Post by Mal on Apr 6, 2016 21:07:47 GMT -5
Distant Lightning would have had become overwhelmingly guilty over hiding the information they had, but the pegasus wasn't about to hand over the chance of remaining like this forever. They were sat on their bed in the inn, glaring at the book and the research notes they wrote. While they did not wish to share the book, they were researching with Miss Yuna and it had become an inescapable habit in their life to just -- read and write. The parchments were neatly rolled, categorized and filed, but sharing them was -- urgh. Folding their ears back the pegasus would sigh and push to stand. They supposed -- continuing to sabotage it at this point was just wrong. Yes, they had the answer, and yes they were fully committed to hiding it. But for a scholar to hide information -- dishonor.
Yunalesca struggled with the books she had, all of them mostly useless for what they were looking for. She was just going to put them all together in stacks to take back to the castle, other than the book on breaking curses. It would come in handy, she felt. The rest of it could go, and she would be glad to have them out of her mane, though she learned a few things. Eh. Yuna wandered out into the hall, sitting just inside the doorway to her room, to see if any of her friends were around. Maybe they were having more luck..
Silent Dusk lay on a bench in the inn's main room and stared in front of her, another day not being herself, it taxed her mind even though she wouldn't readily admit such, sure some new experiences had been alright despite the awkwardness but even fresh grass had not taken her mind off of things.
Distant Lightning was more than ready to just ignore it really, let life go on. Peering out of their room's door where they retreated, the pegasus would fold their ears back as they spotted Yuna making her way into the hall. "M..miss Yuna?" They tucked behind the door. They had not seen Dusk and it was unsettling. They were acting strange and though they pegasus tried to keep them in bed .. off they went, though they were nose deep in the spine of a book as they were oft.
Yunalesca didn't see anypony at first, until Lightning popped out of their room. "Hey, Distant." She greeted upon hearing her name, eyeing them. Where was Dusk, then? Usually the thestral was not far from the pegasus. "How is the research going on your end? I haven't found much, really." Her ears flicked back briefly as she moved out into the hall and towards the arabian. "Or, well, how are things going with you in general?" Yuna talked with Dusk briefly some days before, but not since. Where was she?
Silent Dusk hung limply on the bench and now stared at the floor where a small spider scuttled along, the little arachnid paid her no heed however and she gave a soft huff. that spider looked so carefree it almost made her envious momentarily lifting a hoof thinking about squishing it.
Distant Lightning scuffed their hoof against the ground, eyes refusing to meet the mare's. "I have---been." Well? Yes they have been ecstatic about this change, but as it were the others were not generally as pleased as the pegasus, where the mage seemed just -- odd. Dusk was quite disinterested in retaining the form and the other's desires (whatever the mage even desired) overrode their own. "C-could you gather the others? I have something I wish to discuss with them. Perhaps meet down in the dining hall, a more private section, so that i may speak to them?" The scholar had to gather their courage to admit to withholding knowledge! Dishonor!
Yunalesca waited for Lightning to finish his sentence, but he never did. "Oh, well. Yeah I can do that. It sounds like you found something." She observed, but she didn't pursue it. It was something Lightning possibly wished to say only once, or.. talk about only once anyway. The alicorn turned away without another word and went trotting down the hall, knocking on Gleam's door in passing to see if Tarnished was awake. If he didn't answer, she would pass on to find Dusk, wherever the thestral might be- give Tarnished time to wake.
Silent Dusk had decided not to murder a poor arachnid in cold blood and instead lay on her back, kicking her hooves in the air lazily as she stared at the ceiling, letting thoughts mull in her mind while waiting for the others to waken.
Yunalesca moved off to go after Dusk next, having a guess that she wasn't in the bedroom that she never used. She would have to look elsewhere in the inn. Upon trying the lobby first, she found the very thestral lazing about on the bench! Why was she out here? Yuna wandered over to her and put a tentative hoof on her shoulder to get her attention, if she didn't already see her approach. "Hey, Dusk. Come with me. I think Distant wants to talk to us all in the dining room about something."
Silent Dusk nodded at Yuna and rolled over getting on her hooves, then would follow the alicorn to the dinner room, curious what Lightning had found."
Gleaming Echo drug himself out of bed in a somewhat amusing manner. The dark unicorn pulled himself to the point that he flopped onto the floor with a noisy 'thud'. That woke him up right and proper! The dark pony just made it a ways though before he started to doze. 'Taaarnished! Wake up!' rang out in his mind as the dark unicorn mumbled something almost intelligible. However it managed to get him up at least. The pony never even thought to put anything on - robe nor hat. The door opened and he looked out. "Nnnopony - See Gleam... I'm ~ tired!" However a little spurring from the light half and the dark pony continued on.. Toppling right down the stairs to land with a thud upon the landing below. Likely causing a few scared ponies. Mixing between screaming and cursing?
Yunalesca thought that Dusk was more quiet than usual, but that was fine. She turned away to walk off, perhaps to try Gleam's room again when a certain large somepony came crashing down the stairs. The alicorn came to a halt, cringing, before she trotted over to the very uncovered nightmare. "Tarnished.. ? Are you okay?" Yuna reached out to brush a hoof over his shoulder, ignoring the sounds of any nearby frightened ponies. If she had to.. she could probably dump her shawl over him. Yuna considered it. "Since you're up, come to the dining room with us, Distant has something to tell us."
