Post by Mal on Apr 8, 2016 21:34:12 GMT -5
Gleaming Echo assumes that this scene starts after everything has returned to normal. Gleam was out enjoying the sunlight much like Tarnished had that one time. However instead of hiding inside the robes in order to keep out of the light while staying warm Gleam was just plain sprawled out. The shield gift he'd received from distant was resting up against him while he lay. Upon the facing one could see numerous markings he'd had made. Just enough to get the shield combat ready. Never know when he might need it! Alas lazy cultist was lazy!
Distant Lightning surrounded himself with activity. After returning from Hollow Shades with Dusk he had becoming increasingly solitary. He tried to talk to the others when he saw them, but felt incredibly -- exhausted, from his failed attempt at confessing to Gleamished. His stomach was twisted in knots for days, hardly able to keep anything but tea down. The anxiety riddled horse was no true work horse, the delicate breed unable to keep his wits about him under duress. Books were piled on the floor of the inn room he occupied, so much so that entering it was a task in and of itself. Tea -- naught but tea was delivered to his room by room service with the occasional scone. He had finally left the room, if only to return the red book piles (a portion of them) to the library. He looked haggard, searching for something he could not find. He was leaving soon... nothing he could do to change back. Nothing. He didn't want to go back home. He ran into a wall, his fretting blurring his eyes -- no no -- those were tears of exhaustion, no sleep. Who needed sleep? Bah, humbug! He dropped his books which he had overstuffed his saddlebag with. He raised his forehoof to stomp down, but -- he just crumbled down in the hall. No more strength to even fight his distress. One by one a shakey wing and muzzle would attempt to settle to books back into his bag.
Yunalesca felt it was about time she tried returning to the fortune telling game. She shirked it mostly because of the cold winter, for the warmth of the inn and for her companions. The things they had been through and later, needed help getting past. It was such a lovely day for spring, not too warm, it gave her a chance to sit out under the sun. Something to do, too, that didn't involve her pestering the others until they got bored her presence. It wasn't too hard returning to something she used to do often, but neither did she make too much from some curious passersby with loose change. It didn't matter, it gave her something to do. By the time she grew bored, Yuna was on her way back to the inn, missing Lightning himself, though the brief, bright glint of metal caught her eye- where did Gleam get that? It didn't quite surprise her that he was doing something Tarnished did before.
Gleaming Echo was asleep... at least until a pang of magic rang through him! Oh! He shot up into a sitting position and started to look around. At least until he caught sight of the walking form of Yunalesca somewhat nearby. Did he teleport? Or did he move so fast it was akin to teleport? Who knows! "How did the fortune telling go?" he'd been eagerly awaiting her finishing with her business. Alas Tarnished recommended this spot to laze around. He could hardly help agreeing with the dark half. It WAS a nice place to lay in the sun. Thankfully the most delightful of distractions was once again back! Since they were outside, though, he was totally unaware of Distant's plight. However for some reason he DID feel the unexplained urge to hug himself a foreign pony. Why? He didn't rightly know. Neither did Tarnished. How strange!
Distant Lightning's feathers were ruffled, unnaturally so. He was a bit pale, though twas hard to tell given his dark fur. The male sauntered out of the inn but did not make it very far before staggering off the step and fumbling into some bushes. Sounds of distress/Sand speech rattled from his throat before the bird found himself an ice nest. He let out a deep sigh, feeling anger slowly overcome his disallusion. he had hoped -- hoped to just be forgotten when they reversed everything. He tried to take his mind off it, talking to the others, maybe expressing his interest towards them, to them -- but nothing was going right. He untangled himself from the bush, wings pulled back as he fluffed up. He stomped his hoof as his wings let out a flap, little black clouds forming above. It could be mistaken for spring, for these rainy seasons did help plants grow, but such a storm was unscheduled today in Ponyville! He punted the bush before sitting himself down. Maybe if he drowned in the rain he wouldn't have to go back home. As the water began to wash down in that particular spot he looked up, muzzle parting. He was just a mess right now.
Yunalesca had turned her eyes away from the unicorn for but a moment, her gaze wandering over the area and missing when he came to alert. When she looked back- she hadn't heard him approach, nor expected to find him up close so soon. The mare jumped back, her wings twitching up beneath her shawl as they did when she was startled. If it had been Tarnished's face she saw, her scare probably would have been a little worse. "O-Oh, uh. It went fine. I got a few interested ponies, but I think most of them are just busy getting fresh groceries from the market." Yuna shrugged it off and made to walk on, back towards the inn and a certain distressed arabian. "So where did the shield come from.. ?" She hadn't noticed it before.
Gleaming Echo quirked his head to the side and nodded. "Oh.. understandable I suppose." he'd say only to glance at the shield that was now harnessed to his back. "Oh.. I got this from Distant! He found it while he was out with Dusky in hollow shades." the cultist turned enough so the alicorn could see it. "It is a wonderful piece of forging! A few runes and it will work just as well as Gleaming Shield's own." he smiled softly. At least some part of the old whole would live on, right? He joined the alicorn on her way to the inn and would have been forced to come to a stop. "is that.. Distant?" There was a shape sitting under a lone cluster of clouds... Why was he doing that? Silly foreigner...
Distant Lightning had since slumped to the ground, grass smooshed around him, giving up on trying to drown himself. He was just so tired. He was clearly in distress with the way some of his feathers seemed to pool away beneath the heavy rains. His eyes shifted, brows raising slightly as he turned his head o fain, blurred movements. "Asadfg?" That was either Sand speech or the pegasus had lost his damn mind by now. He flopped his chin against the wet grass, looking akin to a chicken left in the rain!
Yunalesca slowed her pace a moment to study the shield tilted towards her. She knew little of weaponry and shields, but it looked quite nice. "Did he? That was rather kind of him." The more she came to learn about the pegasus, the better she felt about him. She did vaguely recall how she acted towards him in the past, but.. Her attention was nabbed by that name again and her thoughts shifted. In a small way, she missed him, his 'death' never having occurred to her until Gleam had explained it later. Sad, too. "I didn't realize he had one, since all I saw of him was his robes when he came to my cell." Pity Yuna didn't get much of a chance to learn more about him as he was. Her musings were brought to a halt when Gleam drew her attention to.. Distant? Unlike him, she was concerned. Yuna didn't understand what he had said upon her approach, and she was hesitant to get herself wet. "What are you doing out.. here? What's wrong?"
