Heed My Warnings: {The Tutor and The Advisor}by MehJazChaptersAct I, Scene III: Dear YesterdayAct I, Scene V: Oh Mr. JAct I, Scene VI: But Family Arrives At Eight, But Family Arrives At Eight, What Family?...Act I, Scene I: There Will Be No FeteAct I, Scene II: The Sun Sets LateAct I, Scene IV: So Now CommunicateAct I, Scene III: Dear Yesterday"Princess Luna!" The guard hastened his banging on the superior blue door. "Princess Luna! Your Royal Highness!" His bronze eyes were dilated, and sweat matted his once groomed white fur. The guard behind him had removed his helmet to straighten his disheveled blue mane with a trembling hoof. Breathing in and out, he took a nervous glance around the obsidian hall and at the black curtained windows that obscured any sunlight. Gazing at the blue fire that flickered into a menacing dance in the lanterns hanging from the pillars, he returned his helmet back to his head, and turned to his fellow guard still attempting to awake the Lunar Princess. "Your Highness! Your High—" *BaNg!* The door violently swung open, revealing a tangled mass of a mane, puffy eyed, astronomical twilight alicorn, glaring down at her slumber disrupter. "WHY HATH THOU SQUAWKS OF SCREECHING BOARDS WAKENETH US?!!" The guard shrunk under her sharp cyan stare. "WE HATH PLACED UTMOST CARE AND PAINS TO NEVER BE AWOKEN, AND THOU DARE TO— to..." Luna, realizing her blunder clamped her mouth shut, *cough* "I mean..." she smiled (though it came out like a grimace) "...how could I be of service to thee, my dear subject," a royal blue light engulfed her horn, surrounding her ethereal mane to be restored of its untangled glory. Averting her head, and performing a faint yawn in her hoof, Luna blinked away the blur in her eyes, to see that the guard had already fainted, and so faced the other. "I seem to hath… disturbed thy fellow, oh warrior. Tell me, what troubles hath come nigh?" The guard blinked out of his stupefied gawk. Striking at attention under his ruler, he calmed his nerves. "Your Highness, as of now... Princess Celestia has... f-fallen." She blinked, her eyes growing wide and soon staring down at him with a sceptical look. "What is thy name and rank?" Her horn alighted, and the unconscious guard disappeared. He saluted, "Private Sector Light, Your Royal Highness!" Exiting her room and slamming the door, she ran past the guard and yelled in her loudest Canterlot voice, shaking the pillars that supported the hall. "TAKE US TO HER!!" "Y-Yes!" Sector teleported to her side to even out the distance. "Explain Private Sector, how hath this waxened!" "We...We don't know, Your Highness! At first, it seemed as if she was exhausted." They made another sharp left turn— "But then… then her mane just, stopped!" —and pushed past the large wooden door, both squinting their eyes at the brightness of the light from the stagnant sun shining through the openings of the pillars of the Lunar Path. "That, 'tis strange." Luna trotted off the stone path, and onto the grass to stare up at the sun. "Come, Private! Let us continue!" Under the afternoon sun, Luna's muted hoofsteps landed heavily on the paved brick ground. With every step, she had to be conscious of her speed, as to not outrun the guard leading her towards the crowding Royal Medical and Rehabilitation Center. "What?" What matter of madness is this?! She and the guard skidded to stop at the sight of nobles demanding to be given access into the wide, white building. Luna witnessed four mere guards holding off what seemed to be thirty or forty ponies moulded body mass, while simultaneously struggling to not fully lay a hoof on the aggressive mob — as to not suffer the wrath of demotion, a lawsuit, or worse unemployment. Heat rose to her head from their misconduct. "SILENCE!" she banged her hoof on the ground. All present froze and turned in fear at their Princess's harsh, downcast gaze. Without a second lost, the nobles scrambled to bow before her. A unicorn stallion in a bright yellow tailored suit spoke. "Your...Your Highness! These guards refused to allow us entrance to visit Princess Celestia, denying of our noble rights," he glared back at two of the guards, causing a short flinch, and looked up at Luna, "please, gift them a proper punishment for this crime, Princess Luna." Her right eye twitched at the agreeing nods of the others. "Have ye all not noticed that thine rowdiness would disrupt the ponies caring for my sister, your Princess'," she said, making her way slowly to the group. "B-But—" Her wings flared, "NO BUTS!" she banged her hoof on the ground, cracking it. "Hiiii!" the noble skittered away. "This, 'tis a place for the ailing and troubled," she approached the group and gestured her hoof over at them— "not a BATTLEFIELD!"— glaring with a look of disdain as few in the middle row hid their snort. Holding her head high she huffed. "My sister hath fallen, my slumber trotted on, only to witness ye all acting like foals tantruming for thy MOTHER?!" Their heads fell. Most of their heads fell. "For shame," she sneered. "Ye shouldth all be ashamed for thine actions." Luna split the group in two without magic nor hoof, but with guilt. Standing by the door, she turned to the silent guards trying their utmost best to hide their distraught emotions, guards who could not stop the small ticks in their neutral faces, guards who had held back the nobles despite the high risks, "Ye hath fulfilled thy duty— come Private," Luna called out as the nobles turned to his direction. He flinched and carefully trotted to her side. Luna jarred open doors of the main entrance and paused mid step in the lounge, looking wide eyed over at the crying foal and his mother coaxing him, whispering something in his ears, and an older couple comforting each other and turning towards her. She had thought visits were canceled today due to the foreign diplomat's visitation, yet here they were. She breathed in and nodded to their bow and made her way to the unicorn mare receptionist, stationed at her desk, head in her hooves. "Excuse me," a calm whisper called the mare out her own anguished world. The mare's eyes widened, "Princess Luna, you're finally here!" hope brightened her entire face, and she stood for Luna to see her ID card on the chest of her white scrubs. "I wish to see my sister," she searched behind the desk and eyed the two empty seats, "art thou the only one minding the desk?" She flinched and faced the floor with shame, "yes… actually. The second floor was..." she huddled down back in her seat and sighed, "was in need of more assistance than down here...." "Doth that so explain the guests we have here?" Settle Task, as it had been so written on her ID flinched, "We made sure that Princess Celestia was carried in from the back entrance, Y-Your Highness!" she didn't think to hide the news with a lowered tone, "But...." "The foals standing in their crib refused their binky, even before we uttered such revelations outside?" she huffed. "Yes?" Luna huffed once more before looking at Private Sector Light. "Private, guard this place with thy life, ensure that none so passes those doors, nor arrives at the second level." "Of course Your Highness!" "Settle Task, please enlighten us of the situation on the second level." "...it's...." She avoided the two galloping nurses rolling a bed through the double doors she entered from and towards the right wing. Even her trained eyes had to look in wonder at how coordinated the front desk was conducting the scattering staff members trying to get towards one section of the building to the next with furious ease. "I need a nurse and anesthesiologist on sight in room 103! Room 103! The patient is in need of immediate care!" Amongst the two ponies in white scrubs and two in blue, all managing the desk, a mare in a white coat yelled into her microphone at the front of it all. Seeing that the desk had enough work on their hooves, Luna decided to wait out the storm then ask the whereabouts of her sis— "Where's the other janitor?! What do you mean he fell down the stairs?!!" A pegasus stallion in wet blue scrubs argued with the mare in white scrubs at the desk, "I've got a bathroom flooding the room and towels won't hold for long!" An older unicorn stallion came from the other side next to the nervous mare. "Sir, Mr. Cool Sweeps' already fixing the problem in the basement and—" *Beeep* The soft beep noise called the stallion back to his section of the desk to pick up a phone. "Nurse in room 224! Nurse in room 224!" *Beeep* A mare with a pencil behind her ear picked up a phone and turned to the unicorn stallion. "Chief! Phone call!" "Hold it, Safe Route!" the stallion, Chief, responded as he switched between answering phones and directing nurses and doctors towards the rooms they needed to make haste into. "Sir, we may have a Code V on our hooves!" she pushed the phone onto his chest with a defiant head nod ordering him to take it. Luna's ears turned up at the title unheard of before, but whatever this Code V could be, it meant that maybe she couldn't wait this out, and may need to intervene in something that she was not tasked in. "Needle Point!" he turned to the microphone mare, "I can't watch the desk! It's Dr. Saline! I'll be back!" Luna could only stare in the sidelines as the unicorn stallion galloped out from behind the desk, leaving only four ponies. "Chief—!" Luna snapped her head towards another unicorn stallion, but in a hospital gown galloping towards the desk, a second after Chief vacated the waiting area through the white double doors next to the desk. "It's the changelings, the changelings are taking over! They're taking over! They're back I tell you, they're back!!" Said unicorn stallion, if she looked closely, was wearing a black ring on his horn pleading for the microphone mare, Needle Point, to release it. That, 'tis a magic suppressor! Luna thought as she readied her stilled muscles to arrive to the desk if need so be. What exactly occurred that was connected to the reformed changelings, could hath brought on such a last resort? "Where is Mr. Look's guardian?" Luna craned her neck back as the mare didn't even flinch, nor the scattered staff come to resolve the apparent problem. She spoke clearly in the mic, the composed voice echoing from the speakers was almost reassuring in the fast paced chaos; not giving a chance for Luna to breathe, but instead signaling for a frazzled stallion in light green scrubs to run out of the left wing with a relieved smile. "There you are!" With gentle care, he helped the disoriented stallion off his hindlegs and dragged him towards the area he came through. "Let go! I need to fight!" Luna flinched when the stallion caught sight of her, "Your Royal Highness!" he cried, "Please! I must protect Canterlot!" The demands could not even echo through her trembling heart upon the ear scratching ringing of an alarm, and the yells of Needle Point, who was unable to strike a glance at her once she realized her presence. "Everypony stop!!" The scattering had already ceased once she stood from her chair and snatched a paper from Safe Route, alarm still ringing, her neon green eyes skimmed through whatever type of terror could have occurred. Passing the paper back to the mare, she leaned into the mic. "Code Violet! I repeat, this is a Code Violet!" In a matter of seconds, Luna watched as all the mares in the hall— except for Needle Point— galloped pass her, not once blinking at her presence and lined up to guard the doors she came through, three out of the group already standing tall in front of her. The stallions still in their spot, taking on a defensive stance. Blinking away her focused stare, she turned to the middle mare, "What goes—?" she paused once Needle Point continued. "Patient Barb Wire has just attacked her doctor and is heading towards the right wing! I need all available male staff to subdue her with vigi—!" *BANG!* "It's the end of the WOOORLD!!" A mare in a hospital gown barged through the white double doors, wearing a plastic helmet atop her head, and holding an IV stand like spear... as two scalpels were tied at the end with bandages. Chasing her were a group of male nurses and a doctor leading the crusade, said doctor was levitating a syringe. "Missus Barb Wire!" The stallions that were already in the hall ran towards her, causing the rouge patient to drop her weapon on its wheels and twist her body around on its axis, sending the group on their backs with a spinning kick. Returning the weapon under her foreleg, Luna snarled when the mare slipped from the coming grasp of a nurse behind her, ducking down low, and rammed the ends of the IV stand hard into his chin, knocking him out. The mares in front of her acting as a shield had flinched at the crack. Something snapped. The air went cold. And her mane flared. "WARRIOR!" She flew into the air and summoned the hoof made weapon out her hold, causing the mare to gasp a name she didn't care to hear. Horn alight and glare of fiery aimed at the shell shocked mare, she did not adhere to the yells of the three mares, Needle Point, nor the doctor's call to stop, as she aimed a beam of magic into the vulnerable mare's body, sending her to fall on her side, that is, was it not for the doctor sliding across the floor, catching her in the nick of time, before her head hit anything other than soft air. And then, everything was silent. Dead silent. Until Luna's hooves fell heavily against the tiled floor, until those three mares could only pale their faces at h e r , then the unconscious mare. And the double doors being guarded by the mares behind her slammed open, and the connected consciousness was switched off. "Doctor Atropa!" Needle Point gasped at the unicorn stallion. "What the hell is going on up here?!" Her heart was unable to reach a calming point at what just occurred, at what she just did; as she could only stare widely at the unconscious mare and nurse being carried into the right wing. 'Twas but a sleeping spell, she convinced herself. “You’re late.” "Of course I’m late! I had to deal with a herd of crazy ponies trying to stop me from coming in here!" Luna flinched and eyed the stallion putting a final hoof in the sleeves of his white coat, wondering how he could have went against the royal guards and Private Sector. There was a teleportation seal inside this place and embedded into the bricks grounding the building, not to mention the outside perimeter. "Then I hear there's a Code V?!" He trotted behind the desk and pulled a covered switch on the wall, stopping the alarm. The doctor turned to the fire-hazardous nurses already off the floor then at Needle Point. "And all this—” he gestured to the almost full hall, “—for one admitted pony?!" The mare shrunk in her seat, something Luna wouldn't have thought to see after witnessing her extraordinary leadership skills. "Dear Doctor," she lifted her head high, "this brave mare hath faired well with her team in conducting the staff." The doctor only blinked at the praise she gifted the mare, but then his brows furrowed, almost confused at finally understanding what she said. "Excuse me, Your Highness," he came to the sitting mare's side, "but I was speaking specifically with Doctor Needle Point." Her right eye twitched at his blunt, and highly rude statement. "Excuse us?" "I was trying to make sure nothing disastrous happened," he adjusted the pens in his white coat's pocket, "Your Highness." Wings tensing, her hoof dug into the floor. This was not a mere pony. Celestia had fallen, so of course there is a disaster stricken upon them! But even so, this doctor barges in here and now acts such as this, towards her, towards them all?! "Thou were yelling at this mare!" she pointed at Needle Point. The still untroubled doctor only gave her a silent look. "I'm only raising my voice because the nobles outside had not been dealt with, by sending them back to court until further notice." Her breath hitched at finding out that the nobles were still out there. "I—" "And that somepony had not informed the new receptionist or even you, Your Highness, as soon as you entered, that I would be arriving." "That is—" "Lastly, it's protocol that all highly volatile patients are to be given their weekly shots, which would prevent these types of incidents," he glared at Needle Point who inhaled a heavy breath. "The patient had attacked her doctor, Sir." Luna nodded, a sense of her pride returning when he was silenced, "That is but correct, Doctor." "And what was the trigger?" he asked. Yet that question made all the remaining staff in the hall still. And the unicorn doctor needed only to look around the area to receive his answer. He blinked, closed his eyes and lifted his head as if asking for divine intervention, "Haah, I get it," he faced the staff, scrutinizing their still faces, "somepony couldn't keep their mouth shut and spooked the entire facility, including not just one patient but all the patients who were once guards protecting the Princesses, I get it," he nodded with a calm smile that didn't reach his eyes, "you're all dismissed." The atmosphere sunk, and the hall gradually emptied until there were only three left. "I'm sorry... Sir," Needle Point bowed her head low, remorse clearly etched in her core. *sigh* "It's not your fault, Doctor Needle Point," he patted her withers, "as long as the situation was handled in a decent manner—" Luna gulped. "—and the patients are safe, and had been taken care of without much fault—" Both mares just listened. "—Then there's no need to worry." "...." "...." He glanced between the both of them, "I hope I don't need to sign a death certificate." "No pony passed before your arrival, Sir!" She peeked an eye at Luna with caution. "Before?... So I should look out for when it happens during my stay?" "Not at all, Doctor Atropa." Luna breathed out slowly, "And if so may to happen, then let it be by my fault." His head tilted in thought or maybe interest, "...I see," then he turned to Needle Point, "I want a report of the events ranging from the last five hours 'til now, after I've examined Princess Celestia's condition and run a diagnosis." "...Yes Sir, of course Sir," she opened her draw and pulled out a pack of papers and a typewriter from below. "Princess Celestia should be in room 221r, with Nurse Warming Heart, Doctor Atropa, Sir. Nurse Safe Route may have already received her checkup status by now." "Good, a leisurely stroll," he sighed and faced Luna. "I'm sure you're ready for a visit, Your Highness, but it may take at most a few minutes or an hour, depending on what we're dealing with, so you'll need to wait more than what you wanted... somewhere by her door." But a dull smile shined on his slim and proper face, "but of course...." Her eyes narrowed at the suggestion, she did not wake up earlier than she was meant, to get only this, waiting even more. And who was this doctor to voice such a thing in that sullied, rotten tone? "I see... I guess we're cutting corners for you," he arched a brow, "well, we should be going?" He nodded at Needle Point, and she back at him. Moving around Luna, he made his way towards the right wing, Luna hot on his tied, and trimmed, long white tail. Receiving a clipboard from the joyous mare, Safe Route, of the chaos storm, who greeted them both with a refreshing smile from her desk, it was indeed a leisurely stroll, a quiet one, not the rude doctor nor Luna opened up a friendly conversation, which gave the small hellos, and respected nods from the rest of the staff, a meaningful look of intrigue from Luna. He may quite be of great quality in his profession if he does so receive such attention, but… if one were to include his rude and blunt way of speech, and his sickeningly fake smiles he gave her… she does not see how. Also, these ominous marvels will not excuse why this doctor was not rushing with her towards her sister's room to conclude her situation, and yes, she would love to push pass this doctor and make her way onwards towards Celestia's resting place, but what good would that so do? She had already went against her words to those nobles, and.... Luna's head sunk low. "Dear Doctor," she called, extracting a faint back glance from said stallion. "Yes, Your Highness?" "Art thou the one meant to forever care for my sister?" "...I am... her attending physician, yes." "Why hath we now heard of thee?" "I'm sure you haven't once came into contact with the staff here until now?" "...Yes." "Then it only makes sense you haven't—" "Doctor," she snarled, silencing his next words, "thy tongue seems to favor bitter speech, tame it." He only blinked and tilted his head in a puppet like way, in what was definitely, interest, “You’d have to ask Princess Celestia, Your Highness.” Luna prevented her mane from flickering from his avoidant response, from his mockery. She could not see how this stallion could be a doctor here if he acted such as this towards her, so how could she expect him to do good for her sister who had fallen?! And the stars know what could be her troublement! “You.” “Yes, Your Highness?” She huffed. "Why is it so that thou doth not make haste towards our sister?" He blinked, "She is being well taken care of by a good nurse, Your Highness,” he flipped through the papers on the clipboard, “and based on her status, there doesn't exist any type of critical condition, as her brain scans for damage came out negative, and her Blood sugar level is normal." This...This colt! "But she is thy princess! She hath fallen! Her mane hath ceased, and her sun doth not shine as bright as it once so did!" "That part was very much easy to notice, Your Highness, and based on that alone I can deduct that it may just be from overworking, I was told she did appear to be tired and fighting to stay awake. I’m sure you have experienced this before?" "...That...That is true." But not to the point where one’s light struggles on the line of luminosity. "But even fainting from exhaustion should be carefully dealt with. So, I'd have to see her myself...." He and her paused at the loud clopping of hooves in the relatively empty hall. Both watched a mare fall out a room a few doors down and spot them, but only to get up and gallop towards the doctor while calling his name. "Doctor Atropa!” tears fell down her soft magenta cheeks and Luna felt the urge to pull the crying mare from the rude doctor’s coat, but there was no need, as he did it himself. He does not even comfort a crying mare?! The heartless and rude doctor looked upon the mare as she sniffled behind her foreleg. Eye twitching, Luna turned to the mare and pushed up a kind smile, “Young mare, art thou hurt? Thou hath fallen a great fa—” the young mare flinched upon laying a soft hoof on her withers. “Your Highness?!” complete dread refocused on her face, “You can’t...You can’t be here,” she backed away from her. Her head craned back in surprise, and she furrowed her brows. “We have full intentions in meeting our sister. And as the doctor hath said, she hath been but overworked, so she shall quickly recover.” She hoped that he was reliable in that decision, even if it was a deduction. The mare’s wide eyes drifted over to the doctor, “Doctor Atropa?” Everything about her screamed anxious fear, and that brought Luna’s attention. “What happened Warming Heart?” he asked, trotting in front of her, formality dropped and clear to the point. And the mare’s name shot a chill down Luna’s spine. Warming Heart gulped, glancing at Luna and back at the doctor, and sighed, “It's the Princess,” her voice was calm, but Luna’s heart instead fell deep down into the cold wrapping around her body, “sh-she's shrinking.” Author's Note And Chief was never seen again. Act I, Scene V: Oh Mr. JDonut Joe prized himself and his establishment, for providing excellent service to his customers and ensuring that everything was kept up to date. He also prized himself for being a good first time employer to his temporary employee. That's why, instead of closing up shop and setting the good old stools he and Miss Angel sat on to rest their tired hooves, and double checking his stores, he used his time to stand in front of the closed yet unlocked door, embracing the fascinated looks and cautious waves he was getting from the ponies walking by with a proud grin, watching closely that the young mare made it safely across the road and around the corner without any minor mishaps. Craning his head to see the last part of that decently... possibly backbreaking— can't understand why the kid insists— saddlebag she's always bringing, that hid even her cutie mark, he huffed with satisfaction at a job well done. Locking the door and making extra sure that it was sealed tight, he turned to levitate the stools atop the table and trotted around the counter to enter his spotlessly clean— *Knock, Knock* He paused and a great smile protruded his muzzle at the arrival of a late customer, he couldn't keep paying ponies waiting, could he? So making his way to the door, his proud smile shifted and his head tilted in confusion at the two stallions in tan overcoats, well one appeared to be a stallion but he really couldn't tell, and the other was normal compared to the other... too normal. But, the thing was, they were suspiciously conversing with each other, not that talking was suspicious, but two ponies in overcoats talking to each other in the evening, as the setting sun shone off them, casting their long shadows into his shop, steeeamed the word suspicious out their suspicious tan hats tilted downwards. Though, it isn't strange, since it was fall, and it does get chilly up here, and this was the west side of Canterlot, and it is going to be Nightmare Night tomorrow. "Hm...." he glared at the two, but immediately shrugged it off, because as long as they're paying and get the hell out his closed shop, he didn't care. And hey! Would you look at that! They're even attracting customers for tomorrow! Ah, ya gotta love Canterlot. So, smile already returning on his face, he unlocked the door and opened it for his paying customers. The two ponies completely stopped their talking— or whispers, as he didn't hear their conversation from even beyond the door— in an almost scary second, a huge flag that banged on his years of conducting business in Manehattan. The too normal looking stallion was the first to initiate a friendly greeting with an extension of a hoof, which Donut Joe happily took— can't bypass a swell shake of a hoof— upon seeing such an earnest smile, "Good evening, you have a lovely establishment here, sir." "Hah, pleased by the compliment, ya here for a late minute appointment to donut heaven?" he grinned, and his grin widened at the snort that came from the other pony, who saw that he heard and witnessed that act, and therefore faked the funk and tried to push forward that nothing happened. Which would have worked if he didn't see it. The too normal stallion only glanced at his overcoat companion and continued the conversation, "Undoubtedly, we're not here for that." "Oh?" he leaned on one side of his body and arched a brow, "Ya openin' some donut shop cross the street and tryin' to steal my secret sauce?" *snort* Maybe he should have become a comedian, and sold donuts, it'd be called the Laughing Joe, no, the Laughing Donut, or maybe the Laughs and Sweets, yes that's catchy. He smirked at the idea, he'd probably write that on his bucket list. But then he thought of that pink pony, Pinkie Pie, and decided against it. "Neva thought I'd get a wild audience," he smiled at the pony. Said pony only morphed their pretty face into a sour and convincing still expression, making him almost second guess if his ears heard wrong........ meh, let's just see what these two need from him, plus, they don't strike him as bakers, and he could smell a competition from a mile away. No, these were business ponies, hard business ponies, this wasn't no Nightmare Night eve jolly ride. He opened his mouth to speak, but the too normal stallion instead answered his question. "And Mr. Joe, we're not here for any of that either." Well what were they here for? No need to be cryptic... and he doesn't remember giving his name out, though—he smiled—word does go by fast. Fast enough for these type of ponies to hear it, however.... The stallion's face remained as its simple blankness. "May we discuss this inside?" He leaned on the door frame and stared at the stallion's face, "'Til ya tell me who ya are and what ya need my attention for, ya not steppin' a single, clean hoof in my shop. No offense, but I don't know what type of business ya have underneath those coats of yours." To his surprise, none were offended nor did they walk off to whatever dark, shady, alley hole they came from. The too normal stallion nodded, and gave him a compliant smile and pulled out a simple white card from his pocket, just to hoof it calmly over to him. He casually eyed the card and felt that heart of his climb up to the tip of his throat. Ah... he should have expected this outcome from their looks, and there was no faking in this card, it was a genuine piece, and as a unicorn, he could feel the coursing signature magic pulsating from it as easy as pouring water in a pool. "Just as the card says, we're here to conduct a review of your Nightmare Night decorations in your shop, Mr. Joe, just to see if they're up to date," the stallion reached his hoof out to obtain the card and place it back to where it rightfully belonged. "Hah! Of course!" he forced a smile, making room for the two to enter, "I was expecting ya, but I didn't think ya were so dedicated to ya job to even dress up!" "We try," the pretty pony had finally spoke. And Donut Joe gulped as the curious gazes of the bystander ponies dispersing without a trace. Closing the door, he locked it, tight. Yes, Donut Joe prized himself and his establishment for providing excellent service to his customers… and ensuring everything was kept up to date.... Aaah, ya gotta love Canterlot. Author's Note This here scene was quite the short one, so I may upload Act I, Scene VI on Saturday 25th. Act I, Scene VI: But Family Arrives At Eight, But Family Arrives At Eight, What Family?... -"Goodie four hooves."- She grasped the hooves of the trembling mare trembling mare Who was— Wait, wait no that...that's…. -"Do ya wanna be friends?”- She could just...just tell him… TeLL HIM! tell him to find somewhere different please She can...she can…she can't… why can't, why, it's You'Re not working Her mouth it's…. -*Snort* "Hahaha! She can't even lift a simple tome!”- Why won't they just Please Take them out yourself! She can't She can't She can't why not…. -"Angel, look! I got my cutie mark!"- Sign Right Here on the…. -"Blank flank!"- …. -"It’s a talent show! Let's enter it together!"- We didn't win We can't win -"What's wrong with you?"- …. -"We're gonna win this!"- It's...It's all my f-fault -"Failure."- -"TRAITOR!"- R u n "NO!" Angel jolted awake, body stiff on her bed; breath strained upon awakening from the dream… dream? Clenching her eyes shut, she rested her hoof on her chest to calm herself. *sigh* She opened her eyes, only to furrow her brows staring into the darkness that was the ceiling. Darkness… Darkness… Darkness?.... She blinked as something cold came in contact with her muzzle. Huh? Touching her nose… well she couldn't feel her nose, H-Huh? What? but a cold bag. Wait, wait! Eyes widened as she pushed down on the bag, only to flinch from the shock of pain. But then that pain brought back the horrible, strained, and tense events from last night, Why had I even bothered? I...I was so nervous! I should have said I was fine! I should have remained calm from the beginning! I should have never asked!! she rolled over on her side to take hold of a pillow, clutching it close to her chest as she curled, and hid her face in its softness. I...I don't want to do this anymore. I want everything to go back to normal! I...I don't want to lie to him! Not to his face, and not to him ever! He...He doesn't deserve that! No pony does…. Her teeth were ready to sink itself into her bottom lip, but just applying a bit of pressure made her squeak loudly in her pillow. “Owow,” suctioning her lip to numb the pain, she squeezed her locked eyes. I...I deserved that…. Pulling her face out of fluff heaven, Angel sat up, back slumped, and posture given no consideration at all. What to do…. Rubbing her eyes and massaging her forehead, she glanced into the darkness that was beyond the hoof of her bed. Turning to where her desk should be, Angel peeked an eye on her left and squinted to see the blaring red numbers of her clock. “Enough time.” Sighing, she pulled her blanketed hind legs in close to her chest and buried her ice bagged-face in her knees. Enough time…. Lifting her head up towards the ceiling of darkness, she dropped her body back into slumber. *Sigh….* Staring up at her tinted white ceiling that shined in the morning blue light, Angel glanced over at the plain wooden box resting on her right nightstand. She sat up, and carefully opened it to see the pocket watch. Remembering the guard at the gate, her lips tightened. Why do I need something so small to identify myself?... She frowned. No. Shaking her head, she slid out of bed and trotted towards the window to pull back the blue curtains, I shouldn't be…. only to blink up at the fuzzy light gleaming into her face. “Huh.” Shrugging, she opened the draw, pulling out a small journal and pen. Flipping through the pages, she stopped at an empty page. Enough time… enough time for what? Jotting down the dream she had… a dream she had, Angel hissed as her hoof gave out, dropping the pen on the desk. Not now! A sore pain pinched at her legs, pulsating a surging heat wrapping around them. Quickly, she made her way into her bathroom, turning on the facet to run the freezing cold water on her hooves and forelegs. Looking up into the mirror, Angel flinched at how the wrapped ice bag appeared to take over her whole bottom half of her face. Do I… take it off now? Blinking, she lifted her bangs away, only to cringe at the developing dark patch under her eyes, And I said Mr. Whole Blend needs more sleep…. her lips twisted to the side, How exactly am I going to help him? He's been pushing back his scheduled sleep and isn't committing to his agreement to at least take Thursday's off.… Useless. Pushing back her bangs, she squinted her eyes at the small scar above her brow. *Sigh* She slumped down and laid her forelegs on the sink, resting her head, quietly listening to the running water. He...He wasn't even supposed to be at Mr. Joe's yesterday… and...and yet I still served him coffee. She hid her face in her hooves, What was I thinking?! I shouldn't be wasting!... wasting such precious time… and sighed. Turning off the facet, she shook her damp mane, making it and her bangs fall back in place and fluff out. Unwrapping the ice bag from her face, she leaned in closer to the mirror, Mr. Clockwise and Miss Gumdrop aren't going to like this one bit. Her lip wasn't swollen thanks to the ointment Seaweed had applied to it, but it was still busted and would be obvious to anypony who would gladly go up into her face. I need to stop this lip biting or I might just bite off my lip. She shivered at the thought then blinked. Grazing her freezing cold discolored nose, she huffed. Maybe I could not meet him at the door when he brings the boys…. She shook her head. No, then he'd ask where I am, then Seaweed would definitely tell him I fell off the bed and that I'm hiding and— Her eyes widened. Sweet lights! Then Father will hear it! Her heart thumped against her chest, Okay, no hiding, no hiding, should I tell him not to tell Father? and face fell. No! He's not Miss Gumdrop! He won't listen to me! Aagh! Dropping her forehead in her hooves, What am I going to do? she grumbled. Opening the medicine cabinet packed with small glass bottles containing a yellow substance, Angel grabbed one, pulling the cork off and downing the syrupy liquid. I'll think of somethin— *Gasp!* She choked on the stinging bitterness of the medicine that warmed her face, from the ringing sound of the doorbell. *Cough!* WHAT?! Already?! Turning on the facet to rinse out her mouth and switching it off, she slammed open the bathroom door and hurled out her room. They can't be here! It...It's too early! It's too soon! Not now! Not now! Not now! Not now! Not now! Not now!! The letter says 8:37!! Not...not…. She skittered to a stop and looked behind her questionly. Wait, what time is it? Trotting back a few steps, she glanced at the grandfather clock next to the window. It's seven. “O—” “EEK!” jumping, she snapped her head at her brother standing behind her. “S-Seaweed!” His eye squinted. “Good morning?” “....” Her cheeks warmed her numb and cold nose, I can't believe I was frightened from that.... “Um…” she rubbed her leg, “good...good morning….” "...." "...." "Did you sl—" They blinked as the doorbell rang again for the fourth then sixth time. “Let me go get th—” “N-No!” she blocked him and smiled, “I...I can g-get it.” I have to meet him first. Just get it over with. "...." His nose scrunched and he looked at her, scrutinizing her from head to hoof, making her slightly shrink under his gaze. “First you should—” *Dingdongdingdongdingdong* “....” “....” He sighed and her lips tightened with a subtle hum. Seaweed calmly trotted around her. “Go straighten yourself up first Angel, your mane is a mess.” Wh-What? She lost him once he turned ‘round the corner. Blinking, she bit the inside of her mouth. She was actually getting a good look at her tangled mess of a mane in the mirror, and so she sighed a sigh similar as her brother's from last night. What was I thinking? To go get the door when I haven't even straightened myself?! Mr. Clockwise would think I'm not keeping up maintenance! Pulling a curly strand away from the tumbleweed, a huff left her nose, There's no way this is presentable, I even forgot to brush my teeth and clean my face! I know he'd drag me back from something this small. Her cheek twitched. Grabbing her toothbrush from the cup, she stopped and stared down at it, a frown beginning to make way to her muzzle as her eyes widened with furrowed brows. Liar "...." Toothbrush reaching its destination, cleaning away the potent bitterness edged deep in her throat, she clenched the cold metal handle, the mintiness of the toothpaste irritating the open, healing wound on her lip. Liar Freezing temperatures shaped her face and neck, from the splashes of water, forming prickling needles to dig down into her skin, renumbing her nose and relieving the pressure pounding against her eyes. Liar And a whimper escaped from her cold, quivering lips as she stared, and stared, and glared at her soaked reflection. With her drenched wet, parted bangs matted against her forehead, and her dripping fur dragging down her body to fall to her pristine, and clean white tiled floor. She held her face in her icy hooves, pushing desperately at her eyes to hold back the burning hot drops of rough pebbles that refused to not roll down her face. Liar Her mouth cringed open and shut, bounding the developing high pitched squeak into a thick forced gulp. And she covered her mouth, ignoring the pain of her lip and the coldly hot pounding in her chest, swallowing the remnants of the heavy stones and sighed, shakily, but still sigh. Liar. Standing back up on her own hooves, Angel wiped away the rest of her tears, and sniffed. Bending down to open the cabinet underneath the sink, she picked out one of the tissue boxes and blew her nose. Placing it back with the others, she discarded the tissue and took hold of her brush resting on the stand by the sink, and sat down on the white wooden stool by the tub. *Sigh….* Breathe in, breathe out. *Sigh….* Each brush was a breath, brushing her short curly mane. Calm down. Each breath was a trembling brush, scrunching her face from tears tickling the corners of her eyes and wetness forming in her nose. Calm down Angel, calm down. And each trembling stroke of her brush resulted to her tears to finally break her barrier, trickling down her drying fur. Please. She fervently rubbed her eyes and breathed in the snot, not bothering to flinch when she made constant contact with her bruised nose. P l e a s e… StOp. Brush dropping to the rug soundlessly, she covered her face, hiding away from the rest of the world behind her hooves. I'm so pathetic. Happy thoughts. I shouldn't be feeling this! Happy thoughts. You did this to yourself! Happy thoughts. You choose this! Think happy thoughts. Then why am I crying?! You're stressed. You need rest. Happy th— I hate this! The sobs of lament penetrated her ears, as low and muffled tremors against her chest from the back of her throat revived the bitterness she thought had been washed away. How...How am I supposed to be a psychologist if I can't even apply my own studies to myself? I can't...I can't even help one pony when I'm by myself! She squeezed her fetlocks. *Hic* Useless. Closing her eyes tight, Angel blubbered out one last cry, as she had used up the last of her tears, no matter how much she forced more to flow down and carry away the rest of her regrets, regrets? I don't want to leave. Burying her head between her hindlegs, she relaxed in the warmth of her own fur. *Sigh* I have work… ...I still have my internship… …I have to spend time with the boys... ...and I promised. And you promised so much. Standing once again on her own, she picked up the brush, and trotted to the stand to place it back where it belonged. Facing herself in the mirror with her laid down bangs, she frowned. Thank Asphodel for them. He doesn't need to…. She whimpered, He doesn't need to worry more about me, averting away from her reflection, I've caused too much trouble already…. "...." Angel faced her reflection, breathed in, and huffed. Leaving the bathroom, she turned to her bed and held her saddlebag with itching, swollen eyes. I need to make sure I have everything…. Opening the left compartment, she pulled out a large, metal med-kit, checking the contents to find that she was low on ointment and salve… ointment. I...I have to go downstairs…. Seaweed's downstairs. The blood from her face drained, yet her heart pounded with the violent beats of the drums against her chest. Why does he have to always keep the good stuff downstairs and not in his room? Biting her gums, she glanced down into the organized sections of the kit, the small corked tube bottles glistening in the sunlight from her window, and the variety of bandages sorted by their effective uses. I can't leave without them…. "...Mmgh." Sucking up her fear, she placed the kit on her back. *Sigh* "L-Let's go," she nodded. Exiting her room, Angel wasted no time in reaching the stairs, but did stop to admire the old family portrait again. I wonder how Wisteria's doing?... What...What would she think if she saw me like this? Would she...Would she think it was somepony else's problem? Looking over at the soft violet coated filly, she giggled weakly at the heroic stance her elder sister had, Well… she's just like Father… a worrywart, a wooden sword was floating near the young and bored Seaweed's head. She then smiled a small smile and hummed, I think...I think I can do this. Turning, she made her way down the second flight of stairs, with just a small lift on her heavy heart. But, she paused at the returned cleanness of the lounge; though most of the furniture had been replaced, even if it was just the coffee table and the vase that was ruined. She trotted around the new cinnamon sectional couch set, which before had been a pair of peanut chesterfield couches. Weren't these in the basement? A frown surfaced her face, I know he likes everything clean, but did he even get any sleep? He didn't look any different upstairs. she rubbed her leg, I wish I could have helped him…. *Sigh* Angel trotted towards the double doors, but her ears sparked up at the laugh from behind. Eh? She blinked. That's Brother's laugh! Angel galloped back towards the other direction and to the doors leading into the dining room. She pressed her ears against it, only to catch a distant muffled conversation, which could distinctly be identified as both of her brothers voices, her heart dropped. Wh-Why is he here? Shouldn't he be in Manehattan? And that was him at the door?! She rubbed her chin at the thought. But… there's no way he would be here without a reason… huh… she removed her ear from the door and trotted behind the couch, maybe he's here to surprise the boys, yes, yes, she warily smiled, he definitely surprised me… I-I can see Larkspur and Foxgloves reaction, snorting at the idea of the young ones shock and the oldest squeal of glee, Angel went to peek her head inside the kitchen. She hummed seeing it and the breakfast nook around the corner empty, Miss Bow Top doesn't seem to be here. Then she's probably with Seaweed and Brother. This is much better, now I won't run into anypony! Turning around, she made her way into the entrance hall, I'd rather leave for a little bit, and return when Seaweed's gone so I can get the boys. Great idea! He usually leaves later than nine…. and entered the room from across, just to be smacked in the face by the wafting, peaceful smell of herbs and books, Hmmm. Her hooves were light, uneasy, and face was full of motherly warmth for a small second. *sigh….* Closing the door with as little noise as possible, Angel took a good look at the small library, At least it smells nice out here, and made her way to a door at the back of the room. Sucking in a deep breath, she opened the door, AGH! This smell is suffocating! Holding her breath, she searched around the large, 'medicine cabinet', passing by shelf, by shelf, by shelf, Why didn't he just open a pharmacy! Unable to hold her breath for long, she instead took in air by her mouth; the smell so strong, she tasted something both sweet and rotten… like dead fish. A shiver traveled up her spine at the taste, making her want to gag. But relief stopped that thought when she found what she was looking for, Finally! Closing the kit, she sighed. What happened for that smell to get stronger! Is he stocking more? *Ugh* She shook her head and set the kit comfortably on her back, No, no he gives them away, so they won't be there for long… but why can't all pills not have a smell! Huffing, she left the library, ready to return to her room, Angel paused at the sound of her brother from behind the door. Shoot, they're done talking. "...is taking mighty long up there, Seaweed, I wouldn't expect that from her." Her head leaned in closer to the door. Wait, is he talking about me? And, I can't spend a lot of time in the bathroom? "You shouldn't be the one talking," Seaweed replied for her, the hooves coming to a stop. …. That just called a laugh, "Seaweed, Brother this is Mansia we're talking about—" HEY! She snapped a glare at the door. "—she may have fell in the toilet again, for Asphodel's sake!" Oh no please not that story. "Snakeroots," annoyance replaced his happy tone, "she was two." "Yes," she heard a grin growing on his face, "but it happened again." "…." Her heart broke past her ribs when the voice of Miss Bow Top came instead of Seaweed's. "Again?" "Oh yes, Bow Top, would you like to know the story?" No she doesn't! "Snakeroots, are you serious?" Yes, yes he is! Stop him before he does! "Aren't I always?" he chuckled. "Uh, why don't I... go check up on her." Wait! Wait no! She's going to think I was foalnapped! Angel was ready to open the door, until Seaweed spoke. "You don't have to, Bow—" "Yes." Angel cringed at the uncomfortable feeling she was getting from the silence penetrating through the double doors and into the hall she stood in. The silence was broken however, by Seaweed's sigh, "Never mind, I'll go." Oh… um… well…. "Oh! Make sure she didn't fall in!" Snakeroots laughed. Angel merely shook her head ...I guess, no pony changes in a short amount of time…. then quietly, oh so quietly leaving the double doors, she sighed. I guess I really am leaving without saying goodbye…. Would...Would he think I'm upset with him? No, I left without my bag, I never leave without my bag, should I wait it out? No, when he sees it's there, he'd think I'm still in the house. Would he? Well I do have my kit, so maybe… wait, is he going to check my bag? She paused at the front door, but shook her head, No, no, I had put all my notes and bag safely in the closet, after he pestered me to clean up my desk last night, no need to panic, no need to panic. *Sigh* But did you? Did I? What would stop him from finding some clue to help you? To know what's going on? Who's to say it won't happen today? Tomorrow? Right now? Already, he is— He's not!! Everything hurt… for only a little while… a little while… a little while. Angel shook her head. I...I um… I'll just wait out...outside. She gulped, and peeked behind her. A-Alright, you can do this, you have this kit at least…. *sigh….