…
I went out of the tree house light this time. It was a bit unaccustomed without armor and bags, but now I just wanted to walk around a bit and then turn off to the lake to pay attention to flying. It had been a busy day yesterday… the last couple of days, even. Tia had made me nervous, of course, but all in all — it was probably not a bad trip. I also shook off four invitations from the big white horse, which last night gloriously lifted my spirits when, with the injunction “Mum’s the word!”, I handed them out one by one. “It will be a surprise to the ponies, when they all end up coming to the party.” I smiled contentedly. Yeah… Pinkie was hugging my ribs and they crunched, Rarity was jumping around, like she was Sweetie, getting a cutie mark, losing all her glossiness, Fluttershy… Fluttershy was silent and hiding in her mane — I just had to leave the invitation on the table. Well, I had had expected something like that from her… Narrowing eyes, I switched my eyes towards the Sun. It’s good to walk alone: no one comes close, doesn’t interrupt thoughts… My thoughts, meanwhile, drifted to my perennial problem: how to occupy myself and how to start earning a living on my own? The only thing I could do right now is to be a bouncer at a club: big, scary… And I had no other advantages, if you really think about it. And I won’t have until I get my magic back. I can work on the farm now, of course, but… “Oh! Flincess!” I was brought back to reality by an enthusiastic child’s voice. I lowered my gaze to find a lemon-colored little earthpony with a green mane and the same eyes, looking up at me admiringly from under her hair. “You have me confused with someone else.” I chuckled quietly back. “Nope!” The filly shook her head. “You have the forn! And fings! Mean you’re Flincess!” I looked around for her parents, who for some reason hadn’t rushed to get away, let alone let the baby come to me. The familiar image from my previous life made me cover my face with the tip of my wing for a moment, rolling my eyes. With their backs to me, the two mares, a blue pegasus and a cream-colored earthpony with a green mane and tail, in which the kid’s mother was easily identifiable, were slowly strolling down the street. The clumsy mothers were chatting with each other about something incredibly important, completely losing sight of the real world and not paying attention even to the rapidly emptying alleyway. I could immediately imagine how, a few minutes ago, the little pony, languishing with boredom, was fidgeting with these chattering girls, sadly persuading them to do something like this: “Mom, let’s go! Mom, I want to eat! Mom!” “Bored?” I looked at the filly sympathetically. “Yeah.” She sighed sadly. “I want go home… But mom met auntie Stream again and doesn’t want to go home… And I’m tired!” I wonder, if I take her with me now and take her wherever I want, how soon will they notice? Leaving a child unattended… They’re asking for it. “Tired, you say? Do you want a ride?” I smiled at the pony. “You would be able to tell everyone, that you had a ride on a Princess!” “Feally-feally?!” She looked at me, her eyes rounded, with great disbelief. “Of course.” I nodded seriously. “So?” “Yeee! Wantwantwant! Can I? Wow!” The earthpony started to jump around me. “I’ll have a ride on a Flincess! I’ll have a ride on a Flincess! I’ll have a ride… Phew… on a Flincess!” “Hold on!” I picked her up with magic and, with a joyful squeak, carefully transferred her to my back, lifting wings slightly, so that the filly would not fall accidentally. “Oh! So high!” She was on my back, stomping back and forth, and resting her hooves on the raised wing. “Mom, mom, I’m riding a Flincess! Mom! Mom! I have a ride on a Flincess! Mom, do you hear?!” The pony cried out enthusiastically. I couldn’t hold back a smile. I lifted my wings higher — as a precaution — to catch up with the chatterboxes, occasionally smiling at the little filly’s reaction to what was going on. “Auntie Flincess, you’re so tall! You can even look out of the window! O, let’s look out? Let’s? This one!” The little one rubbed my mane and pointed her hoof at the first-floor window of someone’s home. “Let’s go.” I snickered shortly and moved away from the road onto lawn. “Unfair!” The mare was indignant and shook her mane in displeasure when we approached: the window was curtained from the inside. “Why do they hide from evelyone?” “Not from everyone, you know…” I prolonged, looking at the window for a second as well. “Sunny! “O-oh…” I heard a muffled half-squeal, half-sob from the side of the road. “O, mum! Look, Flincess giving me a ride!” The little filly was finally pleased by the parental attention. I put on an indifferent expression on my face, and turned slowly — deliberately — towards the shocked mare. She didn’t run away, nor did she take her tear-filled, gray-blue eyes from me, which were a mix of desperate pleading and extreme horror. So, chatterbox, you don’t have so many kids that you have nowhere to put them, do you? Honestly — I want to tell you something “nice,” but… There’s nothing good in the hyperprotection, too. She’ll stop letting the girl out of the house, will not allow her to go out with friends, will drag her everywhere with her… Fine. How did she call her daughter? Sunny? “Sunny, do you want be home?” I turned head to the filly. It still amazes me, that I can look at my own back, albeit with one eye, without too much difficulty… “No!” Pony shook her head. “It’s so afesome with you!” There was a muffled sob, coming from the adult mare. “Is it, mommy? Ehm… Mom?” The pony lost all her cheerfulness when she looked at her mother. “Mom, you hurt? A? Mom? Ehm… Auntie Flincess?” She gently tugged my mane. “Yes, Sunny?” “It’s feally feally good wis you, but can I go to my mom?” The little pony stepped uncertainly on my back. “Of course.” I smiled with an edge of my lips and, picking her up with my telekinesis with a delighted squeak, gently lowered her to the ground. “Oh, so good! Thank you, auntie Flincess!” The pony tried to make a bow. “Goodbye!” “Goodbye, Sunny.” I couldn’t hold a slight smile again. “Look after mom, so she wouldn’t… Get lost.” I erased any hint of emotions at the last words, looking in the filly’s mother’s eyes with a heavy, gloomy look. Judging by the way she shrank, a certain educational effect was achieved. “Okay, I fill loog after.” Sunny nodded to me seriously and, turning, ran to her mother. I, chuckling quietly, turned around and moved away down the road. “Mom, I want to eat! Mom!” It sounded behind me, causing me to smile again, which made the pegasus on the threshold of his house hurry back inside, shutting the door as quickly as possible. The smile turned into a chuckle. I turned around a few dozen paces after. The mare, clutching her daughter to herself like the most precious treasure in the world, was in tears, and the girl, not understanding anything, was trying to get out of her mother’s embrace. I turned away hastily and walked towards the market. Don’t rush away from your mother’s embraces, Sunny. The day will come, when you’ll want to feel them, but you won’t be able to……