Gleaming Echo made a bit of a noise as she replied. "He did... it was in our room when we left. neither Tarnishd nor I know how to use a shield and... we didn't want to risk having to carry it around." he sighed as his ears laid back. However his attention was fully focused upon Distant. He could recognize that he seemed rather... out of it? "Oi.. you look like you need some lighten-ing up." (sad trombone for terribleness) He stepped right into the rain and gave the large pegasus a nudge. "What has you so 'bright' and 'cheerful'?" yes he was legitimately concerned as well! Of course the light side was a little on the more foalish side at times.
Distant Lightning could only surmise that Gleam -- was out in front by that horrendous -- ugh. He hardly had the strength to push himself up, but he managed. Looking towards the others he put on a brilliant smile. "Ah, no, no, I was a bit -- warm so I decided cooling down was prime. Prime." He turned his head away, trying to swallow his tongue. He was the most incapable liar. "How are you too? Coming about in this hot day?" It was hardly hot -- and he was from the desert so it was a fallible fib. "You look well! Have you two readjusted to...well returning to the normal runs of the day?"
Yunalesca had little idea about Gleaming Shield, but it.. probably didn't matter anymore. Still, she had regrets. Her gaze jerked up towards his successor at the lighthearted jokes. Did he just.. make a pun? It drew up a smile she tried to force back in Lightning's presence. The smile he had offered was not so convincing to her. He rarely ever smiled, so far as she ever noticed or had a chance to see. Mostly it was scowls. "It's not.. hot out, just a little warm." Yuna shook her head, she was the only one of the group who wouldn't have an answer. She tried to cut to the point. "Are you sure you're doing okay? You can talk to us, you know." She stepped under the rain, flinching a little at the feeling, just so she could put a hoof on Lightning's shoulder, if he allowed it.
Gleaming Echo wouldn't have been able to help but dead pan. "Hot? I would believe that if you didn't come from a desert, silly peacock." came the playful tease from the so-called light half of the pony. "I've heard the term 'drown your sorrows' but I don't believe that was intended to be taken quite so literally, Dissy." he'd say with a somewhat playful tone of voice only to come to flop himself down on the grass in front of the pegasus and met his gaze. "Now... try something more believable and if you fool me... good for you! If not.. well then tell us what is bothering you. Friend's, much less heroes, don't let friends drown themselves in sorrow!" he'd say with a narrowing of his gaze. "Don't make me bring Tarnished out." he'd threaten with an arched eyebrow and a cheerful smile plastered on his muzzle.
Distant Lightning flinched when Yuna moved to touch him, as if her hoof burned him. He flinched back, head lowering as he tried to brush off his responses just being aloof. "Hardly a w-worry." He cleared his throat. "I have just been researching." He was, so no lie there! He seated himself back down, body unable to really keep him up and moving anymore. When Gleamished settled right in front of him he spooked again, wings spreading like an intimidating chicken hawk. "I am not l-l..." Fibber. "A-are you t...threatening me sir!?" He tried to keep it together but the threat was sending him into a panic attack, well -- everything else was and it came toppling down. He was shaking and displayed complete submission as his ears folded back and head drooped down. He looked away from them, only thankful for the rain right now keeping his face indeterminably stoic and angry looking. "I am-- I did not want to change back." It was all the reason he would give for now, but there was much more to it.
Yunalesca stopped short, pulling her hoof back. It was as though she had struck him, rather than tried to comfort. Why was it? She was uncertain what to do if he wouldn't let her offer comfort. Her gaze switched up towards Gleam, unused to hearing him talk in such away. But it was Lightning they were dealing with. Stubborn arabian. "He.." Yuna started to say, to assure him, but it dragged something out of Lightning. "Why's that?" It was too bad they didn't have Dusk here with them, she could talk to him better than either of them. Maybe? Or she would have just been flirty. Yuna brushed some of her wet mane out of her face and sidled closer, leaning to try to see his face. "You know it's better to talk about how you're feeling instead of bottling it all in. We're.. here."
Gleaming Echo continued to watch with an expectant look as Distant began to speak and then asked if he was threatening him. All Gleam did was continue to stare... unsettlingly. Thus the arabian seemed to b starting to panic? Uh-oh... Then again he did admit to something! However it was at that Gleam gave the stallion a bit of an odd look. "That couldn't be it all... I mean... All you'd have to do is go get the wardrobe out of the lake, right? I mean.. just grab me ~ And I can levitate it out and then you jump in and boom - mare-again Dissy, right?.... Something that simple cannot be what is bothering you so completely." Thus he continued to stare expectantly.
Distant Lightning eep'd, or a sound similar when Yuna pressed on. "I cannot tell you." His voice was barely above a whisper. A hoof scuffed agaisnt the floor. He wished Dusk was here, maybe he could hide behind her, but than again given circumstances she may side with them. Such a thought fouled his mood further. "Y...yes of course. You think one could magic away any problem can't you?" He snapped harshly, but it wasn't anger -- anger from Distant was difficult to spot because he had never expressed it around them. "You...you are Equestrians. IN the end even were I to tell you there is nothing any could do. I just ... don't want to go back home, so soon." He added, but where was the lie?
Yunalesca kept quiet a moment, digging through her mind for something she could say. She let the stallions talk, feeling briefly frustrated with Lightning's close-mouthed ways. Her ears pinned back at the outburst and she was immediately tempted to retreat towards Gleam. Stubbornly, she fought it and stay put, struggling to find something she could say to convince him to talk. "Us Equestrians." Yuna repeated and opened her mouth to continue, but closed it. She didn't want to antagonize him when she was trying to help. "Why not just.. move here if you don't like it back home?"
Gleaming Echo stared at Distant with a rather odd expression as the pegasus seemed to get angry. "Well - if you have trouble with magic I'm sure we can always just grab a really long rope. Then you could probably fish it out of the lake." he'd say with a bit of a flat look only to get to what almost appeared to be the partial crux of the problem. "You don't want to go home? It is because you don't want to leave Dusky, no?" he furrowed his brow and then gained a rather manic grin that probably had a bit of Tarnished influence. "I'm sure we could come up with something. I mean.. we could always just 'foalnap' and spirit you away...No magic required! I'm sure Dusky would be happy to help!" he'd say with a serious tone of voice. "You can't attend the flight back if you are all tied up! Could claim that you were stood up by bandits or something. Tied you up - stole your bits... everything!"
