Tales of the Sapphire Carousel: Beyond the Bordello
Those Poor Souls Who Dwell In Night
Previous ChapterAuthor's Note
Written as part of the TEL server fic exchange, as a gift to Lingo! Probably not canon to the other stories in this anthology, but honestly who even knows anymore. Maybe I'll figure out a way to make it all cohere one day. Anyways, Happy Hearthswarming! Also spoilers for TEK
Those Poor Souls Who Dwell In Night
“Mon petit chou, when did you say our guests were arriving?"
Pinkie Pie checked her wrist, which was very clearly bare of any watch. She then turned to Fleur and grinned. "Any second now. If my twitchy right leg's right— and she always is— they should be arriving right as the cupcakes are ready."
As if on cue, the alarm on the timer by the oven began to ring, and Pinkie quickly rushed over to pull out her latest batch of confectionaries. Fleur watched her lover work with her usual energy, content to sit and stew in her own curiosity for now.
For as long as she'd known, Sugarcube Corner had always been closed on Hearth's Warming, and the day afterwards. For the day of the holiday itself, she could always be seen about the Lunar Distract, whether she was attending a party, helping with a party, or throwing one. It had been how they'd met, even.
Fleur and Fancy had stopped by the Sapphire Carousel to give their holiday wishes to Rarity, and had found themselves set upon by a very energetic— and very pretty— young woman who kept trying to feed them pastries.
Since then, Fleur had become a regular at Sugarcube Corner, often staying long into the night as she waited for some clandestine meeting scheduled beyond the witching hour.
Pinkie had already known far too much than was safe, and soon had become her confidant. And soon after that, in the wake of a particularly terrifying outing with her more dangerous friends, they had found themselves in each other's embrace, clinging onto life and love and everything in between.
Fancy had seen it before Fleur had— damn her husband and his knowledge of her heart— and given her space to explore this new relationship. Admittedly, it was odd— the first time she was doing something like this with him— but Pinkie was an odd girl.
Also also a very exciting one to be around.
Tonight, they would be meeting with a "special" friend, and while Pinkie believed all her friends to be special, she had placed an odd emphasis on the word this time, which had piqued her curiosity. That curiosity was further piqued when she saw the three different rows of cupcakes laid out on the baking tray and the little chocolates Pinkie was adding atop them.
"Ah, a wonderful recreation of my family's crest," she murmured with approval as the white-and-pink cupcakes were topped with her namesake. "And of ta patisserie's symbol, as well." The blue and yellow balloons gave the pink cupcakes a whimsical style that matched their creator. "But why are the third set decorated with the crescent moon of the Sapphire Carousel? Is our guest from that establishment?" It couldn't be Rarity, could it? Or... "Please tell me it is not La Dame De La Nuit."
Pinkie grinned. "Ooh, you're getting closer." The young woman was practically vibrating with excitement as she ran over to give her a quick but passionate kiss. "I can't wait for you to meet them."
That was when she felt the wave of magic wash over her. Instinctively, she assumed a defensive position, pushing Pinkie behind her as she faced the source of it— the mirror in the corner that was now glowing a faint white.
"Oh, they're here! They're here!" Pinkie exclaimed, though Fleur didn't let her guard down. She was inherently suspicious of anyone who couldn't simply use the door to enter into the bakery.
Her body only tensed further when a woman with pink hair and a very familiar face bounded through, jumping high into the air before landing on wobbly legs. She barely had time to stabilize herself before Pinkie nearly tackled the newcomer in a tight hug.
"Heya Pinkie!" Fleur's lover said cheerfully.
"Heya Pinkie!" the visitor replied.
Fleur felt a headache coming on. She'd wanted excitement, but this was... "Pinkie Pie, I presume?" she asked the guest who looked identical to her girlfriend in every way except for the black cloak she wore, emblazoned with the Sapphire's lunar crest.
"Yes indeedy!" The other Pinkie Pie replied.
Her own Pinkie Pie, sensing Fleur's agitation, quickly explained. "She's from another world where there's versions of all of us except we're cute little ponies! Ever since we met, we always celebrate the day of Hearth's Warming together. Sometimes she comes here, and sometimes I go over there and get to be a pony too!"
"And sometimes Incantation joins us and there's three of us!" the other Pinkie Pie added.
Fleur blinked for a moment. Surely this had to be some kind of magical deceiver she'd never heard of, who took the form of another to entrap its prey... but Pinkie had already travelled to their world before.
For now, she would be polite and observe. And then take action if anything threatened her beloved.