As I approached the market, I noticed a hesitantly wriggling yellow pink-haired pony with bags on her sides at the edge of the square. A familiar sight… But why is she standing there? As if she had to go to the market, but very-very doesn’t want to. I wasn’t going to turn there, but sad Fluttershy is a likely opportunity to beat someone up. Just the thing to get rid of the gloomy thoughts… I pulled a more welcoming expression on my face and stepped closer, kicking my hooves into the sidewalk, so that the mare would hear my approach. “Hello, Fluttershy!” “Mom! Oh… Oh, sorry… I didn’t not… O-oh!” The pegasus jumped, turning around and noting who exactly said hello. Who was I stomping for, one may ask? “Just don’t fall, please!” I asked the mare as if with a tongue-twister, who, by the looks of her, was about to have her heart stopped from fright. “Sorry…” She whispered something, hiding behind her mane. I heard only the first word. “How are you doing?” I didn’t give up to start a conversation. “…” The pegasus squeaked something quietly. I suppressed a sigh. Why are you such?.. Such! We had a normal conversation just yesterday! Well… Almost. Almost got to talk with each other, yeah… “Are you alright? I think you’re standing here for a while already?” I made another attempt. “Well…” Sighing, the pony rustled something in reply into her pink mane. I couldn’t hold it this time and sighed. What you gonna do? Yeah, she won’t talk to me… But damn it, she doesn’t stay here just because she’s bored — something clearly wrong. I swept a quick, thoughtful glance over the environment. Wait… O! At the market, a familiar orange pony was fussing over one of the counters, filling it with apples from a cart. Great. She’s the one to make Flutty talk. “Let’s go.” I moved towards Applejack, pushing Fluttershy in the same way with my wing at the same time. “Oops!.. M-m… Maybe… Well… Maybe it’s better… M-m…” The mare, going next to me obediently, started to panic barely audibly. “We have to, have to. You need it above all.” I refused all insists. “Bye, sugarcube! Eat for you health!” As I approached, I heard AJ, admonishing the customer, who had interrupted the display for her sake. She nodded in response, turned, and when she saw me right in front of her, she jerked to the side, letting the bag out of her mouth. The apples rolled down the sidewalk. I walked around the hapless turquoise pony in a curve, and, under Applejack’s gloomy gaze, headed for the counter. “Nightmare, help her! P-please. W-well… If you can, of course…” I glanced at Fluttershy in surprise, turned my gaze to the mare, catching the rolled apples with suspiciously glistening eyes, back to Fluttershy, looking at me with a begging look… “Fine. If you are asking to do it…” I gave up and lit the horn, picking up one of the fruits and levitating it under the nose of the sad little mare. She was surprised to see an apple before her, so she turned around and shivered, seeing me again. “Come on, pack it up.” I advised indignantly to this coward, nodding to the bag and getting the next apple. One was passed on by Flutty, another one — by one of the most courageous passerby. Passing the last apple on the mare, I took a step towards Applejack’s counter. “T-thanks…” Sounded behind my back incoherently. “Ehm… Take it, please…” I turned around: the frightened pony held out one of the saved apples. “Get it to Fluttershy.” Waving away in thought, I nodded at the hesitatingly smiling mare and finally turned to Applejack. It seems, that she went out of the counter to help, but didn’t come for some reason. “Greetings.” I nodded to the farmer. “Greetings, Nightmare…” She echoed, giving me a thoughtful look and then looking behind me, where, by the sounds of it, the turquoise filly was trying to hand an apple to desperately shy Flutty. “Don’t you know why Fluttershy was standing at the market’s entrance for a while and was scared to go in?” The farmer looked at me perplexedly. “Nah… Listen, I just got here — the goods haven’t been delivered yet, Mac should bring a second wagon soon… And what’s the matter?” “I’m curious too about the matter — but our shy friend hesitates to speak…” I cringed. “I hoped you knew.” “Hm…” AJ examined me with a strange look. “No, but if such a situation — will ask her. Maybe she needs help or somethin’… Howdy, Flutty, hi!” She waved with a hoof, drawing attention of the most embarrassed pegasus, holding an apple in her hoof.…
Argh! Damn it! Stood aside for AJ to get talking with Fluttershy, didn’t touch anyone… And then came Big Mac with more apples… And brought another very “relevant” association right now, unwillingly forcing me to remember the damned equalogist with her “extraordinary effort”, fucking hell! As I turned away from the unloading stallion and shook my head sharply in an attempt to get rid of the intrusive image of me and Mac, moaning and shrieking, I felt my cheeks and ears flaming with indignation. And Applejack had to end her conversation with Flutty just now! The farmer came over, opened her mouth to speak, blinked in surprise, looked between me and her brother a couple of times, and stared at me grimly as she clenched her jaws with a clatter. “Hey… I understand, that you haven’t had someone on the Moon for a while, but if you want a stallion to cover you well or something, don’t look at my brother! Got it?! Maybe you really got over yourself and stuff, not just making fools of us, but be away from him for your better! He’s a decent pony, not some…” A-a… I stared unblinking into space somewhere above AJ’s hat, feeling my cheek twitch nervously and the gears in my head jamming with a grinding, one after the other… Ehm… But… E-e… How did she!.. I’m!.. “Hey, Nightmare, what’s up there?” “Yeah…” I nodded somnambulistically and turned around and headed for the market exit on wooden legs. “Listen, ‘kay… Sorry for being sharp, okay? Just, yeah… No, if you like Mac — date, you can, but only if it’s serious!” The ending “shell” caught up to me, forcing me to stumble on a plain spot. I shook my head sharply as I left the market and stepped to the curb, and quickly took a few deep breaths to get out of my stupor Now I know what it’s like to fall out into the “blue screen”… In fact, it is hard to say what made me lose my temper more — the farmer’s words or the reaction of my own body, which, judging by the slightly numb and wings, refusing to fold tightly at the sides, hinted, that it liked the idea of the stallion… “Nightmare, hey… I didn’t want to hurt ya, really.” Applejack caught up to me. “Here, take at least that…” She handed three apples over to me, which were cunningly glued to the hoof. “I don’t need it, I’m not offended.” I waved away reluctantly. “Just your brother… He recalled one association from the past. Not the one I wanted to remember ever… So I’m not going to date stallions at all. Okay, what?..” “So you like mares more, don’t you?” The farmer interrupted me, shaking her head disapprovingly. “I hate you all, mares and stallions alike!” I fought off the earthpony gloomily, which was poking her nose not into her business. “And let’s end with this.” AJ, narrowing eyes, looked at me watchfully. “What happened to Fluttershy?” I got back to the initial topic. “That’s all you.” Farmer sniffed indignantly. “Of course I understand, that he asked for it, but he’s not the only one who’s heard your threats… Anyway, because of you, no one dares to sell anything more expensive than one bit to Fluttershy, and some of ‘em even say: “Take what you want and go away.” But she can’t like that! But she hesitates to ask to up the price as well…” Intere-e-esting… “So Fluttershy is too shy to go for the food, and she’s on short commons now, thanks to your effort.” AJ finished her story with an undisguised reproach. “Got it.” Slowing, I prolonged thoughtfully. “I’ll think what I can do.” “Just don’t beat someone up, would ya?” The earthpony glanced at me from under the hat. “Won’t make promises.” I chuckled gloomily at the farmer. “All the best, Applejack.” I waved my wing as a goodbye, turned away from the counter. where AJ and I had slipped back to while we were talking unnoticed, and moved towards Fluttershy, who was hesitating aside. I honestly had no idea what to do about the situation. Well, yes, it was a mistake, but how to fix it? Should I stand the traders in the marketplace and yell at them all? Tell them, that a fair price, not a low one, is important to me? Well, yeah — they’ll ask me what I think the fair price is… What-what… Average! Normal! Man, it’s just a bunch of general words, that everyone will twist the way they want to twist! That won’t solve the problem… Or?.. A-a, damn it! I don’t know! Fuck with them, be it! Do I owe Fluttershy? Yes. It’s not hard to go out and buy for her, since she’s embarrassed, especially since I don’t know where to put myself anyway. Then I’ll help her. I made my decision, and with a swift, decisive step I walked to the hesitating pegasus, that was digging at the ground with a hoof. “Let’s go.” I ordered shortly. “W-where?” The