Distant Lightning flinched when Yuna repeated what he said. He had not meant that he was-- distressed. "I love my home, I do..." But there were many things in his home he did not love. Nationalist. He glanced up at Gleam when he mentioned Dusk. "Y-yes." Leaving her was a partial problem, but he would shake his head at the mage as madness reared its ugly head. "That could start a war seeing as I am here on permission from my Academy under ..." He squinted. "You do know I am an ambassador right?" Having to come to Equestria in visa and permission from his school on grant for an anthropological study -- he needed permission from the Princesses in question. He was an ambassador, technically. While here he was treated as a delegate of international knowledge. Teacher abroad. He rubbed his hoof in his face feeling his anxiety just seep out at Gleam's -- stupidity. Ah. "Miss Yuna please explain to him that you cannot do that to international guests..." He wouldn't be able to really word it to where Gleam would relinquish the idea.
Yunalesca looked over at Gleam, taken aback by his.. suggestion? He could be strange sometimes, when he was manic like this, but she couldn't do as Lightning bid. It would feel almost patronizing to do so when she was sure he understood, maybe. She had little idea of why Lightning was over here, herself, when he never told them as much. "Uhm. Well, you hadn't really told us before, but.. certainly there's something we can help you figure out if you don't really want to go back." Yuna guessed they couldn't really pry if Lightning wouldn't talk about it, but it was frustrating to want to help and not know the story to do so. "If there's anything we can do.."
Gleaming Echo flicked an ear. "Oooh... That's right." he'd say only for his brow to furrow. "Then you need to be kidnapped after you get back to your homeland! Aha! What if you had a recall rune? Like... We create an anchor point... and then when you get off of the vessel...thing... we use the recall spell! You 'disappear', everypony is happy, and Equestria isn't blamed right?... If we need to we could even fake your assassination too! Then you'd be free of all obligations and can stay with us!" of course the ideas were getting a little more wild as he went; but the cultist didn't want Dissy to go either!
Distant Lightning felt the mage was a little too keen on foalnapping him. Lightning stared at him. "Please don't come to my country." He sighed and looked to Yuna, ears folding back. He was quite frustrated himself, Miss Yuna was not alone. He furrowed his brows and looked to Yuna. "Please keep Miss Dusk here." He had not called her that -- well such formality towards Dusk had been gone from his lips for some time. He was formal with Yuna due to his slight fear of her and worry his presence brought her considerable displeasure, despite her relative patience with him. Gleamished was all sorts of potato and the pegasus had yet to properly call his name, aloud. He wrote it on paper well enough! He didn't feel right -- talking to them about it when he had naught but positive things to say of his home. "Saddle Arabia is very dangerous. The thought of any of you Equestrians there --" he had to think of some way to dissuade them.. "We hate Equestrians." He flatly stated. "Our countries were at war in the past. Hatred is still strong." While true, it was not what he, specifically was worried about. they could take care of themselves, but ...
Yunalesca felt she had to do, or say something to try to draw Gleam's mind off of the 'pretend kill or foalnap' plans. "Gleam.. No, it would just create a lot of problems either way. We can't do that." She rose to her hooves to move towards him, feeling damp and uncomfortable, and settled herself somewhat in front of him. The alicorn had her own suggestions, but they stemmed off of her own experiences- running away. That had been her solution, but her situation wasn't quite as complicated as Lightning's. "That's terrible.. I'm not sure if we could really stop Dusk. We can certainly try, but surely you can find a chance to visit again?"
Gleaming Echo made a bit of a face as Distant asked them not to go to his home country because it was... dangerous? "I'm sure we could take care of ourself Distant." he'd say with a rather level tone. "If anything I could just have Tarnished hit them with a blast if they attack us." he smirked and crossed his forelegs. "I don't wanna have our little band split up!" He was like a petulant foal the way his ears laid back and he even pouted. "If it will make you feel better.. I'm sure I could stop Dusky. She'd probably hate me for the rest of my life but I probably could."
Distant Lightning kept his ears folded, unbothered by the rain that continued to wash down due to his stormcloud. "Can we stop suggesting things that may cause war? I know you may not clearly understand but attacking citizens, of a country that hates your citizens...." He sighed, rubbing his hoof to his head. "Nevermind, Look it is better she does not go. Her spirited nature may be too much for my people to handle." He could barely handle it most times. "It is best we part now lest I grow more attached to this peculiar -- group." He abandoned the term herd, feeling it would only make leaving more difficult.
Yunalesca leaned her head towards Gleam and gave him a strong nudge; she was in agreement on that point. "No hurting ponies, and no pretending to hurt ponies." She clarified. "We'll live, I'm sure. Just.. I guess if you need any help getting home, we'll be here. I'd even be happy to lend you some bits." The rain was a little bothersome, prompting her to look up at the cloud. It never occurred to her, with the addition of wings, that she could do a thing about it. Yuna grunted. "We'll keep Dusk safe enough if we can. Try not to stay away too long when you go." She didn't really want him to leave either, but.. they had no choice.
Gleaming Echo continued to sit there with his forelegs crossed as his ears laid back. At least until the strong nudge caused him to lose his balance and topple over. "Yeah! Don't stay there too long...." The light half of the pony didn't quite know what all he could say since... well; while he was a healer and a fighter he was no diplomat by any means. "I.. uh... Yeah ~ If there is anything I could do to help let me know to..." he was more awkward than anything. In the back of his mind the dark half was grumbling irate. Distant was one of HIS friends! Greedy nightmare? But there wasn't much the split pony could do. He didn't know how to handle this! "If I hadn't told the Night Princess about the cult I'd say we could frame them." he grumped.
