Blacklin watched and waited as the laughter in the library died down. A smile played on his beak as he looked around. He was admittedly worried when Wind Whistler had her outburst, but now it seemed that the pegasus had calmed down.
Perhaps ‘calmed down’ wasn't quite right. He noted that despite laughing with the rest, the assistant librarian was still guarded with her pose. She constantly made sure to have at least two others between herself and the bat pony.
It was understandable though. With all that she knew, it would take time for her to even come close to warming up to Nightingale. The gryphon held hope that it wasn't going to be an "if" but a "when."
His eyes fell upon Lightning Dust and his head tilted. Despite Nightingale's tale, it was the pegasus pony that caused him the most confusion. Oh, he knew about the turquoise coated mare. He'd heard the tales of what happened at the Wonderbolt Academy years ago from both Rainbow Dash and Firefly. It left the question hanging of how she had ended up at this point.
Something that hadn't passed un-noticed by him was Dust's deference to Nightingale. Judging by their behavior, it wasn’t exactly a hazardous guess to think that the bat pony had something to do with the pegasus' new position.
“So what is the story between you two?” He asked finally, nodding towards Nightingale.
The pegasus mare looked up at Blacklin, eyes narrowing slightly. Her tail swished behind her and a soft huff escaped her throat.
It was a harshness that Blacklin didn't expect. Did the past really haunt her so much that any questions about it caused her to lash out? Maybe that wasn't it. Perhaps the more correct answer was that he may have sounded like he was questioning if she truly belonged or was skilled enough for the responsibility. It hadn’t been his intention, but it wasn’t hard to understand how she could view it that way.
The best course of action, then, was to clarify his statement.
"What I mean is how did you end up with Nightingale," he amended. " You said you had been under Nightingale's care for the last three years, how did that come about?"
"She is my second," the bat pony stated, cutting off any harsh comment that could be made from Dust. The statement caught the pegasus off guard and she was visibly shaken from it. Enough so that Blacklin mentally questioned if that was the truth or if she was placating a hurt ego.
"Ma'am," she started, but is cut off once more by Nightingale.
"If I may," the bat pony says. "I met Lightning Dust during her try outs at the Wonderbolt Academy. Quite a display she put on there as well."
The pegasus blushed, seemingly unsure if that was a compliment or backhanded insult.
"Talented in flying, but far too great an ego," Nightingale continued. "Similar to a certain rainbow maned recruit there as well. Far be it for me to question Captain Spitfire, but it's my opinion that it was a mistake to pair them up. I understand a bit to her reasoning, however."
She gave a slight shrug, a silent confession that it was not her place to say. Her gaze turned to Twilight briefly before turning back to Blacklin, cerulean eyes half lidded, giving her an almost bored expression.
"Given your connections, I am certain that you know what happened," she went on. "And the end result of it all was that Lightning Dust was dismissed from the Academy."
She glanced at Dust and smiles slightly.
"However, she did impress me," she then stated. "And that is not something easy to do. I saw potential in this young one. Potential that could come out if her rashness and ego could be tempered."
The slight smile grew into a wistful one as Nightingale slipped into memories.
"It was a challenge," she added. "Lightning Dust still has a strong rebellious streak in her and it has taken much patience over these last three years to reign it in check. An incident with a group of hippogriffs near Neighlons did wonders to humble her though."
Dust's cheeks grew a deep red and neither she nor Nightingale elaborated on the incident. In Blacklin thoughts, it was more than likely that Dust was too ashamed of what had happened and that Nightingale was not looking to embarrass her, for lack of a better word, student.
"Needless to say that it was a lesson well learned," the bat pony concluded. "That was about a year ago. Since then she has done well in following orders and respecting authority. If she can help it, she no longer risks the well fare of others in pursuit of personal glory."
Her voice contained a hint of pride as she finished. "I personally requested that she be a part of the Ponyville squad. I want to show those she wronged the most that she has learned and is apologetic for her actions three years ago."
"Well, it seems that she's already gotten forgiveness from one," Blacklin stated, looking at Twilight. To his surprise, the unicorn mare shook her head.
"I appreciate Nightingale's efforts," she said slowly, "but I am not completely ready to forgive reckless actions like that. The danger to me and my friends was too great to simply wash away. I'm sorry."
"Yeah, and I wouldn't doubt that Dash and Applejack won't be the same way," Gilda adds. "They're both pretty stubborn."
