Peaceful Nights

by Gulheru

Chapter IV

‘My, my... You are wearing this gown really well, initiate,’ a silent voice sounded from behind Colgate, startling her. She was already more than nervous, standing right near the entrance to the Royal Canterlot Hall, the most grand and known of concert halls in the whole country. This building was nearly a landmark for the Equestrian elite. To be able to truthfully say that one was going to see a performance in this establishment, a place that even the Royal Sisters were visiting on somewhat regular basis, was a mark of status and wealth. And Colgate was feeling completely out of place for that very reason. What’s more, now, when she turned around nearly immediately, she faced Moonwarden standing right in front of her, like appearing out of thin air.

‘... thank you...’ the mare answered after a while to the stallion’s compliment. The reason for her hesitation was simple. Her tutor was looking astonishing, wearing clothes that were putting him equal with Canterlotian nobility. Or maybe even surpassing it.

‘Do not mention it, it is a deserved praise. One more proof that simplicity can never be undervalued,’ the stallion commented and the began slowly circling the mare, giving her a careful look, with sparks of... something in his eyes, but Colgate was unable to tell what that was. ‘Dress cream, plain, reaching with its length to rear hooves, without fancy detailing or intricate weave, silk, I do believe,’ Moonwarden was thinking out loud and at this point he stroke the mare’s back delicately, which sent a sudden shiver through her body. The stallion continued without even changing his pace. ‘Yes, I was correct. Delicate hoofshoes of matching color, a pair of earrings with petit crystals, nearly invisible make-up... Most of the dames in Canterlot should learn from you, initiate,’ the stallion finished expressing his opinion and once more was standing right in front of the blue pony.

‘I... thank you... but... well... I feel rather... out of place still,’ the mare admitted, yet having her mind focused on that brief touch she experienced. Then she looked away. ‘A lot of the nobles were giving me unpleasant looks and I don’t think I want to...’

‘Why would you be worried by that, initiate?’ Moonwarden interrupted her. ‘I told you once already – be yourself. Be unique. Nopony has the right to judge you for that,’ he smiled. ‘Not to mention that criticizing, looking down upon others and trying to show superiority are this “nobility’s” favorite pastimes. Truth be told, most of the local crème de la crème is, at best,’ the grey unicorn gave the crowd of snobbish ponies entering the Hall a long look, ‘curdled milk...’

Colgate couldn’t help but snicker at those words, which made her feel a lot better about the fact that she was going to go to a concert with all of those nobleponies and with her Conclave superior.

‘I never heard it put quite like that before...’ she admitted. ‘Let me just tell you, tutor, you look very smart yourself,’ she said, feeling her face turning red.

‘Thank you kindly,’ Moonwarden bowed, with a swoosh of his cape. And what a cape that was! Made out of black material, slightly reflective, with silver threads around the rigid collar. It was reaching all the way to half of the stallion’s tail, smooth as it went, without even one wrinkle on it. To match it, the unicorn was wearing a grey vest, which looked like it was made especially for him and an elegant bowtie the color of mist. On top of that set, Colgate spotted that the grey pony’s black and white mane and tail looked carefully and meticulously combed.

‘It is a... deserved praise,’ the mare said, mimicking her teacher, who gave her a smile back. Then he reached inside one of his vest’s pockets and pulled out a dark silver watch, murmuring something about “It being nearly time.” The lid of the timepiece was engraved, having some plant motives and a full moon on it, with a description of some sort, all done in black, with some jewels embedded into it, it seemed. It was, without a doubt, extremely valuable. But before she could try to see more of its details, Moonwarden hid the watch and turned to her.

‘The concert begins in five minutes. Shall we take our seats?’ the stallion said in a gallant way with a blink in his eye and extended his front leg to take the mare inside.

‘Lead on, tutor,’ the blue pony blushed vividly, but complied without hesitation.

‘Please, for tonight, let us leave work behind and be but two ponies enjoying a good evening together. Call me Moonwarden.’

Colgate wasn’t expecting anything that she was experiencing from the moment they entered. She had never even been to the Royal Canterlot Hall before. And this evening, she was not only in it, she was in one of the most exclusive lodges, to which her tutor lead her, with majority of Canterlot’s nobility sitting on the ground floor. And the pieces played from the very start were some of the most beautiful Equestrian classical compositions. But the weirdest part? It wasn’t an assignment. It wasn’t a Conclave’s mission. No sabotage, no espionage, nothing. Just her and a stallion she, really, barely knew.

‘How are you enjoying it so far?’ Moonwarden, who was sitting right near her, turned to her at one point, whispering.