Distant Lightning peered up, his wet bangs making it difficult to see clearly. Rearing up the male stomped his hooves against he grass, wings snapping out and flapping back to refold. The action dissipated some of the cloud, his specialty being the control of storm clouds from a more considerable distance than most. Flexing his shoulders he frowned a bit. "I don't...." He did not htink he could come back even if he wanted. not after.... "I shall write you. I will be packing today and heading out on the first train to Canterlot." He explained. "I... am thankful you allowed me to stick with you all this time." He bowed his head and sulked off. He would gather a few things before leaving. A train to Canterlot, than a balloon back home. He wouldn't be able to fly all the way, not in this state. He would turn to leave to the library to return his borrowed books.
Yunalesca's head twitched back towards the unicorn when he just.. went over. Oh, whoops. She.. didn't mean to knock him over. Just discourage him. "It won't help." She sighed, offering a hoof to help him back up off the wet ground.. although even Gleam was a bit bigger than her, she'd more likely end up going down instead. Yuna looked back towards Lightning, drawn by the flaps of his wing and.. did the cloud shrink? She swept some of her own wet mane out of the way of her face. "Do you.. need any help? O-Or, want us to go with you as far as there?" She asked of his retreating back, frowning. Getting letters from him would be nice..
Gleaming Echo was sorely tempted to pull Yuna down on top of him because he felt in the mood of some cuddle reassurment. However he simply took the hoof and stood, sidling up against the disguised alicorn as his ears laid back. He all but perked up when Yuna suggested that they accompany him to Canterlot. "Yea! We could go with you." he liked that idea! Hopefully they wouldn't do as bad as... well.. outright exposing himself! He needed to search for information and see if the Night Princess had done anything about his former comrades to... There was the issue about... how would they receive letters when traveling? And when nopony knows who they really are? How would the post find them? He all but deflated at that thought but said nothing though he was drawing circles in the mud with his hoof. How did friends stay friends if they couldn't keep in touch?! noooooooo!
Distant Lightning would hope the mage would not see his words to be a false hope seeded. He paused and glanced back at Yuna. "AH... no. You should not be seen by the princess. I do not want you foalnapped." he glanced at Gleamished. "it would be terrible. "Please do not fret Miss Yuna, you will have nothing to worry about." He had hesitated. He wanted to tell her they would keep in touch, but he would not. He knew it would be back to the grind! Hiding in a library all his own, working, trying to make something of himself, but he was the butt of everypony else's joke. Working hard, having his research taken, pulled from him -- he could never leave his station and after his lie he'd never be trusted either...
Yunalesca braced her free forehoof against the ground when she felt the tug of Gleam's weight when he got back up. She closed the distance between them, leaning a shoulder close. "The princesses aren't foalnappers. They're usually too busy up in their palace to take any notice.. You make it sound like they'd swoop upon me the moment I step off the train!" Yuna frowned. What did a foreigner know about their own leaders? "Really. We'd be able to be around just a little longer until we say goodbye." The idea saddened her, but she was stubborn. She also couldn't do a thing about the situation, and she knew so little of it. Gleam's poking about in the mud was understood in that.
Gleaming Echo looked up at Distant and then made a bit of a face. "I would never let them take her." there was a manic gleam to the light half's eye that was distinctly tarnished in origin. The unicorn took a moment to push back the emotions spilling over from his dark half and then he nudged against Yuna as his eyes stayed on the stallion. "We will go with you to Canterlot. If something happens I'll just cause a distraction. The Night Princess already knows of my presence so perhaps she'd be able to help should the worst happen." the unicorn could be stubborn to! Yes... He wasn't going to let his friend leave alone; he wasn't going to cower in the inn room!
Distant Lightning had good reason to worry, or maybe just a cultural one. His ears folded back at Yuna's resistance toward the idea. Was starting to understand that Gleamished was a pain in the flank. His ears flattened as his braided tail swept to the side. "Yes...well. I cannot ask you to accompany me." He would resist. "We simply cannot -- be friends." He looked away. "My position does not allow for the time required to harvest such social concepts." Anything to make them go away. It was becoming harder to just go. He stomped his hoof and turned to leave. He'd be back to pack his things, but to them he could no longer talk to.... he wanted to cry, honestly. But big stallions didn't cry...
Yunalesca heard that tone in Gleam's voice and still she found herself thankful of his determination. He made her feel safe. There were more pressing matters at hoof, and it wasn't herself she was worried about in this situation. She bumped her shoulder lightly up against his for his nudge with care, but didn't tear her eyes from Lightning's retreat. Can't be friends? Yuna's ears lowered. "We'll.. always be friends." The mutter carried her stubbornness in it, but she felt there was nothing more she could do. It hurt a little, knowing one such friend was leaving. "We're coming regardless." She spoke a little louder, but let him go, even though she wanted to give the scholar a hug; just delaying the inevitable.
Gleaming Echo stared at Distant and seemed to almost choke upon the phrase that they simply cannot be friends. Uh... wha? That took Tarnished aback as well? "We cannot? Because of your government?" he'd ask with a rather quiet undertone. Yuna could perhaps feel a bit of a shake to him. But then it all stopped and he'd seem to have resigned himself to something. "Perhaps a change in plans might be in order?" the cultist was rather insane.... But who wouldn't be considering? "I wonder if taking down the saddle arabian government might help... What do you think Yuna?" he was talking to himself (Tarnished) more than anything. The dark pony was all for bringing it down!
Distant Lightning would just busy himself. He made quick drop off of the books at the library before heading to his room to pack up. He wanted to do it before Dusk was up or anywhere about. Sneaky sneaky. He felt it was easier this way. Easier to just wash his hooves of it all. He wasn't a good friend anyway. He had hid the information for the change from them. He had also angered Dusk and possibly Yuna. He was a disgrace and would probably be stripped of his position upon his return.
Yunalesca watched Lightning go into the inn, struggling with herself, and was drawn from her own thoughts when she felt Gleam shaking beside her. It was brief enough that she thought she might have just imagined it. "What?" The alicorn had no idea what Gleam was on about, or what he intended to do. "N-No. Didn't you hear Lightning? It would just cause problems for Equestria if we tried anything, or attacked them.. I mean, I'm sure we can do something for Lightning, but not like that." Yuna leaned her head up to nose at his cheek, brushing over it. He was probably as upset, or more. She was at a loss of what to say or do to help, short of cuddling.
