7/16/16; Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

[Deleted]

((Good, good. Lovely work son. Let the lulz begin))

Discord knew next to nothing of the Crystal Empire. It seemed to be today's theme and he without a guided! He manifested a pair of spectacles over his eyes and a folded program brochure, reviewing the day's remaining content. What he did know, was that it had been hidden, gone, until recently. There was no word of such an event in Canterlot's books, yet… Something was amiss. It was right up there with Baseball and dancing, his experience with such an Empire. Who could dance when you had two left hooves? Well --er, a hoof and a talon. He certainly didn't tempt fate. Sometimes one could forget that the spirit was less inclined towards the affairs of mortals. The objects in question vanished.

Though he did much enjoy digging around Sombra's mind, the invisible thread tied at the end of his horn, was still too short. His paw's digit wiggled up and poked the underside of the seed bag, sending it out with a poof! A curiosity he was, at best. At worst he was a nuisance. Arbitrary, flippant, and disrespectful of the princess's words and points of view. By any measure the Spirit certainly seemed a jester. What other role could he have served, 'leashed', as it were. But little known: Discord was free to do as he wont. All that kept him, was the genuine friendship he cherished. He continued to float beside Celestia.

The spirit cackled softly. "Do I do that now?" Sarcasm lacing his velveteen voice. He turned and chuckled, his tail moving up. The white tufted formed itself into a hand. "Now, now Tia… it would do we have tea with our present company. You working under such circumstances is not something I could allow. It would be most… uncivil not to at least hear him out." His before it would reach up and attempt to grab her chin. mismatched eyes turned to the mare, staring down into them.

He was, of course, not threatening his mate. His back turned to the truffle he held a cheeky grin for the princess. He was an equally charming bastard that wished to play. "Oh, but by your leave, princess if you'd rather work than have conversation with us… I would understand." Discords's games could be dangerous, but they were also dissecting in their process, allowing him opprotunity to delve deeply into the thoughts of his victims.

To Sombra's luck, or disadvantage.

He puckered his lips at Celestia, teasingly throwing a kiss before vanishing and reappearing in front of Sombra. The predator stood upon his hind legs, looking down at the smaller pony. In such a stance the spirit was, most definitely larger. His wings had spread out and his forelimbs hung at his side. A manticore's paw and an eagle's claw were built to catch and hold prey: pinning it down. His lips pulled back, turning the trading smile of the jester into something else.

"Come, come, you aren't troubled by it, are you? I mean we could compare notes." He pressed his paw's digits to line up with his claws, steelping them. "On the advantages and disadvantages of ruling a kingdom…"

[Mal]

King Sombra could be a masterful tactician, and he'd worked something of a plan with his alicorn other before he entered Canterlot. He asked to have some time, of course, so that he could talk to Celestia and work his way in enough to be granted stay in the palace, but they'd agreed on a distraction. He didn't know when that distraction might come, but he knew that the dark alicorn would know when to pick a good moment to begin. As was the way of the shadow king, no matter what world. He trusted the other Sombra, as he was, essentially, a version of himself and he was an arrogant, vain bastard; his trust of the alicorn Sombra was no different than admiring himself in the mirror.

An eyebrow arched up when he caught sign of Princess Celestia face-hoofing at that mention of cake. Sombra didn't know what its importance was, but it came off to him as some sort of inside joke. It didn't matter to him that he wasn't apart of it, it was probably not very amusing; then again, he had a dry sense of humor. If he had any sense of humor at all.

"You say so?" Sombra tilted his head questioningly, finding it rather odd that Celestia would be passing him off to a guard, instead of showing him herself. He was, essentially, visiting royalty. In his mind he was. For her to do that to him came off as rather disrespectful. Either she had him figured out, or she was still just keeping him at a leg's length, and hers were pretty long. Sombra guessed the latter. After the way she reacted to seeing him earlier, that single shed tear and seeking out the comfort of her court's jester, she was trying to assert some distance. It didn't matter to him if she did, he'd find a way in one way or another. "I greatly appreciate that you're allowing me stay, and my companions, too. A relief it will be to wash away the dust from the roads." How he hated to play nice, but the face he wore and the memories.. They crowded, and he took what manners he could from them. From the other. The good other that Celestia cared so much for.