Blacklin nodded in understanding. He suspected that Rarity wouldn't be so quick to forgive either. Fluttershy and Pinkie on the other hand. . . Well, Pinkie easily forgave and Fluttershy tended to as well.
The one he was most unsure about was Firefly. Chances were that she could forgive the pegasus, especially if she was given assurances by Nightingale. However, would Nightingale's endorsement be enough to sway the former Wonderbolt captain? He supposed that only time will tell.
As for himself, well he was satisfied with Nightingale's explanation. Sure there were things that seemed out of place or at least seemed like they were only half-truths. Nothing that he wished to press on, however. Besides, matters of a more important nature had come to mind.
The hour had become late and thoughts of heading home entered his mind. While those thoughts began to fill his head, a realization that Moonlight had gone from simple houseguest to full on housemate struck.
He gave a small bow to those gathered and presented them with a rueful smile.
"This has been interesting to learn," he said, "but you'll have to forgive me. Think it's time for me to be getting home. A lot to think about now." He glanced at his sister and motions for her to follow. "And a lot to talk to my sister about," he added.
Moonlight tilted her head in confusion, but followed after Blacklin, out of curiosity more than anything.
Once they had left the library, Blacklin turned to the hippogriff. "We have to sort out living conditions for you," he stated. "I mean, I was okay with you staying for a month, but permanently? I dunno. . ."
Moonlight blinked and then laughed.
"Oh, that all?" She said flippantly, "It'll only be a few months more at tops. Things have already been settled. Princess Celestia is having a contractor from Canterlot come in a few days to start work on what'll be our barracks. Once that's done, Gilda and I will be out of your feathers and you can get back to your private time with your mares."
The gryphon felt his cheeks grow hot with her insinuation and he was about to protest when they were interrupted by a small buzzing from his orb. Never had he been more happy for an interruption than at that moment.
Once tapped, the orb flared open in its normal window, revealing a very excited looking Viola.
"Oh, Blacklin!" she exclaimed. "I just found out something interesting about the native you! The you from my world." She nearly seemed to bounce in pure giddiness at sharing her news.
"Apparently he knows combat skills thanks to his grandfather- an earth pony, right?" Her excitement tempered slightly as her head tilted to the side, a few strands of her brown hair falling into her eyes. "Is. . this the same for you? Care to elaborate?"
There's a pause while she waited for an answer, but before one can be given she perks up once more.
"Oh dear, I almost forgot," she added, excitement completely tempered away now. "Is he the reason your sister went into the military as well? I'm sure she learned much from him."
Blacklin's body completely tensed up at hearing this news. There was truth in what his friend had said. On his mother's side, their grandfather was indeed an Earth Pony. A former member of both the Equestrian Royal Guard (until he had met their grandmother) and then briefly a member of His Royal Majesty's Guard (until their mother had been born).
Had he learned anything from his grandfather before running away? A little, yes. Enough that if it came to it he could defend himself at the very least. it wasn't something he readily let known though. Fighting was not something he ever wanted to do.
"Seems there's a lot in common between her version of you and yourself," Moonlight noted, tapping her beak lightly. She smiled and inclined her head to Viola. "Yes, a lot of that's true, Miss Viola," she said. "Our grandfather was military in both Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom."
She looked at Blacklin and shook her head a bit. "But he's not why I joined the military. Like I told the doufus when I finally found him in Shetlearn almost a year ago... Was it a year ago? Might have been a bit longer. Anyways, like I told him then, I joined the military and specifically went into the Border Patrol in an effort to track his behind down."
She gave an embarrassed smile. "Though, I won't deny that my grandfather is part of why I was able to get that position in the first place and why I busted my butt off once I got in."
"You know, now that I look at you two, I'm kinda glad that you've never met face to face," she added. The look of confusion on both Viola's face and Blacklin's causing her to laugh. "Well, you get along so well that I fear you'd end up as part of Black's herd. Best watch yourself over there so you don't get completely swept up by your version of my brother!"
She laughed again as Viola's features go completely red in embarrassment before the window shuts violently with a loud snap.
As much as she may complain about the name, even Berry agrees that making The Carrot's Top was Carrot's best idea. Things improved a lot since we opened. We get so many varied patrons and hear so many great stories. It's been a wonderful treat!
~Cherry
(And flashback done! Thank you for sticking with me during this arc and thank you for over 300 followers! I can't believe that it's been almost a year since I started this blog. You guys have been great and I wish I could have cameo'd even more during this whole thing.
