The Wanderer's Wife

Chapter Five

There was something about the morning that always appealed to Fading Scroll. As he unlocked the door to the Geldingstone museum, his hooves fumbling from the chilly air, he thought about exactly what it was. Maybe it was that echo that was created when he stepped inside the empty entrance hall. Maybe it was the grand marble statue of King Regalis, surveying the front doors to the museum and greeting the visitors with a glorious pose. Or maybe it was that silence that built overnight, which Scroll would dispel with a flick of the lightswitch for the chandelier dangling above him. However, after a long, hard think on the way to his office, Scroll decided it must be down to one thing.

It was the start of a new day to make discoveries: new facts, new items and perhaps even a new contact to scout for potential exhibits. There was always something to be learned, and if Scroll ever learned something it was always on the morning.

He unlocked the door to his office and removed his jacket, sighing as he sank into the deep chair behind his ornate desk. The first thing he noticed was the crinkled piece of parchment that had brought him much amusement over the past couple of days: the letter that came with the necklace. He picked it up, skimmed over it for the last time, rolled it into a ball and tossed it with near-perfect aim into the trashcan near his door. But something was slightly off. He was expecting the satisfying sound of parchment hitting the wooden sides of the bin. Instead, there was a rhythmic knocking sound.

“Excuse me sir? May I come in?”

Scroll’s eyes glanced towards the door, realising that it was just an early visitor. He beckoned him inside with a restrained shout, and from behind the door emerged a unicorn with a cream white coat and neatly combed blonde mane. He had a card- an ace of spades- for a cutie mark and he was wearing a dark brown jacket.

“Yes? What can I do for you, my boy?” Scroll asked him. The unicorn gave him a wide grin before cantering up to his desk, taking the seat opposite to Scroll.

“Actually sir, it’s what I can do for you. I have came to you to provide a rare and very beneficial proposal! You see—”

Scroll grumbled, silencing the visitor. “Another salespony... Look, we don’t buy exhibits, we take donations. At any rate, if you have to sell us something then we don’t want it. Too many fakes floating about these days.”

The unicorn gave a hesitant laugh before resuming in his eager demeanor. “Actually, I’m not here to sell. I’m here to buy one of your exhibits, which I believe you received quite recently.”

Scroll leaned on his desk, giving him an intrigued yet suspicious look. “Oh? And what exhibit would that be?”

“Hold on. I don’t believe we’ve introduced ourselves.” The unicorn held out his hoof. “The name’s Lucky Draw. And you must be Fading Scroll, am I correct?”

Scroll’s look became even more suspicious as he returned the hoofshake. “Yes... It’s Mr. Scroll to my employees and to visitors. Now, you were saying?”

“Well Mr. Scroll,” Lucky Draw began, “I believe that you are currently holding a necklace of sorts? Approximately dated five hundred years ago with a small, orb-like decoration?”

“Ah yes. Are you associated with the donator?” Scroll asked. “If so, then you have no need to purchase exhibits back from us. If you can provide ample proof of your ties, then—”

“Actually, I’m a private collector,” Lucky interrupted with a smile. “I’m a collector of rare and antique pieces of jewelry, and I simply cannot allow this wonderful example of craftsmanship to be part of somepony else’s collection!”

Scroll gave him an unimpressed stare, grimacing at the unicorn. “Well it won’t be, will it? It will be part of a public collection. You’ll just have to line up like everypony else to see it.”

The smile from Lucky’s face slowly faded as he cleared his throat. As his horn glowed, a small cloth bag was levitated from his pocket. “Of course, but perhaps you would like to see my generous offer?”

He allowed the bag to fall from a height above the table, and it made an echoing clink as it hit the mahogany surface. Scroll’s eyes were like plates when he saw what spilled out: hundreds, possibly thousands of tiny sparkling gemstones of every colour imaginable. He tilted his head about as he looked at the pile, marvelling at the myriad of precious stones that lay on his desk, and he began to sweat slightly. He glanced back at Lucky Draw, who was giving him a wide grin.

“As you can see, I’m very eager to make the exhibit a part of my private collection,” he said. “All museums need donations, don’t they? Well then I think that this lot should be more than ample to see you through the next few hundred years and beyond!” The unicorn leaned on the table, resting his head on his hoof. “Now then, what were we discussing?”

Scroll swallowed, gritting his teeth and giving Lucky a furious glare. “Now see here,” he growled, “I did not get this post by flogging museum property to any stranger who comes waltzing into my office! You may be desperate and keen, and for that I applaud you, but if you do not remove yourself from my sight within the next ten seconds, dire consequences will occur.”

