Veil of Shadows

Everstone’s heart stopped as he entered his room. Well it didn't, but he wished it had, as death would have been a better alternative than the calamity that laid before him. Two small but soft and lavishly maintained bunk-beds laid before him. Each perfectly tucked and fluffed with a flawless green sheeting coating the bed, carrying with it an inviting, white, pillow laying just atop that.

"One, two, three, four...two...four...four. Of course it's four!” He exclaimed in frustration as he threw his hooves up. He gave an agonized groan as if just the thought of sharing a room caused physical pain. He just wanted someplace to be left alone and it seemed not even his room would be the bastion he had hoped for. His head slowly rested itself on his hoof as he collected his thoughts. After a few minutes of thought, Everstone scolded himself for not releasing this was the case ahead of time. Not only was it the nature of the school, but there were simply too many students for each to get their own room.

With that he let out a long pent up breath of air as he calmed down. He reasoned he could simply ask to be left to his own devices and hope his roommates respected the request or even find some other safe haven. His first though was the janitorial closet, as it was his first choice when he was a foal in school. No pony ever checked there and once he had the routines of janitors down, he could know when it was safe to retreat to its' safety. His second thought was the restrooms, though creatures often frequented those and he was more likely to be found, it did mean less trouble if he did get caught however.

In either case he was too tired from his trip here to develop the idea further. So his body began stumbling towards the right set of beds. His hooves then weakly pulled him onto the bed with the satchels of supplies he'd shipped up a few minutes earlier. Thankfully the bed was as soft as it looked, he'd imagined it to be akin to a cloud but seeing as he was a unicorn, he couldn't say. Then as soon as his head met the pillow he was out; Everstone’s mind retreating to the refuge of the solitude of sleep.

Outside in the hallways Lilly buzzed happily next to her twin brother as they approached their dorm room. Her sunset orange chitin glittering from the hallway candles; her face frozen in a perpetual grin of elation.

“Oh it's finally happened Leo!” She exclaimed to her olive green twin brother, for the 1000th time today. Her wings fluttered at a breakneck speed from excitement. Leo simply smiled back and shook his head at his sister's excitement.

“Come on, you have to say something!” She insisted with a slight frown as her head turned to stare at him. To which Leo gave an indifferent shrug. Lilly began to speak once more before stopping as Leo's magic jerked the door open; revealing a new. sleeping. navel blue unicorn, roommate. If Lilly had eyelids she was sure they would have widened in surprise at their new friend; as he hadn't been there when he left. Lilly let out a soft squeal of excitement to which the pony on the bed let out an annoyed groan.

“I'm trying to sleep!” The blue and silver unicorn complained as he levitated one of the bags to cover his face; to block out her voice. Though admittedly even the dozen textbooks inside would have done little to stop Lilly’s naturally loud voice from getting through.

“Um sorry, We thought you were a no show, so we didn't expect anycreature to be in here.” Lilly explained looking to her brother for support, but all he gave was a nod which earned him a slightly annoyed glance from Lilly.

“You know he can't hear you nod.” Lilly pointed out to which Leo simply shrugged once more. Lilly gave a sigh before turning back up to the unicorn’s bed.

“Whatever, sorry for waking you up again. Anyway, I’m Lilly and this is my twin brother Leo.” Lilly introduced as her giddy smile returned. The unicorn said nothing to which both Lilly and Leo shifted back as they sensed the stallions growing annoyance. But after a long moment of tense silence the stallion’s annoyance subsided as he rolled onto his back and sat up. His hoof rubbed his groggy sand bagged eyes.

“Everstone.” He reluctantly introduced with a yawn. This eased some of the two changelings' nerves; they stepped back towards Everstone. Lilly gave Everstone a warm inviting smile before stepping to her own bed to retrieve her own supplies for the assembly.

