//------------------------------// // Rainswept Welcomes // Story: Lakeside // by Steadfast Bulwark //------------------------------// The carriage rolled along the road as the rain fell in sheets, blanketing the mountainside. The four stallions struggled against the wind as they sloshed through the ever rising torrent of mud and water. Having lived in these mountains all their lives, they were accustomed to bad weather, but none of them had ever seen a storm this severe, especially this late in summer. As they continued forward against the deafening wind and rain, inside the carriage all was quiet. Twilight having cast a sound dampening spell around the carriage. She had also offered to put a barrier around the drivers as well but they had declined. The carriage was of sturdy make, having been designed to travel the uneven mountain roads, and could easily carry no fewer than ten passengers and as such the six friends were quite comfortable. Sitting at the back of the carriage was Applejack, Fluttershy, and Twilight. Sitting across from them were Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were engaged in a staring contest, both having become bored during the lengthy trip. Rainbow's left eye was beginning to twitch and tears were slowly making their way down Applejacks face. The carriage lurched slightly causing the pair to flinch simultaneously. “Oh! It's a draw!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed excitedly as she added a tally mark to a rather full notepad. “What's the score now, Pinkie?” Applejack asked as she blinked furiously. Rainbow Dash was likewise watering her eyes. “Well lets see.” Pinkie began to leaf through her notepad, absently mouthing off figures as she tallied the score. “If we count every win and subtract each tie then it's a tie!” Pinkie said happily. “What!?” Applejack and Rainbow Dash both exclaimed. Fluttershy offered a quiet congratulations that went unheard. “Let me see the scores.” Rainbow Dash said as Pinkie passed the notepad over. Applejack leaned forward as Rainbow flipped through the pad. Several seconds passed before a very confused Rainbow Dash looked up and addressed Pinkie. “Uh...Pinkie...where's the tallies?” Rainbow Dash held out the pad which was filled with little doodles of fluffy unicorns and angry gnomes. Pinkie Pie blinked twice. “I have no idea.” “Right...Twi, were you keeping score?” Applejack asked, turning in her seat. “Yes Applejack that was a very good kick.” Twilight answered without taking her eyes off the open book floating in front of her. “That be a no.” Rainbow said, letting out an exasperated sigh. “I lost track after a hundred and twenty.” Fluttershy said. “How bout you, Rares?” Applejack asked, leaning past Fluttershy. Rarity, who had spent most of the trip in silence, sat staring out the carriage window into the pouring rain. Her left foreleg was resting on the window seal as she gently stroked the golden pendant held fast at the base of her throat by a black choker. She remained as such until a hoof gently tapped on her shoulder. “Hm..what?” Rarity said as she ceased her absent minded staring. She stopped stroking the pendant as she turned in her seat to face the quizzical stares of her friends. Both competitors groaned loudly. “She wasn't counting either!” Rainbow said, bringing a hoof to her face. “Now how will we know who won?” “Um...you both won?” Fluttershy said, but was quickly overshadowed by Pinkie Pie. “Oh! Oh! Pick me! Pick me!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, waving her hooves furiously. “Uh...Pinkie Pie.” Applejack said after a moment of hesitation. Pinkie Pie beamed. “You can have a race! Winner wins!” Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at each other for a moment before nodding their heads in agreement. “That’ll work.” Rainbow said. “We should be able to draw out a course around the lake or something.” “No need.” Twilight said suddenly, lowering her book. “The Lakeside estate is massive. My books say it's easily double the size of Canterlot Castle and the surrounding hills are criss crossed with trails. I can have a suitable course drawn up right away.” She smiled happily before losing herself once again in her book. The others all shared a glance before Rainbow asked what was all on their minds. “She heard that but was completely zoned out earlier?” “Its called selective hearing, Rainbow.” Twilight said from behind her book. Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to retort but was interrupted by the carriage lurching suddenly before coming to a stop. The carriage door opened and a thoroughly soaked driver greeted them. “Ladies. We’ve arrived.” He said gruffly while wringing out his hat. The six friends shuffled from the carriage. “Hold on.” Twilight said. Her horn glowed momentarily causing the rain around the carriage to cease as a magical barrier diverted the rain away. The driver huffed loudly. “Very good, miss.” He stepped away from the door allowing them to disembark. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were first off, followed by Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, and lastly by Twilight and Rarity. No sooner than Rarity's tail cleared the door, the driver quickly closed it before rejoining his fellows at the front. Once he was harnessed the carriage slowly pulled away from the the group but none of them noticed it leaving, all of their attention was focused on the magnificent sight before them. The impenetrable clouds from which the rain poured parted, allowing the light from the setting sun to cast its radiance on the world below. The light danced amongst the falling raindrops, setting the sky ablaze in ever changing colours only to be consumed by a large lake alight in golden splendor. The six were speechless, mouths agape. Only Rarity put voice to the moment. “Beautiful.” She whispered. Then just as it must, it ended. The clouds moved back into place, blocking off the sun and returning the world to grey. The spell broken, Twilight spoke up. “Well it won't do us any good standing around out here.” “I agree.” Rarity said. “Twilight's spell may be keeping us dry but I detest standing in this mud.” She lifted her left fore hoof, allowing several clumps of mud to splatter to the ground, as if to emphasize her point. “Then won't you all follow me.” The six jumped in surprise at the new voice, Fluttershy ducked behind Applejack with a whimper. “I do apologize if I frightened you.” A tall grey griffin dressed in a black tail coat and carrying a large umbrella greeted them with a bow, taking care not to let the tails of his coat touch the ground and revealing that he was missing his left wing. “My name is Scyphos, I serve Sir Constance as butler of his estate. He sent me to see you all safely to the house.” He straightened from his bow and nodded towards the barrier currently surrounding them. “I would offer an umbrella but I see there’s no need. Now if you would kindly follow me.” He turned briskly and began walking away. The six still surprised by his sudden appearance hesitated before following. They quickly caught up and walked in silence, broken only by the sound of hooves sloshing through mud. “So why the heavy rain?” Rainbow Dash asked, slightly unnerved by the silence. “By the looks of it your weather Pegasus must have forgotten to schedule rain for awhile.” “You're partly right.” Scyphos responded without looking back. “The weather in these mountains act of their own accord and as such we have no need of weather pegasus.” “Much like the Everfree forest.” said Twilight. “I had no idea there were other areas like it!” “Indeed.” Scyphos said. “Legend says that a great battle took place near what is now the heart of the Everfree forest that destroyed the magical balance. By this theory Scholars conclude that a similar event must have occurred here as well but none were able to find any evidence that lends credence to that theory.” Twilight opened her mouth, eager to take part in a debate with the griffin but was interrupted. “Ah here we are.” The group stopped before a large, ornate double door that seemed to stand alone amidst the rain. “Allow me.” Scyphos stepped forward and opened the doors motioning for them to enter. Stepping through the threshold was like stepping into another world. A massive foyer with a vaulted ceiling greeted them. Dozens of chandeliers cast their light about the room, reflecting off the many gilded paintings hanging on the walls and the polished marble floor beneath them. Scyphos closed the doors behind them, cutting off the sound of the rain and offered each a towel, much to Rarity's delight. Once they were clean Scyphos bade them wait while he fetched his master. “This place is simply stunning.” Rarity said after Scyphos had left. “A shame for the rain, I would have loved to see the exterior as well.” “A’hm sure it’ll clear up by mornin. Storms like this never last.” Said Applejack. “I'm not so sure.” said Twilight. “If this areas similar to the Everfree forest then who knows how long that storm could last.” “Oh dear.” Fluttershy said, cowering slightly. “Don't worry Fluttershy.” Pinkie Pie said