Verve

Settling into the once cozy cabin was a little… awkward. There was a lot of damaged goods rolling about - pictures stripped from the wall and crushed beneath Umbra’s hooves, journals and documents of the former Captain ripped to shreds. As if killing him wasn’t enough, she made an effort to destroy every piece of evidence he ever existed.

Of course, Umbra mentioned none of this, as he stepped through the mess to the stripped bed. Yes, she even ripped the pillowcases and sheets off, out of pure frustration. His foot collided with a large tub of hair grease, which he kicked out of the way.

“I had considered tossing all of this to the winds below. But I doubt I will stay here much longer, in this disgusting memoir to that Seraph’s legacy. But, I digress. Please, sit. Speak. I wish to be the ear you need right now, nothing more… not yet.” Umbra beckoned him with a hoof, the hard rumble of the propeller behind giving plenty of room to speak.

Sitting on the side of the bed with the former Umbrum, his mind travelled back to when she ‘found’ him in the wilds, and how she’d rest at the foot of the bed while he recovered. She only had the one bed, after all - but she was content to sleep by his side, in case her guest needed assistance. Even under the influence of the dark, a light burned within her that refused to go out.

“Well, I guess you could say our… ‘relationship’ technically began on the moon. Nightmare Moon had cursed her dreams into the same loop. She would fall asleep, wake up in the dream, and sit on the moon for a thousand years - staring at Equis. Again and again and again… any time she slept, it was the same process. Over and over. So when I found her, she was so touch starved that it was impossible to get her off of me. I mean… I could, but…”

He scratched his arm. “She needed someone. Anyone. And she knew me, and respected me - and before any of this ever happened, I’m pretty sure she had some less than wholesome thoughts about me, too, since I was dating Luna. So being there, with no one else to talk to, she kind of… leaned on me. Hard. For any support she could get. Any emotion she could feel. It was like the light of hope had been driven out of her, and she had nothing else left to cling to but me.”

Umbra nodded, frowning. “An emotion I had felt before. When I lived in the Frozen Wastes, decades of solitude left me pining for something other than business talk to purchase supplies. A part of me wanted a friend, and I found it through you, Arin. Even if the darkness fought it, you persisted.”

Arin’s voice followed shortly in a deep sigh, “Yes, but… Celestia wanted more than just a companion. It was like… there was a pit inside of her, that she needed a lover to fill. And well… she found me at the worst time. You see, I still feel… guilty, for being with Celestia in this way. But I was weak, too. Three years alone, and I only dated Luna for a few sparse… Well, it feels like days. I knew her for a bit, sure, but… I didn’t know know her.”

When his words trailed off, she continued to stare. A silent trick to convince someone to keep talking. And it worked. If anything, Arin picked it up from her.

“Anyway… I tried my best to reject her for a time. But eventually, after our escape from Canterlot - she confronted me. And I just… I needed love, too. So I relented; but only under the condition that it was a temporary affair. After we saved Luna, I would decide again on who I wanted to pursue. Since then, I’ve maybe… just a bit felt like a piece of meat to her. I mean, I do have love for her. It’s there. But I kinda felt pushed into it. And with Luna, there’s love too - but who’s to say we both didn’t change? It was also just as sudden.”

He fell back on the bed with a groan, the old springs beneath creaking as he did so. Umbra turned to face him, before curling up close to - but not by - his side. Her emerald green eyes watched him curiously, her horn sparkling as she withdrew a small locket from her bag.

“Here,” she stated, dropping it on his chest, right over his dragonhide vest. “I bought this for you. A gift. Not for a friend, but… for a Seraph I love. One I have known for three years, who saved me from a dark place.”

He lifted up the heart shaped locket, delicately crafted in a fine silver, yet tough as steel and much thicker than a bit. Roughly bigger than his thumb, but still beautiful - he smiled, clicking it open. The portrait was empty, of course, but there was an inscription on the lid.

‘A thousand years of shadows could not dull your light. A thousand years more could not fade my love. I will protect you, always. -Umbra.’

His heart melted at those words, that shined faintly in the dim light of the cabin through a gentle magic. And he just knew. Of all the ponies he met, and the two he’s loved… Umbra stood out. She has been by his side since the day they met. And she would stay by his side, until the bitter end. There wasn’t another in the world who could take her heart. He earned it. It wasn’t just given away, whether by outside manipulation or loneliness. She chose to give it to him.

And even if he decided to remain just friends with her… she would wait. She was patient. She already said that, but… it just shows how much he means to her.

“But Umbra… why. Why now?” he asked, turning to his side to face her. He couldn’t stop his hand from delicately caressing her cheek. In one of her few moments of genuine emotion, her hoof cupped his hand - embracing it.

“I had idle thoughts about it, during my tenure as your Spymaster. But duty came before love. And I knew you still had a heart for Luna; you wrote her nearly every chance you could, to keep her informed. Even if she did not write back for weeks, you… you were persistent. And it dulled these thoughts. But I never gave up. During my time back in Canterlot, I decided to embrace a change of pace. I needed a goal. Something to look towards. And I found it in love.