Lucky sighed, shaking his head as he recollected the gemstones. “Very well then. It’s clear that we won’t be making a deal anytime soon.” He hopped from his chair, walking towards the door without looking back. Scroll scowled at him, reaching into his drawer to pull out some paper. He heard his office door open, and he glanced upwards to see the unicorn eyeing up an orange pegasus.

“Well hello there!” Lucky said to Sepia, blocking her entry into Scroll’s office. “You must be Mr. Scroll’s assistant, am I correct?”

“Oh, yes, that’s... sort of correct,” she replied. “I’m a researcher for the museum, and currently I’m—”

Scroll cleared his throat, letting Sepia know that she was not to waste her time with the visitor. She shook her head and apologised. “I’m sorry, I have something to ask Mr. Scroll, so if you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course! May I ask your name and what you’re researching right now?” Lucky asked with a cheery smile. Scroll rolled his eyes, knowing that Sepia could take years to explain everything about artifacts she was interested in. However, she simply held up the necklace that the collector was so interested in and told him her name.

“Sepia Stripes, eh? Well then, I hope that you’ll find out everything you need to. After all, an intelligent pegasus such as yourself shouldn’t have any problems doing that!”

Sepia blushed a little. “Well, I suppose so! Now, I really have to speak to Mr. Scroll so if you’ll excuse me.”

Lucky nodded to both ponies, gently closing the door behind him as he left the office. Scroll gave Sepia his ‘idle chitchat is the bane of productivity’ look- two furrowed brows and a sharp sigh- before returning to his work.

“Well then Sepia,” he said, “you said you needed to speak to me?”

“Yes. I need to know where that necklace is from. Do you have the original letter that was sent with it?” she asked. Scroll looked up from his papers and chuckled.

“Ah yes, that rather amusing tale...” He stood from his desk and walked to the trashcan, picking out the crinkled piece of parchment. He placed it on the tabletop, inviting Sepia to sit and read it. “You should get a giggle out of this one. This is easily our most bizarre backstory for an exhibit yet!”

For the few minutes that Sepia was reading the letter, Scroll got much amusement from watching her face shift between confusion, shock, smiles and sometimes all three at once. She slowly looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Sir...” She looked back at the letter one more time, and Scroll stifled a laugh as he sunk into his chair.

“Honestly, the things ponies will make up to get attention these days! What a world...”

Sepia hesitated before speaking again. “Sir, may I take some time to go to Piata?”

The smile instantly vanished from Scroll’s face as he gave Sepia a raised brow. He prepared to ask why, but the grave expression the pegasus gave him told him everything he needed to know. He sighed heavily, leaning towards her from behind his desk.

“You... want to ask the donor about the specifics, don’t you?” He shook his head, taking a long pause. “I don’t see any reason to go, but then again, I don’t see any reason not to go either. I don’t know whether you should be chasing up the history of this particular artefact at all.”

“But sir!” Sepia said. “I’ve been trying to find something on this for days and I’m getting nowhere! You asked me to research it, so that’s what I’m doing. If I have to go to the capital and back just to get some useless tidbits of information about this necklace, then I think that the only pony who’s stopping me is the pony who gave me the job in the first place.”

Scroll stared at her eager face, unsure how to feel. On the one hand, he was confused over her desire to chase such an obscure, and quite frankly insane, story. On the other hand, he was proud of her determination and resolve. Smiling, he gave her a nod.

“Of course. I understand,” he said, watching Sepia’s face explode into a beaming grin. “When were you planning on going?”

“Right now!” she quickly blurted out, leaping from the chair she sat on and hurrying towards the door. She suddenly stopped, trotting back up to the desk. Scroll’s ears prickled; he swore that he heard a galloping long after Sepia stopped in front of him.

“Oh, you won’t mind if I take Starflash with me?” she said. Scroll rolled his eyes.

“Go on then.” He chuckled at her. “I don’t think I’ll notice that you two are missing anyway!”

“All aboard for Piata!”

        The conductor yelled through the whooshing and whistling of steam that rushed from the chimney of the engine carriage, which lead a group of five large, grand, red cars attached to it. The doors were all closed except for one, the platform at Geldingstone’s train station being almost completely empty at that time in the morning. Only two ponies, burdened with just their satchels, prepared to board the ‘Piata Express’.