Distant Lightning was setting up in the dining room sort of trying, kinda trying to -- deal with everything. How were they going to tell the others they were withholding information? It was just not something you got over -- his reputation would be ruined and there was no way he could face a room of his peers ever again! Such temptations these foreign lands had! His grandfather had warned him that the land beyond the cliffs were full of evil and temptations that would lead one astray from their pride. Dishonor! They slumped against the table, the pile of books messily tagged by parchment filled with notes along certain pages.
Yunalesca couldn't be sure if.. No, he was fine, surely. He was a big pony. Her message had been delivered, either way, if the sleepy Tarnished heard it. The alicorn strode on, partially leading the way towards the dining room with Dusk. There she found Lightning slumped over their chosen table. Oh. Yuna wandered over to find a seat amongst the gathered books, getting comfortable. "So, ah.. Now that we're pretty much all here, what is it you want to tell us?"
Silent Dusk sat down and looked at Lightning with a warm smile wondering what the pegasus had to tell them, maybe he had found something?
Distant Lightning sat up, quite quickly. "ah, t..thank you all for coming." The pegasus looked down and folded their ears back. "I -- want to first apologize.I deeply regret my actions, but I held hesitation in sharing the information with you straight away." But Dusk's continued degraded behavior and just the worrying oddities that escaped the mage (the mad-half's kindness was starting to rub them wrong) and the fear that Miss Yuna may indeed hold to her word to strike them.... "Y...I have. I know of a way to reverse the effects of this state that we all hold." Though -- they would do their best not to participate in it.
Yunalesca drew her wings closer around her, hooves crossed on whatever bare inch of table she could find. The apology drew a look from her, briefly confusion to concerned realization. As she was not one of the affected ones, she could feel no anger or upset with it. It didn't bother her, but had still.. Her wings shuffled and the corners of her mouth drew down. ""I'm sorry I couldn't have been of much help in the research department, but what is it that you found?"
Silent Dusk just looked at Lightning with an unreadable expression on her muzzle.
Distant Lightning looked down, brushing their hooves against the table. "I...knew about it for a time, but -- I withheld the information, selfishly." They swallowed and looked up with blinking eyes of stormy blue. "I... do not have an excuse. It was wrong of me not to present what I had at the time, b-but at least I found a bit more detail?" As if that could excuse the pegasus' act of mini betrayal. Betrayal was betrayal, one supposed.
Yunalesca wasn't sure what to say, really. Part of her wanted to admonish him for withholding it, but she was not upset as Dusk seemed to be- too quiet, that thestral. She had been far too quiet since the whole cursed armoire business. Even though Lightning was aware that it was wrong.. he had done it anyway. She was the only one who could do any sort of talking. "As useful as that is, I guess, you really shouldn't hide anything from us or any of your friends. It's not very nice and, you're correct on that. It was wrong of you." Yuna sought for some way to voice it and gave up. "I'm not you're mother so it's not like we can do anything, one way or another about it, but tell you that friends are supposed to be there for one another.. Why don't you tell us what you found out? We can fix this."
Silent Dusk shot out at him with a flap of her wings and smashed a hoof into the pegasus bristling as she tried to grapple him while letting out an ear splitting screech. "So you knew!? you could change me back! you knew you knew you knew!" glaring at him she bared her teeth and reared back.
Distant Lightning sulked at Yuna's accusation. No, thankfully she was not his mother. "friends?" Well-- the pegasus had not considered that when they withheld it. Being a literary researcher -- witholding information did more to discredit them as a scholar than be considered for hurting somepony else's feelings... There was a sudden burst beside them, papers flying about. They had been just seconds away from explaining to Yuna only to find themselves grabbed by a very enraged bat. The pegasus, though much larger, more than instinctively pulled into a curl to protect their vulnerable underbelly and pulled their hooves over their head and face, as if used to such responses from other ponies. "I-I... I'm sorry Dusk, please don't hurt me!" The reaction was far less comical than it could have been. The bird was ruffled and their body was trembling a bit. "Please f-forgive me." They were just glad they were secluded, their blood would likely offend passing patrons.
Yunalesca opened her mouth to confirm that, yes, friends. She considered him that much, if not just a companion. They, all four (or five, if one counted the split unicorn as two ponies.. which he was in a way) had spent much of their time around each other, and had been through some dangers. It would be impossible for them not to be friends. But not a word made it past Yuna's mouth when Dusk sprang into action beside her, angry. She didn't expect Dusk to react this way. Tarnished probably would have, but she had little idea how either unicorn felt. She could only focus on the thestral, making to pull her off of Lightning with magic; such she'd never used on a pony, only on lifting objects like books, but it was of the same effect, right? "Dusk, please!"
Silent Dusk was pulled off with Yuna's magic after a few spits and hisses, moving in the telekinesis though she didn't get closer. "He knew how this affected me and he didn't cure me!" she noticed how the pegasus curled up to defend himself though and frowned knowing only a few reasons why he would do that, so had to visit Saddle Arabia shortly.
Distant Lightning trembled, and even as they uncurled, with Dusk safely out of range... they would scuttle back, wings held out defensively as they pressed their back against the nearest wall. "I'm sorry... I was selfish...." It -- had been the first time the pegasus was legitimately selfish towards such a desire. How much they did not want to go back -- to the point where they would turn on everypony and -- even Dusk. They sulked and tried to compact themselves as much as possible. "I...left the notes there, the t-t...top book." It was a simple Remove Curse spell, were Yuna to look upon it. As ironic as it all seemed -- to remove such a basic transmutation one required an even more basic spell.
