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@wishesgowrong
"It started sinking in- I'm never leaving. An entertainer, In the show that never ends..."
Indie MLP Self-Insert RP/Ask Blog Multiverse/Ship, and Selective. As cursed by Writer of @toshinoris-spouse.
If you're interested, please give this post a like/reblog and I'll check your blog out! Be sure to check the Rules and Bio before interacting~.
Luna had to wonder what that felt like. She had spent most of her life in one place until recently, or trapped in the moon which was a chapter in her life she never wanted to look back on. For her, there was still a lot to see, and she had so much time to do it that it still seemed almost a monumental task.
And one she couldn't wait to see through. Today was just one of many adventures to come.
The hesitation in her own steps suggested that Pencil wasn't the only one having a little trouble seeing what was in front of them, but the princess' magic still managed to move things out of the way well enough. It didn't occur to her that it all may have been something wicked, she had taken it only as a quirk of the area and little more. She didn't sense evil, just...a strangeness.
In fact, what her companion said made sense. That the area would have a natural defense to protect whatever was inside of it. Part of her delighted in that, glad that nature could defend itself against any with ill intentions. And while it made their journey slower than some might have liked, the alicorn was delighted upon seeing the small hole. The light that came through it.
This had to be it.
"I can think of many reasons, but I do think it's best we try to move them without harming them. Just in case." If it was a defense she didn't want to make things worse for themselves. They may have made it that far with only a small cut but that alone still worried her. Still, she turned a smile to Pencil.
"Shall we?"
"I can certainly try..." Well, if the princess wasn't too perplexed by this- then they'd try not to be, either. It wasn't like anything here could kill the hybrid, regardless. So it was with cautious steps and a hint more magic that they gently tugged the vines aside, eyes momentarily flickering to the princess.
"We shall." It was nice to hear that word, again. It seemed to slowly be falling out of style, in more recent years. To hear it used so readily once more,...it was a hint nostalgic. Their golden magic wrapped around the vines, slowly pulling them back- careful as they could be to not rip a single one. It was definitely a slow process- but at least they could feel the vines when their magic wrapped around them.
This afforded them a small reprieve from slowly stumbling forward in near-blind darkness. That- and the slowly-growing hole in the vine wall, which wasn't quite forming back into place with each tug. It took a good few minutes of work, but eventually...the hole was wide enough to walk through- and on the other side,...
It was a small clearing- surrounded on all sides by those vines- but here, there seemed to be no thorns. Instead, there were delicate petals and leaves, nearly making the barrier look like a flower garden. In the center laid a lake, currently reflecting the bright sun above- it was so still, Pencil would nearly call it a mirror. The grass on this side was a strange teal shade, but that wasn't anywhere near Pencil's mind.
"It's so pretty..." And this was the daytime? What was it like at night? The legend had only ever described the Star Pool itself, not anything around it... "...guess we'll be settin' up camp for a few hours, huh?" They let their eyes flicker towards the princess once more.
One day you think: I want to die. And then you think, very quietly, actually I want a coffee. I want a nap. A sandwich. A book. And I want to die turns day by day into I want to go home, I want to walk in the woods, I want to see my friends, I want to sit in the sun. I want a cleaner room, I want a better job, I want to live somewhere else, I want to live.
"A little. Equestria is no small place, and our adventure now proves that there are hidden gems scattered all over the place." Did she think it was impossible? Not at all. With enough time and determination anything was possible, it was merely that Luna didn't expect a simple pony to be able to accomplish such a task in their lifetime. Time, after all, was an enemy to many. Life was short.
So, it was either that Pencil was exaggerating their adventures, or something else. Or so Luna assumed that was. Would it make a real difference in how she felt? Not really. She would have been excited to share her own stories with such a long life, the pros and cons that came with it. She rarely got a chance to talk about it, except with her sister and that got...repetitive after a while.
Yet the princess found her curiosity growing by the second the more her companion spoke about their life, their past. Or, perhaps, it was vagueness in which they spoke. Part of her chalked it up to his past being less than ideal, something she knew far too much about herself, but she wondered if there wasn't more to it all. She wouldn't ask, it wasn't her place nor did she think it truly mattered.
