1881 Paris, Prance
It was a calm, misty, and spring morning in capital. All the pony citizens were still sleeping in their warm beds because it was twenty minutes till six am. Once the clock tower strikes the hour of eight am, all ponies will go to work and have a productive but busy day. The opera house at the heart of the city was still empty and at peace….waiting for its staff, musicians, and singers to enter in and create lovely melodies to fill the city air. And the first three ponies that were about to enter the opera house. And they were Zircoro, Bluebell, and Butterscotch.
Zircoro was the oldest of this trio of ponies. He was a strong looking grey and white zebra, with a striped and wiry tail. He also had a very stiff striped mohawk, which had a long grey and white wiry pony tail on the back of it. He wasn't as tall as most muscular looking earth ponies that would pull the carriage on the streets, but he was certainly stronger and taller than most males of his species. Zircoro was also more graceful and agile than most stallions his size. Like the ponies that surround him, he too had a cutiemark. However, his sun shaped cutiemark looked like a birthmark due to the fact that his sun's cutiemark was grey just like his grey stripes. His cutiemark looked like it could blend into his fur coat. Zircoro had beautiful and alluring forest green eyes that contrasted with his white and grey face. He also had a short goat-like beard on the tip of his chin. To top it all off, he decorates himself with a thick gold bangle bracelet on his front left hoof, a thick and heavy gold necklace on his neck, multiple gold earrings on his left ear, and three gold piercings on his left eyebrow.
On Zircoro's right side was a light yellow, adult, male pegasus named Butterscotch. He had a short but thick well groomed pink mane with a long but slightly curled tail to match. Butterscotch's mane was so thick that if he dipped his head slightly, the pegasus could easily hide his face in his mane. Like most pegasi, he had a more agile and lean built body. A body designed for his light and feathery wings to carry him into the sky. However unlike most stallions his age, Butterscotch had a more feminine and soft framed face. This kind of face was highlighted by his big and wide teal eyes. But Butterscotch had eyes that were rare to find in most stallions in Paris…his eyes were sincere, innocent, and kind. His cutiemark were three pink butterflies to demonstrate not only his graceful ballet abilities, but also his sweet and gentle demeanor.
On Zircoro's left side was a white, adult, female unicorn named Bluebell. She was slightly shorter than the small Pegasus not too far from her. Bluebell was truly considered a beauty in the capital city. She had a long, endlessly wavy blonde mane and tail that always seem to glisten no matter where she was. Her coat was as pure as snow, and her hooves naturally shined like pearls. Her cutiemark was an eight pointed gold and purple star to demonstrate her elegant yet unique beauty and personality. Her horn was slightly longer than most unicorns which gave Bluebell an air of sophistication to her look. But what made this unicorn beautiful was her alicorn-liked face and her deep and dark navy blue eyes.
Both Bluebell and Butterscotch were carrying medium sized saddlebags as their group approached the side entrances of the opera house, instead of the front entrance. "I can't believe it! Today is the day!" exclaimed Bluebell. After the white unicorn exclaimed her excitement, she added a little skip in her step.
Butterscotch softly giggled at his friend's excitement, then added in his soft yet gentle voice "I know what you mean Bluebell. I'm excited too. Woohoo."
Zircoro chuckled at his company's joy and anxiety before remarking in his deep yet soothing voice "I am so excited for you my children, but don't get too caught up in your bewilderment. Remember….to never roam…in the deep and dark catacombs. For the creature you fear the most….is…."
Then Butterscotch and Bluebell casually finished their father's sentence with "the opera ghost."
Bluebell added with a giggle "We know baba, we know."
Zircoro then responded seriously "You do not knows, only baba knows. Baba knows best…of what you least expect…."
Butterscotch then said to his father "Please do not worry about us baba. You taught us well to be weary and cautious of the opera house. We promised to stay by your side and focus on our dancing."
Zircoro smiled at his children, then sighed "I trust you little ones, I just…don't trust the secrets in which the opera owns. Do not be alarmed. For nothing in L' Opéra de Cheval will cause you harm. Ah look and wonder! My friends! There yonder!"