        “You know, this is the first time I’ve ever been on a train,” Starflash said, eyeing up the tall, crimson carriage that dwarfed him. Sepia trotted up to the open doorway and beckoned him inside, grinning at him.

        “Really? Then you’re in for a surprise, especially if you’ve never been on this train before!”

        She took him by the hoof and lead him inside to the passenger cabins, a uniformed pony from the station shutting the door behind them. Sepia and Starflash slowly walked through to the private compartments, soaking in the luxurious décor. The delicate, flower-shaped lights that hung from the walls gave the scarlet carpet a warm colouring, and this rug lead past a row of three, crystal-clear glass windows, all with an intricately etched emblem in the centre of each: a grand tree surrounded by a city, with the words ‘Piata Express’ engraved below in cursive writing. Sepia gently opened the nearest sliding door to her right to reveal a table with two cushioned sofas, against the wall, on either side of it.

        “Woah, how much did this ride cost you?” Starflash asked, shaking his head after staring for too long down the corridor. Sepia gave him a raised brow.

        “Don’t be fooled, this is only second class. Even though I’m a researcher, I don’t get paid all that much. Sadly, the jobs you love never do pay well.”

        The two ponies picked a sofa each, removing their satchels and placing them on the one they chose. Starflash magically threw his without care as he flopped onto the seat, bouncing on the cushioning slightly. As he became comfortable with the soft and fluffy chair, he accidentally spilled some of the contents from his bag: several small brown packages.

        “Stocking up on those treats again?” Sepia asked with a chuckle. “They’ll have stopped making them by the time we get back, you know.”

Starflash sighed, collecting the sweets and packing them back into the satchel. “I know, and that’s going to be a very sad day for me… no, for the whole world!”

        Sepia smiled. “A little overdramatic, don’t you think?”

        A whistle blew from the outside of the train, and the two ponies jumped as the carriage jerked forwards as the engine began to lurch along the tracks. Soon, it began to pick up speed as they head the wheels clack against the tracks.

        “I’ve always wondered what being on a train is like,” Starflash said, his eyes drifting towards the window. As the train pulled away from the lonely station it emerged into the fields and woods that surrounded Geldingstone.

        “To me…” Sepia began, trailing off as she too looked at the sea of grass that ran alongside the tracks, becoming thicker and more untamed as the train chugged its way into the surrounding countryside. She thought for just a split second about how many times she had been outside of Geldingstone before finishing.

“…it feels like I’m going on an adventure.”

Her’s and Starflash’s eyes snapped back towards the door to their cabin, the sound of it clicking open catching their attention. As it gently swung open, they were left silent at the sight of two earth ponies.

“Aww, mommy this one’s taken!” the smaller one said, tugging at the bag of the larger mare. The filly was a light grey colour, like slate, with a dark yellow mane that was wild and ragged.

“Sorry Pebbles. Looks like we’re gonna have to go to the next ‘un,” the mother said, patting her daughter on the shoulder. Her coat was considerably lighter, though still a shade of grey, and her mane was an even wilder mess than the filly’s. It was a dark brown, probably from the thickness and shagginess of it.

“So sorry ‘bout the interruption. Hope we didn’t ruin anythin’ special,” she said. Sepia and Starflash glanced at each other, the pegasus giving a slight laugh as she shook her head. She removed her satchel from her end of the sofa and placing it on the floor.

“Not at all!” she replied. “Sit with us if you’d like, we don’t mind.”

“Really? Thanks a bunch!” the grey pony said, hopping onto the seat that Sepia had cleared for her. The filly trotted up to Starflash’s side and bounced towards him, landing just short of hitting him with her head. As the mother and daughter squirmed in their cushions, adjusting themselves, Starflash gave Sepia a raised brow, making the pegasus shrug.

“Oh, manners!” the grey mare said, holding out her hoof across the table to Starflash. “Rocky Road’s the name, and that’s my daughter Pebbles.”

Starflash glanced to his side, gasping and jumping back as he saw the wide, beaming grin and yellow eyes of Pebbles just millimetres away from his face. He quickly returned the gesture that Rocky offered him as Pebbles fell back and giggled, resulting in one brief, rough shake of their hooves. When Sepia was offered the same friendly gesture, she gave a slight smile as she also returned it.

“I’m Sepia Stripes, and this is Starflash,” she said, pointing to the unicorn when she mentioned his name. “We’re currently on our way to Piata to complete some work for the museum in Geldingstone.”

“Geldingstone, eh?” Rocky said, stroking her chin. “Hey Pebbles, what d’ya know about Geldingstone?”