Cameos this time:
viola-strum, zelda-pony, askpiratedash (PD's stuck outside cause Carrot banned her from the bar after an incident with another version of her), ask-inkieheart, and ask-king-sombra.
Thank you all again and here's to another year of answering questions and entertainment!
((Ooc)The moment Viola got the bobcut I just had to make this. It's a few panels from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure redone with ponies. I'm sorry if it's creepy but I find it hilarious.)
PF: But I really do like the new mane, it looks great on you!
Rarity: Thanks for the questions, dolls. And hmmm I got into it a some years ago. I was introduced to the multiverse and tumblr by Pinkie Pie, I didn't make my own blog till recently because I am sort of shy, but I built up the courage to do so now here I am. When I got on tumblr I found Lolita, and I noticed how pretty all the girls looked and decided I wanted to look like that too.
The cream-coated unicorn is currently making her way to the Sweet Apple Acres after discovering the chilly cold front that had literally blown in, catching ponies unaware, eager to get a scarf or something to add to Rarity’s outfit for warmth. Her ears twitch as she suddenly hears something, a faint whisper… “Ms… Viola….”
She stops short and looks around in confusion after glancing at her artifact. “That was not from you now, was it?” She turns in place, seeking the source of the voice. “Hello?”
A faint whisper is heard again, a little louder this time. “Ms.. Viola..”
Viola pauses, and is able to home in on the source this time, starting to trot in the direction she heard it. “I hear you!”
Now the voice can be heard more loudly and far clearer as it rings out in a cheerful tone. “Hi. Ms. Viola! :D.”
“Oh! That voice, is that you, Princess Zelda?” The question has a highly confused tone to it, small wonder considering up till now communication was always through her figurine.
The princess’ voice is loud and clear as Viola had reached the point of origin. “Yes, it’s me, Ms! :D!! How have you been?”
Viola comes to a halt and looks around, guessing she’s in the area. “I am quite well, just nervous about the surprise performance I’m doing, but.. where are you?”
“Oh! I’m on my castle's terrace! Hope you do ok on your performance!”
“Thank you, but.. may I ask why you contacted me this way? Was there something you wanted?” Viola closes her eyes and tries to recall if there was something she’d have forgotten.
“You promised that we’d have a Tea Party together, Ms.” There’s a pause before the voice continues. “Do you remember?”
Viola’s eyes fly open as the memory is sparked. “Oh! I did, didn’t I? I am sorry I forgot, it’s been rather hectic since that first day, and I have no idea how I’d even join you, Princess.”
“Well… Are you available right now, Ms?…”
Viola considers. “I have the whole afternoon free, I believe.”
“Ok then! :D” As her last words fade, a magical vortex starts forming, causing Viola to skitter back in her surprise.
“What in Equestria??” Ignoring her question, the vortex continues to grow in size. “Is that your doing, Princess?” Viola’s alarmed look only grows, but the noise of the vortex is too much, nothing else can be heard. She peers at it, not sure if she should be fleeing yet or not, but before she could come to a decision, it suddenly engulfs her. She has just enough time to yelp before she vanishes from the clearing.
~~~
“AH! What?” Viola’s pretty disoriented at the moment barely even registering the noise suddenly going dead.
“Hello Ms Viola! :D!”
“Wait.. what?” It takes her a few minutes for the cream unicorn to re-orient and find herself face to face with the royal pony and her jaw drops. “Princess Zelda? Wait… I’m at your castle..?”
“Yes you are, Ms :D!” The princess beams at her new guest. “Hope the transportation wasn’t too uncomfortable…But it was the only way to bring you this dimension.”
Viola shakes it off and smiles after a moment. “I’m fine, honestly, that just caught me by surprise.” She checks to make sure her instrument is in one piece and sighs. “Well, my instrument is safe so we certainly may enjoy some tea and music then.”
“^u^! Glad to hear that! But before that…” Zelda invites Viola to gaze over the terrace. “I was wondering, Ms Viola..”
Viola trots over and gazes out at what she assumes is Hyrule, the land transported and inserted into Equestria’s continent. “Yes, Princess?”
Zelda looks up to the older mare and then to the landscape. “What do you think of Hyrule?”
Viola has to take a moment to observe the land before answering. “It’s beautiful, Princess. A lot brighter and more cheery than my new home.”
“What do you mean brighter and more cheerful, Ms? <:(?” The princess looks puzzled by the last part.
