//------------------------------//
// Chapitre Seize 
// Story: The Operatic Angel 
// by misskoifishpony 
//------------------------------//

Chapitre Seize

"Y-Yes, of course. Come on in." Butterscotch replied in hesitation.

Dusk Shine calmly walks in,slyly inspecting the room for Eris's magic...and her magic was everywhere. Especially on Butterscotch. He had to keep a straight face and hold his head high so that way his horn doesn't glow like crazy.

Butterscotch saw the unicorn's stiffness and strange curiosity of the dressing room. This urged him to ask "Can I...help you with something...Monsieur Dusk Shine?"

"Yes...you can." Dusk answered in a solemn tone.

He turns around and faces the yellow pegasus with a very stern expression on his face. This terrified Butterscotch, and he slightly cowered his head in defense.

"But I will need your full cooperation. Do you understand?" Dusk commanded.

Butterscotch nodded his head slowly and whispered "D-Don't worry, I-I'll cooperate. But...cooperate for what?"

Dusk approached Butterscotch...getting closer and closer to him. He uttered "I need to cast a spell a you."

"A spell? For what?"

"I'll tell you once the spell is complete. Now...may I?" He asked while bringing his horn closer to Butterscotch's forehead.

The young tenor was concerned for Dusk Shine. He's acting so...unusual. He's so stern...cold...and above all suspicious. He must be getting closer in finding Eris, and he figured the only to get to her was to get to him. However,refusing the spell would only rise his suspicions even more.

Butterscotch figured that this spell would not harm him. It just wouldn't be in Monsieur Dusk Shine's nature to harm his fellow pony. Besides, this spell couldn't trace Eris's magic...no matter how Dusk may try...Eris was too smart for her magic to be tracked down by any pony.

Butterscotch closed his eyes and calmly stated "You may."

Dusk Shine's horn began to glow like a burning fire place in the dark dressing room. He closed his eyes and concentrated on Butterscotch...and Eris. Beads of sweat began to multiply all over his face as his spell...began to lift Butterscotch high into the air.

Eris quietly exclaimed while hiding in the darkness of the room, "What the?!"

As her dear Butterscotch floated higher and higher into the air...Eris's eyes narrowed on Dusk Shine. And she sprang into action.

Butterscotch,all of the sudden, heard a deep growl from the other side room. Then, the spell released and he fell to the hard ground. When he opened his eyes, he saw Eris...crouching defensively in front of him...and snarling at Dusk Shine like a Jagur.

"E-Eris!" he pleaded.

Unfortantely, she didn't hear his plea. Her fury was focus on the terrified purple unicorn before her.

Dusk Shine whispered in disbelief "Eris..."

She growled "How dare you. Not only do you utter my name in such a disgusting manner, but you also dare to use magic on Butterscotch. You will pay for this."

Faster than lighting, she harshly grabs Dusk Shine by the throat and lifts high into the air. He tries to beat away her grip with his hooves, but he was quickly losing his oxygen and his strength. He was rapidly becoming helpless.

While trying to get back on his hooves, Butterscotch shouts "Eris stop!"

Dusk Shine chokes out "Please. I wasn't going to hurt Butterscotch. I was trying to use the magic within him...to summon you."

Eris barks out "Butterscotch doesn't have magic. Just admit it! You were going to blackmail me by using him as bait!" She clenches her claw tighter on his neck.

Butterscotch goes up to Eris and begs "Eris please! He's telling the truth!"

"How do you know?!" She yells.

"Ask him how he knows your real name. If his tone is sincere, then release him."

"But if it isn't...I'll turn him into stone right here. Right now."

Eris slightly loosens her grip on Dusk Shine's neck and brings his face closer to hers. She then sternly commands "Tell me mortal...how do you know my name?"

Dusk Shine whispers in his weak breath "I heard it. In the mist of Zircoro's prayers two days ago. I was passing by his dressing room and...I overheard him. I swear! I swear."

Eris looks deeper into his eyes...in a very skeptical manner. She still didn't believe him. She wanted to turn him into stone so badly, then crush his statue body into dust. But then, she turned her gaze towards Butterscotch...and his tender yet loving teal eyes. No pony,not even the great Phantom, can say no to those eyes.

So, she had punish this unicorn... in a different way.

She slowly brings her free claw towards Dusk's forehead and...flinches it at him. This immediately puts the unicorn under a sleeping spell.

"W-What? What did you do?" Butterscotch questions.

"I casted a memory swipe spell. When he wakes up, he'll forget all about his little quest for finding me. And nothing more."

Eris quietly walks over to the couch and gently lies Dusk Shine on it. Butterscotch slowly joins Eris's side.

He smiles and tells Eris "Thank you Eris."

"For what?"

"For being merciful."

She smirks at him and replies "Yeah well, this doesn't mean that I forgive the guy. He's still on my list."

"I know, but still...mercy is the first step towards forgiveness."

"How many steps are there in this 'forgiving' process?"

This caused Butterscotch to giggle a little. His light and bell-like giggle made Eris to warmly smile.

"So how long will he sleep for?"

"Oh probably till morning."

Butterscotch then wanders around the dressing room in search of a blanket for Dusk Shine. Eris, in a sleek manner, poofs up a blanket on the chair not too far from Butterscotch.

He smirks at Eris and says "Thank you."

"I have no idea what you're talking about it."

While Butterscotch softly places the blanket over Dusk Shine,Eris points "Oh I almost forgot to ask! Did you see the Angel of Music tonight?!"

"Oh. N-No...I didn't." He answered in a slightly somber tone.

"Oh darling, I'm so sorry." She cooed while placing her hands on his shoulders.

When Butterscotch turned around to face her, Eris tried to comfort him with "I'm s-sure you'll see her the next time you perform."

"Thank you for trying Eris, but it's okay. I actually had a good time performing tonight. Despite not seeing The Angel of Music."

"Really?! Oh that's wonderful sweetie!"

"Yeah, but I would have never had the confidence to do so without you."

"Oh that was easy. Believe me. You just needed a little crack in your shell. That's all."

Butterscotch blushed softly remarked "But still...thank you."

That little blush of his was so precious to Eris. Especially since he was blushing because of her. And that made it all the sweeter. She wanted to stay with him and enjoy this night with him...just a little longer.

"I uh...have to get going. Before well..."

"More ponies barge in. I...I understand." he answered in a slightly disappointed tone.

Eris hated seeing her beloved so disappointed. She had to cheer him up some how. Then, the memory of their moment on the couch slowly sneaked in her thoughts. A cheeky smile quickly appeared on her face.

She kneeled before Butterscotch and placed her hands on his shoulders. She sweetly whispered while staring lovingly into his eyes, "Don't worry, we'll see each other soon. I promise."

Then, she surprised her little lover with a quick yet tingling kiss on the lips.

And like silver mist, she disappeared...right before Butterscotch's eyes.

Butterscotch's heart may gave been pounding and his face may have flushed,...surprisingly his mind wasn't spinning like the last time they kissed. Was it because it was quick? The shy pegasus couldn't tell.

Yet all he could mutter was "Oh...my."