Jealousy: Part 2
Aura’s return to the little soiree he’d been taken to by Umbra was, for him anyhow, dull. A bunch of rich ponies milling around, and Umbra showing him off, introducing him as her ‘personal bodyguard’, which wasn’t too far from the truth he supposed. He would defend her from any attack. Speaking of which....
“Harlot!”
Aura wasn’t much of a high profile pony. He didn’t know all the etiquette involved in high society, and he didn’t give two shits about what spoon he’s using to eat his soup. But he did understand that yelling out such an accusation is the paramount of abhorrent behaviour. Whilst everypony else looked around, startled, Aura merely looked over his shoulder at the perpetrator.
It was a younger stallion, good looking in an expensive suit, a . And he was looking directly at Umbra. Aura’s mood went from dull to dark. So, he turned to look at the young stallion, eyes like shards of steel.
“Quiet yourself kid,” He advised darkly, “And take back your foolish accusation.”
Beside him, Umbra sighed theatrically, “Facade, I didn’t know you were here. Is your father here as well?”
The young stallion turned his nose up at Umbra, an incredibly rude gesture indeed, “Father has more important things to do than to watch me denounce a harlot and her plaything!”
Aura got the distinct impression this boy was referring to him. His eyes narrowed, “Lady Umbra and I have a business deal. And, as both her bodyguard and trusted friend, I will stand to hear no more filthy lies from the knife wound in your face I can only assume you use as a mouth.”
There was murmuring from the guests at such a savage reply, and Umbra lay her hoof on Aura’s shoulder gently. Facade, now red faced, did his best to ignore the older stallion, instead focusing his attention on Umbra, “You might want to leash your animal Umbra,” He sneered, “It’s unthinkable really. A common mercenary animal. You spurned me for such filth, an insult of the highest caliber!”
With a flourish the fool probably thought was dramatic, he tore off a shoe from his forehoof and threw it at Umbra’s hooves, “I challenge you! A duel of honor!”
Aura could only blink, battling with his rising ire to not simply smack the insolent whelp down where he stood. But it was Umbra who answered, “a duel? With me Facade? Really?”
At this point, the hosts of this party arrived. Fancy Pants and his partner Fleur, and both looked scandalized at best, horrified at worst. Fancy took one look at the scene and scowled at Facade, “Young Sir, whatever do you think you’re doing!? This is a peaceful soiree.”
“Not anymore.” Curiously, it wasn’t Facade who spoke, but Aura Surge. His growl caught the attention of everyone. Gently, the shoe at Umbra’s hooves floated over to Aura, encased in his pink magic. With a negligent toss, he threw it back. The silence of the room allowed the clang of the metal shoe hitting the floor to echo loudly.
“Your challenge is absurd, and I throw it back in your teeth,” Aura growled, “Your insults to myself and my charge, Lady Umbra, are unwarranted and I find them personally offensive, arrogant and crude. Stupid children should learn when to shut their mouths.”