It was just an odd matter. One she hadn't really encountered before, but she was far more invested in their adventure, in making sure that Pencil was okay after their injury. And the changing scenery around them. The increasing darkness that brought a bitterly nostalgic feeling to the alicorn's chest.
"It is a special dark, but no different from the dead of night." Of course she was a bit biased on that, she could see very well in the dark. Could adapt to it like flicking a switch. Looking ahead she didn't see anything too out of the ordinary, just more vines but what laid beyond them even she couldn't tell. They had to come to an end soon, right? And whatever was on the other side of them was either going to be magnificent...or malignant.
Luna was prepared for either, and had taken the time to push aside more of the thorns with her magic before advancing. She could take the lead if it was too dark for the other. And she assumed that was the only problem thus far.
"It certainly doesn't feel that big." Not anymore. Pencil Line tilted their head, golden hues glowing stronger in the darkness. "I guess I'm just permanently stuck in the whole 'just put one hoof in front of the other' mindset. No distance really feels... Big."
"A special darkness..." They repeated softly. Their pencil had stopped scratching along- unwilling to pen another word without being able to properly see it. Magic. That'd explain why their own night vision had begun to falter, until they could barely see. Even with all the power they'd (unwillingly) amassed,...they were virtually blind by now- relying far more on their hearing and sense of touch than what their eyes could provide. Of course it had to be magic... They just prayed it wasn't some curse.
How could so many vines grow in virtual darkness? Maybe they had sections that extended to the world above? Or something else...maybe the cut itself was to blame for their lack of sight? Pencil wasn't certain- but they were still trying to step forward, albeit far more lightly...and with a degree of hesitancy, stopped only by the sensation of thorns.
A sparkle of light danced in their vision but for a moment. Pencil blinked- shaking their head. Ahead, the vines were nearly wrapped around each other- an impenetrable wall, save a small hole- through which a piercing ray of sunlight shot through. The end to the vines.
"This nearly feels like a massive defense mechanism...why else would there be a ton of super-sharp vines in magical darkness?...."
"You can't have a nightmare if you never dream." -Starlight Glimmer (My Little Pony)
Song: In Our Town
"Every town?" It wasn't that Luna didn't believe them, just that she felt a pang of almost jealousy hearing that. To think she had once ruled over so much, and yet seen so little while Pencil Line had taken it upon themselves to do something she could only dream of. Or rather, that she had dreamed of but was trying to fix on her own time. Now that she had it.
She thought it would be easier when she set her mind to it, but there was still so much she had to catch up on. She did find relief in the other's reassurance, knowing that if anyone knew how she felt that it was the pony she had stumbled upon that day. She didn't plan to stop, nor was she against traveling with Celestia...provided they could find a common ground when it came to what places to visit.
The Royal Sisters varied greatly in that respect, though most wouldn't know that.
"If you just travel, do you have nowhere you call home?" That was another aspect to her newfound friend that Luna was fascinated by. Yet she felt almost...sorry for them as well if that was the case. To have nowhere one could properly call home seemed lonely. Traveling alone had its merits, at least for a princess who could defend herself, but not having a place to go back to? That was different.
But the thought was also replaced by worry when she saw Pencil step on that vine, her wings ruffling with concern before she leaned in for a better look. The cut may have been small, but in the wilderness like this there was no telling what such a thing might do.
"Are you alright? We must be careful with strange plant life, there is no telling what kind of effect it might have on an open wound." And in a place that was rumored to be magical, that fact was even more important. Maybe she was worried needlessly but Luna had seen such things happen before and, for all her powers, she was no healer.
"Yep!" Pencil, for their part, felt a little awkward being asked that. Were there so many towns now that it didn't seem possible for a normal mare to accomplish that within their lifetime? They had never really bothered to check- but what if their statement had an air of illegitimacy? They supposed- eventually- they wouldn't be able to claim they'd been everywhere in Equestria...but they hadn't thought the time would be so soon. "Is it that hard to believe?"
Pencil knew only that Celestia and Luna ruled Equestria- at least, until recently...when princess Twilight took over. It never really occurred to them to think much about how the two sister's minds might clash on where to go and what to do. But, as the youngest of siblings themself,...well. Admittedly, they'd gotten along pretty well with their siblings- but that was in a time far before thoughts of wandering away from one's village were even a remote possibility.