Zircoro pointed his hoof straight ahead to a large barn/stable area just to the side of the opera house. Butterscotch and Bluebell looked in the direction of their father's hoof and saw three ponies in this area. There were one orange earth stallion, a red earth mare, and a small light yellow earth colt. The orange stallion was a very strong looking pony and certainly a pony taller than any other stallion in Paris. He fancied himself with an old and dusty cowboy hat, which complimented nicely with his long and untamed blonde mane and tail. The red mare standing next to the stallion was very strong and toned looking as well, despite her slightly smaller structure. Just like the stallion next to her, she had a long and untamed mane as well. Her blonde hair was slightly darker than the stallion's hair. As for the small colt in front of them, he had a bright red mane and a bright green handkerchief tied on his neck. It didn't take too long for the three barn ponies to notice Zircoro calling out to them.
"Howdy Zircoro!" called out the orange stallion while waving at the zebra coming towards him.
Zircoro and his two older children smiled at the three friendly ponies in the stable. The small colt then said to them "Good morning Zircoro!" while the red mare gave them a small but humble smile and nod to them.
Zircoro was the first to say "Good morning my friends. For today seems very splendid. I have news to recommend. These are my children, Butterscotch and Bluebell. My little ones, I want you to meet Applejack, Macareina, and Apple Buck…these ponies will always treat you all very well."
The orange stallion named Applejack then said while shaking each of Bluebell's and Butterscotch's front hooves "Well it is certainly a pleasure to finally meet you two. Zircoro always brags about ya."
Applejack's last statement made Zircoro blush a little out of embarrassment. The yellow colt named Apple Buck jumped up and down with glee while exclaiming "I can't wait to see you guys dance. Y'all are lucky to get the best dance teacher in all of Paris to teach you all his moves."
Macareina nodded her head and remarked in her deep yet comforting voice "Eeyup."
Bluebell and Butterscotch chuckled to each other in embarrassment before Bluebell answered with "Well, we will…certainly try our best to make our baba proud."
Zircoro put each of his front hooves on his children's shoulders "Baba is already proud. That is something that I will always say out loud. "
This made Butterscotch and Bluebell smile at their father with love and devotion, and the three earth ponies could feel love radiate from the group in front of them. The barn ponies knew this kind of love too well….and they smiled at Zircoro and his children.
Butterscotch turned his attention to Applejack and asked "So what's your guys' job here at the opera house?"
Applejack answered proudly "We're L' Opéra de Cheval's official carriage pony company. We help bring musicians, singers, and other important guests to the opera house."
Apple Buck happily added "We also help out with backstage stuff. You know, lifting the curtains and settings and all sorts of fun things!"
Applejack then said "And speaking of our jobs, we better get going. We have to get 'Sir Elusive' back to his castle."
Apple Buck then questioned Applejack "But Applejack, aren't we also supposed to bring Mr. Dusk Shine and the new…"
Applejack quickly whispered while covering his little brother's mouth "Apple Buck….the surprise…remember!"
Once Applejack saw the memory returning to Apple Buck's mind, clearly expressed in his eyes, the orange stallion released his grip and let Apple Buck said "Ohhhh, right. I almost forgot!"
Apple Buck turned his gaze back to the new ballet dancers and told them "Don't mind me! I was just…uh…"
Macareina chuckled softly at her silly younger brother, while putting her large front hoof around the colt's shoulder to indicate they had to go. Applejack called out to Zircoro and his children "We'll see y'all later!"
Apple Buck quickly shouted after that "See ya!"
Butterscotch, Bluebell and their father laughed privately to each other while heading towards side door entrance to the opera house and the carriage ponies headed towards the back of the opera barn to get their carriage ready.
When Zircoro and his students opened the side door, they saw a shadowy, tall, spiral stair case leading towards the highest levels of the opera house. High above the stage and close to the opera house's roof top. This meant that the rooms up there will be cold and freezing. The spiral stair case was dimly lit by a variety of fiery torches attached to the narrow stone wall around it. Zircoro was the first to enter in and the first to climb the stair case. He showed signs that he had done this intimidating stair case before, and he waved one of his front hooves at his children to follow.
Bluebell calmly and happily followed Zircoro to the stair case, while Butterscotch was still waiting outside the side door. Butterscotch was barely hiding in the shadow of the door, and looked at the dark stair case with anxiety and fright. In fact, the yellow pegasus was releasing beads of sweat from his forehead because of his deep and irrational fear of the dark. Butterscotch always scolded himself of his scaredy cat tendencies…it was so foalish! He was a grown up! An adult! He shouldn't be afraid of the dark! However, Butterscotch couldn't help it…the darkness is a the perfect hiding spots for monsters and ghouls to hide….the perfect place for a creature like the opera phantom to hide….
