7/27/16; New Friend

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Marwari watched as Mirage mixed everything together. The sights and scents had her hyper focused on his task at hoof. She had never been in a kitchen during the times they cooked the meals. She was often presented with steamed potatoes and meat much after the fact. At most, forndessert, simple custard pies were a staple, made of the milk of their domestic beasts. The way he used his magic for these take made her wonder how physically adept unicorn were. She had heard they were capable of lifting great atones, moving the very deserts, with their magicks alone. It was why the sultan controlled them as he did, for the so-called safety of the nation. Though it seemed these strict castes became the very sword the sultan fell upon. She did hear it was an assault from foreign soils, specifically Equestria. But seeing it all first hood, she could not believe it.

They had been such kind and accepting ponies who had done her nothing but kindness. Her shock was still settling in. The very guardsmen of the evening halls were, in great majority, her own kind. She wished to ask Mirage of it, but she did worry if her queries may sound invasive, making her out to be a spy rather than the refugee she truly was. She turned her heat up at the dark-furred unicorn's voice. Her muzzle flushed in embarrassment.

"I am greatly sorry." Her broken Equestrian shone theough. "I am glad there was enough. You are quite resourceful." She praised.

When Mirage requested she follow, the Bat Pony would! She would be most glad to rid her fur of the flour. It made her akin to those flaxen fur, herd ponies the sultan liked to keep! Most unappealing in thought. Her darker fur kept her an outcaste, but it also kept her safe in the desert. A dark-furred bandit, a monster, as they oft held keen to recite in her presence.

The thoughts were pushed away when Mirage offered to find some oils for her. "Oh, no please!" She fretted. "These oils I had were from my home. I do not believe Equestria would have such readily available, as many were made from desert plants." She worried. "These Camphor oils were quite difficult to obtain." Of course they were not readily sourced in Equestria, but it did exist as an export.

Though with the state Saddle Arabia is in at curremt, finding a reliable source my prove difficult.

"I will was without it. Couldypu, thought, so with great favor and show me to your washing barrel?" It seemed there were cultural barriers Mirage would have to deal with…

---

The old, grey unicorn was never looked over twice. Without Chaos magic he would barely turn the heads of skilled unis. His steps, though with a distinct limp, we're paced so neither did he draw unwanted attentions. There was always a distinct dislike of places with so many unicorn. Maybe it was his own blood which found aggravation with the matter, or their natural superiority complex which many, outside of Ponyville, were wont to carry. It perplexed him how mortals could be so arrogant. Small, short lived ponies who have never lived a day in the future or vacationed in the past. Spells and skills were learned from the work of their ancestors, never learned. There were few expecting and he gave those unicorn their due.

He had not taken notice of Luna's distress (10), his attention foremost upon the glittering shines of obsession. It befouled his mood. To him it seemed little different than Azure's hero worship. What did they know of Celestia? They seemed naught but to praise her good, yet have they touched the edged of her temper? Have they seen the corners of her eyes when they pinched ever do slightly in ferocity? What gave them authority over her care? Who knew Celestia better? A bunch of cloak draped cultists of light, of her sister and mate? His muzzle scrunched up. He was half a bit short of turning them into a step beneath chickens, but Luna's voice caught his focus. His horn had lit up, but the white magic would fizzle out.

She had bade a cultist… a priest, healer, whatever in Tartarus they called themselves, to lead them to where Tia rest.

"There will be none to hamper a princess." He reassured himself aloud, in a low whisper, little knowing such was his partner's train of thought in similar. "I am remiss to need this disguise. I was quite tempt to turn them all into frogs." Let him see if any princess would stoop to kissing them!

Though to be fair he would be amused to see Tia try. He did need to hold onto Strife a little longer. He would earn the trust of the siaters' little ponies. He had his schemes..