Gleaming Echo narrowed his gaze. "Perhaps.. perhaps not. The problem is the government right? Without it.... Everything would be fine! Right?" he'd ask with a rather odd glint in his eye. Lightning didn't want to be their friend because it was dangerous! "Maybe if I let Tarnished have some fun then... we can have our friend back?" He sagged against the disguised alicorn and gave her a nuzzle. "I don't know how to handle this!"
Distant Lightning surrounded himself with activity. After returning from Hollow Shades with Dusk he had becoming increasingly solitary. He tried to talk to the others when he saw them, but felt incredibly -- exhausted, from his failed attempt at confessing to Gleamished. His stomach was twisted in knots for days, hardly able to keep anything but tea down. The anxiety riddled horse was no true work horse, the delicate breed unable to keep his wits about him under duress. Books were piled on the floor of the inn room he occupied, so much so that entering it was a task in and of itself. Tea -- naught but tea was delivered to his room by room service with the occasional scone. He had finally left the room, if only to return the red book piles (a portion of them) to the library. He looked haggard, searching for something he could not find. He was leaving soon... nothing he could do to change back. Nothing. He didn't want to go back home. He ran into a wall, his fretting blurring his eyes -- no no -- those were tears of exhaustion, no sleep. Who needed sleep? Bah, humbug! He dropped his books which he had overstuffed his saddlebag with. He raised his forehoof to stomp down, but -- he just crumbled down in the hall. No more strength to even fight his distress. One by one a shakey wing and muzzle would attempt to settle to books back into his bag.
Yunalesca felt it was about time she tried returning to the fortune telling game. She shirked it mostly because of the cold winter, for the warmth of the inn and for her companions. The things they had been through and later, needed help getting past. It was such a lovely day for spring, not too warm, it gave her a chance to sit out under the sun. Something to do, too, that didn't involve her pestering the others until they got bored her presence. It wasn't too hard returning to something she used to do often, but neither did she make too much from some curious passersby with loose change. It didn't matter, it gave her something to do. By the time she grew bored, Yuna was on her way back to the inn, missing Lightning himself, though the brief, bright glint of metal caught her eye- where did Gleam get that? It didn't quite surprise her that he was doing something Tarnished did before.
Gleaming Echo was asleep... at least until a pang of magic rang through him! Oh! He shot up into a sitting position and started to look around. At least until he caught sight of the walking form of Yunalesca somewhat nearby. Did he teleport? Or did he move so fast it was akin to teleport? Who knows! "How did the fortune telling go?" he'd been eagerly awaiting her finishing with her business. Alas Tarnished recommended this spot to laze around. He could hardly help agreeing with the dark half. It WAS a nice place to lay in the sun. Thankfully the most delightful of distractions was once again back! Since they were outside, though, he was totally unaware of Distant's plight. However for some reason he DID feel the unexplained urge to hug himself a foreign pony. Why? He didn't rightly know. Neither did Tarnished. How strange!
Distant Lightning's feathers were ruffled, unnaturally so. He was a bit pale, though twas hard to tell given his dark fur. The male sauntered out of the inn but did not make it very far before staggering off the step and fumbling into some bushes. Sounds of distress/Sand speech rattled from his throat before the bird found himself an ice nest. He let out a deep sigh, feeling anger slowly overcome his disallusion. he had hoped -- hoped to just be forgotten when they reversed everything. He tried to take his mind off it, talking to the others, maybe expressing his interest towards them, to them -- but nothing was going right. He untangled himself from the bush, wings pulled back as he fluffed up. He stomped his hoof as his wings let out a flap, little black clouds forming above. It could be mistaken for spring, for these rainy seasons did help plants grow, but such a storm was unscheduled today in Ponyville! He punted the bush before sitting himself down. Maybe if he drowned in the rain he wouldn't have to go back home. As the water began to wash down in that particular spot he looked up, muzzle parting. He was just a mess right now.
Yunalesca had turned her eyes away from the unicorn for but a moment, her gaze wandering over the area and missing when he came to alert. When she looked back- she hadn't heard him approach, nor expected to find him up close so soon. The mare jumped back, her wings twitching up beneath her shawl as they did when she was startled. If it had been Tarnished's face she saw, her scare probably would have been a little worse. "O-Oh, uh. It went fine. I got a few interested ponies, but I think most of them are just busy getting fresh groceries from the market." Yuna shrugged it off and made to walk on, back towards the inn and a certain distressed arabian. "So where did the shield come from.. ?" She hadn't noticed it before.
Gleaming Echo quirked his head to the side and nodded. "Oh.. understandable I suppose." he'd say only to glance at the shield that was now harnessed to his back. "Oh.. I got this from Distant! He found it while he was out with Dusky in hollow shades." the cultist turned enough so the alicorn could see it. "It is a wonderful piece of forging! A few runes and it will work just as well as Gleaming Shield's own." he smiled softly. At least some part of the old whole would live on, right? He joined the alicorn on her way to the inn and would have been forced to come to a stop. "is that.. Distant?" There was a shape sitting under a lone cluster of clouds... Why was he doing that? Silly foreigner...
Distant Lightning had since slumped to the ground, grass smooshed around him, giving up on trying to drown himself. He was just so tired. He was clearly in distress with the way some of his feathers seemed to pool away beneath the heavy rains. His eyes shifted, brows raising slightly as he turned his head o fain, blurred movements. "Asadfg?" That was either Sand speech or the pegasus had lost his damn mind by now. He flopped his chin against the wet grass, looking akin to a chicken left in the rain!
Yunalesca slowed her pace a moment to study the shield tilted towards her. She knew little of weaponry and shields, but it looked quite nice. "Did he? That was rather kind of him." The more she came to learn about the pegasus, the better she felt about him. She did vaguely recall how she acted towards him in the past, but.. Her attention was nabbed by that name again and her thoughts shifted. In a small way, she missed him, his 'death' never having occurred to her until Gleam had explained it later. Sad, too. "I didn't realize he had one, since all I saw of him was his robes when he came to my cell." Pity Yuna didn't get much of a chance to learn more about him as he was. Her musings were brought to a halt when Gleam drew her attention to.. Distant? Unlike him, she was concerned. Yuna didn't understand what he had said upon her approach, and she was hesitant to get herself wet. "What are you doing out.. here? What's wrong?"
