The Coming of Darkness and Rise of Light

6 Discord-

The drive back home was gone in a flash, a blur of movements and rhythms that my body seemed to respond to of it's own choice and before I knew it I was stepping inside my home, my own space to breath and think about what to do now that I have met the Vessel. Light, she seemed to radiate power and intelligence. I truly enjoyed our exchanges and she felt like home.

I walked into my living space and flopped down on my couch. Not feeling at peace I quickly snapped my fingers and put the couch on the ceiling with me now sitting upside down to the world. “Much better,” I thought to myself. Here, at least I could be myself and use my magic. As long as nothing was seen in the public I could be myself. I had to honestly, someone who is chaos can not hold back their very being. By not using my power many terrible things could be caused simply by chaos taking over me vs me being the chaos. I let out a long sigh.. I just couldn't believe my luck. I never thought this was going to happen, I had actually found her. The bearer of souls.

My worry was now that I had found her, what was I suppose to do? Celestia had said she needed to come of her own free will. She needed to be introduced to magic but, how do I even cox her magic out? How do I explain to her what her path was? How can I truly be friends with someone who was like a cup filled with the very essence of my past. Her eyes, I could drowned in those blue aqua eyes. I have not felt this close to someone and so alone at the same time in all my years here. She was everything I had ever hoped to find, and yet, she terrified me.

Tomorrow needed to work out I had to keep her intrigued with me, learn as much as I could from her and gauge her potential all without losing my cool. I snapped my fingers and changed into my Dracquoneous body. I slept better when I felt like me and tonight I believed I needed some comfort of home. The thoughts she had stirred in me felt like ghosts chilling my soul and making me uneasy. I had to make this work. For all of Equestria, for Tia and Lu.

The morning light shone through and I quickly transformed back into Darren. Changed and ready to head out I grabbed my camera bag and drove to the address Light had given me. My heart skipped when I saw her outside on the street waiting for me. Her hair all but glowed in the morning light. I took a deep breath turned the car off and opened the passenger door for her.

“Good morning dear, please get in so we can be off on our photography adventure.”

Laughing she got inside, sliding her seat belt on she said “ so did I dress well enough to go exploring?”

“Hm, oh yes I didn't want you to get anything of value dirty or wrecked I have heard there is a delightful cave system that you can squeeze into. That is, if you are brave enough to go behind the water fall to do so.” I glanced quickly over at her to see her reaction. She looked up and rewarded me with a confident smile.

“ Behind the waterfall? That sounds like a challenge. How do you know it's behind and we aren't going to be swept down a river?”

“Research my lady, I wouldn't want to put you at risk but where is the fun in not taking some chances. Sometimes chances can lead to some of the most rewarding situations don't you think.”

“Well considering I'm sitting inside your car driving to a place off of what would be called the beaten path and I've known you oh, less than a week. I think we can clearly say that I'm ok taking some chances.” She watched out the window quietly for a second before turning around again to watch me. “Thank you for inviting me. I honestly don't spend a lot of time with well, anyone outside of work. It's nice to find someone I want to talk too.”

“ I can't see you not having friends Light, you seem very easy going and are easy to hold a conversation with, I could not see you not being a people person.”

“Oh, I always have people around me but, that's the thing it's kinda like white noise. I don't know how to explain it,” she sighed and looked out the window. “ just because there around me doesn't mean I want to be with them. I just never felt at home with anyone really.” She laughed and looked up at me, “now I just sound stupid but, it's one of the reason I love taking photos. I can look at people through a lens, I can be with people but not actually be with people. I always look like I'm socializing and I'm always in the middle of things but, I am always there with a camera. I love being able to capture the beauty of people but I just, can't actually be a part of them. I think you are honestly one of the first people I have wanted to reach out further to.” She stopped, turned scarlet and turned back to the window. “I'm sorry, I don't know why I just said any of that! You must think I'm crazy”

“Oh not at all my dear, not at all. I'm flattered that you want to grace me with your company.” She blushed again, not quiet what I meant to do it sounded harsher than I meant for it to come out. Trying again I said, “ What I mean is I do understand what you mean. I'm not a very much for socializing outside of my work. What I enjoy doing is exactly how you presented your case for photography. I love capturing moments. I intend to do that today but, this time, with someone else to share those moments with. I'm truly happy you decided to take a chance today Light.”