His head lowered to nuzzle the dark mare, a bit of needed contrast in this white pit. When they were lead to Celestia's room… it was most unsettling. It seemed more a mourge than a place of healing. Flowers and paintings of the solar princesses looked more to entomb her than… Strife snorted, his forehoof stamping against the ground. Lest he act rashly… Luna's should act as she would. The very sight had the edges of his eyes bleeding gold, his visage teetering on the boundary of his already short patiencr, the protective male near to banishing a lot to the Shadow Realm.

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Mirage led Mari to his room, before stopping and turning to her as his head tilted slightly to her as she spoke about her oils. He thought for a moment, but then nodded after a while, "I suppose that would make them rare outside ya homeland...well Canterlot do get a lot of traveling merchants and such it would be possible that one of them would have it...and even if they do not...I could make a trip to ya home land to acquire some of these for you." He added with a little smile, before turning back to the door and his magic surrounding it as he pushed it opened.

Mirage took a step in only to freeze again once his right fore hoof was in the door way, "Washing...barrel?" He asked puzzled...well more as of lost in tance as he had memories of the ever free and his barrel that he took baths in...he lived in the wild at the time and he didn't want to take a chance of wild life sneaking up on him as they came for a midnight drink or something from a body of water around. Mira shook his head and continued into the room to allow her in.

The room was decorated with many ancient treasures along with many book shelves and yes...books and more books...he liked his books it seemed as he had atleast twenty book shelves lining the wall where you could not even make out the wall...if you would have of guessed the wall was the book cases from a glance. The book cases were completely full with hundreds and hundreds of books it was like a tiny compact library in his room. The shelves also contained small crystal like orbs in different corlor sizes and variety...some seemed to let out a small little glow that also seemed to light up the room since it had no other source of light from what it appeared.

There was one bed that was neatly made it was too big for a single pony to use it was made for multiple...or perhaps just a pony who tosses and turns alot or even wants a lot of room? Mira his self-disliked the size of the bed...as he glanced at it with the purple stared covers and black bedding along with crimson throw pillows and an oddly shaped plushie...was that of an oddly colored unicorn with a wide grin on it's face? How peculiar! Mira walked passed the bed and sighed again as he shook his head...he could fit so much more books in here if he did not have that massive bed in here...he thought to his self.

Mira turned to Mari with a smile, "Well...I don't think I have my barrel anymore...I think some Timber Wolf took it...feel in love or something with it...I chased him, but he got away with my barrel!" He made a joke...slightly...knowing him it could of have been a true event! After all, he doesn't have his barrel anymore, does he? He blushed slightly; cheeks going rosy as he cleared his throat and shook his head then looked back to the room connecting to his room.

His crimson magic surrounded the door and it was pulled opened, "Well...this is my bath area...you can take ya bath in the tub...that what we use here instead of barrels." He explained as he stepped aside to reveal the dimly glowing room. It revealed the pale yellow walls and the one tub towards the far wall. It had a drape up crimson with a star pattern on it. The glow that lit the room would be the very same one that came from his room, before. The strange little magical orbs. He stepped aside so Mari could enter the room, "Well here you go...if you would like anything else...let me know. The towels and excess stuff are in the closet right there...while the soaps oils and shampoos and other stuffs are in the shower on the racks....you may find some other stuff under the cabinet with the mirror." He motioned to the right side of the wall where there was a huge oval mirror and a sink along with a crimson cabinet below the sink.

Mirage smiled and let out a slight yawn, but shook his head to get rid of it, "Well...I shall leave ya to ya privacy if you will need me later or what ever...Princess Luna should know where I am...I am normally out in the training field...or in the throne room...when I am not on a mission for my mentor that is." He grinned a bit with a soft chuckle.

[Mal]

An ear was turned back at Strife's mutter while Luna followed the pony down the halls towards where they were keeping Tia. His mutter of turning the sun cultists into frogs managed to draw out a small smile and Luna tried to take some comfort from Strife. It was difficult in this place, surrounded by these ponies who so adored her sister. It was almost like the past all over again, except marginally more visual. As much as she would've liked to see them turned into frogs, it might only make Luna look worse if they thought she had Strife do it.

