Chances and Changes: A Vogonverse Tale

Chapters

1 A chance encounter.
2 A Knight Approaches
3 Echoes of another time.
4 Scars Unseen
5 A message from the past.

1 A chance encounter.

It was raining again. It always seemed to be raining when I would come home from at least one of my shifts at Glossman Corporate Farms, as security. It wouldn’t be so bad except that where I was working that day was only a step above the glorified slavery. Getting to the door I quickly punched in the code for the day and pulled the door open. “Just run the Security program Corky.” I said without preamble while stripping out of my uniform jacket. “On second thought, Corky please boot up the full dive, with grandfathers AMB playlist running for background noise.” Grabbing a towel he crosses to the room that had been converted to house my Haptic suit and the assorted gear to help with movement. Pulling up my searches I continued the research I had been doing into window vegetable gardens at low cost. The song “Loyalty” by Acoustic Pony and Mondo Brony playing in the background was suitably uplifting after seeing those people whose jobs involved basically slavery to the larger company.

While running the calculations for what would be needed to make some of these planters for some of the people in the nearby Stacks. I noticed an ad was waiting, almost patiently for me to notice it. The ad was one of an anthropomorphic Pegasus wearing a Gi with what looked almost like a shuriken star in a circle on the breast. I remembered grandfather telling me about the old role playing game group he was in as a young man and how as a bunch of bronies and pegasisters they often had OC’s. If he were alive I am sure he would have been pissed to see his friends OC used nominally without her permission. Still it got my attention so I activated the link.

"Imagine that perfect someone, or perhaps you prefer somepony. Imagine them being ready for you, waiting for you, loving you. Well friend, imagine no longer. Vogon Biotech has the answer for you today. And our answer is simple. Order your very own Help mate! Fully functional, completely reliable, and the moment you touch them they bond with you for life. That's right, they bond with you for life. How much more perfect can they be? If you're interested please, click the order button," It irritated me that the ad used a Voice of God rather than having the avatar talk. Again I clicked the link, and looking back I am glad I did.

I shut my eyes while the change over loaded, when I opened them I saw a chestnut brown anthropomorphic stallion standing in front of me, after a moment I quirk my brow at his quizzical expression. “If you are looking for my grandfather you missed him by about five years.” I remark “Still I am interested care to share?” after the words left my mouth I can almost see the lightbulb go off in his head

“Ah, that explains it then. Mr. Tempyst, thank you for choosing Vogon Biotech. According to our records you are interested in a helpmate. Our tracking of Netflix has lead us to believe that you are mostly heterosexual," he said. I gave him a flat look before laughing

“Please don’t count college in that.” I replied “ So what exactly are we talking about?”

“Very well Mr. Tempyst” he replied ignoring my joke. He smiled brightly and snapped his fingers. We walked over to a window that appeared. He pulled a crushed velvet rope and a drape that was closed on the window pulled away. I had watched MLP FIM with my grandfather as a child I still did when I missed him particularly, so I was able to recognize most of the cast being there save for some of the very well known ones.

"What we're selling Mr. Tempyst is a living fantasy. A living, breathing, fantasy that will not end when you shut off your computer. It won't disappear when a television show goes off of the air, and it will grow with you. Isn't that something worth considering?" he asked. As I looked at the gallery of characters I felt my gaze linger on the anthromorph of Chrysalis. Across from her were the Crystal Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and her Husband Prince Shining Armor.

Looking between the three I turned to the stallion “I teach self defence several days a week. I think shining would be able to help with that.” Remembering how many of the classes are growing more to be larger than I can handle alone. For a second I thought Cadence’s look became a slight frown, though that could have been my imagination. “How much?”

"That's always the rub isn't it? It doesn't matter how much an artist loves their work. At the end of the day it's about how much money it's worth. They are twenty-two thousand credits a piece. It might sound steep, but consider what you are purchasing. It's not a machine, but a living breathing fantasy. He will eat, sleep, sweat, and even bleed. Everything He feels when he wakes up is real. There is no preprogrammed emotions in her. Oh, he'll have memories, slightly altered to match his new body, of his world, friends, and family. Everything ever written by the creators of the show, and of course any of the fan based content you would like us to consider, will be added to his memories. But beyond that all of her experiences and new memories will be completely of your and his making," he said.”though that is a bit of a surprise. We expected you to go for a female.”

Running a brief calculation in my head I knew I couldn’t afford him and his wife at the moment “I dislike the idea of breaking up a family, can I purchase him and put some down on his wife?” ignoring the minor jab.

“While we can offer payment plans they would require a substantial down payment on two that our calculations don’t indicate you could not afford.” the stallion replies “I am sorry Mr. Tempest I simply cannot authorise that.”

With a sigh I nodded “I understand though I will be back as soon as possible to procure his wife.” my tone comes out slightly harder than intended I note as the stallion steps back “Grandfather taught me family is the most precious thing you can have, I won’t have one broken because I live simply.” I offer as an explanation “Please expect to see me again.”

“Very well sir. please press his image.” Doing so his eyes flashed the same blue as his magic aura before he disappeared. “He is being prepared now, It will take approximately two months for him to be properly grown and have his memories implanted.” the stallion states before I can even ask “I should also state that he will be one of a kind. We here at Vogon pride ourselves on ensuring that our customers get exactly what they are paying for. You are getting The Shining Armor, not A Shining Armor there will be no other versions of him made.” This actually takes me back a moment though it explains the holes in the inventory. “now if you would choose the clothing he will be arriving in?” Where Shining had been standing there were now sets of clothing that he had been seen in during the show, His captains armor, his ‘dress blues’ and the training clothing being the clothing offered. Reaching out I selected the dress blues. mostly because of the promise I had just made to vogon about his wife.

