Away from Home

Caecus watched from the upper window of the school as the other students talked and joked. A few kicked a ball between themselves and seemed to be trying to get it into a bucket. They were in two units; both had an earth pony, one had a pegasus while the other a bat pony, and unicorns used their magic to hold the bucket. It seemed queer to Caecus as he watched, as he had never seen a game that seemed to serve no use other than enjoyment. Then again, he had never spent much time outside the walls of Highever, and when he had it was always with father, mother, or uncle. Both teams laughed as one got the ball in the bucket before starting the whole thing over again.

The prince had learned a few of the players’ names like Rose Heart and Silent Night from his classes, but the others he didn’t know. Caecus turned from the window and started down the long hall with not heading anywhere in particular.

I wonder if Father has started preparing for the winter festival and if my brothers will partake in the joust this year. How I wish I could instead of enduring this kingdom’s Nightmare Night, he thought as he made his way down a flight of stairs.

As the days had grown closer to Nightmare Night, the school had begun to prepare for the night. The teacher told the stories of Nightmare Moon, even if they were more myth than fact. The other students were eager to make plays with their fellows, even the ones Caecus could stand seemed anxious for the night. How can they look forward to a holiday that is not their own… he wondered.

In the main hall of the school, ponies worked to decorate the great hall. Spiders, bats, and other things that ponies feared were hung from the rafters by unicorns and pegasi, as others used ladders to place webs along the sides of the hall. A few of the students helped by carrying boxes of decorations. Sandbar and Silverstream were two that worked on the great hall, the hippogriff was busy hanging a few spiders on cloth webs, while Sandbar was carrying one of the boxes.

Part of Caecus wanted to point out how they should place a few of the fake cobwebs along the windows, as he had seen a few abandoned castles and buildings over the years. Lakestad had been the creepiest of all if he recalled Aurum’s tale of how the lord of the castle had gone mad and killed all that dwelled within, with some saying the lord was found and still walked the halls seeking to kill more ponies. A foal’s tale he later learned, but still, Lakestad was surly hunted by something.

Nopony spoke to him as he walked across the hall. Once outside in the courtyard he felt the chilled air blow agest his fur. There was little doubt that winter would come soon. He started for the town, not heading anywhere in particular. The town was alive with ponies setting up for the holiday, and each shop had bats or spiders in the windows. Foals played all manner of games, and a few seemed to be playing warriors.

Sugarcube Corner had all kinds of seasonal sweets in the window, a few Caecus was tempted to buy. Inside the shop, he could see the Cakes and Pinkie busy at work. All seemed happy as they want about their day.

He walked until he came to the Everfree. The forest seemed even more haunted this time of year. Many of the trees were bare, and the others’ leaves had turned gold and brown. The ground was blanketed in leaves that had fallen to the earth below and smelled of mold and decay. He stayed only a moment before he started back toward the town.

Would it do me any harm to partake in the festivities of this kingdom? Caecus wondered as he walked. After all, if he was here on a royal visit it would have been a must, as he had witnessed his father take part in the holiday of Tenebrae on their visit. Even now Caecus could still see the beauty of the caves they entered and how the crystals shone with a dark light. How his father had sat next to King Noctis as the bat ponies of Tenebrae sang and danced.

Just ahead Caecus could make out the forms of Smolder and Spike as they flew through the air. Now and then one would blow a ring of fire. Smolder was the better flyer of the two, but Spike had the more unusual colour of the two, being green over the common reds and whites of other dragons. After some time had passed the pair of dragons moved out of sight, even if a cloud of smoke could be seen every so often.

Once back in the town proper surrounded by ponies going about their day, Caecus had never felt more alone. At Highever he had his family, loyal guards, teachers and the faith but here he found himself more isolated. The prince knew it was his own doing. “Caecus? Is everything okay?” The prince nearly jumped as he heard Fluttershy’s voice.

“A...Aye just taking in the sights,” Caecus replied. Fluttershy was carrying bags filled with all manner of food. If he was to guess it was for her many pets.

