Pewna: As Vindicar is doing his typical rounds over Moon City he spots Pewny in the town. Or at least, someone looking just like him, except being a mare and having a different cutie mark. She seems to curiously look around the city, perhaps searching for something.
Vindicar: Hippogriff lands a few steps behind her. He isn't armored up today, so he looks somewhat more approachable. Indeed, the mare certainly seemed to look a lot like Pewny, except the way she walked, of course. Curious, Vin called out.
"Can I help you, miss?"
Pewna: The black mare jump at being suddenly called out from behind her, then turns around. She stares at the hippogriff's front for a second, before looking up to his face "Oh... Hello there. I think.. if you are a local, you perhaps could help me" She says, taking in the look of a much different looking 'griffon' than she is used to seeing
Vindicar: Hippogriff nodded. "If you need directions, I certainly can help. Name's Vindicar, by the way," he bows slightly. He remembered that Pewny mentioned his sister once or twice, but he wasn't sure whether or not it was her.
Pewna: She blinks and smiles widely "Vindicar? As in, THIS Vindicar?" She steps forward, as if wanting to hug him but steps back quickly, regaining her composure "Name's Pewna, sister of your friend Pewny. Didn't expect to just run into you here"
Vindicar: Birdpony blinks at the hug, but smiles, even though she steps back before he could return it.
"Pewna? Yeah, I remember him mentioning you. Good to finally meet you in person." He nods politely. "And given I spend a lot of time patrolling these streets, it's easy to run into me. So how can I help you?"
Pewna: Well, it was more so an attempted hug, not an actual one. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine, I wanted to meet you for a while now" She giggles lightly as he says he does patrols around the city "Well mister officer, I kinda would like to see... Nightmare Moon"
Vindicar: He nods slowly. "Well, you can try to get an audience with the Lady at the Castle Lunar... but it really depends on your business whether or not you're going to get one. Plus, a lot of business is quicker and easier done if you contact the Prince-Consort first. He pretty much runs this city on night-to-noght basis. I can certainly show you around, at least."
Pewna: "Oh, I'm not looking for an audience really, if anything, I want to see her. How she looks, the manner she speaks in, the way she walks. Just... observe her, so to speak" The mare tells to the hippogriff "But if that's not possible, I may just take you on your offer, the city sure looks beautiful, I could use a nice guide to show me around~"
Vindicar: Birdpony blinked - he wasn't quite used to being flirted with like that. "Well, that's an interesting request. She doesn't usually hold public audiences like Princess Celestia does, but I think I might be able to get you a tour of the Castle... the public parts, at least."
He motions to follow him, walking down the street towards the towering mass of the Castle Lunar. "But pardon my curiosity - why do you want to observe her?"
Pewna: She smiles "Ooooh, I thought entire castle is off limits, I will gladly take you up on that, mister officer" She giggles lightly, she seems to enjoy calling him that in a way, then follows him "Well, Celestia did quite a few things to make Nightmare Moon somewhat... forgotten. There aren't exactly any pictures of her or even any good descriptions anywhere, let alone any accounts of how she acted. And this is exactly the reason, for acting. I'm an actress you see, and there is a movie being made."
Vindicar: "Really? That's surprising. I'd think Princess Luna would not appreciate this choice of inspiration... but what do I know?" he shrugs, then chuckles. "I'm just a strange birdpone."
It doesn't take them long to approach the castle. Surprisingly, after a quick exchange the guards - clad in heavy face-concealing armor - let them through. It seemed like Pewna's guide at least had some level of access to the Castle itself, rather than just 'public parts'.
"Would you mind to take a stroll in the Gardens first? They have been reopened after some maintenance, and it's a sight worth seeing." Vindicar suggests, gesturing with a wing to the right, along the inner wall.
Pewna: "I am not the one to question where the directors get their inspiration from, or if anyone allows them to do it. I may complain if something is not right though, which is why I'd preffer to see Nightmare with my own eyes, to make sure she is at least partially portrayed properly in the movie. I am playing her role after all, can't blow it now, can I~" She says with a slight giggle, and walks alongside the taller hippogriff. She looks over the heavily armored guards as they let the two pass "My, my, seems my guide is not just a simple officer, what should I call you now, captain?" She smirks lightly
And to hearing that, she looks towards where his wing is pointing and nods "I don't see why not, if you claim it's quite a sight, who am I to question it? Lead the way"
Vindicar: Hippogriff pauses momentarily upon hearing she'll be playing Nightmare herself. "Well, I have to admit - you show dedication towards your work. That's something to be proud of."