* Angel stood in front of the door... to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the eyes. Angel only noticed the door had grown considerably in size when her rump felt unusually sore, and there were voices, so many voices, and the weight of the kit had magically disappeared! What a spectacle. What a spectacle indeed. Act I, Scene I: There Will Be No Fete"Now entering Prince Blueblood!" The guard stomped his armored hoof on the marble tiled floor. Soon enough, the blinds to the windows closed, darkening the entire courtroom. The doors opened, and a blinding light upon widening, presented the blond unicorn prince. His arrival was nothing but grand as the pure, groomed white coat shimmered under the lights, and his mane flickered in the... wind? Hoof clappings echoed throughout the courtroom amongst the stallion's and mare's in the audience. Celestia's lips turn upwards at the sight before her, ignoring the face hooving of Inkwell below at her desk, and the not in the least, modest eye rolls of the guards. "Prince Blueblood, another wonderful entrance I see? Now what could be the occasion this time?" She grinned when he waved the servant behind him with the fan and spotlight to leave. The curtains of the windows were pulled away, returning the natural lighting, and the doors were immediately closed. Celestia, however, caught a glimpse of a furious brown earth pony stallion in a purple pinstripe suit. "Seeing how you are the first in line." Flinging his mane to the side, causing Inkwell to groan, Prince Blueblood showered her the most confident smile, that Celestia was lucky enough to have already been acquainted with. "Greetings, Aunty! But, there was a must for my sudden arrival." "Please tell me it's not another renovation, or pool... he's already went past the requirements." Inkwell snapped under her breath as Blueblood trotted up to the stairs that led to Celestia's desk. She arched a brow. "Really?" Celestia also hoped it really wasn't another one of his, projects. "Tell me." He flung his mane to the side... again. "Why, it has come to my mind that I don't have a castle yet!" The audience gasped. Inkwell's light brown eyes twitched. Quickly lifting two piles of papers from under her desk, she started her distraction. Smile wide and untroubled, Celestia laughed. "That is some news, Prince Blueblood." "Hmph, I know." He pushed his mane in the air with a hoof. "It's a miracle I am finally able to tell you, Aunty Celestia!" She gazed down at him. "My, will you explain how you ever reached such a conclusion?" "It's quite obvious, Aunty. My lovely cousin Cadence has one, and that something Sparkle does too! So it makes so much sense that I," he said with such esteem and a hoof on his chest, "Prince Blueblood, am more than qualified to have my own." "...Next he'll ask for a country, and they'll all be doomed..." mused one guard to the other, his hoof next to his muzzle. "He already did." "...." "Prince Blueblood?" "Yes?" He said, more focused on his hoof than the Princess. Celestia frowned, and rubbed her pounding forehead. "Have you ever questioned why, you don't have one?" "Hmmm..." he tapped his chin with a jutted lip, "I suppose not. But does it really matter? I'm a prince. A royal! And a royal should get a castle." The audience nodded with hums of agreement. "Yet, you have all that you need." "Of course I have all that I need, Celestia. Is it not fair that I don't get what I want?" He placed a hoof on his chest. Celestia glanced down at Inkwell and continued, "Prince Blueblood, too much of a want, will never satisfy a pony. And too much of a selfishly good thing, could never be good." She motioned a guard at the doors to come. "Would it perchance you to..." she tapped her chin, "establish an orphanage, or open a residency?" He craned his neck back. "Then of course a castle, would fit my needs!" Her lips thinned. "Then, I would like you to think about it, Prince Blueblood. You may leave." "Wha!" He looked behind him to see the doors opening. "Oh, and while you're at it, take some time from court, maybe a vacation." Celestia warm smile returned. "Morning court could be so stressful sometimes." She waved as he was being gently escorted out. Inkwell sighed as the doors slammed behind the stubborn Prince. "Alright Inkwell, who is next?" Celestia rubbed her eyes, and smiled down at one of her most trusted aides, now too fixated on one of her large pile of paperwork. She peeked her light brown eyes up at her Princess. "I'm sorry?" "Who is next?" Celestia shining her an amused grin. "OH! Oh, yes, yes!" Tongue stuck out, she flipped through the two foot pile at her left and pulled out a paper in her rose red aura. "The, um..." she adjusted her round, black frame glasses, squinting down at whatever was on the paper. "I can never get his name right." She whispered. "Good...Goo--" Celestia closed her eyes and pronounced the name fluently. "Goodifindanhooves Choco Nettle, of Tasty Chocolate Factory?" "Yes, that..." looking back at the paper with boggling eyes, Inkwell cleared her throat, "he wishes to settle the matter with the exportation of chocolate from Germaneigh and Griffendale." "And what could be the problem? We don't receive our next shipment in a month...." Levitating another paper from the pile, she narrowed her eyes. "Actually... due to some issues," Inkwell pushed up her glasses, "...he states that it'll probably take four more." "Hm..." Celestia laid her head back on the soft, felt like covering, of her morning courtroom chair, "I see...." A silent murmur over took the room from around the two. "Princess?" Inkwell placed the papers down on the table. "Hm?" "Should we cancel morning court, early? We can continue tomorrow?" She frowned, wrapping her aura around any fallen or out of order paper, and placing them back under the desk. "Princess Twilight did send a letter mentioning how the construction of her school is going well to you, we could go and see?" She whispered, not wanting the rest of the court to know of the upcoming, surprise school. She raised a hoof. "No, it's file. There's no reason to cancel. I think I may have a slight headache," Celestia rubbed her temples with both hooves, "it is nothing fatal." "Fine." Inkwell corrected her, and stood up from the cushion, adjusting her glasses to look at the nervous guards standing by the courtroom door, and sneak a glance at noble's leaning close to the edge for a better look. "Yes," Celestia bobbed her head, "of course," then shook it to wake up, "kind." "I'm getting Princess Lu—." She watched as her princess continuously bobbed her head with distant, pale magenta eyes. Her multi-colored mane that usually waved in a nonexistent existant wind, was but a flat calm river. "No, just, just tell me what are th—" "KYAAAA!!" A mare fell back from the rail. Ponies jumped from their cushions upon their princess's head sickingly crashing down on her desk... scrambled around and from the balcony screaming. Breaking away from her stupefied gawk, Inkwell reeled towards the entrance. "GUARDS!" She motioned to the already running guards leaving the area and the large open doors. The earth pony stallion stared in shock at the unconscious Princess of The Sun and co-ruler of Equestria. "Zee...zee brincess." He pointed a trembling hoof at Celestia. "Sche... "sche... "SCHE IS DEAD!" Author's Note Oh. Act I, Scene II: The Sun Sets Late"Ay, Miss Angel! One more cup of joe, sweetheart!" "Ah! C-Coming right up, M-Mr. Whole Blend!" Angel called, and grabbed the coffee kettle in her mouth from the black and dark blue bannered wooden desk. "I'm having a craving for those chocolate glaze's, Melody." The curly blond earth pony mare drooled. "Three again, Star?" Her friend furrowed her brows. Excusing herself past the earth and unicorn mares who were waiting in the long line that Donut Joe was busy with, and dodging the bouncing pale eggplant unicorn filly that came her way, she raced over to the earth pony stallion who stood out sitting at the pink bench by the window, with his unsaturated, chocolate coat. *Phew...* She placed the kettle on the table, and pulled his mug close. "W-Wait, this'll be your fifth batch, M-Mr. Whole Blend... did you possibly have another two n-nighter?" She frowned, filling his mug only halfway instead of to the top, she glanced back at the full house they were having and blew her dark salmon bangs from her eyes. ...Will Mr. Joe be able to handle all those ponies? The line had stretched even out the door, and the tables were being occupied by the early customers. I think he may have to renov— He grumbled down at his amount and took a large gulp of the plain black coffee. *Sigh...* "Well, sweetheart, a pony's got to do somethin' to live in a place like this." Whole Blend sunk into the cushion of the bench. "Thaaat's the stuff." He mused quietly. She stared at the dark circles under his dazed, lifeless eyes as he gazed at the mug. "S-So it is true.... Mr. Whole Blend." "Eh?" He answered her with a side look. "D-Deteriorating your...your health won't do you any b-better." She said, her voice straining her throat as she made sure he heard her over the background noise. "A-A pony shouldn't be...be working without sleep for l-long periods of time...." He hummed. "Apologies to disappoint, sweetheart," he rose the mug up to her, "but that manuscript deadline is cuttin' it's cornars for me." Blinking at the waiting mug, she shook her head. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Whole Blend," chewing the inside of her mouth, she breathed out slowly, "but un-until you c-cease your procrastination, you're getting only tea. Y-You need rest." For only a second did he stare at her, and look down in his mug to sip the coffee. "Will do." Her frown deepened. "M-Mr. Whole Blend—" "I'm goin' to do what ya said last time, Doc." He yawned. "....I...I trust that you can... M-Mr. Whole Blend." She said, calming the trembling of her voice. "...." Leaving the stallion with his should be now empty mug, with a heavy, long sigh, she returned to Donut Joe who was with those two customers. Setting the kettle down to be refilled, she took hold of a tray and began placing three chocolate glazed donuts to hoof over to him. "Thanks, Miss Angel!" He laughed, levitating the tray to the next customer. "Y-You're welcome." She nodded her head, and returned to her station near the coffee. The fragrance of the earthy coffee beans exploded into her face upon opening the the large brown sack under the counter. Am I still doing a good job? Angel lifted a bean in her hoof. Why...Why isn't this easy? Her face scrunched up. I...I wish I could get some help with Mr. Whole Blend, like from Seaweed.... She shook her head, and tossed the bean in the small trash bin. No, no! I-I should see Dr. Just Right about this... will he help though? "...." Seaweed would always help me when I had a problem. Digging out the beans with the metal coffee bean scoop, and dropping them in the grinder, she closed the sack. I...I'll just a-ask hi— "S'cuse me!" Her ears twitched at the young voice. Turning around to see the same young filly that she almost bumped into, she smiled, and trotted towards the marble counter that separated them both. "Y-Yes?" "Can...can I have a coco? Pleeeaase." She asked, with a childlike voice, and wide doughy eyes. Giggling at the generational technique, she nodded. "I'll...I'll be with you, dear." The free hot chocolate for the little fillies and colts was a wonderful idea! Running into the kitchen and to the ice box filled with her pre-hoofmade hot chocolate in an airtight glass jar, she began the boiling process on medium heat. Grabbing a small, black, star patterned styrofoam cup with Donut Joe's pink donut logo, and pouring the steaming beverage inside with four chocolate chips then covering it, she returned to the anticipated young filly. "H-Here you are." She carefully hoofed the cup to her. "Thank you!" The filly sparked her horn, resulting to the cup to float towards her. "Y-You're...You're welcome!" She smiled, and waved a creamy white salmon hoof at the bouncing filly goodbye, as she went over to her unicorn parents; enthusiastically reciting her great feat in ordering by herself. Well... kids will always be kids, they're all so— Her smile took a turn when the filly's puce mother furrowed her brows and glanced directly at her in a quizzical manner. Gingerly looking away from the stare to Donut Joe dealing with his customers and hoofing them a cheerful smile, she went to check on how the coffee beans were doing. "Now that's, what ya call a masterful sell, Miss Angel!" Donut Joe bellowed out a triumphant laugh. She nibbled on her blueberry donut. "Y-Yes it was...." "Hah! I gotta really hoof it to ya—" he levitated a glazed donut hole to pop in his mouth, "—nevah woulda thoughta makin' the hot chocolate free for the fillies and colts. *Gulp* That really drives in more families!" "Oh...Oh, yes...yes it does...." Angel nodded her head with not much thought, and turned to the window to see the sun setting. Looking down through her bangs, and at her unfinished donut in her hooves with lidded eyes, she kitted her brows and peeked up at the arched browed Donut Joe. "Y-Yes?" "Are ya alright there?" Biting her lower lip, she placed her donut on the plate and wiped her hooves. *Sigh...* "N-No, but I d-don't want to talk about it." Joe stroked his chin and hummed. "Is this 'bout ya thing, again?" He circled his hoof in front of his thoat. "...." She rubbed her hooves together and twisted her lips side to side while facing her awaiting donut. "I don't believe it! I know I didn't see no pony messin' with ya this time around, Miss Angel. Though I was busy, I'm sure I woulda seen it." Her shoulders flinched up, and so did her head. "N-No! I-It's... it wasn't m-much, Mr. Joe." Angel averted her eyes. "I-I really shouldn't have been...been bothered by it." It was just a look anyway, Angel! A look of curiosity! There is nothing wrong with that! "...Well, it should botha ya, Miss Angel. And, it ain't so right for a pony to not be comfortable in their own horseshoes." "...." But...But it's not.... *Sigh* "Y-Yes, you're right...." He sighed and popped in a chocolate donut. "Shame ah can't repay ya enough for ya help, Miss Angel." She blinked. "O-Oh, it's no p-problem, Mr. Joe. *Sigh* I'm just happy to w-work here for my assignment." A wide smile grew on her muzzle, And... maybe for the free blueberry donuts too. "This was my...my favorite place as a f-filly." He snorted. "Ya sure 'bout that?" Angel's brows lifted. Ooh, he's going to bring it up again. His snorting gradually developed into a deep laugh. "Don't ya remember your brotha being bucked in the stomach?! Hah! That incident was even in the papers!" Shaking her head she corrected him. "...Um... It...It was actually his face—" He shivered. "Woah, woah, no need to remind me on that." She laughed. "—but, Honey's...Honey's actually r-really nice, Mr. Joe." "Uh-huh, well, only you would know." "Y-Yep." Finishing her blueberry donut, Angel excused herself from the table. Bending down to get her triangle themed saddlebag, she tossed it on her back and adjusted the straps. "Th-Thank you for the talk, Mr. Joe." "Just tryin' to keep my best temporary employee." Giggling, she bowed her head respectfully, and pushed in her stool. "I-I will see you to-tomorrow, Mr. Joe." He whistled. "Hah! I'll need it." He stood up from his stool. "Nightmare Nights gonna be a hit!" Her pastel brown eyes widened. "O-OH!" She bonked her head with her hoof. "That's...That's right!" Donut Joe's mouth hung open, and his sap green eyes bulged out. "How in Equestria did ya forget 'bout Nightmare Night?! There's decorations all over the place!" He motioned his light amber hoof around his shop and pointed outside the window, where most of the other shops and homes were too, dolled up to the extreme, with dark blue banners, and star and bat ornaments. "Oh, n-no! It's not that." Giggling at his shocked face, she shook her head. "My...My nephew's were coming t-tomorrow... hah... a-and I really forgot." She rubbed her foreleg. This week has been busy.... He nodded with understandance then hummed as he rubbed his chin in thought. "It's alright with me if ya bring 'em over." She took in a quick intake of air and her jaw clenched. "Uh... i-i-it's f-fine Mr. Joe, we...we already hired a foalsitter. Sh-She's a family friend." Though, I was against the idea of him doing that, now that Mr. Joe suggested this... I...I don't want to bother him more than I've done before. Taken aback by that idea, he put his hoof down. "I've got no dough to pull with foalsitter's, but, come on, ya nephew's are comin' all the way from Tall Tale to visit their aunt and uncle, and they get that?" Angel's bottom lip trembled as she faced downcast at the floor. "I...I-I'm sorry...." Donut Joe shut his eyes shook his head upwards *Sigh...*. "Nah, I have to blame ya brotha on this, he's always been a ring stuck in a pile of dough." "I-It's fine Mr.Joe, but p-please don't be too h-harsh on Seaweed! I...I should have tried harder in convincing him...." Angel rubbed her foreleg, biting the inside of her mouth. He cringed back. "Alright, alright! No hoof pointing." *Sigh...* Glancing out the window and stagnant sun, she furrowed her brows. Shouldn't the sun have went down? He turned to where she was looking. "Oh, wow, it's getting late." Looking back at Angel, he shook his head. "I don't want to hold ya up now." He levitated their empty plates and motioned it over into the kitchen and escorted her to the glass door. Nodding, she smiled. "W-Well, till next time, Mr. Joe." Angel trotted out the door as he left it wide open. "Make sure ya bring ya nephew's!" "Um... I-I'll try!" She laughed back at him. Watching him close door and wave her goodbye, she crossed the street and headed into the decorated Canterlot with a hum. If I convice Seaweed again, I'm sure he will allow it.... Well, that is if he'll be home early, but that'll depend on his schedule. She took a quick glance inside the boutique shop, where a rose gold, earth pony mare was caring for her plants. Ah! It's Miss Sunshine! Angel gently tapped on the window, signaling the mare to snap her head up. Sunshine immediately stopped her work and raced outside of her shop. "Angel!" Stopping to catch her breath, she held her hoof up. *Phew!* "Great *huff* timing, could you wait here for a sec?" "Umm... o-okay?" "Great!" Galloping back inside her shop, Angel blinked at how she went behind the counter, and opened a draw from the built in shelf. She pulled out a rectangular, red box, tied in a pink ribbon, and quickly returned to her, like there was no tomorrow. "Pl-Please *huff* give this *huff*, to uh..." once again catching her breath, she sighed, "uh... can you give this to, Dr. Min—" she paused, then an amused grin grew on her face, and later a snort, "—Seaweed." Angel smiled at how Sunshine was stifling a laugh behind her tight lips. "Al-Alright." I can't say no to this.... Taking hold of the gift and carefully placing it in her saddlebag, she nodded her head. "I'll...I'll make sure, h-he gets it." "Yes!" Sunshine hopped up; her plaited platinum mane simultaneously following, and ran back inside her shop. Once gone, Angel frowned, placing her hoof on her lips. I...I just hope he will actually open it.... Shaking her head, she trotted past Sunshine's shop, then the closing icecream vender and cafe. She soon entered the Serenity Gardens. It was getting late, seeing how ponies were already leaving, but, the sudden fall breeze disrupted Angel's slow walk, causing her to stop and take in the earthy, natural air a pony would rarely received in some of the parts of Canterlot. Exhaling, she gazed up at the twilight sky, where Luna's moon was arising, and Celestia's sun was finally, gradually descending towards the horizon. Continuing her trot on the cobblestone path, and past a giant willow tree and bench, at her left was where the three Night Watch guards began to appear from their station by the exit. She flinched when one of the guard's started closing the gates. Oh...Oh no. Quickening her left turn, Angel galloped towards the one in charge of the task. "Ex-Excuse me!" A short wheeze left her. In the midist of lighting his horn, the gray unicorn guard turned away from the gate, to face her. "Yes, ma'am?" But, staring down at her, his fixed expression shifted into an oddly confused look. "Uh... um...." Completely taken off guard at the new face, Angel gulped. They have a new recruit here? I-I thought it was a maximum of three? Wait, there are three, did Mr. Sand Stone get replaced? He had always closed this gate. Did something happen, did he get promoted? Or f-fired? A nervous sweat beaded down her forehead. Dear, Asphodel, he's giving me the look, maybe I shouldn't have brought my saddlebag, and just worn a hat, a hat would have been nice, but I don't really like hats. Wait, if I hadn't taken my bag, I wouldn't have bee— "Ma'am, we're closing, and I'm not authorized to let you past, you will have to travel around the garden to make your delivery." The side of her cheek twitched as her face fell and melting heat crept up from her neck. Rubbing her foreleg, Angel slowly began to shrink. "N-N-No, I, um... I-I l-live here." She squeaked. "Um! W-Well not here! But...But out there!" She pointed outside of the gate. "S-See!" Retrieving a necklaced pocket watch from her bag, she hung it up to him. "Oh." The guard was deadly silent with a scrunched muzzle. "...." "...." "...." "...." Gulping, Angel sighed. "S-Sorry... can...can I l-leave?" She returned the necklace back. The guard blinked. "Uh, yes, yes of course." He inched away from the gate. "Th-Thank you." Making her way past the guard with her head down, she breathed out softly, once a few blocks away from the garden. That...That was embarrassing!... Shaking the tinge of warmth off her face, Angel made a haste retreat from the commercial district of closing shops, towards the perfume and cologne drenched Promenade and dodged a few ponies, to make her way to the residential district. *GASP!* She stumbled as her foreleg entangled with the other. Not wanting to plummet onto the ground in the middle of street and publicly humiliate herself, she pushed her weight on her left side to balance herself. But, as she came to fix herself, her body tilted to the right, bumping into a shrieking mare. Oh, oh no! She skittered over to help the fallen tea green unicorn mare. The mare slapped Angel's offered hoof, and instead stood up on her own. "Don't you ever—" She flinched away. "I-I'm so, sorry, m-ma'am." The mare sneered down at her. "You." Angel shuddered at the way that word reeked of indignation that ripped open her chest just to shred her lungs and beating heart. The mare gazed at her saddle bag, causing a twitch on her upper lip. "Ugh, to fall down so low." Reeling around on her hoof, she humphed with her nose in the air. "...." "...." Twice in a day.... "...." I should have ran faster, I could have avoided something like this happening again if I were just faster.... *Sigh...* Continuing her travel home, Angel ran through a large gate. Magnificent homes competed against each other, and the few ponies out, held their noses in the air with an arrogant pride. Huffing out slow tired breaths, she laid a hoof on her chest to calm down. *Phew...