pony stepped back with indecision. “To your packages. You’re hesitating — you could have just asked me.” I emphasized a slight smile. “Oh… M-m… A… But… Maybe…” Flutty tried to become smaller, hiding behind her mane again. “If you want — I can do it myself.” I shrugged with wings. “Just give me the list, bags, money and go home, or you can sit in that cafe.” I nodded at the corresponding sign. “…!” The pegasus squeaked barely audibly. “I got it…” I waved with a front leg hopelessly and took the bags off her with telekinesis. I looked inside, found a piece of paper in one, which turned out to be the list I was looking for, a wallet, and somehow put the standard shoulder bags around my neck. Uncomfortable, damn… “Oops!.. It’s… Not needed, I…” The pony tried to feign a decisive insist. “Come on, drink something.” I lifted my companion’s front leg with my telekinesis and put the lighter purse on her hoof: I poured half the coins into my bag. I guess I have enough left over. “When I’m done, I’ll look you up in that cafe. If I can’t find you, I’ll unload at your home. That’s it, rest.” I pulled out the list and turned decisively towards the counters, letting a restrained smile creep onto my face as I did so. I was in no hurry today; helping Fluttershy wouldn’t be hard, especially if I could scratch a lousy mood against someone in the process. The scene with Sunny and her mother suddenly hurt my heart… The memory immediately wiped the smile off my face. The market, meanwhile, was trying to live its usual life: touting, selling, pricing, buying, simply communicating… But all of this — trying not to attract attention. Mine attention. I just had to look at the golden pegasus with the dark purple mane who was selling all sorts of fruit, and he cut short his call to “come and buy fruits! The best and freshest!” and, feigning something remotely resembling a smile on his face, shrank behind the counter. The customer who had just come up to his shop, noticing the metamorphosis, turned around and, pale in the face, stepped back a few steps, signifying a bow and making an inviting gesture. I nodded at the unicorn’s unusual greeting and hovered over the counter and its owner, engulfing the latter in my shadow: the Sun was shining from behind. Pegasus swallowed nervously. “G… G-good day, milady! How?.. It’s… How can a humble o-owner… Of this market shop help you?” The stallion panted, stumbling. “Greetings.” I nodded shortly. “Lemons. Two units. Pears. Five units. Bananas. Five units as well. “I-in a m-moment!” The salesman fussed as he put my order into paper bags. Hey, didn’t know they had those. “H-here… It’s… You’re welcome.” I moved the paper bags into the saddle bags and stared at the pegasus in silence. And? The pegasus flattened his ears and smiled again nervously. Not a great one. It was as if he wasn’t going to say anything else. “How much?” I cut off the pause, that began to drag on. The stallion twitched. “Ehm… It’s… N-nothing! It’s… It’s a g-gift! Gift, yes!” She squeezed out a plastic smile and swallowed nervously. “Are you sure?” I narrowed eyes. The merchant nodded his head very repeatedly. Suddenly, there were cautious steps behind me. Oh, a line. I didn’t think anyone would dare… I glanced at the trembling stallion in front of me. You know, I would not persuade you, why should I make others wait? “One bit.” I stated with a sigh, tapping a coin onto the counter. Who’s the evil Pinocchio to you? If you don’t want it — I’m fine. In principle, I am satisfied with everything as it is… “N-nightmare! But… It’s… Ehm… W-wrong…” In a quiet, shy voice, there was a sudden outcry from behind me, just as I was about to turn to leave. I looked back at the voice. Fluttershy was hiding behind her mane. Why didn’t you sit there, ay?.. However… Hm, maybe it’s even good, that she has come… “Fine. Then what’s not wrong?” I stepped back from the counter and made an inviting gesture. Come on, come closer, show the right way. Either you’ll get over yourself and give a fair price, or your shyness will show me and yourself the correctness of my approach. “Ehm… Well… I…” The pegasus shrank and started to get back. “Yeah… It means I’m doing it right, yeah?” I pretended joy on my face, brazenly grabbed a pear off the counter, and took a big bite. It crunched. A hard sort, damn it. Don’t like these. But sweet. “N-no!” Flutty squeaked and bit her lip hysterically. “Alas, I can’t do it any other way.” I moved with a wing, shoving the remaining half of the pear into my chaps. “So.” I finished chewing. “If you want to save these merchants from meeting me, you name a fair price. Or I’ll come and help with the shopping.” Flutty stared at the ground in silence, her ears drooping sadly. I sighed as I approached the pegasus. “Fluttershy, listen… Back at the castle, you were the only one, who stood up for me, came out and told Celestia a “no”. Princess herself! For no one’s wanted villain!” “Ehm… But… N-nightmare!..” “So why can’t you tell that to a peddler at the bazaar? You can! They’re not scarier than Princess.” “B-but… It’s, ehm…” “Different? It’s not, Fluttershy. You, I think, wanted to insist, that someone’s life is not the same as a bag of fruits? It’s the same! It’s your life, yours and your animals, which had to be fed. I heard you have a bear? You know what is going to happen if you don’t feed him with berries or honey, don’t you?” The mare shivered and paled, nodding perplexedly. “So take the money and go save your animals from the hunger.” “I… Well… I… I’ll try…” The pegasus panted finally. “You’re a good one, Kindness. You’ll make it, it’s easy.” I tried to cheer her up, handing over the bags with goods and money back to their owner. “Nightmare! What about… Well…” She looked towards the recent store with fruits hesitatingly, seller of which is still watching me nervously. “He said it’s a gift.” I shrugged with wings. “B-but… It’s wrong!” “His product — he knows better.” I chuckled. “Ehm…” Flutty mused. “No, it’s… It’s wrong, Nightmare!” Pony looked into the bag and extraordinary deftly extracted a few coins from it. “You can… Ehm… Give… Well… Give them to him? Please?” “As you wish.” I caught the money with magic. “Thanks…” The pegasus hastened to hide behind her mane, getting embarrassed for some reason. “I think I’ll go now, yes? Well…” “Goodbye, Fluttershy.” I nodded. I didn’t hear the end of the sentence again, but I assumed I had answered correctly. The mare smiled shyly, turned a little hastily, and moved away. I smiled with corners of my lips in her wake, turned and, after a quick thinking, approached the fruit vendor, whose face clearly showed anger at himself for not getting out sooner. “Here.” I slapped a pile of coins onto the counter. “Also… A gift.” The stallion nodded in a hunted way. “And also… Do you know all the fellow traders here?” I looked in his eyes narrowly. “N-no, mi… Mistress.” He answered, stumbling and hastening to look away. “Means you’ll do.” I nodded to myself. “The mare I was talking to, Fluttershy, have you seen her? Be so kind to tell your colleagues, that you can’t bargain with her: what she pays is what’s right, got it?” “Y-yes, I g-got it, mistress!” The stallion started to nod like a dummy. “If she complains about being put before too low or too high prices, I’ll break different places. As a gift. Is it clear?” “Y…Yes!” The trader swallowed fitfully. “I hope so. Don’t mess things. Wish you the best.” I smiled with all my teeth before backing up. We’ll hope, that this question is closed… The sound of a fallen body was heard behind. Pathetic.…