Sombra didn't know what the others took of what he'd said of forgiveness, or anything else for that matter, but he didn't bother to pry. They, or at least the sun princess, were trying to figure him out as much as he was with them. His ears twitched up towards Discord's returning banter about the cake, and whether she might stay to share tea with them. Would she? It'd be nice to see what more he can learn from their interactions, and small slipups, but in the same breath he felt he'd rather retrieve Hope and the others so that he might finally wash. Might finally rest in an actual bed. He was disturbed from this musing when Discord disappeared in a flash of light, and rematerialized before his eyes. Literally. Sombra fought the urge to step back and dared to hold his ground stubbornly, standing tall and confident as he tilted his head back to look the spirit firmly in the face. Almost defiantly, the way he faced Discord.

"I'm not troubled at all with it." The king replied with another brief, charming smile. "'Twould be interesting talk." He wasn't sure how long it might last, but he did feel it would eventually be interrupted if the other Sombra was already making his move; he could never know if he was, or not. Sombra gave a flick of his tail, one foreleg curling gracefully up towards his chest, half under the fur-lined cape, in a show that he was ready to follow wherever they might lead him. A parlor, perhaps?

[Deleted]

Celestia was very much for keeping the evil king at hoof-length. Though she had decided to give him the benefit of the doubt that didn't mean she didn't want to put forward her own counter-machinations! Perhaps checking up on the Equestrian spy network? Or perhaps sending her letters to the Crystal Empire. But such a plan seemed to be fated to be stalled by Discord. ~ At least Sombra couldn't seek out some sort of golden power to try to take over the kingom with... That was always such a hassle to deal with!

Alas she would almost welcome the evil... This Sombra was proving to be.... difficult to deal with. The very way he was acting was just so frightfully familiar. She didn't want to think of him as the Sombra she knew, but the influence was there. For everypony's good she needed to keep distant and professional. He was an unknown threat; not her lost love. Besides, she'd put that past behind her.... right?

She actually inched towards Discord at that thought. It was a rather odd reaction for the mare to have. Perhaps she could slip away to get back to her 'work', right? No ~

The mare's ears laid back in minor distress for a moment, but finally she just let out a sigh and nodded once he'd turned her head and gave that cheeky grin of his. The longer she was around the dark king the more she could watch him with her own eyes. ~ It 'was' also rather amusing to see the two talk to each-other. "Fine, I suppose I have some time for a spot of tea before I go back to work."

Her muzzle twitched into a small smile that she attempted to hide as Discord suggested trading some rather... potentially unscrupulous notes. After all Discord's method of kingdom operation was still a heavy WIP. Burning the paperwork wouldn't do anypony any good; Nor would turning the nobles into chickens, peacocks, or any sort of small fowl. Even if that would be fun.

Celestia turned and walked from the two down the corridor back the way that she had come. "We can use one of the smaller parlors. I'm sure they are unoccupied." The parlors were somewhat near the kitchens; allowing for food and drink to be brought to said rooms ~ tea included.

"What sort of tea do the two of you desire?" Keep her mind centered upon tea and duty so she couldn't get drawn into the current situation. Yes! Great idea!

[Tempest]

It didn't take long for the visitor to start to work his unique shade into the minds of the already xenophobic unicorns of ... Canterlot, had his other self called it? He could feel their disdain and mistrust of other races, ripe for the twisting. A mother with a young colt would prove to be the first to fall under the influence of the dark magic issuing forth from that alleyway. She abruptly threw her bags onto the ground beside her with a furious cry; the pegasus stallion a few paces ahead of her was then to begin receiving a very colourful tirade of just what she thought of his kind, while her son cowered by the wayside.

The drama attracted the eyes of passers-by in short order, and the King felt those among the crowd who held the irate mare's views but were too dignified to ever do as she was doing... for now. Sombra reached out for their minds, too, subtly gaining a foothold to drive them to join her in her accost of the unfortunate pegasus. Other pegasi and even some earth ponies from among the witnesses at last stepped forward to defend the victim, only to find themselves to come under attack from a series of slurs and declarations of unicorn superiority. In turn, many of them resorted to equally angered and threatening comebacks in defense.

The dark beast, at present in the appearance of this world's Sombra right down to the metallic shine of his sabatons, watched from his hiding place with a grin steadily creeping across his face. It was evident by the magic he weaved upon them that the ponies before him were not beings in his eyes- rather, they were things. Things he was having far too much fun playing with. It wouldn't take much more to push them all that little bit further to a physical altercation, and then to withdraw his influence before any especially astute unicorns might have made note of it.