Meanwhile the two approached the Gardens. The trees were bare already, the strange silvery leaves having all but fallen to the ground, but the branches were sprinkled with hundreds of tiny lights, blue, purple and white, turning each tree into a cold dancing pyre. And in the middle there was a small lake, with a strange, massive tree standing proudly in it's very middle. Despite heavy autumn clouds hanging in the sky, once could easily see moon and stars being reflected in the lake's surface - another masterful illusion of this place.
Vindicar was a bit glad for the distraction the Gardens provided - he wasn't really comfortable with bragging about his station as a knight.
Pewna: "It's a first movie about her, so I really want to do a good job. I don't want to later on listen that I completely acted her out wrong or I looked incorrectly. Nobody cares it's due to screenwriters or the directors, it's pinned on the actor."
She looks over the gardens, seemingly speechless as she takes in the sight in front of her eyes. She does see the leaves that have fallen, seemingly interested in the color, but is distracted by the colorful trees. From then she does move on to the lake, looking up to the sky, then back to it again "Wow... we can't see the sky, and yet, the moon so beautifully shines in this water..."
Vindicar: "Yes, before becoming Lady's consort, Mythic Swirl was a travelling performer with illusions as his specialty. He is still a master at using them, albeit for more mundane purposes," Vindicar explained. As they walked through the gardens, Pewna could see occasional guard patrol, or just a small gaggle of servants or nobles passing by. Nopony seemed to question their presence, though. "There is a side entrance nearby. Let's try our luck there," birdpony suggested.
Pewna: "Oh, so the 'second in command', so to speak is responsible for those, huh? Well, I must say, he is very talented, this looks better than any magic I've ever seen... And due to my job I spend a LOT of time in Canterlot and near ilusionnists" The mare responds to his explanation, and can't help but notice all the other ponies. Upon his suggestion she nods "Our luck huh? Sure, let's try it"
Vindicar: This time it takes a bit more time for them to enter. Vindicar was talkign in somewhat hushed tones, and one of the soldiers stared Pewna down, the lenzes on his helmet glowing slightly, hinting that those might do more than just protect his eyes. Still, in the end the two were allowed in, and Vindicar led his guest through several corridors. He seemed to be very familiar with the layout, and the hallways' decorations were steadily becoming more elaborate. They clearly were out of service wing and approaching the very heart of the Castle.
Hippogriff slowed his steps, allowing Pewna to look around more. "Hmm, it appears there is some kind of meeting going on..." he murmured.
Pewna: Pewna does notice that the security is definitely tighter wherever they are going to. She is more focused at looking around the castle's decorations than listening to what Vindicar is talking about with the guard. As they continue walking on she can clearly see that more and more care has been put into decorating the halls, which usually means one thing "We are getting rather... deep into the castle, right?" She asks, a bit confused due to what the hippogriff said earlier, but continues on nontheless. The slowing down of his steps is clearly appreciated, as she uses the additional time to more closely inspect some of the things around them.
Vindicar: The two stop at a small intersection, three halways meeting in an octagonal room, with the last side closed off by a set of double doors. "Yeah, we're near the audience halls. That's where usually..."
Whatever hippgoriff was going to tell was lost in the noise of doors opening suddenly.
"Either way, you heard Our opinion on the matter." A contralto voice boomed out, with tone demanding unquestioning submission without having a slightest hint of histeria in it. "See to it that it will be done."
Pewna barely had the time to turn around as she saw an ebony alicorn, in a small onyx coronet striding through the doors, her ethereal mane and tail waverng and swirling in a wind that wasn't there. The aura of authority Nightmare projected was almost palpable, further augmented by the fact she wa almost twice as tall as Pewna was.
Aicorn's reptilian gaze stopped on the bowing hippogriff. "Ah, sir Vindicar. We have received your report, and wish to note that your discovery was most interesting. You can expect further missions regarding that." The regal mare paused, giving the pegasus a qucik, measuring look. "However, We don't remember seeing you here, miss. Who you might be?"
