//------------------------------// // 21 - Dispositions // Story: From Dusk to Night // by KuroiTsubasaTenshi //------------------------------// Swatting away the memories of Light Horn, I forced myself to look straight at Mint Creme. If this was another setup, I needed to get ahold of myself. “I’m sorry, you must have the wrong pony.” She gave me an expectant look. “Dusky Down?” “And if I am?” “I was hoping we could talk.” “Do you have proof of your identity?” I watched her carefully. She nodded slowly, with a bit of an odd tilt, as though she was trying to see past me. “I do, but not here. Somewhere more private.” It was obviously the same ploy, and yet, but by some bizarre twist of logic, it was the fact that I didn’t feel that same immediate affection that made me think twice. But all that really said was that the sun hat wasn’t enchanted. Snide fashion comments aside, there were any number of reasons, from time to cost, that would prevent them from deploying it here. Perhaps it was bordering on paranoia, but I couldn’t afford to let my guard down—not after last time. I motioned down the hall and started walking. I could only hope to Celestia that Starshadow was there. If nothing else, sorting this all out with backup would make me feel a lot better. I had just reached the exit when the second-to-last door creaked open. Whirling, I fell into a defensive stance. Sure, it could have just been some tourist headed out to the beach, but with my mind as tense as it was, it could only see thugs around every corner. Mint Creme turned toward the door, confusion written on her face. A blade shot out of the room, stopping just before touching her throat. A mixture of relief and dread washed over me as I realized that the razor-sharp blade was held in Starshadow’s aura; I was safe. Unless Mint Creme tried to fight back. Then things would get messy. “In. Now.” Starshadow’s command was almost as sharp as her weapon. “Okay.” Mint Creme’s voice was tense, but calm. “I don’t want any trouble.” She walked slowly and deliberately, keeping herself in full view of the room. Whoever she was, she was definitely more sensible than the standard Cartel fare. I quickly followed after Mint Creme, locking the door behind us. Starshadow stood at the back of the room, sizing up Mint Creme from several paces away. The room itself seemed rather indifferent. It was pretty much a duplicate of my suite, but without any indication of anyone staying in the room. Aside from our presence, it was ready for the next guest. I hoped that whatever Starshadow had done to gain access wouldn’t draw any undue attention to our little ‘meeting’—or come back to bite us in the flank sometime further down the road. “What do you plan to do with me?” Mint Creme asked, a tinge of worry in her voice, but still remarkably calm for being held at knifepoint. “We should be asking you the same question,” Starshadow said. “Given that you were following us around.” I frowned. She must have kept some serious distance if I didn’t notice her, although that would have been of extremely limited value. It made sense, then, that she might have approached while I was distracted. Too bad Starshadow was keeping an eye out. Mint Creme’s eyes flitted over to me. “I told you, I just want to talk.” “Sorry.” I circled round to her side. “But the last pony to say that wasn’t particularly sincere. How about that proof of yours?” “What?” Her mouth remained open, as though a dozen questions were on the tip of her tongue. She caught herself after a few moments. “R-right. It’s under my hat.” I glanced at Starshadow. She nodded and Mint Creme’s hat very slowly tipped until it fell to the floor with a dull plop. The sunglasses came with, bouncing off the brim before skittering across the carpet. As her ponytail fell free of her hat, it suddenly hit me: this was the same pegasus I’d seen in Canterlot, prior to our meeting with Noble Light—the one who shut the door when I looked at her. This meant she was either working with Noble Light or spying on him. Poking out of the crown of the hat was a corner of parchment. I looked at Starshadow again. Once more she nodded, and the sun hat slid over to me. At first glance, the document appeared to be some sort of orders. But as I read further, the writing seemed too familiar to be any official military document. Mint, This is a matter of utmost importance. This is entirely off the books and must remain as much. You are the only pony I can trust with this case—do not involve any other Guards. You are to go to the location we previously discussed and await the arrival of six ponies (see the enclosed envelope). They are high priority targets. See to it that they are not harmed or followed. In addition, you are to ascertain the details surrounding the pegasus mare’s incident. I leave the method up to you. I’m counting on you. -Noble The aforementioned envelope was missing, but the letter itself was more than enough to bring my train of thought up to full speed. I eyed the document a second time, then a third. I wished I’d gotten to know Noble Light a bit better; I just couldn’t be sure of the authenticity. “So… you’re close to Noble Light?” “You could say that,” Mint Creme replied. When I raised an eyebrow, she hastily added, “He’s my father.” I blinked. “You’re Night Flurry’s sister?” Mint Creme’s voice dropped a little. “Yes.” It certainly explained why, if the letter was real, she was the only one he trusted. At the very least, now I had an easy way to verify her claims. “Then he should be able to clear this right up.” I glanced at Starshadow. “Let’s tie her up before I head out.” “Very well. There is a coil of rope under the bed.” Mint Creme’s eyes went wide. “W-wait! Please don’t!” Starshadow cocked her head. “Do you have a phobia?” “Not that. Night. Don’t tell him I’m here.” “What? Why?” I furrowed my brow. This was the perfect opportunity to prove her innocence. That is, unless she was lying and knew Night would out her. “Night Light... Flurry... Whatever he calls himself now.” Mint Creme grimaced, like she’d been struck right in the ribs. “It wouldn’t end well. He… he doesn’t want to see us.” “You realize that this doesn’t help your credibility, right?” She sighed. “I know. But I’d rather you be suspicious of me than upset my brother.” It was a strange sort of loyalty, not unlike Night’s initial tendencies, although less extreme. Between that and knowing his real name, she was really starting to look like the real deal. I turned back to Starshadow. “I believe her.” “You’re sure?” “Yeah. I mean, this could all be an elaborate deception, but she’s got a lot of things working in her favour. Plus she seems