“You should see the Apple Family corn maze once it’s finished. Last year I hear that Apples themed the maze after the Castle of the Two sisters, one even dressed as a pony of shadows.”

Caecus was unsure how a maze made of corn would be either terrifying or difficult to found one’s way through. It seemed more in line with entrancing foals than grown ponies.“Not my thing. I plan on staying well clear of Nightmare Night.” Caecus looked at back at the ponies setting up.

“Any reason? I mean, I know I like spending the night at home, but I’m also not the bravest and I don’t like scaring ponies.”

That doesn’t surprise me, Caecus thought as he looked back at Fluttershy. “My reasons are my own.” He said knowing his reasons were fairly weak if they were even that. He had no duties to perform here or any assignment to complete and he doubted he could find a reason of faith to avoid the holiday.

Fluttershy didn’t speak for a moment. “A shame I would join my friends if I could, as the idea of Nightmare Night is enjoyable. Even if the whole Nightmare Moon will gobble you if you don’t leave a candy offering is a bit strange.”

And therein lays one of the reason, why most it be a Nightmare. Caecus wondered. Even if it was all in good fun, he still didn’t feel right about the idea of offering anything to a demon. “I don’t know, the whole of idea of having a day celebrating a monster seems queer to me.” Along with vail in many ways.

“Oh, no if anything it was a way of remembering an event that shock Equestria. However, it has changed from its roots as a night to dread and mourn to become a night of fun for all. Most towns hold fairs with dancing and games, it really just a night to have fun with friends any more.” The shy mare smiled a bit.

While odd Caecus had read of other holidays that had changed in that way. “I’ll think about it, but I will not give me word either way.”

“Well, I’m sure your friends would like you to join them. Also if you need a costume I’m sure Rarity could help you.” The shy mare smiled.

Caecus looked down at his hooves, then to ponies around. Would it be so wrong of me to take part, even if I find the whole holiday misguided? he thought as he turned back to Fluttershy. “I’m not sure if I should…” The prince not knowing if it was right or wrong not too. He had been invited to join his friends for a night of merriment.

Fluttershy glanced around. “Would you want your friends to take part in your holidays?”

The shy mare spoke truly and the prince was well aware of it. “Aye… and if they should ever be in my homeland they would have a prince’s invite…” Caecus could see the hypocrisy in saying that.

The shy mare could only smile. “Then you’d best head to Rarity’s or find a costume. For now, I’d best get back to my cottage as I need to tend to my pets. Have a nice afternoon,” Fluttershy said before taking her leave.

After the shy mare had departed it left Caecus alone to think. If a pony would ask him a year ago if he would ever be friends with a Daughter or Tenebris, or a dragon he would have called them mad. Now, however, he could image being friends with both, how close of friends he was not sure of yet.

Caecus could only think as he walked back to the school. There were so many things he would invite his friends to take part in, but would it be right to ask them if he would not join them even for a night? He could see Smolder, Yona, and Gallus taking part in the Feast of Iron, even giving a few of his countrystallions a challenge. Sandbar and Silverstream would enjoy the Day of Lights, and with Ocellus loving each holiday of his homeland maybe his father would even allow her to sit at the king’s table.

As the prince reached the school he found ponies decorating the courtyard, and Twilight was the one assigning groups of the ponies who volunteered. Hesitantly he walked over to the Headmare. “Headmare, do you need another set of hooves?”

“Of course we could,” Twilight smiled.

At nightfall, Caecus made it back to his room and wound his music box. The music always put his mind at ease, even if he never knew what the song was called. The box had been a gift from nan when he was just a colt. His mind wandered to Nightmare Night and what he should dress as. He could simply find something at the shops, or ask Professor Rarity. However, a thought crossed his mind.

He turned his focus to the chest in front of his bed. As he opened it he moved around a few books and other things he had bought till he found the chainmail hauberk and his surcoat. Not really a costume, but it would be nice to have a reason to wear it here, Caecus thought. After he had laid out his armor and surcoat he went to his desk and listened to the music.