The starry mane that fell from her head flowed airily when Luna shook her head, subtly; the way her hair and tail moved with every small motion made it look as though it defied gravity's pull, as floaty and unrestrained as something drifting through space. Her sister's hair was the same, but Luna wasn't lost in thought on the quality of their manes, but the room Celestia was set up in. She felt some sliver of dread, as though the worst of what she imagine came to pass. Luna had to tell herself that if Celestia passed away, the temple would've alerted her.. wouldn't it?

"Is she doing well?" Luna asked the robed pony who lead them there, who replied with a nod.

'Still unconscious, but Princess Celestia is doing well. We've made her comfortable and brought her flowers. The healers have been checking up on her regularly.'

Luna looked back into the room, resisting the urge to respond with just a grunt. She beckoned the pony to stay, and after returning Strife's nuzzle, she strode inside towards where Celestia slept on her bed. A glance was cast back towards Strife to see if he'd follow her as she stepped up to the side of the bed. Celestia did seem to be doing well, looking peaceful; if Luna stood still and watched carefully, she could see the slow rise and fall of the solar diarch's chest under the covers. "Is she well enough to be moved?"

'Moved?'

"We would like- she is to be returned to the castle and to her chambers if her condition is stable." Luna replied, faltering at making it request and trying to express a command.

'Yes, princess.'

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Marwari followed Mirage through the castle. Everything was still so strange to jer. She felt a little overwhelmed being around so much glory. This castle was built with reverence to their resident diarchs. She had heard the sisters were goddess and by witnessing one of the royal members in action she could see where the rumors of civility and grace came from. Perhaps not quite rumor. She looked up at Mirage, feeling a little bad she was putting him through this. After all he asked had to parade a little bat in front of his sovereign! Yet… there were more bats than just she… it felt nice seeing her kindred represented.

She startled when Mirage stopped suddenly. "Mira? Are you well?" Did she perhaps say something strange?

She sunk her shoulders a bit a scoffed her front, left hoof. Well it was different here in Equestria, by compare. Maybe, for them, such tedious grooming behaviors were odd. When the unicorn offered to find a substitute, of something similar to it, due to the difficulty of trade, she felt relief. He was not upset, though he looked it for a moment. Was it her imagination? Such a big city did unsettle her. Being led into his room did not seem … optimal. He was a stallion after all. Before she could question where he would sleep -- the bath was presented.

"Is that real porcelain? !" She seemed quote shocked seeing a tub, an actual tub! "How fantatic!" She seemed excited. "Could two ponies fit? Mirage, are you going to partake? Does it have hot water?" She became aglow with wonder looking at the faucet. She was so lost in her cheer she did not realize she had called Mirage by his full name again!

Strife stood with the young mare if the even tide. He knew this was an unsettling. It seemed more than ready to entomb the solar maiden. It made him grumpy! He slithered his body along and moved the stand beside Luna. He looked to Celestia's sleeping face.

"…sigh… I don't even feel like drawing on her face." And there was never not an opportunity like that which the spirit did not take advantage of! "Her vulnerability..." As he moped and murmured.

The lunar maiden seemed to have been cleared to take her sister back, but even if she wasn't given the okay -- Strife wasn't in a negotiating mood. He pressed his hoof against Luna's cheek, or at least tried to, while the healer had their attention diverted. Pushing to stand he would let his horn glow, pulling back Celestia's blankets. He smirked and would wait on Luna's actions.

Teleport the hell out of there, or walk their way back. If she didn't make the decision, he would.

