The crowd was dispersing. With Luna's blessings, the holiday was in full swing. Small foals eagerly rushed to doors, singing their merry tune of candy getting. Silver spotted a pony with them dressed... as a pony? Or was that a horse? Surprise had a huge equine disguise with googly eyes on and was accompanying the foals.
Silver had to smile at the sight. He felt sure the foals were in good hooves with Surprise with them, and was likely having a good time. He pointed it out to his companions and most reacted with good-natured snorts or giggles, but not Night. She looked away and seemed to avoid it. Silver frowned a little. "Night, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, hey, you said you wanted to see that haunted house?" She flashed a fanged smile at him, it was forced, but he didn't notice that.
He did spot her obvious distraction ploy. "Is it the costume? Are horse costumes offensive?"
Night blinked at him. "I can forget sometimes just how clueless you can be, but no, there's nothing wrong with her outfit."
"Then why aren't you happy to see a friend having fun?"
Night glanced towards Surprise as the happy mare bounced with the foals towards the next house. "It's... Look, I'm just being silly. We can talk about this later. Tonight is for being happy." She swatted Silver on the shoulder. "Come on."
They got moving through the crowd. Silver heard what sounded like a sudden noise of alarm from Night and spun to face her, only for Night to spring out of the crowd towards him. "Sorry about that, tripped."
Silver relaxed. "You're all wound up tonight. You were right, we should enjoy tonight."
"We should..." Night was staring at him intensely, slowly leaning in towards him. His ears twitched softly with confusion, but he didn't deny her as she pressed in, touching lips to lips. An electric thrill ran through his body and something felt so familiar. Of course it was familiar, it was his wife's lips. No, there was... something else... He couldn't quite put his hoof on it, swept away in the deliriously good smooch he was sharing, even as a small part of his mind screamed at him to remember it.
Night drew away with a sigh. "I missed you so much."
Silver blinked owlishly, and it all became clear. "Fast?"
Night became a dull-red unicorn with a nervous smile. "This is the one night we changelings are allowed to hide fully, just for fun... You're not mad at me, I hope?"
Silver glanced around. "N-no, but where's Night?"
Fast smiled. "I had her whisked away for her own fun times. Right now it's just me and you..." She raised a hoof to Silver's shoulder. "Did you miss me?"
Silver trembled softly, his lips working soundlessly a moment. "I did! How couldn't I... You were... You were the throbbing heart of our herd."
"Not the only thing throbbing around here." She raised a brow as she leaned back from where she could peek under his robes. "I did a bad thing just now. I fed from you." She brushed a hoof over her lips. "It was... delicious, but I more wanted to feel those lips, one last time."
Silver suddenly darted forward and kissed her, on the cheek. He nuzzled gently. "Are you alright?"
Fast's expression softened into a gentle smile. "You really do love me." She wrapped her forelegs around him, hugging him.
"You doubted it?" Silver perked an ear. "We can't, I mean, it's not safe, but I can't just... stop loving someone. Fast, you're a part of me." He put a hoof over his chest. "I hope we're still friends."
Fast prodded him suddenly. "I would hope so too! I'm not the one that hasn't visited."
Silver rolled his eyes. "Visiting is a two-way street. We both have busy lives, but let's make time to not let precious friendships fade."
Fast grinned. "You know, I almost bagged Twilight."
Silver blinked owlishly. "How... did that go?"
"She's not into mares, go figure." Fast stuck out her tongue a little. "Even mares that can be stallions on demand."
Silver shook his head. "I guess a princess would have enough energy to court you without immediate issues?"
Fast licked her lips. "Stop talking about that, you're making me a little hungry... She's the princess of fricken friendship! Only Cadance smells better. It's still beyond me why Chrysalis didn't try to tap that flank instead of her goofy husband." She leaned in. "So, back to being an Ambassador huh? It suits you. You don't keep grudges, and you like ponies working together."
"Who is this?" Nefertari appears abruptly at Fast's side. "Are they bothering you?"