“It’s old and boring,” the filly answered quickly, causing the three adults to chuckle.

“It’s old, yes, but I wouldn’t say it’s boring,” Sepia said.

Especially with what’s been going on…

“Well, each to their own!” Rocky said, leaning back into her chair. “We’re on vacation, aren’t we?” The filly nodded.

“Really? Where are you from?” Starflash asked.

“Little Rock, a minin’ town near the northern border. That’s where I was born and raised to be a miner, as you might've guessed from the mark.” She pointed to the pickaxe cutie mark on her flank. “Never been before? Nice place, but it’s seen better times…”

Sepia watched the earth pony’s face flicker for just a fraction of a second, but soon Rocky was back in her cheery mood.

“Mommy, where did the nasty diamond doggies come from?” Pebbles asked. Rocky jumped slightly.

“What? Oh, they… I can’t remember how the story goes after that bit. How ‘bout I tell you another one instead?”

“Diamond… doggies?” Sepia asked. “I’m sorry, what story is this? I’d love to hear it, it would pass the time! Piata’s still a long way away even for an express train. How about you Starflash?”

Rocky hesitated, giving a sharp sigh as she frowned slightly. “No, I don’t wanna tell a story unlessI know I can finish it. Besides, it’s kind of sad for a lovely day like this.” She stroked her chin again. “Either of you two got one to share?”

        “Oh no, please don’t ask Sepia that!” Starflash said. “You’ll be here for days with the stories she has!”

        Sepia shot him an irritated glare before turning to Pebbles. “I’d love to tell you a story or two. In fact, I think I know just the one!”

        The filly shuffled closer to Starflash, making him squirm slightly. Sepia leaned across the table and looked into the little pony’s eyes.

        “Have you ever heard of a wonderful character known as ‘The Wanderer’?”

        “Nuh-uh,” Pebbles replied, shaking her head. Starflash rolled his eyes, mouthing to Sepia.

I thought you didn’t believe in him?

        Sepia gave him a quick, disapproving glance before she started.

        “In the days of old, back when we didn’t have trains or electric lights or anything modern that you might use every day, the world was a dark and scary place to live in. The countryside, sandwiched between the northern icelands and the southern desert, was a barren wasteland and the many monsters would terrorize the ponies who tried to make a home anywhere they could. Very few places could grow food or trees, and these special spots were often fought over not just by the ponies, but by other species too.”

        “Griffons were the strongest and most dangerous adversaries they met with, proving to outmatch the pegasi of the settler tribes, and zebras, too, would sometimes try to sneak into the lands of the ponies to steal their crops. Everypony had to keep their guard up to survive. But soon, it all began to change.”

        “As they managed to defend their lands, the ponies soon began to build towns and invent new ways to live off of the land. The many places that could grow food began to trade with each other, making some ponies very rich and others very poor.”

        “The rich ponies often became knights who would fight valiantly against the attacks from those who tried to take the land that they had built up over generations, or merchants who traded their wares across Canterlonia. The poor ponies, on the other hoof, were the smithies and the flowerponies who would use their talents to gather and create everyday items, and to build the towns and villages that were becoming increasingly common. Working together, they managed to create a world that was liveable for everypony.”

        “But one question remained: how was all of this possible? The world was slowly becoming green and alive with wildlife that wasn’t going to eat you up if you dared to go near it… but how? The attacks had lessened almost to the point where they had stopped completely. The griffons and the zebras were nowhere to be found, but neither were they missed. Where did they go? Nopony knew. Some said that everything was the work of a lone unicorn known only as ‘The Wanderer’.”

        “Some ponies had claimed that they had seen a shrouded figure wandering the countryside, yet nopony had seen his face or even his coat or cutie mark. He always kept himself at a distance; nopony could even get close enough to speak to him. As quick as he appeared, he would vanish as if he was a ghost. There was no waiting for him in any spot, for he was often sighted across all of Canterlonia, but one thing was known. Whilst ponies still believed in him, there was peace.”

“That was until a dark power appeared from the north… a wicked, evil alicorn named Glacius. Her coat was as black as her soul, and her eyes were piercing like a razor sharp icicle. It was said that wherever she appeared, ice and snow would shroud the land, and the cold would be so chilling that it could freeze you solid in mere seconds. Her heart was as cold as her very being, without mercy or emotion. Those that saw her could not flee for their lives, their hooves frozen to the ground in fear, and those that could get away lost hope. The spreading chill would follow them like a plague; they believed that Glacius’ dark power would cover all of Canterlonia.”