"Well then, Pony Pinkie Pie, please excuse my lack of manners. My name is Fleur de Lis. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Fleur lifted up the other Pinkie's hand, pressing a gentle kiss against it. Her own Pinkie always loved that gesture, and it will be interesting to see how this one reacted.
Just as hers did, the other Pinkie giggled. "Enchantée, madame," she replied, her accent far from perfect but yet not mocking. "Pinkie's told me so much about you! I'm really happy she has a special somepony— err, special somehuman now."
"And I'm so glad you have somepony special in your world," her Pinkie added. "Is she coming?"
As if on cue, the mirror flashed again, and Fleur's fight-or-flight instinct really kicked in when she saw Lady Luna— or at least a version of her— step into the room, wearing a grandiose blue dress that only the most dramatic of women would wear to a ball.
"Luna, Luna!" the other Pinkie rushed up to the new visitor, grabbing her sleeve and tugging her over. Fleur noted that the older woman seemed to be able to walk over to them with the same grace that the Lady of the Sapphire possessed, despite apparently being a pony in her home world. "Look, it's me! But not me!"
In some ways, the guarded, suspicious expression on Luna's face eased some of Fleur's worries, even if it introduced new ones. It seemed they were both in unfamiliar territory now.
"Hello, Pinkie Pie," Luna said, bowing deeply. "It is an honour to meet you."
Her Pinkie also giggled at the formality. "The honour is mine, Your Majesty." She gave a comically deep bow.
Fleur raised an eyebrow. "Your Majesty?" she asked.
"Oh, in the other world, Luna is a super magical princess who got trapped inside a mountain for a thousand years," the human Pinkie explained.
"But we managed to save her, thanks to Rarity and Twilight and Incantation and—"
"And you, little one," Luna said softly, leaning over to wrap the younger woman in a gentle hug. "Never forget that it was your love that saved me, in the end."
"That sounds like quite the story." Fleur gave her reply carefully before addressing the princess. "It is an honour as well to meet you, Princess Luna. I am Lady Fleur de Lis of House Fleuret." She decided to give her family name as well, out of curiosity as to how their new guest would react.
Luna paused. "I knew of House Fleuret in my time." She frowned. "A charming lot, but one who used their cunning to raise themselves over others. I never did like them."
Fleur smiled. "I'm not fond of my family's history either. Unfortunately, we cannot help the circumstances of our birth, but we can use the gifts we are given to help others, n'est-ce pas?"
"Well said, Lady Fleur," Luna acknowledged, her voice giving no hints of her true feelings.
The tension remained between the two non-Pinkie women, but the two Pinkies pressed on. "Alright, let's party!"
The other Pinkie placed the needle on the record, and loud, bombastic Hearth's Warming music filled the room. With blinding speed that even Fleur couldn't follow, each of them suddenly had a plate with a cupcake in front of them, matching their aesthetics.
Oh, and there was a small alligator in the corner wearing a tiny Hearth's Warming hat shaped like an evergreen tree on his head. Fleur had no idea where he came from and wasn't about to ask any questions when she had far too much else to deal with.
Instead, she bit into her cupcake. It was perfectly moist, sweet but not too sweet, with the lightest hint of mint in the frosting, just the way she liked it. Seeing no need to be proper, she promptly devoured the entire thing in just a few bites.
The other two Pinkies were overjoyed of course. "Didya like it?" her lover asked, with all the confidence in the world at what her answer would be.
"C'est merveilleux," Fleur replied sincerely. "As sweet as la pâtissière who created such a fine confectionary." She reached over to pull her Pinkie into a deep kiss, tasting strawberry on her beloved's lips. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted Luna giving her a suspicious look.
"Even the royal bakers could not have hoped to compare with your artistry, little one," Luna added. That term of endearment raises an alarm in Fleur's mind, and she has to ask.
"Ah, l'amour," she said neutrally. "It is good to see two lovers reunited."
Both of their guests' eyes widened in shock. "Nay!" Luna exclaimed, an expression of horror on her face. "We are but friends! As we have been since she was a filly."
"I see," Fleur said, holding back a sigh of relief. She supposed it wasn't her place to judge another couple, but when one of the members of the potential couples was technically Pinkie Pie, she couldn't help but be a little protective. For all that she saw more than others did, she also had her blind spots as a result of her kindness.
"We're really happy for you two, though!" the other Pinkie added. She glanced over to the native Pinkie. "Hey, did you forget to bring out the games?"
The natively human Pinkie looked around the room, before smiling sheepishly. "Guess so! Hey, wanna help me pick what we'll be playing?"