When I left the market, I stopped in the shade of a tree: the morning chill had melted under the bright rays of the Sun, and it was gradually getting hot outside. In addition, the pegasi had dispersed all the clouds, and only a light breeze kept the world from turning into an oven. Did Tia move her light bulb closer or something? I chuckled, imagining writing a letter Princess, asking her to raise her light away from the surface. And, most importantly, they all seem to be normal, and I alone am hot: the passerby, fearfully sniffing past me, did not look covered by the heat, some even for a moment happily put their faces to the Sun, blissfully shutting their eyes. I sighed, and then I strolled my gaze lazily about my surroundings… and froze when my eyes caught a strange detail. There, a pony being shunned by passersby. Standing in the shadow of a house, looking at me. Not far, twenty meters away. The cloak — which is strange — with a deep hood, which is already suspicious. A gust of wind moved the hood, and the alicorn’s keen eye allowed me a glimpse of the cloak-user’s face as well. Eyes with narrow pupils and fangs, that flashed, when he… or rather, she… twisted unhappily, adjusting the hood. Interesting… I stepped towards the stranger’s way and… “Howdy, Night!” …Recoiled back reflexively, when Pinkie Pie appeared before me as if just out of nowhere, like a screamer. “I’m so happy to see you! What are you doing here? I missed you so much!” She hugged me briefly in a hug, and she didn’t let me get a word in edgewise at the same time. I hastily put my hoof to her lips in a “hush!” gesture, trying to see the mare in the robe at the same time. Pinkie, silent, followed my gaze. Ah, no use anymore. Disappeared — whoever she was. “I got what you’re doing.” The pink-haired said, lowering voice. “Looking for a spy, aren’t you? Sca-ary, in a cloak!” How did she?.. I stared at her. “Just a guess.” The mare smiled. “I nailed it, right? Really, I did?” “You did.” I grumbled, sighing. “She stood here, spying on me. A mare in a dark-blue coat with a hood. If my eyes didn’t lie to me, she had eyes and fangs just like mine.” “Wow!” Pinkie stomped enthusiastically. “Maybe it’s a thestral! You know, these night ponies with bats-like wings! Cool! And also I don’t know her since there are no thestrals in Ponyville! And it means that she’s new and she needs friends! Interesting — is she here for a long time? O, o, I know! I have to introduce you to her! You need friends and she needs friends, and if you’re similar, then…” “Hold your horses, Pinkie.” I asked. “I already have enough friends. But the reason why she was spying on me — this is where it gets interesting…” Especially in light of the fact, that thestrals, as far as I can tell, work for Luna… I don’t like it… “You’re mistaken, Night.” The earthpony shook her head, being serious after a moment. “You can never have too many friends, or, as you said, enough. All together is always better than alone.” I chuckled. Lack of friends may be sad, but it has the undeniable advantage of having no one to betray you. “And why do you think, that she was spying on you?” Pinkie looked at me. “She’s a new one! Just looked around, maybe. You’re an alicorn! I, during the first time — well, then, in the town hall — looked as well and thought: “Wow, an alicorn!” “Yeah. And the hooded cloak, because of which it’s hard to tell if it’s a pony or a griffon, she put on for rain.” I nodded and demonstratively stared at the cloudless sky. I wonder — were there a dagger under the cloak? Is Luna just watching, or… is it going to finish what she started on the Moon? Now would be a good time — I can’t do anything at all… I shuddered, acutely aware of my nakedness without the familiar weight of, though symbolic, but armor.…
The training session today was short and brought no joy at all: the damned thestral wasn’t going out of my head, nor was the thought, that Luna needed living Nightmare even less, than Celestia did. As a result, when I found myself trying to stay away from the reeds and looking around nervously while drying my wings, I was finally disappointed in the idea of training today: even without nerves the process was shaky because of the heat… So, after doing only two takeoffs — and two swims — I returned to the library in a grim state of mind. Twilight wasn’t there, Spike wasn’t there, and there was no food, much to my disappointment. I munched sluggishly on some quick bread, cucumber, and tomato sandwiches and drank water, and realized, that it was useless and I needed to eat more normally. I didn’t want to cook — and I didn’t even know how to anymore: who needs to know how to fry spicy chicken wings or beef liver with onions and apples? I could have cooked buckwheat, but I didn’t have any. There was rice, which always came out just disgusting if I’m before the table, and semolina and oatmeal, which I never considered to be food and therefore simply could not cook. With a sigh I looked around the kitchen one last time and went up to the second floor, and a corner there were: breastplate, helmet and my shoulder bags, and under them — my shoes, and everything of it was on a stool near the camping mat — thanks to Pinkie, if she hadn’t done that, I would have been sleeping on the floor. I would have to go to some food service… But I would get dressed first: it would be calmer that way… Putting the gear on, I again was about to put on my helmet, but when I remembered how hot the sun was outside, I changed my mind. It’s metal — it would get hot and my head would get fucking baked inside… Regretfully putting the helmet back, I hurried to leave “Golden Oak”. I had no idea where to go, though… I didn’t know any café-restaurants, but I didn’t need any anyways… Shall I go to Pinkie? But she only has sweets, and I wanted something more serious… Oh, whatever! I’ll find something on the way! Waving away thoughts, I moved wherever the road takes me.…
“Hi, Scoot. No offense, but you look worse than I feel.” “Howdy…” She replied half-heartedly, matching the look on her face. In fact, that’s why I approached her, when our paths accidentally crossed. The little one looked… not so good. She looked darker than a cloud. Not good. “You’re pale as a ghost. Are you alright?” I didn’t want to wander around. “Yes, of course! Everything is fine!” Scootaloo tried to feign a smile, answering in a hurry. Yeah, I trust you with all my heart. “Are you sure?” I looked at her watchfully. “Yes, I!… I don’t know. No, I’m not sure.” She stated, sighing heavily, looking at her feet. “Do you need help?” I asked. This pegasus is not the person who would be left alone by me with her problems. “I’ll make it myself!” She barked. “Yeah?” I narrowed eyes. Kinda doubtful. “What has even happened?” Scootaloo cringed, choosing to remain silent. Where is she coming from, by the way? It’s a relatively new street, as far as I know, and it’s not really built up yet. It was mostly laid out for the sake of a rather large hospital, clearly “for future” for the town… Wait… There’s a bag of apples, dangling from the base of the pegasus’ wing. There aren’t many options, in that case: isn’t it the bar down the street that she’s carrying them from? “Dash?” I assumed, and, judging by the way the little pegasus drooped, I was right. “Yeah.” The interlocutor sighed, realizing, that it’s useless to keep silent. “I went to check on her after school, and I brought her some apples and stuff, and she… Anyway, she doesn’t want to see me anymore, like I came to see you there, after that, well… Incident. And she won’t teach me how to fly anymore, it seems.” Scoot hung her head. “And she doesn’t want to make peace either… And…” The filly kicked a stone on the road, which flew rustling into the bushes. “It’s all right, I’ll think of something.” The pegasus' voice, whose eyes gleamed suspiciously, treacherously trembled at the last words. H-horse sausages! You’re Trash — not Dash! I can imagine how the kid feels right now, just sent away by her idol and refusing to teach her how to fly, even with her problem! While we were silently tapping our hooves on the road, I tried to think hard about what I could do. The only thing I could think of was to go to the painted scumbag and tell her, that if she wouldn’t teach her how to fly and Scootaloo didn’t fly, I would break her wings and tell her, that she did it herself! Scoot doesn’t fly — you will walk on foot as well. “Cool”, damn it. But I’m afraid no one would like it. But do I even care, hey? Nevertheless, I’d better leave that option for last. It would be good to find someone knowledgeable as a coach instead of this