Post by Mal on Apr 15, 2016 2:40:08 GMT -5
Yunalesca came awake that morning, only somewhat refreshed from the sleep itself, as close to wide awake as she could be. The dream had ended and she was back in the real world in her wagon's bed. Whether or not the warm presence of Gleam was there beside her, the alicorn tried to pull herself up and out of bed carefully enough. It was, she assumed, settled that they would be heading off and she would have to prepare. Gathering up her shawls to shove in a single bag, along with the bits she had saved up thus far; they would need them. Yuna was also planning where to hide her cart for the duration of time they would be away from Ponyville, too, something she couldn't act on until they were certain. It made her feel nervous, but she was determined.
Gleaming Echo woke somewhat shortly after Yuna. It was actually somewhat early i the morning when he sent Distant back to a pleasant dream and woke both he and Yuna up. There was work to be done! For a moment after waking the glowing eyes of the Nightmare were present, however Gleam was put back into the drivers seat for obvious reasons... They'd rather not lash out on poor Ponyville nor Canterlot! That was where the transport would be, yes? At least he hoped so. If anything they could get a transport to some place near the border! He didn't mind a good walk. Even if it was likely desert. They would survive; magic was useful for that. In any case the cultist shifted and slid from the bed. "Have anywhere in mind for leaving your cart? We could leave it on the fringe of the forest with a few protections." he offered with a small frown. Once they were there he'd more than happily let Tarnished go on his rampage, most likely!
Yunalesca didn't have her eyes on the unicorn while she fussed about her belongings; all she needed were her shawls to keep hidden, and the money. The rest could stay. A surprised noise jumped out of her throat when Gleam spoke, not because he spoke, but because it was like he'd read her mind. Had she been muttering aloud? She wasn't aware, but he might have been thinking along the same lines as her. Yuna looked over at him, ears perked and nodding. "Y-Yeah, I'd been thinking of the Everfree. Nopony would go near it for anything. We can leave it there and head for Canterlot or.. wherever. Do what we need to do to get to Saddle Arabia."
Gleaming Echo was thinking on the same lines, so it wasn't that hard to come to the same thought. They couldn't take her cart with them so it was something that needed to be taken care of! "Indeed... I can take it into the forest while you grab us some supplies? At least for the day since I imagine it might be more difficult to come across supplies when we arrive.." He had a good bit of bits left! more than enough for this trip he hoped. If not he'd have to go by the Canterlot well... bank and see if his family account yet remained. Actually - perhaps he should go by there anyways and try to get some bits converted into the Saddle Arabian currency... whatever it was?
Yunalesca nodded, her mind running over possible supplies. "Like, water and food, right?" She didn't think they'd need any sort of first aid when they both knew healing magic, of course. Anything else, she couldn't really think of. The alicorn turned away briefly to pull up the one free shawl she had to slip it on, draping it over her wings before she slid the strap of her bag around her middle. "I can do that. Where should we meet up once we're done with all of this?" Yuna glanced back over to him, curious.
Gleaming Echo let out a hum and seemed to think that over. "How about the train station? I think that would be a suitable place to meet, yes?" he'd ask with a bit of a smile and a nudge to the alicorn as he stepped up to her. "Food, water, and perhaps some sort of blanket or anything in case we have to camp. Anything you might think we'd need as well." he stepped past the alicorn and slipped out of the door outside. Now then... The harness was around here. Once he found it he'd start hooking himself up.
Yunalesca thought it over, the train station seemed like a good place to her, and she knew where it was now. She nodded, looking up at the unicorn when he nudged her and returned one in kind. "Okay." The items he'd listed she kept in mind, and she followed him out of the cart, closing the door behind her but not locking it, just in case he needed anything within. Yuna lingered a little longer to watch him put the harness on before she trotted off towards the market place. It was a familiar enough path now that she had little trouble finding it, so she could go about getting fruit and vegetables; anything that didn't expire too quickly. Traveling rations, canteens. A good sized blanket for the both of them, too.
Gleaming Echo took the cart into the fringe of the Everfree forest; a place that hopefully nopony would dare to go searching for something as simple as a cart. Once the cart was set underneath a group of trees Gleam cast his protection spells. They would last a few weeks hopefully! A locating spell was also placed on the cart just in case. Discretely of course. It wouldn't do for anypony to find said spell. With this accomplished he turned and set back towards Ponyville proper once again; the train station in particular. Should he arrive before she did he purchased tickets and took up a position to wait on Lady Yuna to arrive.
Yunalesca had to fold up her belongings properly so she could fit what she bought in the bag. The blanket she purchased went first, and the paper bags of food on top with the canteens; she had to find a nearby well to fill them from, first. Did they need anything else? Her face furrowed in thought as she peered around the market place, a toe tapping against the hardpack. She didn't think they needed any pots for cooking; most of the food she bought didn't need to be, and it was how she usually traveled before anyway. It would work well enough. Yuna was careful to consider anything else, but nothing came to mind that was entirely important. Satisfied with the shopping, she went on her way towards the train station, where Gleam already was. Yuna came up the steps and picked him out in the small crowd with her eyes, making her way over. "I think I got everything we need."