Yunalesca. It took most of the alicorn's concentration to hold Dusk there in the small prison of her violet aura. "He's telling us now, isn't he? That's all that matters. He could have withheld it indefinitely; or worse, had somepony undo it on just himself. Think." Of course Yuna could keep a steady hold on her emotions when she was unaffected, the only one cautious enough to stay away from mysterious objects in caves. Lightning was apologizing. Yuna settled back into her seat, wincing, and looked over at the indicated notes. She couldn't.. "If I set you down, Dusk, do you promise to keep calm? I can't look at anything and hold you too." She could if she tried. Yuna reached over for the top book, drawing it towards her.
Silent Dusk drew a sharp breath but nodded stopping her struggle, she knew something that made him almost as much if not worse uncomfortable than she had been, oh just wait for when she took him with her to Hollow Shades and meet her parents. "So lucky that I love you all.."
Distant Lightning wasn't okay. They had found out. Their credibility was in the pooper, so there was no way that, if he did return home: the pegasus could escape the slander that would sure to come after. The scholar was a pathetic patch of feathers sitting in their corner as the papers were gathered and the wild Dusk was released. "It was my fault." They said with a practiced flow. The pegasus looked quite dejected, but also had not stopped trembling. They turned their head away, ear turning toward the others. "J-just cast it in a wide, open space -- or something. Using healing class magic? Well I don't understand it b-but its there." They couldn't regain that steady voice of theirs, choking on their own tongue.
Yunalesca didn't open the book just yet, her dark eye on Dusk until she gave some sign that it was safe. She set the bat down before she released her hold, so she could turn her magic to the book. The notes within. Her heart was still fluttering a little. Dealing with angry ponies.. she didn't like dealing with them, more so stallions than mares, but Dusk's case was confusing her mind. Yuna shook it, concentrating on the notes, and.. oh. Was it that simple? Even she could cast it! Or.. could she? Gleam knew more. She didn't want to mess it up at all, but it also required Gleam even coming out.. "I understand it well enough, I think.."
Silent Dusk sat on the floor and looked down scowling remembering a few things that Lightning had told her about his home country. "You could still have changed me and Gleam back."
Distant Lightning sulked, unable to look at them. "Yes madam." They were shutting down. What could they say? They had no excuse. Dusk was right. Yuna was right. They did wrong and they had to accept it. Anything they may seek to do, they had no choice but to repent upon it. "I will not reject any punishment one may give me for so callously withholding important information."
Yunalesca glanced between the two, from the upset thestral to the sulking, distraught pegasus. She should probably get on the spell and let them talk things out later.. but she was also hesitating. So little confidence in her own ability, too scared of messing it up and making everything worse. Her eyes returned to the notes. "I couldn't punish anypony who knows they did wrong, but I know you're probably talking to Dusk.." Yuna sighed a little through her nose, her horn still alight. She would just turn everypony back, if she could manage.. If not, Gleam would have to help regardless.
Silent Dusk still kept silent and just looked at them deflated now, she was done, just done fighting.
Distant Lightning was in very bad standing right now. They tucked away, submissive towards their anger, and overall disappointment. "I-I'll go." Seeing as they were upset with the pegasus, but more over if they were going to use that spell they would rather not be around. Their legs were still a little shaky but they pushed to stand. "I am sorry." They offered again. "B-but I checked all of the sources. The magic, if it can be cast will work without fail with no negative effects." They turned their back to the others.
Gleaming Echo made a face and his horn lit up. "No you don't, idiot...." he'd say as magic would wrap around Distant's hooves to stick him in place! He wasn't going to run away! The dark pony looked to Yuna and offered her a small smile. "You can do it, dear goddess..." came the purr form the dark half. "Should you fail, Gleam will be here... But something tells me you might not." He had that smug 'I know something that you don't' type of grin.... Then again when did he not?
Yunalesca shuffled a little in her spot, glancing around at her companions, gaze settling on Lightning. "There's no need to leave over it." There was no need to speak when Tarnished was there to stop him from worming out of it, and.. he believed in her. Since he did, it- she could do it right? Yuna looked down at the notes, taking a breath. Visualize, and cast the spell.. that's all it required. Healing magic. It was simple. No more dallying. Yuna turned towards them, thinking over what Lightning said needed to be done. "Okay." She was nervous, but she spread her magic over them despite her trepidation, concentrating on that intent to fix.. and cast.
Silent Dusk sat very still incase such was needed for magic.
Gleaming Echo made a bit of a face. "Allow Lady Yunalesca to try. You did say that there were no side effects. The spell will either work or it will not." he'd say with an eyebrow raised and an imperious tone of voice. Quite nice given the 'awesome sexy voice'. He was rather upset himself and thus he was feeling rather.... vengeful? He'd keep Distant here for them all to be changed back!
Yunalesca tried not to let the others talking distract her from her focus. It was just the voices of Tarnished and Lightning, Dusk had thankfully remained silent. The alicorn merely grunted an agreement. She had looked the notes over repeatedly, trying to make sure she had read them right, that she understood them correctly. Yuna closed her eyes, holding her magic around the others, the spell in her mind, and went forward with it. She cast the spell to break the curse~. Now, what was left to see if it worked.
Silent Dusk feels the magic wash over her and the transformation being undone, a weight falling from her mind as she noticed her body's changes stress and worry washing off of the mare like water.
Distant Lightning glared at the mage pony. How rude! He also -- seemed mad... The pegasus sulked. When Miss Yuna cast the spell they too found themselves returning to normal. There was a sigh to escape their throat. A sense of familiarity was nice, but at the same time.... They smiled weakly, holding their monocle up with a shift back to his usual scowl. "Very well done Miss Yuna." Brilliant... really....
