A sad tale of yet more starcrossed lovers.
Introductions... of a sort.
Moonlight fell upon the dark streets of the royal city of Canterlot. It wasn’t the best part of town and all of the street lights were out, the only light the pale glow from the moon. The streets lay empty the various illicit products sold, or the whores already busy with their customers. Overall it seemed peaceful. I had noticed none of this. I was as the saying goes drunker than a skunk. I try to stay away from alcohol, but that night I had lost her. The best thing that had come into my boring dull life. Perhaps I am getting to far ahead of myself. Cant really reveal to much of the end without telling the beginning.
My name is John. I am by no means rich, and I am only moderately handsome standing at about 5' 10'' with a slightly overweight build, and with average brown hair that I keep moderately short. I teach advance classes on magic, and magic theory at the college near the castle. A subject that I find to be sorely lacking in peoples day to day lives. The only student I have had who showed any interest was a young magician who was taken from me by Celestia.
One night as I was traveling down the road home when I saw her for the first time. A woman with long pale blue hair and wearing a simple dark blue dress that complimented her petite figure and perky chest. It was an unforgettable moment for right as I noticed her an unfortunate thief was busy snatching some money from her purse.
I swear she winked at me as she turned around and screamed out. “AND WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING???” Blatant shock crossed the mans face, and he quickly took off down the road as fast as his legs would carry him. It was not fast enough. He was quickly wrapped by tendrils of pale blue energy. Protesting the whole way and struggling with all his might he was dragged back to the woman who seemed to be bored as her victim flailed about. Clearly this woman was more than met the eye, for most mages would have struggled to just lift another human, let alone carry said human some 10 yards while they thrashed about. Intrigued by this display of power and ability I walked over.
The unfortunate boy she was dragging over was none other than a student of mine, a boy by the name of Mark. I remembered because he was one of the rare ones who actually took an interest in a subject I taught. It was something to do with personal defense. It nagged me that I did not remember, and after a second or two I gave up on it.
“I am sorry about him.” I said walking up.
“You know him?” She asked looking at me. She wasn’t even breaking a sweat even though Mark was now thrashing wildly about. This woman was quite something as she was not even paying all that much attention to the boy as he still flailed about wildly.
“Yes a student of mine. I did not know that he was a thief.”
“Then why are you sorry?” she asked. “If you knew not that he was scum then you could not have done anything.”
“Fair point.” I replied. “My names John. I would ask if you needed help, but frankly you do not seem to need it. You are quite skilled for one so young.” A major foot in my mouth moment as I would find out later.
“Why thank you.” She replied smiling as if she had herd a slightly funny joke. Which I suppose she had. “My name is Diane.”
Sensing she was distracted Mark sent out a powerful wave of energy breaking the magical grip on him, and throwing Diane to the ground. (A trick that I had taught him, and what my subconscious was trying to warn me about.) I had thrown up a shield in the nick of time and so I was left standing.
Mark must have realized he would not be able to get away with Diane still there, so he foolishly pulled out a knife. The steel glinted in the setting sun as he brought up the blade alerting me to its presence. Out of options I mustered up the last of my energy and formed a compact ball of air (a trick taught to me by my teacher all those years ago.) and launched it at him. It hit with the sharp crack of several ribs breaking, and blasted him into the wall of a nearby shop.
Diane stood up brushing herself off. A flustered look on her face. “Thank you for that I was woefully unprepared, and I fear he may have caused me grievous injury if he had struck me. How did he break my hold on him? I have never heard of anyone doing that before, and it was a most useful trick.”
“It was a spell I came up with.” I replied. “I thought of it after I read about people being mugged by a mage who would levitate them and rob them blind while they helplessly hung there. Levitation requires you to surround your target with energy so I reasoned that if you gathered energy then expelled it in a burst it would not only break their hold it would stun them giving you a chance to flee. I worked on it for a month then I submitted it to the professors at the college for testing. Eventually it was perfected and so I teach it as basic self defense.”
“Really?” She replied “That is most resourceful I remember my sister used to tease me before I could use magic by levitating me around a room.” She gave a small chuckle. “ I suppose we should take him to a nearby guard.”