‘It is wonderful,’ she answered quietly, in accordance to the truth. ‘The whole orchestra plays magically. But I love the cello the most, I think...’ the mare expressed her taste, although she had to bite her tongue slightly, for she would not stop herself from saying “tutor” otherwise.

‘Do you? You have a great ear then, Colgate. That is none other than Octavia playing it,’ the stallion commented, after giving a brief look towards the stage.

‘Octavia? Isn’t she a performer of the ensemble playing at the Royal Castle? Like when the Grand Galloping Gala is being held?’ the mare queried, looking through small, provided binoculars at the mentioned pony.

‘That is correct...’ Moonwarden said and then frowned. ‘Oh, what a dreadful experience, that was... I am glad to see it did not break her career,’ he whispered even more silently than before, once more looking at the cellist.

‘Do you mean the last Gala? Where you attending it?’ the blue unicorn looked curiously at her companion.

‘Alas...’ he replied after a meaningful, if barely hearable, sigh. ‘Additional assignment from the High Council. But I never thought this monumental occasion shall be turned into utter chaos...’

‘I heard some things, yes,’ Colgate smiled faintly.

‘Save it, I beg you...’ the stallion looked like an icon of misery, which caused the mare to giggle. Quietly, of course.

‘You weren’t trampled by the Royal Garden animals, were you?’ she pursued the topic with visible amusement.

‘No, although a column landed fairly close,’ Moonwarden answered with irritation, rolling his eyes. ‘I tell you, Colgate, if not for the fact that Princess Celestia’s protégé and the Element-bearers were involved...’ he wanted to continue his rant, but the orchestra came to a halt and the Hall was filled with the sounds of the pianist’s solo. The stallion immediately fell silent. He closed his eyes, sitting more comfortably on the chair and focusing on nothing else but the melody. And Colgate could tell why.

The music that was now flowing through the air was nothing but enchanting. The mare could not tell whether it was caused by the beauty of the composition, or by the prowess of the player. But that wasn’t important right now. What mattered was the melody. The rhythm. The volume. Telling a great story of sadness and longing. Of hope and loss of hope. Emotions encased in notes. Striking tones that made the soul tremble. Colgate couldn’t help but be affected by those wondrous sounds. And from what she could spot, Moonwarden looked even more moved. The performer played his solo for a couple of minutes, before the whole orchestra sounded in unison again.

‘Ah, Frederick... He never ceases to amaze me,’ the caped stallion whispered after a while, still keeping his eyes closed.

‘The pianist?’

‘Yes. Frederick Horseshoepin, another performer of the royal ensemble. A true virtuoso, if I ever heard one,’ the grey unicorn looked down at the stage.

‘He plays really... magically,’ Colgate commented, still feeling amazed by the prowess of the pianist. Moonwarden let out a rather loud sigh.

‘Yes, he does. I have to say, I feel envy...’ he appeared saddened and somewhat ashamed.

‘Oh? Envy?’ the mare asked, keeping her voice low.

‘There are those times when a pony is tired of his way of life. And I like to think that if I could change my talent to another...’ the stallion began, but stopped himself from saying more. ‘That is irrelevant though...’ he finished with yet another sigh.

‘But, Moonwarden, we already have an excellent pianist,’ Colgate said, making the caped pony look at her quizzically. ‘And we do not need another. But we need somepony who knows how to deal with misbehaving ponies,’ she smiled at the grey unicorn. ‘I guess what I am saying is that, well... each of us is unique. In their own way,’ the mare finished, using her teacher’s own words. He, in response nodded and smiled, looking at her with a dose of positive surprise.

‘Yes, each of us is unique. Some ponies more than others...’ the stallion now quoted himself from not so long ago. But this time, instead of a blush from the mare, he received a giggle.

‘Some of us are so unique, they spawn a lot of attention,’ Colgate remarked and then discreetly pointed to a couple of places within the Hall. Moonwarden followed with his eyes, spotting some of the ponies actually looking straight at him, rather than enjoying the concert. Aside from a couple of nobles looking daggers at the caped stallion, there were at least a couple of mares that were carefully observing him, some of whom had dreamy-eyed expressions stuck on their faces. Colgate couldn’t stop herself from snickering constantly, observing her tutor slowly realizing he is as much of an attraction as the concert itself.

‘Oh, for the love of Princess Luna...’ he commented finally and facehoofed discreetly, which made the blue unicorn nearly burst out in laughter, which would be quite inappropriate.

‘I didn’t know you are so popular, Moonwarden,’ she managed to said without the words being interrupted by her constant giggling.

