Personal Justice; Pt2 [Invite]

[Mal]

Luna made a face, clearly concerned, but to know that Discord still tried to keep up his wit and crack jokes.. it was either a good sign, or some result of the poison. She couldn't tell which. Her ears lowered back when he mentioned something of a flower, and she was half tempted to reach up and touch her bound mane to see if he'd stuck a flower in it when she wasn't looking. She resisted it and pushed back up into the air with her wings, pulling free of the water. If Discord was doing okay enough not to ask for help, she guessed that she'd be able to deal with the creature in time.

Her mind pondered caving in the cavern after all, but she'd have to get out quickly in case the rest collapsed and she wasn't sure if she'd be able to carry Discord and fly swiftly. He was slim but large, and might easily slip off of her back if his grip was weak. She couldn't hold him very well in her hooves, either. It'd be better she killed the wyrm and be done with it; besides, what if these magic-infused crystals turned out to be useful later?

Luna flew off, searching the cave for something she might be able to use against the wyrm, such as a large rock.. or something sharp. A large rock might have to do, as her quarry was soft judging from how it felt against her hooves. She didn't fancy killing, nor did she kill the beasts she dealt with if she could help it, but this one was a danger and would've easily killed ponies if given the chance. There was no other choice. The princess shed light on likely looking weapons until she found one that was somewhat angular, a medium sized rock, and lifted it up in her magic.

The wyrm was still stuck between two of the crystals. Luna flew towards it, moving slowly but steadily. She wasn't sure if it'd still be able to spray its spines at her and she didn't want to take any risks. The rock was pushed ahead of her, floating in her magic, up over what served as the wyrm's head. It was brought down, quick and hard, towards the wyrm and the princess cringed a little as she braced herself for what noises might follow. A bit squeamish. Her cringing didn't change the path of the rock, nor did she look away so she wouldn't miss her target and strike one of the crystals instead; who knew what would happen?

[Deleted]

Discord's mind was mostly there, but
that seemed quiet normal for him. His energy was drained though. He feels as he had overused his magic. While he had a near infinite source, there was only so much he could pull on before said sources were drained and, in turn, tired him to keep him from bending in the universe accidentally. It was complicated. He wasn't a mkortal, but goodness there were times these mortal afflictions seemed to fail to bypass him. He would make mental note to fix that. His vision was blurry and he felt like eater was washing between his ears. Probably because his head was resting near ground water. His gold and ruby eyes drew up, Luna's movements and wing beats were like the pounding of a drum in his skull.

The wyrm released a shrill shreech as it struggled between the crystal spires. Its fat, squishy body flexed and flailed. When Luna used her magic to lift the stone, the surrounding crystals began to resonate and change from their white-pink hue to a blue-black cloak that turned the caverns walls a faint midnight. There was a pulse that escaped the crystals as they seemed to synchronize with Luna's magic. The crystal seemed alive, but as Luna's decision was made to kill the beast those colors faded softly.

The sound of stone hitting its target created a echo that bounced along the cavern walls. The water became a faint pink color, the crystals rumbling like a beating heart. A whisper rose up from them. They called out to the lunar princess. They had memories of the past. Memories of the forest. The magic here is so strong that the memories become magic as well. The crystals, they said, absorb magic left behind by the dead and dying and the faded.

But it was a soft voice only Luna could hear.

Would she answer it?

By this point Discord had pushed himself into a sitting position. His fur and feathers had tried to bristle, but he was soaked in patches along his chest. He looked like a wet poodle. His paw and claw rest in the water, against the ground. His ears were pinned back as a annoyed and curious look drew on his face. While he could not hear it, he felt the magic pulsing.

They were calling to someone.

Take one of us home.

[Mal]

Princess Luna still cringed from the task at hoof, the wyrm's screeching, and silenced it forever with the impact of the rock. The noise was awful, but the deed was done. There was a part of her that felt regret at having to end a life so, but it was a danger to everypony and every animal that held magic in its veins. She'd been so intent on ending the wyrm's life that she hadn't noticed the crystals' glow changed with her magic, and Luna now looked around with wonder as she set her weapon back onto the ground.

