A Lofty Storytime

Chapter Two: Sleepless

“Right, so here we are again. You don’t want to go to sleep without a bedtime story. Just lay down, don’t interrupt and Grandpa will tell you more about Espionage…”

Brilliant arcs of black and red carved the air in the briefest appearance of what could be a dance. The arcs barely missing, no purposely missing vital spot after vital spot. Espionage moved her blade so swiftly, so elegantly, so gracefully. You would mistaken it for dancing. Don’t mind her slight failure at being able to walk straight though. That is what the water’s of life do to ponies after all, well one of the things.

Clipper fluid in his motions, and unwavering in his strikes, struck one vital point after the next using Martia Hoof. He wasn't perfect with Martia Hoof, but each hoofstrike landed diligently before moving onto the next spot. Unlike his traveling companion he was not under any effect of the water’s of life, as he does not drink it.

“Are they killing other ponies?” She interrupted.

“No, other ponies are trying to kill them. They are fighting back without killing.”

She chimed. “Wow they must be amazing!”

“They are." He replied. "Now if you want me to continue, then you better do an amazing job at staying silent.”

“...” She remained silent.

“Good. Now then…”

Seventeen ponies against two. Seventeen very angry ponies against two: one calm, while the other was as happy as could be with a warmth in the stomach. Seventeen ex-soldiers against two of the best. The fight was decided before it even began, and it began when Espionage accidentally bumped into one of the big bulky ex-soldiers. He demanded an apology, which Espionage declined his offer merrily. Enraged he got his friends, the rest of the ex-soldiers together, which was meant to intimidate Espionage into apologizing.

Espionage not in the right mindset to be dealing with other ponies, simply stuck her tongue out at them before taking another swig of the water’s of life. Angry they charged right at her. She graceful, with a slight stagger, dodged one advance after the next. Even when surrounded she didn't put down her bottle, or stop drinking.

Clipper, who had been waiting outside, heard the commotion inside of the tavern and stepped inside to see what was going on. Upon noticing Espionage in a fight with a group of ponies he joined in for two reasons. The first reason was because he was bored of waiting at every place that served the water’s of life. While the second reason was because he didn't want the group to be hurt too badly from the less than perfectly functioning Espionage.

She interrupted yet again. “Why would Espionage be less than perfectly functioning?”

“It is just how she and any other gets when they drink too much of the water’s of life.”

“Why?”

"Why what?” He barely countered, not thinking about what he was saying at this point.

She answered him with yet another question. “Why are those soldiers fighting Espionage?”

“Because they were drinking the water’s of life too." He told her. Then he added. "Unlike Espionage though they don’t have an extraordinary tolerance to it.”

“What’s tollrance?”

He corrected her. “No tolerance, it is how well one can handle something.”

“Oh. Then what’s…”

This time he interrupted her. “Do you want to hear more or not?”

“I do.” She peeped.

“Alright, back to the tale…”

The fight lasted a whole six minutes, which would have been longer if Espionage didn't want to get back to her drinking. Eighteen beaten ponies spread across the ground and not a single one was fatally injured. It didn't help that the tavern’s owner’s grandcolt was one of them. Which means that they were thrown out of the shaky tavern.

Espionage visibly upset, because she couldn't drink any more precious water’s of life. Clipper on the other hoof, only looked a little disturbed that Espionage was upset over something, which he thought wasn't a big deal.

“...” She snoozed silently.

“Wow child!" He thought aloud, nearly waking her up. He then piped. "Asleep already, you must have been exhausted from that party earlier.”

“...” She continued silently.

“Well I guess I won’t be able to finish anymore of this story though.” He started explaining sadly.

“...” Silent she remained.

He continued sadly. “You see your grandstallion here is going to be executed tomorrow morning.”

“...” Undisturbed she slept.

“Goodbye little one, and sweet dreams.” He softly bade his farewell. Knowing that this was his last time seeing her, but more importantly to him. It was the last time she would see him... at least alive.