"I did,...once upon a time." Way too far in the past to really consider, anymore. "I'm sure you've never heard of it, princess. It was a pretty remote place." And it existed more than a thousand years ago. They knew for a fact that the story of Cutie Pox still persisted to this day- but the name of their village,- that hideous curse's origin...was undoubtedly long gone. Their tone had grown quiet and somber, eyes sliding half-shut as they reminisced on memories buried... "It's easier this way, anyway."
"I'm certain I'll be fine, don't worry." Though the cut was small, it was still beginning to ooze- small droplets of crimson that splattered on the undergrowth. Magical injuries...Pen wasn't sure how those injuries would afflict them- but they weren't about to try to find out. Their steps grew more cautious- but the vines were growing thicker, more tangled...until they finally came to a standstill, the darkness nearly all-encompassing. "---Okay. Maybe a bit less than fine. But we're probably nearly there...I think..." Despite their abilities as a hybrid,...this darkness felt...almost supernaturally dark. Their eyes drifted to the cut- and then back up.
"...is it really, insanely dark for you too?" They were hoping against hope that the princess said 'yes'.
Andrea Gibson, Lord of the Butterflies
Luna just smiled, not so unlike she knew that the world worked in mysterious ways, that Pencil Line may not be fully correct. She had seen, even been a part of, so many dealings with magic both expected and the sort that even she still couldn't fully wrap her mind around, that she knew almost anything was possible. If nothing else the last few years had proven that to her.
Even if her assumption was wrong and there was no eternal magic to be found, she was still happy to be there. To be able to satisfy her own curiosity and have a little adventure. Maybe it wasn't much to some ponies, but it was for Luna. Not every adventure, after all, had to be death-defying or even action-packed. Sometimes a stroll through dense woods in search of a rumor was enough.
She rather liked the darkness of it all, that smell of almost forgotten undergrowth. She was careful not to tread on any innocent plants, as much as she could anyway, while moving what she could away with her magic. The bluish-purple light of her magic blended in well with the dim lighting.
"Then you must camp frequently, yes? Have you seen a lot of Equestria that way?" She was always curious to know how much others have seen of the world, how her own experiences seemed dwarfed more often than not. "For being the princess I am, I have seen...surprisingly little of the world around us. I aim to fix that but it is a slow process."
But progress was progress, right? She was getting a start on it and that's all that really mattered.
Pencil Line, in their long life..couldn't imagine a single thing that came without an end. Flowers bloomed and wilted- the oil of lanterns grew scant as the fire flickered, only to burn out- everything had an end. Nothing lasted. It was a sincere wish in their heart- one that was buried under so much sorrow, under so many years of wanderings- that they'd find something immortal. Something they could share a single experience with- but it seemed impossible.
Inevitably, everything faded.
Everything save the curse.
"I do! And I can just about say I've visited every single town and city in Equestria- some even twice!" Though they'd always avoided Canterlot. They'd never gone near that place- for fear of what could result. But it had been so long, surely all was safe? "And places around and beyond the borders.- I basically just...travel." They shrugged, their smile immovable.
An eyebrow twitched upwards at the comment.
"Well! Far be it from me to stop a potential fellow traveler, then. And you're right- it is a slow process, but you'll get used to it if you keep it up." They hoped she wouldn't. Or if she did, that she'd at least travel alongside her sister for most of it. Travel on one's own was a dull affair, which was what made the towns stand out all the more. The foliage was growing denser- and Pencil Line noted, with a silent twinge, that they'd stepped on a spiky vine.
"Th' plants are gettin' pretty thick...we must be getting close." The sounds of the forest...had begun to fade, save the faint, far-off chirp of a bird- and the softest movements of bugs underneath the greenery. All nearly eclipsed by each of the two's gradually-slowing steps. They pulled their hoof up- a small cut. Pencil licked it- their magic flickering forth to help with moving the plant life enough to clear a path.
There is nothing very remarkable about being immortal; with the exception of mankind, all creatures are immortal, for they know nothing of death. What is divine, terrible, and incomprehensible is to know oneself immortal.