empty-headed… “Has the summer school season started already? How’s school going?” I tried to change the subject to something neutral, realizing, that I was unlikely to come up with a good idea. The pegasus, who has calmed down a bit during the silence, was gloomy again. What the hell happened again… Ah, damn it! That conversation of ours slipped my mind! Judging by the reaction, it didn’t work, if it didn’t make it worse at all. “So-o…” I prolonged. “A conversation didn’t help?” “It did… Tiara and Spoon now pass around me on the next street.” Scootaloo chuckled sadly. “Today they pestered a new one — Apple Bloom, I think her name is — and one look was enough for me to make them go away! And the new girl… Anyway, those troublemakers stay away from me now. Most of my acquaintances, too. Even Cheerilee doesn’t call me to the blackboard and doesn’t reprimand me when I’m late! And… And now Sweetie is afraid of me, too, like everyone else… And I… And I…” The little pegasus inhaled frantically and held her head up to hold back her tears. I picked her up silently with my telekinesis and turned off the road onto the grass, where I lay down and covered the poor filly with my wing. A fleeting surprise at my action, it seems, even helped her calm down a little — there were still tears in her eyes along with extreme bewilderment, but Scoot did not allow them to spill. Yeah… The conversation seemed to help so much that the cure was worse than the disease. I can’t remember exactly the canon, but I think the only real friends the orange pegasus had were the Crusaders and Rainbow. And now, it turns out, she’s all alone… Bastard, I fucking knew it wouldn’t be a happy end! Though I didn’t even anticipate something so close to that. “Hey…” The mare started to fuss under the wings. “Here, take an apple. They’re sweet!” She held the fruit out to me. “Thanks.” I got the thing with magic and ate half of it with one bite. Food! The apple was truly beyond one’s imagination. Sad it ended too fast… “Thank you!” She got out of the wing. “I’m good. And yeah…” Scootaloo looked around cautiously. “Don’t hug me anymore, good? If they see it… I will be a wuss, who likes all this tenderness and mumbling…” I laughed, for which I was rewarded with the look of a comically pouting filly, which only added to my amusement in this way. It was her “I’m all grown up and tough!” expression that looked incredibly funny. “What’s so funny?” She grumbled, being offended. “I just imagined how someone tries to name me soft wuss for my love to hug…” I got away. Scootaloo giggled, but still looked at me with bewilderment. “A… Do you really like this tenderness?” “As the mood takes.” I shook my head indefinably. “And with whom.” “Nah.” The kid shook head. “This is for pathetic…” I stared at her wordlessly. “Ooops, well, I mean… This is not what I meant!” She became confused, realizing the said. “Well, I mean, Dash said… So…” Scootaloo drooped again. Damn it! “I can go to her and explain how much wrong she is.” I proposed. “No, it won’t help.” The little mare sighed. “She won’t listen to you…” “Doesn’t listen — will feel it.” I naked my teeth promisingly. “Don’t!” Scoot recoiled back with fear. “I mean… Rainbow is really cool! She’s just sick right now, so she’s… When she gets better, we’ll make up!” Yeah, with a condition not to come near me again, with some kind of “Prove that you’re my friend and not hers” or something like that. Maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit… “Okay, it’s your business.” I shrugged with wings. “But if you do — call me. I’ll make peace with you two — even if she doesn’t want to.” “No one makes peace by crow hop.” She insisted confidently. “Thanks, of course, but I’ll do it myself!” The pegasus shook her head determinately. I smiled and extended my wing in her direction, but Scoot deftly dodged without letting myself to scratch on her head. “Hey!” An indignant look was addressed to me. “Okay, I won’t.” Stopping a chuckle with force, I folded the wing and got on my feet. “What happened between you and Sweetie?” “A-a…” Scoot waved with a leg with sadness. “It’s the same as with everyone else, I guess. It’s all that talk… No, don’t get me wrong!.. You gave them a good scare: “Scootaloo, don’t forget to sacrifice for me!” The pegasus parodied the ominous voice comically. “But it looks like someone saw it, and then spread it all over town! Everyone thought you’d let me go and demanded, that I must find a victim for you before Nightmare Night, a pony to go to the Moon instead of me! So… no one wants to be that pony. Sweetie as well…” “Sorry.” I sighed. “We tried our best — you know the rest…” “Cool phrase.” The mare smiled fleetingly. “And… Still, thank you. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a proper break because of these…” I turned away for a second and cringed. Scoot can pretend, that everything is fine, as long as she wants to — it wouldn’t fool me. There’s a problem — and I have to fix that. And I think I even know what to start with. “I know Sweetie’s big sister. And I have an idea how to get you two together again.” “Don’t!” Scootaloo looked at me frighteningly. “It’s better if I do it myself!” “Don’t worry, Scoot, no one’s going to be hurt.” I winked at the pegasus. “Nah, still, it’s better for you to not do it.” She shook her head. “If you force her to be friends with me — yourself or through Rarity — it’s not friendship — it’s some gibberish.” Stubborn as a tank. This is why I can’t just turn around and go away. “Nothing like that. The idea is simple: if Sweetie is afraid of me, then I think, that it can be fixed by simply visiting Rarity’s house. It’s hard to be scared of the one, who talks cutely over a cup of tea with your sister, right? I just need the time, when Sweetie Belle returns home.” “Well… Fine.” Scoot gave up. “She stayed in the school today after lessons to do homework, and I… A-a…” The pegasus waved away disappointedly. “Generally, I can’t say for sure, of course, but usually Sweetie is there for an hour or hour and a half if she stays there. So she is either home or will be soon. I think half an hour is maximum, not later.” “Good. Thanks!” I nodded at the filly with a smile. “Don’t mention it…” She waved away again. “Okay, off I go. See you soon, Scoot. Don’t worry, I’ll bring back your friend.” I winked at the mare as a goodbye. “See you soon!” She waved with a wing as a reply. I smiled briefly again, turned around, and headed in the direction of “Carousel”. Damn it, I still have not eaten! Heck… “Hey…” A sound went into my back. I turned around to the shyly hesitating pegasus. “I… Well, thanks for doing this for me… Well… Well, it’s better for me to go, farewell!” Scoot said in a hurry and hastened to leave, blushing. I followed her with a long stare. You’re a good pony, Scootaloo. Don’t worry, I’ll get your friend back somehow. And… And I think I’ve just got an idea of how to help you get flying.…
