Roses for the Grave

by Mordy

Ch12: Fools 'n Ghosts

The world burned.

An all-consuming flame.

Nothing was spared.

Hope was abandoned.

Happiness eradicated.

Love consumed.

Innocence incinerated.

As the monster who controlled this inferno dealt the final blow, a child calls out in vain…

“MOMMY!”

Julius’ eyes shot open and his pupils darted in all directions. It was dark and his breath was quick and heavy. Sweat matted his coat as his heart raced at a mile a minute. After a few seconds he began to settle down as he started to recall where he was. He closed his eyes and took one last deep breath to calm himself before he opened them again.

“You okay?” A voice asked from next to Julius, startling him for a moment.

He turned slightly to see the glowing red eyes of Femme. His response was shaky at best, “Y-Yeah. Just… a nightmare is all.”

Femme grimaced, noticing the bags under his eyes and she leaned in to nuzzle him. “Which one?” she asked with concern.

Julius frowned at the question. It was bad enough to have a reoccurring nightmare, but it was even worse to have more than one. The answer he gave was quick and short, “The fire.”

No more needed to be said as Femme pulled Julius’ head under her chin and she began to cuddle and hug him in an attempt to soothe his fears. She held him like that for a few minutes until she started to feel one of her cravings. Soon Femme was at Julius’ neck with her fangs bared as she was prepped to take what she needed.

Julius was caught off guard at first, but didn’t fight her as he closed his eyes prepped himself. However, the fangs never came. He still felt her there, hovering over his neck. Her hunger was palpable and with her current diet the cravings were getting worse.

The slight hiss of her canines retracting caused Julius to open one eye as Femme breathed deeply to control herself. Not that he could see her that well with it being as dark as it was.

Femme looked at him and smiled as she got up to his ear and whispered sensually into it, “I’m going to go get myself a snack. You try and get some rest. If you’re not asleep by the time I get back… well… I know one way to tucker you out.” She giggled and Julius started to smile. There was no way he was going to fall asleep before she got back with a promise like that.

“Alright, I’ll try and… rest up,” Julius said as he closed his eyes.

Femme just smiled while she pushed the lid on the coffin askew, allowing her to get out. Say what you will about the creepiness of sleeping in one of those caskets, but Julius would be the first to admit that they’re pretty damn comfy, especially with a warm body next to you.

Leaving the lid open to allow some fresh air, Femme slipped out into the darkness of her room before she began to make her way through the halls to their kitchen. While her room was currently without lighting, the halls were lit with a soft blue light that matched the similarly colored walls and the simple carpet made up of blues and violets.

The halls themselves were empty except for the occasional skeleton patrolling or cleaning. They would give her a cursory glance when she got near before returning back to their duties. After a while one would barely notice that they are there.

It was only a few turns before she was in the kitchen that had only the base necessities along with the extra fridge that held her blood bags. She trotted past the round kitchen table that could sit up to six, but only had four chairs at this time and over to her freezer. She opened it up and reached for the nearest bag, not caring what she got. Honestly, she loved Julius’ blood more than anything she usually had. He was of the valuable O negative and that was always her favorite.

While most creatures taste was determined by their tongue, vampires were affected by their own blood type. Just like blood transfusions, where certain blood types are only compatible with other specific types, the taste of blood was determined in a similar way for vampires. Even though they can still drink any kind, they will have a preference to ones that match as those tended to taste better and while the scent was considered to be an aphrodisiac as well.

Femme was an AB positive which made her a connoisseur on taste and she always found that O was the best in flavor and most others would agree. As for the positive and negative it was like comparing red wine and white wine. It comes down to mostly personal preference and there are some who enjoy both or only like one or the other.

As Femme finished her musings, she turned around and was ready to bite into her snack until she caught an unusual sight. The chairs had been stacked on top of the table going one, then two, and then the last one on top. All of it perfectly balanced with absolutely no sign of it about to topple over.

She then jumped as the drawers and cabinets started to open and slam shut while a long moan echoed through the room. Femme just continued to stare at the spectacle until the walls started to bleed crimson blood. She was starting to drool when she saw that, only to be disappointed when she realized it wasn't real due to the lack of any scent.