By the time the castle guards would have been rushed to respond to reports of the growing disruption, a large-scale street brawl would be in full swing between the unicorns and the pegasi (and earth ponies) of Canterlot. Sombra himself would allow a brief sighting, umbrum shadows and all, before he'd simply teleport away if anypony tried to give chase. He couldn't risk a direct confrontation with any of them just yet. First, it was time to replay this madness - to him, game - in another part of the city~

[Deleted]

He could just kiss her! His lips pulled back over his fangs in a soft smile, though that alone seemed contrast as his front teeth were the sharp curves of a hunter's. And while the spirit seemed to lean close to present her with a teasing kiss, his tail's tuft would release her muzzle, softly brushing against the underside of her chin before he had vanished. Presenting himself to Sombra in such a way would allow the spirit to size him up with a near predatory posture. He stared down at the pony. He could be compared to Luna height, and seemed to share little more than a short temperment, hardly designed to deal with the common rabble.

Discord began to lean forward, doing to attempt to invade Sombra's personal space. His red-scaled tail pushed against the ground, lifting him up. His hind legs tucked up as they raised from the grounded position. The right talon's sharp claws were curled out, his two-toed hoof just as sharp. One wouldn't be able to afford damage from a kick of either limb were he so inclined for physical violence. Luckily Discord preferred the gratification that came with a good puzzle like this rotten pony. Rotten due to the simple fact was Discord did not like how this pony came out of no where and made Celestia cry.

It was what stuck out most to the spirit.

In all of his terror and tomfoolery: Discord could say with confidence he never made Tia cry.

Pushing himself up and forward he defied gravity by merely dangling from the base of his own tail, but he was often defiant of natural and social laws mandated by forces within an authoritative sphere. His ears swiveled forward as his jaws parted in delight of Sombra's acceptance of his challenge. His sharp, reality rending claw flexed as his soft paw presented the contrasting curves of his black nails. His head snapped up as he pushed up like a meerkat on the savannah. His brows furrowed sensing a shift in magic coming from Canterlot (24). Before he could speak up Celestia offered up one of the parlour for his games.

He clapped out of existence, sliding between here and there, snaking through realms before he slithered back out beside the Solar maiden. Like a carp kite the Discordian terror coiled around the mare in delight. "Perfect~! You know I have always wanted to give Dandelion Tea a try." He cooed, pressing his paw and claw together as he floated on his back, beside Celestia. "I hear it is wonderful for constipation ." He looked right at Sombra when he said that word, back legs kicking as if he were swimming.

In another flash the draconequus settled himself in the parlour, claw digit snapping to materialize tea cups, tea pots on hot plates and an array of snacks. Upon his own head was a bowler cap and, if the two did not dismiss it, he would materialize fine party clothing on them. For Tia a lovely gold and blue gown, or was it blue and black? Regardless Sombra would be provided with a tuxedo vest and red bowtie (and a monocle to irritate him). Of course the clothing could easily be dismissed by a simple spell, but the spirit would have his fun.

They did not need servants to tend to them with a being capable of materializing various curiosities into a single soace, from many or more. "Do enjoy. It is my own, personal, brew." For a rambunctious old spirit he took tea time quite seriously... at least as anything else for the sugar bowl began waddling around thetable, offering up its contents. "So Sombrero, do tell. How is it you're soooo popular?" Sarcasm thick.

He had his plans and plots. Whatever chair, any of them, choose, all of them would find a soft, rubbery, whoopie cushion, to be placed beneath their backsides. It would create a symphonic air in the parlour. Sophisticated, really.

[Mal]

It appeared that both his and Discord's suggestion of settling down for some tea worked its influence on Celestia. He would've spoken to her further, but Discord still blocked his view of Celestia with the invasion of his space, which he continued to do with the way he moved. Sombra would neither step down and lose ground against Discord, nor could he react violently to such nearness as he was wont to do with unwanted approaches. All he could do was wait it out, and the utterance of 'parlor' took the spirit out of his way, the king's patience rewarded. While Sombra's knowledge on castles and what they contained were slim at best, he'd been correct of where they might be headed when the solar princess mentioned a parlor. A nice, comfortable room where nobles might sit in their cushy chairs and share food and drink. A place to socialize.

Sombra wasn't entirely sure if he was interested in trying anything the spirit prepared, in the slim chance that it might be poisoned. Would poison work on an umbrum as it worked on a normal pony? This he didn't know, but in this physical flesh body he didn't want to take any chances. There was no trusting Discord.

