Neverending Nightmare

[Durppie]

The Aquilla Gardens were always a beautiful place. Of course, it was a neighborhood only for Neighstrasmo's privileged elite. Extravagant mansions with all manner of fancy flora and decoration was a common sight here. From foalhood, Letterform had always lived here and enjoyed it. Something else that was very common was the nervous, dirty looks shot at him by ponies that took offense to his writing. It was a miracle sent by Luna that he hadn't been chased out of his home here by way of force or insidious political wrangling.

 

That wasn't the most important thing right now. The unicorn walked up to the long winding path that led up to his estate, a satchel slung over his back. Said satchel was of a sleek black material and clearly of fine make. It contained a wide assortment of new fountain pens and ink bottles. Letterform could have simply had a servant do this, but he liked browsing the stationery stores in Clopden Town for the best supplies. Now that the new Lord Mayor was in charge, one had little fear of violence. Still, he was always on the alert for any imminent physical threats no matter where he went.

 

Letterform reached the door to his home. Compared to other affluent ponies living in this part of the city, his home was noticeably smaller and less grand. It was still by no means able to be mistaken for a home made for an upper middle class resident or anyone lower. He also had less servants to maintain the home, a problem that the unicorn planned to rectify. With his pale red magic, he knocked on the door and briefly greeted the earth pony that answered before making a beeline for his bedroom. He had things to write about. Things that Cashmere Swirl would not be thrilled to see in the hooves of the public.

 

His notes on this were sealed in a magical safe in a hidden part of his mansion along with his other drafts on various public figures in Neighstrasmo. Only he knew for sure where it was, and supposedly only his magic could open it. Letterform had never tested the identification spell with another pony. I'd like to think my servants wouldn't snoop into my business, but who knows? Perhaps another safe check wouldn't hurt.

 

The unicorn placed his new fountain pens and bottles on his desk, admiring the different models and details on the pens. He'd fill them up later. In a cup bearing a pretty image of the moon, there were more pens that were filled up. Cautiously, he selected a few and placed them in his bag. An empty journal hidden under his four poster bed also went inside the satchel's depths. Going to the hidden safe would be too time consuming at the moment. He felt like taking a break and maybe visiting Ponyhide Park to casually write. Cashmere Swirl and her less than ethical dealings could wait.

 

In a few minutes, Letterform was already out of the house again and walking to the park. Aquilla wasn't too far from Ponyhide, which was well and good. Pumpernickel, the earth pony servant from before, watched his employer go with concern and curiosity. Where was that stallion going? For now he would stand guard at the door for any surprise visitors. Remember Nick, if any visitors show up, tell 'em that Master Letterform is out to tea with an associate...

[CaptainCute]

Glory stared dumbfounded at the intervention, of course she was glad to have some help, but she felt slightly wounded from being ignored so easily. This pegasus was so calm under pressure... it was quite enviable. Glory lifted herself off the ground and turned her attention to the crowd. Okay Glory, when facing a crowd... remember to smile, it was time this assembly ended anyway.

"Okay everypony," she chirped happily, "time to go home and get some shut-eye."

The crowd slowly left, mumbling their whispers quietly, Glory looked back to the pegasus and unicorn. Best go home Glory, we'll visit the library tomorrow.

"Sorry...." Glory mumbled softly before she started walking away. It was a shame, all that relaxing in the park was completely underminded by one pony.

[TSparkle123]

Sea picked up her pace slightly as she found herself a little ways away from the park. Not only was this because the park was relatively near her home, but also because there was a small crowd hanging around that area. She found there was no reason to mix herself up in those kinds of affairs, as, more than likely, it would draw unnecessary attention toward her. The last thing she wanted was for guards to attach her name to the wall murals she'd made. Guards just didn't get it, and would punish her for trying to bring joy into other ponies' lives. She'd dodged their capture this long, and she was not about to get caught now. After seeing the unicorn's reaction to the pegasus's calming words, Sea almost went over, but she quickly remembered her paints. They were the most important thing; they always were. The possibility of losing them for any reason was simply unbearable, and she didn't want to risk walking through a crowd.

 

Soon after, she found herself at her house. She carefully pushed the door open and placed each paint bottle onto her counter gently with her mouth. After each utensil was off her wings, she folded them back on her sides, more than happy to relax them. Why did wings have to be fussy like that? You could fly across Neighstramo and not get too tired, but extending them to hold some paint was too much for them to bear. Maybe it was just still strange to be using them to hold something rather than to fly. Flying was just natural for wings, and holding stuff was for hooves and teeth. The appendages needed an upgrade, that was for sure. Sea trotted back to her door and stepped out, deciding to perhaps wander the town a bit. Since she'd finished her latest masterpiece, maybe she'd look for a new wall to work on later. Perhaps her new wall would be one she'd already painted. Every mural she'd made previously had been painted over and changed. Why couldn't they just leave her art alone? It wasn't like it was actively hurting anypony.