Pewna: Pewna gets no time whatsoever to reply to Vindicar as the Voice boomed into the hall. It makes a huge impression on the mare, as she quickly looks to the source, met with the dangerous, yet regal looking alicorn. She takes in the view for just a second before, seemingly instinctively, she bows her head just as the hippogriff does, as much of a tease she can be, not to mention carefree, she knows proper manners in cases like this. She listens clearly to her voice and a manner of speech as she talks to her guide, trying to get the sound of it and mannerism engraved in her memory, and that's when Nightmare addresses her directly. A bit surprised, and perhaps even frightened, she slowly replies, but doesn't raise her head, still bowing "I'm... I'm but just a simple actress, your majesty..."
Vindicar: "An actress? Intriguing..." Nightmare Moon's tone changes slightly, becoming a bit more... casual. Even though the degree of this transformation is clearly calculated. "Visiting Our fair city in search of inspiration, We suppose?"
"Actually, Your Majesty," hippogriff replies, standing up. "Apparently there is a movie being made, dedicated to your first appearance in Equestria. And miss Pewna is supposed to play your role."
Now that gets the black pegasus Nightmare's undivided attention. "Is that so?" the alicorn asks calmly.
Pewna: The mare was about to reply, when Vindicar butts in and replies in her place. It actually does get the fur on her back to stand a bit, she really did not expect him to just bluntly say that out, but as it was already in the open, she has no choice but to roll with it "Um... yes, the studio I work for got such an idea and they are in preproduction... I don't even know what the plot exactly may be at the time, except for it being a thousand years ago..."
Vindicar: "That is curious. It's not often that We appear in modern media... even though We expect them to depict Us as a bloodthirsty maniac. Again." Nightmare sighs. "Still, while there are other matters calling for Our attention right now, you've piqued Our curiosity. We'd like to discuss this... movie in more detail, say, in three nights time. Perhaps you will be able to tell Us more by then, miss Pewna." The alicorn smiles - a somewhat unnerving sight, as it exposes her sharp canines. "If you will be available at that time..."
Pewna: "Well... that is actually main reason I am here, your majesty... I want you to be depicted properly, not... like screenwriters imagine it" She says, hoping that the powerful Alicorn won't mind what she just told her, but looks up, just in time to see not only her gaze, but also the teeth baring smile, which makes her briefly freeze, before she adds "B-but of course... I'm at your disposal, your majesty..." Poor mare, while she can be quite casual even around the Canterlot royalty, this is something she was not prepared for in any way
Vindicar: "We find your intention to be rather admirable," Nightmare replied in a friendlier tone. "We shall see you again then, in three nights from now." With a curt nod the regal mare continues on her way, a small gaggle of advisors and hangers-on that were waiting in the audience hall following her. Some were glancing curiously at the two but noone stopped to talk, which was just as well.
"Well, that wasn't something I expected to happen..." birdpony said quietly, once the sound of hoofsteps trailed off.
Pewna: The black mare doesn't reply to Nightmare, instead just bowing once again, which in itself serves as a reply. She doesn't look up once the Alicorn leaves, possibly to ensure that if anyone else is some royalty to not be taken as rude, and perhaps partially to not get recognized if there are any fans of her among them. She waits on until all the hoofsteps quiet out and sighs out heavily "Way to put me in the spotlight, Vindicar..." She says, looking to the hippogriff.
Vindicar: "Well, it worked, didn't it?" Vindicar said defensively. "You will be seeing Lady again, and she seems to be interested in helping you... even if she pursues her own interest while doing that."
Pewna: She nods "I don't disagree of course... But that was risky... I was worried she may really not like the idea of a movie, or treat me as a spy or something..." It is rather clear that ponies outside from Moon City don't know much about Nightmare.
Vindicar: "Well, even if she does think you're a spy, it doesn't mean you'll be getting in trouble. As for the movie, I have a hunch she won't... but again, you played it well when you said you want to be as true to the source as possible. Id' say she's more likely to consider you an ally... which might be a problem of its own, I admit."
Pewna: She sighs out once again "Well, I guess I shouldn't worry about this just yet, we will see how it turns out in three days... Tho I will say, she does change the tone of her voice quite a bit, depending on situation. I somewhat actually expected that ommanding tone I heard first to be what she always has"
Vindicar: "Well, I can tell you something..." Vin noted as they began to make their way away from that place. "She used to be like that. However, it seemed that Mythic had influenced her quite a bit. All for the better, I'd say."