The moment Princess Celestia moved off, leading the way back out of the hallway and its 'wall of shame,' King Sombra cast the stained glass windows and what they entailed a last, curious look before he turned to follow her out. The way he moved or walked was always with the poise and confidence befitting a king, his head always held up high and his stride steady, practiced, a masculine grace. Those green eyes shifted towards Discord when he reappeared again beside the sun maiden along the way. The king caught that look and reacted by mustering a smile. "It must be quite terrible for you lately. I wouldn't mind trying out whatever tea you two have to offer; I'm afraid I haven't had much of a chance at tasting teas in the past." He was subtly trying to turn the constipation jab around on Discord because Sombra didn't like what the chaotic beast was trying to imply. There was hope that Discord might even grow frustrated with the continued good manners, a difference from their earlier.. banter.

When they reached the parlor in question, Sombra eyed Discord's flashy reappearance on the way towards a comfortable looking seat, but he soon found his clothing changed to that of a tuxedo by the way it felt against his body.. and what he wore already. Sombra almost dropped the monocle set before one of his eyes in surprise, and he caught it with a hoof that was still ironshod. It was placed aside on a small table. He hadn't yet been subject to the way Discord altered things, and ponies, around him on a whim, so this was quite.. a new experience. How Sombra wished to be rid of the spirit already, but he had a game to play here too, and he would follow the rules he set down for himself.

The others would play along too, whether they wanted to or not. Play by his rules.

Sombra did take a moment to inspect the tuxedo he'd been donned with, as though he'd never seen one before (in a way, he hadn't, with as time displaced as he was; perhaps no different than Princess Luna after being restored to Celestia's side), and disregarded it so he might finally seat himself. The king's attention had been on the wandering sugarbowl and Discord's question when the seat below him released the most.. unflattering of noises. Sombra was quick to jump back up, a look of genuine embarrassment and confusion on his face. "That was not me." Whoopie cushions, he didn't know them.

His mind struggled with what to answer to Discord, abrupt distraction aside, almost forgetting what'd been asked of him. ".. Popular? I am by no means popular." Sarcasm missed.

[Deleted]

Celestia didn't show it, but she was by no means a happy princess about the fact that she was unable to carry out her 'precautionary plans'... And she would be an even more unhappy princess should she know that ponies in the street of her city were being manipulated by a dark shade of a pony to attack each-other!

Alas she rolled far too low (3) to determine just what sort of magic was being used, even if she did feel a large amount of 'something' going on in the city. (13)

Celestia's gaze was remaining somewhat riveted upon the Draconequus and the Dark King. Mad King more like... She had no love for anypony that uses something so foul as slave labor. Probably it was because of how protective of her ponies that she was that she abhorred the very idea of a pony being in such a situation. Alas that greatly spurned her dislike of the 'unicorn'.

The slightly dour nature of her thoughts became completely interrupted, though, whenever Discord announce that they were having 'Dandelion Tea'... An then what followed after. Dandelion tea... Since it was Discord's it was probably native to the chaos realms... So Dandelion could be... well.. she had a rather dreadful thought of literal flowers with lion heads....

But then Discord said that it was good for 'constipation' while pointedly looking in Sombra's direction.

The alicorn tried to stifle a laugh as she daintily concealed her muzzle with a hoof. But then it was quickly obvious that she was losing the fight as snickers began to slip. She had to take to biting her lower lip as as she tried... And unfortunately she failed as she whined and let out a few laughs. She was still visibly restraining herself; if only for politeness sake. Most 'Dark Kings' and 'Evildoers' did look like they were constipated... And spoke like they were part of a Canterlot Stage Drama ... Did they practice those evil laughs in front of mirrors.. for hours? That thought set the alicorn off even worse as she dissolved into a fit of giggles. It would have been worse but she managed to catch herself... somewhat.

It took her a little time to manage to get a-hold of herself but she still had a smile plastered on her muzzle. She was in a bit of a better mood now. "Thank yo~" Oh, Discord had vanished.

This was... awkward.

The alicorn glanced back at Sombra and found her smile falling at the sight of the King. "This way. My apologies for my lack of decorum." The 'political' mask slipped right back on where it had been before and she proceeded to lead the umbrum down towards the parlor. Though... the way she said apologies, while in her normal tone, did potentially lead one to wonder just how sincere the apology was. She was well practiced in half truths in a political standpoint. She was apologetic, but not that she laughed at the Dark King. Not really. She took great joy in the mental image of Sombra standing in front of a mirror growling menacingly a-and... *Snrk* 'Bad Celestia'...

It didn't take long for the silent duo to reach the parlor, but she was again taken by surprise as she found herself suddenly adorned in a dress of deceitful coloration. Didn't she see this very dress (Or one like it) in an article of the Canterlot paper once? Probably....