* Walking past a few homes and stone walls, and making a right, she glanced over at the lone modest victorian manse behind a hedge wall, and blinked at how the lights were on. Wait, Seaweed's home?! Galloping towards the large house, and up on the patio, she knocked on the door, a wide smile sprouting on her face. "Coming!" Yelled a stallions voice from the other side. The sound of a metal door slaming inside made her ears twitch. However, there was a loud crash in the background, and a quick hissing curse. "—apples!" Angel flinched back, her smile quickly morphed into a terrified stare when there was a sudden surprised yowl and something akin to a giant sack of potatoes collided with a weak wooden wall and glass window. Glancing behind her to see curious onlookers from their balcony or window, she froze at the growing audience behind the hedge wall and gate. "He-Hello." She waved at them. Most of the mares in the crowd shook their heads with an annoyed looking scoff, others grimaced and went on their way. Simpering at the reaction that was returned to her, she sighed. Oh, Angel.... She jumped upon the abrupt opening of the door. Reeling her head around, she blinked at the aggravated, chartreuse yellow, earth pony stallion covered in small cuts, from head to flank. His short, wavy, pure seaweed colored mane was caked in some type of yellow slime, making it stick out in random directions. Placing a hoof on her mouth at his condition, Angel quickly trotted to him. "S-Seaweed, what...what happened?!" She watched as his aqua blue eyes squinted into a murderous glare at the crowd behind the gate. "Eggs." He sneered, the word coming out in full vexation. She tilted her head. "E-Eggs?" "We need more eggs." His muzzle scrunched up in disgust. "U-Um...." She peeked an eye back at the still apparent audience, but now containing an extra set of young mares with spellbound stares. "C-Can we go i-inside first?" Why do they always stare like that? He took a moment to answer, occasionally mumbling something inherent to her ears. "Yes." Turning around to enter, she followed in after, closing the door with her hind leg and locking it with her foreleg. Wiping her hooves on the mat, she surveyed the foyer, everything was as normal as it ever was, except for the slimy substance that stuck to her hooves as soon as she came off the mat. Wh-What? Lifting one of her hooves to her nose, she took a small sniff, Eggs? furrowing her brows, she glanced at her left where the old, long mahogany table that held five potted plants and the wide wall mirror reflecting, a gorgeous, portrait of an earth pony mare. She stood on the tip of her left hind leg, with her other in the air, as if she were to begin dancing at any second. Clear amber eyes shined with confidence, as did her small smile under that single spotlight, that enhanced her groomed turquoise coat and long, wavy, pearl green mane. *Sigh...* Trotting to the arched, wooden, double doors next to the painting, and entering the lounge room, she took in a sharp intake of her breath. The coffee table had been turned over, missing three of its legs, and the vase that had originally been set on top had shattered completely. Wide pastel brown eyes wandered down to a carton of cracked eggs and the fallen season rack by the kitchen entrance on her right. A long yellow trail of egg yolks lead back to the turned over coffee table. "Oh." "Oh, ith righk." Seaweed muffled with the mop in his mouth and a pail of water hanging from his fetlock, his mane no longer a mess, but tied back. "Do...Do you need help?" He shook his head. "Ah, gok dith." "B-But, this is a...a lot of work, Seaweed." She rubbed her foreleg. We'll have to clean the entrance way, replace the table and repair the rack and— He spit the mop out his mouth and had it lean against him. "I said I've got it, Angel. My house, my mess. You know the rules." She blinked. "O-Oh...." An awkward silence overtook the room between the two siblings. With Angel observing her older brother mop up the raw eggs, and throw out the eggshells, to him sweeping away any wooden and vase shards. "Um... S-Seaweed." This is the time to say it. "Yes?" He said, now starting to trot over to the kitchen. "Is...Is there a-anyway we didn't h-have to have the boy's just stay with Miss Gumdrop?" *Sigh* Setting the dust pan on the floor, he turned to her. "I thought we came to an agreement that we wouldn't split them." "W-Well, Mr. Joe said it was alright that I could bring them." So, I won't be a problem for him. "And I'm sure you two will be busy with that place?" "Y-Yes." "It's going to be crowded, I suppose?" "Um...Um y-yes...." Please don't bring up— "Larkspur." Her eyes shot open, everything, from her hooves to her ears turned to hard stone. Stomach clenching, and lips as tight as leather, Angel breathed out. "Y-Yes." She squeaked. I know he's...he's going to be a tough bundle of wet, pop rocks to handle. But...But Oleander and Foxgloves will be there as always to help. "He's a good kid... but you really can't expect him to stay calm in such a crowded area, with children around his age. There will be chaos." "W-Well, Oleander and Foxgloves will be there." His brow twitched up. *Sigh* "And what of Miss Gumdrop?" "She...She will come, Seaweed, it...it wouldn't be fair to turn her down at the last mi-minute." Angel stiffened up as he scrutinized her face making a drop of sweat beaded down to her chin. Jaw clenched, she focused her eyes. Seaweed sighed. "...Fine...." A smile brightened on her muzzle. "Just... don't be excessive." His mouth twisted to the side. "Y-Yes!" She bounced, galloping into her brother almost knocking him over, and hugged his neck tightly. Digging, and nuzzling her face deep into the fluffiness of his fur, she was granted the freedom to disavow the few hardships of the day that were being held in the corners of her mind. "Yes, yes." He patted her back. "Heehee." Releasing him, Angel grinned up at him. He furrowed his brows. "Uh-huh." Lifting the dust pan, he vanished into the kitchen, where she heard the lid of the trash can lift. Still smiling wide from ear to ear, Angel blinked down at her saddlebag. "A-Ah!" Running into the large kitchen, she slid over to the island. "S-Seaweed!" "Yes?" He glanced up from the trash can. "Miss...Miss Sunshine asked me to give you something!" There was a slight hop in her hind legs, as she extracted the gift from her bag. "Who?" Before she could place the gift on the island, Angel paused and blinked over at him. "Miss...Miss Sunshine?" I'm sure I've mentioned her. His forehead creased in confusion as he stared at her fraught face. "She...She delivers the f-flowers to the institution?" Leaning away from the trash can, he shook his head. "Sh-She's the one who brings flowers to your o-office!" Angel placed the box down. He scratched his stubbled chin and hummed. "Ah. The one with the ob... crush?" "Y-Yes! Wait... huh?" "Hm? You thought I wouldn't know?" "She...She had a crush on y-you?!" Angel pointed her hoof at him. My brother is the mysterious sexy stallion?! SEAWEED?! Him?! Her inside's swirled. Oh, sweet cream and cherry crackers. "Wait—" his face scrunched up, "—you didn't know? How is that possible?" Her body stiffened, blushing, she quickly turned away and rubbed her foreleg. "I...I d-don't know..." her voice gradually began to soften, "uh... 'c-cause you...you or her n-never told me?" She peeked and eye over at her brother as he sighed. "Well, it seems that conversation didn't work...." "C-Conversation?" "I had told her to not bother her time," he trotted over to Angel and took hold of the gift in his hoof, "and not to get over herself to try and use you." She cringed at the word 'use'. "Sh-She's not like that, Seaweed.... And, how was I suppose...supposed to know she l-liked you, a...a lot of ponies give you g-gifts." How did I not notice? Th-Though it's not like she made anything obvious. She followed him out, but flinched from almost tripping on the elevated marble. I kept saying we should have evened it out. "Huh, I guess that would be confusing to you." They trotted over and up the curved, carpeted staircase on the opposite side of the kitchen. Stopping on the landing, Angel gawked at the giant family portrait. "Y-You actually put it u-up!" She grinned up at him as he stood on the second staircase. "Mmhm, and I think you were right, it does fill in that blotch of emptiness, just like the one of, Mother...." "'C-Course I was." She held her head up as a swell of small pride grew in her chest. "Uh-huh." Author's Note I love making my homemade coconut oil hot chocolate, warming up the meaty hearts of my family. But on that note, do you know how hard it is to rescue your ring in dough, especially brownie batter, and then wash it? Act I, Scene IV: So Now CommunicateTrotting pass the painting, she took one last fleeting glance, catching the small, watchful, red glare her father had presented to the poor painter. Shaking her head, Angel continued on, reaching behind her brother on the second level. Following him down the carpeted corridor, it's rough texture rolled against her dragging hooves from that same antique scent of the slick, brown walls that smarted her nose; pushing away her proud smile, calming her senses, and sliding in a subtle wave of exhaustion. *Sigh….* Just like the one of Mother…. If...If I can do that right, then asking for help should be easy…. Closing her eyes once they trotted pass a cracked open window, in which, Seaweed went to close and shut the blinds, Angel took in one last breath, and turned to her brother. "S-Say, Seaweed?" He blinked, looking to have been cut off from a deep thought. "Yes?" Okay, Angel, you're not going to tell him the details, you're just asking him a question, a simple question… a question. Her knees buckled, locking the joints in place, stiffening her legs and stomach. I shouldn't have done this. “U-Um….” she bit her lip. No, no, no, not now! Not now! You can't do this! “Yes?” He came to her side. “I…I um….” her legs felt so cold. You're just asking a question! You have to look back! Look back! Look back! He'll get suspicious, he'll start asking again! He's going to worry, he's going to find out! He's going to find out. NO! He can't! He can't! “....” Oh sweet lights Angel! Just speak, speak! He's waiting! “Angel is—?” “Y-YES! Yes, everything's a-alright!” Flashing a wide smile, it quickly simmered down upon the tight fakeness of her card out of answering, caused him to narrow his eyes. *Gulp* “Angel, what's going on?” There was no hint of mercy as he demanded for her to come clean. “N-N-Nothing, Seaweed,” she rubbed her leg, cursing herself for giving away her obvious lie. You were only supposed to ask one question! One. Question. Only! How hard is that?! She simpered down in her own regret. ...How...How did it come to this?! How did everything become like this? No, no, I'm just overreacting. ...Like always. She trembled. Why can't you just do this right? Asking should have been easy! He's your brother for Asphodel's sake! He's always there to help you Angel, he can help you with this problem! ….. But can he really help me with—? “Angel!” She squeaked, jumping in the air and knocking her own self over to the nearby bench by the curtained windows. “Y-Yes?!” His ears laid flat against his head, and she realized what she had been doing. *Sigh* Laying the gift on his back, he carefulled his steps towards her; Angel holding her hooves close to her chest, and bag attempting to pull her down, “You were… spacing out,” he took hold of her fetlock and pulled her up. “...S-S-Sorry….” Rubbing her uncomfortable eyes, she gazed down with a focused look at the scars on her legs; the sharp pain of her bottom lip commanded her numb teeth to refrain from her silent biting, at the taste of iron. “I...I um,” Forget the damn question! Just think of something Angel! she glanced away from her legs to his back, “...just wanted to...to k-know if you were going to…” and then him, “open M-Miss Sunshine’s gift.” “....” Please go to the next subj— “Angel.” Standing her ground at the searching look she was given, she spoke, eliminating the growing nerves scratching behind her eyes and deep in her throat. “Y-Yes?” Confusion masked the tremors of fear, thinly layered under her fur and stutters. “Angel, what have I… we've always said to you?” Wincing at that comment, she glanced at him, and grinned. “My house—” “No.” He shot down her next words. “Now is not the time for that.” “....” You pushed it, Angel. “...Th-That you're all… always all…” her throat clamped up on her, preventing her from continuing. Just get it over with! She flinched as Seaweed’s hoof slid off her withers, releasing the tension from her chest. “...um… e-ears.” “....” The howls of the hunting wind shook the windows, cutting into the sinking silence of the hallway; echoing throughout her head. His head lifted. “...But it doesn't seem like you've been giving me any chances.” “I...I….” her face scrunched, holding back the clogged itchiness in her eyes. Don't cry. “N-No....” Don't. The search from his eyes faded away, leaving behind the remains of his soft aquatic pearls, nudging her banging nerves balling up the raging storm behind fragile glass. His sad smile could have completely stolen her own name. “You don't have to tell me everything…" P-Please…. “but Angel, as your brother," he laid a gentle hoof on her small, quivering withers, "it should at least be my job to care for your own mental health too.” His gentleness pushed her to speak, "I need you to at least want me to help you." “Ah… I…I...” flaring her nose, she quickly snapped her head away and wiped her eyes, “I-I can't.” There! I-I said it! “....” “....” “Angel, were you forc—” “N-No!” She flinched, covering her mouth. “I...It's not like th-that.” “Not like what?” No longer was his encouragement, but worry, as Seaweed frowned. “....” “Does this have to do with those ponies just outside?” I...I wish…. “N-No….” His hold tightened against her fur. “Then… is it connected to that incident at the Promenade and the garden?” Wh-What? Squeezing her eyes shut from the increased worries fogging his complexion, she shook her head, and felt his hoof almost give up. “I...I'm sorry S-Seaweed… I just...just can't.” “....” His hoof dropped to the floor. “....” Nose scrunching, he turned to look down the hall and back at her. “Is it that you can't… or you won't?” Breathing in the sharp cutting edge of how correct he was, she bit away her last string of togetherness and simply fell; nodding, and giving away that there was something. There was no use in asking for help was there? She sighed, and faced him. Just doing that would have dropped me into this same position…. “I...I'm sorry.” That I can't tell you I need help. “I...I'm really sorry, S-Seaweed,” she squeaked. I can't be like you…. He looked ready to counter her apology, but paused and sighed out through his nose. Massaging his forehead, he dragged his hoof to his cheek and stared off into the distance. “If something is making you unable to budge…” he furrowed his brows and glanced down at her, “then it must be due to somepony else's well-being… am I right?” “....” “...M-Maybe….” she rubbed her foreleg. “So I am.” Her cheek twitched at his conclusion. Stupid, stupid, Stupid! I can't control my own body language?! “Were you thinking of telling me, Angel?” “N-No! I…I just wanted to know i-if you were going to open, M-Miss...Miss Sunshine's gift.” Liar. “....” He stared down at her as if she'd just grown one last head. Liar. “....” Massaging his forehead, he huffed. “Angel—" Flinching from the ring of the doorbell, they reeled their heads down the hall behind them, and faced each other; Seaweed furrowing his brows at her smile, and Angel rubbing her leg, lowering said smile. “Um….” she shrugged, quietly yawning behind her hoof. “....” “....” “....” *Sigh* Shaking his head, he frowned. “You win this time again, Angel.” Removing the gift from his back, he hoofed it over to her. “Just place this on my desk.” She eyed the lovely wrapped gift, and gazed at her brother with wonder. “Y-You're going to open it?” Good, good, I'm safe…. He was quiet. “...Now why wouldn't I? Isn't she your friend?” She stared down at it. But she...she said he was a sexy stallion… a sexy stallion… a sexy stallion? Angel inwardly gagged. “...Uh… Y-Yes.” Opening her bag, she carefully set the gift inside, and rubbed her cheek, I… guess... it doesn't change anything…. “B-But I...I hope next...next time….” she twisted her lips to the side, unable to finish. Aside from that… I-I could have done better. This all could have gone better…. And I...I had to— *sigh….* “Me too, Angel, me too....” He gave her an assured pat on the withers— “Get some sleep,”— and turned to leave her alone in the middle of the hallway. “....” What was that? He obviously knew you were lying to his face. Do you think he's stupid? No! No it's...it's not like that! How long can you even keep this up? I…. But you ruined it for yourself since the beginning. Now he only thinks you don't want his help. Hah! Well, it's not like you can get help. 'Cause you can't! You'll be stuck in this loop 'til your time here's done! And that's nine months away!! Thinks you can't handle one assignment. That you're not meant for this job. That you should have stayed in Tall Tale, having not a caare in the world~ Staying cooped-up in your precious home. Staying safe. Safe, safe, safe, safe. When were we ever safe?! Safe in this damn place! Angel squeezed her jaw. Nothing ever changes with you. You think you're so grown-up, responsible, yet you're having such a hard time from this? Worrying so much about your patient, Whole Blend, that you have to fix him, by yourself? Hah! Fix, fix, fix, fix. Where's your superior in all this? Are you working alone? Are you unsupervised? "...." But isn't that what you're doing? Imagine what he'd think when he finds out he's right about that. Liar. “....” Because... something is always… bound… to go…. wrong….. “....” “....” *Sigh….* Scratching her cheek, Angel chewed the inside of her mouth. What am I doing to myself? She poked at her bag and sagged her neck with a sigh. Well I can barely take care of myself, that's one. Turning, she continued down the brown hallway to reach a set of doors at her left, sectioned off with a mahogany end table topped with white, lacy tablecloths and vase verbenas. Pushing open the first one, Angel flicked on the lights of her brother's turquoise themed room. So neat… He always has everything in order…. With heavy trots, she made her way towards the closed door at her right. ...If they were in my hooves… everything may have gone smoothly. Creaking open the door, she walked over to the large, wooden desk, and laid down the gift. Maybe… even better…. Stroking the silky richness of the ribbon, she glanced at the wide, curtained window. Shutting the office door, she gazed up at the framed photos on the wall, one picturing herself and her three elder siblings old photos. I want to go home…. Tightening her lips, she fervently shook her head. No, no! You chose this! You can't go back on your word! You have!— I have...I have… responsibilities…. Her eyes downcasted, staring deep into the spotless crevices of the dark wood. “R-Responsibility….” I...I can't leave behind those ponies! But...But I can't do that to Mr. Whole Blend either, I...I need to find a way to help him without Seaweed... or Dr. Just Right. She huffed. W-Well I'll think of something! Leaving behind her brother's room, Angel entered into hers; the total blackness clogging her insides as she stepped onto the plush carpet, slicing away the strength that stabilized the weight of her bag. Not now…. Heavy, were her eyes fighting to keep awake with every wavering step, dipping in and out of consciousness. No! She smacked her cheek, the stinging pain pounding her flesh from the attack of her hoof, making small trickles of heated tears swell in her left eye. Stay up! Shaking her head with the water sloshing around inside, an expected wave of nausea trampled her throat and stomach. “Ugh….” “Oof!” Stumbling into something that resembled a chair, Angel rubbed her wet eyes and motioned her hoof to find the light. She blinked, becoming adjusted to the change in lighting and turned to her illuminated book desk. “....” Papers of white and blue without order, sprung out from beneath the edged hill of knowledge. Pulling out a random sheet of white paper, she could barely make out the words scribbled on it, even with the assistance of the light. What exactly was I on when writing this? Squinting, she twisted her lips and had the paper float back to the hill of books to roll her stiff shoulders, and stretch her neck. Wait, I have a text on procrastination and anxiety! Unbuckling her saddlebag, she unceremoniously tossed it, bringing upon a low leveled earthquake. Snapping her head down with a little flinch, Angel quickly took hold of the bag. Too loud! Too loud! He definitely heard that! Thinking fast, she threw her bag on the chair, “Ah!” catching the chair before it tumbled to the floor, she squeaked once the bag tilted over— “N-No!”— with the contents falling out, as if it were a junkerfall. Ooh, no, no, noo! Frantically stuffing whatever she could see in the limited light she had, Angel froze as she could already hear her brother's hooves approaching her door. Nonono! I can't face him again! Jolting up, she surveyed the dark room and promptly trotted towards the silhouette of her bed to snatch back her sheets and jump in with her bag close to her chest. Her thick blanket swayed down and hid them both away in pure darkness. There was a quiet knock at the door, yet she held tight her bag. “Angel? Is everything alright in there?” Pretend to sleep, pretend to sleep, pretend to sleep, pretend to— the light. “Angel?” She had made the mistake in forgetting to turn off her desk light. Did I even fix the chair? Did I even pick everything up? Her eyes widened. Oh dear Asphodel! He’ll find something! “Angel, I’m coming in,” the handle of her door clicked. Knocking her blanket off— “EEK!”— she tripped over her bag, falling face first on the carpet, bringing upon the slam of her door. “Angel!” Leg being pulled by her brother, she was lifted up from the floor befuddled; head swirling in and out of her throat, and carefully laid upright, her nose thumping against her skull. "Are you alright?" “Ow, ow, ow,” rubbing her muzzle, she yelp as she pressed down hard on her nose. Seaweed took hold of her hoof. “Don't press down on it, Angel!” “....” she cringed as he scolded her, and rubbed her leg, “S-Sorry.” Flinching as the sharp pain shocked her face when she spoke, her brother huffed and stood. “You're going to need ice for that bruise.” “...sorry….” “...And ointment.” Her head tilted. Ointment? Ointment for what? I don't— Turning, he paused, making Angel freeze as he stared down at the floor. “U-Um….” *Sigh* Flinching at the sigh, she quickly looked around him as he picked something off the floor. Please tell me he didn’t find something of the institution!— huh? Looking up at her brother when he turned back to her with her pocket watch in his hoof, she shrunk at the look he gave her. “Angel, this should be kept in its case when not being used,” he trotted to her nightstand dressed with blue flowers in a vase, and opened the wooden box stuffed with a soft cushion. She bit her lip, but winced at the sore, fresh wound. “S-Sorry,” standing, she glanced back at him, “I probably d-dropped it when...when emptying m-my bag.” He turned to her bed then her. “Were you sleeping with your bag.” “Uuh…” she shakily stared at her hooves, “y-yes.” “With the light on?” “Mmhm.” “The chair on the floor?” She blinked and glanced at her chair that was on the floor. “...yes.” “....” “....” “....” His nose scrunched. “Are you going to tell me ‘it was a ghost messing with my stuff trying to take my bag’?” She rubbed her leg, feeling her lips automatically lift into a smile. Wiping it off as quickly as it appeared, she answered. “....Ye— N-No….” “....” “....” “....” “....” His hoof slid down his face, as he shook his head slowly and released a long tired sigh. Making his way to trot around her bed, the words were only a sad whisper, and she knew she wasn't supposed to hear them under the banging, whistling wind outside. But she did. “What happened to you, Angel?” Author's Note Hmmmmmmm, that's a lot of worrying....
