and he instead looked at her. “If you're going to tell Artemis or anyone else, you need a reason. 'Apologize until everything feels better' is not reason at all.” He stood again. For some reason, he could not sit still. “If you share, may it be to prevent the same mistake or to unleash your pent up feelings. Or some such.”
Phebe received his wise sayings at face value, and they served her well. Now given wisdom as a weapon, she reined in her mind and emotions. I'm forgiven, and I don't have to tell everypony about what I did. It's all taken care of. A breath of relief flowed into her chest cavity.
After having a significant breakthrough, she could think clearly. With a sound and sober mind, she then had to satisfy her ever-present curiosity. “If I may ask... what did you do?” As he said, he knew her experience well, and this was proven by his words. Therefore, somewhere along the long, he had had some immense failure; moreover, he had wallowed in the quagmire of that failure.
“You are pointed as ever,” Black replied. “But then, I return with my own question, to what occasion are you referring? There are many, after all.” After his head turned away from her, he stared at the ground. “So many lives...” A heavy sigh exited his mouth. Not waiting for Phebe to answer his earlier inquiry, he started, “I'll tell you of two. Number one: possibly the worst mistake. It happened quite some time ago, but I remember it as if today.... I had illicit relations with a lady.” Phebe's heart skipped a beat, and though she speedily tamed it, fear jostled her mind. “She was gorgeous and wonderful but deluded and evil. At the time, I was in a bad place—emotionally wrecked with no hope, no purpose, and no real life. She seduced me, and I caved.” He looked upward. “Afterward, guilt rattled my cage so fiercely that I followed with an equally wicked deed. I hated her so much for dragging me down, even though I was also responsible. The hatred burned within me until I caved again.” A second strong sigh came out. “I murdered her.” This time, Hoshana's mouth dropped. “I still smell her blood.” Silence.
Besides his obvious mistakes, his statements did not sit well with her, but she could not pinpoint the problem. Soon enough, he continued, “My most recent failure actually brought me to Equestria. I failed my brother. He used to believe in our God, but in recent days, he gave up on believing. Of course that's not my fault, and I can't blame myself for his choices. Nonetheless, I started to doubt that God was real myself. I allowed important issues to slide and began taking life as a joke not worth laughing at. In short, I became morbid and cynical.” He frowned. “I ended up helping settle my brother in his ways.” He sat on his haunches. “Those are only two cases, but you get the picture.” His voice box loosed speech of low volume and low tone.
At that moment, Phebe caught on to what was wrong with Black's word. She retorted, “You're a hypocrite.”
“What?”
She unwaveringly affirmed, “Has not our God said he requires mercy?”She put to her hooves, walked to him, and stomped. “If you want others to believe what you preach, you need to start believing yourself.” He came to attention and glared at her. “You say, 'well, you're forgiven' and then act as if you yourself aren't! What's wrong with that picture, Black Star?” He jolted back. She was right. Oh. Light bulb flickered on. I'm a hypocrite too. If I want Dark to accept our Lord's forgiveness, then I must as well. I must be an example, a pioneer, a leader. Despite her personal revelation, she pressed on with her vocal presentation. “So... what did you do?” His head tilted sideways. Let's both start believing. “You mentioned being in my circumstance. In other words, am I to assume you made mistakes like I did?”
Squinting intensely and tightening his facial expression, the Earth Pony stepped back bewildered. “What are you talking about? I just told you.”
“Oh. I don't seem to recall.”
“I slept with a person outside of ma-”
“What are you talking about? No, no you didn't.” Phebe had her own bit of wisdom. Having seeing the Changelings dramatic change, she understood the principle of forgiveness. Those mistakes, once reconciled, were removed. Then the question must be asked, as Phebe then did, “What mistakes? I don't remember any.” Even if some of the consequences of the poor decisions still existed, but the guilt was no more.
“Ah.” Black Star turned to his head towards her and smiled. “You could be my daughter.”
Phebe reeled backward. “Wh-what?!” She shook her head. “That's not possible.” For one, she knew her real father, and for two, Black Star looked to be her age.