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Mira smiled and nods to the bat pony's question, "Yes I am well. Just a little sleepy is all...haven't been sleeping well something I wish to speak with my mentor during our talk." He replied to her gently. He turned his head towards her as she went towards the bathroom as they entered the room. He blinked a few times as she got real excited and he could help, but grin at her...it was kind of...um...what the word...? Adorable...cute...?...probably both and a few other emotions, but he couldn't think of them...couldn't think of much as his mind was rather...um scrambled for some reason when he was around her...this was strange he could always normally think so calmly, but now...it was hard to even get a thought out normally.

Mira shook his head as he listened to her questions...strange as they would be, "Um...yes it is...and probably never tried...and...I suppose I could later, but I really should get going to my mentor and see if we could have our talk while ya clean up and stuff." He told her as he answered all her questions. He sighed slightly and blushed randomly...why...did he feel strange...he wasn't a very social pony nor did he like to touch thing or others touching him...nor did he even like ponies to get too close to him. He was antisocial in other words, but he has gotten better through the years of staying with his mentor among his journies as well.

Yet with her...he liked her being close by and she did smell rather nice...and the soft fur...and...her features and...curious...did friends feel like this to one another...? What was true friendship?...what draws friends to be just that...friends...? He didn't quite know, but he spent so much time isolated...he wasn't sure if he could...have friends or at least had the qualities it took to make friends. He bowed his head to her, "I am sorry, but when you are freshened up a bit...maybe then we can um...go out or something...?" He asked her...did that kind of sound like he asked her out...like on a date...? Well to most it probably did, but to Mirage he didn't mean it as a date...it would be a date to hang out yes, but not a date date.

[Mal]

Luna moved one of her wings down to curl the feathers over Strife, half embracing him when he expressed not feeling up to his prank. She understood why he was so mopey. "It may be best that you didn't. She wouldn't be too happy once she woke up and found her face that way, after her near.." The princess trailed off, but the implication was there. "She may not even understand or know what nearly happened to her, and we will need to explain it. We would not want to cause her any undue stress."

The moon diarch turned back towards the pony that waited for them, taking a few steps away from Celestia's bed at last to speak with them, and a healer. There wasn't much they could do for Celestia that the healers that worked in the castle infirmary couldn't do: keeping her comfortable, and making sure she remained hydrated. Everything else was fine, her body was just resting and recovering from the ordeal.

Luna made arrangements to have Princess Celestia brought back to the castle and glanced back at Strife, catching that faint white glow of magic. "Fear not, we can take her back. We would not want to cause any alarm by teleporting away, now would we?" She tried to joke, moving aside as, soon, other ponies came to have Princess Celestia moved back to her tower quarters. She waited to fall in behind them, moving beside Strife again to drape her wing back over his side if he allowed it. Everything would be fine.

If Strife didn't have other plans, the moonbringer would follow the procession out of the temple and back up to the castle to ensure Tia was properly placed in her room and made comfortable. There her sister could rest, and Luna might relax knowing she was here rather than back at that.. temple. Here where Discord would be able to watch over her too, and take comfort that she was okay.

Princess Luna also had yet to speak with Mirage, too, seeing as he seemed in need of talking to her about something. She needed to talk to him too.

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The bat pony, though small, had a bit personality. She spoke confidently and with knowledge of what she wanted. From what she has seen so far Mirage seemed awfully uneasy. She was sure he was scared of her, like so many others. Predatory fangs and large wings that resembled the appendages of dragons would spook any pony, terrestrial or not. It wasn't hard to notice how he floundered, stammering chalked up to given speech patterns (at least she hoped). Was she so scary? Barely to Mirage's shoulder she was a wee think with more bite than she had bark. Naturally soft spoken: Marwari did her best to be gentle. But none of it seemed enough.

He broke off, saying he was pretty tired. He did not accept nor deny her offer. This saddened her. He merely spoke of later hours and talking to his mentor. Though she could understand not keeping a princess waiting, she did have some sliver of hope he was becoming her friend. She could not fold her ears back in her disappointment, as her ears were specially formed forward facing. A trait of her warrior people, unique to her tribe.

"I see, I do apologize if I put you in a disagreeable position." She apologized for her selfishness.