[RainDash]

This mare didn't get it! She was danger to everyone! Just barely looking up to the pegasus, Twilight was shaking, feeling the energy of her nervousness, her fear, power her magic. That wasn't good, and she had been trying to swallow it. It never worked. Just as she tried to plan an escape, she shifted and her book fell out of her bag, the book fell open to the page about the elements of harmony. This pony was going to have her arrested! She wasn't thinking straight, the panic only amplifying her paranoia and her panic causing her to see these ponies as tormentors. Somewhere in her brain, she knew the mare was telling the truth, being honest about every word she said. But her foalhood had taught her that nopony could be trusted. Money could turn 'friends' into 'tormentors'. After summoning her courage, Twilight tried to sputter out, "Y-y-you don't g-get it! They're the ones in t-trouble! I-I-I'm a danger t-to everypony I meet!" If she could keep the pegasus' attention just long enough to grab the book...

[Durppie]

Letterform self assuredly strode into the park, calmly looking at the sights. Here in Ponyhide Park it was safer and he was in less danger of getting attacked. Still, one couldn't be too sure of something. It had been a good idea to not bring his notes to the park. Even with that commotion in a certain sector of the park involving a few mares, some ponies nearby were shooting glances at him and whispering. But for the most part, everypony was focused on the mares.

 

What was this commotion about anyway? Adjusting his satchel, Letterform walked closer and tried to give off his best impression of power and authority. Maybe he could resolve this in a peaceful manner without the guards being involved. The unicorn internally shuddered. Guards. The Lord Mayor should do something about those imbeciles. He thought with a distaste. They were supposed to protect the herd and had been in the city since its founding, but all they had really done was add to Neighstrasmo's problems. Tyrannical, brutish, and easily bribed, Letterform had once publicly denounced. It had taken an exorbitant amount of bits to not get executed for that one.

 

He got close enough to see a book fall out of one of the unicorn's bags and open to a page. A look of shock appeared on his face for a millisecond as he read some of it, then disappeared. The guards could not be involved. The book was then encased in a pale red glow matching his eyes as Letterform closed it and held it up in the air. "Miss, you dropped your book on alchemy." No doubt some other ponies had seen the illustration on the page. Alchemy was really the first thing that came to mind when he was thinking of a possible alibi for the panicking unicorn. Letterform decided to make a show of holding the book closer, obscuring the cover of the book. He wrinkled his nose. "A Unicorn's Tome For The Chemical Magic is a rather stupid book in my opinion. Load of drivel about the end results, but little about how to actually achieve them. I must say it has the most beautiful art though, but that barely makes up for the content."

 

Hopefully the unicorn mare would play along and the other lookers-on would be fooled. The tome in his magical grasp was not the title he had listed, but a different one.

Edited March 10, 2013 by Durppie

[Limn]

Psychosis felt herself internally frown as she decided her next course of action. This mare was like a child whose done something bad and she was just waiting to be caught. The Indigo Mare's trembling had shifted one of her own books from her bag. Of course Psychosis glanced at it, thanks to her glasses she didn't miss the pages content. To not take note of Everything new in ones peripheral vision was unprofessional. The Elements of Harmony... The content of the book didn't bother Psychosis as much as it should of, the elements of harmony were a forbidden weapon of legend. The curiousity about such things didn't really concern her, she wasn't the law. Yet.

The indigo mare finally replied, spouting how she was a danger to everyone. Seems like a personal problem. Ha, like we're one to talk.