Gleaming Echo made a bit of a noise as she replied. "He did... it was in our room when we left. neither Tarnishd nor I know how to use a shield and... we didn't want to risk having to carry it around." he sighed as his ears laid back. However his attention was fully focused upon Distant. He could recognize that he seemed rather... out of it? "Oi.. you look like you need some lighten-ing up." (sad trombone for terribleness) He stepped right into the rain and gave the large pegasus a nudge. "What has you so 'bright' and 'cheerful'?" yes he was legitimately concerned as well! Of course the light side was a little on the more foalish side at times.
Distant Lightning could only surmise that Gleam -- was out in front by that horrendous -- ugh. He hardly had the strength to push himself up, but he managed. Looking towards the others he put on a brilliant smile. "Ah, no, no, I was a bit -- warm so I decided cooling down was prime. Prime." He turned his head away, trying to swallow his tongue. He was the most incapable liar. "How are you too? Coming about in this hot day?" It was hardly hot -- and he was from the desert so it was a fallible fib. "You look well! Have you two readjusted to...well returning to the normal runs of the day?"
Yunalesca had little idea about Gleaming Shield, but it.. probably didn't matter anymore. Still, she had regrets. Her gaze jerked up towards his successor at the lighthearted jokes. Did he just.. make a pun? It drew up a smile she tried to force back in Lightning's presence. The smile he had offered was not so convincing to her. He rarely ever smiled, so far as she ever noticed or had a chance to see. Mostly it was scowls. "It's not.. hot out, just a little warm." Yuna shook her head, she was the only one of the group who wouldn't have an answer. She tried to cut to the point. "Are you sure you're doing okay? You can talk to us, you know." She stepped under the rain, flinching a little at the feeling, just so she could put a hoof on Lightning's shoulder, if he allowed it.
Gleaming Echo wouldn't have been able to help but dead pan. "Hot? I would believe that if you didn't come from a desert, silly peacock." came the playful tease from the so-called light half of the pony. "I've heard the term 'drown your sorrows' but I don't believe that was intended to be taken quite so literally, Dissy." he'd say with a somewhat playful tone of voice only to come to flop himself down on the grass in front of the pegasus and met his gaze. "Now... try something more believable and if you fool me... good for you! If not.. well then tell us what is bothering you. Friend's, much less heroes, don't let friends drown themselves in sorrow!" he'd say with a narrowing of his gaze. "Don't make me bring Tarnished out." he'd threaten with an arched eyebrow and a cheerful smile plastered on his muzzle.
Distant Lightning flinched when Yuna moved to touch him, as if her hoof burned him. He flinched back, head lowering as he tried to brush off his responses just being aloof. "Hardly a w-worry." He cleared his throat. "I have just been researching." He was, so no lie there! He seated himself back down, body unable to really keep him up and moving anymore. When Gleamished settled right in front of him he spooked again, wings spreading like an intimidating chicken hawk. "I am not l-l..." Fibber. "A-are you t...threatening me sir!?" He tried to keep it together but the threat was sending him into a panic attack, well -- everything else was and it came toppling down. He was shaking and displayed complete submission as his ears folded back and head drooped down. He looked away from them, only thankful for the rain right now keeping his face indeterminably stoic and angry looking. "I am-- I did not want to change back." It was all the reason he would give for now, but there was much more to it.
Yunalesca stopped short, pulling her hoof back. It was as though she had struck him, rather than tried to comfort. Why was it? She was uncertain what to do if he wouldn't let her offer comfort. Her gaze switched up towards Gleam, unused to hearing him talk in such away. But it was Lightning they were dealing with. Stubborn arabian. "He.." Yuna started to say, to assure him, but it dragged something out of Lightning. "Why's that?" It was too bad they didn't have Dusk here with them, she could talk to him better than either of them. Maybe? Or she would have just been flirty. Yuna brushed some of her wet mane out of her face and sidled closer, leaning to try to see his face. "You know it's better to talk about how you're feeling instead of bottling it all in. We're.. here."
Gleaming Echo continued to watch with an expectant look as Distant began to speak and then asked if he was threatening him. All Gleam did was continue to stare... unsettlingly. Thus the arabian seemed to b starting to panic? Uh-oh... Then again he did admit to something! However it was at that Gleam gave the stallion a bit of an odd look. "That couldn't be it all... I mean... All you'd have to do is go get the wardrobe out of the lake, right? I mean.. just grab me ~ And I can levitate it out and then you jump in and boom - mare-again Dissy, right?.... Something that simple cannot be what is bothering you so completely." Thus he continued to stare expectantly.
Distant Lightning eep'd, or a sound similar when Yuna pressed on. "I cannot tell you." His voice was barely above a whisper. A hoof scuffed agaisnt the floor. He wished Dusk was here, maybe he could hide behind her, but than again given circumstances she may side with them. Such a thought fouled his mood further. "Y...yes of course. You think one could magic away any problem can't you?" He snapped harshly, but it wasn't anger -- anger from Distant was difficult to spot because he had never expressed it around them. "You...you are Equestrians. IN the end even were I to tell you there is nothing any could do. I just ... don't want to go back home, so soon." He added, but where was the lie?
Yunalesca kept quiet a moment, digging through her mind for something she could say. She let the stallions talk, feeling briefly frustrated with Lightning's close-mouthed ways. Her ears pinned back at the outburst and she was immediately tempted to retreat towards Gleam. Stubbornly, she fought it and stay put, struggling to find something she could say to convince him to talk. "Us Equestrians." Yuna repeated and opened her mouth to continue, but closed it. She didn't want to antagonize him when she was trying to help. "Why not just.. move here if you don't like it back home?"
Gleaming Echo stared at Distant with a rather odd expression as the pegasus seemed to get angry. "Well - if you have trouble with magic I'm sure we can always just grab a really long rope. Then you could probably fish it out of the lake." he'd say with a bit of a flat look only to get to what almost appeared to be the partial crux of the problem. "You don't want to go home? It is because you don't want to leave Dusky, no?" he furrowed his brow and then gained a rather manic grin that probably had a bit of Tarnished influence. "I'm sure we could come up with something. I mean.. we could always just 'foalnap' and spirit you away...No magic required! I'm sure Dusky would be happy to help!" he'd say with a serious tone of voice. "You can't attend the flight back if you are all tied up! Could claim that you were stood up by bandits or something. Tied you up - stole your bits... everything!"