“Hi, Rarity! Are you busy?” I announced my arrival to the owner of “Carousel”. Judging by the smells inside, she was cooking something. My stomach, to my sluggish indignation, immediately hinted, that it would be a good idea to stay longer and taste the results of the unicorn’s labor. “Oh, greetings, Nightmare!” Rarity looked out of the kitchen. “Come in, please! I’m always happy to see you!” She nodded to herself behind her back and hurried back, reacting to some suspicious hissing. I wiped my shoes on the rug by the door, and followed into the kitchen. It’s good to be here in Equestria when things come to dirt and dust… The aboriginals don’t understand their happiness, they have nothing to compare it to, but I get high from it. Sometimes I get a feeling, that ponies don’t get dirty at all. No, it sticks, of course… But to get seriously dirty you have to get into the sand with wet feet, for example, or to plunge into the thick sticky mud in the forest after the rain, I do not know… I remember being very surprised, when after the first training I tried to wash my hooves before eating: half a day in dust and sand — and water from feet is almost transparent, not the expected muddy-gray. In general, there is definitely some “it’s magic” here. “Sorry, I have to be distracted sometimes.” Rar smiled at me a little embarrassed as she picked up a pot of some brew and wiped it with a rag at the same time. Not looking. How? I want that! “What can I do for you?” The mare turned her attention to me, fixing the problem. “Just wanted to stop by. And ask something as well.” “Of course, go ahead! Take a sit. Tea? Or maybe you’d wait for the supper? It’s almost done.” I can’t figure out how this pony manages to combine the inherent arrogance and snobbery of aristocracy — a pathological fear of getting her hooves dirty or messing up her hair — and a concern for other people’s problems. It seems, that a pony with this kind of behavior should only value the magnificent and inimitable self — but no… “I wouldn’t refuse.” I nodded thankfully, getting rid of the fore shoes and making myself comfortable at the table. “And the question… May seem unusual to you: what do you think my cutie mark means? Which talent do I have?” “Hm?” Rarity raised her eyebrows and stared thoughtfully at my croup as she walked around the table. I fidgeted on my chair, suppressing the urge to somehow hide from the stare. It’s uncomfortable a bit… “If I’m not mistaken, dear, I saw the same cutie mark being born by Her Highness Princess Luna… Do you think you have the same talent? No, no, rather, you think your talent, despite the same markings, is different, but you don’t know what it is, do you?” The unicorn looked at me thoughtfully. “Well — yes.” I nodded and stared thoughtfully into the steaming mug placed in front of me. “I don’t know what to do — and it bothers me. I decided, that since I didn’t have my own ideas, maybe someone from the outside could tell me something.” There was a problem, really — I couldn’t see what I could do here point-blank. The presence of the cutie mark, in my situation, was more of a disadvantage: it exists, but what it means is unclear. The position of managing the Moon and dreams is still occupied, I would like to earn money now — how much can I be like that?.. In general, though this question served now more as an excuse to stop by, but the answer to it was also needed. “Sorry, Nightmare, but I’m afraid I can barely give you any advices.” Rarity drooped her ears with sadness. “Except to say that you shouldn’t concentrate so much on your talent, looking for an occupation that is necessarily related to it. I am a fashion designer and I love my job, although that is not my talent. It’s probably closer to being a jeweler — if not even a miner.” “Hm?” I feigned a surprised look. I know, of course, but I think surprise would be appropriate now. And I wonder what she’s going to say… “My talent is finding, extracting and processing precious stones. Of course, I am not an expert in the artful jewelry cutting, though I could probably master it… But the skills I have are more than enough to decorate the dresses I make. And without too much boasting I will tell you that my dresses are wonderful and brilliant!” Rarity did some kind of dance move on emotions. Looked elegantly… “By the way, Nightmare! I just have to make you something for a holiday!” The unicorn looked at me delightfully. “Don’t do it.” I moved back a bit from this excited person. “Unless you make armor… Why don’t you tell me how did you get your cutie mark?” “I’ll do it, it’s a necessity!” The designer smiled. “You have nothing to wear! You’ll stay after the supper: I’ll take the measurements for the dress.” She ordered “You must shine!” Dress?! And she goes the same way… As if I hadn’t enough with Tia?.. Even setting aside… uh… some, shall we say, reluctance to wear such a thing — what’s the use to me of this expensive shiny rag?! Especially since I’d probably have to sell my kidney to pay for it… I’d rather sell my kidney for full lats. Blackened, engraved and with a scary horned helmet… “I don’t need dresses!” I moved into refusal. “First of all — they’re not practical, second of all — I don’t have money to pay you for it!” “What money, Nightmare?” The unicorn became indignant. “I won’t take even a bit after yesterday from you! And dear, you’re also forgetting — you’re an alicorn! And also very famous! I’ll be covered with gold when everyone goes to me for an exclusive! A greater fortune, in fact, would be only to make a dress for Her Highness Princess Celestia herself!” Rarity rolled her eyes dreamily. “You’re putting aside one sma-a-all thing.” I chuckled. “I’m the infamous alicorn.” “This is where you’re mistaken, dear.” The mare smiled anticipatively. “This, in fact, would only draw more attention: to create a garment, that would satisfy the “fearful and cruel” Mare in the Moon herself, who, for the slightest flaw in it, would send its maker to the Moon…” “Are you recruiting me as a model or what?” I chuckled. “Hm…” Rarity — surprisingly — looked at me with a sharp-nosed gaze, stepping around to the side. Tilted her head slightly, assessing what she saw. It made me feel a little uncomfortable. As if she was asking the price… I have a bad feeling… “I’m afraid they won’t hire you permanently.” The unicorn sympathized sincerely as she returned to her seat at the table a few dozen seconds later. “You have a very… Unique model. The word “ravenous” even begs to be used. But I already have a couple of ideas, that would go perfectly with it! It could make a whole new collection! O-o!.. And you’ll show it off!!! And then!..” “Don’t get too excited, ay?” I asked the modeler with a certain apprehension, who was losing her mind. She’s going too fast and too high. My toothy face will be on the covers of magazines, and journalists and crowds of fans will be chasing in the blink of an eye. “A? Oh, sorry.” Rarity became confused. “But… But I really just figured out what style to create for my new collection! It would really suit you!” “No!” I shook my head. “Well, unless your dress can protect me at least from a good kicking of the hooves from an acceleration run. And it would be good if it withstands a stab.” The unicorn blinked in confusion, looking nowhere. I grinned triumphantly, finished my tea in a gulp, and crunched the last of the biscuits I had left. “But… But why?!” My interlocutor got back into reality, looking at me with a puzzled gaze. “Why one needs clothes? For protection! From enemies, from the cold or heat, from prying eyes at least.” I explained as a matter of course. It’s not that I think beauty is completely unimportant… But it is secondary without a doubt. What good is a nice jacket if it doesn’t keep me warm and windblown? Why do I need beautiful patent leather shoes, which do not hold water and in which the top is covered by snow, if for the same money you can get immortal army boots, in which you can go through pools, mud, snow, and you even can give a good kick to some mutt? It makes sense to look at beauty only when you choose among the things, that met the more important requirements. “But don’t you want to look beautiful? To catch the eye, to fascinate…” “No.” I interrupted the unicorn, shaking my head again. “I look beautiful even without a dress, and the unwanted eyes at me are not my desire. If your dress brings nothing but beauty — I don’t need it. I’d rather admire the craftsmanship of its creator and admire it on another mare.” I tried to smooth things over. “Applejack with a horn and wings.” Rarity sighed sorrowfully, waving her hoof hopelessly at me before she went back to the table. “But she’s just a mere farmer, but you?..” She asked. Even though said with irony, but I can feel it in guts — I touched the unicorn’s feelings. Shit. “At least she’s a farmer, but I’m a pathological loser with no job, no money, and no certain status.” I muttered back. We went silent. “Sorry if I said something bad.” I apologized, getting over the awkwardness. “It’s me who must be sorry.” The mare smiled a bit sorrowfully. “I guess you don’t have time for this now. Don’t know how to live on, and here’s me, poking nose with my dresses…” Suddenly, with a menacing roar, my stomach reminded me of its