The glow was an interesting blue-black that surprised her, that darkened the cavern with its light until it faded with the wyrm. Her ears pinned back and Luna flew low over the crystals, looking around at them. "I am sorry." She murmured, with no idea who or what she was speaking to. The wyrm perhaps.

Her ears perked towards the sounds, soft fluttering like whispering voices. She descended towards the ground to land, frowning with her head tilted towards the crystals. She thought she could make out one voice. "What?" Luna murmured, as though expecting an answer. Her ears lay back again and she began to step slowly, almost haltingly, towards Discord with her gaze still focused on the crystals. They were rather interesting and it was tempting to take a small one home with her for study, and perhaps to show Tia too. "Hm."

Luna finally turned to Discord where she found him now sitting up. Was he feeling better? "The problem has been dealt with. I daresay we should return home to rest, and have you checked by the healers in the infirmary." If he refused, the lunar diarch would insist. She didn't want anything happening to him from this strange, unknown poison. Her head dipped to nuzzle at one of his damp cheeks reassuringly. "I can carry you," Luna offered, "but first I shall take one of these crystals with us. They are.. strange. Interesting."

[Deleted]

The spirit felt horrid. He did not need a nap, or rather, ' would refuse one. He disliked feeling weak and Everfree did a good job of messing with his imbalance by introducing even more unstable instability. Madness! He was almost proud how the Everfree was still unregulated by ponies. But that meant he too had quite an awful time in this place. He knew why, but even so there was naught to be done about it. Not yet. Honestly he was just getting to old for this shell. It was becoming worn and far too small for the accumulated power of this realm. If the Mane could have magical pony transformations than, by the Stars: so could he! Discord fancied the idea of perhaps gaining a more reasonable set to fit his allocation to this place. This was Equestrian and if he wanted to become more effecient, he would do as chaos spirits were wont to do.

The spirit has sat himself up, fully, by this time. "This place could use some interior decorating." He acted prickly towards it all so it would not shoe he was feeling weak and wiggly. "Perhaps the same ponies that decorated that temple of Tis. To put some real pizzazz in here." He mockingly tittered, though felt a little pukey. "What are you even apologizing for? Always fretting. The interior isn't the bas." He didn't want her to worry about him. Not only be cause she was important to him, but also because of his pride.

Those crystals were a little noisy, not that he could hear what they were saying. He could feel their magic. It was something familiar, but it didn't stiffen his feathers like with the Wyrm. It had probably been attrached to these one way or another. He was interested in them. Could he use them to play games with the ponies? It seemed a fabulous idea~!

"Fit as a fiddle," he promised. "Just a little sleepy." He shaded over. He pursed his mizzle's lips. "Well if you're going to grab a souvenir, do hurry. I don't want to miss my show." He complained like some housewife.

He did not hesitate to lower his head against the mare after she nuzzled him. He would lean back and sigh impatiently. When the mare was ready to assist him, he would allow his weight to rest on her. Though he would never admit it, he was thankful for her help...

[Mal]

Luna held out her half unfolded wings, keeping them level with her back as she stood close to Discord, her head bent towards him. "I do not think it is safe for anypony to come venturing down in these caverns, and not when the water level may rise to fill them." She expressed her concern for the way Discord joked about interior decorating and making these dank old caves look better. Sometimes his joking went past her head, but she knew he was joking now.

She turned to find one of the clusters of smaller crystals jutting out of the rock, grabbing one with her magic and wriggling it free. It was merely the size of an average gem, and no longer than the width of a baseball. Small enough to carry, but no doubt still enough to put to study. It still held magic, she could feel it.