Gleaming Echo let out a hiss of pain as the spell washed over him. It was just a shade different for the dark pony after all. Thankfully Gleam was once again standing in his own body! "Well done Lady Yuna." The light half was happy to be in charge again! He stepped over to nuzzle the alicorn. Distant found himself still stuck though the aura had changed from blue-black to gold. "Now then.. I believe you have somepony to make up with, Distant...and I think I need a nap." the light half had pangs of... 'pain'? Something of that nature lancing through his body, thus he figured he'd go sleep it off?
Yunalesca peeked out of one eye after the magic had been released and opened her other eye upon seeing the changes in her friends. It.. It worked! It took her a moment to look them over, seeing her friends as themselves again, though there wasn't too much of a change.. except for Gleam. She was glad to see his face, or his coloration since Tarnished looked so similar, again. Their praise brought a smile to her face and she happily nuzzled back up against him. "A nap, already? You'd only just woken up!" Yuna wanted to spend time with him now that he was back, but.. "I-If you need to."
Silent Dusk made her way to Lightning and gazed up at him. "We will talk about this hiding things that are crucial from me, I never lied or hid things from you and I don't like you doing it to me."
Distant Lightning swallowed nervously when Gleam said he had to talk to somepony. He could guess who he meant.... He glanced to Yuna, but she was more focused on Gleamished. Oh... He felt Dusk moving and lowered his head submissively, tail drooping between his legs. His ears folded back as he glanced up at Dusk. He licked at his lips and seated himself, the smaller Mare having his full attention. "Yes, i understand."
Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a chuckle and released the spell. That action caused him to wobble as another pang shot through him. But it was somewhat weaker than the first. "I-If you wish you may come with me." he'd suggest with a bit of a smile only to offer a sheepish grin. "The spell affected us a bit different than the lot of you...It hurts a little." he finally admitted as he turned and started to make his way towards the door. Dusky and Dissy needed some time to talk.
Yunalesca bunched her wings up a little against her sides, briefly glancing over towards their other two companions. There was a part of her that felt a bit sorry for Lightning, the way he had cringed away earlier upon being struck, but she knew so little about him. Too little to figure out why he had done what he did. Her gaze switched back to Gleam when she heard that word, 'hurt.' She cringed, but it not being her fault made her feel better in that regard. "Yeah, okay. I haven't gotten to talk to you since.." Yuna left that open, obvious as it was, and made to follow after the unicorn to leave the others to their privacy.
Silent Dusk nodded and stood up flicking her tail at the pegasus. "We'll talk tomorrow love, I'm cross with you right now and I'll be sleeping in my own room tonight."
Distant Lightning looked up, parting his jaw to say something, but closed it, knowing better. He had sort of grown used to her staying with him that, the thought of her not there bothered him, even if he did complain that she no longer slept in her quarters. He nodded and pushed to stand, the droopy feather duster turning to retreat to his room. He wouldn't be able to sleep after all this anyway. He would -- distract himself a bit.
Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a chuckle. "For quite a while." he'd say as he nudged the alicorn. Thus he began to lead on; up and up the stairs to his bedroom where he wandered in and flopped over with a groan. His body ached something terrible! It was a good thing that they all still had individual rooms was it not?
Yunalesca followed along after Gleam to his room, smiling faintly after his nudge. She liked even his casual touches.. Along the way she hoped that Dusk and Lightning were settling things nicely. If Dusk did anything like she did earlier, nopony would be there to stop her. She was sure that wouldn't happen though.. The alicorn joined Gleam in his room and sat down beside where he had lain down, her ears folding back from the groan. "Why does it hurt? Is there.. anything I can do to help you at all?"
Gleaming Echo looked up at the alicorn and chuckled some. "Tarnished and I are a little different.. I can't really explain this though." he grumped and cuddled up against Yuna. "...I missed you Lady Yuna." The cultist was quite happy that he was back out and able to spend time with the alicorn again. He'd always been hesitant to take Tarnished's time away; but it also gave him quite the understanding of the dark half as well.
Yunalesca sank down beside him, seeking closeness the moment he closed the gap between them. "You can give it a try to explain it, I'm a little curious." She wouldn't push the issue if he couldn't. "I missed you too." One of her wings were extended over his back and she draped it there, like a soft blanket. Her eyes were focused on his face, taking it in; there were such minute differences between the two halves, it was interesting to her to study it.
Gleaming Echo looked to be gathering his thoughts. "Tarnished and I are two separate ponies... At least I guess we are - And we also have the connection to the raiment. Don't ask me why but I feel like I'm experiencing the aftermath of critical magic withdrawal." The cultist wrapped his forelegs as much as he could around the now laying alicorn and cuddled up against her side under her wing. So soft and beautiful those wings were!
Yunalesca listened, nodding. "At this point, you might as well be two separate ponies. There's no going back." She just needed to find a way to give them their own bodies! As much as she wanted to ask that why, she couldn't, but she found it odd. "I hope that doesn't mean anything bad for you.. You do still have it on, don't you?" Yuna asked, reaching her own forelegs forward to tuck over his near his shoulders. It was a stupid question to ask, she knew, but she wanted to make sure regardless. She.. worried. Yuna nosed his cheek affectionately.
Gleaming Echo let out a quiet sigh and nodded. "I think we are fine. The worst of the pain passed and I believe it is slowly fading." he smiled and nuzzled Yuna's cheek in return. "I wanted to come lay down so that way I can wait it out." he rumbled gently.... "If only for our dear Tarnished's reputation." he playfully grinned.