“Any fan content?” the stallion asks, to which I shake my head more than happy with the way Shining had developed as the show went on. Snapping his fingers again I have to shut my eyes as the layout changes, VR sickness will do that to you. When I open them again instead of the stallion there is an anthropomorphic Discord standing behind a desk with an old fashioned cash register holding out a receipt to me. I can’t help but smile, he was one of my favorite redemption stories.

“Take good care of the prince, you wouldn’t want Princess sparkle coming down on you for mistreating her brother now would you?” The eldritch god of chaos says before starting to disappear

“Wait, my I ask one more thing before I go?” I start and not waiting for an answer “could you send an alert to where ever Twilight is that her brother is safe when he gets here?” Discord seems to offer a bemused look before nodding his head. “Thank you.”

Logging out and removing my Haptic suit I look at the old style clock in the room and swear profusely. I had only ten minutes to get ready for my night class rushing to get changed “Corky, activate student retinal scan protocol and why didn’t you warn me of the time!?” In retrospect I should not have been yelling at the A.I. the effect of that day would turn out to be the one of the best starting points I had ever had.

Though what rout that journey took was something I think none of us expected.

Author's Note

I know my first chapters are always short don't worry they get longer as time goes on. Comments of most kinds are encouraged.

Thank you for reading.

2 A Knight Approaches

The nights after work and the days off after that fell into a routine. Between prepping one of the old offices into another bedroom and spending time in the stacks with a solar welding unit or with some of the planters and seeds for some of my students I was kept busy enough that I often could scarcely keep track of the day. Thank the gods for Corky in that regard. The routine was interrupted the night before Shining was due to arrive I was out in the stacks when I happened on Jo, one of my students.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I took of the welding mask as the last of the welds I was working on that day began to cool, the plate was from a Stack that had burned a few weeks prior, most of the metal had been salvageable as long as it was retempered. If you know how to look it is easy to tell when the stacks are getting ready to fail or fall and they are so seldom kept up that I can’t just do nothing. Climbing down even I could hear the footsteps running nearby. I am no hero but I know a lot of my students come from the stacks so I feel responsible for them. I went to investigate what was going on when I saw spritely little Jo backed into a corner with both fists up to protect her head. Between her and I were three individuals one, front and center to her wearing what is called a Zoot suit probably bought from a costume store given it’s light appearance. Wearing something like that now a days is meant to show class, learning, and a disregard for modern style that borders on the criminal. The whole effect ruined by him holding an old style 9mm autoloader out at full extension and sideways.

I crept closer to the trio trying not to startle the armed leader, to say I failed is an understatement. About a pace behind the two stooges the welding hood fell off my backpack, in my ears it was likely louder than it actually was. Zoot and his buddies turn to the noise and I find myself looking down the barrel of the 9mm. Now most people when they hear about these situations they think of the action movies where the hero grabs the gun and twists making the armed antagonist shoot his friends. What they don’t take into account is the sheer crap-your-pants terror that staring down any gun inspires in even the most hardened individual. I am not ashamed to admit I was scared. Zoot of course started with the grandstanding ‘you made a mistake trying to interfere with my business’ speech. I really didn’t listen it was just so cliche. Waiting until he was well into his rant I snapped my arms out while I twisted around grabbing his gun and wrenching it down and out of his hand with an audible ‘Pop’ from his shoulder. Believe me the move sounds more badass then it is. I followed insult with injury by bringing my ‘stompy boots’ heel down on the arch of his foot. Then stepping away and turning to face him and his stooges “I don’t care who you are or what your business is.” I state “I am Michael Tempyst of Tempus Fugit. Jo is my student, and in accordance with my contract with her parents, when she is out of their presence and in mine I am taking responsibility for her. If you threaten her or myself any farther I will go exactly as far as I have to for threat elimination.” I don’t have much of a name other than for being fair. Still since I spend so much time working in or with people in the stacks a few people know me or my studio. Then holding up the gun “this is being taken as payment for wasted time. Now Leave.” one thing about drug dealers, though persistent they do leave when you tell them too. Still the look I got from Zoot as he limped away that promised that our paths had not crossed for the last time.

Taking Jo’s hand I started leading her through the Stacks back to the studio. I keep a room set up so that if any of my students can’t safely get home or need to get away from a dangerous situation can stay. Calling ahead to Corky I let him know that the room needed to be opened again. “aye Mac, though bringing home strays is what ended my Marriage you know” Corky’s brogue replied “No Corky, you ignoring your wife and sleeping at the precinct is what ended your marriage” Ha!, I had watched Copper with grandfather once I was old enough that mother wouldn’t kill him for it.

“Shut yer gob”

One I got Jo to the studio I let her rush to the room, what ever the dealer had wanted obviously had left her rattled so I left her to her own devices. “Corky, when is Shining due to arrive?” I asked as I walked towards the Full Dive room.
“Tomorrow morning 6 am, Mac, also you owe me a stout or a whiskey” Comes his reply “Boot up the full dive room, and no I don’t, However I will look for a good one for you while I am immersed.” Logging on I immediately was given the initial Alert that the account I had set up to put money aside to get cadence had finally gotten enough. So I began searching for Vogon again. The confirmation email was gone, though I had saved it. and both links I had saved were dead ends. I was unwilling to simply give up since I keep my promises. I began backtracking through my history, trying to find where or when the links disappeared. As I met more and more dead ends I began to get frustrated, then angry. something that I am normally slow to, Finally I was able to find the image of the anthropomorphic stallion that had helped me when I was looking at the assorted helpmates before and tapped his shoulder.