Pewna: "Oooooh?" She starts following the hippogriff again "So she was like that huh... I imagine she may had sounded much angrier as well, from what some say happenef a thousand years ago. It is something to keep in mind for the role"
Vindicar: "Well, she could be smooth when she felt it's necessary. It's just that her understanding of necessity was... off." Hippogriff noted. It seemed he has known Nightmare for a while.
Pewna: "Huh, I see then. Well, here is hoping that in three days it all goes smooth, I just hope to not offend her in any way, she has a much different... aura, than the Canterlot princesses" She replies, but doesn't seem to want to dig into hippogriff's past
Vindicar: "Oh, you don't know half of it..." VIn replied. For him, said 'aura' was very much perceptable, and on a good day he could tell whether Nightmware was in the Castle or not just by standing near the gates. He didn't have much experience with Celestia, and has never met Luna, but still they certainly were different. "So what do you plan to do now?"
Pewna: "I probably don't, all I know is, I didn't feel the need to bow to anyone in years..." She says and then looks to Vindicar as he asks for her plans "Well, I feel like I need to unwind and relax after this encounter so... Can you still guide me around the city?"
Vindicar: "Sure. Though most of it is not as impressive." Vin replies. It doesn't take them long to exit the front gate of the Castle, and soon they are out of the Castlte grounds. "I suggest we take flight instead. You can get a really good view, plus the Dome heats the air slightly, so it's quite comfortable to soar there."
Pewna: The two exit the castle, to quite a relief from the mare, she posibly couldn't handle a second run-in with the Alicorn. She looks to Vindicar, listening to his proposal and nods "Sure! Flight around here sounds like could be fun, especially if the air is warm"
Vindicar: Birdpony nodded, taking off in an seemingly easy leap. "Yeah, one good thing about the whole night illusion is that you get an amazing view at any time of the day!"
As the two circled, gaining height until city lights coalesced into a colorful lake of light beneath them, Vin finally broke the silence by asking. "So, how has Pewny been? I haven't seen the guy for a while."
Pewna: She flaps her wings a few times before getting off the ground, she seems a bit out of practice in flying "I will take your word for it~" She says cheerfully and gains height next to him and looking around, until the question is asked "Oh, he is doing rather fine actually, just really busy in Ponyville, lots of work"
Vindicar: "Well, I take it as good news." birdpony smiled. "He's a nice guy. A bit on the shy side, but also kind and smart."
Which was actually his favorite combination of traits - he was always fond of quiet, boookish types. Probably because he never got the chance to be one.
Pewna: She smiles a bit as he says that and says something from herself "You know, when Pewny told me about you, he did ommit a certain important detail. That you are a griffon. How you two became friends is something I don't understand."
Vindicar: "Well, strictly speaking, I'm not a griffon, I'm a hippogriff." Vin notes. "But we met few years ago. If I remember correctly, Pewny crashed near the edge of Everfree due to some freak storm, and I was tasked with investigating it. So I went and met him in the hospital to ask him some questions." He shakes his head a bit. "He almost went gray when he saw me, but eventually he seemed to have gotten over it. Maybe the fact I was trying to be as calm and patient as I could helped. Either way, I paid him a visit once he got discharged from the hospital, just to check if he's alright, and he seemed to appreciate that."
Pewna: "Ooooh, a hippogriff? That explains why you look so much different" She says, and adds curiously "Mind telling me what the difference between you and a griffon are?" She listens in to his story after that, saddening a bit at the mention of the crash "Yeah, he told me that he crashed there, and that it was rather serious, I'm glad you managed to find him then, I don't know what I'd do if I lost him... Being twins, we have sort of a special bond..." She says, somewhat sadly "But I'm really glad, to know that it was you who managed to get him over his fears"
Vindicar: "He did mentioned that he was afraid of griffons, though he never specified why." Vin shrugs. "I just tried my best to avoid accidentally triggering him. Like, always approaching so he could see me, and stuff like that. But I'm glad to hear he's getting better."