When he asked to go out later she perked up. Walking? Eating? Well either would do! She gave a nod and would let Mirage be on his way. She shan't hold him up any longer!

As for 'Strife' he felt a consistent annoyance as he looked to Celestia. The more he thought about it the angrier he got. Not only was he perturbed with his own inaction towards Azure, but he was stricken by Sombra's presence. His appearance had turned his efforts on their head. Not that he did not appreciate the conflict, but it was not of his doing and he was quite the hypocritical spirit, ho ho ho ho! He had nearly snapped his fangs at the movement beside him, his thoughts slipping.

He had stiffened, but quickly took notice of the scent, the magic before the black feathers about him became apparent. "This place is dreary." He professed, brushing his skull against the princess'.

He would follow them along, watching their movements carefully. Strife would act like a police escort, and he surely was. Though he seemed old and suffered from that 'limp', his magic was still to be reckoned with. He would have a "talk" with the truffle. The god of chaos may be somewhat "reformed", but that did not mean he was above torture and terror. It simply meant he was less inclined to destroy a pony's mind or ruin a kingdom over a sleight (hopefully).

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The black stallion ears tinged with pink as they folded back. And turned towards the door, "Oh...yes...and maybe when we are done...we could take that bath together...I probably will need one..." He tried to cover up the fact that he was embarrassed and just caught off guard by her cuteness, "...o-okay I see you later than have a good bath and a good rest...talking to you later Mari...such a cute...bat..." Wait did he say that last part out loud? Oh dear!

Mirage took off so fast that he barely had enough time to wrap his magic around the door and pulled it shut as he ran. Features extremely red as he would run until he reached the double doors with a bat pony standing guard who had to dive out of his way just to avoid him and the doors opened to the throne room with a burst of his magic, before slamming shut behind him. The Nightguard was left the in confusion as he got up to return to his post.

Mirage panted heavily as he slid back first against the double doors and sighed as he looked down at the floor. Dang it...can't believe he said that out loud to her...even if it was true...it was embarrassing to admit it to another. Slowly after Mirage caught his breath he rose to his hooves again and looked around...he was glad to see nopony inside especially not his mentor since he didn't want to see him in such a state of panic.

Then again moments went by and he was slightly worried...well if she wasn't here...where would she be? He tried to sense her with his magic as his horn lit up, but...he seemed to be getting interference of some sort that disrupted his sensing. Soon he decided to just wait there as he eyed the throne...well...nopony was there at the time...and well his mentor probably um wouldn't mind, right? And he was exhausted and the throne did look awfully comfy.

Mirage walked up to the path to the throne and ran his right fore hoof over it, before sighing and slumping into it. It was nice and comfy and...soothing and...zzzz...soon he found his eyes closed and he was sleeping which would probably last till he was found. Atleast it would be a peaceful sleep until then...such a nice deep sleep apon the throne.

[Mal]

Princess Luna followed the procession, watching the unicorns carefully as they carried her sister together up to the castle. Far too focused to notice how stressed and tense Strife was. She left her wing draped over him so long as he allowed it.

The small procession made its way into the castle, and Luna moved only to lead the way up to Celestia's towers to let the cultists into Celestia's room. She tried her best not to think of what they must be thinking, of anything that might imply they thought it was an honor to be in her quarters. She left Strife's side to stand by the bed, making a show of tucking Tia in. Once she was set, comfortable in bed, the lunar diarch dismissed the four as gently as she could, making sure they left the room. They didn't make a fuss and seemed rather professional about it.. but it still didn't help Luna shake the feeling. It was just after being in that temple, under the glaring light of their worship of Celestia.

Luna waited until they'd left and allowed herself to sag down by the sunbringer's bed, wings shaken loose to relax them. It was going to take her a while to get over it. "I am grateful we were together, and are still. Will you be fine with my sister? I have yet to go speak with Mirage to see what it was he might want to discuss with me, and to update him on what has happened. I trust he will tell nopony." The dark lady rose just enough to move towards Discord and offered a nuzzle to his cheek.