Immediately I was brought back to the room with the curtain and the Stallion was waiting there ‘Ah you have returned have you?’ he asked slightly bemused as he reached over to pull the rope and lift the curtain. My own hands resting on my knees as I get over my VR sickness induced vertigo. “Here to make good on your promise?” I level him a flat look.

“Yes I am. it took longer than I expected, Is she still here?” I replied. The stallion nods and brings me along the path. I paused a moment noticing Chrysalis was missing from the lineup now. Shaking my head I turn my attention to Cadence. Even as I watched her shift to her anthropomorphic form. Reaching out I placed my hand on her shoulder. immediately she faded from view and the clothing choices were presented to me. I ended up selecting a simple Ivory button down Blouse and long pale, blue skirt, with since it looked semi-formal, well sort of, at least. Shut up I am bad with womens fashions.

“Again, any fan content Mr Tempyst?” the stallion anthromorph asked, seeming a little irritated that I didn’t let him go through all of his script again. I shook my head,

“I am glad I was able to scrape the money together for her before someone else separated them.” I say calmly closing my eyes as the environment changed again. Opening them the Discord was sitting behind his cash register. “I everything is all set, 22,000 Credits and about a two month wait. It should give you and Shining plenty of time to get everything set up.” the anthropomorphic Draconequus smirks with is off set fang. “Thank You Scoddri” I reply with a half smile. “I am sure Shining and Cadence will be happy to be reunited.” I take the digital receipt and go to log out, “whatever you are doing with this, feels like a good thing.” With those parting words the Full dive powers down.

The next day I found myself doing busy work. checking pipes for an irrigation system, cleaning the Dojo part of my home for class, assorted things like that. The events of the previous night were weighing on my mind. Now don’t get me wrong, I did not regret my actions helping Jo out at all. I was also aware that i may have brought trouble onto myself with the way I handled it. I was lost enough in thought that Corky repeatedly try to get my attention to tell me a delivery truck was out front. Wiping off my hands I went out to see. I opened the door in time to see the security guards carefully watching a slightly dazed Shining stepped out of the back double doors onto the pavement. Walking over one of the guards let me know that he needed contact to wake up and gave me a brief rundown of what to expect. the bonding thing sounded a little off but I just learned to roll with a lot of things I don’t understand until I can look into them. Reaching out I clapped a hand on Shining shoulder “Good to see you man, Glad you made it safe.” I actually watched as he came to wakefulness.

“Mac!, thanks for putting us me up for a while” He said in his usual almost chipper big brotherly tone.

“Room is set up, thanks for being willing to help with the classes.” I replied with a smile, “Come on in, we can get you settled. I will give you the grand tour after morning class.” Walking in I took stock of my new room mate, you could tell that the military service had been included, each step was measured and precise in a way that only those used to marching in formation can do. as we walked up to the doors you could see his eyes shift from one place to another doing threat assessment. Once I heard an small ‘eep’ and feet running across the dojo to the ‘crash room’ as I sometimes call it.

It didn’t take long for him to get settled in, nor did it take long for the kids in the morning class to warm up to him when he came out and I introduced him. Suffice the class was distracted that day and I couldn’t have been happier. Some of the kids it was the first time I had seen them smile. Still all of them tried their hearts out. An hour later when i called class to an end there were disappointed groans from a few of them and more than normal stayed behind to help in the garden.

“What do the kids mean they are going to help in the garden” Shining asked as the kids filed into the changing rooms to get ready either for pickup or to help.

“In the main part of the building I made a hydroponic garden, the kids whose families are hard up stay after and help to pay for classes if they want to.” By the time we get into the garden some of the kids are already working, their jaws held suspiciously tight. I could see Armor getting ready to start scolding the children for stealing and placed a hand on the stallions shoulder. “it is an unspoken agreement that as long as most of the food makes it to storage they can eat, some of these kids don’t get real food otherwise. Let them be.” I missed the look that shining gave me over that. At some point while we were working I lost sight of Jo and made the assumption she had headed home.

You know what they say about assumptions.

Author's Note

I got tired of waiting and am posting this currently, will make the edits when I get that one back. Before you ask, yes Jo is important to the story overall, and no that is not a romance aspect nor is she his daughter (yes I did think that would be a fun twist) I am trying to show the kind of person that Mac is at the beginning as being altruistic almost to the point of naivety. Shining being older and more world wise then Mac can already see that this will lead to problems.

3 Echoes of another time.

You ever have one of those days where you just know it is going to be a long day. It isn’t ever anything quite clear just some little hints that your brain picks up on. Maybe the sky is a little overcast, or you can faintly hear sirens in the direction you need to go, an Irate anthropomorphic stallion busting into your room to wake you. Okay that last one maybe isn’t so small.

“Shut up Shining.” I groaned, pulling the blankets over my head “I have the day off and no classes, as I do every year.” The words muffled through the blankets and ungodly loud to my throbbing head. A problem exacerbated by the evil day star, well evil this day anyways.

“Not happening Mac, Cadence is supposed to get here today, and you are going to help me make sure this place is ready to greet her.” It is entirely inappropriate to be that chipper when you friend is dying, or at least feels like it. pulling back the covers and blinking owlishly in the light of the room, I see Shining standing at the foot of the bed with a self satisfied smile on his face that only comes from having woken up trainees in this condition before. “I get it, this is the price I pay for my yearly ritual, Bite me.” I grumble levering myself slightly unsteadily out of bed.

