Of Laurels & Lace

by WritingSpirit

Hanging From The Bed

Three days have passed since she had learnt the news of Spike. She hadn't spoke to Octavia since, who was slightly confused at the way she was isolating herself from the gray mare and Crimson.

"Why can't you just tell me what happened, Rarity? I'm your friend, for Celestia's sake!"

"It isn't any of your business! I just... need some time alone!"

Rarity finished crying her eyes out, trying to get over the dragon's situation. She sniffled a little as she stepped out, into the garden for the first time.

The flowers were blooming bright in the summer, and the birds were chirping, giving the white mare a moment of peace. She breathed in the morning air, sighing happily for the first time since...

She wiped her tears off. Now's not the time to think of that, Rarity. He will be fine.

"Madame?"

She turned around, startled by the sudden voice behind her.

A pony as white as Rarity stood before her, his mane light blue, his eyes a darker shade. In his hoof lay a single handkerchief. She recognized the stallion immediately, as there was no doubt who this was.

Winter Palgiot...

"Thank you," she muttered, using the handkerchief to wipe her eyes. Winter just stood there and smiled.

"It's not a problem, miss..." the stallion replied, though his voice halted as he looked up, longing for her name.

"Rarity." She introduced herself.

"Miss Rarity," Winter said, somewhat dreamily before staring off to space, his mouth curved into a smile.

"What a beautiful name."

Rarity blushed a little, flattered at the comment, before uttering a 'thank you'.

"You're welcome, Miss Rarity." Winter merely responded.

Rarity gazed into his blue eyes, seeing a shimmering of hope; the one that she had been searching for this whole time, now presented to her by the most elegant one she had seen since her arrival.

What a gentlecolt.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

Autumn walked down the corridor, being careful of her grace in every step she took. The air swirled in from the windows, open to let some of the mingling dust out.

She breathed in the moment, feeling the freedom, the lightness of it, her worries whisked away like a lightweight feather in a gentle breeze. The thought of it made her lips curve, the simplicity and serenity reminding her that it was just like herself.

Just like herself... for now.

A frown of dark realization quickly replaced the smile on her face, eating away at her mood.

The mare was Heir to the Patriarch, which means if Winter ever stepped down or had some sort of accident, Autumn would have to take his place as Patriarch... or Matriarch for that matter.

Which would mean staying in this Palace. Forever.

She would not have the heart for it. In fact, she would rather die than be Matriarch, especially with her family's insane customs and all...

"Miss Palgiot!" a guard called out to her. For what she could tell, it seemed frantic, though she could only confirm it when the guard continued:

"Come quick! There's been an incident."

She sighed as she looked out the window again, before galloping off after the guard.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

"I've seen you," Rarity finally quipped. "At the window."

Winter looked up, trying his best to smile. He was halfway reading through a book when he heard the mare sniffling outside, his instincts beckoning him to welcome her in for a seat to calm herself down.

"So you're the famed Winter Palgiot everypony's talking about."

He chuckled at the comment. Settling the book down, he took a small sip of tea.

"May I ask you a question, Sir?"

Rarity stood up from the chair, a slight spark of curiosity forming in her eyes. She slowly trotted herself closer, though somewhat sultrily, to the Patriarch, who was feeling uneasy.

"I'm sure you've heard of my friends. You know: Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Applejack."

Winter gulped, feeling a bead of sweat leaking from his mane.

"They, along with me, are the Elements of Harmony. The power that saved the whole of Equestria. Thrice!"

Rarity glared at him, making the Patriarch nervous.

"So how is it that I get invited to this ball of yours," she gritted her teeth, "yet neither of my friends aren't invited?"

The stallion nearly stumbled, forced towards the back of his chair. He tried to grin, though any effort of it would not be able to soothe her stirring rage.

Rarity just looked scornfully at him, her eyes mercilessly piercing into his very core.

"Well, I-" he began, but stopped when the mare raised a hoof.

Then she gave him a powerful slap.

Winter fell off his chair, his face immediately turning red and sore. He gently touched his cheek, as he watched the mare harrumphed with a cross of her hooves, and left in a huff, her head held high.

Stellar Lionheart walked towards him, passing by Rarity as she cursed under her breath. He quickly helped Winter up, before asking:

"Did that mare just hit you, sir?"

Winter assured his butler with a sheepish laugh.