“Did Oleander, pegasus, mare, a steel grey coat, long azure blue mane and two blue eyes pass through while we were out?” Lilly asked as she searched through her things. Though she stopped briefly as she felt the stallions uneasiness grow. She didn't need to be able to sense emotions to tell he was uncomfortable; his constant shifting in bed was more than enough proof of his growing discomfort. So she asked a second question.

“Are you okay?” She went back to digging through her things; waiting on his reply. Normally she was great at reading ponies with or without the ability to detect emotion, but so far this one was an enigma. Annoyed one moment, and then anxious the next. Lilly wondered if maybe he had seen Oleander and she'd done something stupid, which admittedly Oleander seemed to be the kind of mare to do something dumb in Lilly’s mind.

Everstone watched the bugs stare at him with a confused glance and while he was pleased he said nothing the second one was unfortunately far more talkative. He weighed his options for a long few moments. If he answered he hadn’t, the mare would likely just ask some other question. He could tell them to bug off but he knew that wouldn't be the ‘socially acceptable’ option which went against his mother’s wishes. He also wasn't a fan of explaining that talking just made him anxious either, as it would inevitably lead to teasing in his mind. Alternatively, he could lie and say he did. In which she might ask where she went and then send the two after a ghost chase. Then again they were changelings and he wasn't entirely sure if they could sense the creature's lies. After weighing his options once more, he bit the bullet and just told the truth. Ultimately when they did mock him it could provide an excuse to get away from them and into a more isolated room.

“No, I haven't. Now, no offense but I'm not particularly a fan of...Conversing with others. So if it's the same with you I'm going to go back to sleep until the Assembly.” he explained laying back down, waiting for the inevitable ‘why don't you like talking’ followed by a list of jokes at his expense. After all he was a pony, the walking stereotype of being friendly and nice to every creature you meet, but to his surprise those weren't the words that escaped the mare’s lips.

“Oh, that's fine but just so you know the assembly is in ten minuets,” She informed him. Suddenly, as if he were lit ablaze Everstone jumped out of bed.; causing the female changeling to jump in surprise. But before she could say anything a loud smack echoed through the room as Everstone plummeted over the edge and crashed into the ground. The two changelings looked in shock; examining over him with concern.
His face hurt as muzzle met floor, but better than his horn he supposed. With a determined groan his hooves pushed the ground away from his face, or maybe pushed his face away from the floor? It was hard to tell due to his head spinning in a mix of grogginess and pain. Everstone winced as he went to feel his aching muzzle, but he had no time to whine over his pain; so Everstone shook his head and quickly made his way towards the door. The two changelings asked if he was alright but he ignored them as he raced out.

His pace picked up to a gallop as he clumsily made his way through the crowd of creatures. Day zero and he overslept, that was a new one at least, he thought to himself. He just hoped that the white mare hadn't given up on him yet. As he made his way outside the auditorium he was faced with a problem he hadn't expected. A torrent of faces on dozens of creatures filled the doorways. His eyes scanned through the ocean of faces for the familiar white coat, but there was just too much for him to make her out. His hooves ran through disheveled mane in frustration. Admittedly sitting with a stranger wouldn't be much worse, but the mare was right when she said this would be easier with a familiar face nonetheless. There was also the fact he'd promised to meet here and he was a stallion of his word if nothing else, but as a voice inside called for the last of the lingering students outside to come in. Everstone was forced to reluctantly make his way in. He had hoped to spot her on his way in though he'd be disappointed. Everstone shook his head somberly, he wanted to look for the mare longer to salvage his name but one of the staff stopped him; directed him to his seat. So Everstone complied and walked inside towards one of the open spaces. It was of some relief at least, this meant he wouldn't have to deal with the mare again, even if it did make him look like a stallion who couldn't keep a simple promise.
Inside was a large circular room, with a raised platform in the middle surrounded by dozens of bleachers. A few lights from above focused onto the central platform where a tannish mare with a curly black mane took center stage, looking around at the crowd. She straightened out some index cards before clearing her throat as the last of the students took their seats.