Act I, Scene III: Dear Yesterday"Princess Luna!" The guard hastened his banging on the superior blue door. "Princess Luna! Your Royal Highness!" His bronze eyes were dilated, and sweat matted his once groomed white fur. The guard behind him had removed his helmet to straighten his disheveled blue mane with a trembling hoof. Breathing in and out, he took a nervous glance around the obsidian hall and at the black curtained windows that obscured any sunlight. Gazing at the blue fire that flickered into a menacing dance in the lanterns hanging from the pillars, he returned his helmet back to his head, and turned to his fellow guard still attempting to awake the Lunar Princess. "Your Highness! Your High—" *BaNg!* The door violently swung open, revealing a tangled mass of a mane, puffy eyed, astronomical twilight alicorn, glaring down at her slumber disrupter. "WHY HATH THOU SQUAWKS OF SCREECHING BOARDS WAKENETH US?!!" The guard shrunk under her sharp cyan stare. "WE HATH PLACED UTMOST CARE AND PAINS TO NEVER BE AWOKEN, AND THOU DARE TO— to..." Luna, realizing her blunder clamped her mouth shut, *cough* "I mean..." she smiled (though it came out like a grimace) "...how could I be of service to thee, my dear subject," a royal blue light engulfed her horn, surrounding her ethereal mane to be restored of its untangled glory. Averting her head, and performing a faint yawn in her hoof, Luna blinked away the blur in her eyes, to see that the guard had already fainted, and so faced the other. "I seem to hath… disturbed thy fellow, oh warrior. Tell me, what troubles hath come nigh?" The guard blinked out of his stupefied gawk. Striking at attention under his ruler, he calmed his nerves. "Your Highness, as of now... Princess Celestia has... f-fallen." She blinked, her eyes growing wide and soon staring down at him with a sceptical look. "What is thy name and rank?" Her horn alighted, and the unconscious guard disappeared. He saluted, "Private Sector Light, Your Royal Highness!" Exiting her room and slamming the door, she ran past the guard and yelled in her loudest Canterlot voice, shaking the pillars that supported the hall. "TAKE US TO HER!!" "Y-Yes!" Sector teleported to her side to even out the distance. "Explain Private Sector, how hath this waxened!" "We...We don't know, Your Highness! At first, it seemed as if she was exhausted." They made another sharp left turn— "But then… then her mane just, stopped!" —and pushed past the large wooden door, both squinting their eyes at the brightness of the light from the stagnant sun shining through the openings of the pillars of the Lunar Path. "That, 'tis strange." Luna trotted off the stone path, and onto the grass to stare up at the sun. "Come, Private! Let us continue!" Under the afternoon sun, Luna's muted hoofsteps landed heavily on the paved brick ground. With every step, she had to be conscious of her speed, as to not outrun the guard leading her towards the crowding Royal Medical and Rehabilitation Center. "What?" What matter of madness is this?! She and the guard skidded to stop at the sight of nobles demanding to be given access into the wide, white building. Luna witnessed four mere guards holding off what seemed to be thirty or forty ponies moulded body mass, while simultaneously struggling to not fully lay a hoof on the aggressive mob — as to not suffer the wrath of demotion, a lawsuit, or worse unemployment. Heat rose to her head from their misconduct. "SILENCE!" she banged her hoof on the ground. All present froze and turned in fear at their Princess's harsh, downcast gaze. Without a second lost, the nobles scrambled to bow before her. A unicorn stallion in a bright yellow tailored suit spoke. "Your...Your Highness! These guards refused to allow us entrance to visit Princess Celestia, denying of our noble rights," he glared back at two of the guards, causing a short flinch, and looked up at Luna, "please, gift them a proper punishment for this crime, Princess Luna." Her right eye twitched at the agreeing nods of the others. "Have ye all not noticed that thine rowdiness would disrupt the ponies caring for my sister, your Princess'," she said, making her way slowly to the group. "B-But—" Her wings flared, "NO BUTS!" she banged her hoof on the ground, cracking it. "Hiiii!" the noble skittered away. "This, 'tis a place for the ailing and troubled," she approached the group and gestured her hoof over at them— "not a BATTLEFIELD!"— glaring with a look of disdain as few in the middle row hid their snort. Holding her head high she huffed. "My sister hath fallen, my slumber trotted on, only to witness ye all acting like foals tantruming for thy MOTHER?!" Their heads fell. Most of their heads fell. "For shame," she sneered. "Ye shouldth all be ashamed for thine actions." Luna split the group in two without magic nor hoof, but with guilt. Standing by the door, she turned to the silent guards trying their utmost best to hide their distraught emotions, guards who could not stop the small ticks in their neutral faces, guards who had held back the nobles despite the high risks, "Ye hath fulfilled thy duty— come Private," Luna called out as the nobles turned to his direction. He flinched and carefully trotted to her side. Luna jarred open doors of the main entrance and paused mid step in the lounge, looking wide eyed over at the crying foal and his mother coaxing him, whispering something in his ears, and an older couple comforting each other and turning towards her. She had thought visits were canceled today due to the foreign diplomat's visitation, yet here they were. She breathed in and nodded to their bow and made her way to the unicorn mare receptionist, stationed at her desk, head in her hooves. "Excuse me," a calm whisper called the mare out her own anguished world. The mare's eyes widened, "Princess Luna, you're finally here!" hope brightened her entire face, and she stood for Luna to see her ID card on the chest of her white scrubs. "I wish to see my sister," she searched behind the desk and eyed the two empty seats, "art thou the only one minding the desk?" She flinched and faced the floor with shame, "yes… actually. The second floor was..." she huddled down back in her seat and sighed, "was in need of more assistance than down here...." "Doth that so explain the guests we have here?" Settle Task, as it had been so written on her ID flinched, "We made sure that Princess Celestia was carried in from the back entrance, Y-Your Highness!" she didn't think to hide the news with a lowered tone, "But...." "The foals standing in their crib refused their binky, even before we uttered such revelations outside?" she huffed. "Yes?" Luna huffed once more before looking at Private Sector Light. "Private, guard this place with thy life, ensure that none so passes those doors, nor arrives at the second level." "Of course Your Highness!" "Settle Task, please enlighten us of the situation on the second level." "...it's...." She avoided the two galloping nurses rolling a bed through the double doors she entered from and towards the right wing. Even her trained eyes had to look in wonder at how coordinated the front desk was conducting the scattering staff members trying to get towards one section of the building to the next with furious ease. "I need a nurse and anesthesiologist on sight in room 103! Room 103! The patient is in need of immediate care!" Amongst the two ponies in white scrubs and two in blue, all managing the desk, a mare in a white coat yelled into her microphone at the front of it all. Seeing that the desk had enough work on their hooves, Luna decided to wait out the storm then ask the whereabouts of her sis— "Where's the other janitor?! What do you mean he fell down the stairs?!!" A pegasus stallion in wet blue scrubs argued with the mare in white scrubs at the desk, "I've got a bathroom flooding the room and towels won't hold for long!" An older unicorn stallion came from the other side next to the nervous mare. "Sir, Mr. Cool Sweeps' already fixing the problem in the basement and—" *Beeep* The soft beep noise called the stallion back to his section of the desk to pick up a phone. "Nurse in room 224! Nurse in room 224!" *Beeep* A mare with a pencil behind her ear picked up a phone and turned to the unicorn stallion. "Chief! Phone call!" "Hold it, Safe Route!" the stallion, Chief, responded as he switched between answering phones and directing nurses and doctors towards the rooms they needed to make haste into. "Sir, we may have a Code V on our hooves!" she pushed the phone onto his chest with a defiant head nod ordering him to take it. Luna's ears turned up at the title unheard of before, but whatever this Code V could be, it meant that maybe she couldn't wait this out, and may need to intervene in something that she was not tasked in. "Needle Point!" he turned to the microphone mare, "I can't watch the desk! It's Dr. Saline! I'll be back!" Luna could only stare in the sidelines as the unicorn stallion galloped out from behind the desk, leaving only four ponies. "Chief—!" Luna snapped her head towards another unicorn stallion, but in a hospital gown galloping towards the desk, a second after Chief vacated the waiting area through the white double doors next to the desk. "It's the changelings, the changelings are taking over! They're taking over! They're back I tell you, they're back!!" Said unicorn stallion, if she looked closely, was wearing a black ring on his horn pleading for the microphone mare, Needle Point, to release it. That, 'tis a magic suppressor! Luna thought as she readied her stilled muscles to arrive to the desk if need so be. What exactly occurred that was connected to the reformed changelings, could hath brought on such a last resort? "Where is Mr. Look's guardian?" Luna craned her neck back as the mare didn't even flinch, nor the scattered staff come to resolve the apparent problem. She spoke clearly in the mic, the composed voice echoing from the speakers was almost reassuring in the fast paced chaos; not giving a chance for Luna to breathe, but instead signaling for a frazzled stallion in light green scrubs to run out of the left wing with a relieved smile. "There you are!" With gentle care, he helped the disoriented stallion off his hindlegs and dragged him towards the area he came through. "Let go! I need to fight!" Luna flinched when the stallion caught sight of her, "Your Royal Highness!" he cried, "Please! I must protect Canterlot!" The demands could not even echo through her trembling heart upon the ear scratching ringing of an alarm, and the yells of Needle Point, who was unable to strike a glance at her once she realized her presence. "Everypony stop!!" The scattering had already ceased once she stood from her chair and snatched a paper from Safe Route, alarm still ringing, her neon green eyes skimmed through whatever type of terror could have occurred. Passing the paper back to the mare, she leaned into the mic. "Code Violet! I repeat, this is a Code Violet!" In a matter of seconds, Luna watched as all the mares in the hall— except for Needle Point— galloped pass her, not once blinking at her presence and lined up to guard the doors she came through, three out of the group already standing tall in front of her. The stallions still in their spot, taking on a defensive stance. Blinking away her focused stare, she turned to the middle mare, "What goes—?" she paused once Needle Point continued. "Patient Barb Wire has just attacked her doctor and is heading towards the right wing! I need all available male staff to subdue her with vigi—!" *BANG!* "It's the end of the WOOORLD!!" A mare in a hospital gown barged through the white double doors, wearing a plastic helmet atop her head, and holding an IV stand like spear... as two scalpels were tied at the end with bandages. Chasing her were a group of male nurses and a doctor leading the crusade, said doctor was levitating a syringe. "Missus Barb Wire!" The stallions that were already in the hall ran towards her, causing the rouge patient to drop her weapon on its wheels and twist her body around on its axis, sending the group on their backs with a spinning kick. Returning the weapon under her foreleg, Luna snarled when the mare slipped from the coming grasp of a nurse behind her, ducking down low, and rammed the ends of the IV stand hard into his chin, knocking him out. The mares in front of her acting as a shield had flinched at the crack. Something snapped. The air went cold. And her mane flared. "WARRIOR!" She flew into the air and summoned the hoof made weapon out her hold, causing the mare to gasp a name she didn't care to hear. Horn alight and glare of fiery aimed at the shell shocked mare, she did not adhere to the yells of the three mares, Needle Point, nor the doctor's call to stop, as she aimed a beam of magic into the vulnerable mare's body, sending her to fall on her side, that is, was it not for the doctor sliding across the floor, catching her in the nick of time, before her head hit anything other than soft air. And then, everything was silent. Dead silent. Until Luna's hooves fell heavily against the tiled floor, until those three mares could only pale their faces at h e r , then the unconscious mare. And the double doors being guarded by the mares behind her slammed open, and the connected consciousness was switched off. "Doctor Atropa!" Needle Point gasped at the unicorn stallion. "What the hell is going on up here?!" Her heart was unable to reach a calming point at what just occurred, at what she just did; as she could only stare widely at the unconscious mare and nurse being carried into the right wing. 'Twas but a sleeping spell, she convinced herself. “You’re late.” "Of course I’m late! I had to deal with a herd of crazy ponies trying to stop me from coming in here!" Luna flinched and eyed the stallion putting a final hoof in the sleeves of his white coat, wondering how he could have went against the royal guards and Private Sector. There was a teleportation seal inside this place and embedded into the bricks grounding the building, not to mention the outside perimeter. "Then I hear there's a Code V?!" He trotted behind the desk and pulled a covered switch on the wall, stopping the alarm. The doctor turned to the fire-hazardous nurses already off the floor then at Needle Point. "And all this—” he gestured to the almost full hall, “—for one admitted pony?!" The mare shrunk in her seat, something Luna wouldn't have thought to see after witnessing her extraordinary leadership skills. "Dear Doctor," she lifted her head high, "this brave mare hath faired well with her team in conducting the staff." The doctor only blinked at the praise she gifted the mare, but then his brows furrowed, almost confused at finally understanding what she said. "Excuse me, Your Highness," he came to the sitting mare's side, "but I was speaking specifically with Doctor Needle Point." Her right eye twitched at his blunt, and highly rude statement. "Excuse us?" "I was trying to make sure nothing disastrous happened," he adjusted the pens in his white coat's pocket, "Your Highness." Wings tensing, her hoof dug into the floor. This was not a mere pony. Celestia had fallen, so of course there is a disaster stricken upon them! But even so, this doctor barges in here and now acts such as this, towards her, towards them all?! "Thou were yelling at this mare!" she pointed at Needle Point. The still untroubled doctor only gave her a silent look. "I'm only raising my voice because the nobles outside had not been dealt with, by sending them back to court until further notice." Her breath hitched at finding out that the nobles were still out there. "I—" "And that somepony had not informed the new receptionist or even you, Your Highness, as soon as you entered, that I would be arriving." "That is—" "Lastly, it's protocol that all highly volatile patients are to be given their weekly shots, which would prevent these types of incidents," he glared at Needle Point who inhaled a heavy breath. "The patient had attacked her doctor, Sir." Luna nodded, a sense of her pride returning when he was silenced, "That is but correct, Doctor." "And what was the trigger?" he asked. Yet that question made all the remaining staff in the hall still. And the unicorn doctor needed only to look around the area to receive his answer. He blinked, closed his eyes and lifted his head as if asking for divine intervention, "Haah, I get it," he faced the staff, scrutinizing their still faces, "somepony couldn't keep their mouth shut and spooked the entire facility, including not just one patient but all the patients who were once guards protecting the Princesses, I get it," he nodded with a calm smile that didn't reach his eyes, "you're all dismissed." The atmosphere sunk, and the hall gradually emptied until there were only three left. "I'm sorry... Sir," Needle Point bowed her head low, remorse clearly etched in her core. *sigh* "It's not your fault, Doctor Needle Point," he patted her withers, "as long as the situation was handled in a decent manner—" Luna gulped. "—and the patients are safe, and had been taken care of without much fault—" Both mares just listened. "—Then there's no need to worry." "...." "...." He glanced between the both of them, "I hope I don't need to sign a death certificate." "No pony passed before your arrival, Sir!" She peeked an eye at Luna with caution. "Before?... So I should look out for when it happens during my stay?" "Not at all, Doctor Atropa." Luna breathed out slowly, "And if so may to happen, then let it be by my fault." His head tilted in thought or maybe interest, "...I see," then he turned to Needle Point, "I want a report of the events ranging from the last five hours 'til now, after I've examined Princess Celestia's condition and run a diagnosis." "...Yes Sir, of course Sir," she opened her draw and pulled out a pack of papers and a typewriter from below. "Princess Celestia should be in room 221r, with Nurse Warming Heart, Doctor Atropa, Sir. Nurse Safe Route may have already received her checkup status by now." "Good, a leisurely stroll," he sighed and faced Luna. "I'm sure you're ready for a visit, Your Highness, but it may take at most a few minutes or an hour, depending on what we're dealing with, so you'll need to wait more than what you wanted... somewhere by her door." But a dull smile shined on his slim and proper face, "but of course...." Her eyes narrowed at the suggestion, she did not wake up earlier than she was meant, to get only this, waiting even more. And who was this doctor to voice such a thing in that sullied, rotten tone? "I see... I guess we're cutting corners for you," he arched a brow, "well, we should be going?" He nodded at Needle Point, and she back at him. Moving around Luna, he made his way towards the right wing, Luna hot on his tied, and trimmed, long white tail. Receiving a clipboard from the joyous mare, Safe Route, of the chaos storm, who greeted them both with a refreshing smile from her desk, it was indeed a leisurely stroll, a quiet one, not the rude doctor nor Luna opened up a friendly conversation, which gave the small hellos, and respected nods from the rest of the staff, a meaningful look of intrigue from Luna. He may quite be of great quality in his profession if he does so receive such attention, but… if one were to include his rude and blunt way of speech, and his sickeningly fake smiles he gave her… she does not see how. Also, these ominous marvels will not excuse why this doctor was not rushing with her towards her sister's room to conclude her situation, and yes, she would love to push pass this doctor and make her way onwards towards Celestia's resting place, but what good would that so do? She had already went against her words to those nobles, and.... Luna's head sunk low. "Dear Doctor," she called, extracting a faint back glance from said stallion. "Yes, Your Highness?" "Art thou the one meant to forever care for my sister?" "...I am... her attending physician, yes." "Why hath we now heard of thee?" "I'm sure you haven't once came into contact with the staff here until now?" "...Yes." "Then it only makes sense you haven't—" "Doctor," she snarled, silencing his next words, "thy tongue seems to favor bitter speech, tame it." He only blinked and tilted his head in a puppet like way, in what was definitely, interest, “You’d have to ask Princess Celestia, Your Highness.” Luna prevented her mane from flickering from his avoidant response, from his mockery. She could not see how this stallion could be a doctor here if he acted such as this towards her, so how could she expect him to do good for her sister who had fallen?! And the stars know what could be her troublement! “You.” “Yes, Your Highness?” She huffed. "Why is it so that thou doth not make haste towards our sister?" He blinked, "She is being well taken care of by a good nurse, Your Highness,” he flipped through the papers on the clipboard, “and based on her status, there doesn't exist any type of critical condition, as her brain scans for damage came out negative, and her Blood sugar level is normal." This...This colt! "But she is thy princess! She hath fallen! Her mane hath ceased, and her sun doth not shine as bright as it once so did!" "That part was very much easy to notice, Your Highness, and based on that alone I can deduct that it may just be from overworking, I was told she did appear to be tired and fighting to stay awake. I’m sure you have experienced this before?" "...That...That is true." But not to the point where one’s light struggles on the line of luminosity. "But even fainting from exhaustion should be carefully dealt with. So, I'd have to see her myself...." He and her paused at the loud clopping of hooves in the relatively empty hall. Both watched a mare fall out a room a few doors down and spot them, but only to get up and gallop towards the doctor while calling his name. "Doctor Atropa!” tears fell down her soft magenta cheeks and Luna felt the urge to pull the crying mare from the rude doctor’s coat, but there was no need, as he did it himself. He does not even comfort a crying mare?! The heartless and rude doctor looked upon the mare as she sniffled behind her foreleg. Eye twitching, Luna turned to the mare and pushed up a kind smile, “Young mare, art thou hurt? Thou hath fallen a great fa—” the young mare flinched upon laying a soft hoof on her withers. “Your Highness?!” complete dread refocused on her face, “You can’t...You can’t be here,” she backed away from her. Her head craned back in surprise, and she furrowed her brows. “We have full intentions in meeting our sister. And as the doctor hath said, she hath been but overworked, so she shall quickly recover.” She hoped that he was reliable in that decision, even if it was a deduction. The mare’s wide eyes drifted over to the doctor, “Doctor Atropa?” Everything about her screamed anxious fear, and that brought Luna’s attention. “What happened Warming Heart?” he asked, trotting in front of her, formality dropped and clear to the point. And the mare’s name shot a chill down Luna’s spine. Warming Heart gulped, glancing at Luna and back at the doctor, and sighed, “It's the Princess,” her voice was calm, but Luna’s heart instead fell deep down into the cold wrapping around her body, “sh-she's shrinking.” Author's Note And Chief was never seen again.