Yunalesca hummed, thoughtful, leaning into the nuzzle to her cheek. "I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, but what about Tarnished? Couldn't handle it?" The alicorn teased lightly, knowing that the dark half was probably listening in, as usual. She wasn't looking to get a rise out of him, not really, but it amused her. "It's good to have you back, too.. I didn't really think the spell for this whole mess would be so simple. You would think an old cursed armoire would be.. I don't know, advanced." Yuna shrugged and leaned her head into his neck where she could feel his pale coat. She'd rather forget about the whole situation, amongst other things.
Yunalesca struggled with the books she had, all of them mostly useless for what they were looking for. She was just going to put them all together in stacks to take back to the castle, other than the book on breaking curses. It would come in handy, she felt. The rest of it could go, and she would be glad to have them out of her mane, though she learned a few things. Eh. Yuna wandered out into the hall, sitting just inside the doorway to her room, to see if any of her friends were around. Maybe they were having more luck..
Silent Dusk lay on a bench in the inn's main room and stared in front of her, another day not being herself, it taxed her mind even though she wouldn't readily admit such, sure some new experiences had been alright despite the awkwardness but even fresh grass had not taken her mind off of things.
Distant Lightning was more than ready to just ignore it really, let life go on. Peering out of their room's door where they retreated, the pegasus would fold their ears back as they spotted Yuna making her way into the hall. "M..miss Yuna?" They tucked behind the door. They had not seen Dusk and it was unsettling. They were acting strange and though they pegasus tried to keep them in bed .. off they went, though they were nose deep in the spine of a book as they were oft.
Yunalesca didn't see anypony at first, until Lightning popped out of their room. "Hey, Distant." She greeted upon hearing her name, eyeing them. Where was Dusk, then? Usually the thestral was not far from the pegasus. "How is the research going on your end? I haven't found much, really." Her ears flicked back briefly as she moved out into the hall and towards the arabian. "Or, well, how are things going with you in general?" Yuna talked with Dusk briefly some days before, but not since. Where was she?
Silent Dusk hung limply on the bench and now stared at the floor where a small spider scuttled along, the little arachnid paid her no heed however and she gave a soft huff. that spider looked so carefree it almost made her envious momentarily lifting a hoof thinking about squishing it.
Distant Lightning scuffed their hoof against the ground, eyes refusing to meet the mare's. "I have---been." Well? Yes they have been ecstatic about this change, but as it were the others were not generally as pleased as the pegasus, where the mage seemed just -- odd. Dusk was quite disinterested in retaining the form and the other's desires (whatever the mage even desired) overrode their own. "C-could you gather the others? I have something I wish to discuss with them. Perhaps meet down in the dining hall, a more private section, so that i may speak to them?" The scholar had to gather their courage to admit to withholding knowledge! Dishonor!
Yunalesca waited for Lightning to finish his sentence, but he never did. "Oh, well. Yeah I can do that. It sounds like you found something." She observed, but she didn't pursue it. It was something Lightning possibly wished to say only once, or.. talk about only once anyway. The alicorn turned away without another word and went trotting down the hall, knocking on Gleam's door in passing to see if Tarnished was awake. If he didn't answer, she would pass on to find Dusk, wherever the thestral might be- give Tarnished time to wake.
Silent Dusk had decided not to murder a poor arachnid in cold blood and instead lay on her back, kicking her hooves in the air lazily as she stared at the ceiling, letting thoughts mull in her mind while waiting for the others to waken.
Yunalesca moved off to go after Dusk next, having a guess that she wasn't in the bedroom that she never used. She would have to look elsewhere in the inn. Upon trying the lobby first, she found the very thestral lazing about on the bench! Why was she out here? Yuna wandered over to her and put a tentative hoof on her shoulder to get her attention, if she didn't already see her approach. "Hey, Dusk. Come with me. I think Distant wants to talk to us all in the dining room about something."
Silent Dusk nodded at Yuna and rolled over getting on her hooves, then would follow the alicorn to the dinner room, curious what Lightning had found."
Gleaming Echo drug himself out of bed in a somewhat amusing manner. The dark unicorn pulled himself to the point that he flopped onto the floor with a noisy 'thud'. That woke him up right and proper! The dark pony just made it a ways though before he started to doze. 'Taaarnished! Wake up!' rang out in his mind as the dark unicorn mumbled something almost intelligible. However it managed to get him up at least. The pony never even thought to put anything on - robe nor hat. The door opened and he looked out. "Nnnopony - See Gleam... I'm ~ tired!" However a little spurring from the light half and the dark pony continued on.. Toppling right down the stairs to land with a thud upon the landing below. Likely causing a few scared ponies. Mixing between screaming and cursing?
Yunalesca thought that Dusk was more quiet than usual, but that was fine. She turned away to walk off, perhaps to try Gleam's room again when a certain large somepony came crashing down the stairs. The alicorn came to a halt, cringing, before she trotted over to the very uncovered nightmare. "Tarnished.. ? Are you okay?" Yuna reached out to brush a hoof over his shoulder, ignoring the sounds of any nearby frightened ponies. If she had to.. she could probably dump her shawl over him. Yuna considered it. "Since you're up, come to the dining room with us, Distant has something to tell us."
Distant Lightning was setting up in the dining room sort of trying, kinda trying to -- deal with everything. How were they going to tell the others they were withholding information? It was just not something you got over -- his reputation would be ruined and there was no way he could face a room of his peers ever again! Such temptations these foreign lands had! His grandfather had warned him that the land beyond the cliffs were full of evil and temptations that would lead one astray from their pride. Dishonor! They slumped against the table, the pile of books messily tagged by parchment filled with notes along certain pages.
