Canterlot Academy Trials

Once everyone had gathered up substantial information, they all met up near the couple’s stand. However, in order to discuss their plans without fear of being overheard, they decided to book rooms at the local inn so that they could speak privately.

“Alright, everyone,” Cayenne stood in front of them, ready to hear what they had to say. “What can you tell me you’ve heard from the locals?”

Blue would start off first, “Based on all the info we shared, it sounds like everyone has heard suspicious activity going on at night. So that’s when we need to be ready.”

“That’s right,” Mei agreed, “Whoever’s pulling the strings here obviously knows the terrain as well as who to target in order to make a swift getaway.”

From a plush bean bag chair on the floor, Grimrose would add, “And it seems as if everyone is afraid. Whoever these bandits are, they must be pretty tough.”

“Pretty much what they said,” Nebula added, encouraging and backing up their viewpoints. “I think it’d be best if we perform a stakeout once it gets dark. That way, we’ll have a drop on the enemy position. Tungsten taught me all about that from his Royal Guard drills.”

“I’d hope so, Mr. Nebula,” Cayenne expressed concern with a worried tone, “Being trained under him and going through your own experiences are two different things. Do you understand that, young man?”

“Of course I do,” Nebula replied with utmost certainty as he got up and headed for the door. “In fact, I think I wanna take the first watch. Who’s with me?”

Grimrose got up to follow him. “I’ll go with you. Someone needs to watch over you to make sure you don’t get lost,” she said with what sounded like the faintest hint of teasing in her voice.

Nebula huffed and flicked his tail, “Hey! I have a great sense of direction! I just…need a new pair of glasses is all.”

“Alright, you two, go on,” Cayenne interrupted them. “We’ll stay here and then Mei and Blue will take the next watch in about two hours, let’s say.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Mei replied.

“Got it, ma’am,” Blue added.

And with that, Nebula and Rose left the inn and trotted outside. The sun had been slowly setting on the desert village. The only source of light that remained were the handful of torches that were lit across every street corner. The level of activity had also waned, with much fewer shops open that only served a certain number of customers.

“Wow,” Nebula commented as they walked together, “Somnambula sure is different at night, huh?”

“Seems to be,” Grimrose commented with her neutral tone and expression, “I prefer it this way. Too many…folks around during the day for me. It’s much more relaxing at night.”

Nebula took a look around and listened closely. True enough, he could hear the sounds of frogs, crickets, and crows alongside the occasional pony talking.

“Yeah I think you’re right,” he replied, “This would make for a good poem. Maybe a limerick or a haiku…”

Rose’s eyes went wide as her wings unfurled involuntarily. “...you like poetry?”

“Hm? Yeah, I dabble in a bit of writing here and there,” he replied with a chuckle, then rubbed the side of his head. “I can never really dedicate time to make a whole story though. I come up with ideas for characters and plotlines and can easily add miscellaneous details to them in my head. But actually putting the quill to the page and getting them down?” He had a bashful smile on his face as he admitted his own faults, “...I tend to lack motivation to get all of it done. So I usually prefer to write poems instead. They’re much shorter and can be made in quick bursts when inspiration hits.”

“...I can empathize with you in regards to motivation,” Rose agreed as her eyes and wings relaxed, “I often find myself lacking the desire to do anything. But then, I look at you guys and remember that it’s worth doing.”

Those words threw Nebula into a state of concern again, looking at her with a frown. “...Rose. Is there something you wanna talk about? Come on, it’s just us here. Nobody else is around.”

“...Seeing you guys enjoy life has helped me remember that I should enjoy life as well,” she replied, “That’s all there is to it, really. I used to never care whether I lived or died. But now, I’m finally in a position where I’m accepted for who I am and that makes me…want to keep living.” She turned to him and smiled ever so slightly, “Especially you, Atomic. Your positivity is almost contagious.”

“It is?” he chuckled, “Well I’m glad you think so! But above all else, I want you to know that I’m here for you. That whole thing we did where we contacted a ghost? That was fun!”

“...it was?” Grimrose mumbled in disbelief, looking at him with confusion for a moment.

And Nebula smiled as he confirmed his stance, “Of course! I’d love to test that stuff more with you when we get back. I’ve always had a fascination for the dark arts but don’t really have the capacity for it, ya know? My magic is geared more towards music,” he tilted his head towards his flank and cutie mark: a music bar with two clefs. “Consider me your test body.”

“...Thank you, Atomic,” Rose gave a delayed response as she looked down at her body. She could’ve sworn that she felt her heart beat…which was abnormal as she could never usually feel it at all. “I’d appreciate it. And I’d do whatever I could to pay you back, don’t worry.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it,” he waved his hoof, then resumed walking, “I’m just happy to spend time with you. Now come on, we have to be diligent if we wanna catch the bandits.” His ear then suddenly twitched, indicating that he heard something suspicious. "...Did you hear that? Follow me," he ordered as he ran on ahead.

Rose paused for a moment, then smiled to herself as she let her mind wander, then proceeded to gallop after him. "Wait up."

“...If anything happens to him, I’ll kill everyone in there and then myself.”