Celestia was somewhat used to Discord's shenanigans so she hardly looked herself over. Unfortunately she made the mistake of looking over at Sombra. She jumped just about two feet in the air and about double that to the side, putting some distance between herself and Sombra. However worst of all was the fact that a bright blush had appeared.

Heavens damn it, Discord. This was intentional wasn't it!

As fast as the blush appeared it had melted off of her face as her ears fell and she regained that rather crestfallen look. He looked so much like...

She somehow made her way to the table and sunk down to a sitting position, and at some point she distractedly thanked the sugarbowl... She didn't even react to the woopie cushion of all things! Her gaze was riveted on the cup of tea that floated before her while she stared into its depths. Did the colors in her mane dim some? Maybe? Who knows what a depressed alicorn princess looked like.

[Tempest]

( ooc: after several days of being unable to think of anything to write and not wanting to hold up this thread any longer than i have already, i've elected to basically summarise what my dude does rather than write it out in full. sorry lol :v )

Minor > Disguises as a common unicorn, blue with pink eyes (i.e. unicorn version of the body he's stolen)
Moderate x2 > Uses a combination of charisma and magic to incite a riotous protest against the nearest contingent of guardponies among a cadre of rebellious youth, and sways the guards to respond with force
Major(?) > Makes an effort to stroll right outta the city by way of 'perception filter'-esque charm so that nopony thinks to give him a second glance, since a teleport spell would attract a lot of attention

( Just for transparency,
Previous d20 rolls + this post's rolls:
19 + 14 + 3 + 6 (x2) + 13 = 61

So this combined with the magic he's used already leaves him with 39% power/mana/whatever you'd call a pony's magic reserve. )

[Deleted]

There was an abnormally aggressive pleasure that came with his games. The spirit seated himself, an weaker toot puttering softly beneath him, with his lighter seeming frame. The male floated himself over his seat, ears pricking up as Sombra lost his composure over the eruption of faux flatulence to fill the air. Discord's lips drew back in amusement as he shifted his weight. His hind legs daintily crossed knee over knee as he rest his elbows on the table, nething his digits so his chin had a place to rest. A hissing purr rumbled from his chest, pure deviance.

"My, my Sombrero, trying to pass the blame?" He wrinkled his muzzle as if expecting a smell.

The spirit leand back, his long, snake-like body perfectly poised. His eagle's claw was held out, levitating his cup and saucer. The spirit smirked, paw held out, as I'd to hold the levitating saucer in place. His claws wrapped around the fragile handle and turned the cup upside down, spilling it's contents. The liquid seems to defy gravity and float about. His lips pursed out to slurp out the sweet, fragrant drink. He had made a show of it, a silly beast full of nonsense. It did not display his power, but instead showed nothing more than a jester struggling to hold favor of his princess.

When Discord turned to look to said princess her spirits looked... He frowned and took a bite out of his cup. "Come, come Tia dear. Your tea will grow cold if you dally." Shit, his game seemed to have the opposite effect.

A sharp eye was turned to the umbrum, but before Discord could cast the spell wiggling at the tips of his claws, which seemed to occupy his cup...

There was some commotion among guards. Word would arrive of a few ponies starting riots and what ones that were arrested needed handling. Nobles were blaming the lack of guardsponies actively in town. Broad daylight! Celestia was slipping or the night ponies were becoming day ones!

"I slave over a hot kettle, this is the thanks I get? You know for a visitor Sombrero you are rather resisted to my good will. Try the tea." He was becoming annoyed, chest fur and feathers bristling a bit.

Why did this scruffy pony hold the key to Celestia's moat vulnerable emotions?!

[Mal]

It wasn't difficult for the king to notice how they snickered and glanced back at him. They were definitely laughing at him, not just some inside joke involving their 'wall of shame.' It rankled him, but he took that blossoming anger and tried to ball it up, pushing it down. Saving it. He did so now, catching that look on Discord's face after the terribly childish joke done at his expense, but it appeared the only being in the room laughing was Discord himself. Sombra came to notice how Celestia removed herself quickly to sit dejectedly in her chair. He couldn't tell if it was a trick of the light, or if the princess somehow looked.. dimmer. Like a candleflame about to go out.

Interesting.