Silver thrust up a hoof quickly. "No! No. Nefertari, this is Fast. Fast, Nefertari. Fast was a part of our herd, before she became a changeling queen."
Nefer raised a brow. "What was she before that?"
"Just as you see." Fast turned, looking up at the jackal. "Your tastes are growing interesting, Silver." She leaned towards Nefertari, waving the jackal closer. When Nefer was close enough, she whispered, "Lick him right at the base of the horn, it'll light up his day."
"What was that?" Silver stepped closer.
Nefer held up a hand. "Just two ladies having a conversation. I think I like this old mate of yours, but you are wise to set boundaries. Romances with changeling queens often ends in tragedy."
Fast sighed loudly. "Tell me about it. Anyway, I should get going! I'll return Night, promise." She turned and easily pressed into the crowd, soon lost to sight.
Rough suddenly bumped into Silver, jostled by the crowd and swaying with his own intoxication. "Ya shure do have lotsa marefriends." He leaned on Silver heavily, making him sink under the weight. "What'sh yer se-ker-ret?"
Silver's horn lit up as he set Rough upright. "Take it easy on those drinks. You want to remember tonight, don't you?"
"Maybe." He swayed dangerously. "I can handle it..."
Samantha put a hoof on his shoulder, then his back, making soft tsking noises mostly lost to the crowd. "You should lay down, and that's my professional advice."
"Aw whaddaya know?" Rough waved off the advice, then thrust a hoof forward. "We got more t'do!" He advanced boldly through the crowd, leading the way.
Everypony fell in line with the motion, but Silver slipped in beside Samantha. "Do you know?"
"Know what?" Samantha perked an ear at Silver. "Having fun?"
He smiled. "I am. This is the best halloween I've had in years."
"What's halloween?"
Silver blinked and bonked himself on his pointed hat. "Sorry, Nightmare Night. Samantha..." He leaned in close. "You've been nominated to join the herd."
Samantha almost tripped over herself on hearing the news, but managed to stay upright. "R-really? Um..." She glanced left and right. "That means it's up to you to accept or reject the nomination." A book appeared beside her head. "I read about it. If you decline, the head mare chases me away."
Silver imagined Night chasing Samantha around and smiled at the silly image. "That won't be necessary."
Her face brightened as the book on romance fell to the road. "You mean?"
"Samantha, will you jo--" He didn't get to finish the proposal as Samantha flung herself at him in a fierce embrace and they both crashed to the ground.
"Yes yes yes!" Samantha peppered his face with kisses even as little giggles escaped her. "Ohhh, this is going to be so exciting! I've never been married before." She tapped her chin with sudden thought. "I've never been on a date before. Oh no! We did this in the wrong order!" She brought a hoof down with a clop. "We have to date before we get married."
Silver sat up while Samantha was busy with scheduling. "We have been on several dates."
"We have?" Samantha scowled a little. "When?"
"Well there was that time you helped deliver our foals."
"That was an appointment and a medically urgent moment!"
Silver put a hoof at his chest. "When you're around, I feel as if I may have another medical emergency coming. My heart starts to race--"
She missed the romance in the words and had a stethoscope in her ears and the business end pressed to his chest, listening for his heart. "When did these symptoms begin?"
Silver gently pulled the stethoscope free of Samantha and draped it around her neck. "Samantha, you are too adorable. I'm fine." He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "We'll have a date, promise. Come on, we've fallen behind the others."
Ahead of them, Nefertari walked with Tumble. "What is your relation to Silver?" she asked. "You give the impression of familiarity."
Tumble glanced at the biped walking alongside him. "It weren't no big deal... I used to be his bully."
Nefertari snorted softly. "He treats his enemies well."
Tumble waved it off. "I apologized, and we became friends, I guess..."
"You aren't sure?"
Tumble shrugged a little. "Look, uh... do Anubians... are they alright with..." He leaned in closer, voice lowering to a harsh whisper, "Colt cuddlers?"