‘Gah... I am aware that I have reserved the whole lodge for my personal use, which is the direct cause for the “nobles” to plot my demise, I see...’ the stallion looked down upon the vast crowd of Canterlot’s elite, causing a few pairs of jealous eyes to turn away, in fear of being recognized. ‘But those mares are just... tiresome...’ the caped pony realigned his cape with a fluid move and then checked his hair, inadvertently causing sighs from nearby lodges. ‘Like they never saw a stallion before,’ he concluded, all that happening while Colgate was desperately trying to stop herself from falling off her chair over her companion’s exaggerated and quite pompous behavior.

‘I doubt they often see a stallion looking like a mysterious hero from a romantic novel,’ she commented after she managed to calm herself down a bit and then reenacted her teacher’s moves.

‘Oh? Is that who I am reduced to then?’ the grey unicorn gave Colgate a long look, quite unimpressed by her friendly mockery.

‘Oh no...,’ she responded, smiling brightly. ‘Certainly not for me...’

‘Am I not a lucky stallion?’ Moonwarden asked rhetorically, his eyes, locked on the mare, joyfully lighting up.

The concert wasn’t the only thing the caped pony had in mind for this night. After a wonderful performance, ending with the orchestra being forced to come back on stage three times be applause, the grey unicorn lead her to a nearby restaurant. Which caused yet another tide of consternation to wash over the mare’s mind.

‘I can’t really get it...’ Colgate said after they had finished the main course and once more this evening looked around the place they were both sitting in. To say that this establishment was anything less than prestigious would be an outright offensive lie. The blue unicorn had a hard time realizing how is she capable of even being in a place like that... Then again, she was in one incredible place this evening already, so was there really a reason for continuing with this constant astonishment?

‘Oh? Pray tell, what it is that you “cannot get”?,’ the caped unicorn raised a crystal glass of most exquisite grape juice and took a slow, dignified sip.

‘Well, all of it! I am sitting in one of the most exclusive and expensive restaurants in Canterlot, after a concert in the Royal Hall and with you!’ the mare answered her tutor, looking constantly at all the ornaments, expensive furniture and all of the waiters in proper attire present in the main dining hall.

‘I wonder which one of this evening’s details causes the most confusion in your mind...’ Moonwarden smiled smugly, putting down his drink. Colgate went red on the face. ‘I have my answer,’ the stallion laughed. ‘We are working together, you are a beautiful mare and I enjoy your company. And I think you need to be able to spend time in places like the Hall, or “Acquarellion”,’ he looked around the restaurant, visibly satisfied. ‘Do I need a better reason to spend an evening with you? Do I need any reason at all, really?’ the caped pony made himself more comfortable on the cushioned chair.

‘Well, I don’t think an enigmatic Trottingham noble with a... particular line of work... goes out with every mare he is working with,’ the blue unicorn said out of a sudden with a stern tone, which caught the stallion by surprise. ‘Even if his family’s fortune would allow him to do so quite often,’ she added, seeing as her companion was stuck there with a risen eyebrow.

‘Well, what do you know, somepony was busy,’ Moonwarden commented, his eyes lighting up. ‘Did you scavenge through some intriguing books to reach that piece of information? Lineage records, by any chance?’ he joined his front hooves on the table.

‘Moon family. A local Trottingham house. Bankers and economists,’ Colgate cited from a tome she found earlier that day, treating about unicorn nobility.

‘Guilty as charged,’ her partner commented, picking up his glass again and bringing up a faint smile on his muzzle.

‘So, what can you tell me about yourself, Moonwarden?’ the blue pony asked.

Silence followed her question. Her tutor was looking at her curiously, one of his eyes staring through his grape juice drink, making the iris appear light pink. It appeared like he began thinking deeply for some time, like there was a conversation going on in his mind. Finally, he took another sip of his drink and put the glass down on the table once more.

‘Why do you wish to possess that knowledge?’ the stallion asked finally, focusing his stare on the mare, but he spoke in a rather cold manner. And that worried Colgate a bit.

‘Well... if we are working together, it is nice to know more about one another, you know...’ she wasn’t sure if he really “knew”, as he did not appear as such.

‘I assure you, my background is not really that interesting. And sharing such information is insignificant to our line of work,’ Moonwarden looked away from the mare.

‘But I would like to know you better. Become better friends,’ she said plainly, causing the stallion to give her a look that she would describe as slightly cynical.

‘Ah. Well...’ he let out a sigh after a longer while. ‘I do suppose I can share a bit. If you would wish to tell me a bit about yourself, Colgate,’ he smiled finally after those words, which was a huge relief to the blue mare.

