The Carnival of the Damned

The door to the small one room cottage swung inward as Ryn gestured for Rose to enter ahead of him. The chamber was small yet cozy, scarcely furnished save for a single writing desk stocked with paper, quill and ink bottle; bookshelves of ancient books and yellowed tomes; a small table containing strange looking vials of colorful potions; and a singular cushion set in the back corner as a make shift bed. This last was situated near a small fireplace that had been built into this farthest wall.

“Apher yoo.” The box was still clenched tight in his teeth as he let the unicorn enter. She did this, bowing gratefully as he followed behind, careful to shut and latch the door against the dark of night.

“Thank you very kindly, Sir Kuromaru. I much appreciate the escort, especially after such a strange encounter.”

The pegasus found room upon the table, setting the package down so that he could give a more audible response.

“Don't mention it. Okiku worries about you more easily these days. Especially after your sudden disappearance a few years ago.” He watched as she wandered over to a fireplace, setting a few nearby pieces of wood inside to bring the smoldering remains of the previous fire roaring back to life. She remained silent as to his last statement, busying herself with using the fire to light a few candles and levitate them to different positions across the room. Soon enough, the cottage was well lit and she turned again to regard her guest.

“I do apologize. Please, make yourself at home. May I offer you a cup of tea?” The stallion shook his head, a keen eye wandering over the poorly outfitted home.

“No, I can't stay too long. I don't want to make Okiku even more panicked. Really, Rose, the Everfree Forest is not a place to choose as a home. Surely you can do better. It's just not safe here. Luna only knows what that little orange pony was up to earlier.”

Rose sighed, placing an old kettle over the fire and setting out a cup and saucer.

“Ryn, she was only a child. Yes, while it was peculiar, I truly doubt she could do much harm.”

“But are you certain of that? Just try to be more careful in the future, will you? Believe it or not, there are others that care about you.” He trotted over to the nearby windoe, peering out at the encroaching forest. The winds had picked up, the colorful leaves of Fall swirling in their seasonal dance.

“Besides, winter is approaching fast and you'll need to find a place to stay in town before too long. You know as well as I do that Okiku will insist you remain at the cafe. She has more than enough room. Or, you could even check in with the Apple family. They have acres of land. Plenty of room for one more, even if just for the winter. At least think about it, alright?”

The unicorn nodded, sighing lightly as she removed the now whistling kettle and poured the heated water into the cup.

“Very well. I will consider it. Thank you, Ryn.” He quirked a half smile in return, tossing her one of the tea bags. She caught it, glancing back up to him in questioning.

“It's the kind you didn't finish at the cafe. Oki wants you to tell her your thoughts.” He opened the cottage door, stepping outside and stretching his wings. “I'll come by again in a few days to check up on you. Until then, do me a favor and stay out of trouble, got it?” She smiled, nodding once again in acceptance.

“Understood.”

With a bow of departure, Ryn spread his wings to their full span, kicking off the ground in a cloud of dust before speeding off into the night sky. Rose watched until the darkness fully closed around him, returning to her home, shutting and latching the door behind her.

…

A loud thud at the top of the wooden caravan alerted Dimitri to Hazel's return. A wide grin spread over the gypsy's face as he remained as he had been, lounging lazily upon his cot, hooves to the back of his head in full relaxation. He listened as she got to her hooves, groaning in the pain of her crash. The sound paused suddenly, returning again as she had leaped from the roof to land on the grass outside the small structure. Only then did Dimitri stretch, getting up to open the door for his lackey.

“Ah! Such a swift return from the land of light. All was well, yes? Now then, let me meet this Lady of Roses.” He paused, looking around the immediate area before frowning down at the young filly. “Well? Where is she? She is here, yes?”

Hazel pouted, cringing as she shook her head.

“Ahhhh... this is no good...” Dimitri sighed in exasperation, the little filly sputtering.

“It wasn't my fault! Honest! I swear! I found her. I almost had her. There was a pegasus there too. It's his fault! He stopped me!” She flailed her hooves in the air, fuming at her failure. Dimitri huffed, mumbling a string of Roamanian curses under his breath as he put a  hoof on the small pony's head. This caused her hat to drop down over her eyes, and she wriggled to get away.

“Mortis will not be happy. We must fix this minor setback, Hazel, but this time...this time I will go. You stay, watch the carnival, harvest souls, whatever it is you do. But be ready. I will return soon with this Rose. That much, I can swear to.”

...