Yunalesca couldn't be sure if.. No, he was fine, surely. He was a big pony. Her message had been delivered, either way, if the sleepy Tarnished heard it. The alicorn strode on, partially leading the way towards the dining room with Dusk. There she found Lightning slumped over their chosen table. Oh. Yuna wandered over to find a seat amongst the gathered books, getting comfortable. "So, ah.. Now that we're pretty much all here, what is it you want to tell us?"
Silent Dusk sat down and looked at Lightning with a warm smile wondering what the pegasus had to tell them, maybe he had found something?
Distant Lightning sat up, quite quickly. "ah, t..thank you all for coming." The pegasus looked down and folded their ears back. "I -- want to first apologize.I deeply regret my actions, but I held hesitation in sharing the information with you straight away." But Dusk's continued degraded behavior and just the worrying oddities that escaped the mage (the mad-half's kindness was starting to rub them wrong) and the fear that Miss Yuna may indeed hold to her word to strike them.... "Y...I have. I know of a way to reverse the effects of this state that we all hold." Though -- they would do their best not to participate in it.
Yunalesca drew her wings closer around her, hooves crossed on whatever bare inch of table she could find. The apology drew a look from her, briefly confusion to concerned realization. As she was not one of the affected ones, she could feel no anger or upset with it. It didn't bother her, but had still.. Her wings shuffled and the corners of her mouth drew down. ""I'm sorry I couldn't have been of much help in the research department, but what is it that you found?"
Silent Dusk just looked at Lightning with an unreadable expression on her muzzle.
Distant Lightning looked down, brushing their hooves against the table. "I...knew about it for a time, but -- I withheld the information, selfishly." They swallowed and looked up with blinking eyes of stormy blue. "I... do not have an excuse. It was wrong of me not to present what I had at the time, b-but at least I found a bit more detail?" As if that could excuse the pegasus' act of mini betrayal. Betrayal was betrayal, one supposed.
Yunalesca wasn't sure what to say, really. Part of her wanted to admonish him for withholding it, but she was not upset as Dusk seemed to be- too quiet, that thestral. She had been far too quiet since the whole cursed armoire business. Even though Lightning was aware that it was wrong.. he had done it anyway. She was the only one who could do any sort of talking. "As useful as that is, I guess, you really shouldn't hide anything from us or any of your friends. It's not very nice and, you're correct on that. It was wrong of you." Yuna sought for some way to voice it and gave up. "I'm not you're mother so it's not like we can do anything, one way or another about it, but tell you that friends are supposed to be there for one another.. Why don't you tell us what you found out? We can fix this."
Silent Dusk shot out at him with a flap of her wings and smashed a hoof into the pegasus bristling as she tried to grapple him while letting out an ear splitting screech. "So you knew!? you could change me back! you knew you knew you knew!" glaring at him she bared her teeth and reared back.
Distant Lightning sulked at Yuna's accusation. No, thankfully she was not his mother. "friends?" Well-- the pegasus had not considered that when they withheld it. Being a literary researcher -- witholding information did more to discredit them as a scholar than be considered for hurting somepony else's feelings... There was a sudden burst beside them, papers flying about. They had been just seconds away from explaining to Yuna only to find themselves grabbed by a very enraged bat. The pegasus, though much larger, more than instinctively pulled into a curl to protect their vulnerable underbelly and pulled their hooves over their head and face, as if used to such responses from other ponies. "I-I... I'm sorry Dusk, please don't hurt me!" The reaction was far less comical than it could have been. The bird was ruffled and their body was trembling a bit. "Please f-forgive me." They were just glad they were secluded, their blood would likely offend passing patrons.
Yunalesca opened her mouth to confirm that, yes, friends. She considered him that much, if not just a companion. They, all four (or five, if one counted the split unicorn as two ponies.. which he was in a way) had spent much of their time around each other, and had been through some dangers. It would be impossible for them not to be friends. But not a word made it past Yuna's mouth when Dusk sprang into action beside her, angry. She didn't expect Dusk to react this way. Tarnished probably would have, but she had little idea how either unicorn felt. She could only focus on the thestral, making to pull her off of Lightning with magic; such she'd never used on a pony, only on lifting objects like books, but it was of the same effect, right? "Dusk, please!"
Silent Dusk was pulled off with Yuna's magic after a few spits and hisses, moving in the telekinesis though she didn't get closer. "He knew how this affected me and he didn't cure me!" she noticed how the pegasus curled up to defend himself though and frowned knowing only a few reasons why he would do that, so had to visit Saddle Arabia shortly.
Distant Lightning trembled, and even as they uncurled, with Dusk safely out of range... they would scuttle back, wings held out defensively as they pressed their back against the nearest wall. "I'm sorry... I was selfish...." It -- had been the first time the pegasus was legitimately selfish towards such a desire. How much they did not want to go back -- to the point where they would turn on everypony and -- even Dusk. They sulked and tried to compact themselves as much as possible. "I...left the notes there, the t-t...top book." It was a simple Remove Curse spell, were Yuna to look upon it. As ironic as it all seemed -- to remove such a basic transmutation one required an even more basic spell.
Yunalesca. It took most of the alicorn's concentration to hold Dusk there in the small prison of her violet aura. "He's telling us now, isn't he? That's all that matters. He could have withheld it indefinitely; or worse, had somepony undo it on just himself. Think." Of course Yuna could keep a steady hold on her emotions when she was unaffected, the only one cautious enough to stay away from mysterious objects in caves. Lightning was apologizing. Yuna settled back into her seat, wincing, and looked over at the indicated notes. She couldn't.. "If I set you down, Dusk, do you promise to keep calm? I can't look at anything and hold you too." She could if she tried. Yuna reached over for the top book, drawing it towards her.