        “However, all was not lost. A farmer who was fleeing from the area that Glacius had emerged from saw a shrouded figure walking in the opposite direction. He cried out for him to stop, thinking that this pony was foolish to approach the wicked alicorn, yet the unicorn was not deterred. Fearing for his life, the farmer stayed and watched the pony wander to his death. And he stayed until the hour was late, his heart pounding from the tension but his eyes becoming weary from the chilly night air.”

        “A day passed. The farmer was awoken by a small colt and his family, who were staring into the distance at a miraculous sight… an enormous tree that defied pony eyes! It stretched to the heavens, the entire area surrounding it and beyond being covered in wonderful flowers of hundreds of colours. The farmer looked around him in awe; grass, flowers and wildlife covered the entire ground for what seemed to be miles and miles, and everypony from the surrounding villages came to witness the miraculous sight. The farmer suddenly remembered the shrouded pony… had he saved Canterlonia from Glacius’ power? Was this all his doing?”

        “From that day, every hundred years, we have celebrated the passing of the century as a tribute to the Wanderer’s sacrifice. We have a lot to thank for him, for had it not been for his hard work and bravery we would not be living as we do today.”

        Sepia finished, sighing with contentment as she leaned back into her chair. “So, did you like my story?”

        Pebbles glanced at Starflash, who was resting his head in his hoof and snoring gently with his eyes shut. She giggled, poking the unicorn awake and making him jump.

        “He thought your story stunk! You’re mean Mister Starflash!” she said, jabbing him with her hoof. He winced with every stab of her leg, squirming about as he tried to escape the assault.

        “Hey, hey! She knows I like that story. I was just sleepy, that’s all.”

        Rocky laughed loudly, shaking her head. “You should have more manners when your girlfriend’s tellin’ you a wonderful story like that!”

        Sepia’s eyes widened. “My… Wait, he’s not my—“

        “Yeah, I’m sorry,” Starflash cut in. “I’ll be a little more sensitive next time Sep. I hope you can forgive me.”

        Sepia blinked at him, briefly shaking her head as he winked at her.

“Oh, of course! It’s alright. Just don’t do it again.” She was distracted by a faint rumbling coming from below her, and she glanced at her stomach. “Well it seems that I’ve been talking a little too long! Starflash, how about some lunch? The dining carriage should be open right now. How about you head there while I head to the little filly’s room?”

        “Sure! I’ve got enough treats to last for days, but a little extra couldn’t hurt,” Starflash replied. Sepia nodded and Rocky allowed her to exit the cabin. Pebbles did the same for Starflash, the filly waving at the two of them as they exited the cabin.

        “Bye Miss Sepia! Bye Mister Starflash!” she yelled, and the pair of them smiled back as Rocky waved them off too. After closing the door, Sepia gave Starflash a warm smile.

        “Your girlfriend?” She chuckled. “You know, you’re really good with kids… Mister Starflash!”

        The unicorn grinned back at her. “That’s just a part of being a tour guide!”

Sepia stretched her legs and groaned, the cramped seats making her flank numb from the constant rattling and bouncing on the tracks. She whispered to herself to save more bits ahead of time just for the comfort of first class and trotted to the end of the third carriage, back towards the dining car where Starflash said he would meet her.

Shouldn’t be too long now, she thought as she looked at the fresh, green and unfamiliar countryside roll past the windows. Grey clouds were beginning to gather in the sky. It’ll be another ten minutes before we enter the Wintervale Forest, then from there it’ll be just another couple of hours until—

“Why Sepia! Isn’t this a happy coincidence?”

Her heart froze and almost shattered when she heard the light voice coming from right behind her. She slowly turned on the spot, inches at a time, and groaned as she saw the familiar grin of a light yellow, green-maned earth pony

“And why are we riding the Piata Express this afternoon?” Honeysuckle asked. Sepia didn’t bother to answer, knowing that the flowerpony probably eavesdropped ahead of time. Or she asked Starflash, one of the two.

“Alright, what are you doing here?” she asked, furrowing her brows. Honeysuckle patted a satchel on her flank, the sound of glass clinking together as she did so.

“You are aware that I have other business outside of selling flowers, don’t you?” She giggled. “No, of course not. You’re too busy hanging over your books to notice anything even remotely interesting.”

“Yeah, good one,” Sepia said as she rolled her eyes. “Come on, what’s in there?”