"As for your question, I was born of a griffon and a unicorn stallion. So I'm a hybrid of sorts. Sometimes it's gives me trouble, but I am what I am. Less agile than a griffon, but more resilient. Plus I can survive on either pony or griffon cuisine, so it has it's upsides."
Pewna: "Oh, that's kinda a thing from way, WAY in the past, when he was just a colt. He got kidnapped by some griffons, for ransom. They... didn't exactly treat him that well during all this. I don't exactly remember how he got back, if my family paid them or some other means, but ever since, he just couldn't even look at a griffon, let alone interact with one" She sighs out heavily, the story a rather dark chapter in his past... and hers as well.
"And I see then, so you are in between of the two races. But I do wonder, since your father was a unicorn, can you do any magic? Or do you have any other interesting differences from a griffon or a pony, if you don't mind sharing that is"
Vindicar: Hippogriff's expression darkens as she recounts the story. "I hope they have met a fitting end," is alll he has to say before shaking his head sadly. "Well, I do have a limited ability. I can use telekinesis to move thing around, even though I'm often more deft with my foreclaws. But I can't do any other spell, not even the simplest ones. I suspect that it's because I lack a cutie mark - in fact, I doubt I can even have one. But other than that, there are not much differences. I might have less magical ability than a pegasus, and I'm certainly not Wonderbolt material. But still, I've got my resilience on my side. And, well, there is something else..." he looks to the side, as if unsure whether he should continue.
Pewna: "I don't know honestly, and I'm not sure I want to know nowadays. Lets the past be in the past, especially considering he is breaking out of his shell now, thanks to you" She says and flies a bit closer to the hippogriff, gently grazing him with her soft wing. She listens to his explanation on magic "So, I'm no unicorn so I don't exactly know how magic works, but there seems to be corellation between cutie marks and magic... Althought maybe perhaps you can get the mark, you just never found it yet?" She says, theoretising, but it's obviously completely not based on much "And what is that? If you don't mind saying it that is"
Vindicar: Hippogriff smiles and blushes a bit as she brushes her primaries past his side. "Well, it's possible. But I've made peace with the thought that cutiemark is something I won't have. After all, it also means I can change my occupation at will, as long as I'm willing to learn." He nods. "As for the other thing... well... as far as I understood the explanations from Castle medical staff, two parts of my body don't cooperate well when it comes to, well, producing offspring. Which means I'm more barren than Badlands." He sighs. "That's another thought I had time to make peace with."
Pewna: She giggles "That IS one way to look at it, who needs magic anyway, pegasi and earth ponies deal without it, and you have it even easier with your foreclaws!" She says rather honestly, but then saddens when Vindicar shares the second part "Oh... um, that is something.... um........" she sighs out, a bit awkward "Sorry for asking Vindicar"
Vindicar: "It's alright. I understand you're curious. Sorry that it got so heavy, though." Birdpony smiles. He tilts his wings slightly, curving his path to match the Dome. "But what about you? I'd like to hear more about yourself."
Pewna: "Oh?" She adjusts her flight as well, mostly to stay by Vindicar "Well, ask me what you want and I will be sure to answer~" She cheers up a bit, possibly from shifting away from heavier stuff
Vindicar: "Well, I'm not really the one to follow the finer arts, so I'm quite ignorant here. What do you enjoy the most about your job?"
Pewna: "Now that is a rather simple question, with a bit of a complex answer." She giggles "I'd say the most important parts are me playing a role, you know, not being myself, but rather someone completely else. In a way that's why I eagerly agreed to be Nightmare Moon when asked. The second reason is in a way the fame. I do enjoy being recognized by many, having some fans. It can be at times troublesome, like with paparazzis at times, and some rather weird fans, but overall it's a fun experience"
Vindicar: "Interesting. I tend to be a complete opposite - I'd rather stay outside the spotlight and do my job." He notes. "But all in all, you seem to be a nice person. Pewny is lucky to have a sister like you. Sometimes I wonder what it's like to have a sibling."
Pewna: "I'd say you are like Pewny then. We may be twins, but we really are polar opposites in this regard" She says and giggles "It can be a mess, especially if there is more than one sibling involved. But to be on the fair side, probably everyone with a sibling sometimes wonders what it would be like to be the only child"
Vindicar: Birdpony chuckles. "That I can't argue with. And you're right, to an extent. When I was just a hatchling, I was rather bookish type. I even wanted to become a scientist. Fate has judged differently."