“True, but you have enough qualities in common with me that you might as well be.” He chuckled a little and grinned wider. “Since you didn't have a real father, I take it upon myself, Phebe. My daughter.” Her mouth hung agape. With his utter mood swap and topic transformation, she would have taken in no surprise, but the fact that she had been adopted left her in a gobsmacked condition. There was also the issue of how he knew about her terrible dad.
Barely recovered from her state of paralysis, she replied, “So, how old are you?”
“Hmm...” He put a hoof to his chin. “Guardians...”
“Huh?”
“Sorry, I was just thinking about my journey to the Canterlot Library.” He paused only to tack on, “Actually, more about the journey inside the library—Yeah. I looked into the Guardians thinking that Equestrian history had some information on them.” Phebe figured he didn't hear her inquire of his age, so she let it go temporarily. Besides, she needed to know about the Guardians.
“What did you learn?”
His head tilted back looking at the treeline again. “Nothing helpful. There were two mentions of the Guardians—each very different. One source concerned these beings tending to a land south of Equestria; apparently, they had a very fruitful land and supplied a lot of goods to Equestria in the early days. No mention of those Guardians besides that. The other was actually a group of Dragons who acted as protectors in case any serious threat came to whole of the Dragon race. They apparently stay in hiding until the needed time and spring out when danger arises. Nothing else is said about them.”
By lifting her hoof to the bottom of her head, she mimicked his previous pensive pose. “Hm... the Badlands are south of Equestria. That's where the Guardians first appeared.”
“In any case, I should be off.” He spun around and ran away. With his head turned back he shouted, “See ya!”
After he disappeared behind some thickets, she called out to him, “Wait!” Giving chase, she ended up in an empty clearing. He had vanished again. “Where did you go? Crabapples,” she cursed. I didn't get to ask ask him my question. She spun about and started towards Dodge; however, as she came to the edge of the forest, she happened to kick a box. “Huh?” It was wrapped and a tag rested atop it. “To my dear daughter Phebe. From your loving father Black Star.” Using levitation magic she lifted the item off the ground and put it on her back. She was starting to get annoyed by the randomness that followed the stallion, so she had no care to open the package. Probably something ridiculous. she thought.
~~~~~
Phebe returned to the underground. From down the corridor, Artemis greeted her loudly, “Hey! You're back.” He zipped up to her in the air. “You've got a present?” Some irony came out of the fact he asked about the package before he asking about her or her day. She had been missing since morning, after all. He didn't even bother to ask about the visit with the police. “What's in there?”
“I don't know.” She hoofed her gift to him. “You open it.”
Taking it, he read the label. “Your father? His name is Black Star? That's odd.”
“No, that's the mysterious pony we both met. I named him Black Star.” Her eyes rolled. “I met him today again, and he 'adopted' me. Don't ask. I don't understand it.” Artemis stood blank faced. “Anyway, go ahead and open it. I'm going to sleep. Good night.”
“Night...” He eyed the box closely while absentmindedly waving his hoof to her.
~~~~~
In the middle of the night, Phebe woke to some chattering. She rose slowly, lit her horn, and saw some Changelings talking nearby. “Hey, I'm trying to sleep.”
“Oh sorry!” The both of them scrammed.
“Ugh...” As she lay her head back down, she saw a shiny object and a piece of paper next her body?” She took a serious look and discovered a whistle and a letter. “Hm...?” Between glancing from the whistle to the letter, she read aloud, “'To my dearest daughter Phebe, I may not be able to help with the Guardians, but if you ever need to talk, use this whistle. I'll come running. Signed Black Star.' Huh...” She flipped the page and noticed further writing on the back. “'I used the whistle last night. Black Star came immediately, so I talked with him for awhile. He will make a good father-in-law.' Signed Artemis.” She beat herself upside the head. You too, Artemis? After fiddling with her gift for a bit, she decided to blow into it. When she did, no sound came out. Is it broken? The second attempt proved equally as futile. She gave up. I'm too tired for this. Therefore, she slammed her eyes shut and drifted away into slumber.