THE ANGEL IN RED

Inkquill

Act I, Scene IV

The night proceeded with little more interruption or complication, with the three original comrades and their plus one arriving in Geneighva luckily on time enough to make it ahead of several other carriages that had come to attend the Exhibition.

The city itself was a masterwork of architecture and cultural extravagance, with broad paved roads, ornate shingled rooftops, windows and moldings, with the walls both possessing gleaming polish and rusting charm all at once; equaling and even perhaps rivaling the Equestrian capital itself, with its grand buildings and ornate statues and gardens, illuminated by golden lamps as the day ceased and the oncoming wall of night took over.

As they arrived at the Exhibition, the group was met with an awe striking sight; a vast soiree of mares and stallions of every background and field congregated into a large building built of white marble and mountain stone. For most of the year the spacious, almost warehouse like structure sat empty, cared for by a legion of janitors and maintenance ponies. However during weeks of the grand fairs and exhibitions, the massive, glass domed hall became a roaring become of light, noise and intellectual expression; and absolute dream come true for the young Dusk Shine.

“Oh goodness, we’re actually here!” Dusk Shine cheered quietly, restraining himself from going full on overjoyed schoolcolt for the sake of his friends, the other ponies outside, and for the sake of their new female companion.

“That’s right Dusky, we’re here.” Barbara said teasingly with a grin as she patted him on the back. “And not a moment too late or to soon I would say.”

“Indeed.” Eris commented with a relaxed grin; her crimson eyes half lidded and striking, “I would appear that the line hasn’t yet fulling filled up. Lucky us indeed.”

As the carriage pulled up and stopped at the foot of the marble staircase that led up to the grand entrance, a young colt dressed in an ornate uniform hopped over and swiftly opened the carriage door with a bow of his head. “Welcome all!” He said cheerfully.

“No no, not at all!” The colt replied. “You’re just in time sir. Just proceed up the steps and you’ll be instructed from there.”

Dusk felt his lips curl into a distorted, almost euphoric and stupid grin as his breath became caught in throat. “Barbara?” Dusk said straining. “Pinch me so I know I’m not dreaming!”

Barbara chuckled in her throat and shook her head. “Oh come on Dusk! Just move your flanks!” She said as she playfully shoved exasperated stallion out of the carriage and onto the landing of the stairs. Oh Solaris, always that little schoolcolt at heart, she thought to herself.

The rest followed suit, with Barbara exiting the carriage just after Dusk, followed by Butterscotch, until only Eris remained seated in the wheeled vessel. “Butterscotch?”

The little cream-colored stallion’s ears perked up and swiveled as the feminine voice reached them, causing him to pause and look back at the lovely mare. “Um… uh… y-yes? Yes Eris?” He replied with a smile.

She returned his warm grin and held out her hoof to him, blushing slightly. “Could you please help me out of the carriage?”

“Oh! Yes! Yes of course!” Butterscotch answered hurriedly, realizing his ungeltcolt-like behavior. “Sorry about that, I should have offered my hoof.” He said taking her hoof in his.

Their hooves now interlocked, the regal mare gracefully exited the carriage, lifting up her gown with her spare hoof as she took in the cooling freshness of the night are. “Oh my dearest Butterscotch! Please, don’t put yourself down! You have positively nothing to be sorry about silly.” She said playfully. “Although… would you mind doing me an insty tinsty little favor and… walk me in please?”

The way she spoke was heavy and rich with character; positively dripping with playfulness and tender prowess that made Butterscotch both delighted and farouche at the same time.

He swallowed nervously as she held out her arm, elbow bent and inviting, “Oh… uh… y-yes, if you like?”

“Oh yes… yes I most certainly would.” She replied, locking forelegs with him as they proceeded up the stairs and into the grand hall; Butterscotch’s face as red as Eris’s gown.

What followed after that was an overloaded mixture of high society and scientific revelation that culminated into a erratic mess of one particularly purple Unicorn stallion who whilst between mingling with his fellow academic and arcane minds, goggled and gawked with wonder at the many displays that abounded in the vast hall.