With a grumble, Femme yelled out, “Ecto, will you stop with the bleeding walls?! It’s making me hungry!”

Everything halted and the walls returned to normal then Ecto’s voice could faintly be heard saying, “…Sorry.”

Femme sighed and was about to let go, but then she stepped into something green, clear, and slimy. She looked down and blanched at her hoof as she tried to shake it off. “Eww, yuck! What have I told you about leaving ectoplasm in the house? I’m gonna have to have a talk with Julius about this.”

There was childish groan from Ecto and Femme frowned as she trotted off with her bag being held in her mouth. Julius wouldn’t be too happy to find that she wasn’t in the mood anymore.

Well, Femme was right about Julius not being ecstatic. In fact, he was downright grumpy and irritable. Though that might have been because she dragged him away from bed to help her get the kitchen chairs off the table and so they could discuss Ecto. Speaking of the ghost, she was sitting in one of the chairs while Julius and Femme sat across from each other.

“We have to talk about this. I’m getting fed up with Ecto haunting the place,” Femme said as took a bite into her blood bag and began to drain it.

Julius stared half-lidded at her with his fore hooves on the table and his head resting on them. A cup of coffee was just a short reach from him with the words, “#1 Necromancer” written on it. He had yet to touch it though as he wanted to enjoy it with the pancakes an undead skeleton was fixing for them.

“What’s there to even talk about? She’s a ghost and you know as well as I do that haunting a place is just how they mark their territory. It’s an itch she gets sometimes and she needs to scratch it. No harm done. At least she’s not peeing on anything.”

“I can do that?” Ecto couldn’t help, but ask. However, her inquiry was quickly quelled by a hard glare from Julius and Femme before they returned their attention to each other.

“Yeah, well it’s starting to annoy me. She was making fake blood drip from the walls earlier and that was making me hungry and that’s the last thing either of us needs right now.” Femme had stopped drinking from her bag to say this and when she went back to it she was draining it even faster.

Julius sighed and turned to Ecto. “Ecto, do you promise to stop making blood drip from the walls?”

The ghost filly looked up at him and nodded while saying, “Yes.”

“There we go, problem solved.”

“Julius! It’s not just the walls. I’m tired of finding that ectoplasm lying around too and rearranged furniture. I want her to stop haunting this place!” Femme frowned at him.

Julius groaned. “Femme, I can’t just make her stop.”

“I know that. That’s why I’ve thought on it and I have a suggestion.”

“I’m all ears.”

Femme smiled at Ecto and said, “I think we, and by ‘we’ I mean you, should find Ecto her own place to haunt.”

Ecto let out a loud gasp and she quickly hugged Femme, earning a warm smile from her. “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!”

The fanfare was cut short by Julius as he firmly said, “No.”

Ecto face fell and Femme glared at him with shock. “What do you mean, ‘no’?”

“I don’t want her haunting someplace by herself. I want her to be where I know she’s safe. There’s nothing wrong with her haunting here.”

Ecto got doe-eyed on him as she pouted, but he remained stern. Femme just scowled at his stubbornness, but his mind was made up. She sighed and then asked, “Then what do you suggest?”

“I’m not suggesting anything. She’s been good with where she’s haunting now and I don’t see any reason to change that.” Julius smiled as the undead set the pancakes down in front of him and he began to stand up and head to one of the cabinets.

Femme turned to him as he passed by. “Don’t her antics bother you in the least? Wouldn’t it be nice to have her out of here once in a while?”

“Not really,” Julius replied as he started to open the top cabinets with his magic. “While it would be kind of nice to have the place to ourselves, this is why we have separate rooms.”

As the door swung open Julius found himself staring face to face with Ecto’s head. Her eye sockets were empty and pitch black with blood dripping out of them and her mouth hung open, unhinged from the jaw.

Julius screamed out, “Oh my goddess… we’re out of syrup! How am I supposed to have pancakes without– oh wait there it is, false alarm.” Julius pulled out the syrup bottle and shut the door while blissfully ignorant to what he had just seen.