“you said it not me, now come on, get up, get showered and dressed, we have work to do, starting with the bottles from last night.” Having drunk at least as much as I did, I couldn’t understand how he could be that upbeat this morning. Still, it will be nice to have this day have a positive connotation, finally.

“Yeah, haven’t seen your wife in two months, want to put your best suit and impress her.” then as an after thought “it is good you care enough shiny, many here don’t anymore.” carefully ignoring the throbbing in my skull to start to get through the day.

Discovering Shining had a sadistic side was not high on my priorities. The whole morning if there was something that wouldn’t break but would make a resonant noise when dropped he seemed to do exactly that, whenever I couldn’t do anything about it. A sure fire way to make any hangover even less pleasant. The only thing worse would have been airhorns. As murphy’s law indicates we were only half way done when corky came on one of the monitors “She’s here, Boyo” Shining of course, dropped everything and ran to get changed. I got another glass of water and attempted to look like something other than death warmed over.

“Remember Armor, the trance she is in was to help with the transition. I don’t care if you touch her cheek or kiss her to bring her out of it, but give me warning if it is the latter.” I joked nudging him. The flat look I receive indicated that maybe my joke didn’t sound quite as jovial as I thought. I have to give the man credit, his mask was impressive, but in his position i would be nervous as hell. When we walk out I see him take a stutter step when he sees Cadence. The blank look on her face is more than slightly disconcerting. Still he recovers his momentary lapse long enough to reach his wife. I hung back to allow them a moment, carefully averting my gaze to talk to one of the handlers who, like with Shining, warned me to take care of them, that they aren’t androids and have basic needs. I answered the affirmative, and, seeing that the two of them had not yet broken their kiss, coughed politely. He turned looking sheepish and before he could say anything I answered “Go in, show your wife around, Shining.” Looking to Cadence “Nice to have met you Princess. we can do formal introductions later. Have fun don’t wake the neighbors” I waved trusting Shining to show her around The Facility, as we had begun to call it. Over the last two months Jo had been coming to class less and less, and was often distracted, since I had this day off from all my work I decided to go check up on her and her mom. This would also give the reunited couple a chance to spend some time together. At least that was the plan before we all heard Cadence’s stomach growl. Turns out the pink anthromorph still was able to blush which was rather cute in it’s own way. “Or I can cook while you and shining tour the place we can eat and I can go do my own thing and allow you both the privacy to catch up without prying ears.” I remark “Oh, and princess, don’t use magic right away, shining nearly went into a coma when he did.” I shuddered remembering his reaction to trying to put up a shield for the kids to hit. The fact that he had been able to do magic had floored me.

“That sounds wonderful Micheal,” Cadence replies “but please call me Cadence, we are friends after all.” Even remembering her from the show i had to take a moment to appreciate the work that went into capturing the essence of the characters. while neither got explored heavily in the show they had distinct and recognizable personalities as well as being portrayed as being very approachable.

“Very well Cadence, it's Mac by the way, really though, let shining show you around while I cook, and we can talk if you want after.” I make a shooing motion with my hands " Shining can still burn water." both of us chuckle at the afore mentioned stallions dark look.

"Har har laugh it up you two" he grumbles good naturedly taking his wife's hand "C'mon, the place is big but mostly open space, much like his head." he jerks a thumb at me to which I stuck out my tongue in a completely mature response to the barb.

Walking in I made a bee-line for the kitchen mostly to hide the smirk when he saw the 'office' and what I had asked some of the kids to do for me. One important thing I had learned was to cut down my meat consumption, mostly out of respect for my friend, but also out of necessity. That in mind I set about making some rice and steamed peppers, with a little bit of shrimp as an option if either wanted it. Almost right on cue I could hear the thundering hoofsteps of an irate Shining Armor coming down the hall.

"What in Tartarus happened to our room." He demanded pushing open the door and glaring at me horn alight.

"Right on time, foods ready, could you grab the plates please?" I replied mildly, catching cadences questioning glance as I started setting things on the smaller table in the kitchen.

"You didn't answer my question" Shinings voice was lower then normal. "What happened to our room?"

I sigh "I hope the food doesn't get cold. follow me." Leading them out through what had once been a breakroom and back onto the floor that had become the hydroponics garden amongst other such things, I brought them out the back doors and over to a smaller building that had once been known as "The Shed" taking out a couple sets of keys I tossed them to the two anthromorphs "While the whole facility was grandfathers before he died, this was a special project."

Here Cadence interrupts me "I can tell, a lot of time was spent making this a home wasn't it?" her eyes had a slightly out of focus look to them I hadn't seen on anyone in more then five years.

"yeah it was" I shook my head today was not a day for melancholy thoughts "I haven't had the heart to use it." Here I opened the door and reached over to flip on the lights.

The old switch bringing the faux candles on giving the room a warm flickering glow. The inside is simple, comfortable chairs, a small dining table and kitchenette at the back, with stairs going up to a loft bedroom. “it may not be royal apartments but I hope you like them” With a smile I get out of their way “I need to go see about one of my students, You two take your time, enjoy the food and have fun.” With that I turned and left the lovers to their own catching up.

It was odd making my way through the stacks after spending even a short time with the crystal prince and princess. The ever present sense of loss and despair was amplified nearly a hundred fold. Keeping to some of the back paths it was still impossible to ignore the assorted sounds that hammer against your mind and soul like a jackhammer, Junkies crying out in pain and rage from withdrawal, or ecstasy from their chosen high. Fights both physical and verbal rattling walkways, other sounds that you try not to think about what are causing them. Even the smell, I can’t even find the words to describe it. I have walked these routes a hundred times and still the change in perception was jarring.