Silent Dusk drew a sharp breath but nodded stopping her struggle, she knew something that made him almost as much if not worse uncomfortable than she had been, oh just wait for when she took him with her to Hollow Shades and meet her parents. "So lucky that I love you all.."
Distant Lightning wasn't okay. They had found out. Their credibility was in the pooper, so there was no way that, if he did return home: the pegasus could escape the slander that would sure to come after. The scholar was a pathetic patch of feathers sitting in their corner as the papers were gathered and the wild Dusk was released. "It was my fault." They said with a practiced flow. The pegasus looked quite dejected, but also had not stopped trembling. They turned their head away, ear turning toward the others. "J-just cast it in a wide, open space -- or something. Using healing class magic? Well I don't understand it b-but its there." They couldn't regain that steady voice of theirs, choking on their own tongue.
Yunalesca didn't open the book just yet, her dark eye on Dusk until she gave some sign that it was safe. She set the bat down before she released her hold, so she could turn her magic to the book. The notes within. Her heart was still fluttering a little. Dealing with angry ponies.. she didn't like dealing with them, more so stallions than mares, but Dusk's case was confusing her mind. Yuna shook it, concentrating on the notes, and.. oh. Was it that simple? Even she could cast it! Or.. could she? Gleam knew more. She didn't want to mess it up at all, but it also required Gleam even coming out.. "I understand it well enough, I think.."
Silent Dusk sat on the floor and looked down scowling remembering a few things that Lightning had told her about his home country. "You could still have changed me and Gleam back."
Distant Lightning sulked, unable to look at them. "Yes madam." They were shutting down. What could they say? They had no excuse. Dusk was right. Yuna was right. They did wrong and they had to accept it. Anything they may seek to do, they had no choice but to repent upon it. "I will not reject any punishment one may give me for so callously withholding important information."
Yunalesca glanced between the two, from the upset thestral to the sulking, distraught pegasus. She should probably get on the spell and let them talk things out later.. but she was also hesitating. So little confidence in her own ability, too scared of messing it up and making everything worse. Her eyes returned to the notes. "I couldn't punish anypony who knows they did wrong, but I know you're probably talking to Dusk.." Yuna sighed a little through her nose, her horn still alight. She would just turn everypony back, if she could manage.. If not, Gleam would have to help regardless.
Silent Dusk still kept silent and just looked at them deflated now, she was done, just done fighting.
Distant Lightning was in very bad standing right now. They tucked away, submissive towards their anger, and overall disappointment. "I-I'll go." Seeing as they were upset with the pegasus, but more over if they were going to use that spell they would rather not be around. Their legs were still a little shaky but they pushed to stand. "I am sorry." They offered again. "B-but I checked all of the sources. The magic, if it can be cast will work without fail with no negative effects." They turned their back to the others.
Gleaming Echo made a face and his horn lit up. "No you don't, idiot...." he'd say as magic would wrap around Distant's hooves to stick him in place! He wasn't going to run away! The dark pony looked to Yuna and offered her a small smile. "You can do it, dear goddess..." came the purr form the dark half. "Should you fail, Gleam will be here... But something tells me you might not." He had that smug 'I know something that you don't' type of grin.... Then again when did he not?
Yunalesca shuffled a little in her spot, glancing around at her companions, gaze settling on Lightning. "There's no need to leave over it." There was no need to speak when Tarnished was there to stop him from worming out of it, and.. he believed in her. Since he did, it- she could do it right? Yuna looked down at the notes, taking a breath. Visualize, and cast the spell.. that's all it required. Healing magic. It was simple. No more dallying. Yuna turned towards them, thinking over what Lightning said needed to be done. "Okay." She was nervous, but she spread her magic over them despite her trepidation, concentrating on that intent to fix.. and cast.
Silent Dusk sat very still incase such was needed for magic.
Gleaming Echo made a bit of a face. "Allow Lady Yunalesca to try. You did say that there were no side effects. The spell will either work or it will not." he'd say with an eyebrow raised and an imperious tone of voice. Quite nice given the 'awesome sexy voice'. He was rather upset himself and thus he was feeling rather.... vengeful? He'd keep Distant here for them all to be changed back!
Yunalesca tried not to let the others talking distract her from her focus. It was just the voices of Tarnished and Lightning, Dusk had thankfully remained silent. The alicorn merely grunted an agreement. She had looked the notes over repeatedly, trying to make sure she had read them right, that she understood them correctly. Yuna closed her eyes, holding her magic around the others, the spell in her mind, and went forward with it. She cast the spell to break the curse~. Now, what was left to see if it worked.
Silent Dusk feels the magic wash over her and the transformation being undone, a weight falling from her mind as she noticed her body's changes stress and worry washing off of the mare like water.
Distant Lightning glared at the mage pony. How rude! He also -- seemed mad... The pegasus sulked. When Miss Yuna cast the spell they too found themselves returning to normal. There was a sigh to escape their throat. A sense of familiarity was nice, but at the same time.... They smiled weakly, holding their monocle up with a shift back to his usual scowl. "Very well done Miss Yuna." Brilliant... really....
Gleaming Echo let out a hiss of pain as the spell washed over him. It was just a shade different for the dark pony after all. Thankfully Gleam was once again standing in his own body! "Well done Lady Yuna." The light half was happy to be in charge again! He stepped over to nuzzle the alicorn. Distant found himself still stuck though the aura had changed from blue-black to gold. "Now then.. I believe you have somepony to make up with, Distant...and I think I need a nap." the light half had pangs of... 'pain'? Something of that nature lancing through his body, thus he figured he'd go sleep it off?