"Shh... Calm down little one. Anytime one interacts with another it is dangerous, though not in the same way. Every second changes the course of our life. I'm assuming your worry is based on a cause and effect scenario. In this life many are never able to harness their abilities as unicorns. Baby unicorns often have no control over their bursts of magic, but in time they master it. You just need time to grow and learn to control, but you're never going to master it if you choose to fear it. Cause my dear, you can fall if you want too, it's just a matter of how far." From the corner of her eye, Psychosis noticed an approaching stallion. Luna, we need to wrap this up. Since the Indigo Mare hadn't recoiled from Psychosis touch the first time she'd use that to her advantage. Psychosis slowly rested her forehead on the Indigo Mare's, closing her eyes in an attempt to show she meant to harm. Her right wingtips rested on her shoulder as if to reassure her. "I'm certain in a parallel universe, I never decided to approach you. Never endangered each other to the others influence... And I'm positive that whatever you believe will happen to those around you, has already been done. I'm probably somewhere I can never see the stars again. Come on little one, let's be a timeline where no one dies." Psychosis was hoping the Indigo Mare was focusing on her, not the Stallion who now held her book. If the Stallion tried to leave with it Psychosis would just get it back. A psychotic mare focusing on a strange stallion who had came up to them out of nowhere, deciding to pick up her book when she's already so shaken? That couldn't end well. Not to mention by the way he was holding his head he was trying to look authoritive, but with his curled hair it kind of made him look more like a pompous mule in Psychosis's eyes. Though from what little of a look Psychosis had gotten he did look familiar, a bit too familiar. Psychosis lifted her head from the mare, getting a better look at the stallion holding the other lass's book.

"Letterform, everyone has different tastes in literature, give the unicorn back her book. This is not a tango you should be cutting in on."

Of course, Letterform, Psychosis recognized him from his incredibly stereotyped article of the gaurds, she was surprised this guy was still around with that monocle of his. Such toddler splashes of preconception against the princess's rule weren't usually taken lightly when brought to the public eye.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Limn

[Durppie]

"I simply saw there was a hubbub going on and that this young mare dropped her book. There are plenty of other, better books that can help with alchemical matters." Letterform took a good look at the mare that had addressed him. He thought he had seen her around Aquilla Gardens a few times, but had never spoken to her. At any rate, she seemed like a protective, motherly sort. Perhaps it was all for public appearances, but the gentlecolt suspected it was genuine affection the pegasus was showing to the other unicorn. Very few of the upper class ponies he had interacted with ever did something like this to a strange newcomer. With her glasses and proximity, certainly she must have seen the page.

 

At least she had seen fit to also play along with the cover up. Letterform glanced at the crowd forming. No guards in sight as of now, and some of the ponies that had been close enough to recognize the incriminating page seemed to be looking convinced that they had not seen the Elements of Harmony on the tome. Just another strange alchemical configuration. Besides, didn't a few tomes regarding the subject occasionally devote a page to the Elements and how dangerous and forbidden they were? Especially on how dangerous and forbidden they were? Letterform would have to check.

 

He decided to grant Psychosis's request and give the indigo mare her book back. It was safer in her bag than out in the air. He opened her bag and gingerly placed the tome in its confines. Finally it was closed, and the unicorn turned to the nervous mare. "Sorry madam. If you would like me to recommend better titles that go into more depth about alchemy, I'd be glad to help. But what was the exact matter...?"

[RainDash]

Wordlessly, Twilight grabbed the book the one unicorn pushed at her and ran. She thought it was her book, the one about the elements of harmony, but all she cared was that the pony stop touching her. She didn't know that Twilight lacked control, that she had hoped to be taught all her life, but ended up alone and useless. The best she could hope for was peace and quiet. Running for the library, she only stopped to levitate the book back into her saddlebag. However, she noticed the cover was different than her book's, and stopped. A Unicorn's Tome For The Chemical Magic Greeted her. Nonononono! Now that book was still at the park! If she went back now they might arrest her! Paralyzed with indecision, Twilight waited there, until she dropped the book and ran for the library, they knew what she looked like, but she could hide in the library and find them later. If she could just remain out of sight from the guards until she found her book again...

 

Twilight at last reached the library, she opened the door with the keys expertly, and locked it behind her. She walked towards the lounge and laid down on the couch in there, levitating a blanket over her as she wondered what to to about the book. Would they tell the guards, or would they figure out these mysterious elements?

[Limn]

( Just going to assume your characters having a mental breakdown. The only other book-like thing around was a journal in Letterform's bag. Your character did change the cover of the book, says so in a previous post of yours. Letterform only spoke of some alchemy book to disinterest other ponies from the book.)

 

Psychosis watched in silence as the Indigo Mare bolted from her the moment she had her book back. "Fleeing is certainly a greatly terrible, terribly great way of avoiding confrontation." Psychosis know following her would be pushing it and probably just turn that mares confused emotions into ones of anger. She didn't even want to follow her, but one fact still stood. That mare had some definite problems. Psychosis shifted her harp in front of herself, spreading her feathery black wings into a stretch. She glanced back at Letterform, she really had nothing to say to him.

"Good Night Letterform."