"Sure!" Pinkie and Pinkie whirled out of the room before either of the other two partygoers had a chance to react, leaving with alone with one another.
"I had asked Pinkie Pie about games earlier today," Fleur murmured. "She told me that her Pinkie Senses spoke to her, to keep them out of the room until the right moment."
"'Tis quite clear their intentions, then," Luna replied.
"The Pinkie Pie of my world sees much more than many would think." There was both anger and pride in Fleur's words.
"Mine as well," Luna agreed. "Leaving us two alone is intentional, then."
"To force a tête-à-tête." Fleur sighed. "Of course. Even I underestimate her far too often."
"You mislike me." The directness of the statement from Luna shocked Fleur, even if she respected the candor.
"Where I come from, we have a poor history with monarchy," Fleur replied dryly. "And ours are not immortal, with all the dangers implied."
"If it helps, my sister was always the one who preferred to rule." Luna smirked. "I was content to but guard the dreams of my subjects. And soon, I think I shall be abdicating to spend my days in peace and... well, I shan't say quiet, for Pinkie shall be there, I hope."
"Your sister is Celestia, I take it?" Fleur asked, and Luna nodded. "Oui, she does seem like more the type."
"And what of you, Lady Fleur?" Luna countered. "You speak poorly of monarchs and your own family's history, and yet you still don a noble's title."
"Noblesse oblige, n'est-ce pas?" was Fleur's answer. "I do what I can with what I am given. Whether I must use my name or... other methods." She let the words hang in the air, trusting that an immortal princess who delved into the minds of others would get her meaning.
Luna frowned. "I see." She shook her head. "I suppose it matters not, for this is not my world. Only one thing is of concern to me. Pinkie Pie."
"I would defend her with my life," Fleur said simply.
"As I would as well," Luna also said, with no conditions.
"She is wonderful, and un coeur brilliant such as hers must be protected at all costs."
Luna nodded. "D'accord, madame." At Fleur's surprised expression, she grinned. "I have had to learn many tongues to ply my trade."
It was at this point that the door burst open to reveal two pink bundles of energy, each carrying a stack of games. "Are you two friends now?" the other Pinkie asked them, both staring expectantly.
Luna and Fleur shared a glance. "We are at peace," Luna said at last. "And I have hopes that friendship will bloom one day."
Fleur nodded in agreement. "La princesse is quite the remarkable woman, err, mare." She quickly corrected herself before adding, "So, quels jeux nous allons jouer?"
From atop a pile of board games, her Pinkie grabbed a deck of cards, her eyes narrowing. "How do you feel about a game of skill and chance?" she asked, her tone sharp and dangerous.
Fleur's grin was equally vicious. "You test the wrong woman, mon petit chou. Let the games begin."
"Do you have any fours?"
Her Pinkie grinned, slamming down her hand of cards face-down. "Go fish, Fleur!"
Fleur sighed and drew a card.
The other Pinkie then took her turn. "Luna, do you have any fours?"
And now it was Luna's turn to sigh as she handed over a card. "Did you know that before I met you, I had never lost a card game before?"
"Really?" Luna's Pinkie asked.
Luna nodded. "'Tis humbling to finally be bested."
"Humility is good for the soul." Fleur smiled warmly at her own version of Pinkie Pie, who grinned back. "Especially for those of us who would burn too bright."
"I think you're plenty bright already, Fleur!" Her Pinkie replied cheerfully. "And you brighten up my day just by being you, so there's no need to burn yourself out!"
"Thank you, mon petit chou." Fleur turned her attention to the other Pinkie, a wicked smile on her face as she finally decided to sate her curiosity. "Do you have any fives? Or un paramour yourself?"
Well, it seemed this Pinkie also turned a delightful shade of red when embarrassed. "Umm, go fish!" Fleur kept her eyes on her as she drew a card, and saw the visitor from another world glance at her counterpart for help.
Right at that moment, the timer went off, and Fleur's Pinkie grinned just as deviously. "Oh, hot chocolate time!" she announced, standing up and walking over to the stove. "Gotta go!"
"Traitor!" The other Pinkie yelled. "I'll see you walk the plank for this, Pinkie Pie!"
Her Pinkie only giggled as she disappeared from view, leaving the Pinkie from the other world under the scrutiny of both Luna and Fleur.
Pinkie's blush intensifies. "S-So, crazy weather we've been having, right?"
"I believe we are supposed to be doing what you call 'teasing' now," Luna said, a smile playing on her lips. "I have seen the way you look at a certain changeling in Hollow Shades."