After turning it over and eying it, Luna went back to Discord and dipped down beside him, half using her magic to try to lift the draconequus up and onto her back if he allowed it. Alternatively, he could easily just climb up and drape himself over her if he wanted. She wouldn't force it either way. Should he have moved to rest on her back, and out of the way of her wings, Luna stood. "Hold on." The night diarch bid and began to lead the way back out of the caverns, wading through the dark water with the moonlight shining from her horn lighting the way. She wanted to be out of these caves as soon as possible, and back to Canterlot. It didn't matter to her how long the wyrm lay there and rotted, so long as it was dead and no longer a danger.

Luna made a mental note to see if she couldn't find a mention of them in a bestiary back in the Canterlot Archives, if there was any mention of the creature.. She wanted to read up on them, find out more about what she might've just killed. "Rest, Discord. We will be back in Canterlot soon, and I can put you to bed where you can be comfortable." And have a healer check on him.

[Deleted]

Silence blanketed over the cave. The crystals, which had been resonating with the activity, quieted. The black-and-blue midnight shade became a comfortable grey. The waters and walls took in the color as well. The walls gave a off a shimmering sheen while the water turned an almost crystalline white. It was all rather dreary now that the threat of the creature had been neutralized. The magic still radiated amongst the crystals, but it was now lifeless in the hot, underground room. The water no longer dripped, distorting only when Luna or Discord moved.

The wyrm was defeated. Luna had made a snap decision and, to their luck, it would have no discernable repercussions that would adversely effect the kingdom. In fact, thanks to her quick thinking, a few native species of the Everfree would be spared from annihilation due to a non-native resident. Though it brought to question: just how did the wyrm arrive from Saddle Arabia, or was it planted? Either situation seemed farfetched. Transporting such an animal was a threat to any who tried to deal with it. It seemed a troubling prospect either way. After all it was not, usually, until after did one learn that their actions had consequences, or lack of decisiveness.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't was another a factor, luckily that too was not given to this situation.

When Luna pulled the stone from its position in the soil, the soft dirt surrounding the crystals. Such allowed a new space in the spoil to foem. Few fungi and moss were allowed room to grow on the moist cavern floors, which stood the reason the majority grew upon the walls and ceilings. The crystal was not shaped like a gem, but instead it was long and grew much like a stalagmite or stalactite and formed in a spear-like shape. The one Luna picked was small, so it was not unreasonable in its nature.

Discord complained as he was settled over her back. "I look like you hunted me." He groused.

His body was weak, but he still managed to grip the mare for safety. So much for a romantic flight under the stars. He had not expected the creature to be that! Or, perhaps, he had? Few, diminutive beings fed off magic, Parasprites included among them. It was unlikely Discord would not fight being put to bed, but it was even more unlikely he would allow himself to be checked by some pony healer!

Stars forbid they prod him, searching for the secrets of his immortality!

[Mal]

She took note of how the atmosphere and lighting of the cave changed with the wyrm's defeat, but she didn't pause to linger over what was now its burial place. The intriguing crystal was held in her magic while she carried Discord across her back, wading through the knee deep water of the caverns. It didn't take them long to find their way down, so it wouldn't take her long to find her way back up with the light of her horn and she was glad to get away from the oppressive heat. She could feel sweat beading up under her coat from it, making her mind sleepy.

Luna fought a yawn. "You make a good catch, if I did." She quipped playfully, something she could still manage despite the night's exercises; she could handle it, knowing she was soon to return to Canterlot for a good rest and perhaps a soak in a bath.

She remained quiet the rest of the way, crystal floating alongside and the glow of moonlight streaming from her horn to glint off of the gentle ripples of water caused by her passing. It hadn't escaped her notice how quiet it'd gotten in the cave, which would've been eerie had there been anything else for them to watch out for, but the evil was defeated and the Everfree now safe.

Gentle moonlight from the outside world soon came into view and Luna carried Discord out of the cave and back onto the shore of the lake, retrieving her regalia with her magic. The gorget and tiara were put back on, but the shoes joined the crystal in its field of magic; she wouldn't be putting them on with her hooves as wet as they were. Luna spread out her wings and, with an effort, tried to ascend up into the sky with powerful strokes - the only issue was taking off, but Discord wasn't too heavy to stop her. As soon as she was high enough and her flight leveled, she could fly easier.

