An Unexpected Friend

The flames in the fireplace danced while the small pieces of wood crackled. Besides this, besides this, the only other sound was the Count’s loud laughter.

Far Reach couldn't react. "It couldn't be possible" "No Way!" These were the only kinds of thoughts on his mind.

The Count, perceiving his confusion, laughed even more. After a moment, the Count perceived that Far Reach was taking longer to compose himself than expected, so he decided to help him calm himself.

• Yes, Farley, you are not the only here human in Equestria and - The Count of Hollow Shades rose from his chair, walking to the nearest bookshelf where he took off some books to reveal a secret compartment; from where he retrieved a bottle of wine and two glasses - I doubt you will be the last.

All the time Far Reach was looking to the Count, eyes widened in surprise while the count, who was putting the two glasses in the table and serving them both, was calmly doing his thing.

• So, Reach, can I call you Reach, right? - Far reach blinked, and the Count continued - So, how is the year three thousand on earth?

• What? - Reach blinked once again, now in pure confusion.

• The year three thousand! - The count, already sitting in his chair and sipping his wine, answered - I believe that I was sent here around the year two thousand and six, and I have been here for a long time so...

• Wait! - Reach finally noticed the glass of wine and tried it - I was sent here in January of two thousand eleven...

Far Reach was going to say another thing, but the savor of the wine was too strong for him, and he almost spit all the content into the Count's face. But the Count was fast, too fast for Reach to believe and, when the wine approached him, he easily got out of the way.

• what out, this tuxedo is worth a small fortune! - Reach was absolutely ashamed of his action, but the count only smiled at him - do not worry, it is nothing. Really.

Far Reach only watched while the count took his half-full glass and walked next to the fireplace, only to sit next to it. He then turned his attention to Reach, still smiling.

• Come here and sit with me - The count turned again to the flames - and don't forget to bring the wine and your glass. This wine is an acquired taste, and you will not get out here without it!

All the tension Reach was building till that moment disappeared, the Count seemed like a good guy – far different from the dread person, or pony on this case, he had imagined. He sighed and followed the count order. When he sat, the count spoke once again, without looking at him.

• When I read the rumor that another human had appeared, it took my interest instantly, but - The count looked at the portrait above one of the bookshelves and Far Reach followed his gaze. The portrait was of the count, a young thestral and by his side was a greenish unicorn, both with big smiles on their faces – a human turned pony who loved to read and write that ended up in a library and that was pursued by some shadowy forces. You were too much like him for me to ignore.

• Him?

• yes. My best friend – The Count spoke solemnly.

There was something bothering Reach all this time that he had spoken with the count, he was going to do it when he realized that his glass was full of wine again.

• Do not fret, if you have something you want to ask, go for it - The count spoke smiling - you just have to drink a glass of wine for each question.

With the word from the count, Reach felt more comfortable and, carefully, drank the content of the glass. It was strong, but, this time, it felt better, and he didn't spit it.

• So, count, what's your name?

This seemed to take the Count off-guard, but he laughed it off. He took a deep breath and answered.

• I realize you noticed the tendency of the natives of simplified our names, right?

• yes?

• And you understand that I'm a Thestral, also known as a bat pony, right?

• Yes...

• And that, as a noble, I am the count of Hollow Shades, right?

The gears on the Far Reach's mind started turning, he couldn't believe, he wouldn't believe what he was thinking.

• Oh no...

-yes.

• You didn't!

• How couldn't I?

• I CANT BELIEVE IT!

• Far Reach, nice to meet you - the count grinned at him - My name is Vlad Tempest the third, count of Hollow Shades and head of the last of the night guards.

Reach blinked with the unbelievable name his new friend (?) chose for himself. All while Vlad was laughing to his heart content. When he stopped, he looked at Reach with a devious smile on his face.

• If you react like this to my name, I would love to see your reaction to my friend's name.

• What was his name? - Reach couldn't believe that and a name more silly than calling a bat pony a variation of Dracula’s true name would be possible, but he chose to follow along. The alcohol was starting to do its effect.

• So, as I said, he was a unicorn that loved to read and wished to be an author someday - Vlad raised a finger - and he was an exceptional lancer while in the solar brigade, even if he preferred to use a spear, so he became...

• Please... don't say the name that I think it is...

Vlad looked at Reach with a smug look before speaking.

- Shake Spear!- Vlad shouted

Far Reach facepalmed and Vlad, once again, loudly laughed.

Vlad and Reach spoke for a long time, each minute Reach was getting more loose because of the alcohol and was clearly getting inebriated, and this made him talk openly about everything with his companion. And while the time passed, they talked about Earth, about how everything changed ever since Vlad was sent to Equestria, about how things were different in the world of equines and, about love. In special, the kind of love between a human in the body of a pony and a native.

At first, Vlad wanted only to gather useful information from this human, but with the passage of time he felt as if he was talking to Spear again. "How could they both be so different and similar at the same time?" Though, Vlad many times during the conversation; but after some time, he bent to the feeling and let his heart get warm once again after so many years. Even so, he was careful not to tell anything unnecessary to his new friend, only the superfluous stuff.

Vlad even thought that maybe it was the wine, a strong variation only found on his personal winery, but he knew that after so long he gained resistance to it. The truth was that he was taking a liking to this young pony. After this conclusion, he just enjoyed his time until Far Reach slept next to him by the fireplace, he was uttered defeated by the powerful wine.

For a moment, Vlad glanced at Reach with a smile while remembering the time he felt this way with his friend, but his complexion grew cold when his eyes met the scar on Reach's wings.

He rose from his spot and silently left the room. No one could hear his hoof steps while he descended the tower.

It didn't take long for Vlad to reach the base of the tower, where he saw Viola in her position. She was one of the best on his forces and someone he could trust with almost anything, so it was her the pony he needed to give the order.

• Viola - Vlad spoke gently

Viola reacted as he expected, branding her weapon in his direction and almost hitting him. It is always an almost hit.

• My lord, I am deeply sorry - Viola bowed to him, but he made many a sign for her to rise - I... I couldn't hear you coming.

• Do not worry, Viola, you did better than the others - he comforted her, but he knew that she felt a chill, of course, he couldn't contain his anger for long - Reach is sleeping on my tower, take him to his chambers when he wakes and take a very good care of him, as he is my lost grand-nephew.

• What! How! - In her confusion, Viola even forgot her manners - He is a PEGASUS!

• Yes, he is my lost grand-nephew and I even used magic to confirm it - Vlad grinned, he was never really found of the princess, but her skills of putting on a mask and lie to her subjected were something he was right to learn, of course, if Viola was an earth pony, it could be more difficult - so please, threat him as if he was me. Understood?

For some reason, Viola got paler, but Vlad would not be the one to seek a reason. He had something else in mind, a matter that, for him, couldn't wait.

• Now, tell me, Viola. How was the severity of the injuries Reach had when he got here?

• Hum... - Viola took a time to remember and then answered - He had piercing and cuts injuries in each wing, almost reaching his tendons and bones.

• So, he could have lost his wings, right?

• Yes, sir.

• Understood, that's all I needed to know - the count put a hand over his eyes, hiding them from Viola - Captain, I am going to my nightly walk.

• Oh, may I accom... - Viola accidentally took a glimpse at the Count's blood-red eyes and stooped.

• No. I will go alone this time and – he started walking throughout a corridor in the direction of the courtyard – warn every pony. No matter what you hear or see. No one shall intervene.