Unfortunately Sombra hadn't seen what exactly caused it, or why; the tuxedo he wore didn't cross his mind in the least. His green eyes were cast back towards Discord when he heard his voice and Sombra made a show of brushing something off of his chest. "Foal's play." The king sighed, returning to his chair and nosing around it. A hoof peeled the cushion up and he found something.. unusual. It almost looked as if somepony left an organ behind, that was his initial impression of the whoopie cushion. He was almost hesitant to touch it, but he pulled it out, frowning at it, visibly confused.

Sombra pressed it between his iron forehooves, making a small, wheezy phffft noise escape. His snout wrinkled again, head leaning back in an almost cat like manner. What was this? He snorted and tossed it aside before gingerly climbing back up into his seat. No more distractions. That charming face of his, naturally open and calm like the good other, turned to face Celestia. "What ails you, my dear? Are you doing okay?" Sombra strove to show Discord up by asking in a more caring manner. He leaned his back against the back of the seat, his back legs curling up beneath him and one forehoof resting casually across the armrest. He sat tall, back straight, an image of regality.

His ears twitched when Discord offered him tea. There was still much distrust in him for that tea, and what picking up a cup might entail. Would he get tea splashed in his face? Dumped on his clothing? What other paltry tricks did the draconequus have hiding up his nonexistent sleeves like strange, small organ that made noises like a pony's back end? "My apologies," Sombra replied smoothly, leaning forward to pick up a cup between his forehooves. It was carefully shifted so that it sat comfortably in the dip on the underside of one hoof, and held so. It was just for appearances, and the king wasn't sure if he should dare to try it, even in pretend.

Sombra hoped a distraction might come soon to interrupt this little tea party..

[Gleamished]

Celestia gazed upon the cup with an unreadable expression. At least until Discord addressed her. She looked to the Draconequus and then back at the tea... She should drink it, if only to be polite! She began to casually take a sip whenever even Sombra seemed to notice her emotional state and then he... asked what ailed her. Initially she shied back but the facade broke as the mounting frustration won out and burst from the little hole it found itself in.

The temperature spiked again and she slammed her hooves to the table. "What is wrong?" she'd say with a bit of a low tone that was by no means different than her usual voice. But there was this razor sharp edge that could almost make a pony bleed hearing it. "You show up wearing a pony's face that I cared for... No perhaps 'cared for' is too minor a term. The Sombra from the other world was a good pony that I would once have been happy to spend his whole life with, but now the monster of this world shows up all but mocking his memory. Perhaps just to mock me in turn and loosen my tongue at the same time? Where better to get information on the realms than here."

Oooh yeah she was sparking visibly and the chair she had been sitting in before burst into flame. (dat 20 to -bad buttons to press- xD)

"Once you've got your information and are done parading his face around I swear to the pits of tartarus I will hunt you down if you use his image outside these walls for evil. You questioned my tendency to banish? I have never liked killing.... Don't make me make an exception."

All the while her voice never went up in octave nor volume. It just turned more scathing.

Thankfully the day would have been inadvertently saved by the events the Sombra outside set in motion. The door to the parlor burst open and almost immediately the alicorn had her normal facade once again. The temperature had even dropped back to normal again sans the burning chair which the guard gave a brief cursory (and confused) look at. Then again Discord was in the room so anything could happen.

"Princess! Some ponies started a riot in the streets!"

The alicorn inclined her head towards both Draconequus and pony cordially before she turned to the guard. "Take me there." And thus unless something stopped her from leaving she'd be heading out into the city with said guard to find out just what was going on. What a coincidence for something like this to happen when he shows up here...

[Deleted]

Normally Discord would be beside himself, in stitches, (oft times quite literally) at such a gag. Sombra was a pony out of time. By his speech, and personal declarations, it was easy to see how simple it was to confuse him and rattle the so-called king. He was beginning to see Velestia's dislike for the title. Personally he was wholly tempted to ask where he got such a title. Discord knew a king once and this poofy truffle was miles from his stature and arrogance. If not for the draconequus' table manners he would have sent Sombra for a ride.

But he did not need to.

Somewhere Discord had lost something in translation. There was something beyond his relative knowledge. Celestia had lost her patience and, rather dramatically, raised her voice and temperature. He had a vicious temptation to place the kettle upon Tia's rump to warm the tea back up, but there was a boundary he was sure… she would find most unamusing. While tempted by his baser habits as a spirit of chaos… he held back. Besides watching Sombra getting a tongue lashing gave him a deeply, smug sense of satisfaction.

Besides becoming rather taken by Tia's loose temper it prided him watching the king become the fool.