"Butters? Are you coming?" gently asked Bluebell to Butterscotch. This question brought Butterscotch out of his internal struggle. He looked up the stair case to find Bluebell only ten steps up. He smiled nervously at her, trying to hide his obvious fear from her, "Oh yes Bluebell, I'm coming."
Bluebell looked at Butterscotch with sisterly concern, trying to figure out a way to help Butterscotch and his fears of the dark. Bluebell had known Butterscotch too long to not notice all the things that scare him. Bluebell also knows that because he was a stallion, he was ashamed of those fears because he knew that other stallions would mock him for it. Bluebell felt that Butterscotch shouldn't be afraid to admit he was scared sometimes….just because he was scared of certain things…that didn't make Butterscotch a coward. To Bluebell, he was the most wonderfully sensitive pony she had ever met.
She blushed and then hesitantly asked him "Um Butterscotch…do you want me to…hold your hoof all the way to the top?" She gestured her front hoof towards the yellow pegasus, while still trying to hide her small blush from him.
Butterscotch was slowly approaching the stair case and its daunting first steps. Once he was able to take that first step, he let out a sigh of relief and a small smile. He responded to Bluebell's question with "It's okay Bell, I think…I think I got this."
With each step, Butterscotch became a little more confident about himself and with the lurking darkness around him. Once he next to Bluebell on the tenth step, he said to her "But thank you for offer."
Bluebell's eyes followed the calmer and more go-lucky Butterscotch up the stairs. She was happy that Butterscotch was able to face his fear on his own…but…she wanted to be the one to help him with that. And maybe touch his hoof…in a more tender and magical way. She let out a saddened sigh before quietly following Butterscotch and her father up the spiral stair case.
After ten minutes of climbing the daunting stair case, the three ponies finally made it to the top. Butterscotch and Bluebell saw their father open the medium sized yet rusty looking door in front of them. When Zircoro slowly opened the door, the door let out an echoing screech throughout the top floor of the opera house. Opening the door also released a small gust of cold air into the pony's face, which made Butterscotch and Bluebell shiver a little and wrap their shoulders with their front hooves in order to keep themselves warm. Zircoro's children looked into the room closely and observed that there were five twin sized beds on the right side and on the left side of the room. The multiple twin beds made the tiny room even smaller, but despite the size, Butterscotch and Bluebell smiled at the room.
Zircoro told them "I apologized about the harsh coldness, but I hope both of you find warmness in the space's dampness. This is the stallions' room. While on the other side is the mares' room."
Zircoro then took his daughter's arm and lead her to another medium sized door that was a couple feet away from the stallions' room. Bluebell gave Butterscotch a small yet nervous smile before leaving with their father, and Butterscotch returned her smile with a happy smile. Not noticing the nervousness in her expression. The only reason why Bluebell felt nervous was because she shared her room with any other pony besides Butterscotch. It will feel a little strange not having him by her side before she sleeps. But she was also worried about the other stallions that Butterscotch might room with. She didn't want those stallions teasing Butterscotch, but she knew that her father will be sleeping in the stallion room too. And her father will make sure that those stallions treat Butterscotch with respect.
Meanwhile, Butterscotch went up to the bed in the far left corner of the tiny room. He put his slightly heavy saddle bags on the twin sized bed and looked out the window that was on the wall next to the bed. He smiled and awed at the sight of the capital city out his window. Paris looked so big and wide…it could go on for miles in Butterscotch's eyes! All the traveling ponies on the streets looked like bugs from his view, which made Butterscotch giggle a little. He also saw that he had the perfect view of the clock tower across the street from the opera house. As he stared at the clock tower, he began to see all the unnoticeable and crafted details in the clock tower. He became fascinated with the art and work that went into creating that tall and magnificent tower. Soon his ears were filled with its ringing bells and dings, as the hour stroked six times for 6 am.
Most ponies cursed this loud sound in the morning, but Butterscotch didn't. He loved the clock tower's bells and dings. He loved any kind of harmonious sound, or any noise that could create music. After the fifth ring and ding, Butterscotch's ears picked up on an echoing yet faint note made by a piano key along with it. This made Butterscotch open his eyes immediately.