Psychosis bit down into her harp, leaping from the ground as her muscular wings sprung her from the ground in a frantic twirl. With the night air against her face, Psychosis quickly gained altitude. Flying in a quick, silent beeline in the direction of the brain damaged Indigo Unicorn. Psychosis was pleased with the fact her body didn't feel bothered from her abruptly rough take off. This was going to be strictly recon, to find where that indigo pony lived for future reference, should that mare do something dangerous another day.

With the unicorn in her sights, she noticed the pony stop to investigate her book. Psychosis began to circle her like a vulture, it was times like these that made Psychosis grateful for her pitch black coat. There was a noticable tense in the unicorns muscles as she examined the book. Without so much as a peep, the unicorn dropped her book and ran. Psychosis frowned, though her lips didn't move along with her emotion, that was no way to treat a book. But stopping to grab it might ensure that she lost her prey. Psychosis stayed airborn, watching as the Unicorn rushed for the section of the city that contained buildings with art and books. That sort of information was good enough for Psychosis. Psychosis quickly doubled back, she wasn't going to let anyone else have that book.

Psychosis's rushed return to the scene of the crime against books didn't provide her a landing one could call graceful, but it was good enough for her. Incase a pony from the shadows had been planning on grabbing the book as she descended. She quickly set her harp on top of the book, her hoof would have injured the book on her way down. Psychosis breathed out slowly, opening her eyes to examine incase there was another pony there. Hard landings always brought dust up, so she had previously closed her eyes. Psychosis contemplated ordering prescribed goggles or something as she was finally able to take in her surroundings. (*cough* Incase Letterform also followed. Must leave it vague.)

[Durppie]

"And good night to you, madam." For a few seconds, the gentlecolt simply stood there along with the rest of the mumbling on lookers. That had been an interesting turn of events. What had simply been a relaxing visit to Ponyhide Park had turned into a weird incident involving a hysterical unicorn that he had lied for and a book. Letterform could understand the mare's fright. If she was with a book about the Elements that wasn't-well, that book had not helped the Indigo Mare to calm down. And if things had gone differently, Letterform would not have bet even a single bit on if she would live.

 

He had to make like the pegasus and follow to make sure the poor unicorn didn't get herself killed. Letterform had saved her once, another time couldn't hurt. And the mare would need help adjusting to the city. As far as he knew, she was an immigrant. Turning around to address the crowd and calling in on his sheer importance to help him, he stated "Simply a shame that the few mental institutions here are ill equipped to help those who need it." The crowd broke apart, still muttering about the strange insane unicorn mare. A few lingered behind to yell questions at him.

 

"I cannot say what my next project will be or when it shall be finished. I have no ill will towards the Princess, as she does not run Neighstrasmo directly. I will not do a report on the Princess. Yes, I sincerely believe that A Unicorn's Guide to the Chemical Magic is insufficient as a teaching tool." All of these were true save for the 'no ill will towards the Princess' bit. Admittedly, Letterform did have gripes about her gross mismanagement of Equestria. But it wasn't like he was going to speak about them...now. Finishing the last ornate curl of his signature for an earth pony stallion's autograph, Letterform bade farewell, put away his pen and headed in the direction of the two mares in a brisk trot.

 

He was not quick enough to have seen Twilight Charmer drop the book and run away. However, he arrived just in time for the pegasus mare to land and place her harp on the book from before. The unicorn considered turning back, but it was too late now. Psychosis would already have had him in her line of sight.

[CaptainCute]

Glory trotted home slowly, the moon's glow had dimmed significantly and the shadows danced in their new-found territory. One should always be on their guard in the darker hours of the night, lest you be robbed blind. Glory lit her way with her horn's magic, for being a unicorn she wasn't that strong in magic, she had the resources to get books or even acquire tutors, but none of that seemed to help. Of course she knew many spells from heart, most of which she couldn't use herself, the spells she could perform were illusionary light effects. This was all very well for her, she was a performer, and she used her magic to help create the mood of her song. I hope that mare is okay.... Glory stopped in front of her house and let out a sigh before entering. She lived in Aquilla Gardens, lovely place, crime was less rampant in the upper ring of Neighstramo.

 

"Anybody home?" Glory chirped closing the door behind her. "I managed to survive another night out on the town."