"Don't worry. She'll eventually get over it."

As his butler brushed the dust off his suit, he hastily whispered into Winter's ear.

The Patriarch's face darkened as he straightened his bow. Without hesitation, he asked:

"Who was it?"

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

Rarity stomped down the corridor, grumbling under her breath.

Gentlecolt, she scoffed. Pah!

At the same time, she couldn't help but giggle with glee. She just slapped the leading pony of the palace, and got away with it! A lighthearted smile replaced her haughty look, making her sigh.

"Ahhhhh, it's good to be me sometimes..."

Without warning, a pony abruptly crashed into her and her daydreams, nearly knocking her senseless.

"Watch where you're going!" Rarity shouted to the other pony. From his distinguishable red uniform, his black, ruffled hat and the few badges adorning his chest, he seemed to be one of the palace guards.

"I'm so sorry, miss." The guard apologized, tilting his hat back up.

The guard quickly galloped behind Rarity, then skidded before turning left.

"Whatever the rush for?" she asked herself

Rarity's curiosity got the better of her, and soon she followed the tracks of the careless guard.

Turning left, she saw the guard heading into a room, leaving the black doors open.

Making sure no pony was around her, she silently trotted towards the doors. She held her breath as she peered inside, her suspicion growing at the sight before her.

In the center of the room. there stood a group of guards, including the one that collided with her. Rarity recognized the pale beige mare in the dress, clearly distressed with her hooves to her forehead.

"Autumn," she identified silently. Winter's sister.

"How long was he found like this?" the mare spoke up

One of the guards stepped forward.

"Two hours, Madam Palgiot."

Wait. What does she mean 'found like this'?

"There shall be no word of this to any of the guests, understood?"

All of the guards nodded immediately, though Rarity could only frown at that.

What could be so important that she doesn't want us to see?

Autumn quickly shifted from her seat, revealing the scene behind her.

At that very instant, the white unicorn gave out a loud gasp.

A pony dangled from the chandelier above the room, bedsheets suspending him like rope. His mane was black and messy, his face tinted a pale blue. His body limp and lifeless, his hooves wrapped by the sheets that tightened around his neck like a collar, swaying only when a gentle breeze blew in from the open windows.

Rarity began to back away, unable to free her view from the revolting scene, but bumped into somepony else.

Winter Palgiot stood there, his eyes cynically gazing down at her.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

"So, do you have any knowledge of this stallion's death?"

Autumn was sitting across her, a glare fixated into her eyes; an uncommon sight to see from the usually graceful mare. The white unicorn gulped as she tried to speak.

"Do you!?"

"Calm down, Autumn. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for this."

A white hoof was placed onto Autumn's shoulder. She sighed in defeat.

"Miss Rarity here was with me this afternoon." Winter explained to his sister, holding back a chuckle.

"She was the one who gave me the slap on my face."

Autumn turned back, shooting her another glare. Rarity chuckled sheepishly in response, though a part of her was slightly ticked off at that point the Patriarch mentioned about the events in the library.

Beside her stood Octavia and Crimson, the ponies having rushed over once they've heard of Rarity's situation.

Crimson paled as he saw the body, but he tried to ignore it with a whistle, glancing about nervously.

His marefriend, after a moment of resistance, couldn't help but look at the dangling body above their heads. Her eyes immediately widen at his visage.

"Tassel Twist."

Autumn looked up with a puzzled look on her face.

"Pardon?"

"Seriously?"

Octavia laughed a little with sarcasm, much to the other mare's disapproval, before continuing: "He's the founder and owner of the multi-billion bits company, Comforts Deluxe.

"The company that makes beds," Winter explained.

Autumn looked again at the dangling body, an expression of solemnity filling her face.

"Killed by his own talent," she muttered.

"It seems," Winter spoke up from the group, drawing their attention.

"Our killer has changed his targets."

Rarity perked up immediately at that.

"Wait, so you mean he's killed other ponies before?"

Winter nodded reluctantly, his face a mix of worry and anger, his hooves tensing.

The mare only looked at the floor. Could it be?

"I'll call Chief Griffonhooves down here. In the meantime,"

Winter clapped his hooves, Stellar immediately rushing to his master's side, bowing with respect.

"Stellar, please see to it that the body be moved to the food vault immediately."

"Right away, sir."