Trying to keep my lunch down I continued on scaling one of the stack to where Jo’s family used to live. Even as I got closer I could feel a heavy sense of dread settle in my stomach. This stack had become too quiet, like the area was holding it’s breath. The first thing you learn regardless of if you live in or near the stacks is this: the door is always locked. The days of being able to trust you neighbors seem to have dwindled to nothing. That said, when I saw their door hanging slightly ajar I felt my blood run cold. Pressing the door the rest of the way open I almost gag. The low buzzing of flies is loud in my ears. The walls are splattered with dark stains, both the dark red-brown of dried blood, and some putrid green. The place looked to have been ransacked. The smell, like copper, rust, and rotting meat, was like a wall. Pray you never smell it.

Swallowing back the bile in my throat I found myself shutting off my brain, the emotional voice in my head that was screaming shoved to the back of my mind. Making my way through the, I can’t call it a home, but living space. Looking first for evidence that Jo and her mother were alive. A lack of bodies wasn’t necessarily the proof I needed, but it did help. I don’t even remember how I made my way back to the facility. I can’t claim I was upset that Shining and Cadence were out in the shed. I just couldn’t deal with anyone, even ignoring corky. Looking at the calendar I grumble at the date. I momentarily glance at the liquor cabinet before passing by it. No, a lack of bodies would have to be enough start searching. As the emotional part of my brain began to come to the forefront again. I felt a cold fury begin to course through me. Whoever had harmed my student was going to be found, and may the gods show them the mercy that I would not. I moved out to the main class area began to move through forms and kata, before practicing against the heavy bags.

To this day I don’t remember going to bed.

Author's Note

My apologies for how long it took to update. As my blog post stated I was, and in truth still am, going through some really rough stuff. That said I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Here is the beginning of the dark and gore tags. It only took three chapters but the cast is set. There are a few things I will be exploring in this story then I don't think were ever approached by the show according to Vogonverse cannon.

As always comments are welcome but if you have a criticism please present it in a way that is constructive.

4 Scars Unseen

In the Weeks that followed Jo and her mother’s disappearance found me running myself ragged. Oh I had practiced hiding such things from the kids, unfortunately I was unable to hide it so well from my two roommates. I couldn’t afford to miss work, but still found myself using terminals to search for any information I could.

One of the things you should know about the stacks is that they are a crime-ridden underbelly to any city they are part of. This isn’t by design, but because they were meant to be temporary housing that lost the ‘Temporary’ status. Due to this and the rampant poverty people get desperate.

It is a terrible tide that small changes fight but will never conquer without concerted effort by many.

Finally one day as I shrugged on my my gear to attempt once again to find more information it all came to a head. Turning, a familiar aura enveloped the door handle as I reached for it not allowing me to leave. “Mac we need to talk” comes Cadences voice as I turned to her and Shining. “You can’t keep doing this to yourself.”

“Yes, Cadence, I can.” I hear myself say almost automatically. I hate how cold it sounds. “Even if I didn’t have a contract with her family. too many out there are abandoned and I can’t turn my back. I know you can feel that place. The fear and desperation.” I see Shinings horn start to glow as Cadence’s fades.

“And if you find they are dead, what do you do?” She asks, unlike me her voice isn’t hard from fatigue and irritation, it is patent and calm. “And what about the other students is it fair that you aren’t visiting them as much?” The needle in those words is sharper than I want to admit. “Yes you make time for the classes but the adults know you are a little distracted. You haven’t smiled in weeks.” taking a cautious step forward both of them had been working on their magic but it was slow to build back up to what they were used to and I could see it was wearing them out, I can only imagine how much Shining chafed at that.

Looking between the two of them I sigh. “Your right” eating crow is never pleasant “You’re both right.” I can see them visibly sag with relief as Shining releases the door. Then his eyes narrow
“You don’t give in that easily” He isn’t accusing me, not exactly “What are you thinking.”
Here I smile “I didn’t say I was going to stop, I only acknowledged you were right. I can’t do this alone.”

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This place is wrong in so many ways. Still at least my charge and I were able to find a place where I could watch the Interlopers’ home. My charge calls this place "The Facility" and has been encouraging me to simply walk up and knock. I don't think she realizes how dangerous that could be. I saw him in the ruins of her home, if you could call it that and am not convinced she would not come to harm. With neither backup, nor a satiated hunger I am unsure if I would even be able to protect her if anything goes wrong. Still there is an odd familiarity to the energy of that place. It bears more watching before I make a move.

====================================================================

I grabbed an old trench coat to ward off the cold, and chuckle. It amazes me still how many people confuse iconic coats like this with the dusters and greatcoats you see in old 90's and early 2000's movies. The only thing missing is a fedora and I could look like I walked off “casablanca” well sort of. Walking the streets I slowly end up leaving the edge of the stacks behind as I make my way closer to Canal park. The advantage of living where I do is that I can go from one extreme to the other within a reasonable walk. Looking up at the old buildings near by as well as the now closed old ore ship turned museum. It’s sad really how much things have changed.