“No need.” I replied pointing at a tall bulky man wearing royal armor making his way towards us.
“What happened here?” He demanded as he walked up. We told our story and he wrote it down, and then also took down our names. Then he let us go on our way as he put cuffs on Mark and led him down the street.
The sun was setting the last few rays sinking behind the many buildings of Canterlot.“I am famished.” Diane prompted as we walked down the streets together. “Would you like to stop and eat?”
“Sure.” I replied. “Do you have somewhere in mind?”
“I have rarely been out this far do you know of a place?”
“hmm.” I thought about it for a moment. “There is a diner down the road owned by an old friend of mine.”
“That sounds lovely.” She replied. We walked in silence for most of the trip, and it was truly dark by time we entered the small cafe tucked between a clothing shop and a much busier bar. Upon entering I locked eyes with the chef/owner behind the counter.
“Well well well. If it isn't that old tub of lard John.” He said laughing as he made his way over to me. “What brings you back to this kitchen? Don't tell me your looking for a job?”
“Sorry Toby your not that lucky.” I replied a grin on my face. “Just here to eat, and who are you calling lard you can barely fit behind that counter.” It was almost true, Toby was a large person by anyone’s standards, but he was far from a slob. His white chefs suit that had no marks on it, and it looked like he had just ironed it. He also prided himself on one of the cleanest kitchens in all of Canterlot, and had once won a reward for it, which still hangs on the wall behind the counter.
“I see you brought company.” He said looking over at Diane.
“Ah yes Diane this is Toby. Toby this is Diane.” They shook hands and said hello.
“So how did the two of you end up in my humble restaurant?” He asked. We told our story, and at the end Toby whistled and said. “I wouldn’t want to be that thief. Now you guys must be starving, let us see about getting you a seat.” He led us down a short corridor and opened the door that led out side. Shaded lamps lit the area giving it a soft glow and a fountain gurgled in the middle of a small pond. Tables littered the area and we sat down near one next to the pond. Toby handed us a menu and asked us what we wanted to drink. Knowing I had to work tomorrow I ordered a glass of water and she ordered water as well. While we waited we picked out our food and made small talk. After taking our order Toby went inside and the sounds of his grill at work drifted over to us.
“So what did Toby mean by what brings you back?” Diane asked.
“Before I worked at the university I had to struggle to make ends meet and this was the only job I could find. Over time me and Toby became friends.”
“How did you get a job at the university?”
“By developing that trick you saw earlier.” I replied. “The dean of the college asked me to sub every now and then, and when a professor retired I was offered a job.” curious I then asked “What do you do for a living?”
“I work in the castle doing errands for the princess.” Diane replied after a slight hesitation.
“I'm impressed.” I said. “It must be amazing to talk to Celestia.”
A tiny flicker of annoyance crossed her face before she replied. “I work for Luna.”
“Forgive me I did not mean to presume.” I wonder why she seemed annoyed though.
“It is alright.” She replied.
We were interrupted by the arrival of our meal. I had ordered my favorite a juicy burger with bacon, and a side of onion rings. She had gone with a simple platter of fried vegetables. We talked as we ate mainly about magic. She was quite knowledgeable on the subject, and she even surprised me by teaching me something I did not know. After we finished our meal we made our way to the front.
“So how much do I owe you?” I asked.
“You know I don't charge you for eating here.” He replied. “Just come by anytime.”
I wanted to protest, but I knew that I would lose the argument so I thanked him for the meal, and walked outside. We walked a bit continuing a debate on weather or not magic could be harnessed on an industrial scale. Then we came upon my house.
“Thank you for the evening out.” she replied. “I concede to your point, but I do not see how you would overcome the power difference between one mage and another.” She paused for a second then as if an idea came to her she asked. “There is a party to be held at the castle next Friday, and if you are not busy would you go with me?”
“I would be delighted.” I responded though I was a little bit worried. I was not the kind that bothered to keep up with social appearances and events, and this promised to be full of people who did. “Are you sure you do not wish for me to take you home?”
“I will be alright.” she replied another smile crossing her face. “See you Friday.”
“Good night.” I said. I watched her walk away disappearing around a corner before I headed indoors a happy tune dancing throughout my head.