sincere enough.” “All right.” Starshadow was already nodding, as though she’d been waiting for my confirmation. She lowered her weapon. Mint Creme smiled. “Thanks. So, the incident?” “Not yet.” I shook my head. “I trust who you are, but you’re still a stranger and I’m not going to talk about that with just anyone.” She slumped. “I understand. How can I earn your trust?” “Let me get back to you on that.” --- A niggling in the back of my mind kept telling me that letting Mint Creme go was a mistake. But there was no new reasoning or information. And while there was nothing wrong with still being wary of her, I needed to be careful; letting myself get carried away because I was high strung was little better than letting my guard down entirely. It was for that reason that, even though dusk was approaching, I found myself headed back to Terra’s little alcove. Sure, it was pretty dirty and the footing wasn’t going to be great, but it’s not like I was feeling up to the more strenuous aspects of training, anyway. Just the basics would work—the location was just fine. Starshadow, of course, insisted on coming along. Not that I was inclined to stop her after this afternoon. Once we’d arrived, she stood off to the side and said, “Do not worry about anything other than your practice. I shall keep watch.” “Thanks,” I replied. Although, truth be told, I couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious. Years of practice under the strict tutelage of my mother and I was somehow more nervous during this lightweight session. I took a deep breath, clearing all thought from my mind. Fifty headbutts. Fifty kicks from each forehoof. Fifty wing strikes, rounded off by as many bucks. I still had it. My body felt a bit stiff, even off, but muscle memory is a powerful thing. While my worries were still waiting for me when I finished, at least I felt more relaxed. If there was one constant in the world I could count on, it was that strange combination of focus and exhaustion I always got from those old regimens. As the ocean breeze began to cool my sweat-slicked coat, I turned to Starshadow. “I think that’s enough for now.” She nodded. “Your form is quite good. Have you had formal training?” “Thank you. Yes and… well, no.” I paused, pondering how to explain without getting too wordy. “I was trained by my mother, who once trained with the Guard. She left before she officially joined their ranks, but she took that knowledge with her.” “Ah, so she created her own style.” There was a twinkle in her eye of, not quite admiration, but closer to respect. “Yes. She taught it to me when I was just a filly. She told me that when I was older, I’d need to know how to protect myself and those I care about.” I laughed bitterly, as visions of my last fight skittered through my mind. “I try to do it justice, but sometimes I wonder.” “Wonder what?” Starshadow gave me an expectant look. “I… it’s just, these recent events. I’ve been practicing all my life and yet it… it wasn’t enough.” I turned to Starshadow and my voice fell, refusing to go above a whisper. “I almost died. my mother has thrown countless would-be swindlers and robbers on their backs, but a few thugs were too much for me. I can barely protect myself, nevermind Terra, Mahogany, or Night.” Starshadow placed a hoof on my shoulder. “That is a concern many Ostfriesens hold, as well. Even the strongest warrior is still but one pony. That is why we band together when we confront monsters. So long as you need us, Merriweather and I will help you fight yours.” While I still wished that they hadn’t gotten dragged into this to the point that such an oath was necessary, I had to admit that I was in over my head. I would take whatever I could get. I smiled. “Thanks, Star. Can I call you that?” “That is a fine nickname.” She nodded. “If I may add one more thing?” “Of course.” “Strictly speaking, your mother has an unfair advantage.” I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, which was met by a look that said, Let me finish. “As an instructor who developed her own style, she has a far more intimate knowledge of it than anypony else ever will. As such, you will likely never master it in the same way, but you can develop your own, the same way she took parts from that of the Guard.” “That makes sense.” I nodded as a smirk crept up my face. “Think it could benefit from some Ostfriesen technique?” Star cracked a smile of her own. “I would be honoured to teach you.” “Sorry about that.” I let my smile turn sheepish. “I imagine this doesn’t even compare to life in the wastes.” Star shook her head. “While that is true, very few dare to take on that lifestyle.” “What?” I had this sinking feeling that I was totally off-base. “Our land is not just the barrens. Where we settled is lush and green, with multiple sources of fresh water. Beyond that are mountains, easily accessible and rich with gems and precious metals.” My cheeks grew warm, my own fault for going off of secondhoof rumours and legends. “Wow. Sounds like you have everything you need.” “Mmm. Sometimes I think it is as much a curse as a boon.” I blinked. “What do you mean?” “The barrens are dangerous, even for many seasoned knights. From the Equestrian side, your ponies are so unprepared that the peril of the roads have become legend. Add that we have little want for anything material that we cannot make ourselves, and there is little incentive for trade, or rather, providing escorts for Equestrian trade. Our relationship is skeletal, at best.” “Well, when you put it that way…” I could see where she was going now. Complacency is a universal danger, and one that Equestria was not a stranger to, either. “Internally, small squabbles break out. Politicians get caught up in their games, obsessed with nudging the borders of their influence here and there. Were it not for the monsters and our warrior pride, I am afraid we would stagnate.” Star looked down the beach, though there was nothing there. She quickly caught herself, snapping to. I wondered if that was why Star and Merriweather had left Ostfriesen. Merriweather certainly didn’t seem the type to be too attached to politics, which would leave her little reason to stay if Star was getting sick of them. I wanted so much to ask, but the question was almost certainly overstepping my bounds. It would have to wait for another time. “That’s a strange irony, for sure. I suppose every system has its flaws, though.” Star nodded before glancing over at the hotel. “We should head back. Merriweather will be wondering where we are.” “Somehow I doubt she’ll be too worried if we’re a few minutes late.” I grinned. “But I need to find Terra, anyway, so let’s go.”