I end up stopping for a moment to look out over the water, old memories being called up weather I want them or not. With a brief shake of my head I continue my trek, up the skywalk and over to the old Hunter Building, all in all the whole walk maybe took an hour. Still passing through I can hear grandfather talking about the different places that had been in the building. Reiki Night, The emporium, fusion drinks. Now mostly offices, though a few of the new agey places still hold. the old emporium now holding a small office “Wight Investigations” with A smirk I knock on the door “Aunt Sarah? You in?”
A little old woman, her hair salt and pepper sits behind the desk, despite being older her blue eyes are as sharp as ever.
“Mac?” her weathered face splits into a grin “what brings you in today”
“Actually I am here for business. “ I sigh, realizing how long it had been since I had seen my honorary great aunt as her smile falters for a moment “I know the stacks are rife with crime but one of my students went missing. I was wondering if you have heard any weird rumors coming out of there? The kids have gone oddly quiet.”

“You know I can’t work for free Michael.” she steeples her fingers on the desk
“By Khenti, I know that Sarah, you have a business.” I throw my hand against my chest in mock indignation. “ And when this is resolved we will need to get some tea, or maybe hit O’Leries’ pub down the street.” Putting my thumb on her scanner to pay.

“ I will keep my ears open, though I did hear you made an enemy of one of the would be drug lords in there.” her laughing eyes get sharp “Be careful Mac, You are far too much like your grandfather, that old workhorse never knew when to quit.” I smile at her

“I always am Aunt Sarah” I smile grabbing my hat up “Thank you.” weather it is for the warning or the compliment I am not sure, probably both. “Did you get the Colt replica last yule?” I smirk as her eyes widen
“Get going sneak.” She laughs shooing me out the door. With a laugh I make my way out with a wave.

The walk back was slow my own mind whirling, the memories I had been pushing down bubbling up, Mom walking with us to see grandpa, Junie, Cielia, Shawn, and I playing and listening to moms lilting stories. Funny how our lives had fragmented. “Should see if I can get in contact with them.” I mutter.

In my musing I wandered too close to the stacks, the only warning that something was going to happen is a scuff behind me.

Then stars,
and the world goes black.

Author's Note

I had intended to post this weeks ago but the new ISP in my hometown ran into some problems, over the next month there will be more posts but as it is hunting season and I want some meat for the winter (no i am not a trophy hunter) those updates wont be more then weekly until after thanksgiving. I apologies for the shortness of this particular chapter the rest will be longer just need to type them up out of my notebook. Including the Thanksgiving and Yule chapters that I have been writing.

5 A message from the past.

Cadence found herself wandering through ‘the shed’ the converted storage building had a comfortable homey feel to it. She and Shiny had already found a couple hidden rooms stashed behind cabinets and false walls. Honestly it reminded her of her Auntie Celestia’s stories about the old castle in the Everfree. Still there was something off about the house, they were sure that there was a room they hadn’t yet been able to find the entrance too. a faint pulse that tugged at her perceptions just a little. Moving into the smallish half bath on the first floor. she began slowly running her fingers along the seam of the mirror, then along the wall. finally a small tile that just felt loose. yet with a small click the old hinges in the wall fold in. Beyond the room as the door opens several of the faux-candles blink to life. revealing many of the real thing. With a sneeze at the kicked up dust she sidles through the narrow opening. At first blush the room seems spartan. just a table slightly north of center with two candle holders and a largish binder like book. A second glance shows more books tucked into a cleverly made case as well as a few more cabinets. Her Aetherial perception though, showed another story completely. The you could almost see how the energy was made to naturally flow in the direction of the clock as the moon waxed, and counter that as it waned. Slowly walking until she was in front of the small table her left hand lightly brushed out along the well loved wood. Lighting her horn she takes a slow feel of the energy. Pain and joy, at the forefront, with an underlying steal like a shield or bulwark. so much like her Shiny, yet less refined. Brushing the dust off the cover of the book shows a stylized dragon burned onto the wooden cover wings spread and eye seeming to look back at her. With nervous fingers she eases the cover open. The first page is a list, each cabinet and what it contains, oils, herbs, candles of various types. Under tools there were strange names “Athame, Bowline. Pentacle disc,” she murmurs aloud. “Mac said humans didn’t have magic.” shaking her head she turns the page with another form of writing on it, harsh and angular, as well as a small black book. one that was soaked in heartache. while each other motions was reverent, the fingers touching this book trembled slightly. With the creak of leather she turns to the first page and blinks in surprise at her name near the top.

Dear Princess Cadence

I feel stupid for writing this. However it was suggested that I to write to a pony we identify with. While I believe they intended well, I also know that I can never send these letters so why not write of matters of the heart to the princess of Love? Humans, especially Christians believe that we were given three great gifts, if I remember the verse correct “Faith, Hope, and Love. And should all else fail Love will remain” those are words that despite my path moving away from that spiritual center I had always believed. That no one should ever be without love. with that in mind when one of my dearest friends, one who I had grown to cherish, was broken by one who claimed to love them, I stepped up. going so far as to give them my heart. I don’t mean the pretty platitude, I mean I did a ritual and gave them what strength I had. Eventually our friendship became more but it didn’t last. She walked away and it broke me. I have spent a couple years now only existing, not really living because without a heart one cannot live. while I know I could undo the spell I cannot bring myself too.

I do not regret my decision, I merely wish to stop hurting. I have buried myself in my work to take my mind off it. I know they say time heals all wounds, yet, how can the wound heal when it is your faith in love that was wounded?

I guess I will have to figure it out.