Act I, Scene V: Oh Mr. JDonut Joe prized himself and his establishment, for providing excellent service to his customers and ensuring that everything was kept up to date. He also prized himself for being a good first time employer to his temporary employee. That's why, instead of closing up shop and setting the good old stools he and Miss Angel sat on to rest their tired hooves, and double checking his stores, he used his time to stand in front of the closed yet unlocked door, embracing the fascinated looks and cautious waves he was getting from the ponies walking by with a proud grin, watching closely that the young mare made it safely across the road and around the corner without any minor mishaps. Craning his head to see the last part of that decently... possibly backbreaking— can't understand why the kid insists— saddlebag she's always bringing, that hid even her cutie mark, he huffed with satisfaction at a job well done. Locking the door and making extra sure that it was sealed tight, he turned to levitate the stools atop the table and trotted around the counter to enter his spotlessly clean— *Knock, Knock* He paused and a great smile protruded his muzzle at the arrival of a late customer, he couldn't keep paying ponies waiting, could he? So making his way to the door, his proud smile shifted and his head tilted in confusion at the two stallions in tan overcoats, well one appeared to be a stallion but he really couldn't tell, and the other was normal compared to the other... too normal. But, the thing was, they were suspiciously conversing with each other, not that talking was suspicious, but two ponies in overcoats talking to each other in the evening, as the setting sun shone off them, casting their long shadows into his shop, steeeamed the word suspicious out their suspicious tan hats tilted downwards. Though, it isn't strange, since it was fall, and it does get chilly up here, and this was the west side of Canterlot, and it is going to be Nightmare Night tomorrow. "Hm...." he glared at the two, but immediately shrugged it off, because as long as they're paying and get the hell out his closed shop, he didn't care. And hey! Would you look at that! They're even attracting customers for tomorrow! Ah, ya gotta love Canterlot. So, smile already returning on his face, he unlocked the door and opened it for his paying customers. The two ponies completely stopped their talking— or whispers, as he didn't hear their conversation from even beyond the door— in an almost scary second, a huge flag that banged on his years of conducting business in Manehattan. The too normal looking stallion was the first to initiate a friendly greeting with an extension of a hoof, which Donut Joe happily took— can't bypass a swell shake of a hoof— upon seeing such an earnest smile, "Good evening, you have a lovely establishment here, sir." "Hah, pleased by the compliment, ya here for a late minute appointment to donut heaven?" he grinned, and his grin widened at the snort that came from the other pony, who saw that he heard and witnessed that act, and therefore faked the funk and tried to push forward that nothing happened. Which would have worked if he didn't see it. The too normal stallion only glanced at his overcoat companion and continued the conversation, "Undoubtedly, we're not here for that." "Oh?" he leaned on one side of his body and arched a brow, "Ya openin' some donut shop cross the street and tryin' to steal my secret sauce?" *snort* Maybe he should have become a comedian, and sold donuts, it'd be called the Laughing Joe, no, the Laughing Donut, or maybe the Laughs and Sweets, yes that's catchy. He smirked at the idea, he'd probably write that on his bucket list. But then he thought of that pink pony, Pinkie Pie, and decided against it. "Neva thought I'd get a wild audience," he smiled at the pony. Said pony only morphed their pretty face into a sour and convincing still expression, making him almost second guess if his ears heard wrong........ meh, let's just see what these two need from him, plus, they don't strike him as bakers, and he could smell a competition from a mile away. No, these were business ponies, hard business ponies, this wasn't no Nightmare Night eve jolly ride. He opened his mouth to speak, but the too normal stallion instead answered his question. "And Mr. Joe, we're not here for any of that either." Well what were they here for? No need to be cryptic... and he doesn't remember giving his name out, though—he smiled—word does go by fast. Fast enough for these type of ponies to hear it, however.... The stallion's face remained as its simple blankness. "May we discuss this inside?" He leaned on the door frame and stared at the stallion's face, "'Til ya tell me who ya are and what ya need my attention for, ya not steppin' a single, clean hoof in my shop. No offense, but I don't know what type of business ya have underneath those coats of yours." To his surprise, none were offended nor did they walk off to whatever dark, shady, alley hole they came from. The too normal stallion nodded, and gave him a compliant smile and pulled out a simple white card from his pocket, just to hoof it calmly over to him. He casually eyed the card and felt that heart of his climb up to the tip of his throat. Ah... he should have expected this outcome from their looks, and there was no faking in this card, it was a genuine piece, and as a unicorn, he could feel the coursing signature magic pulsating from it as easy as pouring water in a pool. "Just as the card says, we're here to conduct a review of your Nightmare Night decorations in your shop, Mr. Joe, just to see if they're up to date," the stallion reached his hoof out to obtain the card and place it back to where it rightfully belonged. "Hah! Of course!" he forced a smile, making room for the two to enter, "I was expecting ya, but I didn't think ya were so dedicated to ya job to even dress up!" "We try," the pretty pony had finally spoke. And Donut Joe gulped as the curious gazes of the bystander ponies dispersing without a trace. Closing the door, he locked it, tight. Yes, Donut Joe prized himself and his establishment for providing excellent service to his customers… and ensuring everything was kept up to date.... Aaah, ya gotta love Canterlot. Author's Note This here scene was quite the short one, so I may upload Act I, Scene VI on Saturday 25th.
Act I, Scene VI: But Family Arrives At Eight, But Family Arrives At Eight, What Family?... -"Goodie four hooves."- She grasped the hooves of the trembling mare trembling mare Who was— Wait, wait no that...that's…. -"Do ya wanna be friends?”- She could just...just tell him… TeLL HIM! tell him to find somewhere different please She can...she can…she can't… why can't, why, it's You'Re not working Her mouth it's…. -*Snort* "Hahaha! She can't even lift a simple tome!”- Why won't they just Please Take them out yourself! She can't She can't She can't why not…. -"Angel, look! I got my cutie mark!"- Sign Right Here on the…. -"Blank flank!"- …. -"It’s a talent show! Let's enter it together!"- We didn't win We can't win -"What's wrong with you?"- …. -"We're gonna win this!"- It's...It's all my f-fault -"Failure."- -"TRAITOR!"- R u n "NO!" Angel jolted awake, body stiff on her bed; breath strained upon awakening from the dream… dream? Clenching her eyes shut, she rested her hoof on her chest to calm herself. *sigh* She opened her eyes, only to furrow her brows staring into the darkness that was the ceiling. Darkness… Darkness… Darkness?.... She blinked as something cold came in contact with her muzzle. Huh? Touching her nose… well she couldn't feel her nose, H-Huh? What? but a cold bag. Wait, wait! Eyes widened as she pushed down on the bag, only to flinch from the shock of pain. But then that pain brought back the horrible, strained, and tense events from last night, Why had I even bothered? I...I was so nervous! I should have said I was fine! I should have remained calm from the beginning! I should have never asked!! she rolled over on her side to take hold of a pillow, clutching it close to her chest as she curled, and hid her face in its softness. I...I don't want to do this anymore. I want everything to go back to normal! I...I don't want to lie to him! Not to his face, and not to him ever! He...He doesn't deserve that! No pony does…. Her teeth were ready to sink itself into her bottom lip, but just applying a bit of pressure made her squeak loudly in her pillow. “Owow,” suctioning her lip to numb the pain, she squeezed her locked eyes. I...I deserved that…. Pulling her face out of fluff heaven, Angel sat up, back slumped, and posture given no consideration at all. What to do…. Rubbing her eyes and massaging her forehead, she glanced into the darkness that was beyond the hoof of her bed. Turning to where her desk should be, Angel peeked an eye on her left and squinted to see the blaring red numbers of her clock. “Enough time.” Sighing, she pulled her blanketed hind legs in close to her chest and buried her ice bagged-face in her knees. Enough time…. Lifting her head up towards the ceiling of darkness, she dropped her body back into slumber. *Sigh….* Staring up at her tinted white ceiling that shined in the morning blue light, Angel glanced over at the plain wooden box resting on her right nightstand. She sat up, and carefully opened it to see the pocket watch. Remembering the guard at the gate, her lips tightened. Why do I need something so small to identify myself?... She frowned. No. Shaking her head, she slid out of bed and trotted towards the window to pull back the blue curtains, I shouldn't be…. only to blink up at the fuzzy light gleaming into her face. “Huh.” Shrugging, she opened the draw, pulling out a small journal and pen. Flipping through the pages, she stopped at an empty page. Enough time… enough time for what? Jotting down the dream she had… a dream she had, Angel hissed as her hoof gave out, dropping the pen on the desk. Not now! A sore pain pinched at her legs, pulsating a surging heat wrapping around them. Quickly, she made her way into her bathroom, turning on the facet to run the freezing cold water on her hooves and forelegs. Looking up into the mirror, Angel flinched at how the wrapped ice bag appeared to take over her whole bottom half of her face. Do I… take it off now? Blinking, she lifted her bangs away, only to cringe at the developing dark patch under her eyes, And I said Mr. Whole Blend needs more sleep…. her lips twisted to the side, How exactly am I going to help him? He's been pushing back his scheduled sleep and isn't committing to his agreement to at least take Thursday's off.… Useless. Pushing back her bangs, she squinted her eyes at the small scar above her brow. *Sigh* She slumped down and laid her forelegs on the sink, resting her head, quietly listening to the running water. He...He wasn't even supposed to be at Mr. Joe's yesterday… and...and yet I still served him coffee. She hid her face in her hooves, What was I thinking?! I shouldn't be wasting!... wasting such precious time… and sighed. Turning off the facet, she shook her damp mane, making it and her bangs fall back in place and fluff out. Unwrapping the ice bag from her face, she leaned in closer to the mirror, Mr. Clockwise and Miss Gumdrop aren't going to like this one bit. Her lip wasn't swollen thanks to the ointment Seaweed had applied to it, but it was still busted and would be obvious to anypony who would gladly go up into her face. I need to stop this lip biting or I might just bite off my lip. She shivered at the thought then blinked. Grazing her freezing cold discolored nose, she huffed. Maybe I could not meet him at the door when he brings the boys…. She shook her head. No, then he'd ask where I am, then Seaweed would definitely tell him I fell off the bed and that I'm hiding and— Her eyes widened. Sweet lights! Then Father will hear it! Her heart thumped against her chest, Okay, no hiding, no hiding, should I tell him not to tell Father? and face fell. No! He's not Miss Gumdrop! He won't listen to me! Aagh! Dropping her forehead in her hooves, What am I going to do? she grumbled. Opening the medicine cabinet packed with small glass bottles containing a yellow substance, Angel grabbed one, pulling the cork off and downing the syrupy liquid. I'll think of somethin— *Gasp!* She choked on the stinging bitterness of the medicine that warmed her face, from the ringing sound of the doorbell. *Cough!* WHAT?! Already?! Turning on the facet to rinse out her mouth and switching it off, she slammed open the bathroom door and hurled out her room. They can't be here! It...It's too early! It's too soon! Not now! Not now! Not now! Not now! Not now! Not now!! The letter says 8:37!! Not...not…. She skittered to a stop and looked behind her questionly. Wait, what time is it? Trotting back a few steps, she glanced at the grandfather clock next to the window. It's seven. “O—” “EEK!” jumping, she snapped her head at her brother standing behind her. “S-Seaweed!” His eye squinted. “Good morning?” “....” Her cheeks warmed her numb and cold nose, I can't believe I was frightened from that.... “Um…” she rubbed her leg, “good...good morning….” "...." "...." "Did you sl—" They blinked as the doorbell rang again for the fourth then sixth time. “Let me go get th—” “N-No!” she blocked him and smiled, “I...I can g-get it.” I have to meet him first. Just get it over with. "...." His nose scrunched and he looked at her, scrutinizing her from head to hoof, making her slightly shrink under his gaze. “First you should—” *Dingdongdingdongdingdong* “....” “....” He sighed and her lips tightened with a subtle hum. Seaweed calmly trotted around her. “Go straighten yourself up first Angel, your mane is a mess.” Wh-What? She lost him once he turned ‘round the corner. Blinking, she bit the inside of her mouth. She was actually getting a good look at her tangled mess of a mane in the mirror, and so she sighed a sigh similar as her brother's from last night. What was I thinking? To go get the door when I haven't even straightened myself?! Mr. Clockwise would think I'm not keeping up maintenance! Pulling a curly strand away from the tumbleweed, a huff left her nose, There's no way this is presentable, I even forgot to brush my teeth and clean my face! I know he'd drag me back from something this small. Her cheek twitched. Grabbing her toothbrush from the cup, she stopped and stared down at it, a frown beginning to make way to her muzzle as her eyes widened with furrowed brows. Liar "...." Toothbrush reaching its destination, cleaning away the potent bitterness edged deep in her throat, she clenched the cold metal handle, the mintiness of the toothpaste irritating the open, healing wound on her lip. Liar Freezing temperatures shaped her face and neck, from the splashes of water, forming prickling needles to dig down into her skin, renumbing her nose and relieving the pressure pounding against her eyes. Liar And a whimper escaped from her cold, quivering lips as she stared, and stared, and glared at her soaked reflection. With her drenched wet, parted bangs matted against her forehead, and her dripping fur dragging down her body to fall to her pristine, and clean white tiled floor. She held her face in her icy hooves, pushing desperately at her eyes to hold back the burning hot drops of rough pebbles that refused to not roll down her face. Liar Her mouth cringed open and shut, bounding the developing high pitched squeak into a thick forced gulp. And she covered her mouth, ignoring the pain of her lip and the coldly hot pounding in her chest, swallowing the remnants of the heavy stones and sighed, shakily, but still sigh. Liar. Standing back up on her own hooves, Angel wiped away the rest of her tears, and sniffed. Bending down to open the cabinet underneath the sink, she picked out one of the tissue boxes and blew her nose. Placing it back with the others, she discarded the tissue and took hold of her brush resting on the stand by the sink, and sat down on the white wooden stool by the tub. *Sigh….* Breathe in, breathe out. *Sigh….* Each brush was a breath, brushing her short curly mane. Calm down. Each breath was a trembling brush, scrunching her face from tears tickling the corners of her eyes and wetness forming in her nose. Calm down Angel, calm down. And each trembling stroke of her brush resulted to her tears to finally break her barrier, trickling down her drying fur. Please. She fervently rubbed her eyes and breathed in the snot, not bothering to flinch when she made constant contact with her bruised nose. P l e a s e… StOp. Brush dropping to the rug soundlessly, she covered her face, hiding away from the rest of the world behind her hooves. I'm so pathetic. Happy thoughts. I shouldn't be feeling this! Happy thoughts. You did this to yourself! Happy thoughts. You choose this! Think happy thoughts. Then why am I crying?! You're stressed. You need rest. Happy th— I hate this! The sobs of lament penetrated her ears, as low and muffled tremors against her chest from the back of her throat revived the bitterness she thought had been washed away. How...How am I supposed to be a psychologist if I can't even apply my own studies to myself? I can't...I can't even help one pony when I'm by myself! She squeezed her fetlocks. *Hic* Useless. Closing her eyes tight, Angel blubbered out one last cry, as she had used up the last of her tears, no matter how much she forced more to flow down and carry away the rest of her regrets, regrets? I don't want to leave. Burying her head between her hindlegs, she relaxed in the warmth of her own fur. *Sigh* I have work… ...I still have my internship… …I have to spend time with the boys... ...and I promised. And you promised so much. Standing once again on her own, she picked up the brush, and trotted to the stand to place it back where it belonged. Facing herself in the mirror with her laid down bangs, she frowned. Thank Asphodel for them. He doesn't need to…. She whimpered, He doesn't need to worry more about me, averting away from her reflection, I've caused too much trouble already…. "...." Angel faced her reflection, breathed in, and huffed. Leaving the bathroom, she turned to her bed and held her saddlebag with itching, swollen eyes. I need to make sure I have everything…. Opening the left compartment, she pulled out a large, metal med-kit, checking the contents to find that she was low on ointment and salve… ointment. I...I have to go downstairs…. Seaweed's downstairs. The blood from her face drained, yet her heart pounded with the violent beats of the drums against her chest. Why does he have to always keep the good stuff downstairs and not in his room? Biting her gums, she glanced down into the organized sections of the kit, the small corked tube bottles glistening in the sunlight from her window, and the variety of bandages sorted by their effective uses. I can't leave without them…. "...Mmgh." Sucking up her fear, she placed the kit on her back. *Sigh* "L-Let's go," she nodded. Exiting her room, Angel wasted no time in reaching the stairs, but did stop to admire the old family portrait again. I wonder how Wisteria's doing?... What...What would she think if she saw me like this? Would she...Would she think it was somepony else's problem? Looking over at the soft violet coated filly, she giggled weakly at the heroic stance her elder sister had, Well… she's just like Father… a worrywart, a wooden sword was floating near the young and bored Seaweed's head. She then smiled a small smile and hummed, I think...I think I can do this. Turning, she made her way down the second flight of stairs, with just a small lift on her heavy heart. But, she paused at the returned cleanness of the lounge; though most of the furniture had been replaced, even if it was just the coffee table and the vase that was ruined. She trotted around the new cinnamon sectional couch set, which before had been a pair of peanut chesterfield couches. Weren't these in the basement? A frown surfaced her face, I know he likes everything clean, but did he even get any sleep? He didn't look any different upstairs. she rubbed her leg, I wish I could have helped him…. *Sigh* Angel trotted towards the double doors, but her ears sparked up at the laugh from behind. Eh? She blinked. That's Brother's laugh! Angel galloped back towards the other direction and to the doors leading into the dining room. She pressed her ears against it, only to catch a distant muffled conversation, which could distinctly be identified as both of her brothers voices, her heart dropped. Wh-Why is he here? Shouldn't he be in Manehattan? And that was him at the door?! She rubbed her chin at the thought. But… there's no way he would be here without a reason… huh… she removed her ear from the door and trotted behind the couch, maybe he's here to surprise the boys, yes, yes, she warily smiled, he definitely surprised me… I-I can see Larkspur and Foxgloves reaction, snorting at the idea of the young ones shock and the oldest squeal of glee, Angel went to peek her head inside the kitchen. She hummed seeing it and the breakfast nook around the corner empty, Miss Bow Top doesn't seem to be here. Then she's probably with Seaweed and Brother. This is much better, now I won't run into anypony! Turning around, she made her way into the entrance hall, I'd rather leave for a little bit, and return when Seaweed's gone so I can get the boys. Great idea! He usually leaves later than nine…. and entered the room from across, just to be smacked in the face by the wafting, peaceful smell of herbs and books, Hmmm. Her hooves were light, uneasy, and face was full of motherly warmth for a small second. *sigh….* Closing the door with as little noise as possible, Angel took a good look at the small library, At least it smells nice out here, and made her way to a door at the back of the room. Sucking in a deep breath, she opened the door, AGH! This smell is suffocating! Holding her breath, she searched around the large, 'medicine cabinet', passing by shelf, by shelf, by shelf, Why didn't he just open a pharmacy! Unable to hold her breath for long, she instead took in air by her mouth; the smell so strong, she tasted something both sweet and rotten… like dead fish. A shiver traveled up her spine at the taste, making her want to gag. But relief stopped that thought when she found what she was looking for, Finally! Closing the kit, she sighed. What happened for that smell to get stronger! Is he stocking more? *Ugh* She shook her head and set the kit comfortably on her back, No, no he gives them away, so they won't be there for long… but why can't all pills not have a smell! Huffing, she left the library, ready to return to her room, Angel paused at the sound of her brother from behind the door. Shoot, they're done talking. "...is taking mighty long up there, Seaweed, I wouldn't expect that from her." Her head leaned in closer to the door. Wait, is he talking about me? And, I can't spend a lot of time in the bathroom? "You shouldn't be the one talking," Seaweed replied for her, the hooves coming to a stop. …. That just called a laugh, "Seaweed, Brother this is Mansia we're talking about—" HEY! She snapped a glare at the door. "—she may have fell in the toilet again, for Asphodel's sake!" Oh no please not that story. "Snakeroots," annoyance replaced his happy tone, "she was two." "Yes," she heard a grin growing on his face, "but it happened again." "…." Her heart broke past her ribs when the voice of Miss Bow Top came instead of Seaweed's. "Again?" "Oh yes, Bow Top, would you like to know the story?" No she doesn't! "Snakeroots, are you serious?" Yes, yes he is! Stop him before he does! "Aren't I always?" he chuckled. "Uh, why don't I... go check up on her." Wait! Wait no! She's going to think I was foalnapped! Angel was ready to open the door, until Seaweed spoke. "You don't have to, Bow—" "Yes." Angel cringed at the uncomfortable feeling she was getting from the silence penetrating through the double doors and into the hall she stood in. The silence was broken however, by Seaweed's sigh, "Never mind, I'll go." Oh… um… well…. "Oh! Make sure she didn't fall in!" Snakeroots laughed. Angel merely shook her head ...I guess, no pony changes in a short amount of time…. then quietly, oh so quietly leaving the double doors, she sighed. I guess I really am leaving without saying goodbye…. Would...Would he think I'm upset with him? No, I left without my bag, I never leave without my bag, should I wait it out? No, when he sees it's there, he'd think I'm still in the house. Would he? Well I do have my kit, so maybe… wait, is he going to check my bag? She paused at the front door, but shook her head, No, no, I had put all my notes and bag safely in the closet, after he pestered me to clean up my desk last night, no need to panic, no need to panic. *Sigh* But did you? Did I? What would stop him from finding some clue to help you? To know what's going on? Who's to say it won't happen today? Tomorrow? Right now? Already, he is— He's not!! Everything hurt… for only a little while… a little while… a little while. Angel shook her head. I...I um… I'll just wait out...outside. She gulped, and peeked behind her. A-Alright, you can do this, you have this kit at least…. *sigh….* Angel stood in front of the door... to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the outside, to the eyes. Angel only noticed the door had grown considerably in size when her rump felt unusually sore, and there were voices, so many voices, and the weight of the kit had magically disappeared! What a spectacle. What a spectacle indeed.
