- - - Day 6 pt 2 - - -
Kage settled into the theater's rafters, his cantrip of shadows firmly woven around him. He had called himself lucky when he found an old stage curtain stored atop the beams. It made for a comfortable nest, though he made a point to ignore the hair and stains that suggested he was not the first to hide on them. His biggest concern was staying awake. The high ceiling made it the kind of warm that tended to make him sleepy, but a few sprigs of dried ephedra would cure that.
A flash of light in one of the windows told him his wards were about to enter the building. Setting his notepad and pencil in place, he focused on the line of ponies filing into the auditorium. Spike was the first one he spotted, then Clover. The little dragon had a serious, focused, expression as he guided Clover towards their seats. If he were a pony, Kage would have pegged him as one destined to be a soldier, and his dragon’s eyes would serve him well in the Night Guard.
Quashing the rambling thought, Kage looked for the other ponies he had been briefed about. Young Primrose was on the other side of Clover. The young pegasus didn’t have her mark yet, but seemed to be following her father’s talent. The report had said Social Graces had done work in Canterlot for years, but only moved here a few weeks back; his daughter joining him just a few days ago.
She was a cute filly that would become a beautiful mare; a lithe and feminine frame, with feathers colored like the sunset. Kage snickered to himself. Clover was far from blind to Primrose. Even at this distance, Kage could tell Clover was consciously trying not to stare at her. She was a bit of a flirt too, letting the tips of her wing brush against him every so often.
Behind Clover, Fusée prattled on about something to the two colts in their party. Hers was the familiar face. Her family was close with his, and he had eaten at their table on many nights. He would be there again in a few days to celebrate her cuteceañera. The little tomcolt had surprised him when she got a mark in the shape of a music box.
The two colts struck him as dull sorts. Glancing at his notepad, Kage checked his notes on them. The one with the book cutie mark was Vellum, and the blank flank was Burnish Bright. One from a family of academics, and the other of metalworkers.
Kage chewed on a bit of ephedra, ignoring the bitter taste as he scanned the room. Adults and foals alike hurried to their assigned seats, glancing at their tickets till they found the right one. His wards eventually found their places, and settled in. It was all perfectly peaceful. Closing one eye, he waited for the lights to go out.
Music filled the auditorium as the room went dark. Opening the eye he had closed, Kage scanned for anything taking advantage of the darkness. From the stage, he could hear the shuffling hooves of dancing ponies, but he refrained from looking. The bright stage lighting would ruin his night vision, and he couldn’t risk being distracted.
Looking back to Clover, Kage knew the performers must have been at least as good as the music. The colt was nothing short of entranced by the dancing. A soft smile was plastered on his muzzle, as his head followed the movement on stage.
Kage paced his nest one more time to look over the crowd, then settled into place. It was a long play, but at least the music would make the time go faster as he watched over Clover.
In time, Intermission came, and Kage again closed one eye to preserve its night vision before the lights came on. In a mostly-organized manner the ponies filed out of the theater, either into the street to stretch their legs, or into the lobby for use of the bathroom.
Clover stayed in his place, only standing where he was, to stretch. There was some conversation between Night Light and the foals, that resolved with Night Light staying with Clover, while the rest went to the lobby. Kage took advantage of the intermission as well. Standing up, he stretched each leg in turn, letting the blood refresh.
A few minutes later and below him the tide of ponies started to turn. Clover settled back into his seat, and seemed eager for the play to resume. Looking towards the lobby, Kage spotted the others returning. Spike had an expression that bordered on fury, while the others seemed embarrassed.
Kage studied them as they returned, watching for whatever had angered Spike, but nothing stood out. Still, something nagged at him; his guard’s intuition told him to be on edge. Putting another bit of ephedra in his mouth, he watched the crowd with all the more attention.
- - -
The theater lights blazed to life with the sound of applause. Only squinting this time, Kage let both his eyes adjust to the light.
Willpower and the stimulant herb were the only thing keepings him awake. The last hour had been an absolute, mind numbing, bore. Nothing, pony or otherwise, had given Clover a second look. Even Spike’s anger had vanished, the show having returned his smile to him.
Kage stood, keeping a close eye on Clover as the crowd began to file out the back of the building. When his wards stepped out into the street, Kage let his spell of shadow unravel. There were other guards outside, they would escort the party from here to the pizza parlor. With a flap of his wings, Kage launched himself towards the ventilation window he had used to sneak in.
Outside, the cold evening air stung Kage's lungs, shocking him back to alertness as he raced towards the pizza parlor. It was only a block away, but he wanted every second he could get to set up before they got there.
Landing in the shadow of the chimney, Kage waited. Across the street a bird called, soft, three hoots. The area was deemed safe. Relaxing a bit, he contemplated where to set up. Outside would put him too far away to be useful. Inside was too bright and small to go unseen. That left him with only his own bravado for concealment. Shucking his armor off, he left it by the chimney. A second later and he was in standing in the alley behind Slice of Life. He’d eaten here a few times, or rather ordered pizzas to-go. The young stallion that ran it made the best pies on the mountain, but the place was always full of families and foals. He’d much rather enjoy his food in the quiet of his own home.