Nefer raised a brow, quiet a moment before she pieced together what the phrase might mean. "There are those who prefer the company of those like themselves. Some would call it foolish. The forces of the world shaped us into different things so that we may find strength in overcoming this challenge, and forge the next generation on that anvil." She clucked her tongue. "That is why two ladies or two gentle...colts as you call them will not create progeny, but it is their choice. If they find happiness, it does not weaken me. If they will attend their duties, fine. Their parents will likely disown them for endangering their family line, but such is life."
"Yeah..." Tumble's head hung low. "Mine did that..."
Nefertari placed a hand on his broad back. All ponies just seemed so pettable in her eyes. Pettable and, perhaps, beneath her. "Then it is done. You are your own stallion. You have been cast out of their house, so construct your own. Make it grand and successful. That will show them the folly of their decision."
Tumble blinked softly, processing that idea. "Really?"
"Of course." Nefertari smiled her predatory smile. "Success is the most sublime of revenges. It profits yourself and causes your enemies to gnash their teeth. They think they have cast you low, kicked you into the dirt I'm sure they'd say you deserve. What will they think when they find you have taken that firm surface and forged yourself into something better for it?"
Googly eye horse costume...bet she'll get a lot of weird looks for her costume
Also, I totally did not expect Fast to be back again. It's unfortunate the encounter was so brief but at least it's good too know she's still the same fun loving girl at heart.
i hope that silver tries to make a spell to turn fast back!, also some romancing and Samantha, i don't now what to think about her, reminds me to much of manic twilight. i think that Nefertari might be getting nominated soon, i hope that silver can get rough to be his friend again. other wise, STAY DETERMINED
Wait, one last time? Where's Fast going?
7180287 If Fast and Silver became a thing again, Fast could easily cause severe harm.
I wonder just how many changelings are having to sit the festivities out due to their interaction with Night.
little giggled - little giggles
Nefertari rest a hand - Nefertari rested a hand
*****
A frightfully delightful chapter with old faces aplenty this Nightmare Night.
I wonder how much Fast knows about what happened to Silver after her departure. I wonder what happened to Night Watch and how many changelings will wind up in traction.
A happy Samantha warms my heart as much as a falling down drunk Rough Tumble makes it ache. Timing Silver, you need to work on that timing.
Surprisingly sound if slightly self centered advice from Nefertari. Is Rough in the right frame of mind to listen... and if he's listening, will he still remember once he sleeps it off?
Nefer... that is some sage advice right there. Best way to take revenge.
Nothing hurts me more reading this than any time i am reminded of fast, it makes me wan't to go back to the story when they were actually with fast, read that and pretend it's finished
Wow, now this was a chapter! Lots of great stuff happened here, and I barely know where to begin!
Night continues to feel oddly insecure around Surprise (and I'm fairly certain that was Night that was uncomfortable at the sight of her). If I recall correctly, that's because Surprise is the Pinkie Pie that Silver impregnated in his dream world, and who has managed to make the transition from that to the real world. I suppose that could seem rather unsettling (the bit about being Silver's ex, rather than the part about being a dream-pony), but...I don't know, it feels like there's more to it than that. From what I can tell, Night doesn't seem to find any other pony nearly as unnerving as Surprise, despite having two other females close by who want to get it on with her husband. If she's okay with Samantha, and not threatened by Nefertari, then why does seeing Surprise make Night worried? Is she worried that Silver likes the cheery airhead-type more than her? This is another area where Night Watch is keeping things very close to the proverbial vest.