Act I, Scene I: There Will Be No Fete"Now entering Prince Blueblood!" The guard stomped his armored hoof on the marble tiled floor. Soon enough, the blinds to the windows closed, darkening the entire courtroom. The doors opened, and a blinding light upon widening, presented the blond unicorn prince. His arrival was nothing but grand as the pure, groomed white coat shimmered under the lights, and his mane flickered in the... wind? Hoof clappings echoed throughout the courtroom amongst the stallion's and mare's in the audience. Celestia's lips turn upwards at the sight before her, ignoring the face hooving of Inkwell below at her desk, and the not in the least, modest eye rolls of the guards. "Prince Blueblood, another wonderful entrance I see? Now what could be the occasion this time?" She grinned when he waved the servant behind him with the fan and spotlight to leave. The curtains of the windows were pulled away, returning the natural lighting, and the doors were immediately closed. Celestia, however, caught a glimpse of a furious brown earth pony stallion in a purple pinstripe suit. "Seeing how you are the first in line." Flinging his mane to the side, causing Inkwell to groan, Prince Blueblood showered her the most confident smile, that Celestia was lucky enough to have already been acquainted with. "Greetings, Aunty! But, there was a must for my sudden arrival." "Please tell me it's not another renovation, or pool... he's already went past the requirements." Inkwell snapped under her breath as Blueblood trotted up to the stairs that led to Celestia's desk. She arched a brow. "Really?" Celestia also hoped it really wasn't another one of his, projects. "Tell me." He flung his mane to the side... again. "Why, it has come to my mind that I don't have a castle yet!" The audience gasped. Inkwell's light brown eyes twitched. Quickly lifting two piles of papers from under her desk, she started her distraction. Smile wide and untroubled, Celestia laughed. "That is some news, Prince Blueblood." "Hmph, I know." He pushed his mane in the air with a hoof. "It's a miracle I am finally able to tell you, Aunty Celestia!" She gazed down at him. "My, will you explain how you ever reached such a conclusion?" "It's quite obvious, Aunty. My lovely cousin Cadence has one, and that something Sparkle does too! So it makes so much sense that I," he said with such esteem and a hoof on his chest, "Prince Blueblood, am more than qualified to have my own." "...Next he'll ask for a country, and they'll all be doomed..." mused one guard to the other, his hoof next to his muzzle. "He already did." "...." "Prince Blueblood?" "Yes?" He said, more focused on his hoof than the Princess. Celestia frowned, and rubbed her pounding forehead. "Have you ever questioned why, you don't have one?" "Hmmm..." he tapped his chin with a jutted lip, "I suppose not. But does it really matter? I'm a prince. A royal! And a royal should get a castle." The audience nodded with hums of agreement. "Yet, you have all that you need." "Of course I have all that I need, Celestia. Is it not fair that I don't get what I want?" He placed a hoof on his chest. Celestia glanced down at Inkwell and continued, "Prince Blueblood, too much of a want, will never satisfy a pony. And too much of a selfishly good thing, could never be good." She motioned a guard at the doors to come. "Would it perchance you to..." she tapped her chin, "establish an orphanage, or open a residency?" He craned his neck back. "Then of course a castle, would fit my needs!" Her lips thinned. "Then, I would like you to think about it, Prince Blueblood. You may leave." "Wha!" He looked behind him to see the doors opening. "Oh, and while you're at it, take some time from court, maybe a vacation." Celestia warm smile returned. "Morning court could be so stressful sometimes." She waved as he was being gently escorted out. Inkwell sighed as the doors slammed behind the stubborn Prince. "Alright Inkwell, who is next?" Celestia rubbed her eyes, and smiled down at one of her most trusted aides, now too fixated on one of her large pile of paperwork. She peeked her light brown eyes up at her Princess. "I'm sorry?" "Who is next?" Celestia shining her an amused grin. "OH! Oh, yes, yes!" Tongue stuck out, she flipped through the two foot pile at her left and pulled out a paper in her rose red aura. "The, um..." she adjusted her round, black frame glasses, squinting down at whatever was on the paper. "I can never get his name right." She whispered. "Good...Goo--" Celestia closed her eyes and pronounced the name fluently. "Goodifindanhooves Choco Nettle, of Tasty Chocolate Factory?" "Yes, that..." looking back at the paper with boggling eyes, Inkwell cleared her throat, "he wishes to settle the matter with the exportation of chocolate from Germaneigh and Griffendale." "And what could be the problem? We don't receive our next shipment in a month...." Levitating another paper from the pile, she narrowed her eyes. "Actually... due to some issues," Inkwell pushed up her glasses, "...he states that it'll probably take four more." "Hm..." Celestia laid her head back on the soft, felt like covering, of her morning courtroom chair, "I see...." A silent murmur over took the room from around the two. "Princess?" Inkwell placed the papers down on the table. "Hm?" "Should we cancel morning court, early? We can continue tomorrow?" She frowned, wrapping her aura around any fallen or out of order paper, and placing them back under the desk. "Princess Twilight did send a letter mentioning how the construction of her school is going well to you, we could go and see?" She whispered, not wanting the rest of the court to know of the upcoming, surprise school. She raised a hoof. "No, it's file. There's no reason to cancel. I think I may have a slight headache," Celestia rubbed her temples with both hooves, "it is nothing fatal." "Fine." Inkwell corrected her, and stood up from the cushion, adjusting her glasses to look at the nervous guards standing by the courtroom door, and sneak a glance at noble's leaning close to the edge for a better look. "Yes," Celestia bobbed her head, "of course," then shook it to wake up, "kind." "I'm getting Princess Lu—." She watched as her princess continuously bobbed her head with distant, pale magenta eyes. Her multi-colored mane that usually waved in a nonexistent existant wind, was but a flat calm river. "No, just, just tell me what are th—" "KYAAAA!!" A mare fell back from the rail. Ponies jumped from their cushions upon their princess's head sickingly crashing down on her desk... scrambled around and from the balcony screaming. Breaking away from her stupefied gawk, Inkwell reeled towards the entrance. "GUARDS!" She motioned to the already running guards leaving the area and the large open doors. The earth pony stallion stared in shock at the unconscious Princess of The Sun and co-ruler of Equestria. "Zee...zee brincess." He pointed a trembling hoof at Celestia. "Sche... "sche... "SCHE IS DEAD!" Author's Note Oh.
Act I, Scene II: The Sun Sets Late"Ay, Miss Angel! One more cup of joe, sweetheart!" "Ah! C-Coming right up, M-Mr. Whole Blend!" Angel called, and grabbed the coffee kettle in her mouth from the black and dark blue bannered wooden desk. "I'm having a craving for those chocolate glaze's, Melody." The curly blond earth pony mare drooled. "Three again, Star?" Her friend furrowed her brows. Excusing herself past the earth and unicorn mares who were waiting in the long line that Donut Joe was busy with, and dodging the bouncing pale eggplant unicorn filly that came her way, she raced over to the earth pony stallion who stood out sitting at the pink bench by the window, with his unsaturated, chocolate coat. *Phew...* She placed the kettle on the table, and pulled his mug close. "W-Wait, this'll be your fifth batch, M-Mr. Whole Blend... did you possibly have another two n-nighter?" She frowned, filling his mug only halfway instead of to the top, she glanced back at the full house they were having and blew her dark salmon bangs from her eyes. ...Will Mr. Joe be able to handle all those ponies? The line had stretched even out the door, and the tables were being occupied by the early customers. I think he may have to renov— He grumbled down at his amount and took a large gulp of the plain black coffee. *Sigh...* "Well, sweetheart, a pony's got to do somethin' to live in a place like this." Whole Blend sunk into the cushion of the bench. "Thaaat's the stuff." He mused quietly. She stared at the dark circles under his dazed, lifeless eyes as he gazed at the mug. "S-So it is true.... Mr. Whole Blend." "Eh?" He answered her with a side look. "D-Deteriorating your...your health won't do you any b-better." She said, her voice straining her throat as she made sure he heard her over the background noise. "A-A pony shouldn't be...be working without sleep for l-long periods of time...." He hummed. "Apologies to disappoint, sweetheart," he rose the mug up to her, "but that manuscript deadline is cuttin' it's cornars for me." Blinking at the waiting mug, she shook her head. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Whole Blend," chewing the inside of her mouth, she breathed out slowly, "but un-until you c-cease your procrastination, you're getting only tea. Y-You need rest." For only a second did he stare at her, and look down in his mug to sip the coffee. "Will do." Her frown deepened. "M-Mr. Whole Blend—" "I'm goin' to do what ya said last time, Doc." He yawned. "....I...I trust that you can... M-Mr. Whole Blend." She said, calming the trembling of her voice. "...." Leaving the stallion with his should be now empty mug, with a heavy, long sigh, she returned to Donut Joe who was with those two customers. Setting the kettle down to be refilled, she took hold of a tray and began placing three chocolate glazed donuts to hoof over to him. "Thanks, Miss Angel!" He laughed, levitating the tray to the next customer. "Y-You're welcome." She nodded her head, and returned to her station near the coffee. The fragrance of the earthy coffee beans exploded into her face upon opening the the large brown sack under the counter. Am I still doing a good job? Angel lifted a bean in her hoof. Why...Why isn't this easy? Her face scrunched up. I...I wish I could get some help with Mr. Whole Blend, like from Seaweed.... She shook her head, and tossed the bean in the small trash bin. No, no! I-I should see Dr. Just Right about this... will he help though? "...." Seaweed would always help me when I had a problem. Digging out the beans with the metal coffee bean scoop, and dropping them in the grinder, she closed the sack. I...I'll just a-ask hi— "S'cuse me!" Her ears twitched at the young voice. Turning around to see the same young filly that she almost bumped into, she smiled, and trotted towards the marble counter that separated them both. "Y-Yes?" "Can...can I have a coco? Pleeeaase." She asked, with a childlike voice, and wide doughy eyes. Giggling at the generational technique, she nodded. "I'll...I'll be with you, dear." The free hot chocolate for the little fillies and colts was a wonderful idea! Running into the kitchen and to the ice box filled with her pre-hoofmade hot chocolate in an airtight glass jar, she began the boiling process on medium heat. Grabbing a small, black, star patterned styrofoam cup with Donut Joe's pink donut logo, and pouring the steaming beverage inside with four chocolate chips then covering it, she returned to the anticipated young filly. "H-Here you are." She carefully hoofed the cup to her. "Thank you!" The filly sparked her horn, resulting to the cup to float towards her. "Y-You're...You're welcome!" She smiled, and waved a creamy white salmon hoof at the bouncing filly goodbye, as she went over to her unicorn parents; enthusiastically reciting her great feat in ordering by herself. Well... kids will always be kids, they're all so— Her smile took a turn when the filly's puce mother furrowed her brows and glanced directly at her in a quizzical manner. Gingerly looking away from the stare to Donut Joe dealing with his customers and hoofing them a cheerful smile, she went to check on how the coffee beans were doing. "Now that's, what ya call a masterful sell, Miss Angel!" Donut Joe bellowed out a triumphant laugh. She nibbled on her blueberry donut. "Y-Yes it was...." "Hah! I gotta really hoof it to ya—" he levitated a glazed donut hole to pop in his mouth, "—nevah woulda thoughta makin' the hot chocolate free for the fillies and colts. *Gulp* That really drives in more families!" "Oh...Oh, yes...yes it does...." Angel nodded her head with not much thought, and turned to the window to see the sun setting. Looking down through her bangs, and at her unfinished donut in her hooves with lidded eyes, she kitted her brows and peeked up at the arched browed Donut Joe. "Y-Yes?" "Are ya alright there?" Biting her lower lip, she placed her donut on the plate and wiped her hooves. *Sigh...* "N-No, but I d-don't want to talk about it." Joe stroked his chin and hummed. "Is this 'bout ya thing, again?" He circled his hoof in front of his thoat. "...." She rubbed her hooves together and twisted her lips side to side while facing her awaiting donut. "I don't believe it! I know I didn't see no pony messin' with ya this time around, Miss Angel. Though I was busy, I'm sure I woulda seen it." Her shoulders flinched up, and so did her head. "N-No! I-It's... it wasn't m-much, Mr. Joe." Angel averted her eyes. "I-I really shouldn't have been...been bothered by it." It was just a look anyway, Angel! A look of curiosity! There is nothing wrong with that! "...Well, it should botha ya, Miss Angel. And, it ain't so right for a pony to not be comfortable in their own horseshoes." "...." But...But it's not.... *Sigh* "Y-Yes, you're right...." He sighed and popped in a chocolate donut. "Shame ah can't repay ya enough for ya help, Miss Angel." She blinked. "O-Oh, it's no p-problem, Mr. Joe. *Sigh* I'm just happy to w-work here for my assignment." A wide smile grew on her muzzle, And... maybe for the free blueberry donuts too. "This was my...my favorite place as a f-filly." He snorted. "Ya sure 'bout that?" Angel's brows lifted. Ooh, he's going to bring it up again. His snorting gradually developed into a deep laugh. "Don't ya remember your brotha being bucked in the stomach?! Hah! That incident was even in the papers!" Shaking her head she corrected him. "...Um... It...It was actually his face—" He shivered. "Woah, woah, no need to remind me on that." She laughed. "—but, Honey's...Honey's actually r-really nice, Mr. Joe." "Uh-huh, well, only you would know." "Y-Yep." Finishing her blueberry donut, Angel excused herself from the table. Bending down to get her triangle themed saddlebag, she tossed it on her back and adjusted the straps. "Th-Thank you for the talk, Mr. Joe." "Just tryin' to keep my best temporary employee." Giggling, she bowed her head respectfully, and pushed in her stool. "I-I will see you to-tomorrow, Mr. Joe." He whistled. "Hah! I'll need it." He stood up from his stool. "Nightmare Nights gonna be a hit!" Her pastel brown eyes widened. "O-OH!" She bonked her head with her hoof. "That's...That's right!" Donut Joe's mouth hung open, and his sap green eyes bulged out. "How in Equestria did ya forget 'bout Nightmare Night?! There's decorations all over the place!" He motioned his light amber hoof around his shop and pointed outside the window, where most of the other shops and homes were too, dolled up to the extreme, with dark blue banners, and star and bat ornaments. "Oh, n-no! It's not that." Giggling at his shocked face, she shook her head. "My...My nephew's were coming t-tomorrow... hah... a-and I really forgot." She rubbed her foreleg. This week has been busy.... He nodded with understandance then hummed as he rubbed his chin in thought. "It's alright with me if ya bring 'em over." She took in a quick intake of air and her jaw clenched. "Uh... i-i-it's f-fine Mr. Joe, we...we already hired a foalsitter. Sh-She's a family friend." Though, I was against the idea of him doing that, now that Mr. Joe suggested this... I...I don't want to bother him more than I've done before. Taken aback by that idea, he put his hoof down. "I've got no dough to pull with foalsitter's, but, come on, ya nephew's are comin' all the way from Tall Tale to visit their aunt and uncle, and they get that?" Angel's bottom lip trembled as she faced downcast at the floor. "I...I-I'm sorry...." Donut Joe shut his eyes shook his head upwards *Sigh...*. "Nah, I have to blame ya brotha on this, he's always been a ring stuck in a pile of dough." "I-It's fine Mr.Joe, but p-please don't be too h-harsh on Seaweed! I...I should have tried harder in convincing him...." Angel rubbed her foreleg, biting the inside of her mouth. He cringed back. "Alright, alright! No hoof pointing." *Sigh...* Glancing out the window and stagnant sun, she furrowed her brows. Shouldn't the sun have went down? He turned to where she was looking. "Oh, wow, it's getting late." Looking back at Angel, he shook his head. "I don't want to hold ya up now." He levitated their empty plates and motioned it over into the kitchen and escorted her to the glass door. Nodding, she smiled. "W-Well, till next time, Mr. Joe." Angel trotted out the door as he left it wide open. "Make sure ya bring ya nephew's!" "Um... I-I'll try!" She laughed back at him. Watching him close door and wave her goodbye, she crossed the street and headed into the decorated Canterlot with a hum. If I convice Seaweed again, I'm sure he will allow it.... Well, that is if he'll be home early, but that'll depend on his schedule. She took a quick glance inside the boutique shop, where a rose gold, earth pony mare was caring for her plants. Ah! It's Miss Sunshine! Angel gently tapped on the window, signaling the mare to snap her head up. Sunshine immediately stopped her work and raced outside of her shop. "Angel!" Stopping to catch her breath, she held her hoof up. *Phew!* "Great *huff* timing, could you wait here for a sec?" "Umm... o-okay?" "Great!" Galloping back inside her shop, Angel blinked at how she went behind the counter, and opened a draw from the built in shelf. She pulled out a rectangular, red box, tied in a pink ribbon, and quickly returned to her, like there was no tomorrow. "Pl-Please *huff* give this *huff*, to uh..." once again catching her breath, she sighed, "uh... can you give this to, Dr. Min—" she paused, then an amused grin grew on her face, and later a snort, "—Seaweed." Angel smiled at how Sunshine was stifling a laugh behind her tight lips. "Al-Alright." I can't say no to this.... Taking hold of the gift and carefully placing it in her saddlebag, she nodded her head. "I'll...I'll make sure, h-he gets it." "Yes!" Sunshine hopped up; her plaited platinum mane simultaneously following, and ran back inside her shop. Once gone, Angel frowned, placing her hoof on her lips. I...I just hope he will actually open it.... Shaking her head, she trotted past Sunshine's shop, then the closing icecream vender and cafe. She soon entered the Serenity Gardens. It was getting late, seeing how ponies were already leaving, but, the sudden fall breeze disrupted Angel's slow walk, causing her to stop and take in the earthy, natural air a pony would rarely received in some of the parts of Canterlot. Exhaling, she gazed up at the twilight sky, where Luna's moon was arising, and Celestia's sun was finally, gradually descending towards the horizon. Continuing her trot on the cobblestone path, and past a giant willow tree and bench, at her left was where the three Night Watch guards began to appear from their station by the exit. She flinched when one of the guard's started closing the gates. Oh...Oh no. Quickening her left turn, Angel galloped towards the one in charge of the task. "Ex-Excuse me!" A short wheeze left her. In the midist of lighting his horn, the gray unicorn guard turned away from the gate, to face her. "Yes, ma'am?" But, staring down at her, his fixed expression shifted into an oddly confused look. "Uh... um...." Completely taken off guard at the new face, Angel gulped. They have a new recruit here? I-I thought it was a maximum of three? Wait, there are three, did Mr. Sand Stone get replaced? He had always closed this gate. Did something happen, did he get promoted? Or f-fired? A nervous sweat beaded down her forehead. Dear, Asphodel, he's giving me the look, maybe I shouldn't have brought my saddlebag, and just worn a hat, a hat would have been nice, but I don't really like hats. Wait, if I hadn't taken my bag, I wouldn't have bee— "Ma'am, we're closing, and I'm not authorized to let you past, you will have to travel around the garden to make your delivery." The side of her cheek twitched as her face fell and melting heat crept up from her neck. Rubbing her foreleg, Angel slowly began to shrink. "N-N-No, I, um... I-I l-live here." She squeaked. "Um! W-Well not here! But...But out there!" She pointed outside of the gate. "S-See!" Retrieving a necklaced pocket watch from her bag, she hung it up to him. "Oh." The guard was deadly silent with a scrunched muzzle. "...." "...." "...." "...." Gulping, Angel sighed. "S-Sorry... can...can I l-leave?" She returned the necklace back. The guard blinked. "Uh, yes, yes of course." He inched away from the gate. "Th-Thank you." Making her way past the guard with her head down, she breathed out softly, once a few blocks away from the garden. That...That was embarrassing!... Shaking the tinge of warmth off her face, Angel made a haste retreat from the commercial district of closing shops, towards the perfume and cologne drenched Promenade and dodged a few ponies, to make her way to the residential district. *GASP!* She stumbled as her foreleg entangled with the other. Not wanting to plummet onto the ground in the middle of street and publicly humiliate herself, she pushed her weight on her left side to balance herself. But, as she came to fix herself, her body tilted to the right, bumping into a shrieking mare. Oh, oh no! She skittered over to help the fallen tea green unicorn mare. The mare slapped Angel's offered hoof, and instead stood up on her own. "Don't you ever—" She flinched away. "I-I'm so, sorry, m-ma'am." The mare sneered down at her. "You." Angel shuddered at the way that word reeked of indignation that ripped open her chest just to shred her lungs and beating heart. The mare gazed at her saddle bag, causing a twitch on her upper lip. "Ugh, to fall down so low." Reeling around on her hoof, she humphed with her nose in the air. "...." "...." Twice in a day.... "...." I should have ran faster, I could have avoided something like this happening again if I were just faster.... *Sigh...* Continuing her travel home, Angel ran through a large gate. Magnificent homes competed against each other, and the few ponies out, held their noses in the air with an arrogant pride. Huffing out slow tired breaths, she laid a hoof on her chest to calm down. *Phew...