Femme just gave him a deadpanned stare as he walked back to his seat and Ecto floated out of the aforementioned cabinet with a look of annoyance. “I’m starting to see why she doesn’t annoy you.”

As the ignorant necromancer began to dig into his breakfast and drink his coffee, Femme continued to try and persuade him of her approach. “I know we all have separate rooms Julius, but what if she haunts them too?”

Julius swallowed some of his food and then dismissed her with a wave of his hoof. “She knows better than that. Isn’t that right Ecto?” he asked this with a hard glare.

Not wanting to get grounded, Ecto nodded and replied, “Yes sir.”

“See?” Julius said with a grin.

“I’m not convinced, Julius.”

He groaned out and then turned back to Ecto. “Ecto, are you haunting Femme’s room?”

“No.”

“Are you haunting my room?”

“No.”

“Are you haunting the shop upstairs?”

“No.”

Julius’ eyes narrowed. “Are you haunting the dungeon?”

“Which one?” she asked with a cock of her head.

“The one me and Femme use,” Julius replied quickly.

Ecto’s ears perked up, “Oh, you mean your bondage dungeon?”

Julius closed his eyes and sighed. “… Yes… that one…”

“No, I stay out of that one. By the way, what’s a bondage dungeon?” She asked inquisitively.

“I’ll… tell you when you’re older.”

“But I’m older than you!” Ecto whined out.

Julius’ ears folded back at that remark. “When you’re more mature, then.”

“In comparison to you she doesn’t have far to go,” Femme quipped.

Julius just growled back at her for a moment before saying, “I think I’ve proven my point though. She’s staying out of the places she knows to keep away from. So, I don’t see a problem.”

Femme looked over to Ecto and asked, “Ecto, honey, are you haunting Julius’ study?”

Ecto swallowed nervously. “Umm… n-no…”

Julius nearly choked on his coffee and he coughed some of it up before he looked at her in horror. “Ecto…”

The little filly tried to sink in her chair and with some success since she could phase right through it. “I… might have done something in there…”

Julius eyes widened and he knocked his chair over while getting up and scrambling out of the kitchen, nearly tripping while repeating to himself, “No, no, no, no, no!”

He made a beeline down the hall to his private study where all his work and research took place. A few spells to unlock the door, which he would have to reinforce later to make sure a ghost like Ecto couldn’t get in, and he rushed inside.

Julius’ study space was very elegant when compared to most of the others he had used before. This one was a large room with plenty of book shelves, a back room with alchemy supplies, a skeleton model made from real bones, and a magnificent desk and chair made from mahogany. Not just any mahogany though, but it was made from the trees found within the demon realm that could grow over a hundred feet tall and could breathe fire! Also, it was a very fine material.

However, none of that mattered at this moment. The only thing that caught Julius attention was what was in the center of the room. Stacked neatly all the way to the ceiling was all of his books. They were perfectly balanced in the way that only ghosts seem capable of doing. Julius frowned at the sight, but sighed in relief at it not being as bad as he had thought.

Femme and Ecto walked in behind him. Ecto looked guiltily at him while Femme smiled smugly. “So, you sure you don’t want to find her somewhere else to haunt?”

Julius harrumphed and turned to Ecto. “Ecto, I keep some very dangerous stuff in here that could very well do you harm because they contain magic. I want you to stay out of here unless I give you permission to enter. Understand?”

Ecto looked to the ground and nodded. “I understand.”

“Good,” he said as he gave her an approving pat on the head and a smile. Julius turned back to Femme to glare at her once more and then trotted over to his books. “She stays here, Femme. Now I don’t want any more talk of this. I have to concentrate on making that tea to curb your appetite.”

Femme just sighed seeing that his overprotective stubbornness was going to win out. She smiled sadly at Ecto and gave her an apologetic hug at how disappointing all of this was.

Julius regarded the books until he found the one he had checked out of the Ponyville library and he carefully pulled it out and set the books back down on their pile. Satisfied with the book he turned back to the two of them. “I know this is a bit upsetting, but it’s for the best.”

“Can you at least think it over?” Femme requested.

