//------------------------------// // Questions // Story: An Angel and a Pony // by The Daughter of the Moon //------------------------------// It was a week after the incident with Blood Moon. Things had pretty much returned to normal, other than Gold Wing having recurring dreams about the fight. Gold Wing was curious about Silver Moon's relationship with Blood Moon, but whenever he asked about it, Silver Moon went quiet. Gold Wing decided that is was best if didn't ask. However, Gold Wing had some questions to ask Silver Moon, but he wasn't so prepared for the answers. "You really don't know anything, do you, Gold Wing?" Silver Moon opened the blinds on the window's of Gold Wing's room, letting a flood of sunlight enter the room. "Good morning, my lord. It's time to wake up." Gold Wing groaned, covering his eyes. "Five more… hmm… hours…" Gold Wing mumbled, turning on his side. "Forgive me, my lord, but you have a very busy schedule today. You must get ready now if you do not want to fall behind schedule." Silver Moon explained as she propped Gold Wing against the headboard, making him sit up. Gold Wing groaned again. "…What's with all the things happening lately? I thought I would just have to do stuff, like, once a month…" "Well, my lord, since the incident that occurred last week, ponies have acknowledged you as an authentic noblecolt. So now, they are treating you like one. Business proposals, company deals, meetings about the economy and such." "I never signed up for this…" Gold Wing complained, laying back down, only to have Silver Moon prop him back up again. "I insist, my lord, that you get ready. You are becoming a fine young noblecolt, after all. It would be uncouth if you did otherwise." "…What do I have to do today?" "After breakfast, you have meeting with the local noblecolts talking about a classified topic. That will most likely take most of the morning." Silver Moon explained as she poured Gold Wing some tea. "You have lunch with the governor of the Hoofman Estates. After that, you will have meeting with other noblecolts, about business proposals. They assume that you will squander your resources on their endeavors because you are young and naïve, but…" Silver Moon trailed off. Gold Wing was staring at Silver Moon's arm, which was in a sling, ever since the battle. "...Is your arm okay, Silver Moon?" "I assure you, my lord, it is fine. You can stop asking. Although, I will not lie, it is still a little sore…" "A little sore, huh?" Gold Wing questioned skeptically. "Anyway, we will discuss more of this at breakfast." Silver Moon said as she helped Gold Wing out of bed after he had finished his tea. "Allow me, my lord." Silver Moon insisted after Gold Wing attempted and failed to put on a neck tie. As Silver Moon was tying his tie, Gold Wing noticed that her hoof was shaking ever so slightly. "Hmm…" "After you, my lord." Silver Moon said, opening the door after she completed tying Gold Wing's tie. "Today's breakfast includes freshly baked buttermilk biscuits and organic strawberry jam, complemented by hoof-squeezed apple juice." Gold Wing ate his breakfast in silence. Ever since a week ago, things had been awkward (or more awkward) between him and Silver Moon. Gold Wing admitted and acknowledged that he was shy around Silver Moon. He still didn't know why, but at least he wasn't running to his room and locking himself in there anymore. Suddenly, a question popped up in Gold Wing's mind. "Hey, Silver Moon." "Yes, my lord?" "Do you know who tried to kill me? Before you appeared, a mare and a stallion attempted to kill me, but the mare spared me. Do you know who they are? I mean, I assumed you might know since you knew the culprit was a mare, unless that was entirely a coincidence, but…." Gold Wing asked quickly. "Unfortunately, I do not, my lord." Gold Wing's heart sank a little. "Oh…" "My apologies, my lord." "It's fine, it's fine." Gold Wing looked at Silver Moon. "…Then will you help me find out who they are? Silver Moon blinked. "Are you ordering me to?" "Yes. " Gold Wing stood before Silver Moon. "I order you to help my find who my attempted murderers are." "Yes, my lord." Gold Wing sat down. He continued to eat his breakfast, but the atmosphere had changed. He was on a mission. To find the ponies who tried to kill him. (Though it was a bit rushed, it had been at the back of is mind for a while.) But something was a little off... "…Hey, Silver Moon." "Yes, my lord?" "Can I ask you a question? Like, a serious one?" "You can ask me anything, my lord." "…Why are you doing this?" Silver Moon was startled. "What do you mean, my lord?" "Like, why did you get your arm cut off for me? Why are you helping me? Is it just because I ordered you to? But why would you follow my orders in the first place? Just because I told you to, back in the dungeon? There has to be a better reason, right?" Silver Moon was silent for a while. "Maybe I shouldn't have asked..." "My lord…" "Yes?" Gold Wing said as his heart began to race. "Forgive me for saying so, but did you really think I would do all of this without getting something in return?" Gold Wing froze. "W-what…?" Gold Wing's thoughts were racing. Silver Moon was getting something in return? She never told him about it, did she? Or was he not paying attention when she told him? Was Silver Moon just in it for the reward? What did he have to give Silver Moon after she helped him? Was she going to take his soul?! "I-I don't understand…" Silver Moon gave a tiny smile to Gold Wing. However, it was a sad one. "Do not worry, my lord. I will not leave you as long as the mark on your hoof remains." Gold Wing looked at the pair of gold wings on his hoof. "And you will not be paying me for my services." "Then who will?" Silver Moon went silent again. "That pony ordered me to never reveal their identity to you." "Wait, somepony else ordered you?" "I'm afraid so, my lord." "Forever?" "That is correct." "…Will you tell me if I order you to?" Gold Wing asked. Silver Moon went quiet once again. "What's up with her hesitating to obey me?" Gold Wing thought. Silver Moon looked at her pocket watch. "My my. We must go now to the House of Noblecolts. It is almost time for the meeting." "But you didn't answer my--" Before Gold Wing could finish his sentence, Silver Moon scooped him onto her back and raced out of the door.