‘Are we bargaining?’ she asked with a slight laugh.

‘In a way, I presume,’ he answered.

‘Deal, then! You go first,’ Colgate seized the initiative.

‘Oh!’ Moonwarden scowled comically. ‘Very well. I am a noblepony from Trottingham, from the Moon family, but that does not really mean a lot to me. I take pride in my lineage, but not really in the ponies that were forming it, if you know what I mean,’ he began, sitting more comfortably on the chair.

‘Family problems?’ Colgate inquired, to which the stallion nodded.

‘Let me put it bluntly – my parents were not the best of ponies. Enough to tell that they did not view me as being... how to say it nicely...’ the caped pony pondered a while. ‘Worthy? Appropriate of being their son? I guess that would be the closest that I can put it,’ he found his words, his tone as indifferent about it as possible. It sounded like he just commented on the weather, rather than said that he did not found acceptance from his mother and father. Colgate raised her hoof to her mouth in a gesture of astonished disbelief.

‘Oh my... I am so sorry, Moonwarden...’ she tried comforting him.

‘Why?’ he raised his eyebrow. ‘It is not your fault, nor do I need your pity, Colgate,’ the stallion responded coldly and began playing with his glass, making it twirl slowly with his magic. ‘Not that I do not appreciate it, no,’ he added immediately after he spotted a frown on the other unicorn’s face.

‘But... how could they?’ the mare pushed the topic further, sounding genuinely concerned.

‘How? Exactly how they did. But I do not cast blame, it would be pointless. Stupidity and ignorance are two very common plagues touching our society, my parents were not exceptional in that matter,’ the caped pony continued without even a blink of an eye showing his emotions, while staring at one spot on the table.

‘That’s... a harsh statement,’ the mare commented on Moonwarden’s words, observing carefully her tutor’s frozen expression.

‘That is a true statement,’ he responded, not moving his eyes. ‘And you know it yourself, my dear. Enough to tell I had to muster my own strength and shape my fate without any aid. And I did,’ the stallion’s words were as calm as before, but Colgate spotted that the glass he was levitating with his magic became covered in delicate rime.

‘Uhm... but there must have been somepony... you know...’ the mare tried to take his attention away from the topic of his parents specifically. She also swept her hoof through her side of the table, appearing like she was getting rid of tablecloth wrinkles, but in reality trying to break Moonwarden’s petrified stare. She succeeded as he looked at her.

‘Oh, yes, of course. You see, I ended up being homeschooled and my teacher allowed my talents to blossom. I have to give him credit for that,’ the stallion said slowly. ‘For my dearest mother and father were planning an extremely contrasting future for me,’ he shrugged. At the same time the grape juice in his glass turned to ice.

‘Ah,’ Colgate was able to only express her thoughts in that manner, her stare focused on the stallion’s drink. He followed her gaze, only now realizing what he was doing to his glass. He made it thaw and put it down on the table. All of it with a somewhat embarrassed look on his face.

‘Pardon,’ he mumbled.

‘It’s alright. I understand,’ the blue unicorn extended her hoof and touched Moonwarden’s, who smiled faintly in response to this gesture. ‘And how did you end up working where we do?’ Colgate accentuated the question.

‘After I reached adulthood I decided to take the part of the family fortune that lawfully belonged to me and move to Canterlot,’ the stallion began to answer. ‘As much as I prefer my beloved Trottingham, my relocation here was granting me more opportunities to refine my art. I began scavenging through the vast libraries for intriguing titles, while investing my assets in banks and companies. I guess my heritage caught up with me a bit,’ he laughed, but blankly. ‘Those actions allowed me to focus fully on my self-teaching, without any worry over money. And, well, I guess I caught attention of certain ponies, being a young stallion looking for various tomes treating specifically and thoroughly about mental magic. And so, here I am,’ Moonwarden concluded, spreading his hooves. ‘Ta-da!’ he added comically, which made Colgate laugh.

‘Quite a story,’ she commented. ‘Mine is less interesting, I am afraid.’

‘A deal is a deal,’ the stallion winked at her. ‘Spill the beans, dear.’

‘I know, I will,’ she sighed jokingly. ‘Well, I am from Canterlot, even though I live in Ponyville now. I bumped into a pony who was, as I later learned, an operative, when I was doing some shopping. I used my magic to quickly gather all the stuff that fell from his bag. You know, I sped myself up and I guessed that was it. I was contacted about a month later.’