Gleaming Echo perked up at the sight of the approaching alicorn and glanced towards the nearby clock. It was yet... what... fifteen minutes til the next train? Then it would be roughly half an hour before the flight south if the research he did the day Distant left was any indication. Gleam had already had the mad idea to follow the saddle arabian home buuuut well, things had been sort-of thrown askew and Gleam had figured it wasn't going to be needed. Alas here they were needing to head that way now! What fun! The dark one grumped from inside their mind and the ever cheerful Gleam scooted over on the bench for Yuna to be able to sit. "Gooood! The train should be here soon... I think. Unless something delayed it."
Yunalesca's ears twitched forward and she sat down on the bench beside him at his silent invitation. She adjusted the bag onto her side where it could rest. "Oh? Sounds like we won't have to wait too long, I hope." The alicorn answered as she peered over the platform, here again; the last time she set hoof here, it was seeing Lightning off alone. Now they were going to go to him, and it sounded like.. he needed help. Maybe? Yuna thought over what little Lightning told them in the dream, and her brow darkened slightly. There was more they probably needed to know, but.. she put it out of her mind for now while she waited.
Gleaming Echo nodded and leaned against the alicorn with a bit of a sigh. Honestly the light half of the cultist was, ironically, not a morning pony. He was still tired he was, but he knew they needed to be up early to be able to make it to Saddle Arabia as quick as possible. If only they could contact Dusk to. The unicorn's ear perked as he thought he heard a train whistle in the distance... Was it a tired-pony hallucination?! Maybe, maybe not! Thankfully the answer was not because the train would come into sight after about what... thirteen minutes sitting on the platform?
Yunalesca felt Gleam's weight on her and leaned back up against him, supporting him as she rest the side of her head on his shoulder. She was quiet for the duration of their wait, thinking about the situation, and the idea of going to a completely different country. In a way, they were seeing more of the world, and it was kind of exciting.. but she didn't know what they would encounter there. Yuna nuzzled her head against Gleam, mostly unmoving until the train eventually did pull up to the station, finally drawing her out of the distraction of her thoughts. Her ears pinned back to brace herself for the squeal of its brakes and she gave the tired Gleam a gentle nudge with her nose.
Gleaming Echo had actually fallen off into a doze by the time the train rolled onto platform. Which meant that the squeal of its breaks caused him to just about jump out of his fur! The cultist stumbled from the bench and just about fell on his face; but he caught himself! "ooh... Okay, so that was it!" He let out a yawn and pushed himself up steady. WIth a stretch the cultist inclined his head towards the emptying train and thus led the way into said car; all while trying to play off the fact he nearly fell on his face.
Yunalesca had little idea that Gleam fell asleep until she saw his face, and when he jumped, she did too a bit, startled by his reaction. The alicorn quickly straightened in her seat when he fell and fought back an amused look when he caught himself. Poor Gleam. She didn't know what he meant, but she got off of the bench and followed him into the train, her bag hefted onto back so it didn't brush against anypony. Once onboard, she peered around at the seats, separated by decorative green glass backs (or was it plastic or some other material?). It had a pleasant interior, regardless. Were Gleam to make no move to, she would try to find a seat.
Gleaming Echo woke somewhat shortly after Yuna. It was actually somewhat early i the morning when he sent Distant back to a pleasant dream and woke both he and Yuna up. There was work to be done! For a moment after waking the glowing eyes of the Nightmare were present, however Gleam was put back into the drivers seat for obvious reasons... They'd rather not lash out on poor Ponyville nor Canterlot! That was where the transport would be, yes? At least he hoped so. If anything they could get a transport to some place near the border! He didn't mind a good walk. Even if it was likely desert. They would survive; magic was useful for that. In any case the cultist shifted and slid from the bed. "Have anywhere in mind for leaving your cart? We could leave it on the fringe of the forest with a few protections." he offered with a small frown. Once they were there he'd more than happily let Tarnished go on his rampage, most likely!
Yunalesca didn't have her eyes on the unicorn while she fussed about her belongings; all she needed were her shawls to keep hidden, and the money. The rest could stay. A surprised noise jumped out of her throat when Gleam spoke, not because he spoke, but because it was like he'd read her mind. Had she been muttering aloud? She wasn't aware, but he might have been thinking along the same lines as her. Yuna looked over at him, ears perked and nodding. "Y-Yeah, I'd been thinking of the Everfree. Nopony would go near it for anything. We can leave it there and head for Canterlot or.. wherever. Do what we need to do to get to Saddle Arabia."
Gleaming Echo was thinking on the same lines, so it wasn't that hard to come to the same thought. They couldn't take her cart with them so it was something that needed to be taken care of! "Indeed... I can take it into the forest while you grab us some supplies? At least for the day since I imagine it might be more difficult to come across supplies when we arrive.." He had a good bit of bits left! more than enough for this trip he hoped. If not he'd have to go by the Canterlot well... bank and see if his family account yet remained. Actually - perhaps he should go by there anyways and try to get some bits converted into the Saddle Arabian currency... whatever it was?
Yunalesca nodded, her mind running over possible supplies. "Like, water and food, right?" She didn't think they'd need any sort of first aid when they both knew healing magic, of course. Anything else, she couldn't really think of. The alicorn turned away briefly to pull up the one free shawl she had to slip it on, draping it over her wings before she slid the strap of her bag around her middle. "I can do that. Where should we meet up once we're done with all of this?" Yuna glanced back over to him, curious.