But it's right after that that we get the unexpected, and all too brief, return of Fast Change! This was a very welcome development, and over all too soon. Fast was such a vivacious character, and Silver summarized perfectly how much she meant to them all. Having her back was really great...and potentially very awkward. Silver acknowledged that he still loves her, and it's pretty clear that she feels the same, and that's going to be a problem. I have serious doubts that they can just be "friends" when feelings of romantic love are not only mutual, but strong enough to warrant phrases like "you're a part of me." The only recourse is to get back together or continue to keep each other at a distance, and "getting back together" would constitute either her rejoining the herd (and we've been down a road like that one before) or her and Silver carrying on an affair. In all honesty, that latter possibility would be interesting reading, even if the former seems unlikely. It's not easily forgotten that Night and Fast were lovers as well, and she'd likely seriously entertain thoughts of Fast's rejoining them, issues of being a changeling or insufficient horseshoes be damned. I know that Fast, as a changeling queen, has the potential to seriously hurt Silver if she goes too far, but I wonder at how much that will serve as a disincentive versus making forbidden fruit all the sweeter.
Silver's breaking the good news to Samantha was exactly as cute as I thought it'd be. It was adorable seeing her worrying about having done things in the wrong order, let alone taking his description of how he felt about her literally, and in doing so perfectly highlights what she brings to the table, which is a level of unfiltered affection that eclipses virtually every other character to date. She's really a sweetheart, and I hope that we're not done seeing her being on cloud nine over finding ponies that love her back.
The match-up with Nefertari and Tumble, even if it was just for a conversation, was an odd one. Nefertari's been leaning on the whole "ambassador" angle really hard for the last few chapters, and it feels like an odd fit for her character. For quite a while, she's been defined solely in her role as a warrior-shamaness. Everything beyond that is something that she hasn't been very interested in; I attribute this change to her wanting to make herself more available to Silver, since she didn't seem very civic-minded until she found herself having to marry him. What comes across more odd is how well she's pulling it off. It feels like there should be some more cultural hiccups than are happening. At what point does she start making mention of violence being not only an acceptable answer to problems, but one of the first ones that should be utilized?
Insofar as her culture's take on homosexuals goes...it apparently splits the difference between being libertine and being practical. The former comes from the idea that they have a culture where strength is everything, and so if one has the might to back up their particular proclivities then they're not wrong, or at least not so wrong that it requires indictment at the cultural level. On the latter end of things, their culture is one that lives close to the bone and likely has a lot of people dying relatively young, and to that end having children is likely to be considered a borderline duty, regardless of personal feelings. My guess would be that the dissonance between these values doesn't come up very often, simply because a lot of Anubians don't live long enough for this to become a problem. I'd also guess that, given that sex can be used as a measure of power, that there's a lot of same-sexual activity going on, since even those Anubians that have preferences aren't afraid to sexually assert themselves over others (as Silver found out in his dream-encounter with them).
Overall, this was a great chapter, and I hope that the trends we're seeing here continue!
7180291 Of course, forgot, was concerned there was something wrong with her.
7180337 You've made me curious. You judged Nefertari on her assessment of her people, but what of her advice?
7180296 Typos shooed away from the holiday. Nefertari calls it as she sees it, however cruel it may sound at times. She's a dubious choice for an ambassador, but imagine what other Anubians may have been selected?
7180327 Aw, don't be that sad. Friendships change and evolve over time, but we have to roll with it. Life is worth living for the now, not the 'better years'.
7180368 You mean insofar as her saying that "the best revenge is living well"? In all honesty, that strikes me as being somewhat farfetched in terms of it really being a value that Anubians likely hold. As a member of a nomadic warrior culture, I suspect that her take on revenge does include that particular axiom, but only as a stepping-stone to get to "and then once you've accumulated a power-base, use it to strike back at those that have wronged you."
In this regard, it could be said that she's censoring herself, bending (but not breaking, per se) the truth so as to better fit in. By this point, Nefertari seems to have a handle on what Silver (and Night) want to hear, not just as individuals but as members of a peace-loving society, to the point where I'm honestly shocked at how far she's going. If this is more of that, then I see her issuing this advice through gritted teeth, knowing that if she said what she really thought then it would likely lead to Tumble running off to drunkenly lash out as his parents, which would make things worse, which would result in Silver and Night being angry at her for filling Tumble's head with such ideas.
In effect, Nefertari's advice is another instance of her own version of when Rarity tried to act like Applejack to win Trenderhoof's affection (in Simple Ways).