"Hey, Ink's just a friend!" Pinkie protested. "A very, very pretty friend, who really gets the Pinkie Pie inside of my brain and always believed in me and..." She trailed off, eyes widening. "Oh." She said softly.
"Did I look like that when you told me you liked me?" An arm wrapped around Fleur's shoulder, and she looked to see her own lover holding up a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
Fleur accepted the drink gracefully. "Merci beaucoup. And oui et non. You are you, and she is she, and I much preferred your reaction."
"You make a good match," Luna said. "It gladdens me that your heart has chosen well."
The other Pinkie smirked, though she still looked vaguely poleaxed. "Are you already planning to have The Talk with her?" she asked mischievously.
Luna snorted. "I do not think I could terrify that changeling in a way that wouldn't stain my soul. She will treat you well enough of her own accord."
"Well, that's only if she likes me back, right?" Ah, that nervous voice was familiar to Fleur.
"If this Ink has discerning taste, I have no doubts that she shall," Fleur said.
"Indeed." Luna reached over to hug her Pinkie. "And even if she does not, I know you will treasure her friendship no less than for it, and she yours. Though, I will always be here for you if you need to speak to someone."
In that embrace, Fleur finally felt a part of her mind relax, letting go of the tense grip it held on her suspicions. This Luna truly did care for her Pinkie Pie, and it was impossible for Fleur not to finally let her guard down around them, within reason.
"If you need any advice on l'amour, please do not hesitate to ask." Warmth filled Fleur's heart as she made the offer. "It is never an easy road to walk."
"Thanks, Fleur!" It felt very odd to be hugged by someone who was so very much like her lover, and yet was not. Fleur was not ashamed to admit that her mind went... certain places at the thought of two Pinkie Pies, but she didn't think either Pinkie would mind terribly even if they knew. "So, what's going on around here? Anything fun? Are your Rarity and Twilight doing okay?"
Fleur snorted, banishing the impure thoughts from her mind in favour of other impure thoughts. "They are, if nothing else, very amusing. But Rarity gladly plies all her trades again, so Fancy and I are content to let their story play out as it shall."
Luna shot her a knowing look. "She deserves happiness in every universe. Both of them do. In ours, they have worked long and hard to earn theirs, and I have no doubts that yours have done the same."
"Yep, they got it preeeeeetty rough," Pinkie wrapped her arms around Fleur as she spoke. "I'm just so happy to have Fleur without any deep dark secrets or epic curses popping up."
"I did not know to be thankful for that," Fleur said dryly, pressing a kiss against Pinkie's forehead. "I only know that this peace I feel now is worth more than any adventure."
"I doth concur." Luna sipped at her own hot chocolate, poking at the marshmallow floating atop it with her tongue. "As much as I enjoyed the frenetic energy of the Hearth's Warming celebration, this is truly a balm to my soul."
"Yup, every type of party is good for something," the other Pinkie said, and Fleur's beloved nodded along sagely. "Some are good if you like things big and loud." One of Pinkie's party cannons went off at that very moment, causing Fleur and Luna to both shift into a fighting stance on instinct. "And some are nice and quiet and great for snuggles."
With that, both Pinkies melted into their companions, and everyone relaxed on the couch as they sipped at their drinks. Fleur allowed herself to truly relax, to let go of the worries of her position and her duties and focus on the wonderful pink girl who gave so much and deserved so much in turn. Warmth filled her soul and her belly, and she enjoyed the few seconds of quiet before Luna spoke again.
"I believe that stories are the traditional accompaniment to hot cocoa."
"Vraiment." Fleur agreed. "A being such as yourself surely has stories aplenty to tell."
"I do." The wright of ages shone within Luna's eyes. "But the greatest story I know comes not from the now-lost past, but hails from this era." She took another sip of cocoa.
The other Pinkie's eyes widened. "Ooh! They did give permission, so we can finally tell it!" she added excitedly.
Luna smiled. "Quite so." She turned to her two hosts. "Would you be interested in hearing a tale of romance and adventure? Of a mare who had to learn the meaning of love and loss in order to heal a wounded soul from terrible torment? Who braved dragons and timberwolves and the Lord of Chaos himself with nothing but her wits and charm?"
Fleur's Pinkie grinned. "Is this what I think it is?"
The other Pinkie nodded so hard Fleur was worried her head might fall off. "You know it!"
Fleur glanced between the three of them. "That sounds très intéressant. I would love to hear such a tale."
With a wave of her hand, Luna dimmed the lights in the room, the candles giving off just enough light to outline the shadows of her face. "Very well, then." She cleared her throat, and began to tell her story.
"Rarity did not believe in fairy tales..."