Gleaming Echo let out a hum and seemed to think that over. "How about the train station? I think that would be a suitable place to meet, yes?" he'd ask with a bit of a smile and a nudge to the alicorn as he stepped up to her. "Food, water, and perhaps some sort of blanket or anything in case we have to camp. Anything you might think we'd need as well." he stepped past the alicorn and slipped out of the door outside. Now then... The harness was around here. Once he found it he'd start hooking himself up.
Yunalesca thought it over, the train station seemed like a good place to her, and she knew where it was now. She nodded, looking up at the unicorn when he nudged her and returned one in kind. "Okay." The items he'd listed she kept in mind, and she followed him out of the cart, closing the door behind her but not locking it, just in case he needed anything within. Yuna lingered a little longer to watch him put the harness on before she trotted off towards the market place. It was a familiar enough path now that she had little trouble finding it, so she could go about getting fruit and vegetables; anything that didn't expire too quickly. Traveling rations, canteens. A good sized blanket for the both of them, too.
Gleaming Echo took the cart into the fringe of the Everfree forest; a place that hopefully nopony would dare to go searching for something as simple as a cart. Once the cart was set underneath a group of trees Gleam cast his protection spells. They would last a few weeks hopefully! A locating spell was also placed on the cart just in case. Discretely of course. It wouldn't do for anypony to find said spell. With this accomplished he turned and set back towards Ponyville proper once again; the train station in particular. Should he arrive before she did he purchased tickets and took up a position to wait on Lady Yuna to arrive.
Yunalesca had to fold up her belongings properly so she could fit what she bought in the bag. The blanket she purchased went first, and the paper bags of food on top with the canteens; she had to find a nearby well to fill them from, first. Did they need anything else? Her face furrowed in thought as she peered around the market place, a toe tapping against the hardpack. She didn't think they needed any pots for cooking; most of the food she bought didn't need to be, and it was how she usually traveled before anyway. It would work well enough. Yuna was careful to consider anything else, but nothing came to mind that was entirely important. Satisfied with the shopping, she went on her way towards the train station, where Gleam already was. Yuna came up the steps and picked him out in the small crowd with her eyes, making her way over. "I think I got everything we need."
Gleaming Echo perked up at the sight of the approaching alicorn and glanced towards the nearby clock. It was yet... what... fifteen minutes til the next train? Then it would be roughly half an hour before the flight south if the research he did the day Distant left was any indication. Gleam had already had the mad idea to follow the saddle arabian home buuuut well, things had been sort-of thrown askew and Gleam had figured it wasn't going to be needed. Alas here they were needing to head that way now! What fun! The dark one grumped from inside their mind and the ever cheerful Gleam scooted over on the bench for Yuna to be able to sit. "Gooood! The train should be here soon... I think. Unless something delayed it."
Yunalesca's ears twitched forward and she sat down on the bench beside him at his silent invitation. She adjusted the bag onto her side where it could rest. "Oh? Sounds like we won't have to wait too long, I hope." The alicorn answered as she peered over the platform, here again; the last time she set hoof here, it was seeing Lightning off alone. Now they were going to go to him, and it sounded like.. he needed help. Maybe? Yuna thought over what little Lightning told them in the dream, and her brow darkened slightly. There was more they probably needed to know, but.. she put it out of her mind for now while she waited.
Gleaming Echo nodded and leaned against the alicorn with a bit of a sigh. Honestly the light half of the cultist was, ironically, not a morning pony. He was still tired he was, but he knew they needed to be up early to be able to make it to Saddle Arabia as quick as possible. If only they could contact Dusk to. The unicorn's ear perked as he thought he heard a train whistle in the distance... Was it a tired-pony hallucination?! Maybe, maybe not! Thankfully the answer was not because the train would come into sight after about what... thirteen minutes sitting on the platform?
Yunalesca felt Gleam's weight on her and leaned back up against him, supporting him as she rest the side of her head on his shoulder. She was quiet for the duration of their wait, thinking about the situation, and the idea of going to a completely different country. In a way, they were seeing more of the world, and it was kind of exciting.. but she didn't know what they would encounter there. Yuna nuzzled her head against Gleam, mostly unmoving until the train eventually did pull up to the station, finally drawing her out of the distraction of her thoughts. Her ears pinned back to brace herself for the squeal of its brakes and she gave the tired Gleam a gentle nudge with her nose.
Gleaming Echo had actually fallen off into a doze by the time the train rolled onto platform. Which meant that the squeal of its breaks caused him to just about jump out of his fur! The cultist stumbled from the bench and just about fell on his face; but he caught himself! "ooh... Okay, so that was it!" He let out a yawn and pushed himself up steady. WIth a stretch the cultist inclined his head towards the emptying train and thus led the way into said car; all while trying to play off the fact he nearly fell on his face.
Yunalesca had little idea that Gleam fell asleep until she saw his face, and when he jumped, she did too a bit, startled by his reaction. The alicorn quickly straightened in her seat when he fell and fought back an amused look when he caught himself. Poor Gleam. She didn't know what he meant, but she got off of the bench and followed him into the train, her bag hefted onto back so it didn't brush against anypony. Once onboard, she peered around at the seats, separated by decorative green glass backs (or was it plastic or some other material?). It had a pleasant interior, regardless. Were Gleam to make no move to, she would try to find a seat.