— Jorge Luis Borges, The Immortal
@wishesgowrong
" oh, sorry! i didn't see you there ..! "
STARTER CALL / CADANCE
"It's alright, miss!" Pencil's magic re-activated, pulling the sketchbook and pencil off the ground that they'd dropped from the collision. "As I always say- no broken bones, no bodies, doesn't matter t'me!" Though the spilled milkshake did make them a bit sad... Eh. It happened- they weren't about to be a pill over it. "N' sorry, I wasn't...exactly lookin' where I was goin', either." They'd been too engrossed in sketching out the Crystal Palace to really notice...
"Or scholars." She had to agree with him there. Having known so many herself she knew this to be fact. Whether they intended to or not they did tend to find a lot of things, be it about the world or just a specific field. Half of the world's books wouldn't exist without scholars or their discoveries, after all. The other half? They had imagination and those willing to dream. Or so Luna thought anyway.
But nothing compared to being able to live an adventure yourself. It was true there was a time when the younger princess was content to stay in the castle, enjoying her night for what it was and living almost vicariously through the dreams of others, but she had changed a little in her retirement. She sought a little more adventure, the change to see the world. To make friends.
Even if they did forget to introduce themselves.
"That is correct, and it is nice to meet you Pencil Line. I am glad we can share in this endeavor together. No matter what may come of it." Even if it was a failure, Luna was having fun. She enjoyed watching the scenery change around them, the smell of the dirt and crumpled leaves. The lack of light meant little to her, she was capable of seeing in the dark no matter how prevalent. Perks of being the Princess of The Night.
She only tore her eyes away from their surroundings to watching the other pony for a moment, to watch them scribble away with an a pleased expression. Fitting name indeed.
"There is a chance the area surrounding the pool is enchanted in some way. It could be in perpetual night. Though, if not, I see no reason we can't explore the area around it while waiting for night to fall. We could make it into our own campground. It has been years since I've done so."
For Pencil Line, the lack of light was just a little more telling of their mixed lineage. The darker it became, the more their pupils would glow- a faint light in pitch-blackness, but only barely discernable for now. The glow of a bat-pony's eyes, in the darkest of nights...faded slightly thanks to their nature.
"Always fun to go on an adventure!" They couldn't help but agree. They knew the feeling of that itch- the Celestia-awful feeling- like a need. Pencil caved to it easily, finding a relaxed smile stretching across their muzzle at the soft sound of pen meeting parchment. It was so familiar- they could practically count the seconds by the quiet scratches.
Pencil Line hummed, writing out a question into the notebook they were levitating- before finally packing it in for the time being. Their eyes flicked towards the lunar princess, then towards the thicket. It was slight for now- but they figured it would grow thick the closer the two got to their goal, if it existed at all.
"That would be pretty neat. Though, I don't think there's a magical power source that would allow for that kind of long-term enchantment..." They scratched the side of their head.- Though their smile didn't dim. "I wouldn't mind camping out if it turns out that's the case- but if there is some sort of long-term enchantment over the place, I'd love to get a closer look at it...!"
It would be an excuse to write- and that wasn't something Pencil could so easily ignore.
"And lucky for us both, I'm used to camping, so making a temporary campsite'll be a breeze!" If the two needed it at all.
Anaïs Nin, Delta of Venus, originally published: 1977
One thing Luna was bad at was hiding her feelings, especially those of annoyance and displeasure. If there was a point when she felt such things her face would be quick to show it. She hadn't mastered the art of masking certain feelings, and part of her doubted that she ever would after so long. She saw it as both a good thing, and a bad.
But her excitement was all that could be seen at the moment as the two began to walk, following the map for as long as it was useful. Luna was also confident that they would find something out there, be it what they were actually seeking or something even more magnificent.
"No, we can not. I have learned that there are many hidden secrets about the world. Some that only true adventurers can find, or are worthy of seeing." With a little time and due diligence, the rewards were even greater in her opinion. And she was happy to see more of the world, and make a friend at the same time. It was something she couldn't so easily do when she had been an active princess. Something she did regret.
And Luna was delighted that her newfound companion was just as happy as she was.
"It is nice to be here. Usually I pass on these sort of things but a Star Pool sounds too lovely to pass up. Even if we do not find it, I am happy I got to meet you." Her smile was bright as they traversed the path, her own hoof-falls quiet by habit, light as could be. Her wings, folded neatly along her back, would give a subtle twitch here and there, excitement mostly.