plight, making me gloomily squint at my empty belly. Damn, I had not eaten enough, for the apple from Scootaloo and the tea and cookies from Rar were of little help… “Oh, sorry, Nightmare! I’m a terrible hostess!” Rarity got up, blushing. Before I had time to open my mouth, the unicorn set the table in a flash: steaming fresh soup, salad, bread, spices, a bunch of flowers in a vase, cutlery, and a white napkin tied neatly around the hostess' white neck. She held out the other to me. “Ehm… Thanks.” I glanced around the table, picked up the offered napkin, and tucked the edge of it behind my breastplate. “Well, you have to tie them on your neck.” Rarity remarked cautiously, causing me to sigh. Another one… “My telekinesis is only enough to keep the spoon from passing my mouth, and even that is difficult.” I muttered, picking up a slice of bread and sending it into his mouth as a whole. Food! “Oh, sorry…” “Not a big deal. Enjoy your meal, Rarity.” “Thanks, you too.” The unicorn smiled thoughtfully. I finally put the first spoonful of brew into my mouth. Well… Just a soup. They’re all about the same without meat… “Nightmare, listen…” Rar called me, still not touching her food. “M?” “If you want — I can help you with telekinesis.” She offered perplexedly. “I don’t know if it would be successful, but… I still have it, maybe I can help and explain something to you?” “Hm…” I mused.…
When we had enough, we took a second turn at tea. I accepted Rarity’s offer: Twilight was a good magician, and she never refused to help, but… Not enthusiastically, let’s just say. If you ask, she’ll tell you; if you don’t ask, she won’t say a word. I could not help feeling, that the lavender unicorn was feeling me as a burden. “Listen! What if your mark means love of the night life, m?” Rarity suddenly said before the bowl could reach her mouth and hurried to put it on the table. “Dinner parties, fashion shows, bohemian life…” She rolled her eyes dreamily. “Yeah. And also espionage, blackmail, racketeering, and bank robberies under the cover of darkness.” I chuckled. “Nightmare.” The interlocutor looked at me with a reproach. “Why do you have to always think of something bad? Ponies have changed for the better!” “An interesting proposal, but doubtful. I don’t have any obsession with night adventures. And with dresses on fashion shows as well.” I left the unicorn’s indignation without an answer. She snorted unhappily, which made me smile involuntarily: it came out very horsey. “Oops, I’m sorry.” Rarity noticed my smile and, blushing a bit, hastened to cover her mouth with a hoof. “Listen… How did you get your cutie mark?” I asked. I remember rudely, but it’s interesting how much it will be different compared to canon? “Haven’t I told you?” “No, you haven’t.” I shook my head. “Really? Hm…” The mare scowled for a second. “Fine, listen.” She shook her mane, making some conclusion. I made myself comfortable and took a sip from the bowl. “It was after Madame Embroidery had taken me on as an apprentice, and all the hardest things seemed to be behind me… I even wrote a letter home: when my mentor found out, that I had never written to my parents the entire time I lived in Ponyville, she was furious. I thought she’d kick me out, but she didn’t: I just bought myself off by promising to write home. It took me a week to squeeze those five lines out of my head.” Rarity smiled sadly. “And then I walked around the post office with the letter for another week, not daring to go in and mail it. I knew quite clearly, that they hated me at home, and that it was such an intolerable shame to write on behalf of a small-town seamstress’s unknown, blank flank assistant — not of a successful capital milliner — that I probably would never have sent it if I hadn’t received another scolding and a reminder of my promise. But I still sent the letter, reassured by my mentor, that my parents would surely love me and forgive me… but there was no answer. And my sewing wasn’t working out: the cutie mark wasn’t showing up, and Madame Embroidery was in no hurry to trust me with serious work, giving me all kinds of minor orders, like costumes for the school play… I felt like nothing, Nightmare. It seemed, that everyone — literally everyone — who passed by, looked at me with mocking and reproachful looks… So, when I was not at work or studying, I started to run away from the town, trying to spend more time alone. The day I got my cutie mark, I went for a walk in the foothills, and I wandered farther than usual, to the place where the hills turned into real mountains. There were already rocks sticking out of the ground, there were huge boulders… I wandered down the slope, kicking the stones, that came under my hooves, and thinking, that it would be wonderful to stumble upon some precious stone, so that I could sell it and pay my mentor, who was still feeding me from her plate… Suddenly the ground shook, and from somewhere in the distance a peal of thunder rolled in. At first I thought, that an earthquake had begun… But when I looked up, I found a sight in the sky, that took my breath away: a very unusual rainbow, spreading across the sky like circles on water. Bright, beautiful, and stimulating to action just by its sheer look! I was filled with pure rapture, I wanted to express it immediately in some way, so I blew my energy into the horn. Now ask me: “Why?” and I wouldn’t be able to answer clearly, but… The spell seemed to weave itself together, the horn glowed with a steady light, and I felt… something. I followed the strange sensation, that seemed to lead somewhere, and it led me to the nugget. A small, slightly cloudy diamond-shaped sapphire. And next to it I found two more, smaller ones. And with disbelief, I picked them up — the three precious stones! — from the ground, a hot wave of light went through my body, leaving a coveted cutie mark on my sides: those three diamond-shaped sapphires.” Rarity craned her neck and lowered her gaze to her thigh, apparently remembering that day. “It’s a long way from the sewing room.” I chuckled. “Nowhere near.” The unicorn smiled, straightening up. “One look at the stones was enough for me to realize their potential in my art. I sold the first three stones, enough to pay off all my debts and even to buy some materials. In the next few days, after asking my mentor for a day off, I went to the foothills, getting a lot of nuggets, and they were only the stones I could get: the spell pointed in the direction of just rock and under the ground sometimes. And then, back in the sewing room, I started making my first real works, which shone and shimmered in the light of the Sun and the Moon… That’s how I ended up finding myself, when my unexpected talent organically complemented my love of the sewing arts. I was absolutely happy! And the next day I got a letter from home, the lines of which told me, that my parents were worried about me and… loved me. Happiest day of my life, I guess.” The mare smiled warmly at the memory. “And she told me, that the happiest was when my parents and I arrived!” I shuddered at the outraged voice, coming from the hallway. So did Rar. “Sweetie is back…” She panted, looking at me with panic. “How could I talk for so long?!” “Hi, Rarity! Who are you…” The question stuck in the throat of the smile unicorn, frozen in place like an idol, when she saw me as she entered the kitchen. I don’t know how, but I distinctly caught the transition from the filly’s white coloring to lethal pallor. “Who is this lovely person, Rarity?” With a little bit of baby talk in my voice, I played up the surprise. It turned out unexpectedly natural… The little unicorn really looked very… Very! She looked plush against the skinny, angular Scootaloo, causing almost overwhelming desire to grab and squeeze her. Damn! A grown man, but it’s hard to resist even for me… “A-a… This is my sister, Sweetie Belle, Nightmare…” The hostess panted nervously and somewhat shyly. “A familiar name…” I feigned thoughtfulness. “So it’s you — the best Scootaloo’s friend, right? She told me about you.” I smiled with lips only to the stoned filly. “I’m Nightmare Moon, can use just Nightmare. And don’t “miss”!” I “sat down” on the ears of the obviously frightened mare, demonstrating friendliness. