Broken Harmony

Nova woke up to sun streaming through the bedroom window. She smiled as she glanced at a small scratch on her arm, apparently a lion cub had gotten too close. Not that she minded at all, she would have to thank Seth again for the night out. She’d have her chance in a couple of hours. Thinking about that made her sit up and swing her legs out of bed. She was so excited to see him. He was a very new and exciting feeling that brought out a bit of boldness that she wasn’t use to showing. He seemed so carefree but at the same time grounded and sad maybe? She really couldn’t put her finger on it yet but, they hadn’t known eachother more than a couple of days.

Last night was just amazing and she wanted to give him a repayment for the joy she had experienced with him at the zoo. She grinned stepping out of bed and turning a playlist on her computer while she printed out tickets for today. Dancing around the apartment she got dressed thinking about what he would say when she showed him what she had planned. Thinking about that she twirled to her phone and sent a quick text, “ Make sure you dress down today and comfy shoes we’ll be outside.”

His reply was quick, “sounds interesting …. See you soon” Nova smiled and made her way outside to her car bringing it around to the front of the apartment building. He wasn’t driving today, this was her idea and she was planning on being in control. Getting out she went to the front of the car and leaned on the hood waiting for Seth to show up.

Seth wasn’t long to pull up behind her car. He got out of his car and strode up to Nova at the front of hers. “Well, I see we have another car here and the lady has the keys… I’m not driving today am I?”

“I told you I had something planned today and I meant it. Honestly, how could I keep a surprise if I was telling you directions.” She pushed off of her car and looked up with bright eyes, “come on get inside! Promise I’m not planning on kidnapping you or anything.” She smirked as she watched him go to the passengers side. He looked at her from over the car and laughed. He caught the joke from last night in reverse she was really clever.

Nova started the car and turned on the radio. She was listening to a classical station Seth noted. “So my dear,care to spill the beans on where we are going yet.”

“Not really”
“No huh, well then let’s play a game.”

She glanced at him, “a game?”
“Oh yes! I mean what a better way to fill the time than fun and games.” He smiled at her and hoped he wasn’t off his mark. He wanted to get to know her a bit better and this way it kept everything happy and if something ended up getting too serious he could always back away and change the rules.

“Ok you’re on, we have a little bit of time before we get to ...the….place. I’ll play, what are the rules?”

“Rules are easy and I’m sure you’ve played before two truths and a lie.” He watched her smile and nod her head. “Right! I can start! Let’s see….. I think cotton candy would be better as clouds than candy…. I love thunderstorms …. Jigsaw puzzles are a wonderful way to spend an afternoon” He watched her think she scruntched up her nose, it was adorable.

“The… cotton candy one? No, puzzles that’s the lie.” She smiled as she saw him react. He laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

“ What can I say they are just soo predictable and talk about a snoozefest. Ok, your turn!”

Nova was quiet for a moment thinking about what she wanted him to know about her. She knew this “game” was just a way to get to know each other a little bit better. She enjoyed it to, it was a quick fun way to learn a few things about the other person. “Ok.. I love popcorn more than anything… I watch the my little pony cartoon even though it’s for kids…. And… I like rollercoasters..” she waited for his response.

“Easy, pony cartoon is the lie.” Seth felt his heart start beating a bit quicker. Maybe, this wasn’t such a good idea. She shook her head no… he already knew it would be the truth he just wasn’t ready for that yet. “Ok popcorn…..” She smiled and nodded her cheeks a bit redder than they had been a few seconds ago. Seth knew she wanted to say something about the cartoons so he quickly sidestepped her response by asking “So, rollercoasters huh?”

“Oh! Yes, I love the feeling of flying and how fast they go… say… Seth, do you like rollercoasters?”

“I had a feeling you were going to ask that question, Nova can I guess where you are taking me?”

Nova laughed, “guess away although, I’m thinking that it’s not a guess at this point is it? So, do you like amusement parks? I hope you do, I know they aren’t for everyone.” She took her foot off the gas pedal look over at him, “I mean I should have asked we don’t have to go….”

“Nova, my dear I can not wait to ride whatever hair raising contraption you want to make me a passenger in. Drive on my dear this sounds like an exciting day.”

She sighed relieved letting him know how great that was and how excited she was to take him there. She continued on about her favorite rides and inside he felt his own sigh build up and let go. Not ready for the other conversation yet, I want to get to know her first before everything else hits the fan. Seth knew he had to let her know and quickly, he had been away for too long as it was. He missed home so much but, being with her and feeling the power of the elements he finally felt happy. He deserved a bit of happiness didn’t he?