Yunalesca peeked out of one eye after the magic had been released and opened her other eye upon seeing the changes in her friends. It.. It worked! It took her a moment to look them over, seeing her friends as themselves again, though there wasn't too much of a change.. except for Gleam. She was glad to see his face, or his coloration since Tarnished looked so similar, again. Their praise brought a smile to her face and she happily nuzzled back up against him. "A nap, already? You'd only just woken up!" Yuna wanted to spend time with him now that he was back, but.. "I-If you need to."
Silent Dusk made her way to Lightning and gazed up at him. "We will talk about this hiding things that are crucial from me, I never lied or hid things from you and I don't like you doing it to me."
Distant Lightning swallowed nervously when Gleam said he had to talk to somepony. He could guess who he meant.... He glanced to Yuna, but she was more focused on Gleamished. Oh... He felt Dusk moving and lowered his head submissively, tail drooping between his legs. His ears folded back as he glanced up at Dusk. He licked at his lips and seated himself, the smaller Mare having his full attention. "Yes, i understand."
Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a chuckle and released the spell. That action caused him to wobble as another pang shot through him. But it was somewhat weaker than the first. "I-If you wish you may come with me." he'd suggest with a bit of a smile only to offer a sheepish grin. "The spell affected us a bit different than the lot of you...It hurts a little." he finally admitted as he turned and started to make his way towards the door. Dusky and Dissy needed some time to talk.
Yunalesca bunched her wings up a little against her sides, briefly glancing over towards their other two companions. There was a part of her that felt a bit sorry for Lightning, the way he had cringed away earlier upon being struck, but she knew so little about him. Too little to figure out why he had done what he did. Her gaze switched back to Gleam when she heard that word, 'hurt.' She cringed, but it not being her fault made her feel better in that regard. "Yeah, okay. I haven't gotten to talk to you since.." Yuna left that open, obvious as it was, and made to follow after the unicorn to leave the others to their privacy.
Silent Dusk nodded and stood up flicking her tail at the pegasus. "We'll talk tomorrow love, I'm cross with you right now and I'll be sleeping in my own room tonight."
Distant Lightning looked up, parting his jaw to say something, but closed it, knowing better. He had sort of grown used to her staying with him that, the thought of her not there bothered him, even if he did complain that she no longer slept in her quarters. He nodded and pushed to stand, the droopy feather duster turning to retreat to his room. He wouldn't be able to sleep after all this anyway. He would -- distract himself a bit.
Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a chuckle. "For quite a while." he'd say as he nudged the alicorn. Thus he began to lead on; up and up the stairs to his bedroom where he wandered in and flopped over with a groan. His body ached something terrible! It was a good thing that they all still had individual rooms was it not?
Yunalesca followed along after Gleam to his room, smiling faintly after his nudge. She liked even his casual touches.. Along the way she hoped that Dusk and Lightning were settling things nicely. If Dusk did anything like she did earlier, nopony would be there to stop her. She was sure that wouldn't happen though.. The alicorn joined Gleam in his room and sat down beside where he had lain down, her ears folding back from the groan. "Why does it hurt? Is there.. anything I can do to help you at all?"
Gleaming Echo looked up at the alicorn and chuckled some. "Tarnished and I are a little different.. I can't really explain this though." he grumped and cuddled up against Yuna. "...I missed you Lady Yuna." The cultist was quite happy that he was back out and able to spend time with the alicorn again. He'd always been hesitant to take Tarnished's time away; but it also gave him quite the understanding of the dark half as well.
Yunalesca sank down beside him, seeking closeness the moment he closed the gap between them. "You can give it a try to explain it, I'm a little curious." She wouldn't push the issue if he couldn't. "I missed you too." One of her wings were extended over his back and she draped it there, like a soft blanket. Her eyes were focused on his face, taking it in; there were such minute differences between the two halves, it was interesting to her to study it.
Gleaming Echo looked to be gathering his thoughts. "Tarnished and I are two separate ponies... At least I guess we are - And we also have the connection to the raiment. Don't ask me why but I feel like I'm experiencing the aftermath of critical magic withdrawal." The cultist wrapped his forelegs as much as he could around the now laying alicorn and cuddled up against her side under her wing. So soft and beautiful those wings were!
Yunalesca listened, nodding. "At this point, you might as well be two separate ponies. There's no going back." She just needed to find a way to give them their own bodies! As much as she wanted to ask that why, she couldn't, but she found it odd. "I hope that doesn't mean anything bad for you.. You do still have it on, don't you?" Yuna asked, reaching her own forelegs forward to tuck over his near his shoulders. It was a stupid question to ask, she knew, but she wanted to make sure regardless. She.. worried. Yuna nosed his cheek affectionately.
Gleaming Echo let out a quiet sigh and nodded. "I think we are fine. The worst of the pain passed and I believe it is slowly fading." he smiled and nuzzled Yuna's cheek in return. "I wanted to come lay down so that way I can wait it out." he rumbled gently.... "If only for our dear Tarnished's reputation." he playfully grinned.
Yunalesca hummed, thoughtful, leaning into the nuzzle to her cheek. "I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, but what about Tarnished? Couldn't handle it?" The alicorn teased lightly, knowing that the dark half was probably listening in, as usual. She wasn't looking to get a rise out of him, not really, but it amused her. "It's good to have you back, too.. I didn't really think the spell for this whole mess would be so simple. You would think an old cursed armoire would be.. I don't know, advanced." Yuna shrugged and leaned her head into his neck where she could feel his pale coat. She'd rather forget about the whole situation, amongst other things.
The End.