//------------------------------// // Skittish Savant // Story: I.D. Entity // by Goldymarg //------------------------------// [“A-a-a-an interview? With the master? Oh gee, I really don't know if I'm allowed to let you in for that...that....that kind...that kind of, of, of...reason...”] Sunset felt her hands ball into fists. Trying her best to keep her voice stable, she hollered into the receiver, “Please! I promise I won't be long! I just need to ask a few questions and I'll be out of your hair!” [“Well, you-you-you see...it's not really my...my...PLACE to...oh!”] The voice on the intercom became slightly more distant as she heard the sound of footsteps leading away. [“Miss Eider...Miss Eiderdown! Can you help me with, with something?!”] Sunset took a step back from the intercom as she heard two voices on the other side converse, feeling a knot in her belly. After a few minutes of deliberation and a moment a silence, a different, more mature voice spoke through the speaker, [“Yes, yes, I suppose we can let you in for now, Miss Inkwell...Pinfeathers, if you please?”] The metal gates clanked loudly and opened inward, grinding and squealing like they hadn't been used in years. Sunset placed her right hand on her chest and sighed like there was an open balloon under her diaphragm. Other than simply asking the owners of an extremely wealthy, extremely private mansion to simply be 'let in to do an interview', she didn't exactly come here with a plan. The only thing they had to do was say no, and she'd be up the creek without a paddle. Sunset chuckled nervously with her hand still on her chest, thanking whatever stars were looking down on her right now. (“I just hope this outfit Rarity gave me is good enough. Can't have anyone mistaking me for her...”) ---- - One hour earlier “Sunset, darling, are you abso-LOUTE-ly positive you want to wear this ensemble? It's just so...so frumpy.” She glanced at Rarity standing behind her as she turned once in the dresser mirror, satisfied with her look. The soft pink cardigan and knee-length beige skirt she was currently wearing looked like something she'd force herself to put on for her mother on Hearth's Warming. Looking at it in person made her cringe internally, but for now, it was necessary. Combined with the blonde wig that her fashion-inclined friend brought over, no one could possibly recognize her like this. “No, that's fine. Frumpy's good.” She picked the wig up off her dresser and put it on, fussing with it a little to hide her own brightly colored locks. “I'm just surprised you even own something like this. Everything I've seen you wear looks like it came out of a designer catalog.” Rarity blushed, bringing the ends of her fingers up to her mouth. “Oh myyy-hee hee hee, you're just saying thaaat! Why, fashion may be my raison d'etre, but I am still just a high school student!” Sunset grimaced in the mirror, trying her best to stuff her hair under the wig. “No, really. I sent those fake texts to you because of how popular you were. I mean, what better way to take the super fashionable Rarity down a peg than to - ” Her hands froze. She was so caught up in trying to make the thing on her head acceptable that she wasn't even aware of what she was saying. “I, uh...I-I mean...” After saying a few half words and incomplete sentences, she let her arms fall to her sides, her eyes downcast. Creating such an awkward atmosphere must be what its like to 'put a foot in her mouth'. She was ready to pull the wig off her head and walk into the bathroom alone to try again, yet she felt it being pulled off for her. Looking up, she saw Rarity putting a yellow elastic band around her wrist in the mirror, pulling her red and yellow locks into a high ponytail. “For wigs, you're normally supposed to be wearing a nylon or silk cap to make sure your real hair doesn't poke out anywhere,” she said. “But in your case, I think we can make due with tying your hair into a bun. Is that quite alright with you, darling? I'd hate to risk creating any unsightly tangles in your lovely quaff.” Sunset stared at her, unsure of what to say. The girl styling her hair had such a soft, nonchalant smile on her face as she worked. With the way she was carrying on, it was as if the past thirty seconds never happened. She grimaced again, this time showing clear discomfort. “Y-yeah, I guess...” The awkwardness from before hadn't faded, though it seemed like Sunset was the only one affected. She grabbed her elbow, letting a word slip out from under her breath. “...why.” Rarity raised her eyebrows, “Hm? Did you say something?” She spun around, startling her friend and letting the wig fall to the floor. “I said why! Why are all of you being so nice to me?! I'm the worst! All I've ever done since I transferred to CHS was make your lives