“Greeting every creature! Today is a very special day, your special day,” she began with a grin,” the day you'll make the most important things in your life for the foreseeable future, friends! Friends that will help raise you out of the ruts of your life and raise you to your greatest achievements. Together you all will make the future of Equestria, and all the world, shine brighter than any star in the night sky. But to get there rules must be established.” The audience groaned at the mare’s transition.

“I know, I know you want to hear about your time here, but rules are important as they’ll help every creature here shine and develop healthy long lasting friendships. Now the first and most importantly you all are expected to at least try and make one friend while you're here. I know for some of you that's hard, but do try. By the end of the year you will all have a paper to write on the things you've come to learn from other creatures in your attempts to branch out. These lessons can be anything truthfully so long as a real effort is made to try and learn from one another. As friendships can only be taught so much, since every connection is so unique. For that reason you must make an attempt on your own to learn through each special interaction. By cultivating each new friend in a unique way you will all also learn more about yourself and how to become a better creature,” The mare explained causing Everstone’s mind to nearly exploded. This was the last thing he wanted. Everstone could deal with being in the presence of other creatures but to actually open up to them, just for them to hurt him, terrified him. He searched for solutions as the mare went on, but came up with none. He couldn't simply lie, as it would probably be pretty obvious he was friendless by the end of the year. No this actually forced him make friends, and he hated the school for this unorthodox torture.

Most of the meeting was an uncomfortable blur of small talk and confined seating for Everstone as his mind was still stuck on the fact he'd have to make friends. He could vaguely make out Something about class times here, another about important rules there but over all he stopped paying attention after the first rule. He wanted to bang his head into his hooves till he woke up from this nightmare but that would cause too much of a scene so he instead opted to try and figure a way out of the conundrum. Then it hit him, he could ‘make friends’ at least in one of the more literal definitions of friend. He simply has to help some pony, all be it frequently, then they'd be on ‘good terms’ with them, thus meeting the official criteria for friends; never having to actually get close. Now it was only a matter of who, his mind went through candidates till he remembered the white mare. Suddenly dread hit him once more like a train.

“The universe must hate me.” Everstone whined into his hooves. First he gets stuck here then he has to go and make friends and most likely with one he had already blown that option with. He triple checked over all the creatures he'd met, which really only boiled down to three. The Changelings, one of which didn't talk at all, while nice would make it hard to tell if they were on good terms, then there was his sister who was way too cheery for his liking, and finally the white mare. While he did briefly consider a random creature to be possible, the thought of actually trying to start a conversation made his head spin. No, the snow white mare would have to do. He let out another long groan as he realized the mare was his best option. If they were to be on ‘good terms’ then he's sure bailing on her request to meet him was a bad start. Now he was going to have to apologize on top of that.

Everstone knew worrying was pointless and moronic. He didn't even know the mare, he couldn't even remember her name for that matter. Then again he never did, but that was beside the point. The mare may as well have been a stranger he owed nothing to. Meaning he could simply just start over with some other creature yet all the same he wouldn't have to awkwardly introduce himself, plus there was the guilt gnawing away at his chest from inadvertently lying. It was like an infection that consumed his very being; corrupting everything till it was all gone. The feeling forced Everstone to let out a huff of air and cross his hooves against his chest.

“Guess I best find the mare, and at least give her an apology.” He muttered to himself. He supposed if he was going to be stuck here making friends, he may as well try and not start off on the wrong hoof with one who was already an easy enough option. Unfortunately, the crowd was still an indistinguishable mass of faces and bodies. The bottlenecks forming at doors didn't help either. He knew this meant he'd have to ask around for the mare, which made his skin crawl.
He was about to simply declare the effort not worth it and ignore his guilt before he recalled their conversation. She said she gave her room and floor as an example for the mailbox. Well he hoped she did, as if three, three was just an example then it would be an awkward conversation with a confused stranger. While the possibility of the conversation with another stranger was unappealing he figured I'd be better than asking dozens of strangers to be "friends" with instead. With that thought in mind he examined his exits for the best one, but all of them were cramped.