Did he hear her express the fact she had feelings for anothrr, before him? Certainly. But it was one of those times he decided to reject reality and replace it with something of his own fancy. Manifesting a white, cone shaped paper hat on Sombra, which was marked blatantly with the letter D (did it stand for Discord? Of course not). He glanced away and pressed his paw to his muzzle, cheeks red with amusement and the absolute pleasure he received from Celestia's commanding syate. It was not that Discord enjoyed the idea of being bossed around, hardly, but seeing them break their facades made being a chaos spirit all worthwhile.

When Tia stormed out (as Discord could have sworn little thunder clouds chasing her backside), the spirit vanished, only to burst back in, on the table, in front of Sombra. The draconequus fluffed up, his coils shifting behind him as if he was summoned to make a wish and was some eternal guardian. In a sense he was, Tia and Lulu's. His head would move and try to lean up close to the Umbrum king's face.

"I must say," he whispered. "I was hoping to get you to break your composure, but seeing Tia become so flustered was rather satisfying." His ears folded back. He would look to make clear that he was not satisfied with Sombra being the cause. "You are the only 'dignitary' I have never seen her lose her temper with anypony. Congratulations. You are on the wire." He shifted his weight and jumped off the table to follow the mare, cackling softly. "Poor, poor truffle. Careful, you don't want to get burned~"

[Mal]

Sombra gave the tea a cursory sniff to see if it really was tea, but his gaze was over the teacup's top, centered on Celesta's forlorn face and dimmed radiance. There was something he felt in himself, a feeling of guilt. When he searched himself for why that was, he couldn't find the reason. It was no doubt whatever emotions bled off of the one who's memories he held. It was chalked up to that.

When Celestia faltered from taking a drink of her own tea, he saw the moment her facade shattered to show him the rage and frustration underneath. His eyebrows rose up, eyes widening slightly in surprise at this outburst. She accused him of wearing the other's face, and quite accurately seemed to figure out why exactly he was here at all. It was as though she read his mind and discovered his plans. It surprised him, but he need only remind himself that Princess Celestia spent a thousand years free, free of ice and stone and moon's prison. She'd been given time to grow much more clever and sharp of mind. So, of course he could see why, and he could also see it was the possibility that she was paranoid. No doubt she thought his ruse was exactly the sort of thing King Sombra would pull off, and for that she was correct.

He held his composure, slowly adjusting the teacup in his hooves to place it back down onto the table without ever taking a sip from it. He moved with a calmness, as though Celestia's anger affected him not at all. It was only slightly untrue, for he was impressed with the depth of her fury, and a bit intimidated by it too; as things were, when the quiet, friendliest ponies snapped. It'd been true with himself, too. She was quite a sight, pale and radiant princess of the sun sitting in her burning chair. The heat of it and her made him lean back, away from it.

Speaking of himself, did he not look something like this once upon a time before the discovery of his umbrum power? Before the darkness that twisted his visage? Sombra frowned at Princess Celestia and her flaming chair, looking irritated for a reason he soon spoke aloud. "It is as much my face as his, for we are one in the same but of different worlds." He rumbled out, spoken as quietly as Celestia did, but the strength of his voice ensured that it carried across the space between them, stern, reminding the princess. If she didn't believe him, how could he prove it to her? By having her meet two of the ponies who knew him in his youth: Radiant Hope and Princess Amore. Sombra would make sure that Amore played along, as he already knew Hope would.

Princess Celestia might have guessed his plan correctly, but he wasn't going to stop all because she found him out! No, he might stay here a while and ensure he managed to build up some trust between he and her, and pick an appropriate time to leave. He'd get what he wanted, no matter what.

Sombra's emerald gaze broke from Celestia as hers did from him to focus on the guardpony that burst into the parlor, speaking of a riot happening down in Canterlot. He took it to be the distraction the other Sombra no doubt had a hoof in, because how else would a riot have started? What little Sombra saw of Canterlot showed him a grand city full of the wealthy and the noble. They didn't often get into hoof-fights when they'd rather tear each other apart with words. Impressive. The appearance of the strange, cone-shaped hat was flicked off by a hoof and he shot Discord a look, quiet as Celestia rose and left, his snout wrinkling somewhat at the smell of burnt chair; it was thick now.

Discord's next reappearance on the table forced him to meet the draconequus's gaze, with their faces so close together. His snout never unwrinkled, irritated with the spirit and his antics. "It's quite an achievement, I take it," Sombra murmured back. "No, it is unfortunate. My very arrival must have unsettled her, and I have pushed too far. It's clear she's still heartbroken." He sounded almost apologetic.