Such renovations in the fields of magic and science! Like for example actually harnessing the power of love from others casually and without harm to the pony, infusing it into crystals for use in creating electricity and heat! Another being a way to distort space so that the interior of objects could be expanded larger than their outer proportions! Though he didn’t understand why they chose a telephone booth of all things to demonstrate it with.

Nevertheless the night went smoothly and with little interruption. However, as the night drew on and the clock closed in on midnight, the raucous laughter and activity began to diminish as mares and stallions alike retired to their respected pavilions.

Dusk Shine and his company were among the last of the participants present as the grand opening night of the Exhibition drew to a close, and while both Butterscotch and Barbara were practically falling asleep as they stood, the eccentric and bright Unicorn was still running at full gear. It was getting to the point where they were starting to honestly consider dragging him out by his hooves. However, they found that such action would not be needed, as Eris caught his attention, tapping him on the shoulder and breaking his gawking for the first time in the whole evening.

“Dear Sir Dusk,” She addressed him politely with with a tender smile. “I’m very sure that you’re having the time of your life, but I think it’s about time we retire for the night.”

He hesitated for a moment to look at the clock, seeing that it was very well past midnight. “Oh! Ah… I… I guess the time just got away from me.” He said, nervously rubbing the back of his head.

“Aww Barbyahhh!” Butterscotch yawned sleepily, the little Pegasus obviously exhausted, “You're just grumpy right-t n’nooww…”

Barbara snorted snorted, crossing her arms and let a disgruntled pout creep over her scaly lips. “I’m tired okay?”

Dusk shook his head. “I’m sorry Bard. I’ll make it up to you okay? I’ll make you some fire-ruby pancakes tomorrow.”

“Now now gentlecolts,” Eris interjected. “All in good time. But now, what’s say we all call it a night and retire to my villa, eh?”

“That sounds wonderful.” Butterscotch replied with a tired smile; and so with that the party of four departed the grand hall of the Exhibition, setting out towards the aforementioned lake-side villa that Eris had so generously offered as a place for them to rest during the next few days of their excursion to the tranquil city.

Under Eris’s direction, they proceeded in their carriage along a winding road that lead just outside of the city proper, through a small grove of mountain pine and to the quiet shores of a small lake, which the road followed until reaching a bridge that led across it, where on the opposite bank resided their destination.

Despite the pitch-blackness of the night, they could still make out the building quite clearly. It was a two story high structure with plaster walls that showed sign of repair, along with a red shingled roof top, and crown molding around the entrance way and large oval windows that looked over the lake; possibly a mid 16th century country home judging from the architecture and obvious wear on the building, Dusk concluded.

“Well, here we are!” Eris proclaimed in a sing-song tone. “Now I know it’s a bit umm… rustic, but I promise you it’s much nicer on the inside. I sent my contractors out and had them completely renovate and furnish it.”

“It looks lovely Eris.” Butterscotch complemented as they unloaded the carriage. “Just… I just have to thank you so much for letting us stay here while the Exhibition is going on.”

“Butterscotch, Butterscocth,” Eris said shaking her head and wrapping her hoof around the Pegasus’s shoulders, pulling him against her. “I told you think nothing of it. It’s the least I can do for such strong strapping young stallions like yourself coming to my rescue.”

Butterscotch felt his cheeks begin to heat up again at the complement. As the night had continued, he had begun to notice the routine affection and compliments he receives from the mysterious mare, usually in reference to his kindness of physical prowess, which always succeeded in sending his him becoming tremendously embarrassed and flattered all at the same time. However the real question was why she was doing it in the first place? She had been courteous and kind to the others, but with him she seemed to be more so fixated upon, which made him feel a little reserved the more and more she did so.

“Why does she keep being so… affectionate towards me?” He thought to himself, having trouble admitting to himself that it was affection he was receiving. It wasn’t like he never received affection, but she was still relatively a stranger. It just a little… odd.