Here the small page ended

Dear Princess Cadence

It has been a couple years since that first letter and while the hurt hasn’t gone away I have learned to stand without it bowing me. Work and the dogs helped, However the work part of that looked like it was ending. The company I worked for has shut down the plant, more accurately they have been shut down by the company going bankrupt. I have lived on few luxuries for long enough that I have saved a decent sum of money and even have already found a new job, a dream job for me in fact. I will be moving to Kilkenny Ireland to work as a dedicated Machinist for one of the power stations. I even was able to buy a small cottage though that took most of my funding, I will be getting there with very little pocket change, the dogs, and the cloths on my back.

I know I should be happy, it is something I have dreamed of since I saw “the Quiet man” as a boy. Yet it feels empty, Oh I put on the show, I let everyone believe I am nervous or excited or whatever but a few of my close friends know the truth, they have seen it when they look me in the eye. I don’t live, I simply exist still. Their friendly heartless.

I better finish packing

Dear Princess Cadence

I needed this place, No ghosts of memories holding me down. I get up each morning and feel better then I did at home. yet I long to return as soon as my contract here is up. I know this is what I needed to begin to finally heal. I have had a few run ins with the locals, they didn’t know I had learned Gaelic before I moved here so I knew when I was being insulted. I have finally gained a taste for dark beer, and I have people who sit and drink with me. I have even been able to catch up on my Blacksmithing. Oh this morning I had a rather odd awaking, My dog, Sidhe (it’s pronounced “She”) was going crazy out in the back garden, at first I figured she had found some critter until I heard the giggling. A little girl was out there playing with her. Ye gods did that dogs butt wag in happiness, not just her tail, everything from shoulders back was wagging. when I came out the girl stood up shamefaced expecting to be scolded, Lulu of course took that moment to charge through my legs and give the girls face a bath. Once I called the mutts back and got them inside I was able to walk the girl, whose name was Soibhan (pronounced Shavon) home, she and her mother live just down the road. she had seen the puppy and just wanted to play. Oh her mother was upset with how muddy she had gotten and started to apologize for her daughter bothering me. thing is it was a stroke of luck, I can’t always take both dogs for a walk so I suggested hiring her daughter to take Sidhe for a walk three days a week, it gives her some pocket money and helps me out since the pup had taken too her. after some weedling from Soibhan her mother Brigid agreed.

Maybe I can finally be a human again.

Dear Princess Cadence.

I know it has been a while since I wrote but I just while I wasn’t free of hurting I know I was living again. Brigid and I have been together for about a year and a half, what started as me paying for her daughter walking the dog turned into dinner a couple times a week turned into dates every week or so. Yesterday I proposed to her, I made the ring out of PMC so I could ensure it was one of a kind. While she is aware of my scars she agreed. Accepting me as I am. as she put it ‘because I dinnae want to be behind or before ye, I would be at yer side or no where at all’ . My contract will be up in about a year so we figure we will aim for then, Soibhan is excited to have a dad. Who would have thought such good could come out of a little trespassing eh?

Oh crap, how do I be a dad?

Dear Princess Cadence

As the world economies are declining some of the violence that defined twentieth century Ireland is resurfacing. If you are the wrong faith, where the wrong colors, hell support the wrong football team, it can mean the end of your life. People are desperate and they want someone to blame. So like always it is the ‘other’ who gets the blame. I am glad I have hidden my faith, The currently climate would not be healthy for a pagan, because of worry I have set Brigid as my beneficiary on my life insurance and we got legally married early. while we will still have our ceremony in a few months we wanted to make sure that if something happened to either of us Soibhan was taken care of.

I hope we are just being paranoid but I don’t think we are.

Dear Princess Cadence.

What I feared has come to pass. Our Ceremony went beautifully, but when she went to her home to supervise the loading of the last of her belongings a riot broke out. When I heard the sirens I told Soibhan to stay in the house and keep the doors locked and the shutters latched. I grabbed my coat and went to help Brigid. I couldn’t shake the sick feeling in my stomach. I think I knew I was too late. I had begged her to just let them do their jobs, all the important stuff had be shipped back to the states anyways. I should have fought harder, Should have kept her home. When I got there a bunch of bodies were decorating the trees. some still twitching as their bodies tried to fight their broken necks and crushed windpipes to let them breath. The coroner says she was lucky, the push off her balcony was enough to cause instant death but still. Seeing her their, hanging like Gallows fruit. Apparently I went mad the constables had to hold me back, and eventually resorted to shocking me until I couldn’t move apparently even then I was trying to get to my wife. Less than a week we were married. hell we weren’t even leaving for our honeymoon for another two days. I swear this date is cursed. I lose my heart on it whenever I find it.

My daughter is crying, I need to be strong for her,

But do I have any strength left?

Dear Princess Cadence

Sorry I haven’t written in so long, this notebook was sort of lost in the shuffle as I returned to The States, Soibhan has been doing well. She has grown like a weed to be honest. graduated Highschool with honors. I couldn’t be prouder. She is now in college working on a double major, Economics and Psychology, with a minors in Philosophy and Music. She is on track to graduate with honors this time around too, Dean's list every year so far and a 4.0 gpa. Gods I wish I had been half as diligent or as smart as her at that age.

She finally asked me why I spend one night each year where I isolate myself and am always hung over after. I told her I spend most of the night toasting those who I can no longer share the night with. because in my life a lot of people I have lost around that time. She looked at me and asked if mom was an excuse to get shit faced. I told her that I am old enough not to need an excuse, and next year I will show her what I mean.