As Stellar and the guards tried to lift the body, Winter escorted Rarity, Octavia & Crimson out the room, with Autumn already excusing herself from the group.

Shutting the doors behind him, he quickly whispered:

"I'm sure the other guests should've known of this by now." he said, glancing around.

"I surely wish this wouldn't be known to the residents of Pendant Lake. In fact, this news shouldn't leave the palace at all costs."

"But isn't it better that the Princesses are notified of this?" Crimson asked, slightly puzzled.

"They can aid you in catching the killer."

"I know, but you see," Winter said with a sigh, before continuing: "Princess Celestia and I... we haven't really come in good terms with each other recently. After all, it's just a matter of time...."

The Patriarch's voice droned out in Rarity's head as she rubbed her eyes, gazing down the corridor.

Somepony was there, at the end of the corridor. She squinted her eyes.

A cloak covered his (or was it a her?) mane and tail, enveloping it in its antiquity. The pony's face was covered by a mask, which gleamed in the dappled sunlight.

She stepped back, horror sweeping across her mind. The mask had a rigid and morbid smile. At the left side of the mask, a crack pierced through the eyes, with three black teardrops decorated at the corners.

Images of blades, blood and trains flashed through her mind once more, assaulting it with its morbidity. Rarity felt faint, her stomach gurgling.

"Rarity? You okay?"

She felt her hooves gave way, her vision blurring.

"Rarity!"

Her head hit the floor, her mane slumped to one side, as the pony laughed maniacally before she blacked out.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

"Are you sure you're alright there, Rarity?"

Rainbow Dash's voice was a mix of worry and concern; something almost unheard from the pegasus.

"I'm fine now, thanks to Octavia." Rarity sighed, looking at the sleeping pony.

It was nighttime, which meant only two more days to the dance. She couldn't help but worry.

"So, this Mirror Mare pony..." Twilight asked on the other end of the line.

"Have you seen it before?"

Rarity knew no one outside the palace was supposed to know about this, but - she bit her lip - she trusts her friend to keep it a secret.

"I think I've seen it," she said, recalling the pony-like figure she saw this afternoon.

"I don't know if it is even a pony," Fluttershy inquired. "The way it.... hurts ponies, it isn't...well... very nice."

"Duh! Nopony hurts other ponies like that!" a voice screeched.

Rarity covered her ears, scrunching her eyes.

"Pinkie Pie! Quiet down!" she whispered into the walkie-talkie. "Octavia's trying to sleep here."

"Oopsie! Tell her I said I'm sorry."

Rarity chuckled at her pink friend. "Where's Applejack?"

The walkie-talkie crackled as Twilight answered: "She's sleeping perhaps. It is a little late now."

"I'll think I'll- *yawn* - call it a night as well." Rainbow Dash said with a crackle.

"Goodnight Rainbow," the four, remaining voices said in unison.

At the sound of a click, Rarity hesitantly asked:

"So.... how's Spike?"

"We visited him at the hospital. Doctor said he's still in a coma."

"A comma? What is Spike doing in a comma?!"

"No, Pinkie, a coma. It is a state of unconsciousness where a pony doesn't wake up and respond normally to situations. They might appear to be awake, but due to the situation they're in-"

"Um, Twilight." Fluttershy's voice interrupted.

"Yeeeeah. Sorry about that."

The image of Spike crossed Rarity's mind once more. She hoped for the best.

"So how's Sweetie Belle doing, Fluttershy?" Rarity asked, trying to get her mind off the dragon for a while.

"She's okay," the pegasus meekly replied.

"Sweetie says she missed you a lot."

"Well, why don't you let Sweetie use your walkie-talkie?" Pinkie Pie suggested.

"Pinkie, of course!" Twilight's voice chimed. "You're a genius!"

Rarity heard a giggle from Pinkie Pie, trying her best not to laugh as well.

"No, silly filly! I'm a pony!"

"No, what I meant was.... never mind."

"Well," the white mare said. "I'll talk to Sweetie Belle first chance I get."

"Oh... alright then," Fluttershy said before letting out a small yawn.

"Goodnight everypony..."

"Goodnight, Fluttershy." the three ponies said before hearing a click.

"I'll think I'll hit the hay too! Hit the hay? I wonder what that means? It's so strange that everypony says that without finding out what it means. Shouldn't we all just eat the hay-"

Twilight and Rarity gave out a chuckle as the third click sounded off.