"Are you still feeling okay? Did its poison just weaken you? I saw how it went for you when you collapsed."

[Deleted]

Discord scowled at her words. Though he was not mad! It was actually amusing. To be hunted by such a little mare was preposterous, but it was also cute she played along. How long had it been since they played? With Tia injured as she was he knew that Luna had no time to play. So she got to explore and fight a little. He hoped it was plenty to sate that natural curiosity of hers. He snorted and buried his muzzle against her silken mane. Well if he was being hunted he might as well enjoy the ride back. He wondered what sort of obnoxious face he would make as a mounted head, or would he be the sort of skin rug that came alive and ate company? Ho ho ho! Both sounded amusing! He wondered about the crystal. He was sure they were not dangerous, but all magical objects were inherently dangerous if left to the wrong hooves. Like his, or Bygone's! Really frustrating creatures they were when it came to magical curiosities. Like father, like son, one supposed.

His body was not all that heavy, even his dead weight. Though he was being toted about by an alicorn princess. Her strength was rather absurd. He would make sure to test Twilight's strength sometime, see if she's grown into her princesshood, ho ho ho!

It was sort of strange to consider the Everfree safe, but what few ponies understood was that, much like anything else, there was a sense of order amongst the chaos that was the woods. Perhaps that was why Discord got along with Fluttershy so well. She did well in the forest, not a patch of fur missing when she traveled through. She knew the natural order and that, sometimes, it could not be compelled to obey. It was why ponies had such a difficult time with it. It was something that simply could not be contained. It was neither Chaos, nor Harmony. It was both, in a way. A warm, summer evening... It was hard to remember the last time he was able to go out on a night like this while Celestia was bed-ridden. He was glad though. He had them both now. His grip around the mare's neck tightened as he let her do as she would.

"I am fine, you worry too much!" And he worried far too little! "Yes... wyrms are rather soft and going after prey that can still kick it probably isn't the best idea. Their poison hampers magic..." As he was starting to see. "I hope you have a sick bag, I am feeling woozy still." Oh.

[Mal]

Luna found her ascent into the star-flecked sky easier than she thought, and it was in no time at all that she'd made it high enough to soar over the Everfree Forest and the sleepy, scant lights of Ponyville. There might still be a few ponies up at this hour, judging by a few lights in the windows, but none would see or know of their passing.

Her flight was steady and calm, her wings beating powerfully to keep them aloft as she crossed over the border into and over Ponyville itself, mindful of these details, the weight of Discord on her back. She felt him pressing into her bound mane, against her neck. It was a nice feeling, something that made Luna want to cuddle with the draconequus once they returned to the castle and her room.. though Discord expressing himself feeling sick made her cringe slightly in her dark coat.

"Please do not try to vomit on me, if you can help it." Luna replied with a small frown. "I have brought no such sick bags along, but I will try not to jostle you too much. As for the wyrm, it makes sense that a creature that feeds on magic would have a poison like that to use against its prey. I am glad we went down to those caverns together, or else one of us would have been lost."

Princess Luna was the sort of pony to try to handle danger all on her own, not simply just because of her shouldering a part of the guardianship of Equestria that she shared with Celestia, but because it felt like apt punishment, and ponies didn't deserve to come to harm. They couldn't handle what an alicorn could handle, and it would hurt to know anypony she could've protected ended up getting hurt, or worse. She had too much empathy towards their little ponies, and she sought to protect them all in her own way just like her elder sister. She knew what lay in darkness, but so too did she know what the light shielded.

"'Tis my job to worry. It keeps me prepared for what may happen, and what might have happened were that creature to be allowed free reign. I must wonder, where did it come from? I have seen nothing like in my time in Equestria and especially in the Everfree Forest."