‘No doubt you were observed during that time. And a talent in chronomancy is rare, as I mentioned to you once. No wonder you were given that chance,’ Colgate’s tutor judged, taking a sip of the grape juice that was a block of ice not so long ago. ‘But what is your motivation?’

‘I guess... I want to make a difference. I want to help Equestria. And I want to prove myself,’ the mare took a while to answer, but after she did, her tutor nodded. ‘What about you, Moonwarden?’ she asked.

‘Me? I can freely use my talent for the good of the land,’ the stallion responded, showing a tiny bit of enthusiasm. ‘Now, another thing interests me, if I might ask...’

‘Yes?’ the mare was waiting for his question.

‘Your other talent. As your name suggests, you might be, in reality, a rather skilled torturer yourself...’ Moonwarden said and gave the mare a mocking look. She burst into laughter.

‘Being a daughter of two specialists in stomatology...’ she began to explain.

‘Sins of our fathers... Sins of our fathers...’ the stallion cut in philosophically, nodding slowly in a paternal fashion and causing yet another laugh from the mare. And again a little bit of rime on the glass.

When the two unicorn finally left the restaurant, the Moon was firmly up in the sky, marking midnight. Most of Canterlot was already asleep, making the city resound with hoofsteps in the overwhelming silence.

‘I have to say, I needed an evening like that for some time now,’ Moonwarden was leading Colgate down the main promenade of the capital. He was smiling widely and it was, as the mare spotted, quite likely the first time she saw him like that.

‘I enjoyed it a lot,’ the mare answered, allowing herself to keep relatively close to the caped pony.

‘I am not too often blessed by the presence of such a wonderful mare, I have to say. Shame, but at the same time, it makes such rare occurrences even more incredible,’ the stallion said like to himself, following it with a nod. To say that Colgate began to glow after those words wasn’t an understatement.

‘I, well...’ she gathered her thoughts, staring at the cloudless, star-filled sky. ‘I feel lucky to have met such a pony. You’re a really weird individual,’ she said, putting an emphasis on the adjective.

‘Weird?’ Moonwarden looked at her smiling and yet with some confusion. They were just passing through a wide, moonlit plaza. ‘In what way, “weird”?’

‘In the best way,’ the mare answered, giving her tutor a gleeful grin. He laughed and trotted in front of the mare, so that he was facing her. They were now standing in the shadow of a statue representing Princess Celestia.

‘So, where are you heading, my dear? Where is your locum in Canterlot?’ the stallion asked out of a sudden.

‘Oh, I have a flat in the Archives district, thanks to the Council. Nothing much, but...’ she answered, shrugging.

‘I might have a proposition, Colgate...’ the stallion said somewhat silently, speaking the mare’s name with surprising softness.

‘Oh?’ the mare did not understand what he meant.

‘The night is still young... how about we spend the rest of it together... at my place?’ Moonwarden nearly whispered the end of the question, with a focused stare.

Colgate heard what he said clearly. But it took her mind a good while to understand and realize what her ears just registered. Her mouth automatically opened up in astonishment. The stallion’s words were a complete surprise to her.

‘I... I mean...’

Moonwarden was still just looking at her. He has risen his eyebrow slightly and he had a nearly invisible smile dancing on his lips. His eyes, in the delicate shade, were shining mysteriously.

‘I... I...’ Colgate couldn’t gather her thoughts, her mind overtaken with a sudden torrent of extreme feelings. There was doubt, fear, anxiety... but also... fascination. The stallion didn’t say anything bluntly, but... her mind was putting together a rather... intriguing scenario. Not entirely... unwanted, the mare didn’t lie to herself... but at the same time... well... a scenario feeling... somehow rushed... All of those thoughts, those emotions, were creating a grand mosaic in her brain. And holding this mosaic together, like two frames, was a pair of silvery eyes, staring right into Colgate’s mind.

Comments

[Gulheru]

5525024

I am... frankly, perplexed! I had no idea anyone would bother with this story, let alone comment on it!

Truth be told, I see all the mistakes and roughness of this work in comparison to my recent creations. But I have pretty much abandoned this story now. I might clean it up, but I doubt I shall ever continue this.

Still, a pleasure you took your time to check it out...

[North]

5525059 Woah! I looked at your comment and was thinking, huh, I wonder who he's replying to, and it's me! Quelle surprise!

[Starlight Nova]

Why was this cancelled?

[Gulheru]

6726195

Oh, this was my first attempt at creating the story, but my inspiration fizzled out, unfortunately, and I shifted my attention to other tales. I keep it here for the sake of reminding myself what to do and what to avoid in future works of mine, mostly.