The only reason there was a my little pony show was because he made it. Discord knew that the story would call to whoever the elements had turned into. How could it not, it was about them and their history, their home, magic, and lives. He also wanted this human to have a basic history of Equestria under her belt so he wouldn’t have to explain so much. Also if he was being truthful watching the show made this world a little less lonely. Memories he could see and smile at without having to think too much about them. It kept him company. So, to make this happened Discord used his powers and implanted a story in a young animators mind. The rest, was history and here they were. He could explain much easier to Nova now and maybe she wouldn’t be afraid of him once he told her the truth. He really hoped she wouldn’t be afraid of him.

“Ok, we’re here!”

The rest of their time was spent talking in lines and then flying through the quick turns and loops of the rollercoasters. Nova’s laugh was like the sound of pure joy. She really did love this and he had to admit to himself he was loving his time here as well. Watching her bounce ahead of him, leading him to the next thrill ride, her hair tied up in a ponytail but still managing to flow out like it had a life of its own. Her movements were truly music. He was surprised how much he couldn’t predict her actions. He kept thinking she would act one way and she would go off in a whole different direction. He thought all that would matter was being with his elements again but, he was wrong. She was all of her own wonderful self and he felt joy at spending time with just her, Nova.

The sky had started to darken towards the middle of the afternoon. Clouds quickly closed in and the smell of rain was in the sky. Nova sighed she didn’t want it to rain today. She was having way too much fun. Seth proved to be an equal for thrills. She didn’t get a chance to come here very often as she was the only one of her friends to really enjoy rides. She grabbed Seth’s hand and said, “saved the best for last promise, let’s hit one more coaster before the rain starts.”

They sat next to each other gliding slowly up the first hill. This coaster was massive and the drop looked like it just fell towards the earth. They turned and grinned at the other one. Making eye contact, when all of a sudden thunder sounded. Nova took a sharp breath in. Something didn’t feel right inside. The thunder felt like it had almost gone inside her. She felt the jarr of energy like before at the club. It hurt, she looked at Seth and he grabbed her hand squeezing tight. He had felt it too. The coaster car tipped over the drop as lightning streaked the sky Nova screamed in pain. Seth watched her in horror as she fought to ride out the energy.

The air was ripping around them as the rollercoaster flung through it’s path. Nova closed her eyes and focused on the pressure from Seth’s hand. She felt another flash of lightning streak through her. She felt it inside her soul. The power ripped through her, what was happening to her? The coaster came to a stop inside the que with a jolt. The restraints popped open and she stayed sitting. People in the line waited while Seth slowly got her to her feet. The ride operator asked if she was ill and needed medical attention. She heard Seth telling them no just that the storm had scared her. She looked up at him and smiled weakly.

“I’m taking you home, where are your keys Nova?” She pointed to her pocket and grabbed them out for him.

“Something’s wrong Seth, I don’t feel well.”

“I know, don’t worry I got you. What you need right now is some rest and out of this storm.”

The moment he said storm the heavens opened up and the rain fell onto them. Nova shivered and had a hard time walking through the torrent even with Seth’s help. Lightning lit up the sky and she screamed. The jolt that flowed through her was overwhelming. She knew she must look like she was terrified of the storm but, for some reason she didn’t feel like Seth thought that. He seemed to understand exactly what was happening like he could feel it too. She stumbled almost falling. Seth bent down and scooped her up carrying her back to the car. She heard the thunder and she vibrated inside with the power. She quietly said to him, “you feel it too right?”

“Yes, I feel it too my dear. Shhh we need to get you back to the car and out of this storm.”

“This isn’t normal Seth. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m scared.” She buried her face into his chest and started to shake.

Seth quickly got her back to the car and put her in the back seat so she could lay down. He sent a small amount of power into her to help her sleep. Until the storm was over it was the only mercy he could give her. Her powers were waking up. Driving back to her apartment he kept an eye on the figure in the backseat. She looked so small and terribly young.

This wasn’t fair, he understood now that him being with her was setting everything in motion. He was going to be the cause of her pain as she worked through this. He wanted nothing more than to leave her be as he watched her shiver with another flash of lightning. This wasn’t fair. Why did everything have to be forged so violently. He had realized far too quickly that she wasn’t just a vessel for his ponies, Nova was a beautiful soul all on her own. She was here because of them, only alive because of them but, she wasn’t them. This was far too much to handle, he bashed his hands on the steering wheel. Fate was cruel. Friendship was magic all right .. magic enough it might kill her.

Getting back to her apartment he carried her to what he assumed was her bedroom. He used a quick spell to soak up the water and get rid of the chill she had gotten in the storm. Placing her in bed he covered her up and went to the bedroom door with a blanket he had taken from the bottom of the bed. He was so tired. The storm had taken a toll on him too. He could feel everything flowing through Nova. He felt her power call out to him and twine it’s way through his body. It was all he could do to not transform back into his normal body. The fight was very much two sided and he was exhausted. He curled up beside the door and fell asleep.