miserable! I lied and cheated and pushed you all around, and for what?! Even if I was going through with the whole stupid 'world domination' cliché, I didn't have anything to gain from doing all those horrible things I did! I...I'm just...!” Sunset was silenced by an index finger placed firmly on her lips, as Rarity looked back at her with a stern gaze. She watched her lean forward slightly and put her other hand on her hip as she said, “Now see here! I do believe it was you who called me out here in the early morning asking for help! Do you really think that I would have even bothered getting into my car if I thought you to be nothing more than a simple ruffian?!” Sunset stood there with her mouth hanging lightly open, crossing her palms over her chest defensively and looking away. Rarity took a step back before continuing in a softer tone, “Do you know how much Rainbow Dash hates being woken up? Especially in the middle of the night? Why, unless the local convenience store was having their annual summer sale on apple cider, any disturbance in her sleep schedule makes her, well...rather grumpy. I've lost count of how many times I've seen her being sent off to Vice Principle Luna's office for sleeping in class. And yet despite all of that, she took the time to make you hot chocolate and drive you back home, even after such a rude awakening.” Sunset looked back up at her, her eyes widening. “ Wait, how did you...?” “Fluttershy already sent everyone a text message this morning telling us what happened. It must have been such a harrowing experience for you, waking up to see that above your bed...” She mentally kicked herself. (“Of course Rainbow would say something to her, they're best buds...”) Rarity crossed her arms, tilting her head to one side as she gave her a concerned look. “Sunset Shimmer. Honestly. Must I really explain why we're doing these things for you?” Sunset grit her teeth. She knew exactly what was coming next, and she didn't want to hear it at all. “It's because we're your friends. Why else would we go out of our way to help you? We're fully aware of your past, er...faux pas. Despite that, none of us are holding it against you. Have you not already given us a tearful apology?” She replied in a low, grim voice, “How do you know I wasn't just lying? I mean, I'm pretty good at doing that...” “Hmf! Preposterous!” She said, putting her fists on her hips. “I've attended enough drama classes to know an act when I see it! And what I saw that night of the Fall Formal was anything but!” “Uh, Rarity, up until a few weeks ago, I've had eyes and ears all over the school. I know you've only been to the drama club once or twice as a witness,” Sunset said in an even tone. Her eyes went wide for a split-second before she quickly turned off to the side, coughing into her fist. “Y-yes, well, that is beside the point! What I am trying to tell you is that you're being much too hard on yourself!” Sunset let her arms fall to her sides limply, her head still turned away. As she sighed to herself, she felt her shoulders being grasped, gently forcing her to spin around and look Rarity in the eye. “Sunset...I won't ask you what this situation is all about, or why you need such a silly little disguise. It would be quite rude of me to pry. But puh-lease try to understand how much you are worrying us. All this talk of breaking and entering is dreadful enough, but seeing this haunted air about you is much more worrisome.” She involuntarily shuddered at her friend's choice of words. Rarity pulled her into a gentle hug, continuing in a softer voice, “We've all forgiven you for what you've done. So why can you not forgive yourself?” (“Because I don't deserve it.”) The self-deprecating words spoke themselves in her head automatically, making the inside of her chest feel like it was sinking in a marshy bog. Raising her hands, she grabbed her forearms, pried herself away from her warm embrace, and quickly snatched up the wig off the floor. “Look, I uh...” Sunset found herself bunching up the blonde mop of hair in her hands, once again stumbling over her own words. “U-um...I really need to get to the bus stop soon. I've got a compact on me, so I'll just readjust this thing on the way there. Just make sure to lock up on your way out...” With that quick excuse, she bolted from her room. She could hear Rarity calling out to her as she nearly ran down the staircase, but chose to ignore her pleas, giving the ground a hard stare as she threw on her boots walked out the door. (“If I stayed with her any longer, I probably wouldn't wanna leave. And none of this warm, fuzziness is going to change what happened to me last night. I've got to find out what's going on.”) ---- “Oh hohohoho, aren't you just an adorable little scamp! If I didn't see you blinking and