* Walking past a few homes and stone walls, and making a right, she glanced over at the lone modest victorian manse behind a hedge wall, and blinked at how the lights were on. Wait, Seaweed's home?! Galloping towards the large house, and up on the patio, she knocked on the door, a wide smile sprouting on her face. "Coming!" Yelled a stallions voice from the other side. The sound of a metal door slaming inside made her ears twitch. However, there was a loud crash in the background, and a quick hissing curse. "—apples!" Angel flinched back, her smile quickly morphed into a terrified stare when there was a sudden surprised yowl and something akin to a giant sack of potatoes collided with a weak wooden wall and glass window. Glancing behind her to see curious onlookers from their balcony or window, she froze at the growing audience behind the hedge wall and gate. "He-Hello." She waved at them. Most of the mares in the crowd shook their heads with an annoyed looking scoff, others grimaced and went on their way. Simpering at the reaction that was returned to her, she sighed. Oh, Angel.... She jumped upon the abrupt opening of the door. Reeling her head around, she blinked at the aggravated, chartreuse yellow, earth pony stallion covered in small cuts, from head to flank. His short, wavy, pure seaweed colored mane was caked in some type of yellow slime, making it stick out in random directions. Placing a hoof on her mouth at his condition, Angel quickly trotted to him. "S-Seaweed, what...what happened?!" She watched as his aqua blue eyes squinted into a murderous glare at the crowd behind the gate. "Eggs." He sneered, the word coming out in full vexation. She tilted her head. "E-Eggs?" "We need more eggs." His muzzle scrunched up in disgust. "U-Um...." She peeked an eye back at the still apparent audience, but now containing an extra set of young mares with spellbound stares. "C-Can we go i-inside first?" Why do they always stare like that? He took a moment to answer, occasionally mumbling something inherent to her ears. "Yes." Turning around to enter, she followed in after, closing the door with her hind leg and locking it with her foreleg. Wiping her hooves on the mat, she surveyed the foyer, everything was as normal as it ever was, except for the slimy substance that stuck to her hooves as soon as she came off the mat. Wh-What? Lifting one of her hooves to her nose, she took a small sniff, Eggs? furrowing her brows, she glanced at her left where the old, long mahogany table that held five potted plants and the wide wall mirror reflecting, a gorgeous, portrait of an earth pony mare. She stood on the tip of her left hind leg, with her other in the air, as if she were to begin dancing at any second. Clear amber eyes shined with confidence, as did her small smile under that single spotlight, that enhanced her groomed turquoise coat and long, wavy, pearl green mane. *Sigh...* Trotting to the arched, wooden, double doors next to the painting, and entering the lounge room, she took in a sharp intake of her breath. The coffee table had been turned over, missing three of its legs, and the vase that had originally been set on top had shattered completely. Wide pastel brown eyes wandered down to a carton of cracked eggs and the fallen season rack by the kitchen entrance on her right. A long yellow trail of egg yolks lead back to the turned over coffee table. "Oh." "Oh, ith righk." Seaweed muffled with the mop in his mouth and a pail of water hanging from his fetlock, his mane no longer a mess, but tied back. "Do...Do you need help?" He shook his head. "Ah, gok dith." "B-But, this is a...a lot of work, Seaweed." She rubbed her foreleg. We'll have to clean the entrance way, replace the table and repair the rack and— He spit the mop out his mouth and had it lean against him. "I said I've got it, Angel. My house, my mess. You know the rules." She blinked. "O-Oh...." An awkward silence overtook the room between the two siblings. With Angel observing her older brother mop up the raw eggs, and throw out the eggshells, to him sweeping away any wooden and vase shards. "Um... S-Seaweed." This is the time to say it. "Yes?" He said, now starting to trot over to the kitchen. "Is...Is there a-anyway we didn't h-have to have the boy's just stay with Miss Gumdrop?" *Sigh* Setting the dust pan on the floor, he turned to her. "I thought we came to an agreement that we wouldn't split them." "W-Well, Mr. Joe said it was alright that I could bring them." So, I won't be a problem for him. "And I'm sure you two will be busy with that place?" "Y-Yes." "It's going to be crowded, I suppose?" "Um...Um y-yes...." Please don't bring up— "Larkspur." Her eyes shot open, everything, from her hooves to her ears turned to hard stone. Stomach clenching, and lips as tight as leather, Angel breathed out. "Y-Yes." She squeaked. I know he's...he's going to be a tough bundle of wet, pop rocks to handle. But...But Oleander and Foxgloves will be there as always to help. "He's a good kid... but you really can't expect him to stay calm in such a crowded area, with children around his age. There will be chaos." "W-Well, Oleander and Foxgloves will be there." His brow twitched up. *Sigh* "And what of Miss Gumdrop?" "She...She will come, Seaweed, it...it wouldn't be fair to turn her down at the last mi-minute." Angel stiffened up as he scrutinized her face making a drop of sweat beaded down to her chin. Jaw clenched, she focused her eyes. Seaweed sighed. "...Fine...." A smile brightened on her muzzle. "Just... don't be excessive." His mouth twisted to the side. "Y-Yes!" She bounced, galloping into her brother almost knocking him over, and hugged his neck tightly. Digging, and nuzzling her face deep into the fluffiness of his fur, she was granted the freedom to disavow the few hardships of the day that were being held in the corners of her mind. "Yes, yes." He patted her back. "Heehee." Releasing him, Angel grinned up at him. He furrowed his brows. "Uh-huh." Lifting the dust pan, he vanished into the kitchen, where she heard the lid of the trash can lift. Still smiling wide from ear to ear, Angel blinked down at her saddlebag. "A-Ah!" Running into the large kitchen, she slid over to the island. "S-Seaweed!" "Yes?" He glanced up from the trash can. "Miss...Miss Sunshine asked me to give you something!" There was a slight hop in her hind legs, as she extracted the gift from her bag. "Who?" Before she could place the gift on the island, Angel paused and blinked over at him. "Miss...Miss Sunshine?" I'm sure I've mentioned her. His forehead creased in confusion as he stared at her fraught face. "She...She delivers the f-flowers to the institution?" Leaning away from the trash can, he shook his head. "Sh-She's the one who brings flowers to your o-office!" Angel placed the box down. He scratched his stubbled chin and hummed. "Ah. The one with the ob... crush?" "Y-Yes! Wait... huh?" "Hm? You thought I wouldn't know?" "She...She had a crush on y-you?!" Angel pointed her hoof at him. My brother is the mysterious sexy stallion?! SEAWEED?! Him?! Her inside's swirled. Oh, sweet cream and cherry crackers. "Wait—" his face scrunched up, "—you didn't know? How is that possible?" Her body stiffened, blushing, she quickly turned away and rubbed her foreleg. "I...I d-don't know..." her voice gradually began to soften, "uh... 'c-cause you...you or her n-never told me?" She peeked and eye over at her brother as he sighed. "Well, it seems that conversation didn't work...." "C-Conversation?" "I had told her to not bother her time," he trotted over to Angel and took hold of the gift in his hoof, "and not to get over herself to try and use you." She cringed at the word 'use'. "Sh-She's not like that, Seaweed.... And, how was I suppose...supposed to know she l-liked you, a...a lot of ponies give you g-gifts." How did I not notice? Th-Though it's not like she made anything obvious. She followed him out, but flinched from almost tripping on the elevated marble. I kept saying we should have evened it out. "Huh, I guess that would be confusing to you." They trotted over and up the curved, carpeted staircase on the opposite side of the kitchen. Stopping on the landing, Angel gawked at the giant family portrait. "Y-You actually put it u-up!" She grinned up at him as he stood on the second staircase. "Mmhm, and I think you were right, it does fill in that blotch of emptiness, just like the one of, Mother...." "'C-Course I was." She held her head up as a swell of small pride grew in her chest. "Uh-huh." Author's Note I love making my homemade coconut oil hot chocolate, warming up the meaty hearts of my family. But on that note, do you know how hard it is to rescue your ring in dough, especially brownie batter, and then wash it?
Act I, Scene IV: So Now CommunicateTrotting pass the painting, she took one last fleeting glance, catching the small, watchful, red glare her father had presented to the poor painter. Shaking her head, Angel continued on, reaching behind her brother on the second level. Following him down the carpeted corridor, it's rough texture rolled against her dragging hooves from that same antique scent of the slick, brown walls that smarted her nose; pushing away her proud smile, calming her senses, and sliding in a subtle wave of exhaustion. *Sigh….* Just like the one of Mother…. If...If I can do that right, then asking for help should be easy…. Closing her eyes once they trotted pass a cracked open window, in which, Seaweed went to close and shut the blinds, Angel took in one last breath, and turned to her brother. "S-Say, Seaweed?" He blinked, looking to have been cut off from a deep thought. "Yes?" Okay, Angel, you're not going to tell him the details, you're just asking him a question, a simple question… a question. Her knees buckled, locking the joints in place, stiffening her legs and stomach. I shouldn't have done this. “U-Um….” she bit her lip. No, no, no, not now! Not now! You can't do this! “Yes?” He came to her side. “I…I um….” her legs felt so cold. You're just asking a question! You have to look back! Look back! Look back! He'll get suspicious, he'll start asking again! He's going to worry, he's going to find out! He's going to find out. NO! He can't! He can't! “....” Oh sweet lights Angel! Just speak, speak! He's waiting! “Angel is—?” “Y-YES! Yes, everything's a-alright!” Flashing a wide smile, it quickly simmered down upon the tight fakeness of her card out of answering, caused him to narrow his eyes. *Gulp* “Angel, what's going on?” There was no hint of mercy as he demanded for her to come clean. “N-N-Nothing, Seaweed,” she rubbed her leg, cursing herself for giving away her obvious lie. You were only supposed to ask one question! One. Question. Only! How hard is that?! She simpered down in her own regret. ...How...How did it come to this?! How did everything become like this? No, no, I'm just overreacting. ...Like always. She trembled. Why can't you just do this right? Asking should have been easy! He's your brother for Asphodel's sake! He's always there to help you Angel, he can help you with this problem! ….. But can he really help me with—? “Angel!” She squeaked, jumping in the air and knocking her own self over to the nearby bench by the curtained windows. “Y-Yes?!” His ears laid flat against his head, and she realized what she had been doing. *Sigh* Laying the gift on his back, he carefulled his steps towards her; Angel holding her hooves close to her chest, and bag attempting to pull her down, “You were… spacing out,” he took hold of her fetlock and pulled her up. “...S-S-Sorry….” Rubbing her uncomfortable eyes, she gazed down with a focused look at the scars on her legs; the sharp pain of her bottom lip commanded her numb teeth to refrain from her silent biting, at the taste of iron. “I...I um,” Forget the damn question! Just think of something Angel! she glanced away from her legs to his back, “...just wanted to...to k-know if you were going to…” and then him, “open M-Miss Sunshine’s gift.” “....” Please go to the next subj— “Angel.” Standing her ground at the searching look she was given, she spoke, eliminating the growing nerves scratching behind her eyes and deep in her throat. “Y-Yes?” Confusion masked the tremors of fear, thinly layered under her fur and stutters. “Angel, what have I… we've always said to you?” Wincing at that comment, she glanced at him, and grinned. “My house—” “No.” He shot down her next words. “Now is not the time for that.” “....” You pushed it, Angel. “...Th-That you're all… always all…” her throat clamped up on her, preventing her from continuing. Just get it over with! She flinched as Seaweed’s hoof slid off her withers, releasing the tension from her chest. “...um… e-ears.” “....” The howls of the hunting wind shook the windows, cutting into the sinking silence of the hallway; echoing throughout her head. His head lifted. “...But it doesn't seem like you've been giving me any chances.” “I...I….” her face scrunched, holding back the clogged itchiness in her eyes. Don't cry. “N-No....” Don't. The search from his eyes faded away, leaving behind the remains of his soft aquatic pearls, nudging her banging nerves balling up the raging storm behind fragile glass. His sad smile could have completely stolen her own name. “You don't have to tell me everything…" P-Please…. “but Angel, as your brother," he laid a gentle hoof on her small, quivering withers, "it should at least be my job to care for your own mental health too.” His gentleness pushed her to speak, "I need you to at least want me to help you." “Ah… I…I...” flaring her nose, she quickly snapped her head away and wiped her eyes, “I-I can't.” There! I-I said it! “....” “....” “Angel, were you forc—” “N-No!” She flinched, covering her mouth. “I...It's not like th-that.” “Not like what?” No longer was his encouragement, but worry, as Seaweed frowned. “....” “Does this have to do with those ponies just outside?” I...I wish…. “N-No….” His hold tightened against her fur. “Then… is it connected to that incident at the Promenade and the garden?” Wh-What? Squeezing her eyes shut from the increased worries fogging his complexion, she shook her head, and felt his hoof almost give up. “I...I'm sorry S-Seaweed… I just...just can't.” “....” His hoof dropped to the floor. “....” Nose scrunching, he turned to look down the hall and back at her. “Is it that you can't… or you won't?” Breathing in the sharp cutting edge of how correct he was, she bit away her last string of togetherness and simply fell; nodding, and giving away that there was something. There was no use in asking for help was there? She sighed, and faced him. Just doing that would have dropped me into this same position…. “I...I'm sorry.” That I can't tell you I need help. “I...I'm really sorry, S-Seaweed,” she squeaked. I can't be like you…. He looked ready to counter her apology, but paused and sighed out through his nose. Massaging his forehead, he dragged his hoof to his cheek and stared off into the distance. “If something is making you unable to budge…” he furrowed his brows and glanced down at her, “then it must be due to somepony else's well-being… am I right?” “....” “...M-Maybe….” she rubbed her foreleg. “So I am.” Her cheek twitched at his conclusion. Stupid, stupid, Stupid! I can't control my own body language?! “Were you thinking of telling me, Angel?” “N-No! I…I just wanted to know i-if you were going to open, M-Miss...Miss Sunshine's gift.” Liar. “....” He stared down at her as if she'd just grown one last head. Liar. “....” Massaging his forehead, he huffed. “Angel—" Flinching from the ring of the doorbell, they reeled their heads down the hall behind them, and faced each other; Seaweed furrowing his brows at her smile, and Angel rubbing her leg, lowering said smile. “Um….” she shrugged, quietly yawning behind her hoof. “....” “....” “....” *Sigh* Shaking his head, he frowned. “You win this time again, Angel.” Removing the gift from his back, he hoofed it over to her. “Just place this on my desk.” She eyed the lovely wrapped gift, and gazed at her brother with wonder. “Y-You're going to open it?” Good, good, I'm safe…. He was quiet. “...Now why wouldn't I? Isn't she your friend?” She stared down at it. But she...she said he was a sexy stallion… a sexy stallion… a sexy stallion? Angel inwardly gagged. “...Uh… Y-Yes.” Opening her bag, she carefully set the gift inside, and rubbed her cheek, I… guess... it doesn't change anything…. “B-But I...I hope next...next time….” she twisted her lips to the side, unable to finish. Aside from that… I-I could have done better. This all could have gone better…. And I...I had to— *sigh….* “Me too, Angel, me too....” He gave her an assured pat on the withers— “Get some sleep,”— and turned to leave her alone in the middle of the hallway. “....” What was that? He obviously knew you were lying to his face. Do you think he's stupid? No! No it's...it's not like that! How long can you even keep this up? I…. But you ruined it for yourself since the beginning. Now he only thinks you don't want his help. Hah! Well, it's not like you can get help. 'Cause you can't! You'll be stuck in this loop 'til your time here's done! And that's nine months away!! Thinks you can't handle one assignment. That you're not meant for this job. That you should have stayed in Tall Tale, having not a caare in the world~ Staying cooped-up in your precious home. Staying safe. Safe, safe, safe, safe. When were we ever safe?! Safe in this damn place! Angel squeezed her jaw. Nothing ever changes with you. You think you're so grown-up, responsible, yet you're having such a hard time from this? Worrying so much about your patient, Whole Blend, that you have to fix him, by yourself? Hah! Fix, fix, fix, fix. Where's your superior in all this? Are you working alone? Are you unsupervised? "...." But isn't that what you're doing? Imagine what he'd think when he finds out he's right about that. Liar. “....” Because... something is always… bound… to go…. wrong….. “....” “....” *Sigh….* Scratching her cheek, Angel chewed the inside of her mouth. What am I doing to myself? She poked at her bag and sagged her neck with a sigh. Well I can barely take care of myself, that's one. Turning, she continued down the brown hallway to reach a set of doors at her left, sectioned off with a mahogany end table topped with white, lacy tablecloths and vase verbenas. Pushing open the first one, Angel flicked on the lights of her brother's turquoise themed room. So neat… He always has everything in order…. With heavy trots, she made her way towards the closed door at her right. ...If they were in my hooves… everything may have gone smoothly. Creaking open the door, she walked over to the large, wooden desk, and laid down the gift. Maybe… even better…. Stroking the silky richness of the ribbon, she glanced at the wide, curtained window. Shutting the office door, she gazed up at the framed photos on the wall, one picturing herself and her three elder siblings old photos. I want to go home…. Tightening her lips, she fervently shook her head. No, no! You chose this! You can't go back on your word! You have!— I have...I have… responsibilities…. Her eyes downcasted, staring deep into the spotless crevices of the dark wood. “R-Responsibility….” I...I can't leave behind those ponies! But...But I can't do that to Mr. Whole Blend either, I...I need to find a way to help him without Seaweed... or Dr. Just Right. She huffed. W-Well I'll think of something! Leaving behind her brother's room, Angel entered into hers; the total blackness clogging her insides as she stepped onto the plush carpet, slicing away the strength that stabilized the weight of her bag. Not now…. Heavy, were her eyes fighting to keep awake with every wavering step, dipping in and out of consciousness. No! She smacked her cheek, the stinging pain pounding her flesh from the attack of her hoof, making small trickles of heated tears swell in her left eye. Stay up! Shaking her head with the water sloshing around inside, an expected wave of nausea trampled her throat and stomach. “Ugh….” “Oof!” Stumbling into something that resembled a chair, Angel rubbed her wet eyes and motioned her hoof to find the light. She blinked, becoming adjusted to the change in lighting and turned to her illuminated book desk. “....” Papers of white and blue without order, sprung out from beneath the edged hill of knowledge. Pulling out a random sheet of white paper, she could barely make out the words scribbled on it, even with the assistance of the light. What exactly was I on when writing this? Squinting, she twisted her lips and had the paper float back to the hill of books to roll her stiff shoulders, and stretch her neck. Wait, I have a text on procrastination and anxiety! Unbuckling her saddlebag, she unceremoniously tossed it, bringing upon a low leveled earthquake. Snapping her head down with a little flinch, Angel quickly took hold of the bag. Too loud! Too loud! He definitely heard that! Thinking fast, she threw her bag on the chair, “Ah!” catching the chair before it tumbled to the floor, she squeaked once the bag tilted over— “N-No!”— with the contents falling out, as if it were a junkerfall. Ooh, no, no, noo! Frantically stuffing whatever she could see in the limited light she had, Angel froze as she could already hear her brother's hooves approaching her door. Nonono! I can't face him again! Jolting up, she surveyed the dark room and promptly trotted towards the silhouette of her bed to snatch back her sheets and jump in with her bag close to her chest. Her thick blanket swayed down and hid them both away in pure darkness. There was a quiet knock at the door, yet she held tight her bag. “Angel? Is everything alright in there?” Pretend to sleep, pretend to sleep, pretend to sleep, pretend to— the light. “Angel?” She had made the mistake in forgetting to turn off her desk light. Did I even fix the chair? Did I even pick everything up? Her eyes widened. Oh dear Asphodel! He’ll find something! “Angel, I’m coming in,” the handle of her door clicked. Knocking her blanket off— “EEK!”— she tripped over her bag, falling face first on the carpet, bringing upon the slam of her door. “Angel!” Leg being pulled by her brother, she was lifted up from the floor befuddled; head swirling in and out of her throat, and carefully laid upright, her nose thumping against her skull. "Are you alright?" “Ow, ow, ow,” rubbing her muzzle, she yelp as she pressed down hard on her nose. Seaweed took hold of her hoof. “Don't press down on it, Angel!” “....” she cringed as he scolded her, and rubbed her leg, “S-Sorry.” Flinching as the sharp pain shocked her face when she spoke, her brother huffed and stood. “You're going to need ice for that bruise.” “...sorry….” “...And ointment.” Her head tilted. Ointment? Ointment for what? I don't— Turning, he paused, making Angel freeze as he stared down at the floor. “U-Um….” *Sigh* Flinching at the sigh, she quickly looked around him as he picked something off the floor. Please tell me he didn’t find something of the institution!— huh? Looking up at her brother when he turned back to her with her pocket watch in his hoof, she shrunk at the look he gave her. “Angel, this should be kept in its case when not being used,” he trotted to her nightstand dressed with blue flowers in a vase, and opened the wooden box stuffed with a soft cushion. She bit her lip, but winced at the sore, fresh wound. “S-Sorry,” standing, she glanced back at him, “I probably d-dropped it when...when emptying m-my bag.” He turned to her bed then her. “Were you sleeping with your bag.” “Uuh…” she shakily stared at her hooves, “y-yes.” “With the light on?” “Mmhm.” “The chair on the floor?” She blinked and glanced at her chair that was on the floor. “...yes.” “....” “....” “....” His nose scrunched. “Are you going to tell me ‘it was a ghost messing with my stuff trying to take my bag’?” She rubbed her leg, feeling her lips automatically lift into a smile. Wiping it off as quickly as it appeared, she answered. “....Ye— N-No….” “....” “....” “....” “....” His hoof slid down his face, as he shook his head slowly and released a long tired sigh. Making his way to trot around her bed, the words were only a sad whisper, and she knew she wasn't supposed to hear them under the banging, whistling wind outside. But she did. “What happened to you, Angel?” Author's Note Hmmmmmmm, that's a lot of worrying....
