A Twist of Fates

by BTPoke

3. The Diamonds

Good News: Starlight hadn't, in fact, been drugged. In retrospect, it seemed a tad on the side of paranoia that she thought a pony who had saved her life would do such a thing, anyway. Besides that, Double Diamond had been a rather gracious host to his... cave. After a second scan throughout the cavern in which she was staying, it seemed that there were a few lines of shelving, and even a bed, to suggest that Double Diamond did indeed live here. The cave seemed to open up deeper in, so perhaps there was even more to be seen inside.

"If you don't mind my asking," Starlight tentatively began, as she lay down in front of the warm campfire between them. "Why are you living in a cave, of all things?"

Double was quick to respond. "I was wondering when you'd ask." He made a show of waving his hoof across the span of his home. "This is probably the best place I could've gotten for my hobby."

"Hobby?"

"Yep." Double turned so that his flank was facing towards Starlight, so she got a good view of his cutie mark. What she saw was three blue snowflakes. Obviously, it must have meant he was good with snow weather? Although, starlight thought, that would be strange considering he wasn't a pegasus. There's no way an earth pony could have a talent such as that.

"I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand. Your talent has to do with snow, that I can see, but you're not a pegasus, so you can't even move clouds around or do anything with the weather.

Double rolled his eyes and looked away. "Yeah, I figured that's what you'd think." He walked over to a case that sat at the foot of his bed, opened it, and came back with what appeared to be two planks of wood with boots attached to them. Once again, starlight was confused. Basic assumptions told Starlight that these objects had something to do with snow, but she had no prior experience with the subject. Considering they had boots attached, perhaps they were a special brand of equipment made for wearing on the hooves. Come to think of it, Starlight had the feeling that she may have seen a few ponies wearing this kind of equipment when seeing other agents prepare for certain missions.

She shook her head. Random assumptions were getting her nowhere. "I'm sorry, I still don't get it. Is that some kind of snow equipment?"

The only answer she got at first was a stupefied expression. "You mean you've never heard of skis before?"

"When you put it like that, I suppose I never have. If you could inform me as to what skis are, that would be appreciated so as to save us more awkward silences."

Double looked at her for a moment, then put his skis down before scratching the back of his head in thought. "Uh, well, I guess you could say they're kind of used for a kind of sport, I guess? You put them on, and you slide on the snow using them."

Ah. That explained quite a bit, actually. "So you're saying your talent has to do with using skis?"

"Yep, pretty much." Double stuck out his chest in pride. "I'm one of the best skiers in equestria!" A pause followed, and he began to look a bit embarrassed. "Well, at least I think I am. I've never actually been in any competitions. These mountain zones are great for practice, though, so I set up this cave to be like a second home." He looked around at the place with a sheepish look. "It's not exactly the most comfortable place, but it's not that bad once you get used to it."

Something about that seems a bit suspicious, Starlight thought. "If you're one of the best skiers in equestria, then why not compete?" then, a look of grief flashed across Double's face, and he visibly winced. Catching this, Starlight decided to press him a bit more. "You can tell me if you want, i'm just curious."

With a sigh, Double looked up with a sorrowful expression. "I used to want to, really, but... not anymore."

"Why not? Don't you enjoy the sport?"

"Yeah, of course I do." Double looked to Starlight with a straight expression. "It's the ponies I compete against that I don't like."

There, Starlight thought. An opening I can use. One mustn't think Starlight wasn't a tactical pony. Double Diamond could be of some use to her goals, and this seemed like an esteemed opportunity. "What do you mean? Whatever could have happened to cause you to dislike the joys and thrills of competition?" Starlight made sure to fill the words with as much sympathy as she could allow, even throwing in a few sympathizing gestures.

"I-I don't know. It's not something I really like to talk about." Double rubbed a leg, as if reliving an old ache.

No! Starlight thought. I can't lose this opportunity to gain some leverage! "I swear, you can tell me anything! I'll understand, I promise!" Starlight made a big show of almost pleading to Double, and went up to him to hold his head in her hooves so that he was sure to be looking at her. "I mean it as a friend. I am your friend now, aren't I?"

Double's eyes went wide as she finished the statement. "Friend? Really?"

"Yes, really." Starlight poured as much sympathy into her facial expression as possible. "You did save my life, so maybe I can help you somehow in return."

Double's eyes shifted from side to side, lost in thought. For a moment, however, his eyes found Starlight's, and a small smile found its way onto his face. He spoke once again. "Alright, I'll tell you. Only because you're my friend now, and I feel like I can trust you."

Starlight allowed herself a smile of satisfaction.Excellent. That was a lot easier than I thought. Starlight went back to her side of the fire, thoughts of victory filling her mind. Hopefully I'll be able to use this story to my advantage. Her new short-term goal of convincing Double to join her cause was now in action.

Both ponies settled down on opposite sides of the warm fire, and Double Diamond began his story.

Author's Note:

If you're wondering how Starlight Glimmer doesn't know what skis are, for all we know she could have not seen anything having to do with sports or snow transport in all the time she was holed up in the spy base.

Also, I quite obviously don't know how to write Double Diamond's dialogue. It doesn't seem enough to me. I hope this is satisfactory.

Comments

[dheight]

Hey, author! I'm working on russian translation. Can you give me your resolution?

[BTPoke]

6155241 Are you asking me to allow you to translate my story into russian?
If that's true, then sure.