Sombra shifted in his chair to watch Discord go, chasing after Princess Celestia. He was going to remain right here while the solar diarch went off to deal with the riot, wait until he was granted a chance to find out where his new quarters were located; provided Princess Celestia allowed him to stay after losing her temper with him. He might've pushed too far with his act, and he'd be sure to do better next time. He sat in his chair like a king would a throne, aiming to patiently wait.

[Deleted]

Celestia should have just kept walking, but upon hearing him claim to be one in the same with her Sombra ~ but of different worlds drew her up short. The small-ish guard stopped and looked back as well at the princess. Likely wondering why she stopped. The alicorn let out a sigh and turned to Sombra. But instead of anger it was an echo of the sadness from before tempered behind resignation.

“You are not him, Sombra. Even if you hide who you are behind facades and illusions. The corruption of the dark such as the magnitude you had once fallen into does not suddenly 'disappear' unless a powerful catalyst such as the elements of harmony or rituals such as those in the healing church are used." she began with a rather flat tone. "And I would greatly appreciate it if you would do us both a favor and don't pretend. A pony is shaped by their choices and experiences. The Sombra in the mirror world was kind, charming, and a well beloved ruler for the most part.... He chose to help ponies rather than enslave them. Happiness and love over fear"

"Yet at the same time you are not truly King Sombra anymore... A twisted mockery of a pony who sold his soul for power and enslaved the crystal empire with cruelty, malice, and the will to dominate..."

She turned back to Sombra and gave him a somber look. "You possess the accumulated memories and experiences of a stallion who did well by his ponies ~ And you also possess the memories and experiences of a short-sighted flank-hat of a pony with delusions of power who would have potentially run his own Empire into the ground within a few decades."

that was so crass even the guard was staring agape... Though maybe it was because of the total drop in decorum.

"How long, after he snuffed out the crystal heart's magic, would it have taken for the harsh winter of the north to settle upon the city? How long before his own servants began to freeze? How long before the suffering drew wendigo to feed upon those who were left? What is a king upon a frozen throne with a dead kingdom?"

The alicorn refocused her attention upon the pony upon the chair and offered probably the first actual smile, though it was somewhat more on the encouraging side.

"You have the chance to be greater than the sum of both parts.... What you do with that chance determines whether we meet as friends or associates" the smile fell and she frowned. "Or whether we will simply have to meet on the field of battle again." and thus she turned to continue again.

"Think about it, Sombra."

And thus unless something else was said or she was stopped she continued on out the door.

[Deleted]

He had never seen Celestia so mad. It was something as rare as an eclipse. Though Discord had never seen one in Equestria. The sisters got along too well to fight over such a thing. He was unaware of the once, perhaps twice, it had occurred, but it was something that was as rare as when the moon was colored a corn blue. He could attribute the comparison to an old story he knew, though the ones who had told him it, are around no more. Sometimes there were things he wished he could remember everything, but he knew twas foolish with the time he has been around. He would most likely lose his mind. At least what little that had remained! Ho ho! He was pleased that Sombra got quite the tongue lashing, but his hopes to see Celestia throttle him -- were a far away wish.

He had hoped for Sombra to be hurled in the dungeons, or something. But ... when she began her lecturing that was when the pull of a familiar groan in his throat. He lowered to sit on his haunches, finding the momentary ire from Sombra being so unshakeable... dispatched in lieu to sass the solar mare. "Oh come now Tia, always with your valiant speeches. You could write books on the subject. Please do, I am sure they would be most tasty." He teased, though was a bit curious as to her reaction.

She was on duty mode again, something he really had to break her of. He sighed and looked to Sombra. He really wanted to make that fluffy truffle just -- lose it. But how? So far all his old tricks wouldn't work and Tia seemed to be getting more and more annoyed. He pondered, ears pinning back as he moved along to follow Celestia. His jaws parted as a devious plan came to him. He grinned, looking akin to the cat who ate the canary. Rolling his shoulders the spirit pushed to float, roving towards the mare in question.

"Now, now Tia, even if he is a grumpy mess," Yes Discord did continue to disregard her referencing ... her -- clear defense toward this other. If he let it bother him now he was sure to play a nasty trick he would regret later. While she went on her rant he had tucked his claw behind his back, clenching it, letting his paw press into his feathers. "Everypony deserves a second chance. Why not go and -- handle everything and I will lead him to a nice, warm room. You needn't worry your pretty little head~" Oh he would -- get Sombra to show a foul part of himself.