7180391 Lashing out at his parents would get him censured by the local law and imprisoned. He would be labeled the loser, even if he was the victor in battle. Equestria has different battlefields. No, simply pounding them into a pulp would not earn the victory he desires, nor would it fix the inherent weakness she can detect easily in this stallion. A moment of rage is easy, grasping your life by the hands, er, hooves, and starting to treat it as a battle to be won instead of a suffering to be endured? That is a victory.
7180403 I don't think that Nefertari would see it that way. Her culture has values that are very different from Equestria, and while her advice might have been the best advice for Tumble (who lives in Equestria), I don't think that's what she honestly believes is the best way to go about it, nor that her culture genuinely teaches that the best way to get revenge on someone is just to live well, as opposed to living well enough to get to the point where you can then come back and make them suffer for what they did to you.
7180425 You keep getting caught up in her culture and broad answers instead of the specific case in front of her. If a miserable anubian warrior was moping around, drunken and useless, crying about how their family disowned them, telling them to just rush back to their parent's house and maul them would not be the right advice, as satisfying as it may be, if they can even pull it off in their pathetic state.
What she said, basically was 'Check yourself before you wreck yourself'. Talk of visiting pain on your family could come later, but just mauling your parents is pretty grody to the ancestor-honoring Anubians. No, you could issue a challenge, certainly, but a sudden and savage beating to your father or mother? The spirits would be most displeased. Show some respect! Besides, in his pathetic state, there's a good chance whatever parent he did issue challenge to would just laugh at him, and decline the challenge, and no one would question it, only adding to the shame.
There's a difference between strength, and savagery. Even Anubians get the two mixed up sometimes, but they try not to. Nefertari, in theory, is one of the more refined examples. Tumble should become a pony worthy of issue a challenging and become a source of strength.
7180450 It sounds like you're saying what I was saying before; that "get yourself together" is just part of the process, as a foundation for a later revenge. I agree that this would be good advice, and would be something you'd hear from an Anubian, but it wouldn't be in the vacuum that Nefertari's presented it in. That's why I said that she was bending the truth before, because she's presenting the pathway to the goal as if it were the goal itself. Yes, Tumble's in no condition to go beat the crap out of his parents, and needs to get his life together before he can focus on payback, but she omitted the part about payback altogether, beyond the idea that just cleaning himself up was sufficient revenge.
7180463 They just met. He's drunk, and it's a party. She kept it simple. Future steps can wait. If he comes seeking her out later, it will also pad her ego a little and she'll get to be the savior of his pathetic life. This is really not the time for detailed multi-step plans. You say it's not a vacuum, this is correct. This is a crowded city street they're pushing through. Forgive her for keeping it simple and easy to digest.
Hail Queen Fast! Don't be a stranger!
Rough gets sage advice. Hopefully it holds stronger subconsciously. A different state of mind should do him wonders...
And Night was foalnapped. Think Fast will love-check her too? Things will happen...
Keep going! ;)
true wisdom.
When your stalking the story for an update and so are a few others
For Night Watch's purported perceptive/cognitive abilities and being married to an ambassador, she seems annoyingly prone to having an idiot ball for not realizing that keeping mum about interpersonal conflicts is nowhere near a way to solve them.
okay, not in this chapter, but it's kind of been a trend.
I know, right? I haven't even seen it in fanfics, either! (Well, one, but it's humanized.) have you seen any?
Halloween
It's about damn time Fast came back, though her choice of words is depressingly ominous. Samantha's response was cute, reminding me of Peridot. Also, really like the way Fast warmed up to Nefer.
7472677 Who?
7472697
Guess it's a little bit late... like a few years late, but what is a few years if not a tiniest bit in the grand scheme of everything. Anyway, most likely he were talking about Peridot from Steven Universe show. Check it out. It's odd, but so is MLP.
f only people could adopt this vew on things?
11225498
Who said we don't? The only actual problem is that we also try to put succesful people six feet under, and sometimes we manage it