“Welcome back, Kage,” the owner greeted as soon as Kage stepped through the door. “The usual?” The earth pony had an uncanny talent for remembering ponies. As best he could tell, Stone Hearth remembered the name, face, and favorite toppings of every pony that have ever eaten his food.
“No,” Kage said, strolling up to the counter. “Think I’ll just get a few slices for here.” Stretching his neck, Kage looked over the selection of ready pizzas. Stone had a few more out today than he usually did: he expected it to be busy. “I’ll have two slices of the one with hot peppers.”
Trading bits for food, Kage took his plate and drink to find a place to sit. With a casual air, he walked between the tables, snatching up a newspaper from an empty table as he went. Finally, he picked a table between two families as the best place to hide in plain sight. It was the last spot he’d normally take, but it served his purpose. He would sit there, nibble at his food, and be just one of Luna’s guards off duty. Fusée would recognize him eventually, but he wanted to keep his anonymity as long as possible.
Again, this was a perfectly peaceful place, but he wasn’t going to let assumption make him complacent. It only took a moment for Clover and the others to walk in. There were smiles all around as they trotted up to the counter. Clover had an air of casual curiosity, but Spike’s eagerness to show him around was making the colt smile.
The group of ponies stood in line, ogling the offering of food as they waited their turn to order. There was a bit of banter Kage could just make out. Spike insisted on Clover trying one particular pie, while Clover seemed more interested in another pizza. The issue was quickly resolved by him getting both. Primrose instantly asked for a slice of what Clover had chosen, while Vellum and Burnish hummed and hawed over the choices.
Taking a bite of his pizza, Kage let himself enjoy the food. Some weeks back, Stone Hearth had confided to him that he was thinking of moving. The big city didn’t suit him, and he was in the market for a property in some rural town. Kage was really going to miss this place. At least he would still be able to get his ice cream fix, as Stone Hearth bought all the ice cream from Rock Salt down the road.
Eating as slow as he could, Kage kept an eye on Clover and the ponies moving about the room. The foals made quick work of their food, eating it like it would vanish if ignored.
“Can we go to the game room?” Burnish asked Night Light.
“I don’t know, can you?” Night light answered.
Kage groaned along with the foals.
“Dad…” Spike said.
Night Light snickered, then waved a hoof. “Go have fun.”
Turning in his seat a bit, Kage finished off his second slice as he watched Spike eagerly lead Clover to the game room. The space was a small affair, the whole thing well lit and easily visible from the dining area. He watched them play for a while. It was the model of care-free youth at first, but then the mood changed to one of apprehension in the clap of a hoof.
Kage looked around for the cause, but found nothing to warrant a threat.
“Did the lizard take a pony as a pet?” a voice asked.
Kage watched two colts saunter up to Spike; one a fat little ball of white fur with a cinnamon roll for a cutie mark, the other a waif of a colt with no mark. Everything about them stank of bully. He started to stand, dragging those two out by their ears was going to be far too much fun.
“Only interfere if you feel it is absolutely necessary,” Princess Celestia’s words rang back from his memory. Sitting back down, Kage stewed on what she meant. This certainly wasn't life threatening, but still…
No, he was a guard of Princess Luna’s, a proud guardian of Equestria. Personal feelings wouldn’t cloud his judgment. He was here to protect Clover from threats of life and liberty, not trivial bullies. Until they touched Clover, he was a shadow in the night.
“Makes sense, runt lizard, keeping a runt pony,” the waif said, nodding to Clover.
Kage really hoped they made that mistake.
“Sweet Roll and Ruffine,” Night Light said, scooting a chair back to take a seat next to Kage.
Kage stiffened, the sudden attention throwing him off.
“Thanks for escort by the way,” Night light said with a genuine smile.
“You saw me?” Kage was suddenly feeling like a cadet again. Hiding was his special talent, nopony since his drill sergeant had been able to pick him out of the shadows.
“Since we picked up Clover. I have a gift for seeing things in the dark, so don’t feel bad.”
Kage relaxed a bit. It was an odd gift for a unicorn, but useful for an astronomer. “You know those two?”
Night Light’s posture sagged. “Yeah. I’ve spoken with their parents, but there’s no polite conversation with them.”
Bitter laughter interrupted Night Light, as both his and Kage’s attention focused on the two cackling bullies leaving the game room. Again, Spike’s eyes glistened with rage. Standing between the bullies and his friends, Spike mumbled curses of good riddance.
“Ahh,” Kage said, watching the duo saunter up to the counter to order food. Thankfully, they took their food, and left with it. Leaving the foals to forget the interruption as fast as it had come.
Relaxing back into their chairs, the two adults kept vigil from their table, passing the time with idle conversation. They couldn’t help but smile at the infectious joy Spike took in showing Clover around. Even laughing along when Clover beat him at the table-hoofball game.