She turns and looks at Zelda. The princess can see her right ear is now missing a small chunk out of it. “Well for one, I can’t explain it, but there’s always been a lingering sense of tension, and monsters are very aggressive in the wild.”
“Gasp! D:! At least you just lost part of an ear… If Link was there…Or here…He would teach those monsters a lesson for sure!”
Viola smiles. “If only it were that easy. That’s what the Shadowbolts are for, Princess, it’s how life is for us. It’s not like there’s actually somepony out there intentionally raising tension amongst the monsters for their own gain.”
“I see… If there was something I could do, I’d not even think about doing it right away!” The princess’ concern and determination is clear on her face.
“Thank you for your concern though, and the offer is appreciated, truly, but I’d rather enjoy that tea party now. It sounds like just the thing to settle my nerves.”
“Oh! Sure thing, Ms!” Zelda bows invites Viola to the table that had been set up by some maids. “Is the table ready?..”
A light cream earth pony mare nods. “Yes, Milady.” They move apart so the Princess and her guest can sit.
“Please take a seat, Ms Viola.” Zelda bows respectfully inviting the mare to take seat. Viola returns the bow gracefully and moves to the table, settling herself across from her host. The maids go for the tea supplies. “So you play at concerts then, Ms?”
Viola shakes her head. “I suppose you haven’t been paying close attention, not surprising since you have an entire kingdom to run, but no I haven’t. I was basically black-listed for an incident involving Princess Luna. It was sorted out as an accident, but no pony would hire me afterwards.”
“Oh… Sorry to hear that… I didn’t know..”
Viola smiles. “It’s all right, I was fortunate enough to have an encounter with her students and tonight will be a chance to set things right.”
“Glad to hear that, Ms. ^u^!” Zelda comments, face beaming.
Moonlight sighed softly after Blacklin faded out of sight. The window that had been next to him was still open and Viola seemed to look between the hippogriff, Gilda and Pinkie. Moonlight was confused at first, both to why the window was still open and why it was now situated next to Pinkie.
The pink pony tilted her head a bit, short and slightly wavy mane bobbing slightly as she did so. "What?"
Moonlight shook her head and looked at Viola's image. "We never really did answer your question, did we?" she asked before sighing slightly.
"To be perfectly honest, I personally don't really mind," she continues. "You see these situations in both Neighlons and Shetlearn. Usually only with the pony residents though."
"Cause no gryphon would do it in their right mind," Gilda mutters.
Moonlight casts her patrol mate a look and Gilda rolls her eyes. "Sorry," she says. "But it's not far from the truth, you know. You brother's the odd one out in this conversation."
The hippogriff sighs softly again and nods slowly. "Yeah, I know," she says. "Asides from never really showing any interest in other gryphons, he did always talk about going to the border towns and being more around ponies." She gives a laugh. "I think it's safe to say that my brother isn't monogamous, Viola. The fact that he is with both Pinkie and this 'Roseluck' is proof of that."
She starts to pace a bit. "As for causing problems? Not from me. It's his life after all and he's more suited for living here and going with pony culture. If our parents find out about it? Or our brother? Yeah, that will not go over well.
"Honestly, this might be a good part of why he isn't planning on coming back home at all now." She gives a slight smile. "In short, not going to cause issues from me nor Gilda, but will if our parents ever find out."
"So, I guess meeting the folks is out of the question, huh?" Pinkie says.
"Without question," Moonlight states. "Now, I want to meet this Roseluck who has stolen my brother's heart and gotten his wing feather."
Pinkie grins and bounces in place. "Okie dokie lokie!" She starts to bound off towards the flower shop, the image of Viola vanishing back to an orb of light and following after her, leaving Moonlight and Gilda to follow behind.
Dash: Hey you, Bucketling! I went and apologized! I'm still waiting for that explanation! *indignant scowl* ---- Dust: Ignore her, she's just a bit worried since we hadn't heard anything from you in a while. I saw somethng about you living in a cave, what's the deal with that anyhow?
Oh hello, haven't heard from you all in a while either. I suppose you are due some explanation... Well for one I do live in a cave, but it's comfortable and just out of the way enough for me to access the town easily enough. My race is from quite far away, and I'm not surprised that you don't know of us. Our reputation is ... well it is less than stellar. So you'd understand why I wouldn't want to live directly in the town... Don't worry about me though, ponies have mostly warmed up to me, I just really like my cave, reminds me of home.
(Mod: If anyone isn't yet, go follow Viola, she has a cool story and neat characters!)