_____
Gleaming Echo was laid out on one of the small cot type beds of the compartment he and Yuna had purchased for their trip to Saddle Arabia. They were merely a few hours into the flight and here he was just laid out feeling miserable. Uuugh... the way the wind currents blew this contraption made him sick! His right foreleg moved up and rest over his muzzle to hide his eyes. Two days and this would be over... just two days. Distant better be happy! His ghost of a sister too! Tarnished was even worse in their head; thankfully the Nightmare's own state didn't cause him too much more issue. A disposal bag was kept nearby just in case he ah... got too sick!
Yunalesca wished she thought to bring her book of learning magic with her for the trip, or any book really. Entertainment hadn't been on her mind when she gathered up supplies in Ponyville, which remained in her bag that sat out of the way in a corner of the room, but now? She was bored, but fortunately for her, it wasn't so bad a time as poor Gleam was having. She was curled up in her own little bed, mildly cursing herself for skipping books, and gazing across over at Gleam. Yuna wasn't quite looking at him, somewhat lost in thought. She pulled herself out of it a little when he moved. "You doing okay over there?"
Gleaming Echo swiveled an ear to Yuna when he heard that delightful voice of hers cutting through the monotony of the -urk- flight. "If all flying is like this... flying sucks." he groaned as he turned his head to look in the direction of the alicorn who had looked beyond bored in those few glances her way he'd made. He'd try to entertain her but.... ugh... He made a rather pained sound as his stomach heaved. No - no... breakfast was just fine where it was, thank you! He didn't need to be losing it! "I-I'll live." he'd finally say as his tail flicked flicked. He wasn't so much laying on the cot as sprawled out with all of the fidgeting he was doing. One hind leg was even partially hanging off! It was really hard to get comfortable...
Yunalesca found a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, wanting to appear at his complaint. It disappeared soon after and she pulled herself off of the cot to place herself beside him, reaching a hoof to rub at his shoulder. "If you say so. You look a bit.. well, I wouldn't say green, but pale. More than usual." Her hoof drifted up towards his golden mane to pull the strands out of his face almost thoughtfully as she gazed down at him. "I don't think there happens to be anything I can help with, can I?"
Gleaming Echo kept one eye upon the mare as she pulled herself off of the cot and placed herself beside him. Even as well... queasy as he was he still forced himself to move over to give the alicorn enough room to be comfortable. "I'm just... not feeling so good. I've never flown like this." he'd say with an uncomfortable grimace. "A-and I don't think I want to again... u-unless it is on the way home." he didn't even know how far it would be to walk back to Ponyville from Saddle Arabia on hoof, but... It was looking EXTREMELY tempting! The rub to his shoulder elicited a bit of a sound from him. "The rubs are nice... Just distract me maybe... The more I think about - urk -" he grimaced and snuggled up against the mare.
Yunalesca inched herself up, just on the edge, where she could lay down on her stomach with one back hoof still touching the floor now that she had room. "I wonder.. if there's something we can figure out about the return trip once we're on solid ground. Like.. maybe a spell so you can sleep during the trip, or.. something." Yuna frowned in thought. "This is probably the only time we ever will be flying like this, at least I think so. Since it's for Lightning." Yuna dropped the subject and moved her hoof to stroke at the side of his neck, smiling faintly when he snuggled close. "I'm sure I can do that."
Gleaming Echo made a noncommittal sound as she suggested something such as.... Oh.. a spell? "Perhaps I can teach you a sleep spell... then you could keep me out." he'd say with a bit of a groan. He shifted his head to rest up against her neck if he could and smiled as he felt her hoof stroke. "I'm sure you can too.. You are already doing a wonderful job.." he'd say with a rumble only to make a sound as his stomach heaved again. No ~ Bad stomach! ~ Not on Yuna! Perhaps cuteness can help heal the ailment! (probably not, but the unicorn could wish!)
Yunalesca's ears twitched at the unhappy sounds he was making; she felt bad for him to see him.. perhaps not in pain, but suffering nonetheless. "When we're on solid ground, maybe, so you can show me properly. I wouldn't want to end up making a mistake now and end up causing something worse." The alicorn wasn't going to let her mind stray towards terrible what-ifs this time, when she could focus on Gleam. Yuna turned her head at the feeling of him against her neck, and dipped down to kiss over his forehead, or whatever top of his head she could reach; his ears, even. Though, from here, she had a thought reoccur.. Nah, she couldn't.
Gleaming Echo chuckled and nuzzled against Yuna's neck. "Yeees... I'm not sure we'd want to risk getting me stuck in a coma on the way." he cooed only to feel the kisses against his forehead. The unicorn made a rather contented sound and closed his eyes. As of this moment he was all but submitting himself to the alicorn. Such a lovely distraction from the sickness was she! Even as his stomach heaved with the sway of the ship in the wind he was taking comfort in the fact Yuna was there.
Yunalesca made a bit of a face, unseen, at the word 'coma'. That was one of the things she mentally avoided, but she wasn't too concerned in the here and now. His coos brought forth another smile, one hoof moving up around to his back to rub in gentle circles, soothing him while he relaxed against her. Her head dipped again, trailing kisses on the wavy mane on the top of his head and back down to his forehead, skirting his horn. It was terribly tempting, but part of her felt like she would just make things worse. He was feeling sick!
Gleaming Echo sighed contentedly although... was there just a bit of a moan? Perhaps what with how close she was trailing to that horn of his! Even as the unicorn relaxed due to the alicorn's ministration a playful side was cropping up. But then it was briefly quashed as he felt the 'ship' they were in be buffeted by another gust. UUugh... He had to take a moment to recover, but then he did. He raised his head enough to be able to return several of the kisses and... he gained a bit of a glint in his eye. He tried to contain his mirth as he'd do what she had been avoiding! Though he actually just licked that horn of hers! Haha!