He pondered on where that mysterious music note came from. Butterscotch knew he didn't just imagine the sound. Once the room was silent from the clock tower's ringing and dinging, Butterscotch stood still and shifted his ears in all directions to hear if the unknown piano will play again. He closed his eyes in order to help his mind focus on the sound. After what seemed like minutes of waiting, he heard another music note coming from a piano.
When Butterscotch opened his eyes, the unseen piano began to play more notes. And all these notes were coming together to make…a song. A very melodious, serene, slow, beautiful song. Despite the song being almost muffled and faint, Butterscotch could still recognize how wonderful the song sounded from where he was standing. His ears perked up to find that the song was coming from….the middle of the room? How could that be? Butterscotch looked towards the center of the room to find a small, circle shaped, dirty rug. He slowly lowered his head towards the rug to find that the song was coming from…underneath the floor.
He lifted one half of the rug and discovered a circle shaped trap door hiding underneath it. Butterscotch was surprised yet curious on why would this room need a trap door. Does any pony else know about this trap door? It appears to be so since this rug was mysteriously the same shape and size of the trap door. Why would some pony try to hide it? Did his baba know about this? Despite his suspicions and questions, he tossed the whole rug aside and opened the circle trap door by its dark iron handle. Inside the trap door was a dark, spooky, spiraling stair case leading down into the depths of the opera house.
Butterscotch then thought to himself Oh dear, not another stair case. Butterscotch looked deep into the stair case to see if he could find an end to it. But no matter how many times he looked into the darkness below him, he couldn't find the point where the stair case ends. The piano's song was getting louder than it was before and began bouncing off the walls of the narrow stair case. As Butterscotch was to shut the trap door and give into his fears, he heard a mare softly sing…..
Night time falls and wins my adoration
Chaos stirs from my imagination
Butterscotch froze when he heard this mare's angelic voice. He had never heard a pony sing this way before. Was she playing the piano? Why was she in the dark depths of the opera house? Was she a singer here at L' Opéra de Cheval? There was only one way to find out…unfortunately for Butterscotch…that means he had to climb another spiraling stair case.
He gulped before journeying into the trap door. As he closed the trap door behind him, Butterscotch decided to fly down the stair case instead of climbing down it. He didn't trust the first stair case, so he was certainly not going to trust this one as well. While Butterscotch was fluttering quickly down the daunting stair case, he heard the angelic mare sing…
Listen as the trees creates music in the breeze
When the mare paused in her singing, Butterscotch felt like he was being drawn to her…like he was put under a spell…a spell created by her voice…but not with magic. Yet Butterscotch didn't want this enchanted feeling to end, he wanted to follow her voice. He wanted to hear her sing more and more. He silently begged for this angel to continue singing. Even though her voice was very distant at this point, the distance couldn't take away the loveliest in her voice. Her voice gave him courage to trek through the darkness and the mysterious danger that lurks in the opera house. Butterscotch forgot all about the phantom and all of his father's warnings. Butterscotch was simply in a dream….
Butterscotch's prayer were answered when his angel began to sing once more….
Slowly, as you, dream a land of splendor
Take the chance to live a life of grandeur
Appearances deceive, look me in the eye, and believe
I do not intend to cause you any fright
As I create the chaos of the night
Butterscotch felt like he was getting closer to her as he was noticing the distinct characteristics of her voice. She had a soft yet powerful operatic voice. She was a high alto, an alto voice with some soprano characteristics. A very unique kind of voice to find a mare, especially in a mare to sing opera. Her voice was clear and crystal like a fresh spring morning. All Butterscotch could do was sigh in his lovely dream with her.
The tempo of the piano slowly started to increased, and the hidden mare's voice followed this tempo…
Close your eyes and I'll cure you of your darkest dreams
Purge your thoughts of the beast you knew before
Spread your wings, let your feelings come alive
And together we will both sky dive.
During the pause of the mare's song, Butterscotch slightly opened his eyes and found himself surprisingly at the bottom of the stair case. There was a short pitch black hallway leading towards a bright corner at the end of it. Butterscotch quickly went towards the corner, and found a long hallway that stepped down like a hill. The walls were decorated with fiery green and purple torches and black armored pony knights. The pony knights were holding sharp, tall, and fearsome spears in their front hooves.
Butterscotch cowered in fear at the sight of these pony knights and their spears, but once the angelic mare began to sing again, he forgot his worries and dreamily followed the sound down the hill like hall.