I couldn't believe how this was going. She had almost word for word described herself as Celestia said she would behave! She sat her so confident, so honest, and shy. She really was the embodiment of the girls. I focused on driving us to the waterfall. Asking if it was ok to turn on some music Light slipped out an MP3 player to hook up to the car's audio. Skipping through a few songs she settled for an instrumental piece that was haunting with it's beauty. The emotions filled the car as the song played.

“What is it about cars that makes conversation so much easier?” I asked her with a small smile.

Glancing up she smiled. “ Oh I'm not sure but there is something about cars isn't there? Maybe driving at 110 miles an hour and knowing you can't leave helps.” Giving me a smart smile and giggling she settled back into her seat. “ So, how much further?”

“Oh another twenty mins or so am I boring you?”

“No! I've never been here before and was just curious, besides now I know I have time to ask you some questions Professor.”

“Oh really, then ask away my dear ask away.”

“Why get into teaching if you don't like people? And, why mythology? Don't get me wrong your lecture was great. I loved it!”

“Yes, you had said that yesterday. I just like to talk and I like people to listen. I have always enjoyed a good back and forth conversation. But, there are times where I also want to just say my piece. I have become over the years. a fountain of knowledge of some rather odd subjects. Sometimes it's nice to share that with others. I suppose, someday I was hoping to find someone who shared my interest enough to follow me along a path lead by chance.”

“Oh. So is this really by chance then, if you had it planned out all along.”

“Clever girl, I suppose not since it was planned but, it was by chance I ran into you then that you accepted my invitation and stuck around afterwards for me to ask you to come. So planned yes, but still a chance wouldn't you think?”

“I guess you're right.”

“Well my turn now to ask you a question, since we are playing the ask and tell game. What is your favorite lesser known mythical creature. Since you told me yesterday you enjoy researching the subject on your own accord there must be something less standard than a dragon or a unicorn you find interesting.”

“ A Dracquoneous.”

I just about hit the gravel on the side of the road and had to correct my steering. Breathing faster I waited for her to say more I really wasn't expecting that answer. When she said nothing more I didn't know what to think and kept quiet myself. Lost in my own thoughts for the next few moments, I turned onto the dirt road that would take us to the waterfall. Parking the car I turned to fully face her and asked, “What about Dracquoneous' do you enjoy? That's a rather odd choice even for the less well known mythical animals. Most people don't even believe they were a real myth. Nothing more than a child's cartoon.”

“I don't think so. I know there is the character on the kids pony cartoon. But, I still think there's more to the myth. I think, they've been referred to as Chimera's as much as Dracquoneous. There are written accounts, even recently of people seeing one. The descriptions are always the same. I think that's where the idea for the cartoon came up. He looks like the real life descriptions. But, like you said you have to know how to research to find the real stories vs the cartoon versions.” She opened the door and got out stretching from the ride. “I don't know but, I just don't feel like the species is only a cartoon image. I think there's more.”

How did she just do that. How, out of everything did she pick up on the real tones in the cartoon I made happen. Oh, I didn't actually make the Friendship is Magic but I for sure made the thoughts appear in the right place for the right person. Then, the cards were able to place themselves and I was able to watch my friends and hope that the bearer of souls would be watching too and feel a connection to the characters. I had done it more on a whim for some company even in a very feeble form. I was so impressed with Light for seeing more of it and having the courage to say so. I followed her out of the car. Grabbing my gear I turned to see she had done the same.

“Ready?” I asked.

“Ready.”