breathing, I swear I would be looking at a porcelain doll!” Sunset grimaced and edged away from the slightly ajar door. The woman who had greeted her looked like a stereotypical maid plucked right out of a 19th century novella. Her uniform consisted of a frilly white apron that covered the front of herself, a dark purple buttoned dress that came to about mid-calf, lacy white cotton gloves, and what appeared to be knee-high velvet heeled boots, also colored purple. The woman herself was clearly overweight, and looked to be in her late thirties to early forties. Her pale blue complexion showed the slightest signs of lines and imperfections, while her gray hair was tied into a tight bun on the back of her head. Smiling widely like a jolly aunt coming to a family reunion, she opened the door wider to usher Sunset inside. “Please, please, come in! I must say, it's such a marvelous feeling knowing that your generation has taken an interest in the Ardor house! We hardly get any guests anymore these days!” This woman's overtly friendly attitude, despite being reminiscent of another bombastic friend of her's, did nothing to help her relax. She swallowed out of reflex and forced eye contact with the maid, sighing quickly. Plastering the most insincere smile on her face, she folded her hands in front of herself and stepped inside. “Thank you so much. To be honest, I wasn't sure what I was going to publish if I couldn't get this story.” Sunset came to a stop inside of a large atrium, its ceiling as high as three floors. Numerous electric lamps lined the dark reddish walls, the wooden floor beneath her shoes creaked ever so slightly, and a grand staircase was laid out in front of her, leading to the second floor. Scanning the area around her, she saw rows of baroque styled doors lined up on either side of the staircase, as well as a small area next to the front door set aside for guests, complete with cushioned chairs, a coffee table, and a fireplace. “Ohhh, you're so adooorable! Bright-eyed, bushy tailed, and just filled to the brim with potential! Just like all girls your age should be!” The maid gushed, putting her hands together next to her face. “Miss Inkwell, yes? I am Miss Eiderdown, the head maid of Apollo Manor. If you would please wait in the main atrium, I will summon master Ardor to speak with you. Pinfeathers? Pinfeatheeers!” The last vowel she spoke came out like an errant squeal, causing Sunset to shudder. “Yeh-yes Miss Eiderdown, I'm h-h-here!” Her attention was drawn to the sound of clacking shoes as another maid wearing an identical uniform came running out from the left side of the staircase. She came to a jittery stop next to Miss Eiderdown, nearly tripping over herself in the process. Smoothing out her skirt, she took a slight bow and said, “U-uhm, w-what can I...I, uh, do you for? I-I mean doforyou?!” It now occurred to her that this was the first voice she heard on the other side of the intercom. Looking at the way this other maid carried herself, Sunset felt like she should be pitying this girl. She looked to be around her own age, but her face looked like it was in a constant state of distress. She wore glasses whose lenses looked like they came from the bottoms of soda bottles, the makeup on her ivory skin was clearly visible, her apron was wrinkled all over, and her pageboy styled haircut was a mess of blue crinkles. “Please prepare some darjeeling tea for our guest. And try to remember to allow the tea leaves to rest before serving this time?” Sunset frowned. The tone in Miss Eiderdown's voice suddenly became dismissive and condescending. “Oh, u-uhm...n-now, uh...” The elder maid crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow expectantly. “Ye~es? The one apparently called Pinfeathers was trying to keep herself dignified, folding her hands in front of herself, though her crinkled mouth and trembling figure betrayed any semblance of composure. “Which one w-was that...again...?” Miss Eiderdown threw her hands up. “My GOODNESS, what am I going to do with you?! Each and every time you are given even the simplest of tasks, you somehow manage to foul it up! Whether it's setting silverware, cleaning windows, or even dusting!” The smaller maid balled her hands up and put her wrists together in front of herself, “B-b-but you said that if I hu-had any pro-problems th-th-that I, urk...!” “IIIII told you that you should ask for help when you come across something you don't understand!” She interrupted, putting her hands on her hips. “Yet you have been working under the Ardor house for six years! There is absolutely no reason why you should not be able to discern chamomile from darjeeling!” “Yeh...yes, Miss Eiderdown,” she said, shrinking back down into her slight bow. Sighing and putting her fingers between her