"You know, I do not recall catching your name."
Pencil Line grinned lightly.
"Or scholars. If you dig anywhere, far down enough- you're sure to find something worth all the trouble. Even if it's just experience!" They had run into a few things considered 'myths' in their time- some of the legends of which were penned by their own horn, not that anypony currently alive probably knew. It was interesting to see how time distorted it all, slowly corrupting and obscuring the facts that Pencil knew well.
They had been a traveler, a wanderer for so long- but it was definitely refreshing to meet someone who was so upbeat about adventures, again. Often, the ponies who sold Pencil Line legends to follow weren't after anything at all, save the traveler's bits- which they were more than happy to part with for a chance at something to write down.
"Same here. The Star Pool would be cool to see- but I'm just happy to make a new friend for my troubles." The undergrowth began to grow sparse, grass slowly giving way to more dirt and leaves as the tree canopy slowly closed in above. The light grew dimmer, but it was not altogether impossible to see. Pencil's own steps were as quiet as the princess's- the ever-so-faint crunch of leaves underfoot accompanied by birdsong in the branches above. "Hm-? Oh! Sorry." They laughed quietly. "I'm Pencil Line. I can already guess that I know yours, but- Luna, right?"
Even though they did know the princess' name- it sent a small pang through their chest. How rare must it be for the princess to be able to actually, genuinely introduce herself? Their horn began to glow as they opened the satchel opposite of Luna, pulling out an old, worn looking notebook and flipping it open to near the end. A small wooden pencil was quick to follow, beginning to scribble out a copy of the map as they walked.
"Considering it isn't night yet, I wonder how long we'll have to wait to figure out if the pool we find is even the right one...well. Nothing like a little camping, right?"
“Something in me wants more. I can’t rest.”
— Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath (1982)
Luna found herself hoping for the same. Contrary to what some thought, the youngest sister did enjoy a little adventure, in seeing what the world had to offer even if it wasn't quite as legends foretold. She found beauty in odd things, that some might have considered unusual. But it was who she was, and in her retirement she saw little reason not to seek out those things.
And making new friends along the way was all the better. Again, Luna wasn't the most social pony but she could be when she tried. And Pencil Line interested her. Despite the odd air around them, they seemed friendly, adventurous and seemed to have a love of something Luna herself was quite fond of. They could get along, she could feel it.
She smiled as the other announced her logic was valid. Together they were sure to find the pool! And she didn't mind a conversational companion, it reminded her of Celestia. "That is alright. I may not be very talkative myself, not compared to my sister that is, but I do enjoy a decent adventure. Especially if the rewards are worth it."
And she had every reason to believe that these ones would be as she leaned in a little to better see the map spread before them. Luna was unfamiliar with the place as a whole, but did her best to commit what she saw to memory. She liked to have a mental map as well, though looked at the empty space thoughtfully before giving a nod.
"I agree. Perhaps it is far too overgrown for normal ponies to get through it safely. I think that should be our first stop. Even if the pool itself is not there, there may be something else that can lead us to the right place."
"Glad to hear that I won't be gettin' on your nerves." Pencil Line grinned. They didn't have many conversations, anymore. Everything was always split-second comments and momentary remarks- there was so little in the way of true conversation for a nomad, save the brief times they opened up to random traders out on the open road.
A chance to speak their mind was welcome- even if their company wouldn't respond as much. It meant Pencil could ramble a little more...though they would pull back on it if the princess seemed to become uncomfortable with it all.
"I could think of a few things more dangerous that I'd risk seeing the Star Pool for....but it's nice that this just seems to be a seek-and-find adventure!" They'd take that over a risk of being hurt somewhere for a few years... They used their magic to ensure the map was floating between the two of them, unable to hide their smile. "Well, I'm sure we'll find our own way through."
It seemed the princess wasn't above a foray into the unknown. Pencil could respect that- and the earnest want to see a local legend. The other definitely seemed nice up-close, after so many years of hearing little more than rumors and heresay.
"Or, maybe we'll find something just as unique there! Can't rule it out." Pencil Line rolled up the map, pulling out a compass for a moment to check direction- before beginning to walk, trotting easily up to the woods as they loomed. "And thank you for coming with, princess. It's nice to have someone along for the ride!"
It was nice to not be alone.