“Vee recommended this trinket as nothing more than a good luck charm; it is thick and sturdy, and her raven wrote within it the inscription at my beckoning. I found the words in my heart, and they came naturally. They are special to me, because it is the truth. I love you, Arin. And I will love you until my death.”

She withdrew her hoof from his cheek, a warmth filling his chest as their eyes held together for several moments more. For once in his short life, he felt like he truly found something special. Not just rushed love and needy affection, but a soulmate. And it took him three years to see that. Even with her somewhat barbaric nature and her past, she saw him as a true equal.

What had he done to deserve this affection? With Luna - it was no fault of her own. Celestia - it was what felt like thousands of years of loneliness. But for Umbra… it was his heart, his personality. Not just the fact that he was there. His ability to never give up hope. To push on in the dark, to fight against the shadows of doubt and insecurity.

Love was a horrible thing, when it was so crude. In every other relationship in the past, he was a placeholder for something else. He treated Luna’s growing depression. He aided Celestia’s overwhelming loneliness. But for Umbra, he wasn’t the solution - the missing piece. She simply wished to share the hope he’s given her. And that wasn’t something she was keen on forgetting.

Without even thinking about it, he darted in to kiss her - but a hoof roughly pushed against his chest, keeping him away.

“I was brash earlier Arin, when I kissed you. My emotions were high, and I was an uncontrollable, starved, cornered beast. I apologize immensely for doing so without your permission, and under such gruesome circumstances. But I can not hold you now, as I wish. I will not break the Princess’s heart, so close to our final battle. And I would not lie to her about my love for you. For now, Arin - simply live life. You said you would speak again about love after the final encounter with the Nightmare, and I expect you to hold this truth dear. If you decide to choose me… I can give you nothing but my company, as you have done for me.”

“...You’re right.” Arin relented, instead leaning back to slip the string of the locket over his neck. It settled low over his chest, right above his heart. A comfortable spot for it to be. “Rushing into love put me in this mess. I should think about this… I finally have my own choice in the matter, after all. For once in my life, I get to decide who I love. Umbra, I never knew how badly I needed this talk until now. Just someone to listen to me, and not just… take what they wanted from me.”

He slowly made it to his feet - offering a hand to help her to her hooves. She was quick to accept it, standing up by his side.

“And again, Umbra… Thank you. For everything you’ve done for me. I came out all this way to save you, but… in the end, it’s you who saved me. Even if I fumble my words or emotions, you’ve always been there to catch me when I fall.”

“It is what friends do, Arin. You helped teach me this. I will never forget the lessons of our past. Let us move; I desire proper rest not tainted by dangling chains or rampant laughter from outside my door. Will you help me procure a hammock to sleep?” She opened the door with her magic, billowing wind flooding the cabin. The assorted piles of trash and junk shifted and stirred in the breeze, as the ship made progress over the vast forests below.

“Of course! Before you do pass out, though, keep in mind that Nightmare Moon’s magic can find us when in the Lunar Plane, if you sleep unprotected. We’ll talk with Vee about a dream catcher for you. Besides, I’m not too far off from passing out myself.”

Stepping into the cool, whipping air - the Lunar Halo soon loomed before them, creeping ever onwards and to the far horizon. Snow would soon be ripping at the ship, a freezing blizzard that could chill one down to their very bones. The warm, early autumn winds around them would fade, and Tempest would surely need blankets to keep warm. But another question soon arose; who would pilot the ship when they inevitably craved rest? They couldn’t anchor for a nap. They’d have less than a dozen hours to both come up with a plan, and challenge Nightmare Moon, by the time they approached Canterlot Airspace.

As they turned to enter the decks below, a peculiar sight caught their eye. Oarkin was trapped in the doorway, massive wings caught on against the frame of the wall. He glowered at them both, having stumbled in the tight space and trapped himself.

“You two! Thin pony and King - pull me. I am stuck,” he growled, the frame creaking as he struggled. He didn’t want to shatter the door - though he definitely could, it might not be the best idea to damage their transport.

“Alright, alright, we’re on it-” Arin started, but was quickly cut off.

Umbra’s horn flashed, the wood cracking and creaking as it expanded and gave way - letting Oarkin slump forward, and stagger out of the entrance with a grunt. The much smaller door rattled in the wind for a moment, before the magic faded and the wood snapped back into place with splintering wood.

Well… that works.

“Ah! Thank you, dark pony. You are very kind and smart! I would have broken the door.” He went to give her two pats on the head - and when the first nearly knocked her off of her legs, she faded into shadows as the second sailed past. Oarkin hardly even noticed, as she reformed before him. Rubbing her now aching head. Ow. “By the way, King! I did not hug the tall sun pony. She was okay with just a pat on her back.”

“...I’ll go and relocate her spine. Thanks for the uh… warning. I guess.”

“Warning? Do ponies not like petting? Hm. Strange.” He scratched his scraggly beard. “Very well! I will speak with the Captain. She is a very fast horse, and I like her! Like Veen. Veen is a good pegasoos.” He billowed a laugh, turning to the stairs nearby. With massive thunks of his steps, he made his way up the flight of stairs to bother Tempest and Pumpkin.