Softly, deftly, chaos shall surround you
Hear it, feel it, closing in around you
Open up the door, and you'll find out what's in store
As you turn away from Harmony and light
And relish in the chaos of the night
Before Butterscotch knew, he was at the bottom of the hilly hallway and approaching around its corner to face another hallway in this underground labyrinth. But Butterscotch was shocked to find, instead of a hallway, a lake. A lake underneath the opera house? Was there a pipeline flooding? It didn't appear to be so. Butterscotch also saw on the lake that long and elegant candlesticks were standing out of the lake, all beautifully lit with sunset orange flames in the darkness of the underground.
The magic began to pick up in speed and tempo, along with adding the sounds of other kinds of instruments to accompany the piano. The mare's voice proudly echoed out…
Let your thoughts roam, devise itself a whole new world
Memories, forget them, they're in the past
Let your heart take you where it longs to be!
Butterscotch looked above the lake and saw…a grand piano. Magically floating in the air above the misty waters below. Instead of a female pony playing the piano, there was a tall yet slender creature with a long black cape on her back creating and singing the song. She appeared to be some kind of dragon or serpent, as Butterscotch noticed a red snake like tail with a white feathery end peeking out of the black cape. She had a thick, white, edgy mane that went to the end of her back, along with two mismatched horns on top of her head. Butterscotch was about to question what creature she was…then his mind was soon enraptured when she slowly sang…
Only then will you belong to me….
Floating, flying, dancing here together
Hold me, love me, dearest, darling treasure
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the power of the chaos I incite…
She titled her head back ever so slightly, and loudly yet beautifully sang to the heavens…
As I create the chaos of the night!
Her powerful note not only echoed and spread its sound throughout the underground maze…it also echoed deep inside Butterscotch's soul…in all of Butterscotch's life, he never heard a sound so pure and so magical before. Butterscotch felt his heart skipped a beat, it made him wish that she was singing to him. But yet he felt like her song was speaking to him, as if her song knew everything about him. As if she knew everything about him. What was it about her voice and her music that just made his wings flutter? What was it about her that made his head spin with daydreams?
The instruments soon began to progressively calm their speed and tempo, and the mysterious creature in the piano stool relaxed her posture and crouched her back towards the keys…
You alone can make my heart take flight
As I create the chaos of the night….
"Brava!" exclaimed a very thrilled Butterscotch while clapping his front hooves together.
The singing creature instantly straighten her back, clenched her teeth in stress, and rapidly turned her head to see Butterscotch down below her. When Butterscotch finished his applauding, he noticed that she was looking at him. Her yellow and red eyes made Butterscotch cover his mouth with his front hooves and cower in fear. He titled his head away from her, trying to hide his head in his mane….however he still kept his gaze on the strange beast that was above him. Even though Butterscotch was petrified about what was soon to come, he was also embarrassed about the way he acted just now.
That moment….when those two looked into each other's eyes…felt like an eternity…to the both them…they were frozen in their hesitation and confusion….
The female dragon/serpent was the first to break off this stare off by shaking her head from side to side. As if trying to erase her own embarrassed and doubt. She snapped her fingers, and immediately transported herself in front of the light yellow pegasus.
This made scared Butterscotch and he let out a girlish squeak to show his shock and fear. The creature was floating in the air…right before his eyes! Her magic was incredible! Now that he was so close to her, he was able to see all the parts that made her so different from all the dragons and serpents he had read about in fairy tales. She had a grey pony-like head and face, a long yet hour glass shaped brown snake body, a lion paw on her left, an eagle claw on her right, a goat leg and a dragon leg on the bottom of her snake body. As the beast lowered her head closer to Butterscotch's face, Butterscotch saw that she was wearing a mask. A black mask covering her gold and ruby eyes. The black mask had golden accents under her eyes, along with a golden line to the side of each other in order to look like eyelashes. On top of the black mask was a golden painted, upside down, crescent moon. Butterscotch also couldn't noticing that the left side of her mask was larger than the right side. The left side of her mask covered the entire top part of the left side of her face. She also had a large fang sticking out of the left side of her mouth.
"Who are you?" said the dragon/serpent in her deep, soothing, yet serious voice.
Butterscotch began to sweat profusely all over his face and body. He could feel his wings getting soaked in sweat. Even if he wanted to fly, he would be too scared to try. Her speaking voice was just as lovely as her singing voice. Despite her appearance, Butterscotch felt like he shouldn't be scared of a creature who could create such beautiful music. Perhaps her voice and music were a sign of her inner beauty. He gulped before answering nervously "B-B-Butterscotch…Butterscotch Daae."