In frustration he rammed his hoof into his face. Teleportation was a possibility, but Everstone had far from mastered that spell and the last thing he wanted was to find himself suffocating in a wall, or worse in the middle of some pony. So he simply sat and waited for his chance to leave. The wait took nearly twenty minutes of watching a dozen creatures, at the same time, try to fit them sleeves through a few five foot doors. The site was more than a bit aggravating, their inefficiency was so abhorent Everstone couldn't even consider it comedic. It was yet another display of the chaotic nature of creatures, in Everstone’s mind. He reasoned If they simply would form a line, everycreature could have been out forever ago. As that would have been substantially quicker than the train wreck that laid before him.

Thankfully Everstone only had to wait another few moments before he was liberated from the assembly hall. The outside hallways had largely been cleared by now with only a few creatures still talking amongst themselves remaining. Everstone did a double take to make sure the mare wasn't around before making his way to floor three, room three.

As Everstone made his way through the halls he felt his body become restless and tired. Every step felt like his hooves were being filled with rocks. At first it was no more than a light irritation, but as he made his way closer the weight became heavier. Every small movement a battle and every step a war. By the time he made it to the third floor he was exhausted mentality and physically. Everstone wasn't sure what was wrong with him. He didn't like talking to ponies that much was true, but the dread to talk had never been like this. Normally his anxiety was but a pale of water compared to this ocean of angst he felt. After further thought he concluded it maybe it was because of his pride; for apologizing to something so trivial, but deep inside, he knew that wasn't right. No this was caused by something else. Whatever it was, was hard to define, like an amorphous shadow that crept at the back of his mind. When he had thought he caught it, it would seemingly escape his grasp. Or rather it was more like he'd let it go, like he truly didn't want to know what this reason was. But, his time to think over his reasons drew to a close as he encroached upon the door to the mare’s room.

As he came within meet feet of the door his weight seemed to triple, and it took everything he had to will his hoof forward. His hoof that rose to knock felt like the weight of Equestria rested upon it. The weight tried to drag it down, but with the last of his energy, his hoof struck wood. The world froze as the allusive shadow coiled around his very heart; bringing with anxiety far worse than anything he'd felt walking here. If his body hadn't felt so heavy and weak he’d have just left right then and there. The coil around his heart tightened like a constrictor; his heart nearly about to pop.

Then like a flash of light time around him started up again as a confused, sandy yellow, earth stallion opened the door. The anxiety that had been threatening to strangle him vanished with the reveal of the stallion.

“Mare, snow white? Blue megaphone cutie mark?” Everstone’s tongue fumbled about in his mouth as he attempted to get even those words out. The world may have caught up to him but his brain hadn't; as it still was lagging behind trying to process everything that had happened. The yellow stallions head softly cocking to the side in palpable confusion.

“Winter Frost?” The stallion asked.

“That one!.” Everstone managed to blurt out. The stallion slowly turned his head back inside his room looking around.

“Hey uh Frost, you got a visitor," He called out into the room behind him, "An antsy, blue, unicorn. Do ya know’em?” Everstone winced at the comment, while he couldn't blame the stallion, the description was no less insulting and upsetting. But as the yellow stallion’s question ended, Winter frost rounded the corner; eyes wedding in surprise as she saw Everstone.

“Oh Everstone! I didn't expect you to show up. Thought I ran you off.” she explained with a nervous chuckle. As the chuckle subsided her face softening to an apologetic smile.

“Sorry I kinda just,” he paused and twirled his hoof as he looked for the word, “overslept.” He admitted sheepishly. To which Winter’s smile grew to a wide grin and the stallion who brought the two together awkwardly shuffled out of the way and back into their room. After collecting herself Frost stepped out, as to not disturb the rest of her roommates.

“I’m sorry, I thought my constant teasing may have scared you off. But you just seemed so uncomfortable I wasn't sure how to break the ice. So I just started making jokes. Sorry they should have been as targeted towards you as they were.” She elaborated with a warm hearted smile’ rubbing her left forehoof guiltily. Everstone softly smiled at the apology; assuring she was fine.