“I worry about the decision to include him, Arin,” Umbra stated, the Seraph hot on her heels as she trotted down the steps. “How do you know you can trust him?”

“How did I know I could trust you?” he quietly replied. “It’s not like he has anywhere else to go. Sound familiar?”

Umbra blinked. “...Point taken.”

They found Celestia and Vee resting quietly in the crew’s quarters - Celestia collapsed on the floor in a pile, Vee preening feathers over her grave. It seems Oarkin had a bit too much fun with the Princess.

“Tia!” Arin frowned, jogging up to her side. He quickly slid forward on his knees, the magic-empowered Alicorn raising her head meekly to greet him.

“Ah! Arin, just who I was hoping to see. Could you do me a favor and put my bones back in place? That would be lovely.” She smiled faintly, before her head lazily fell back to the floor. He looked over her back with a worried sigh. That was a big hand-shaped bruise, right between her shoulder blades. Channeling magic once more, he cast Antithesis across her body in a flash - the morning mare gasping as her bones went on the mend.

“Better?”

“Very.” She stumbled up to her flank, flicking purple feathers off of her back with a scowl. Umbra made a clear effort to avoid the preening trash, as it tumbled close to her gray hooves. “I think Oarkin needs to mind his own strength… And Vee, could you have been a little more helpful?”

“Neigh.” The Purple stared, spitting a feather at Celestia despite her upset glare.

“Neigh as in ‘no’ or neigh as in the noise?” The Princess crossed her forehooves, leaning back fully on her rump. Her red mane billowing in magical waves.

“Neigh.”

“Arin, this is going nowhere. I just wanted to discuss my idea with her, concerning our upcoming battle. See, if Vee can channel Dream Magic, she could fade us partially into the dream realm or something - allowing us to fight the nightmares controlling Nightmare Moon’s army. But all she says… is ‘neigh’.”

“Hmm…” He hummed, scooching over to Vee’s side. He sat eye to eye with the purple horse, gazing into her irises.

“Neigh?” he asked. Maybe she just needed someone to talk to on the same wavelength as her?

“Neigh!” She nodded, lowering a preening wing. “Hello, Tall-fry. You’ve got a brain beneath the mane, I see. Lots of feathers there. What brings you to my daily preening ritual?”

“Er… just wanted to see if you’d talk with Celestia?” He smiled, falling back an inch or two to give her space. The Purple turned her head to look at the Princess, frowned, and went back to preening.

“...Neigh.”

“Uh… why not?”

“Her mane is too red now. I don’t like it. It’s the ugliest color.”

“So you won’t talk to Celestia… because her mane is too red,” Arin deadpanned. Vee nodded.

“You’ve snooted out the answer, Tall-fry. Pink? Yes. Soft red? Sure. Dark red? You’ve gone a feather too far! Princess Snooty should change it back if she wants my help. Bold of her to come into MY preening room, neigh at MY ears, with HER UGLY RED MANE, and expect me to give a snoot!”

Princess Celestia face-hooved, sighing. “This is by far the shallowest thing I’ve ever heard. Vee, I can’t control my mane color. It represents my magic, and the presence of harmony. And even if I could, I like red! It makes me feel young again.”

“Hmhm, too bad, Stupid-mane-fry. The answer is still neigh.” Vee nibbled a tiny feather off for good measure, blowing it on Celestia’s nose. The morning mare followed it up by giving an annoyed sneeze.

“As much as I would like to stay for this… amusing interaction. I require rest. Vee, will you spare a dream catcher for me?” Umbra offered a hoof forward, ready to accept her ticket to a good night’s rest.

“Sure thing, Spooky-fry! It’s free for you.” Vee’s nose slid into her resting satchel, withdrawing the relic in question to place gently in Umbra’s hooves.

“Wait! Why didn’t you charge Umbra twenty bits? Why am I expected to hoof a bill when she gets it for free?” Celestia frowned, as the pegasus raised a wing to block all the nasty red from her sight.

“Customer loyalty program, Ugly-fry. Come back after you’ve spent your life savings on herbs and potions, and a hair change, and we’ll neigh. Until then…”

She dropped her wing to face Celestia again. Eyes closed, and with a smile, she repeated herself. “Neigh.”

Fwip! Her purple wing shot back up like a barricade, one she started to preen. Celestia gave up - standing to her hooves to find a nearby hammock. There were plenty around, at least - all sized for Seraph legs, so they had a fair bit of space to them, too. Before Arin could so much as even speak, Celestia’s golden magic engulfed him - dragging him along with her for some frustrated teddy bear snuggles.

“Hey! Don’t I get a say in this?!” Arin yelped, as Celestia tossed him onto a nearby hammock.

“...Neigh,” Came the Princess’s royal reply, before jumping on top with the creak of rope. Her wings hugged tightly around Arin, as Vee snuck by to place two dream catchers silently beneath the shared hammock. At least she still cared about their safety. Or… Arin’s safety. Probably.