[Deleted]

With his muzzle pressed against her mane he was able to take in the mare's scent. If he had to use words to describe it, he was sure to end up with a list of immeasurable descriptors. While she did indeed smell of a wild flower, she hadn't the spice of just any ordinary, easily recognizable, blossom. The tip of his muzzle tickled with a fragrant aroma that curled to the back of his nose, dressing the roof of his mouth with a bittersweet vim that danced upon his taste buds. Down his throat traveled the mild, savory taste. In but a slight inhale he could touch Luna with two of his twenty senses. It only continued on, though. Holding onto her as she flew served another fifteen senses.

His body was curled in a way that he would not dangle off the mare. His forelimbs were clasped around the barrel of her chest. Feeling her short fir against his digits would have been extra nice, but the condition of his body, his magic: weakened him. A smug grin drew over his features as she protested against his rolling nausea and the possibility of being unable to hold down his meal. He wasn't sure how a wyem made sense. It was, in all technicality, a drafon, but it had a big head, no arms and wasn't the sort to have good ideas. After all its body shape put it on the running to be a rather… ineffective hunter out in the middle of the woods.

"A smooth flight would be lovely. I do hope I get free headphones with the in-flight movie." He chuckles, ears folding back against his head.

Though he wouldn't mind a few cuddles~ ho ho ho!

High above the Everfree, Ponyville's massive size could be observed in its truest state. Bigger than most cities the rural town consisted of a number of farmland and a town that could easily be mistook as a city. It was able to keep its quaint and quiet vista, even in the dead of night, the witching hour. It was only half way through the evening and with the wyrm defeated the night could sleep easy thanks to its wareior princess. Amusing that, the little princess being such a fierce and competitive fihhter. So willing to slay the magic dragon to defend ponies that, likepy, underappreciate her.

He perked an ear, eyes having slipped closed as they soared the skies. "Preparedness is an illusion, my dear."He chuckled at the thought. He could almost pinch her cheek! "You've never seen one, because they are native to the mountains that border the Forbidden Jungles and Desert, specifically the desert which hides away Saddle Arabia from the world's eye.

[Mal]

The sort of jokes Discord made usually went right over Luna's head, as it did now. She didn't know what a 'headphone' was, or an 'in-flight movie.' Either it was technology she hadn't stumbled across yet, or it was just another of the many strange things Discord knew, simply because he was Discord. It may even be something that didn't even make sense, for he was the spirit of chaos and.. all things silly.

Her wings rose and came down with steady beats as Luna flew on over the sleeping Ponyville and its few, nocturnal residents. The mountain that held Canterlot seemed just a part of the mountainous, distant backdrop, a black silhouette rising into and against the night sky with the graceful Canterlot tacked on. The only thing that spoke of it being more than just a large, cardboard cutout was the way the moonlight edged it and made it real. It was rather high up, and Luna angled her flight to be sure that the closer they came to the mountain, they'd be on the right path without any need to ascend.

"Sometimes being prepared for something does help." Luna protested quietly, and said not a word when Discord continued to tell her about where the wyrm came from. The moment he said 'Saddle Arabia,' the lunar diarch's brow furrowed down. A little troubled. How did a wyrm like that make it all the way to the Everfree Forest from Saddle Arabia, without there being news of scores of ponies and animals found as dried out, magic-less husks, and why? She'd heard a little of the trouble in Saddle Arabia from Celestia before.

Was it planted there, somehow?

It was a terrible question to jump to, but searching her mind didn't pull up any other answer. If Saddle Arabia truly thought that Equestrians had a hoof in the destruction of their capital.. and this was their response, what was to say they might have to deal with international conflict again? Luna felt they'd have to find a way to talk things down and make amends, whatever the case may be, to prevent future troubles. This was just her line of assumptions, though. Assume the worst. Even if she didn't consider Saddle Arabia, how would a wyrm even get this far from those mountains at their border? Was she simply out of touch with what happened during the day, like incoming news?