happily. “A little rain never hurt anypony.” “I’d say that's way more than a little rain, Pinkie.” Rainbow Said, casually glancing out one of the windows. Thier attention was drawn to the far side of the room when a door opened up revealing Scyphos. “Ladies, may I present Sir Constance.” He bowed low as a white pegasus stallion stepped through the door. The stallion was of average build with a jet black mane and tail frosted with grey. He wore a black suit top that extended to his midsection and his face was framed by a short black beard and a kind smile, truly the only thing remarkable about him was the silver embroidered patch that covered his right eye and his cutie mark which was a blank silver shield covered in deep scratches and dents.. “Thank you, Scyphos, that will be all until dinner.” The griffin nodded once before retreating through the open door, closing it behind him. “Ladies, allow me to formally welcome you all to my home.”Sir Constans said with a slight bow. “I apologize for the weather. It can be bothersome at times.” “Your butler mentioned that a magical event may have disrupted the magical balance in the area.” Twilight said, inquisitively. Sir Constance chuckled lightly. “Scyphos said that did he? He does so love to tell stories.” The six shared a quizzical glance with each other. “Really? We didn't notice.” Twilight said with slight hesitation. “Oh yes.” Sir Constance said, walking towards them. “Ask him at dinner to tell you about his time in the Griffin Military. Those are among my personal favorites.” He stopped before them and raised a forehoof up to his face to gently stroke his beard. “Now let me see.” He said, slowly. “You must be Miss Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia's prized pupil and The Element of Magic.” He said, leveling his hoof at Twilight. Twilight's eyes widened in surprise. “Yes, but how...” “And you.” Sir Constans said, pointing towards Rainbow Dash. “Must be Miss Rainbow Dash, achever of a Sonic Rainboom and the Element of Loyalty.” Rainbow Dash brought a hoof to her chest. “Figures you'd heard of me.” She said. “Miss Applejack of Sweet Apple Acres and Element of Honesty.” Said Sir Constance, pointing towards Applejack. “Howdy.” Applejack said with a tip of her hat. “Miss Fluttershy, friend to all manner of creatures and Element of Kindness.” Fluttershy hid behind her hair and mumbled something softly. “Oh! Do you know who I am?! Huh?! Do yah?!” Pinkie Pie said excitedly, bouncing in place. “Of course. You are Miss Pinkeamena Diane Pie, Premiere party pony and Element of Laughter.” Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing and inhaled a large amount of air. “You're right!” She exclaimed before resuming her bouncing. “Which brings me to you.” Sir Constance said, stepping up to Rarity. “Miss Rarity, the greatest fashion designer in Equestria and the Element of Generosity.” A single tear filled his uncovered eye before sliding down his face. “I often wondered at what you would look like once you had grown up but seeing you here now proves just how wrong I was.” He used his right forehoof to wipe away his tear. “You are more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.” Rarity was taken aback by the emotion in his voice and also by his words. Stunned Rarity could only stare at him, fighting back tears of her own. Sir Constance stepped back before Rarity could recover and beckoned all of them with a wave of his hoof. “Now we have some time before dinner, would you like a tour of my wonderful home?” “I know I would!” Pinkie said, seemly unphased by the exchange. She hopped forward with an audible sproing, calling to the others as she did so. “I know I have a lot of questions about the mansion's history. Come on Fluttershy.” Twilight said, pulling Fluttershy along with her as they joined Pinkie and Sir Constance. “I guess it will at least kill time until dinner.” Rainbow Dash grumbled under her breath. “Oh hush, you'll be fine. How often do yah git to say you've been inside a huge mansion?” Applejack responded walking beside Rainbow Dash. “My house is a mansion!” Said Rainbow. “That's not made of clouds.” Retorted Applejack as they stood with the others, leaving Rarity standing alone, still overcome with emotions. “Rarity?” Twilight said with slight concern. Her voice seemed to snap Rarity out of her trance as she hurriedly joined the others. “So sorry. We would be honoured to see your lovely home, Sir Constance.” “Please, my dear. Constance will do just fine.” He said with a smile causing Rarity to blush slightly. “Of course, Constance.”