Where is the time going? my beard is turning grey

Dear princess Cadence

Yeah I know it has been another year almost since I wrote. Soibhan graduated a year early, turns out she tested out of two semesters worth of classes, how is that for freaking smart. She, to fill out the year, has joined a program that works with individuals in The Stacks to try and get them food and clothing that they need. especially if there are children involved. ‘IF mom and ye had neat made sure I was taken care o’ then I would be just as buggered as some o’ those kiddies” Gods her mother would be proud of her. Last night I showed her the photo album when I took down the bottle of whiskey and poured two shots, I told her who was in the picture and toasted their memory before knocking it back. and repeated. Until we came to a picture of me with a woman both of us smiling at the camera with our old school in the background. she asked me who that was and why I was suddenly melancholy. I told her it was the first woman to truly break me. I knocked back that shot alone and the next picture was of her, Brigid, and myself before the wedding, standing in front of the ruins of Tintagel. It was taken the day I proposed, we had taken a weekend trip to the mainland for this. we didn’t speak as we knocked back that shot other than to say she was missed badly.

We were both hung over the next day but I felt a little lighter

Cadence reaches up to rub her eye not noticing how damp her muzzle has gotten.

Dear Princess Cadence

Gods Above and Below there is so much for me to tell you. Soibhan decided to adopt four kids out of the stacks, Shawn, Ceilia, Michael, and Juniper, all amazing kids. I won the building I used to work at in a government auction. So We have been working together to make it a living space. I am thinking about using my own training to start a self defence class, as well as a HEMA, erm Historical European Martial Arts club. I make enough off of my Job shop machining to be able to keep the place running decently and it would help keep more kids out of some of the gangs in the area. teach them self respect and self discipline instead of the pseudo confidence that comes from ‘poppin a cap’ in someone. I worry about Soibhan though, she still works in the stacks a lot and they become more dangerous every day. Still she refuses to let evil win. note I said evil not darkness. Darkness can be good, it can be comforting, or the challenge we need to find out what we need to become. Evil on the other hand can come in the worst of guises. Some of the churches here in the states are trying to hurt others. I don’t mean with sermons, I mean with violence. I will have to find a place to store my ritual gear if only to avoid vandalism.

How the world is fallen, I wish it were more like Equestria.

The next letter had only two sentences, the paper water damaged around them

Dear Princess Cadence

Soibhan disappeared

I can’t do this again. Gods please not again.

The final letter had a small obituary tucked with it. speaking of how when violence erupted in the school one of the teachers, when she saw the protocol to keep her class safe wasn’t working pried open the shutters to allow her students a chance to escape the deathtrap their school had become. At the cost of her own life. The strain it put on her caused her heart to give out.

Dear Princess Cadence

I have done my best for those four kids, while not honor students like their mom they have applied themselves, Ceilia is moving back across the pond having married a boy from Edinburgh. Junie and her wife will be moving up to canada where they both have jobs waiting for them. Shawn loves the old cabin where we all became a family and has been living up there fixing it up. He thinks I don’t know about his ‘company’ as long as those two make him happy I won’t complain. I worry about Mac though. He saw me when I broke after Soibhan disappeared. Oh don’t get me wrong he is a caring boy but he doesn’t let anyone in. I worry that it made him unwilling to love. which is a shame because without it even if things go wrong and it hurts it is still the best experience to have. It is nice he is willing to sit with me on toasting day. It would be tonight but Sarah, the older sister of the woman who I ritually gave my heart too dropped this obit off, along with a letter. She had apparently come calling at some point after I came back and saw me helping Soibhan study after her mother died. She left rather than saying anything to me. A dozen times over the years she would come as far as the end of the walk with the intent on trying to mend our bridges. a dozen times she walked away all over again. It is all too much for my heart to bear anymore. The old Crew are all back in town, we went out to the bar I ran into the grandkids there as well. As I walked past their table I told them how proud I am of who they have all become. Finding happiness in their own ways. Junie hugged me and reminded me it was her turn to cook our traditional Sunday dinner tomorrow. Problem is I know I won’t see tomorrow’s dawn. Tonight the moon is full,I’s light making a beautiful path on the lake’s water which is almost a smooth as glass right now. enough of the lights near by have been shot out or burned out that I can see many of the stars clearly. even more reflected on the water. Well as a last letter to never be sent I think this is a good one. Thank You princess. for always listening even if you didn’t know you were doing it. I hope that the path your life takes is full of highs and lows, because without the contrast we never really live. I will go put this away and then go sit and enjoy the soft sound of the water, and the cool kiss of the wind on my cheeks one last time. It's strange, I can smell her perfume on the wind, but I also smell Brigid's shampoo. I hope they are getting along in the Summerlands. Guess I will find out soon. Maybe next time I won't have to go so long without my best friend. I wish one of us had had the courage to be in each others lives again. To at least try.

I just hope it isn’t Ceilia or Junie who finds me in the morrow,

Sorry Grandpa, I am the one who found you

and we will miss you Aaron Tempyst

Love your Juniper Sprout

Cadence closes the small book carefully. Moving slowly around the room she looks at it again. A thousand little things slowly making more sense now. When she reaches the bookcase she slides the little gem between a book called ‘the crystal web’ and ‘Reiki: healing through energy’, before turning to leave the small ritual room. she could show Shiny in the morning, for now she has a lot to think about. Still she pauses before the altar on her way out, and shivers, reaching up to touch her shoulder where she could almost feel a too cold hand for just a moment. Her ears twitching as the breeze almost sounds like a far away ‘thank you’.

Author's Note

So remember how I was supposed to get internet last month? Yeah still hasn't happened. very frustrated so I only get to post if I can get somewhere with net for long enough to get on. Hope you enjoyed the story thus far. and that this offered insight into who made Mac into the man he is. CHeers lovelies