eyes, the larger maid said, “I will have Patchwork and Cross Stitch take care of preparing the tea. You will watch and learn from your superiors for the hundredth time. And this time, pay attention! Do I make myself clear?!” The girl was trembling now. “C...c...” “Yeee~s?!” “Kuh...crystal! Crystal clear!” “Hmf! Off with you then!” Miss Eiderdown shoo'd her away with a flippant hand gesture as she scurried off, one Sunset wasn't appreciative of in the slightest. (“Sheesh, it's like the nice in her head switched off as soon as that other girl showed up. She have something against her or what?”) The remaining maid turned to face her and bowed a full ninety degrees. “I SINCERELY apologize that you had to witness that. All of the servants here at the Ardor house pride themselves on being the finest artisans and attendants in the country. To have such a novice with us for so long is a blemish on our name, a blemish!” Sunset held up her hands, shaking her head, “No, no, it's fine, really! I, uh, don't even drink tea that much!” She whipped back up into a standing position, causing her to jump a little. “Even still! Unlike you, that little miscreant has simply no desire to better herself, even after being under my care for so long! And for a beloved guest to see such incompetence is a failure on my part!” (“Trust me, she's not the one I've got a problem with.”) Taking a small breath, Sunset said, “Like I said, it's fine. No need to raise your voice or get all, uh...heated about it. I just wanna get that interview and be out of your hair, that's all.” The smile she had earlier was back, though it seemed much more insincere now. “Oh hohoho, I just love that about girls like you! Of course my dear! I will fetch the master now then, see you soon!” The moment she went up the staircase, Sunset muttered to herself, “Hope it's later than sooner...” Looking around herself, she figured all she could do now was wait. Turning to her left, she walked over to the fireplace area and plopped down into one of the chairs, sinking into its cushions. She let her arms hang off the armrests and slouched, sighing and grimacing. The seat she was in had an old, musty odor that sprang up the moment she sat down. “Ugh, I don't even know what I'm doing here...what am I supposed to ask when he shows up? 'Hey, your dead daughter showed up in my dream and killed me. Oh by the way, I'm her doppelganger from another dimension, nice to meet you.' I just, ugh...” The cynicism in her voice wasn't making her feel any better. She let her eyes wander, taking in the immaculate atrium she was sitting in. “Wonder what Golden Ardor does to pay for all this. Everything in here looks like it could take care of my bills for the next five years. And it's all cleaned and maintained too, I bet I could even see my reflection in the floor...hm?” Sunset straightened up in the chair, looking to the right of the staircase. At the far end near the corner, the last door in the row was completely boarded up. Squinting her eyes slightly, she could see the nails were rusted and the wood was weathered. Whatever was behind that door was sealed up long ago. “Well that looks suspicious. Looks like Mr. Ardor's got something to hide.” ---- (Clink) Sunset snapped back up, a sudden clinking noise breaking her out of her small reverie. The trembling maid from earlier was standing to her right, setting down a steaming teacup with a plate onto the coffee table in front of her. Looking over, she saw her holding a rectangular silver tray close to her chest. Taking a controlled, deep breath, the maid said, “N-now, um...would you like some...um...sugar...milk, o-or...uh...uhhh...!” Sunset finished her sentence for her, “It's honey. Some pon – people typically like milk, sugar, or honey with their tea. Though whatever you give me is fine, I don't really touch the stuff. Just give me a soda any day.” She took the teacup and plate, blew on it a little, and took a sip. Though moments later, her eyes bugged out like she was choking. The beverage was hot, bitter, and made her retch. (“Bleh! On second thought, maybe I should have asked for some sugar after all...”) “Say, um...how did you know?” “Hm?” She quickly choked down whatever disgusting taste was left in her mouth before making eye contact with her. “Th...the tea. That's what the other maids tell me to ask about all the time when serving tea. I-I mean, the exact same things. How did you know?” “Oh.” She set the cup back down, “I used to live in a high-class place, myself. I'd overhear all the waitresses and butlers and whatever ask about what everyone wanted in their tea, and, those three things always came up. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure why you'd mix milk and water in the first place. Seems kind of weird.” “O...oh...” The maid's mouth scrunched up as she looked away. “Hey...” Sunset stood up, “Pinfeathers, right? I think this is the first time I've heard you talk without stuttering. Are you feeling any better?” The maid jumped and turned her body away without breaking eye contact, still clutching the tray close to herself. “I – guh – I'm suh-so sorry! I d-didn't want t-to annoy you too! It's juh-just, I, urk...!” Sunset held her hands out, “Hey, relax! You're not annoying me, I'm just wondering if anything's wrong! Calm down, alright?!” On the outside, it looked like the poor girl was on the verge of tears. Taking another shaky breath, the maid fully faced her once again while looking at the floor. “I'm...sorry. Again. It's true, I have stuttering problem. B-but I only get this way when I'm nervous, honest!” (“When are you not nervous?”) She cleared her throat, “Anyway, can I ask you about that door at the end of the hall? Why is it all boarded up like that?” “Oh, you mean the east wing?” Pinfeathers glanced behind her at the sealed door. “Well...it's been like that ever...ever since I started staying here. The servants are strictly forbidden from entering the east wing. As for why, I think it's because...well...” “Pinfeathers, what are you still doing here?” The maid jumped and her eyes went wide. Fumbling with the tray in her hands, she skittered over to the left of the staircase and bowed at a forty five degree angle, her eyes and mouth scrunched up and trembling. “I...I'm so suh-sorry Master Ardor! I w-w-was o-only trying to keh-keep our guest entertained!” Sunset's attention was drawn to the top of the stairs and the source of the deep, booming voice. She closed her mouth and swallowed, steadying her nerves. (“That's him, huh? Golden Ardor.”) Miss Eiderdown stood next to him, hands folded in front of her. As he came to the bottom of the stairs, Sunset felt her hands grab her elbows. The man must have been at least seven feet tall. He had broad shoulders and stood upright with his neck straight, casting an air of dignity as he walked. His complexion matched his italian style saffron colored suit, though the shade was slightly different. His thinning periwinkle hair was slicked back, and the lines on his face showed both his age and wisdom. Walking over to the smaller maid, he placed his right hand on the top of her head, caressing it. “(Sigh), Miss Eiderdown here told me that you had trouble remembering the tea once again. Why can't you remember what I've told you in situations like this?” Sunset raised an eyebrow. For whatever reason, his hand was completely and meticulously bandaged from his wrist to his fingers. “You must maintain your composure, even in the greatest moments of duress. If you allow your stress to overwhelm you, you will make mistakes. Mistakes that you won't always be able to correct. Why can't you understand that?” Pinfeathers shook once and nodded, not saying a word. Ardor sighed once again, “Go on back to your duties, then.” He placed his hands in his pockets as he walked past her and towards Sunset, the smaller maid running off once again. Not knowing what to do with her arms at first, she threw them behind herself and stood rigid, steeling herself. Taking a slow, deep breath, she looked the tall man in the eye and said, “Th...thank you so much for meeting with me! My name is S...Inkwell! As Miss Eiderdown must have already told you, I'm here to ask for an interview for the school paper!” For a few agonizing seconds, he simply stood there, studying her face with his mouth slightly open and his brow creased. Sunset could feel a bead of sweat drip down the side of her head as she stared back. Feeling like the silence was becoming too uncomfortable, she prepared to say something, only to be cut off. “Send her away,” he said dismissively, closing his eyes turning back around. “I've no desire to talk about what every news outlet has repeated over and over.” As he walked back up the stairs, Miss Eiderdown placed a hand on her cheek and tilted her head. “Ohh, what a shame. Well, I cannot deny an order! Out with you now! Out!” The larger woman then walked up to Sunset and spun her around, pushing her towards the front door with that same complacent smile on her face. Feeling a wave of uneasiness overcome her, she craned her neck towards the staircase once again and called out, “Please! J-just give me a few minutes! I have to ask you about your daughter! PLEASE!” She saw no reaction out of him as she was pushed back into the cool, autumn air, the door slamming behind her with a click. Sunset reacted by running back and slamming her fists against the door, stopping herself short before she starting pounding on it. The last thing she wanted to deal with was the police being called on her for harassment. She opted to softly bang her