A strong gale lifted in the air surrounding Canterlot city.
It wound its way through the grand entrance-way and along the damp, slick cobbles of the main road, whipping about the few merchants that still decided to ply their trade on such a gloomy rainy day. It took up a greater force and sailed through the manes of a group of small fillies playing in a rather large puddle and knocking over a stack of pots outside a ceramics workshop. Higher and higher it climbed, passing into the wealthier reaches of the city, and slamming into a slow moving coach used by a member of the aristocracy, causing a great deal of confusion. As it reached the highest reaches of the city, it began to calm. It trickled over into the lush green gardens of the Pearlheart family, rippling the water of a still blue pond, then winding it's way through finely crafted hedges and beautiful patches of flowers and eventually finding itself in an old corner of the gardens. It crawled through a small wooden archway covered in roses, and gently caressed the glowing horn of a sad mare.
Shade lay on an old bench overgrown with chokevine, the folds of her red silken dress becoming damp at the ends from the slowly pooling rainwater at the bottom of what had in recent years become her own private shelter from her demeaning life. She had discovered a whole new branch of magic entirely without intention, that of altering the world around her according to the emotions that coursed through her warm heart. She would make her way to her rose garden and let loose upon the world whatever was ailing her at the time, often causing sudden weather changes and attracting stray magical currents. Reluctantly, she cut off the flow of magic that was keeping her heart alight underneath the smothering blanket of her life, and felt her emotions return to her in earnest. Wiping the tears from her face and steeling herself,she pushed herself up from the bench then brushed aside the mass of plants that blocked the way to her private recluse and began slowly making her way back to her rooms in the manor.
Luster Pearlheart peered out of the window of his father's study, turning his nose up disgustedly at the sight of his sister walking along the paths outside in the rain, ruining yet another fine dress that had been bought for her from her parents own personal funds. He turned away and back to the matter at hand, and after a quick glance out of the window himself, his father did likewise. Luster sighed, "That sister of mine, she never fails to act below her own personal status, I fear she may one day shame the family to no end." His father did not reply immediately, seemingly lost in thought. Eventually, he looked up. "That as it may be, she is the only daughter of the family. We must discuss her marriage, as she is coming to the age where she should be paired with a fine stallion, both to expand our own family reaches, and to take her out of our own hands." Luster once again wrinkled his nose at having to discuss his sister, "And why exactly do I need to be a part of this? Surely my father can make the required arrangements for one small wedding." His father looked at him sideways, "You will one day need to decide this for your own daughters, you are the heir of the family, never forget the duty that you carry on your shoulders.." Luster lowered his eyes and continued to listen to his father lecture him on the proper preparations that must be carried out for an arranged marriage, but deep down, the seed of hate in his heart began to grow ever faster.
