Verve

Pumpkin clopped quietly through the Autumn Court’s halls, occasionally stopping to gaze out a window into the beauty of the gardens around them. With Vee out of commission, she decided that a little exploring would be good - and perhaps a visit to Tempest, too. Though they couldn’t stray into the town alone, Pumpkin was just excited to be somewhere so beautiful, thrilling and new.

From the far Western side of Aster’s home, she could see a massive, roaring waterfall billowing into the pools below - red, gold, and white bridges spanning the froggy ponds and beautiful blues of the adjoining river. Flowers of all colors, shapes, and sizes sprung from the edge of the water in a rainbow. Bushes in green, gold, brown, and crimson broke along the gold railing, emerald gems gleaming with a faint light from the posts filled the endless night in beauty unseen.

“Little one, do you require assistance?” a voice startled her from behind - the very same deer that had captured them with the aid of a small herd now stood behind her, eyeing her curiously. His green armor still clad to his form - minus the intimidating hood he wore previously.

“O-Oh um… i-if you could show me where Tempest’s r-room is?...” she mewled, hiding behind her hat. The deer gave a small chuckle, turning down the hallway.

“I assume you mean the violent one. Very well. Follow me.” His armor was as quiet as he was, trailing down the fine floors with the soft, near soundless click of his hooves. Almost undetectable to her ears, unless she listened intently.

Bumbling and galloping up to his side, she tripped - skidding on the pristine, polished marble, right by the deer’s long legs. Gently, he picked her up by the scruff of her neck - righting her before resuming their short journey through the elegant castle halls.

“I’ve never s-seen a land so b-bbeautiful in all my life…” Pumpkin eventually whispered to the tall Buck, who bowed his head.

“We strive for beauty. Our civilization has thrived here through the millenia, untouched by war and strife. Our citizens are happy and kind, and the King is fair and just. I am the General of his Thicket Battalion, Falon. Though for now, you may simply call me ‘Falon’, for short.”

The White Tails had such a way with words, it was alluring. His voice was soft, yet strong - a deep tone that really struck at one’s soul, though it could hardly hold a candle to King Aster. Before she knew it, she found herself in front of a new set of maple doors.

“I will leave you to it, little one. May the leaves line your path ever onwards.” He bowed his head - vanishing quietly down the hall after his strange goodbye. She was now alone, in front of the imposing barricade of Tempest’s room.

“Y-You can do this, Pumpkin. Y-You just need to… k-knock.”

Nervous hooves clattering at the tile floor, she built up the courage to do so - but quickly pulled back. What if Tempest didn’t want company? What if she had… other interests, ones she didn’t share?

No, don’t bother her. Let her be. Vee probably wants more coffee by now, anyway.

Click. The handle turned, right before her eyes. She froze up as Tempest stood in the doorway, looming over her.

“...Can I help you? I can hear your hooves through the door.” She stared blankly through the tiny mare, who finally found her tongue to speak.

“I um… w-wanted to know if you were… okay? O-Or if you needed company, I um… I-I have books in my hat, I-I got them at home... I-I can share with y-you if you… n-need something to do?” Pumpkin’s legs had nearly frozen stiff, yet somehow had the gall to shake regardless. The autumn witch’s gaze wide as she stared up at the imposing form of the wine colored mare.

“You’d like to share… books.” She flatlined, piercing ocean-green eyes nearly making the little witch faint.

“U-Um… Y-Yes?”

There was an uncomfortable silence that followed, as Tempest considered the notion. Finally, she propped the door open with her hoof. “...Very well then.”

Invited into Tempest’s cozy room made the ice break, and her little legs eventually moved on their own. Before she realized it, the door clicked shut behind her. Second, third, and fourth thoughts fought in her brain for attention, as the intimidating pony eyed her. Stepping around her in prowling steps, as if she’d pounce in a moment’s notice.

Finally, Tempest found a cushion by a bustling lit fireplace, resting her long legs in front of Pumpkin. She offered the other cushion to the little mare, who, upon seeing the gesture - quickly took it up.

“So. Books. You wanted to share your books with me,” Tempest stated bluntly, now laying on her side. Relaxed and calm, the scars across her gaze only suited to intimidate the little mare more than anything.

“W-Well yes, I… I snatched some up, when I was looking f-for Vee. For the r-road.” Slipping her hat off, she gently dumped the contents of it across the carpet holding the warm pillows. Dozens of vials of assorted potions and tonics rolled free, some half finished - roots, shavings from a tree, a vial containing nearly a dozen petals - all of this and more, which she gently slid to the side in a neat, disorganized pile.

With the clutter out of the way, she used her muzzle to pop the old leather strap of the bound books, withdrawing several of her favorite romance novels. Tempest stared at the titles of the tomes one by one - hiding her eyes behind a hoof as the last joined the pile; ‘Just my Buck’.

“W-What’s wrong?” Pumpkin frowned, clopping her little forehooves together; nervousness freezing her in her fur, despite the warm fire. She knew Tempest read at least a couple of these, right? Her cheeks turned red with embarrassment, her ears shining with heat now as they, too, fell victim to the emotions.

“...I have already read every single one of these books,” she admitted, taking her turn to blush. “Not that I… have found any use of them. It’s a passing interest. Nothing more.”

“You… you read ‘Just my Buck’ too?” Pumpkin squeaked. “G-Gosh! I-I didn’t know! You always seem so… t-tough, and… headstrong. I um... “

She fiddled with the brim of her hat. “I-I’ve always wanted to write my own. B-Book! I mean. N-Not… romance novel. W-Well, maybe.”

At that, Tempest raised an eyebrow. “You? You can hardly stutter out a hello. What makes you think you could write a book?”

Pumpkin mewled, her ears falling low. “Y-You’re right, I… I’m sorry, i-it was just a thought.”

Tempest mentally kicked herself; she looked ready to cry now. Great work on the former Commander’s part. “I didn’t mean it like that, Pumpkin. I mean… how are you going to… hold a conference, or speak with a publisher? There’s many steps to writing a book, beyond just writing.”

Her ears perked up, wiping away a tear from her eye. “W-Well, I’ve… started writing about our journey so far. It’s um… I think it’s o-okay.”

The Unicorn perked an eyebrow at that, curious. “Really now?”

She nodded, jumping when she heard a faint moan through the walls. “W-What was that?!”

Tempest sighed, sending a swift kick against the adjacent room. The thump was either ignored, or had gone unnoticed. “Two lovebirds who can’t keep their hooves - or hands to themselves. Just ignore them, Pumpkin. You’ve caught my interest, at the very least. Let’s make a deal.”

Tempest stood up from the pillow, offering a hoof to the little witch. Gingerly, she took it - bouncing up to her shaky legs.

“I’ve had… issues, searching for a cure for my horn’s condition. I’ve seen your witchcraft at work, how you can manipulate objects with magic in the right conditions - regardless of your lack of mystical focus. And after considering the offer, well... If you could teach me your methods, say… when we’re resting on the road, and during our stay here - I’ll teach you how to be a confident and aspiring leader. I’ll even help you with your stutter. Does that sound reasonable?”

Pumpkin, now eye to… well, shorter eye to the daunting mare, thought quietly. “I-I’m still an apprentice, M-Miss Shadow, but I can try.”

“Don’t call me by my last name. Just call me ‘Tempest’. It sounds weird when you call me that.” She pointed, her hoof bumping her cream colored chest.

“R-Right! I-I’m sorry M-Miss um… Tempest.”

The chipped horn mare sighed. They had a lot of work ahead of them.