Yunalesca's ear twitched at the sound he made, but she didn't think anything of it. Her hoof was dropped to keep herself steady when the ship swayed for that brief moment; she didn't want to end up rolling out of his bed. The kisses she gained from him, she began to close her eyes to, missing that glint; yet again she was caught off guard because of it. She hardly expected him to do it to her! This meant war! Her eyes had widened, cheeks darkening at the sensation and she peered at him. "I see you're learning things from Tarnished." Yuna observed, moving in to kiss his forehead- all so she could run her tongue up his horn, from the base and up; she was smirking as she did it.
Gleaming Echo gained an impish grin that was not unlike Tarnished's own. However it was still only Gleam! "Of course... Brothers teach each other after all." he'd say with a playful grin. The look on Yuna's muzzle was all the reward the light half needed! However he quickly found the tables turning as the alicorn moved in and kissed his forehead ~ and then she ran her tongue up his horn in return! He turned bright red at this himself and fidgeted against the alicorn. She won this round, obviously!
Yunalesca quirked an eyebrow; she didn't think Tarnished would be so generous to do so. Her face relaxed, but the smirk still remained when he fidgeted. Success! A foreleg was slipped over his chest and she rested it there while she bent to plant kisses over his reddened face. "Gotcha." She murmured playfully; she seemed to be having quite a time keeping him distracted. "Well I'm glad to hear that he's teaching you stuff, even if it is questionable. Better than just arguing, hmm?" Yuna teased lightly, head tilting up to grant his horn a smaller lick this time.
Gleaming Echo was still trying to fight back the blush as he adjusted himself to his new ah... predicament he found himself in. The unicorn slipped a foreleg of his own around Yuna if he could and blushed even further when she planted kisses on his reddened face and said that simple little playful word. "Y-y-yeah you did. Good job." he'd manage to say only to nod. "Yeah! He said that these are things even an idiot could enjoy..." Quite the odd relationship the two had...
Yunalesca moved into his embrace, smirking all the while. It faded a little as she planted a final kiss on the top of his muzzle. "Pfft, you're not an idiot. A goof, sure." One of her own hooves made to drape around his shoulders, brushing his mane out in neat strands while she gazed down at his blushing face. "I take it you're feeling a lot better now?" Yuna queried, noting that he didn't seem to show any sign of discomfort; not like earlier. If he was still feeling sick, he hadn't been paying attention to it with her there. Which meant she was doing a good job.
Gleaming Echo let out an amused sound. "I don't think Tarnished means it half the time anyways, he just doesn't know how to express himself." the light half shifted and cuddled against the mare as she queried if he was feeling better. "I'm quite distracted, so yeah!... just gotta not thing about the swa ~ nope - nononono - not thinking about it." his ears laid back and the unicorn buried his muzzle against Yuna and tried to forget about what he was remembering! The swaying of - no!
Yunalesca looked briefly intrigued when Gleam explained Tarnished. She was sure she remembered Tarnished expressing something about it when she'd asked, but not exactly what. Her free hoof moved up to wrap around his head when he cuddled close, cradling his head against her. "I guess I'll just have to keep you distracted throughout the trip then, when you aren't asleep, huh?" Yuna bent her head, imparting a small lick to his horn before she moved over to his neck, trailing soft kisses and nibbles up along the side. "Try to think about something else."
Gleaming Echo made a rather funny sound when Yuna bent her head and imparted another lick to that horn of his. If it were possible his muzzle turned even more red and he was somewhat hiding in his mane. Silly light half! Alas the unicorn was left to cuddle against Yuna and practically purr as she lavished him with lovins that distracted from the fact the ship was swaying nauseously. "Yeeees... think of the lovely Yuna.. So much nicer than... other things I won't think of." Happy unicorn was happy.
Yunalesca smiled into his neck, an ear twitching towards the noises as she very carefully nipped at his neck a few times, following them up with licks. She paused briefly, moving up to nuzzle at his hidden face; she was sure she could see slivers of his reddened face through the gaps in the wavy bangs of his. "Is there anything you want to talk about, while we're alone together?" Yuna asked of him, withdrawing a little and using one of her hooves to stroke over his mane again, straightening it idly. She could content herself with cuddling up with him.
Gleaming Echo sighed happily as the unicorn felt her nipping at his neck; and then nuzzling at his face of course. The unicorn tried to think of anything he might want to talk about but then his expression soured. "Am I foolish for wanting to be the hero? Why bother to be good amongst to many troubling elements? Like the cult for one; and Dissy's family. Tarnished almost seems to have the right idea when it comes to them...Almost seems better to be the villain.. or antihero even..." That was said with a somewhat bitter tone. Why couldn't everypony get along? Many things that were happening were making the light half of the pony upset; and thus question his goal of being a hero. Maybe it would be better to be like Tarnished! At least then he could have leave to do what needed to be done!
Yunalesca nosed the side of his head, close to one of his ears, an idle gesture while the unicorn talked in a tone unfamiliar to him. Hearing him sound anything but happy or cheerful was unfamiliar, and her brow furrowed down in concern. She shifted her body a little up against his, leaning to get comfortable and resting her chin up close to his ear. "It's not wrong to be the hero, I guess. Sometimes it's hard to stick to your morals when everything else in the world around you is terrible." Yuna quieted for a moment, her breath possibly tickling the fur of his ear. "If Lightning's family really is abusing him.. I'm not sure what even I would do when we get there and see it for ourselves. Probably nothing good, but being a hero is protecting other ponies who can't protect themselves, isn't it?"