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Marwari, took her bath and when she was dried up, comfortable, she would settle on Mirage's bed. She was tired from all the adventuring so ended up falling asleep as soon as she hit the bedding.

Strife was inches from blasting the cultists if ever they did anything to even jostle Celestia. he did not move from Luna's wing and kept up as best he could with his limping strides. Smaller than an average unicorn by a few inches, he was nice and tucked against that soft wing. It kept him comforted and was about the only thing that kept them from being blasted. As soon as Celstia was siad and the cultists began to skulk out the stallion-in-hiding would stamp his hoof and snort, chasing them the rest of the way out before he raised his back leg to slam the door closed before they could protest. He raised his head smugly and wiggled that tail. He looked to Luna and how she spoke softly to Celestia. They were always close even after their little falling out, huh? The male watched as Luna walked back over and gave him a nuzzle.

He scrunched his muzzle but rubbed back against Luna. "Worry not, I will keep an eye on her, and if anypony says, anything, I will just blast them into an alternate dimension as punishment. Five minutes in the Sock Puppet dimensions straightens out even the hardest criminals." Or drives them mad. Whoops. Interrogation techniques of the mad and powerful. "Go on, I will be here. If you need me jsut call. if you don't need me I will still probably invade your space." That was a promise!

[Deleted]

Mirage rolled in the throne and slept peacefully...so peacefully that he actually began to drool a b it and it dribbled onto the arm of the throne. He was exhausted and the throne was just so comfy he couldn't help it. For some strange reason his nightmares seemed not not be present at least in this instance. [I'll just post something...was waiting for Luna to post, but just post I am sleeping...lol]

[Mal]

Seeing Strife chase the cultists out left Luna with a confusing mix of emotions. It made her feel bad that they had to be treated that way, and yet she was relieved they were leaving much sooner thanks to the disguised spirit's action.

The princess remained standing there a moment longer, her head bent down towards Strife as he returned her affection. She brushed her cheek against his, nuzzling and expressing as much affection towards him as she could before she had to go off.. but she wouldn't be gone that long. A soft chuckle escaped her at the threat. It might've been concerning, if she took him seriously. "I trust you will watch her."

Finally straightening up, and smiling despite herself, Princess Luna stepped around Strife, a wing dipping down to brush against him as she strode past him and for the door. Her hooves carried her down the stairway towards the ground floor, and along the way the diarch considered where Mirage might be at this time. In the kitchen checking on the cake? Still with Mari? Waiting for her in the throne room, which was the last place he saw her? Luna considered her options before she picked the throne room as the first obvious choice.

She went there, the night guard in their dark armor opening the dual doors for her.. and lo' and behold, Luna saw a darkly colored stallion lounging up on the throne. Seemingly asleep. Her small smile returned, containing amusement in it. She wasn't possessive of the throne, nor did she feel anything threatened her crown, to get upset that Mirage was there; not like a certain pony now lying in wait within the castle. Luna still didn't trust Sombra was here for any good reason, simply because she knew the seductive call of power, the darkness in one's own heart.

The dark princess approached the throne, striding up its carpeted ramp, to settle herself just at the edge of the highest tier, where the throne itself sat with its soft cushioning and high back. A hoof reached out to gently nudge the dual colored unicorn, attempting to see if he might stir or awaken. "Miraage." Luna singsonged softly. She was quietly tempted to ask him if there was a burning smell coming from the kitchen to see if that might reach him, but she didn't want to panic the nervous stallion.