The creature let out a soft and warm chuckle at the pony in front her, then softly smirked at him. Her laugh helped Butterscotch relax a little. He observed how her smile helped lighten and beautified her pony-like face. Seeing her smile his way made Butterscotch shyly smile back at her.
She took her face away from Butterscotch's and extended her neck back to its normal height, which made Butterscotch remember how tall she was. Her height simply amazed him. In a much more joyously yet mischievous tone in her voice, she asked Butterscotch "Do you know who I am?"
Butterscotch titled his head to the side, perplexed by her question. How could he know some pony he never met before? He was so confused by this that all he could do was slowly shake his head no.
His answer made the masked snake-like creature laugh in profound glee. Butterscotch was troubled about how his answer made her laugh so hard that she could bust a gut. After she was done laughing in her magical floating state, she wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at Butterscotch with great mischief in her eyes. What was she up to? Butterscotch thought to himself.
She floated herself closer to Butterscotch again, and spoke to Butterscotch in a voice very similar to his father's "Remember to never roam in the deep and dark catacombs. For the creature you fear the most is….the opera ghost."
Butterscotch's eyes widen, he back away slowly from her and let out a panicked "You're-You're the opera phantom?!"
She responded in a cheerful "Ding-Ding!"
Butterscotch couldn't believe it…the spirit of myth and legend…the demon of his childhood nightmares…was…standing right in front of him!
"You seemed so surprised by this." She said in a low yet playful voice.
Butterscotch answered "It's just…you don't look…dead. You look like you are flesh and blood like me. Aren't ghosts supposed to be the souls of ponies who have passed on?"
She smiled proudly at him while admiring the claws on her lion paw "I'm a soul beyond life and death my little pony. My powers are forces from Tartarus itself, making me a living goddess among the mortal ponies."
Butterscotch then remarked in a gentle voice "You don't seem be like a soul from Tartarus."
The opera phantom, amused by this statement, responded with "Oooohhh really? How so?"
Butterscotch replied sincerely "No soul from Tartarus can have a beautiful voice like yours."
Her face blushed at Butterscotch's compliment. She could feel every inch of her cheeks heating up like the candles on the lake. Why was she reacting this way?! Why did he have to give her a compliment in such sweet and sincere way?! The immense heat in her face made her heart pound wildly in her chest, she had to grip on the fur on her chest with her eagle claw to calm it down. She couldn't deny to herself any longer…he really meant his applause and cheering at the end of her performance.
Butterscotch then remarked nervously, while tumbling with his front hooves "You see that's why I came down here. It was because I heard you singing that amazing song….Anyway, I-I didn't mean to disturb you. It was very rude of me to do so. If you wish, I can leave. But before I go, I just wanted you to know that your music and singing is…wonderful. I hope more ponies in future hear you sing your lovely songs."
Butterscotch turned away from the opera ghost, about to go back down the hallway he came from…but he was interrupted by a loud "Wait!"
The yellow Pegasus quickly turned his head back towards the female serpent like dragon, and saw her reaching out to him and her face expressing a desperate plead to him.
It took the opera phantom a moment to realize the position she was in. This made her instantly return to elegant and straight posture she had before, and cleared her throat in order to fill the awkward silence.
"I-I mean….Your presence wasn't displeasing to me. I was just….surprised to find an audience in my mist. Not many ponies journey into the depths of my opera house, and for good reason. You must be very brave." Said the opera phantom.
Butterscotch, feeling flustered by her compliment, rubbed the back of his neck nervously "I-I don't know about that."
He took a moment to look at the creature in front of him, and it reminded him of the first question he asked himself when he saw her "So…who are you?"
She answered him with a slight chuckle "I already told you who I am."
Butterscotch added "No, I mean who you are really? You know…your name? Your real name?"
The female beast answered Butterscotch with a small smirk on the side of her face "You're a very perceptive pony, aren't you?"
She lowered her head in front of Butterscotch like she did at the beginning of their encounter, and explained in a slight playful tone "I will tell you my name…if you promise not to tell a soul about all you've seen and learned."
Butterscotch smiled at the ghost and responded sweetly "Deal!"
Seeing this handsome pegasus smile at her made her heart pound rapidly in her chest again…however she didn't mind it this time…all that she could do was smile back at him, "Eris. Eris is my name."