"Sure you're okay over there, Rarity?" the lavender unicorn asked.

The white mare assured her. "I'll be fine."

"Alright then, Rarity. I think I'm gonna call it a night as well."

There was a moment of silence, though something else was still in her head

"Twilight?" Rarity called to her friend.

"Yeah?"

"I'm... sorry. About two days ago. If you know what I mean."

She heard a quiet chuckle.

"It's okay, Rarity. Like what Applejack said, even I would do the same."

The white unicorn laughed a little.

"Goodnight Twilight."

"Goodnight," before she heard a click.

Rarity pushed the red button, switching the device off before letting out a slight yawn.

"Look at the time, Rarity..." she told herself, almost like a reprimand.

She quickly slid under the bed covers, her thoughts mostly about Spike, before sleep overcame her.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

Sidus Storm looked out the window, ruffling his navy blue mane.

The heavy rain started pattering onto the cottage, the drops stirring him up. He closed his eyes.

Muttering a few words, he crinkled his mustache as he felt himself dissolve. Dissolve into the world.

Dissolve in time.

His cottage warped, the pattering of water stopped, faded. Silence filled the air as the old colt continued his prayer.

With a flick of his hoof, he readied his blade, turning around still with his eyes closed.

Remember, every sound you make...

He swung his blade to the side harshly, hearing the whoosh of metal against air.

...is a sound they'll hear.

Sicarius Nox, his prayers continued in his head, the name a faint echo of nostalgia.

Sicarius Nox.

Then he opened his eyes, the cottage came booming back into his vision.

The pattering of rain entered his mind again, the blackness of night swarming into his vision, ridding him of his reminiscence.

He crinkled his nose once more.

Something's different...

"Well, well, well..." a voice boomed from the dark corner of the cottage. "if it isn't Sidus Storm himself."

The aging colt let out a grunt of hatred, readying his blade.

"So I heard you've returned." he replied.

"Returned? No-ho-ho!" the voice laughed. "I'm just...."

The voice said coyly, toying with the colt's patience.

"..visiting."

"Well, I hope you enjoyed my hospitality." Sidus shot back with sarcasm.

"Although you were never invited in the first place."

"Of course, of course!" the voice agreed.

"But you can call me the certain... uninvited guest of honor, as how Tantrum may place it."

Tantrum...

"Tantrum," he spoke sharply, "was another target."

"Oh, was he now?!" the voice retorted, laughing in the darkness, clearly ignorant of Sidus's talk.

"Remember? One of the main rules? Of Sicarius Nox?"

He just snorted as a reply.

Talking about rules?

"Rule Eighteen, dear Sidus." the voice laughed before it continued.

"Never let emotions or personal judgement cloud your thinking, but in Tantrum's case you just had to do it, don't you."

"And I begged for forgiveness ever since." Sidus replied, taking one more step back.

"Forgiveness..." the voice responded, its mischievousness suddenly twisted into grim.

".. was given to you when you were born."

Out of nowhere, he felt a strong punch in his gut, the colt immediately tumbling backwards with a pained cry, crashing out the window.

Rain poured on him as he quickly regained his composure. His mane became drenched in water as he spit on the floor.

Blood.

A pony in a cloak stepped out from the shadows. Lightning flashed, revealing the mask underneath.

Sidus stepped back carefully, before hearing a clatter of rocks, glancing back in annoyance.

He was standing on the edge of a cliff. Trying to look down, the colt could only see pitch black darkness.

"Rule Twenty, Mr Storm." the masked pony stepped out, cackling at the former assasin.

"Anypony found breaking the rules of Sicarius, will pay the ultimate price."

A fork of lightning streaked through the sky as the masked pony finished it defiantly.

"Their life!"

Sidus readied his dagger, his hoof placed on another. His blue mane and tail tossed about in the whirlwind, leaves and branches tossed all around him.

"And to think," the voice said with a laugh. "you were one of the best ponies Sicarius Nox has ever recruited!"

Sidus merely scoffed. "I'm not keen on the rules."

For a moment, he felt time slow once more, the wind receding, the rain in a graceful fall. He unsheathed his dagger, his hoof readied in a fighting stance.

With a kick, the colt launched himself toward the masked pony, his heart beating rapidly.

BANG!

Sidus's eyes widened. The slowing time halted before him, the masked pony looking at him without pity.