Gleaming Echo let out a sigh and nodded in agreement with what Yuna said. "It is... sometimes I just want to sit back and let Tarnished be the villain he professed to be. Though to be honest I don't really label him as a villain." he'd say only to make a face whenever he heard the protest in his head from his dark half. He was a villain damn it! "When we get there, I really don't think I'll be able to make myself stop Tarnished before he goes too far." he sighed and leaned against the alicorn. "I'm afraid he might lose his temper and do something extreme..." Like burn the whole city down and cause untold amounts of mayhem.
Yunalesca lifted her head a little when she felt his move beneath her, pulling back so she could look at his face while he talked. She caught the wince, but she couldn't determine why. Nonetheless. "I understand. I.. really don't like feeling like I'm telling either of you what to do or like I'm being controlling or anything," Yuna frowned, head dipping to nuzzle her nose down into the soft side of his neck, just under his jaw, "but if I must, I'm sure I can convince him not to go too far.." She sighed and moved her lips to nibble along his jaw thoughtfully. "We'll just have to see how bad things are when we get there. Who knows, I might get angry enough to help. I don't like it when ponies hurt others and make them helpless."
Gleaming Echo let out a noncommittal hum of agreement as the alicorn dipped her nose down and nibbled along his jaw. A few shivers ran down his body but he simply shifted and nibbled the alicorn's neck in return. "Indeed.. we shall have to see." the light half of the pony replied as his foreleg held the mare all the more tight. Pity Dusky wasn't around; but then again she would probably be taking the situation a whole lot worse than they were. Little did they know, of course! The unicorn wasn't feeling as queasy but he was back to feeling drowsy again. He just couldn't win for losing, dang it!
Yunalesca moved her foreleg at his shoulder underneath one of his, draping it over his body so she could rest her head down on his shoulder. She made a soft content noise when Gleam nibbled along her neck, shuffling a little; she had to admit that she liked it when either half of the unicorn touched her neck. There probably was more they could do, she acknowledged in a part of her mind, but she was content where she was; there was something about spending time with Gleam that put Yuna in a cuddly mood. She hummed softly to him and draped one of her wings over him, like a soft blanket.
Gleaming Echo hummed and shifted against Yuna as her wing draped over him. He cuddled up to her side under the soft feathers and returned to nuzzling once again. However with the warm happy feelings the dozy side was making him start to nod off! At least he wasn't feeling ill any longer. Thus the unicorn nuzzled against Yuna with somewhat lessening frequency until he fell silent and... two minutes later he let out a snore... Yep...out like a light!
Yunalesca wished she thought to bring her book of learning magic with her for the trip, or any book really. Entertainment hadn't been on her mind when she gathered up supplies in Ponyville, which remained in her bag that sat out of the way in a corner of the room, but now? She was bored, but fortunately for her, it wasn't so bad a time as poor Gleam was having. She was curled up in her own little bed, mildly cursing herself for skipping books, and gazing across over at Gleam. Yuna wasn't quite looking at him, somewhat lost in thought. She pulled herself out of it a little when he moved. "You doing okay over there?"
Gleaming Echo swiveled an ear to Yuna when he heard that delightful voice of hers cutting through the monotony of the -urk- flight. "If all flying is like this... flying sucks." he groaned as he turned his head to look in the direction of the alicorn who had looked beyond bored in those few glances her way he'd made. He'd try to entertain her but.... ugh... He made a rather pained sound as his stomach heaved. No - no... breakfast was just fine where it was, thank you! He didn't need to be losing it! "I-I'll live." he'd finally say as his tail flicked flicked. He wasn't so much laying on the cot as sprawled out with all of the fidgeting he was doing. One hind leg was even partially hanging off! It was really hard to get comfortable...
Yunalesca found a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, wanting to appear at his complaint. It disappeared soon after and she pulled herself off of the cot to place herself beside him, reaching a hoof to rub at his shoulder. "If you say so. You look a bit.. well, I wouldn't say green, but pale. More than usual." Her hoof drifted up towards his golden mane to pull the strands out of his face almost thoughtfully as she gazed down at him. "I don't think there happens to be anything I can help with, can I?"
Gleaming Echo kept one eye upon the mare as she pulled herself off of the cot and placed herself beside him. Even as well... queasy as he was he still forced himself to move over to give the alicorn enough room to be comfortable. "I'm just... not feeling so good. I've never flown like this." he'd say with an uncomfortable grimace. "A-and I don't think I want to again... u-unless it is on the way home." he didn't even know how far it would be to walk back to Ponyville from Saddle Arabia on hoof, but... It was looking EXTREMELY tempting! The rub to his shoulder elicited a bit of a sound from him. "The rubs are nice... Just distract me maybe... The more I think about - urk -" he grimaced and snuggled up against the mare.
Yunalesca inched herself up, just on the edge, where she could lay down on her stomach with one back hoof still touching the floor now that she had room. "I wonder.. if there's something we can figure out about the return trip once we're on solid ground. Like.. maybe a spell so you can sleep during the trip, or.. something." Yuna frowned in thought. "This is probably the only time we ever will be flying like this, at least I think so. Since it's for Lightning." Yuna dropped the subject and moved her hoof to stroke at the side of his neck, smiling faintly when he snuggled close. "I'm sure I can do that."