“Guess we both had some apologizing to do.” She noted as her hoof moved from her leg to the back of her head. She sat in silence searching for the words to say. A way to properly express the way she had felt. But to Everstone, an apology wasn't needed, her remorse was good enough for him to forgive her. So the two stood in awkward silence for what felt like an eternity before Frost finally spoke up again.

“So was there a reason you came, other than to apologize I mean?” her voice trailed off as her gaze wandered to aimlessly across the hallway.

“Well, you still didn’t explain your cutie mark.” He answered. Though that was just an excuse so he didn't look like he was doing that exact thing.

“Oh well not to snub you, but curfew is in a few minutes and we do have the first day of class tomorrow. So maybe tomorrow after classes? Provided you don't oversleep on that too. Sorry, I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help myself.” she teased with another apologetic, toothy, smile. Everstone simply shook his head at the jab but nevertheless agreed.

“That will do. Will Meeting here again be adequate?” Everstone proposed. Though the mare shook her head he was taken aback as. For a brief moment panic flickered in the back of his eyes as he became stiff with fear. Fearful he had done something wrong. Though his worries were melted away as Frost spoke up again.

“Between you and me, I'm not a fan of my roommates, So why not yours? plus I’d love to meet somecreature else, assuming I don't somehow already know them or have a class with them.” Winter gave him a wide eyed, hopeful look. Her icy blue eyes wordlessly pleading him to agree. Everstone hesitated before he reluctantly agreed; provided he wouldn't have to do much talking. Winter nodded in agreement at their plan, double checking to make sure she had his room.

“Alright, Everstone I'll see you tomorrow then.” She waved him off with a small yawn. Exhaustion finally managed to chip past her otherwise calm and happy demeanor. Everstone returned her goodbye, seeing as she was becoming too tired to continue. Having bided her a farewell he made his way back to his own room.

By the time Everstone arrived outside his dorm’s door the lights in the hallways were being put out; leaving only the gentle illumination of the nocturnal, celestial bodies, beaming in through the windows. It was a grandiose sight watching as gentle cooler hues glean off the school's crystalline floor. A sight that wasn't nearly as noticeable in the schools normally, bright and crowded hallways. It was also silent, tranquilly so; allowing Everstone to finally hear his own thoughts. But not wishing to break curfew by way of loitering he stepped inside. The room, like the outside, was dimly illuminated in hues of blue but carried with it the sound of snoring roommates.

Everstone rubbed his forehead in annoyance at their snores, unfortunately he'd have to live with it. But as he looked around the room, he noticed only two of the beds were filled. The Changelings’ beds to be specific, as the mare they had mentioned was still absent. While odd, Everstone lacked the interest to investigate further. His eyes then drifted from his bunkmates' beds to his own. Though after his afternoon nap, he wasn't quite tired enough to pass out yet.

Everstone mentality groaned at this realization. Worse of all He had nothing to preoccupy himself till sleep finally came for him. Magic practice was off the table due to his two sleeping roommates. Studying his textbooks was a possibility, but would be largely pointless as he had no idea where to start. Though as he thought to his text book he did recall the journal he had been provided.

Writing in it could be cathartic, he reasoned. But Everstone wasn't exactly looking for a place to confess all of his thoughts; only for some snooping creature to pry into them. But having said that, it was one day and wouldn't be particularly tragic if some creature read it. A gross invasion of privacy sure, but not life ending. There was also the fact his roommates didn't strike him as the type to do something like that. Well the changelings anyway, this just meant he'd have to keep the journal close at hoof till he met the last one. Then there was also the matter of the end of the year paper he'd have to write. If he documented his thoughts, it would make the paper easier, he reasoned.

Everstone weighed his options for another few moments before deciding to go ahead and write, at least for now. He climbed back into his bed; pulling out the small, brown and featureless journal to write his night away.