In any case, they made haste in getting inside, where the warm promise of a soft bed and decent night’s sleep resided. Archibald, whom had been riding in the back of the carriage dutifully sprung to his hooves and ran over to the large dark cedar door and held it open for Eris and her company.

Inside the villa was completely dark; no candles or lanterns whatsoever lighting the way, with the only light being the light of the pale moon as it shone through the oval windows and cast awkward shadows on the interior.

“Miss Barbara? Sir Dusk?” said Eris, “I’m sorry but I don’t have that many rooms fully prepared yet, would you mind sharing a room for now?”

“Oh no, I think that will be fine.” Dusk replied as Barbara snored unconsciously, draped over the Unicorn’s back.

“Excellent! Your room is right down here!” She said, leading them down a long hallway toward the farthest door. Meanwhile, Butterscotch followed them keeping close behind them to make sure he didn’t get lost in the seemingly endless maze of hallways, however he was stopped by Eris as they came too two diverging hallways.

“Butterscotch, dear?” she said pointing down the opposite hallway. “Your bedroom will be down there. You just go on ahead. I’ll meet you there in just a minute.”

Butterscotch didn’t say anything, only nodded as he watched his friend’s escorted to their chambers before he peered down the dimly lit hallway. Slowly, he proceeded down it, taking note of the crown molding and hardwood floors as he made his way to the designated door of his room.

Pressing his hoof against the doorway, he pushed it open slowly; the door creaking as it’s weight bared down on it’s hinges. Stepping inside he found the bedchamber of be of modest size and width, with a large canopied bed with mahogany bed frame placed next to a large window that allowed large amounts of moonlight in. Next to the bed was a small bedside table where a single, unlit candle stood beside a box of matches.

Taking the initiative, he trotted over to the bed-stand and retrieved one of the matches, striking it along the side of the box and illuminating the room in a dull, auburn flame as he lit the candle.

Waving the smoldering match back and forth he looked over the bed more carefully now that he could see it a lot better. It was a large Queen sized mattress, dressed in maroon and golden sheets and covers that shown brightly in the candle light. Placing a hoof on the fabric, he took in how soft it felt; a warm little nest to curl up in and be at peace...

Butterscotch jumped in surprise and whirled around to see the figure of Eris standing there in his doorway; the flickering light of the candle highlighting her slender face. “Uhh… y-yess, yes. It’s wonderful.”

She smiled as she entered the room; her shadow dancing across the room. “I’m glad to hear.” She said as she slipped over to his side. “Won’t you climb in?”

Butterscotch hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting back and forth between the bed and his hostess before he nervously nodded and undid the clovers. He waited to see if she would step out of the room so that he could change into his nightgown, but she wasn’t budging an inch even as the stallion’s coat and other garments were tossed aside.

Nervously not trying to make eye contact as he slipped into his night-garments, he then crawled into the sheets and pulled them up over her body, resting his head on the velvet of the pillow.

“Do you need anything to help you sleep?” She asked kindly as she adjusted the covers, pulling them up to cover his torso.

“Alright then.” She looked a bit sad as she heard his answer. “Well if you do need anything… just give I or Archibald a ring okay?”

He nodded silently before covering his mouth to dampen a long yawn. “Thank you Eris…” He said through a sleepy yet genuine smile.

Again he nodded, with her then rising to her hooves and walking out of the room, partially closing the door behind her as she went.

“Eris?” Butterscotch called out before she could shut the door. Her eyes perked up and turned to him before the rest of her did, her eyes glancing at him with curiosity.

She smiled in response; an auburn glimmer showing in her eyes, “Sleep well, dear Butterscotch.”

Sleep then came suddenly and heavily upon the stallion, his head falling back into his pillow with a thwamp! Almost as if he had spontaneously fell unconscious…

“Oh my dearest Butterscotch…” Eris purred as she blew out the candle, returning the room to the darkness and the paleness of the moonlight.

The Angel in Red

by Inkquill

Act I, Scene IV