forehead on the wood, her eyes screwed shut and her teeth clenched. “What am I going to do?” she breathed, her fists sliding back down to her sides. “She's going to come after me again, I just know it. I don't know what I'm going to do if she does...!” She didn't want to admit or acknowledge it, but Sunset could still smell the stench of burning ash. She wasn't sure if it was her mind playing tricks on her, but whenever she forgot about it, or if there was a lapse of silence, the smell always came back. Light, airy, but just enough to remind her of that horrid night. Sunset grasped her face, breathing out erratically into it. “Well...nothing I can do here now...” She let her hand drop limply and turned to walk back through the gate, practically dragging her feet. She didn't know where she was going next, but she knew she couldn't stay here. (creak) “Wh-wait! Miss Inkwell, stooop!” Sunset turned her head back to see Pinfeathers closing the door behind her, running to where she was standing while holding her dress up. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, “Huh? What are you doing here? Don't you have a mountain of work to do or something?” The girl stumbled to a stop, gasping for breath and bending over to rest her hands on her knees. “Well...(gasp)...I do, b-but...(gasp)...I still have to...(gasp)...answer your question, so...I took my fifteen...” Sunset's eyes widened in realization, remembering that she was about to say something about that door. “Oh, that's right! While you're at it, could you...uh?” The maid was still gasping for air. Her glasses were fogged up, she was red in the face, and sweat was dripping onto the cobblestone below. She reflexively put a hand out as she said, “Hey, are you alright? You've been stressing out and running around all this time, you need a second?” She snapped back up at attention, rapidly smoothing her skirt out and replying with wide eyes, “N-no, ah-I'm p-p-perfectly fine! I-I don't need...need...I don't need any rest! Please don't be...don't be...upset with...” “Hey, calm down!” Sunset retorted. “I only asked you if you needed a minute to catch your breath, why do you think I'm mad at you?!” “You...you aren't?” Pinfeathers looked at her, still breathing hard. She continued to stare until she had calmed down, crossing her hands over her chest and looking away. “Oh...I didn't know. I thought you'd be mad because I didn't fulfill your request at the time.” Sunset raised an eyebrow. “What?” “Uhm...I've been living at Apollo Manor for around six years now. And I've always been taught that every servant's entire purpose is to make sure the master and any guests that arrive are properly attended to. If we can't fulfill that purpose, then, well...” She paused, shuffling her feet. “A-an-anyway, that means I don't want to refuse anyone's request. I...I mean, I can't, I seriously can't. If I don't, then...then I can't make anyone happy.” Sunset grimaced, lightly gritting her teeth. (“Jeez. Something's going on in this place, and I'm not sure if I want to know what.”) She sighed softly, trying to look for comforting words when her eyes widened slightly, like a light bulb went off in her head. “Wait a minute...did you say six years?” Pinfeathers looked back at her and nodded. “Mhm.” Sunset held her hands out, “Then, you were living here when the fire happened?!” She jumped a little, “Huh?! Uh, n-no! I moved in a month after...after...that happened!” Her eyes scrunched shut, “I'm so sorry! Miss Eiderdown told everyone that we're forbidden from talking about the fire, or-or the east wing on the premises! I could lose my job and my home!” (“Oh. That would explain why she looked so scared when Mr. Ardor suddenly appeared.”) She let her hands fall to her sides, “Alright, alright, I'm sorry I brought it up, it's just...um...” As far as they all knew, the only reason she was here was to find a story for the school paper. If she pressed the issue any further, she'd be coming off as a selfish, insensitive paparazzo. And yet, this girl could possibly be her only chance at any sort of information regarding the incident six years ago. She had to find a way to coax the answers out of her. “Listen...you have to tell me everything you know about the fire. I know you're not supposed to, but please. It's more important to me than just some dumb news story.” “Okay.” “You're the last person I can talk to about this, there must be something you – wait, what?” Sunset was taken aback. She was fully prepared to literally get on her knees to find out what she knew, yet she just agreed without any hesitation. “It's fine. I don't think anyone can hear us out here, a-and, um...” She adjusted her glasses, “I can't refuse a request from a guest. I don't know too much, but I can tell you what I've heard over the years.”