Honeysuckle tutted, opening up her bag to reveal many glass vials filled with liquids of different colours. “I make mixes and tinctures with flowers and sell them in the capital. You honestly didn’t know that?”

“No.” Sepia stepped forward, moving her face closer to the earth pony’s. “And I don’t believe you for a second. Why would you travel all the way to Piata to sell them if you can do it in Geldingstone?”

Honeysuckle laughed at her, shaking her head. “You don’t know anything about ‘customer demand’, do you?”

“Give it a rest,” Sepia said, making herself sound serious. “You and I both know that you’re on this train for something else other than that flower juice you make, and I think I know what it is as well.”

Honeysuckle stepped back, her face quivering for a second. “Oh? What’s that?”

Sepia gave her a smug grin. “You know that Starflash is on this train, don’t you?”

“What?” The earth pony seemed to panic for just a second before recomposing herself. “So what if he is?”

Sepia giggled. “You’re totally in love with him! You can’t fool me. I saw that look you gave me when I hugged him in the church.”

The pegasus expected Honeysuckle’s face to crumple into complete shock or desperation. But her smile soon faded when the earth pony gave her an angry glare.

“You think you’re so smart, don’t you? You think that you can just trick him that easily into liking you with cheap hugs and sly comments about me? You’re the sneakiest little—”

“Woah!” Sepia suddenly said, silencing Honeysuckle. “You... You honestly do like him! I knew it!”

“So what if I do?” Honeysuckle growled. “What’s it to you?”

“Oh, this is just too funny, and just too cute as well! I can’t wait to tell him...”

“Go right ahead. I’d love for him to know that he’s got an admirer. In fact, I’m pretty sure he prefers me anyway.”

Sepia snorted. “Oh please. He doesn’t prefer either of us, both as friends or as admirers. Do you really think he’s that petty? Besides, you can’t be with him because—”

She immediately stopped, her eyes darting about as she bit her lip. Honeysuckle raised her brow at her.

“Because of what?” she said. “Go on, why can’t I be with him?”

Sepia hesitated. “Because... Because I’ve already asked him out and he said yes. Didn’t you know? We’ve been going out for at least a month now.”

A heavy silence built between the two mares, Honeysuckle’s face never changing from something resembling disappointment and anger. She stared down the pegasus’ calm eyes as she scratched her head, running a hoof through her spring-green mane as she sighed.

“Well then,” she said, her voice barely louder than a whisper, “I hope he’s happy with the choice he’s made.” She turned, preparing to leave the carriage before stopping. “But there’s one thing that I don’t understand.”

“Oh? What’s that?” Sepia asked.

“Why did you go with him on the train? Surely if you’re just going to the capital for work, you could just fly there by yourself. Oh wait! How could I forget?” She turned back to Sepia with a malicious, evil smile.

“You can’t, can you?”

Her question was like a punch in the stomach to Sepia, the words echoing in her mind like a mocking whisper. The calm expression was wiped from her face as she stepped back from the earth pony, her voice quivering slightly.

“Shut up.”

Honeysuckle giggled, moving closer to the pegasus. “How does it feel to know that you’re completely useless with just one wing? You can’t fly, you can’t use magic and you don’t have the strength of an earth pony like myself.”

“I said shut up.”

“And how did you cripple that wing anyway?” Honeysuckle continued. “Did you get careless one day and get into an accident during a flying lesson as a foal? Is that why you’re such a coward when it comes to heights? You should know that Starflash finds it absolutely hilarious when you’re so afraid of being up so high!”

“You’re lying,” Sepia said, on the brink of tears.

“Am I? You know me... the ‘snooping pest’ that meddles where nopony wants her. I know everything that goes on in everypony’s life around Geldingstone, and I’m rather impressed that you’ve managed to keep your love life a secret from me for so long. But to be honest, I’m shocked. I don’t know what Starflash sees in a pathetic loser like you.”

Sepia remained totally silent as she stared through the veil of tears at Honeysuckle’s menacing face. The earth pony laughed as she walked past Sepia, patting her on the shoulder as she went in the direction of the dining carriage.

“There there, Sepia. It’s not your fault,” Honeysuckle said in a comforting voice. “Some ponies are born stupid, clumsy, useless and worthless. I’m just thankful that you are one of them.”

It was some time before the carriage door was pulled open with a click, then slamming shut a couple of seconds later. Sepia was totally alone, her head bowed and her face flushed with a bright red as she broke out into tears.

The rain was spattering against the window of the carriage as it trundled along the tracks.