"I see. It is troubling one came so far here. It is not something we will have to worry about any longer, however." Luna made a mental note to alert Celestia of this as soon as her sister rose to bring the day, or leave a note with Kibitz. Her sister might have a better chance of looking into it, than her, even if it put more on Tia's plate. Luna didn't want that, but it was of enough importance.

The moonbringer flew on under the silver-white light of her heavenly body and its stars, flying quietly, aware of the weight of Discord's form on her back, comfortable and faintly warm. 'Twas a shame he was hurt and had to fly with her like this. "What shall we do once we return?"

[Deleted]

The steady beat of her wings was soothing. The spirit laid on her back with his eyes closed. His thoughts carried back to some old memories. Maybe they were made-up dreams that filled those patches of emptiness. Sometimes he was left to himself, drifting in the vastness of time and space. The voids between was where he lived before he came to inhabit this realm. He had come many times before. Each time a different species ruled the planet and each time he would find amusement in selfishly terrorizing them. But there was a place he had come from, far away. It was an ancient place. Perhaps it was where other draconequus were from.

Perhaps he was just being silly.

He snuggle his muzzle against her mane and chuckled. "They do say life favors the prepared, but thus far I've seen nopony actually make use of their available resources to their fullest potential. Silly creatures, really." He cooed into her ear.

Perhaps he merely made up the story about the wyrm. There were always dangerously curious creatures all across Equestria. The little mortals of this realm had always entertained him. It wasn't until he strayed and found the sisters that he found whom, what he felt, were his equals. When they took guardianship over the new mortals of this world he felt a degree of jealousy. He can now see why they were so fond of these little ponies. They were really rather creative creatures. They were innovative and must hoof it to them: he rather enjoyed this friendship thing.

Luna gave question to their plan of action this evening. "Oh, well were I not so tired and with headache I would have perhaps propositioned you to work on building a family," little did he know. "But I would much rather you nurse me back to health~." He knew the perfect outfit!

Embarrassing Luna aside, there was the trouble to consider with Saddle Arabia. Not only were there displaced ponies migrating out, but creatures now? They had only just solidified relations with the long isolated nation. Their relationship, politically, was already strained by its former ruler several hundred years ago. They would need to solve matters before it was too late.

[Mal]

Princess Luna gave Discord time to think, to gather his thoughts if need be, as she soared over the spread out expanse of Ponyville. It was rather large for a country town which perhaps started off as a village and grew from there. It might still be considered a village, if a very large one. Peaceful, this night, with the 'evil' vanquished before it had a chance to terrorize the ponies and their local princess.

She flew on, soon passing over the last few, spread out houses on the edge of Ponyville and over dark grassy fields with the occasional tree or grove. The alicorn was gliding gently with the occasional powerful stroke of her wings. Her ears tilted back towards the sound of Discord's voice, aware of the press of his head against her neck and star-flecked mane. "They're still learning. In time they might discover it for themselves and make use of these resources. For now, they are happy where they are at, and until they have need, those resources will be waiting and in plenty." This she thought, and believed. There was a lot of potential in their little ponies, they just needed to find it. It was a part of their intent to keep them safe, so they might go on living and creating as they did.

Even now the Crystal Empire was recovering from everything it'd gone through.

"In time we shall see if you were successful with me. For now we will just have to nurse you back to health," a teasing tone entered Luna's voice, "allow you some time to be still and rest until the poison is gone from your body." There was a faint blush on her face, hidden by her dark fur and colorless moonlight, but it was there, warmth at the thought of --..

Luna shook it from her mind and focused on flying, bringing them closer and closer to Canterlot's mountain. She had to angle her flight steadily upward due to its impressive height, but she managed easily. Most of her focus was on the flight, rather than chatter, but she responded to whatever Discord had to say. It was downtime he chose, and it was something she looked forward to, a time to cuddle with the draconequus who she loved. She had a small to-do list marked off in her head for later, early morning, and it was something she need not worry about any longer.