[Deleted]

It was not as if he disliked the Cultists. He, more over, preferred to harass them to his ability. All their rituals, habits, manners lead them to believe if they continue acting a certain way it is the path to a strange sort of perfection. He hated factions like that! He scraped his hoof against the ground at his success. He'd like to think of himself as a lenient god of chaos and confusion! He wasn't out to hurt any pony or ruin their livelihood. If anything his chaos enriched the stubborn ponies who sought to control every aspect of their lives. The smug pony stood by Luna he watched as she stepped around him. When he felt her wing over his body he shifted his weight to brush into it, but no sooner was he pet -- it was gone.

"Well, don't get too cozy out there~" He chuckled. "I wouldn't want to have to tuck you in if you fell asleep upon your cushy throne!" Little did he know...

Eventually he pulled himself up onto Celestia's bedding and flopped down on the edge. His legs would tuck under him, far from the frightening, roosting dragon he could appear to be. The scruffy, dark unicorn was a dust bunny on the solar maiden's bed. He looked to Celestia, frowning softly. It was not until he was assured she was breathing and at rest did he lay his head over her body and folded his ears back to rest.

((Out of PO for now will pop back in when Im needed again!!))

[Deleted]

*Mirage was asleep cozy like as Luna came into the throne room. His ears didn't alert him of any noise nor did his magic sense the powerful Alicorn magic that drawed close to him...he was oblivious to the outside world for the time being. He kicked his hind leg slightly and rolled onto his back in the throne as he twitched ever slightly.

When Luna approached and called his name he probably would not of awoken if it was not for the gentle touch of his mentor's hoof apon his belly. This caused him to startle slightly as he awoke abruptly; forgetting at the time he was in the safety of the castle and was recalled a time when he was in the Everfree. He jumped to the top of the throne and hugged it as he yelled, "I am not food!"

The Black and crimson unicorn simply blinked a few times as he looked down and saw Luna as his face turned red with embarrasement...then worry spread across his features as he climbed down sheepishly and stood in front of her. He lowered his head, "...oh...um....I-I didn't mean...um...well I'll stay off the throne..." He said with a stutter of nervousness and confusion.

The cake should be close to being done now, but how long...was he actually a sleep...he didn't plan to fall asleep like that; perhaps he should check on the cake....? If only at the time he could remember to do so, but the cake wasn't even on his mind at the moment...now that his mentor was there looking at him as he tried to lower hishead to avoid her gaze upon his embarrassed state.

[Mal]

Luna felt she was right not to call attention to the cake in a lie. Mirage was quite startled as it was just being woken up by her and found guilty of being on the throne, as well as falling asleep on it. Her serene smile remained, widening slightly in amusement to see how he reacted.

"Indeed, you are not. You need not worry about being on the throne, I came to talk to you now that I have had my sister safely moved back to her room.. which is one of the things I wish to inform you of. I feel you have something to talk about with me, too, if you came seeking me. It could not be to simply show off your new friend." She was proud of Mirage to have made a friend, and somepony he seemed to have some potential interest in.

"My scribe was quite irate about a few things, as way of explanation. She came to get a job beneath me in hopes that I might notice her talents and make her my student, when instead I chose you. She built up a relationship with me in her head, and I chose to court Discord instead of the 'obvious' choice. I am afraid I handled her very poorly in trying to help her with her problems, problems I had no idea of, and she chose to lash out at my sister and hurt her. A mortal wound, she nearly died. Now she has been unconscious for a few days, being tended to by healers by the sun church."

Luna frowned at the memories, Tia's blood spreading across her bed still a vivid one in her mind. It made her feel sick and weak thinking about it. She pulled herself from her thoughts before she allowed herself to dwell again. "This is what I wanted to tell you away from Mari, as I am.. uncomfortable with letting anypony know." She didn't want foreigners to know, either, that Celestia was weakened, but Luna didn't say this aloud just in case Mirage gathered all the wrong ideas about it.

"We also have a.. dangerous guest staying in these halls. He acts harmless, but I do not trust him. King Sombra." The night princess tossed in as an afterthought, subtly warning Mirage as well as updating him on what changed. "So what is it you wished to talk about with me, my troubles aside?"