“No Femme, my mind is made up.”

“But Julius…”

Julius stomped his hoof. “No Femme!”

“Uh, Julius…”

“No!”

“But–“

“I said no!” He stomped his hoof one more time and that was when he noticed the shadow looming over him. Julius glanced behind him as he saw the pile of books tumbling his way. All he managed to say was, “Ponyfeathers…”

Ecto and Femme winced as Julius was crushed under all of his books. They quickly rushed over and dug him out. As they got the final book off him and he once again had book bruises for the second time, he looked between the two of them and finally lamented, “I’ll… keep an eye out for some place she can haunt…”

A few hours later Julius was rummaging through the local forest. Not the Everfree, but close to it. He was examining a root with his magic before he stuffed it carefully in his herbal saddle bag. It was good practice to have a separate bag for collecting herbs along with multiple pouches and to wash it out after gathering.

As Julius picked up another herb he grumbled under his breath, “Stupid Femme, where am I gonna find some place abandoned?”

Julius trudged through some bushes before stopping and picking up another ingredient. Some of the things he collected were needed for Femme’s tea, but others he could use with his alchemy hobby and anything left over he could just sell for 100% profit. Unfortunately, even the thought of actually have some money to spare wouldn’t stop his sour mood.

“What does she expect me to do?” he continued to complain. “That I’ll just happen to wander onto some abandoned mansion in the woods?!”

A sigh escaped him as he continued to forage for more ingredients. At least he was having some pretty good luck with collecting ingredients. It was a somewhat nice change from his usual misfortune that always seemed to want to kick him while he’s down.

“I wish it was that easy…”

It was at that moment the universe decided to throw Julius a bone as he exited into a clearing. Before him was a torn stone wall and passed what was left of it was a decrypt, boarded up mansion with a yard that was overgrown with weeds and tall grass. It looked like no one had lived in it for years and nature had slowly reclaimed it. It was possibly the influence from the Everfree Woods which wasn’t too far from there, but to a much lesser effect.

Julius just stared blankly and dumbfounded at his discovery. His mind was trying to comprehend what had just happened. After a moment of thought he then yelled out, “And I wish I had a million bits drop right in front of me!” He looked up to the sky as he tapped his fore hooves together and grinned with a little ray of hope. However, nothing came of it and he was quickly disappointed. A sigh escaped him as he mumbled, “You only ever get one…”

With nothing left to be hopeful for, Julius approached the mansion to give it a closer look. As he suspected, no one was living there and it didn’t exactly say welcome. It was ominous, it was creepy, and it practically screamed “No Trespassing”. It… was… perfect!

Julius would have to discuss it with Femme and give the place a more thorough once over, but at a glance this looked like it was what they were looking for. With this they could get more space and keep Ecto happy while not undermining her haunting urges.

Now that that was out of the way, Julius could return back to his herb hunting…

Femme Fatale slowly licked her lips as she sat at the edge of her seat. Her eyes carefully graced every word of her novel with high anticipation as the story began to get more and more intense as the two lovers’ secret was becoming harder to keep hidden.

However, just as things were getting good, Femme’s ears folded back as they began to pick up the clip clop of hooves from outside. Of all the times for a customer to come in this had to be… the… absolute… worst!

Femme remained calm though, even as the door to the shop opened. Maybe they would browse for a while? Maybe they wouldn’t need her help? Maybe she would be able to continue to read her story without being inter–

“Excuse me!”

Dammit.

Femme put on a fake, faint smile as she set her novel down. It quickly became more genuine as she saw the lovely alabaster unicorn before her. She could only wonder what would bring Rarity here as she asked, “May I help you?”

“Oh, pardon my interruption, but I couldn’t help noticing what book you were reading. I had just finish reading that story not too long ago and I was wondering where you’re at?” Rarity asked with curiosity.

Femme had to blink in surprise. She hadn’t been expecting somepony to walk in who was interested in one of her trashy romance novels. This was a very pleasant finding. “Oh, well I just got to the night of the masquerade!”