Distant Lightning flinched when Yuna repeated what he said. He had not meant that he was-- distressed. "I love my home, I do..." But there were many things in his home he did not love. Nationalist. He glanced up at Gleam when he mentioned Dusk. "Y-yes." Leaving her was a partial problem, but he would shake his head at the mage as madness reared its ugly head. "That could start a war seeing as I am here on permission from my Academy under ..." He squinted. "You do know I am an ambassador right?" Having to come to Equestria in visa and permission from his school on grant for an anthropological study -- he needed permission from the Princesses in question. He was an ambassador, technically. While here he was treated as a delegate of international knowledge. Teacher abroad. He rubbed his hoof in his face feeling his anxiety just seep out at Gleam's -- stupidity. Ah. "Miss Yuna please explain to him that you cannot do that to international guests..." He wouldn't be able to really word it to where Gleam would relinquish the idea.
Yunalesca looked over at Gleam, taken aback by his.. suggestion? He could be strange sometimes, when he was manic like this, but she couldn't do as Lightning bid. It would feel almost patronizing to do so when she was sure he understood, maybe. She had little idea of why Lightning was over here, herself, when he never told them as much. "Uhm. Well, you hadn't really told us before, but.. certainly there's something we can help you figure out if you don't really want to go back." Yuna guessed they couldn't really pry if Lightning wouldn't talk about it, but it was frustrating to want to help and not know the story to do so. "If there's anything we can do.."
Gleaming Echo flicked an ear. "Oooh... That's right." he'd say only for his brow to furrow. "Then you need to be kidnapped after you get back to your homeland! Aha! What if you had a recall rune? Like... We create an anchor point... and then when you get off of the vessel...thing... we use the recall spell! You 'disappear', everypony is happy, and Equestria isn't blamed right?... If we need to we could even fake your assassination too! Then you'd be free of all obligations and can stay with us!" of course the ideas were getting a little more wild as he went; but the cultist didn't want Dissy to go either!
Distant Lightning felt the mage was a little too keen on foalnapping him. Lightning stared at him. "Please don't come to my country." He sighed and looked to Yuna, ears folding back. He was quite frustrated himself, Miss Yuna was not alone. He furrowed his brows and looked to Yuna. "Please keep Miss Dusk here." He had not called her that -- well such formality towards Dusk had been gone from his lips for some time. He was formal with Yuna due to his slight fear of her and worry his presence brought her considerable displeasure, despite her relative patience with him. Gleamished was all sorts of potato and the pegasus had yet to properly call his name, aloud. He wrote it on paper well enough! He didn't feel right -- talking to them about it when he had naught but positive things to say of his home. "Saddle Arabia is very dangerous. The thought of any of you Equestrians there --" he had to think of some way to dissuade them.. "We hate Equestrians." He flatly stated. "Our countries were at war in the past. Hatred is still strong." While true, it was not what he, specifically was worried about. they could take care of themselves, but ...
Yunalesca felt she had to do, or say something to try to draw Gleam's mind off of the 'pretend kill or foalnap' plans. "Gleam.. No, it would just create a lot of problems either way. We can't do that." She rose to her hooves to move towards him, feeling damp and uncomfortable, and settled herself somewhat in front of him. The alicorn had her own suggestions, but they stemmed off of her own experiences- running away. That had been her solution, but her situation wasn't quite as complicated as Lightning's. "That's terrible.. I'm not sure if we could really stop Dusk. We can certainly try, but surely you can find a chance to visit again?"
Gleaming Echo made a bit of a face as Distant asked them not to go to his home country because it was... dangerous? "I'm sure we could take care of ourself Distant." he'd say with a rather level tone. "If anything I could just have Tarnished hit them with a blast if they attack us." he smirked and crossed his forelegs. "I don't wanna have our little band split up!" He was like a petulant foal the way his ears laid back and he even pouted. "If it will make you feel better.. I'm sure I could stop Dusky. She'd probably hate me for the rest of my life but I probably could."
Distant Lightning kept his ears folded, unbothered by the rain that continued to wash down due to his stormcloud. "Can we stop suggesting things that may cause war? I know you may not clearly understand but attacking citizens, of a country that hates your citizens...." He sighed, rubbing his hoof to his head. "Nevermind, Look it is better she does not go. Her spirited nature may be too much for my people to handle." He could barely handle it most times. "It is best we part now lest I grow more attached to this peculiar -- group." He abandoned the term herd, feeling it would only make leaving more difficult.
Yunalesca leaned her head towards Gleam and gave him a strong nudge; she was in agreement on that point. "No hurting ponies, and no pretending to hurt ponies." She clarified. "We'll live, I'm sure. Just.. I guess if you need any help getting home, we'll be here. I'd even be happy to lend you some bits." The rain was a little bothersome, prompting her to look up at the cloud. It never occurred to her, with the addition of wings, that she could do a thing about it. Yuna grunted. "We'll keep Dusk safe enough if we can. Try not to stay away too long when you go." She didn't really want him to leave either, but.. they had no choice.
Gleaming Echo continued to sit there with his forelegs crossed as his ears laid back. At least until the strong nudge caused him to lose his balance and topple over. "Yeah! Don't stay there too long...." The light half of the pony didn't quite know what all he could say since... well; while he was a healer and a fighter he was no diplomat by any means. "I.. uh... Yeah ~ If there is anything I could do to help let me know to..." he was more awkward than anything. In the back of his mind the dark half was grumbling irate. Distant was one of HIS friends! Greedy nightmare? But there wasn't much the split pony could do. He didn't know how to handle this! "If I hadn't told the Night Princess about the cult I'd say we could frame them." he grumped.
Distant Lightning peered up, his wet bangs making it difficult to see clearly. Rearing up the male stomped his hooves against he grass, wings snapping out and flapping back to refold. The action dissipated some of the cloud, his specialty being the control of storm clouds from a more considerable distance than most. Flexing his shoulders he frowned a bit. "I don't...." He did not htink he could come back even if he wanted. not after.... "I shall write you. I will be packing today and heading out on the first train to Canterlot." He explained. "I... am thankful you allowed me to stick with you all this time." He bowed his head and sulked off. He would gather a few things before leaving. A train to Canterlot, than a balloon back home. He wouldn't be able to fly all the way, not in this state. He would turn to leave to the library to return his borrowed books.