Meanwhile their flight path leads them to the outer walls of the City, right where road to Ponyville starts. "Would you mind me accompanying you home, Pewna?" Vin asked.
Pewna: "Fate does tend to mess with us at times, doesn't it? But the question is, does one regret it, or is fine with the outcome" She says and lands on the ground as they approach Moon City's limits "I wouldn't mind that, I could use someone nearby when going through Everfree after all"
Vindicar: "Well, you can travel on ground fairly safely if you stick to the road. It's better to fly, though." Vin noted. "Do you leave in Poniville, too? Though I'd imagine you have to relocate often..."
Pewna: "I'd rather take a small break from flying" She says, stretching out and then folding her wings "I don't fly nearly enough lately and it's not as easy nowadays..." She nods "Kiiiinda. When I'm in Ponyville I usually just stay over at Pewny's house. Which, with him having that new workshop, is practically all mine, as he sleeps over there"
Vindicar: "Alrighty." Vin nods. "I found that after a bit of training I can more or less keep up with a pony on the ground, so we should get there quite fast. And it sounds like you might have to pull Pewny out of his workshop every now and then - just to make sure he doesn't grow roots there." He chuckled.
Pewna: "I mean, I'm not going to run there, just walk, so keeping up shouldn't be a problem" She smiles warmly to him "And don't you worry, I do that rather often. At least when I'm in Ponyville. The roots don't have much time to grow too deep~"
Vindicar: Birdpony smiles back, cantering next to her. "There were cases when I did that myself, though it wasn't often... He's so enthusiastic about his work, it's hard not to get involved."
Pewna: "That he is, when he REALLY gets into a project, he will keep going on and on about it, so enthusiastically, you just can't help it"
Vindicar: "Yeah, like that was time he repaired a weather probe for the City. He was so proud!" Vin chuckles. "Though I used to poke fun at him a bit, in a quite literal sense."
Pewna: "It was something new, he always gets a bit excited for those, and especially if he can figure them out. And really now? How exactly you mean you did?"
Vindicar: "Well, like I said - literally. Poked his cutiemark and acted surprised that the radio didn't work." Vin replies sheepishly. "It was silly, but he didn't seem to be really offended, so..."
Pewna: She laughs out "Of course he wasn't, I kept doing that a lot when we were younger~ Something like 'why don't you play some good music instead' and poke his mark"
Vindicar: That got birdpony to laugh. "Mhm. Speaking of marks... mind telling me how you got yours?"
Meanwhile, it appeared they had walked more than half the way and were approaching Ponyville.
Pewna: She smiles "Oh, that's a thing from my childhood as well actually. I got it before my brother, which may had been good for me, but certainly wasn't for him in the long run. Either way, it was soon after my first visit to a movie theater. What movie it was I managed to forget over the years, but I know that it definitely had me taken with the acting. Of course, as a child I didn't exactly understand that those weren't 'real' ponies, just actors playing as them, but after watching it I did start to play out some scenes from the movie. I had a lot of fun and after some time, when I was showing it off to my parents, the mark appeared"
Vindicar: "That does sound like a fairy tale... in a good sense of the word, I mean. So you knew what area you could concentrate in and enjoy it."
Pewna: "I just had a lot of fun with it. I didn't even know my mark appeared, it was Pewny who told me afterwards. My parents were rather thrilled upon hearing it"
Vindicar: "I imagine," Vin nodded. "It's something all cutiemark stories have in common."
Pewna: "Not all of them, my brother's wasn't for one, but that's due to our parent's too high expectations"
Vindicar: "Yeah, he mentioned that..."
Pewna: "He did?" She smiles lightly "Good then, means I don't have to explain it then~" The two get within Ponyville's borders
Vindicar: "Mhm. Oh well, at least he's happy to do what he does." Birdpony nodded. Both were heading to Pewny's home. "And so are you."
Pewna: She nods "That is the most important thing and nopony should ever question anyone for that"
Vindicar: "Mhm." Vin looks up. "Looks like we're here. It was a good walk, I must admit."
Pewna: She stands in front of the door of Pewny's house and looks to the hippogriff "Thank you for being my guide today, Vindicar. Hope we can meet again, for example in three days~"