Gleaming Echo made a noncommittal sound as she suggested something such as.... Oh.. a spell? "Perhaps I can teach you a sleep spell... then you could keep me out." he'd say with a bit of a groan. He shifted his head to rest up against her neck if he could and smiled as he felt her hoof stroke. "I'm sure you can too.. You are already doing a wonderful job.." he'd say with a rumble only to make a sound as his stomach heaved again. No ~ Bad stomach! ~ Not on Yuna! Perhaps cuteness can help heal the ailment! (probably not, but the unicorn could wish!)
Yunalesca's ears twitched at the unhappy sounds he was making; she felt bad for him to see him.. perhaps not in pain, but suffering nonetheless. "When we're on solid ground, maybe, so you can show me properly. I wouldn't want to end up making a mistake now and end up causing something worse." The alicorn wasn't going to let her mind stray towards terrible what-ifs this time, when she could focus on Gleam. Yuna turned her head at the feeling of him against her neck, and dipped down to kiss over his forehead, or whatever top of his head she could reach; his ears, even. Though, from here, she had a thought reoccur.. Nah, she couldn't.
Gleaming Echo chuckled and nuzzled against Yuna's neck. "Yeees... I'm not sure we'd want to risk getting me stuck in a coma on the way." he cooed only to feel the kisses against his forehead. The unicorn made a rather contented sound and closed his eyes. As of this moment he was all but submitting himself to the alicorn. Such a lovely distraction from the sickness was she! Even as his stomach heaved with the sway of the ship in the wind he was taking comfort in the fact Yuna was there.
Yunalesca made a bit of a face, unseen, at the word 'coma'. That was one of the things she mentally avoided, but she wasn't too concerned in the here and now. His coos brought forth another smile, one hoof moving up around to his back to rub in gentle circles, soothing him while he relaxed against her. Her head dipped again, trailing kisses on the wavy mane on the top of his head and back down to his forehead, skirting his horn. It was terribly tempting, but part of her felt like she would just make things worse. He was feeling sick!
Gleaming Echo sighed contentedly although... was there just a bit of a moan? Perhaps what with how close she was trailing to that horn of his! Even as the unicorn relaxed due to the alicorn's ministration a playful side was cropping up. But then it was briefly quashed as he felt the 'ship' they were in be buffeted by another gust. UUugh... He had to take a moment to recover, but then he did. He raised his head enough to be able to return several of the kisses and... he gained a bit of a glint in his eye. He tried to contain his mirth as he'd do what she had been avoiding! Though he actually just licked that horn of hers! Haha!
Yunalesca's ear twitched at the sound he made, but she didn't think anything of it. Her hoof was dropped to keep herself steady when the ship swayed for that brief moment; she didn't want to end up rolling out of his bed. The kisses she gained from him, she began to close her eyes to, missing that glint; yet again she was caught off guard because of it. She hardly expected him to do it to her! This meant war! Her eyes had widened, cheeks darkening at the sensation and she peered at him. "I see you're learning things from Tarnished." Yuna observed, moving in to kiss his forehead- all so she could run her tongue up his horn, from the base and up; she was smirking as she did it.
Gleaming Echo gained an impish grin that was not unlike Tarnished's own. However it was still only Gleam! "Of course... Brothers teach each other after all." he'd say with a playful grin. The look on Yuna's muzzle was all the reward the light half needed! However he quickly found the tables turning as the alicorn moved in and kissed his forehead ~ and then she ran her tongue up his horn in return! He turned bright red at this himself and fidgeted against the alicorn. She won this round, obviously!
Yunalesca quirked an eyebrow; she didn't think Tarnished would be so generous to do so. Her face relaxed, but the smirk still remained when he fidgeted. Success! A foreleg was slipped over his chest and she rested it there while she bent to plant kisses over his reddened face. "Gotcha." She murmured playfully; she seemed to be having quite a time keeping him distracted. "Well I'm glad to hear that he's teaching you stuff, even if it is questionable. Better than just arguing, hmm?" Yuna teased lightly, head tilting up to grant his horn a smaller lick this time.
Gleaming Echo was still trying to fight back the blush as he adjusted himself to his new ah... predicament he found himself in. The unicorn slipped a foreleg of his own around Yuna if he could and blushed even further when she planted kisses on his reddened face and said that simple little playful word. "Y-y-yeah you did. Good job." he'd manage to say only to nod. "Yeah! He said that these are things even an idiot could enjoy..." Quite the odd relationship the two had...
Yunalesca moved into his embrace, smirking all the while. It faded a little as she planted a final kiss on the top of his muzzle. "Pfft, you're not an idiot. A goof, sure." One of her own hooves made to drape around his shoulders, brushing his mane out in neat strands while she gazed down at his blushing face. "I take it you're feeling a lot better now?" Yuna queried, noting that he didn't seem to show any sign of discomfort; not like earlier. If he was still feeling sick, he hadn't been paying attention to it with her there. Which meant she was doing a good job.
Gleaming Echo let out an amused sound. "I don't think Tarnished means it half the time anyways, he just doesn't know how to express himself." the light half shifted and cuddled against the mare as she queried if he was feeling better. "I'm quite distracted, so yeah!... just gotta not thing about the swa ~ nope - nononono - not thinking about it." his ears laid back and the unicorn buried his muzzle against Yuna and tried to forget about what he was remembering! The swaying of - no!