Yunalesca's head twitched back towards the unicorn when he just.. went over. Oh, whoops. She.. didn't mean to knock him over. Just discourage him. "It won't help." She sighed, offering a hoof to help him back up off the wet ground.. although even Gleam was a bit bigger than her, she'd more likely end up going down instead. Yuna looked back towards Lightning, drawn by the flaps of his wing and.. did the cloud shrink? She swept some of her own wet mane out of the way of her face. "Do you.. need any help? O-Or, want us to go with you as far as there?" She asked of his retreating back, frowning. Getting letters from him would be nice..
Gleaming Echo was sorely tempted to pull Yuna down on top of him because he felt in the mood of some cuddle reassurment. However he simply took the hoof and stood, sidling up against the disguised alicorn as his ears laid back. He all but perked up when Yuna suggested that they accompany him to Canterlot. "Yea! We could go with you." he liked that idea! Hopefully they wouldn't do as bad as... well.. outright exposing himself! He needed to search for information and see if the Night Princess had done anything about his former comrades to... There was the issue about... how would they receive letters when traveling? And when nopony knows who they really are? How would the post find them? He all but deflated at that thought but said nothing though he was drawing circles in the mud with his hoof. How did friends stay friends if they couldn't keep in touch?! noooooooo!
Distant Lightning would hope the mage would not see his words to be a false hope seeded. He paused and glanced back at Yuna. "AH... no. You should not be seen by the princess. I do not want you foalnapped." he glanced at Gleamished. "it would be terrible. "Please do not fret Miss Yuna, you will have nothing to worry about." He had hesitated. He wanted to tell her they would keep in touch, but he would not. He knew it would be back to the grind! Hiding in a library all his own, working, trying to make something of himself, but he was the butt of everypony else's joke. Working hard, having his research taken, pulled from him -- he could never leave his station and after his lie he'd never be trusted either...
Yunalesca braced her free forehoof against the ground when she felt the tug of Gleam's weight when he got back up. She closed the distance between them, leaning a shoulder close. "The princesses aren't foalnappers. They're usually too busy up in their palace to take any notice.. You make it sound like they'd swoop upon me the moment I step off the train!" Yuna frowned. What did a foreigner know about their own leaders? "Really. We'd be able to be around just a little longer until we say goodbye." The idea saddened her, but she was stubborn. She also couldn't do a thing about the situation, and she knew so little of it. Gleam's poking about in the mud was understood in that.
Gleaming Echo looked up at Distant and then made a bit of a face. "I would never let them take her." there was a manic gleam to the light half's eye that was distinctly tarnished in origin. The unicorn took a moment to push back the emotions spilling over from his dark half and then he nudged against Yuna as his eyes stayed on the stallion. "We will go with you to Canterlot. If something happens I'll just cause a distraction. The Night Princess already knows of my presence so perhaps she'd be able to help should the worst happen." the unicorn could be stubborn to! Yes... He wasn't going to let his friend leave alone; he wasn't going to cower in the inn room!
Distant Lightning had good reason to worry, or maybe just a cultural one. His ears folded back at Yuna's resistance toward the idea. Was starting to understand that Gleamished was a pain in the flank. His ears flattened as his braided tail swept to the side. "Yes...well. I cannot ask you to accompany me." He would resist. "We simply cannot -- be friends." He looked away. "My position does not allow for the time required to harvest such social concepts." Anything to make them go away. It was becoming harder to just go. He stomped his hoof and turned to leave. He'd be back to pack his things, but to them he could no longer talk to.... he wanted to cry, honestly. But big stallions didn't cry...
Yunalesca heard that tone in Gleam's voice and still she found herself thankful of his determination. He made her feel safe. There were more pressing matters at hoof, and it wasn't herself she was worried about in this situation. She bumped her shoulder lightly up against his for his nudge with care, but didn't tear her eyes from Lightning's retreat. Can't be friends? Yuna's ears lowered. "We'll.. always be friends." The mutter carried her stubbornness in it, but she felt there was nothing more she could do. It hurt a little, knowing one such friend was leaving. "We're coming regardless." She spoke a little louder, but let him go, even though she wanted to give the scholar a hug; just delaying the inevitable.
Gleaming Echo stared at Distant and seemed to almost choke upon the phrase that they simply cannot be friends. Uh... wha? That took Tarnished aback as well? "We cannot? Because of your government?" he'd ask with a rather quiet undertone. Yuna could perhaps feel a bit of a shake to him. But then it all stopped and he'd seem to have resigned himself to something. "Perhaps a change in plans might be in order?" the cultist was rather insane.... But who wouldn't be considering? "I wonder if taking down the saddle arabian government might help... What do you think Yuna?" he was talking to himself (Tarnished) more than anything. The dark pony was all for bringing it down!
Distant Lightning would just busy himself. He made quick drop off of the books at the library before heading to his room to pack up. He wanted to do it before Dusk was up or anywhere about. Sneaky sneaky. He felt it was easier this way. Easier to just wash his hooves of it all. He wasn't a good friend anyway. He had hid the information for the change from them. He had also angered Dusk and possibly Yuna. He was a disgrace and would probably be stripped of his position upon his return.
Yunalesca watched Lightning go into the inn, struggling with herself, and was drawn from her own thoughts when she felt Gleam shaking beside her. It was brief enough that she thought she might have just imagined it. "What?" The alicorn had no idea what Gleam was on about, or what he intended to do. "N-No. Didn't you hear Lightning? It would just cause problems for Equestria if we tried anything, or attacked them.. I mean, I'm sure we can do something for Lightning, but not like that." Yuna leaned her head up to nose at his cheek, brushing over it. He was probably as upset, or more. She was at a loss of what to say or do to help, short of cuddling.
Gleaming Echo narrowed his gaze. "Perhaps.. perhaps not. The problem is the government right? Without it.... Everything would be fine! Right?" he'd ask with a rather odd glint in his eye. Lightning didn't want to be their friend because it was dangerous! "Maybe if I let Tarnished have some fun then... we can have our friend back?" He sagged against the disguised alicorn and gave her a nuzzle. "I don't know how to handle this!"
To be continued.