Rarity clopped her fore hooves together. “Ooo, that’s such a good part! You will love it! That actually inspired me to start designing some dresses for a masquerade ball. Speaking of which…” Rarity took a glance around and saw what she had come to buy. She pulled out a book from one of the shelves with her magic and brought it over to the front counter. “I believe this is the book Twilight recommended me picking up.”

Femme examined the book and saw that it was on advanced techniques for sewing and dress making with magic. “So, you’re a seamstress?” Femme asked as she looked up the price of the book before Rarity could pay her.

“Why yes, and those Masquerade dresses are a little side project I’m working on,” Rarity answered while beaming with pride.

Femme sighed with a sense of nostalgia. “Ah, that brings me back to the masquerade balls back in Trotsylvania. Those were always so wonderful and romantic. I hope I get to go to another one sometime soon,” she swooned.

“Hey now, that gives me an idea! Why don’t I make you such a dress for the occasion?”

Femme gasped. “Oh, that would be lovely, but I simply couldn’t afford your services.”

“Who said anything about paying darling? This would be on me. I’d be happy to make something for you,” Rarity said, batting her eyelashes.

Femme licked her lips and smiled at those pretty eyes, but shook her head. “I-I couldn’t… I wouldn’t feel right if you did all of that for nothing in return.”

Rarity got a mischievous smile on her face. “Well, what if you did me a favor and you model a few dresses for me? You have a figure that I would love to use for a few designs!”

Femme giggled as she thought about it and it didn’t take her long to decide. “Well, I suppose I could offer my services in exchange for a lovely dress. It is a very… generous offer after all.”

“Excellent! Once I get back from a little outing how about you come to my boutique and I’ll get you fitted?”

“Sounds good, but do you mind if we do the fitting… after sundown?” Femme asked with a hint of concern.

Rarity looked at her queerly, but only shrugged. “Well, if that’s more convenient for you, I don’t mind.”

After paying for her book, Rarity started heading out. As she exited she called back, “I look forward to it. Wait till you see yourself in the mirror. You won’t recognize yourself!”

“Yes, I look forward to seeing myself in… the… mirror…” Femme suddenly frowned. “Oh… horse apples.”

“I can’t thank you enough for the help Zecora,” Julius said to the zebra shaman as he picked up another herb.

She smiled with delight as she picked up her own foliage. “Tis my pleasure, to help search for herbal treasure. I’m glad to help get your friend’s cravings sated, but based on the list of ingredients I suggest you stay hydrated,” Zecora grinned slyly as she said that.

Before Julius could ask what she meant by that he then heard the sound of a cart’s wheels begin to approach from the nearby road. Both of them turned to see a little white unicorn filly with a purple and pink mane pulling a wooden cart filled with a tower of luggage being led by Rarity. They were also accompanied by Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and two more fillies. One was a yellow earth pony with a big pink bow and the other was an orange chicken… no wait; it was just a pegasi with tiny wings. It was easy mistake to make.

As Julius contemplated if certain child labor laws were being broken, the three mares and the Cutie Mark Crusaders gave him and Zecora a wave which they both returned, although Julius’s was halfheartedly.

“Howdy Zecora and howdy… Mr. Grave,” Applejack greeted with less enthusiasm than she started with when she noticed it was Julius that was with Zecora.

Julius ignored Applejack’s despondent hello while Zecora greeted everyone. He simply went back to picking herbs when a thought occurred to him. He promptly stepped forward, quick to interrupt their friendly greetings.

“Excuse me, I hate to be a bother, but by chance do you happen to know anything about that run down mansion in the woods?”

“That old thing?” Applejack blinked and then answered. “It’s been there for years. Granny said some noble built it there a long time ago, but abandoned it for some unknown reason. Nopony’s bothered it ever since.”

Rainbow Dash then interjected herself into the conversation, “Yeah, well some ponies say the place is haunted!” She waved her hooves in the air in a lame silly show to be spooky. This got the three fillies behind them to whisper something between each other that none of the adults could really hear.

“Please, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. There’s no such thing as ghosts,” Rarity said with a scoff at such nonsense.