Yunalesca looked briefly intrigued when Gleam explained Tarnished. She was sure she remembered Tarnished expressing something about it when she'd asked, but not exactly what. Her free hoof moved up to wrap around his head when he cuddled close, cradling his head against her. "I guess I'll just have to keep you distracted throughout the trip then, when you aren't asleep, huh?" Yuna bent her head, imparting a small lick to his horn before she moved over to his neck, trailing soft kisses and nibbles up along the side. "Try to think about something else."
Gleaming Echo made a rather funny sound when Yuna bent her head and imparted another lick to that horn of his. If it were possible his muzzle turned even more red and he was somewhat hiding in his mane. Silly light half! Alas the unicorn was left to cuddle against Yuna and practically purr as she lavished him with lovins that distracted from the fact the ship was swaying nauseously. "Yeeees... think of the lovely Yuna.. So much nicer than... other things I won't think of." Happy unicorn was happy.
Yunalesca smiled into his neck, an ear twitching towards the noises as she very carefully nipped at his neck a few times, following them up with licks. She paused briefly, moving up to nuzzle at his hidden face; she was sure she could see slivers of his reddened face through the gaps in the wavy bangs of his. "Is there anything you want to talk about, while we're alone together?" Yuna asked of him, withdrawing a little and using one of her hooves to stroke over his mane again, straightening it idly. She could content herself with cuddling up with him.
Gleaming Echo sighed happily as the unicorn felt her nipping at his neck; and then nuzzling at his face of course. The unicorn tried to think of anything he might want to talk about but then his expression soured. "Am I foolish for wanting to be the hero? Why bother to be good amongst to many troubling elements? Like the cult for one; and Dissy's family. Tarnished almost seems to have the right idea when it comes to them...Almost seems better to be the villain.. or antihero even..." That was said with a somewhat bitter tone. Why couldn't everypony get along? Many things that were happening were making the light half of the pony upset; and thus question his goal of being a hero. Maybe it would be better to be like Tarnished! At least then he could have leave to do what needed to be done!
Yunalesca nosed the side of his head, close to one of his ears, an idle gesture while the unicorn talked in a tone unfamiliar to him. Hearing him sound anything but happy or cheerful was unfamiliar, and her brow furrowed down in concern. She shifted her body a little up against his, leaning to get comfortable and resting her chin up close to his ear. "It's not wrong to be the hero, I guess. Sometimes it's hard to stick to your morals when everything else in the world around you is terrible." Yuna quieted for a moment, her breath possibly tickling the fur of his ear. "If Lightning's family really is abusing him.. I'm not sure what even I would do when we get there and see it for ourselves. Probably nothing good, but being a hero is protecting other ponies who can't protect themselves, isn't it?"
Gleaming Echo let out a sigh and nodded in agreement with what Yuna said. "It is... sometimes I just want to sit back and let Tarnished be the villain he professed to be. Though to be honest I don't really label him as a villain." he'd say only to make a face whenever he heard the protest in his head from his dark half. He was a villain damn it! "When we get there, I really don't think I'll be able to make myself stop Tarnished before he goes too far." he sighed and leaned against the alicorn. "I'm afraid he might lose his temper and do something extreme..." Like burn the whole city down and cause untold amounts of mayhem.
Yunalesca lifted her head a little when she felt his move beneath her, pulling back so she could look at his face while he talked. She caught the wince, but she couldn't determine why. Nonetheless. "I understand. I.. really don't like feeling like I'm telling either of you what to do or like I'm being controlling or anything," Yuna frowned, head dipping to nuzzle her nose down into the soft side of his neck, just under his jaw, "but if I must, I'm sure I can convince him not to go too far.." She sighed and moved her lips to nibble along his jaw thoughtfully. "We'll just have to see how bad things are when we get there. Who knows, I might get angry enough to help. I don't like it when ponies hurt others and make them helpless."
Gleaming Echo let out a noncommittal hum of agreement as the alicorn dipped her nose down and nibbled along his jaw. A few shivers ran down his body but he simply shifted and nibbled the alicorn's neck in return. "Indeed.. we shall have to see." the light half of the pony replied as his foreleg held the mare all the more tight. Pity Dusky wasn't around; but then again she would probably be taking the situation a whole lot worse than they were. Little did they know, of course! The unicorn wasn't feeling as queasy but he was back to feeling drowsy again. He just couldn't win for losing, dang it!
Yunalesca moved her foreleg at his shoulder underneath one of his, draping it over his body so she could rest her head down on his shoulder. She made a soft content noise when Gleam nibbled along her neck, shuffling a little; she had to admit that she liked it when either half of the unicorn touched her neck. There probably was more they could do, she acknowledged in a part of her mind, but she was content where she was; there was something about spending time with Gleam that put Yuna in a cuddly mood. She hummed softly to him and draped one of her wings over him, like a soft blanket.
Gleaming Echo hummed and shifted against Yuna as her wing draped over him. He cuddled up to her side under the soft feathers and returned to nuzzling once again. However with the warm happy feelings the dozy side was making him start to nod off! At least he wasn't feeling ill any longer. Thus the unicorn nuzzled against Yuna with somewhat lessening frequency until he fell silent and... two minutes later he let out a snore... Yep...out like a light!
The End.