[Deleted]

Discord's ruby pupils swam in his gold colored eyes. The alternating shapes of his pupils seemed to change with his mood. At times they seemed to outsize one another while, in others, they seemed perfectly oval. His lids hung heavy over his dual-colored orbs. Long, thinly furred ears laid, occasionally twitching with a passing breeze or the flutter of Luna's wings. He was comfortable on her back, despite the heat fur and feathers could create. His fore limbs were slung over Luna's side, claw and paw tucked against her sides as he weakly held on. His belly lay well enough along her back to keep him from sliding, his hind legs at either side of hers.

As they flew over Ponyville he was stricken by numerous memories of his time there. While Ponyville was not a locale infrequent in his visits, it had not been the only place he had come to torme-- bless with his chaotic creativity. Thanks to him Ponyville was a spirited and exciting place to visit. They developed many unique attractions due to his interloping, such as the specially colored apples in the Apple Farm or the rumors of talking animals upon the edges of Everfree. While he and Zecora did not see eye to eye, between them a few, unique medicines have been made in the spirit of fun, such as colored bubble water, perfect for filling the local fountain!

The summer nights were bleeding into autumn. Soon the leaves would fall and such warm flights would become too cold for a spoilt draconequus to partake in. His grey brow arched as Luna's tone. His chest fur bristled a bit as his own muzzle colored. He wasn't expecting her to reply with such challenge. He scoffed, raising his nose sloghtly, though only doing to bury it deeper against that glittering mane. He did enjoy rubbing his face into her mane. It reminded him of that and there, while Tia's was much similar to then and when. Whatever such descriptions meant… they were significant to the spirit.

He was not content to just lay aroind, but when the majority of his shenanigans were derived from his magic, fun was a secondary option. "Fine, fine. I shall not ask you to suck the poison from my body than." He submitted.

With the mountains drawing nearer he felt a tinge of lamentation as their flight was cut short by his incessant ego. Had he been a bit more careful of just what they had been stalking Luna's would have not come under attack. Did he blame her? Quite a bit! She was far to adorable to let fall to such a critter! Once the pair were safe on her balcony… he would be remiss to leave his place. Whining incoherently seemed to work as communication, if anything else!

"Though, I do suppose I owe you a story or two." Given he did know a small bit of the wyrm and its nature...

[Mal]

While Luna dealt with the physical efforts of carrying them across the night sky, she couldn't help but think of what Discord said, and possibly meant. Truthfully her mind did jump to something when he spoke of the poison, something to say just to hear him flustered, and decided against it. She wouldn't go there.

The city that lay spread out below the palace gleamed silver in the moonlight, mixing with the orange-gold of the streetlamps that kept Canterlot lit even at night. Even from up here Luna was able to see the moving specks of her thestral night guard, patrolling the streets and around the castle grounds, its outside pathways.

Luna flew up, gracefully past the tall towers and spires of the castle to her balcony. She landed, the powerful beats of her wings ensuring it was a gentle one, so that Discord would be able to slither off without having too much of an issue. "A story or two? I would love to hear them while we rest and, perhaps, clean after our trip to the Everfree Forest." Chasing a creature around the woods, wading in water.. she certainly didn't mind getting her hooves dirty, not at all, but she certainly did mind bringing dirt into her own bed.

Her wings were shaken out and folded as Luna made for the double doors, pulling them open and brushing through the thick, velvet curtains that often hung closed over the glass panes. With a brief glow of her horn, the princess lit the candles in her room, providing a stark blue-white glow of the unusual flames. The shoes were set down by her dresser, and the crystal placed atop it. She'd have it looked at later, maybe even present it to Tia for study. Her sister had always been interested in it, studying magic and spells with Starswirl the Bearded.

Whether or not Discord still remained lazily on her back, she moved towards the bed to settle down at its edge, providing some means for Discord to crawl onto it had he remained clinging to her like a baby opossum. "Ah, home at last, but the adventure was fun while it lasted. Thank you for it, Discord. Now, I would like to hear your stories." Luna spoke gently, but she was eager to hear.. she just hoped it wasn't trick stories or something silly, considering who she was talking to.