Julius had to resist every urge to smile or snicker at their statement and how great that news was. If everypony already thought the place was haunted then what was the problem with a ghost actually haunting it?

“Say, why are ya so interested in that ol’ place?” Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow.

Julius was brought back from his thoughts. “Hmm, oh… no reason.”

Applejack narrowed her eyes as he face scrunched up and she rubbed her chin with her hoof. This caused Julius to stare at her indignantly. “What?”

“What what?” she parroted in surprise.

“Why do you keep giving me that look?”

Applejack became confused. “What look?”

“You know, your ‘I think you’re lying’ look,” Rainbow Dash quipped as she hovered in the air. “I see you give that to ponies all the time. Heck, I see you give me that look at least once a week.”

Julius stared at Applejack with a frown, maintaining the gaze without blinking. He waited patiently for some kind of response to be caught red hoofed.

Rainbow earned a glare from Applejack as she readdressed Julius. “Okay, fine, I think you’re lying and I think you’ve been doing it a lot. If you don’t mind me sayin, but I’ve been finding you mighty suspicious. Worst of all I’m havin trouble picking the lies from the truths and I’m not one for liking liars,” she got closer as she began to confront him finally. It had been bothering her for a while, but Julius and Rainbow finally lit the fuse.

Julius scowled and he stepped closer into a bush as he got into her face to return the stare down. “What’s it matter? So, maybe I’m interested in that mansion. What of it? It’s my business and I don’t have to tell you anything. Am I not allowed to have a few secrets or privacy as long as it doesn’t hurt anypony?”

Applejack averted her gaze downward for a moment as he made a decent point. He was right on what he claimed, even if she didn’t like how he tended to lie about a lot of things. However, by showing the slightest sign of submission Julius, being a spiteful pony, decided to make one last stab at her and rub salt in the wound. “But, if you’re so desperate for me to be honest then how about this? I think the food you make from your apples is awful.”

Applejack’s jaw suddenly hanged open and she actually gasped slightly at the blasphemy she just heard. The other ponies actually backed up a bit not wanting to be anywhere near Julius seeing him as a soon to be casualty. Meanwhile, Applejack was trying to figure out what was more shocking; the fact he made such a claim or that she didn’t sense him lying when he said it.

To her credit, Applejack took a deep calming breath and let out slowly as she narrowed her eyes at him and let the apple comment slide. “Fine. You make a fair point. However, there’s one last thing I’d like to say to you if you’ll let me.”

Julius just shrugged as he smiled smugly at her. “It’s not like I can stop you.”

“All I want to say is… your standing in poison ivy,” Applejack deadpanned.

Julius blinked and looked down at the brush with leaves, but then laughed, “Ha, that’s not poison ivy!”

“He’s right,” Zecora commented as she looked at the leaves. “It isn’t poison ivy and thankfully it isn’t poison joke. It’s actually just plain old poison oak!”

“Yeah!” Julius yelled into Applejack’s face victoriously for the worst possible reason.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…Wait, what?” Julius looked to Zecora and then reexamined the leaves again before frowning deeply. He looked back to Zecora for help and asked, “Zecora, do you happen to have some of that medicine on you?”

“I’m sorry, but you’re in a rut. I left any salve back at my hut.”

His ears folded back and he looked at the other mares and asked, “Where’s the nearest pharmacy?”

“Other side of Ponyville, dear,” Rarity generously answered while pointing her hoof back to the town.

Julius sighed dejectedly. “Of course it is,” he commented dryly as he trotted out of the bush and as he went down the road, he would occasionally hop from leg to leg as he started to scratch himself.

“What a weird-o,” Rainbow Dash said as she watched him leave.

Rarity hummed. “He is a bit of an… oddball.”

Applejack just harrumphed and asked, “Do you think the food my family makes is bad?”

“Oh, of course not! I don’t know what he’s talking about. I think your apple fritters are absolutely delish!” Rarity said in her usual posh attitude.

“Yeah, your family’s cooking is awesome! Not as awesome as me, but still pretty close.” Rainbow Dash grinned.

Applejack smiled and then began to lead everyone into the forest, leaving Zecora alone to once again to go about her business as usual.