Then he heard another one. BANG!

Blood flowed from his mouth, as well as his numb chest. He looked up at the masked pony as he fell onto the rock.

The rain quickly washed the blood away, his , as the masked pony trotted up to him.

"Rule Five, Mr Storm." the voice said with a disappointed sigh.

"Always find a way to outwit your target."

Sidus felt a hoof pushed him. Then another push. He tried to speak, but his mouth failed him.

The masked pony gave one last push, watching Sidus as the colt fell down into the dark crevasse below, a smile lingering on its face.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

Winter slowly clambered up the steps, slowly shuddering as he scaled the tower.

"Nopony's safe." he muttered to himself like a chant. "Nopony's safe."

The gale outside blew strongly, ripping branches and leaves forcefully off the trees. Flashes of lightning and claps of thunder echoed through the tower.

A few drops of rain pattered onto the stairs, as Winter found out when he lost his footing.

He suddenly fell forward, his face hitting the granite steps with a yelp. Pain shot through his veins like adrenaline, stinging into his hoof with his other hoof lifting himself up.

"Not now, Winter." he growled at himself "Not now!"

The pain blasted like a wave across his body, making him stumble onto the stairs once more. Without hesitation he screamed, the tower rebounding it in an agonizing echo.

The spiral staircase felt endless, as Winter's vision blurred. He quickly stood up, ignoring the intensity of the pain from his hind hoof.

Lightning flashed across his face as his determination grew stronger. Without hesitation, he took a step forward.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

Rarity awoke with a shock.

The rain outside fell heavily, rattling on the windows. Beside her, Octavia stirred only for a moment, before going back to a peaceful sleep again.

"Another nightmare..." she told herself.

This time, though, it was different.

She heard shatters, talking... she saw a cliff, somepony falling...

The twinge in her gut only made the white unicorn hide beneath her covers, the lightning illuminating her face once more. Her head was pounding with fatigue and confusion, her voice trying to reassure herself:

Calm down, Rarity...

She looked out the window, beyond the rain, beyond Pendant Lakes. The darkness between the raindrops only stared back into her, despite her sights set back on her home.

Spike needs you, Rarity. she assured herself.

Stay strong, girl!

She slumped back onto the bed, her fierce determination eventually tiring out as she closed her eyes.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

One more step, Winter

A loud boom of thunder nearly startled him, as he quickly dragged himself up to the top.

"I've made it!" he exclaimed to himself with pride. "I've reached the top!"

He quickly looked upon the door. Unlike many of the doors in the Palace, this was made of marble. The giant door stood menacingly above Winter. Rubbing the sweat off his forehead, he started to limp towards it.

"Ow!" he cried out, before grunting with pain. His hind leg burned from the intensity of the fall, which only made him to curse at his carelessness.

The looming marble door stood, waiting with eternal patience as Winter dragged himself closer to the door. Fierce winds whipped in the sky, as he heard the hollow sound of air flowing through the windows, as if it was playing with a stone flute.

The family coat-of-arms lay etched in the marble. The Patriarch tugged his hind leg as he reached for the crystalline handles, gleaming with every flash of lightning.

With a tired sigh, he gave a weak push.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

Stellar woke with a start. Something wasn't right.

Lifting himself from the bed, the butler trotted out of the doors into the hallway, rubbing his tired eyes.

The faint sound of whirring caught his attention; the same sound that woke him up. There wasn't any other possible thing that could've made that noise.

Looking out the window, a bunch of gleaming lights danced in a pattern, emanating from the top of the tower.

The butler sighed. His master was in the Tower Room again, playing with who-knows-what.

As he returned to his quarters, he dragged himself to the bed, before closing his bloodshot eyes. awaiting for the arrival of the morning sun.

Comments

[Fury of the Tempest]

... No comments on this page? That most interesting and yet confusing yet?
Its obvious that the Mirror Mare is not natural or has some type of access to highly advanced tech... and I believe that the Palgiot family had a big hand in its creation.
Rarity slapping Winter was a bit sudden to be honest, but considering how stressed she would likely be. I can't say I'm surprised.
Rarity's new dream as well as this 'Sidus Storm' adds more strands to this complex web. So much mystery and interuge and so much of this story still to read!

[TacoBlend]

It's Pinkie, she's the killer... Lol just wanted to say that; you know crazy she can be...

...