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to affect her and Scoot’s friendship… “Sweetie, don’t be afraid.” Rarity joined me. “Nightmare is a good pony.” “Good ponies don’t sacrifice anyone.” She muttered incredulously, and, keeping her gaze on me, cautiously, in an arc, approached her sister. “Sacrifice?!” Rar became surprised and looked at me indignantly, clearly demanding explanations. “Scootaloo owes me for something.” I shrugged with wings. “We agreed on a sacrifice in my honor. Now I’m thinking: Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon? Or maybe both at once, what do you think?” I looked at Sweetie with a hope. “Nightmare?!” Rarity exclaimed with shock, paling. “N-no one.” Her sister answered simultaneously. “They’re very nasty, but you can’t…” “You can’t? Ah, alas…” I sighed falsely. “And Scootaloo was against it as well. So we agreed on… Candies.” Rar exhaled, giving me a furious gaze. “On candies?” Sweetie asked again skeptically. “Well, you have tradition — collect sweets in my honor once a year, don’t you? I don’t know where you put them before, but I’m back now, and I’m mercifully willing to accept your sacrifices in my honor! I expect more from Scoot, understandably, than from the others.” I announced with an arrogant face. “Enjoy your meal, Sweetie.” Meanwhile, the senior sister set the table for the junior one in a hurry. “Nightmare, can we have a second?..” Rar nodded at the door, giving me another harsh look. Didn’t like the joke, ay? “Thanks, it was tasty.” I rose from the table, folding the napkin and snapping the shoes on my front feet. “Nightmare.” Rarity turned to me, when we went from the kitchen into the hallway-store. “Don’t joke like that ever, I beg you! It’s completely unfunny and… You scared me.” Unicorn sighed. “You… Said so seriously…” “There’s a grain of joke in every joke.” I answered thoughtfully. “O, Celestia, Nightmare! Don’t you tell me, that you really!..” The mare stared at me with shock. “Maybe not to that extent…” I accepted reluctantly. “But I won’t let anyone offense Scootaloo. And any of my friends. You as well, Rarity.” “Thank you.” She smiled shortly. “But still, you could’ve been… A little bit more polite? At least towards kids?” “They’re kids.” Damn it. “If you’re out of diapers and can string more than a dozen words together in a sentence, then you’re old enough to be aware of your actions and be responsible for them.” I cut her off. “Oh…” The unicorn rubbed her forehead. “Nightmare, maybe it could have been a thousand years ago, but the times have changed…” “But the idiots are still the same.” I ended for her. “Just get one thing: words kill. And often it doesn’t even matter who said them. Scootaloo cannot fly — but just look at her age! And do you know how it would be if you start to laugh at it? She would not fly at all. Because she would believe she cannot do that!” In the hovering silence, the alicorn’s keen ear allowed me to hear someone in the kitchen stomping quietly against the wall, obviously warming their ears to the conversation. I chuckled. “You sound as if…” Rarity made an indefinite gesture, trying to find the words. I didn’t speak. You want to ask if “a set of negative emotions, ironically given a semblance of consciousness and a priori incapable of friendship” is familiar with how badly words can hurt? Familiar more than you think, Marshmallow. “Oh, sorry, please.” It seems the unicorn read something in my gaze. “It’s nothing.” I hardly swallowed the lump in my throat. An uncomfortable silence fell. “By the way…” I remembered one thing. “I remember Pinkie mentioning, that you don’t like the nickname “Marshmallow”. Do you want to tell me why?” I wanted to defuse the situation, and I was counting on some funny little thing to do with the word or the confection, but judging by the way Rarity was frowning, there was nothing funny about the nickname. Defused. Good girl… “Don’t do it if you don’t want to.” I hastily put out my hoof in a stopping gesture. “I will. We have already begun to dig into the past…” “I haven’t told you anything.” I countered. “The gaze was enough…” The mare shivered. “Sorry again. About Marshmallow… I was called that by an insensitive scoundrel, who later betrayed my trust and my love, to put it in a nutshell. I realize now, that it was probably no big deal, but the memory of the nickname is unpleasant.” Rarity looked with a sad thoughtfulness into the distance. “Don’t you remember the address of this “insensitive scoundrel”?” I narrowed me eyes in a predator manner. “As far as I can understand, he forgot to at least apologize, I’m right?” “He didn’t even plan on that.” The unicorn sniffed disdainfully. “Later he had to leave town very, very hurriedly. I don’t know if they caught him or not.” Wait… Is that what I think it is? If it is, I’m going to get that bastard out of the ground and… “What did he do to you?” I squinted angrily and asked quietly. “N-Nothing illegal!” Rarity’s head was pressed back into her shoulders and her ears flattened. “And it didn’t work out with me, even though I was trying my best at the time…” “Trying your best?..” I froze. I don’t understand a bit… “Oh, I guess that didn’t happen in the old days… The ones like that scoundrel are also sometimes called heartbreakers. They “collect” mares.” Rarity grimaced. “You meet a handsome, you pay him a compliment — he accepts it willingly, shows reciprocal interest… You give him flowers, invite him to a restaurant — well, all the things any normal mare, who wants to interest a stallion, does. A beautiful romantic period…” the fashion designer sighed dreamily. “People like him draw it out as hard as they can, taking advantage of a mare in love, so that after the first night with her they can laugh at her, dump her and brag to their friends about their latest “achievement”. I was lucky, that the small-minded and ugly pony started bragging too soon… I heard him bragging about how he was “going to roast this Marshmallow soon” and other nasty things, and I realized, that he didn’t want me at all… I was so sick… I fell in love with a stallion for the first time… Mutually, as it seemed — and then…” Rarity sighed as she summed it up. “Well, the nickname “Marshmallow” was given to me by this exact scoundrel.” “Got it…” I prolonged. “Bastard.” “Alas, there are such ponies…” The interlocutor cringed, and I suddenly choked on the air of the thought: “The idyll: two mares standing around talking about the eternal 'all stallions are assholes! '” Talking about their own, something dear to their hears… I was standing with my friend, listening to her unhappy love, feeling sorry for her… I felt a little uncomfortable in my soul. Now she’s going to start asking me about Blueblood: if I’ve seen him and what he’s like and all that, then we’ll move on to dresses, and at the end of the day I’ll walk out of here thinking of myself in the feminine sense. I’m going to get out of here, it’s for my own good… “Thanks for telling me.” I smiled with lips only. “And for the hospitality as well. I think I’ll go. Was happy to see you!” “Not a big deal.” Rarity smiled in answer. “That incident doesn’t bother me that much anymore. Goodbye, Nightmare, I’m waiting for you to practice telekinesis and… Oh, wait!” The unicorn changed her face. “We wanted to take your measurements! Wait!” I hastened the pace and hastily opened the door. It’s not a long way ‘till the street. “Did we?” I feigned a surprised look. “Yes, we’ve said… Nightmare!” The mare exclaimed indignantly, stumbling. “Don’t remember something like that!” I almost ran out into the street. “Nightmare, wait!” “No, Rarity, I don’t remember!” I turned and waved goodbye to the unicorn, frozen in the doorway, smiling evilly at the same time. “Nightmare! This is a crime against beauty!” She exclaimed indignantly. “Bye-bye!” I turned around and immediately switched to a trot. “Nightmare, get back!” Words ran into my back. “Nope!” “Nightmare!..”