[TSparkle123]

"Glad ya didn't get mauled by the guards! I got back from Blue Cresent not too long ago. I can assume you know what I was up to, so what were you doing?" Sea asked as she made her way back to the main room. She'd been checking the art on her wall for imperfections for about the thousandth time. If she was gonna look at it every day, then it was gonna be the best darn mural she ever made. Perhaps she needed to find a nice blank wall close to home to make beautiful. That'd be her next best work, probably, considering she'd probably pick a place she passed every day. Then again, it would just get painted over, like all the rest. She might also get caught if she made a mural close to home... She turned her thoughts back to what Glory might have been doing. Knowing the unicorn, she probably was doing something in the park. Probably the "something" that drew so much attention. She might not have been the cause of the commotion, but Sea had no doubt that Glory had something to do with it. Maybe she was singing while walking, or she started talking to a lunatic who did or said something that upset her. She quickly stopped trying to guess what happened. She'd know soon.

[Limn]

Psychosis's eyes landed on the brown unicorn with curled minty hair. "Letterform." Her voice was placid as she spoke, giving him a nod of recognition, as was polite in their society. The unicorns look was unmistakable, horribly feminine curly hair, combined with a mustache and beard, along with his 'never without' monocle. Though monocles were cool. Quite the oddity to see him here. I find no need to interact with him, let's go Son. (pronounced Saun.) Psychosis grabbed her harp and the book with her wings, tucking them under her feathers securely. She began to saunter back to her home. She of course would have prefered flying but, let's get real here, even if she could carry both her harp and the book in her mouth, books and mouths have never gotten along, and without any altitude already, taking off without your front hoofs by yourself was a serious strain on your wings.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Limn

[CaptainCute]

"I had a gig today," Glory sighed as she removed her scarf and hung it on a hat rack. "I was singing cheerful melodies for some stallion's fancy dinner party." She exaggerated the word fancy in a mocking fashion. "Besides my pay, I scored some free vittles, I have a lemon tart and an apple strudel... which one you want?" Glory placed the items mentioned before on a table before she threw herself on her bed. She wasn't very tidy with her sleeping space, blankets were drooling off the bed, and the blankets on the bed made such misshapen lumps. She kept the rest of her living space clean, but her bed was a battle ground riddled with pillows and blankets.

 

"I was relaxing in the park, like I usually do after a performance, and the weirdest thing happened." Glory took a small pause for dramatic effect as she planned out her next words. "I had fallen asleep and when I woke up somepony was telling stories about the sun, they had quite the small gathering. I, being the curious pony that I am, had to investigate. I asked this unicorn what I had missed, and I must have startled her, she was very... very frightened. She thought I was going to hurt her... I tried calming her down, but my actions had been interrupted by this pegasus. I helped disperse the crowd, I was a bit unnerved and I left before any guards could show up. Aww fiddle-sticks... I should have stayed to see what happened, now I'm all curious again." Glory marked this as the end of her story as she engulfed herself in a tangle of blankets.

[TSparkle123]

Sea chuckled. If she'd kept by the frightened unicorn, she'd likely regret it even more, though Sea was starting to get curious too. A unicorn frightened by a friendly pony like Glory was going to get hurt in some way. Especially if she went anywhere near other ponies. "Now you've got me curious!" Sea complained. It would be incredibly interesting to meet a pony like that, even with the fact that most ponies in Neighstramo were antisocial. That was the problem with meeting new ponies for her. Nopony ever seemed to come out of their homes and be social for any reason, exempting the festivals that were occasionally held. Even at the festivals, though, ponies seemed to avoid ponies they didn't already know already. It irritated Sea enough that she sometimes went out of her way to make ponies feel uncomfortable. Was that cruel? Perhaps, but annoying Sea had consequences, and other ponies needed to know that.

 

She made her way to the table, where Glory put the two pastries that she'd gained from her performance. After scanning both of them briefly, she picked up the lemon tart with her mouth and munched it down greatfully. While they both worked to bring home money and buy food, ponies seemed to think that Sea either didn't eat or enjoyed the taste of her paints. (Very bitter things, those.) Those assumptions irritated her even more than antisocial ponies. Sometimes, she wanted to strangle those vain, stupid mares and stallions until they coughed up some bits. Maybe they liked how money tasted, and that was why they were so stingy with it. Perhaps it was a delicacy to rich ponies, like fish eggs or moldy cheese. The more she thought about the possibility, the more plausible it sounded. Until she remembered that they'd likely break their teeth on coins. Maybe she'd be rich enough one day that she could afford to eat money, just to see what it tasted like... She decided to leave such dreaming for later. Right now, she was working on finding out more about the mental breakdown unicorn.

[CaptainCute]

"But enough about my day," Glory smiled as she freed her face from her blankets, "get any work done on your project? I simply must visit that area tomorrow, I haven't visited the fillies there in ages." Well, not exactly ages, Glory visited the fillies there three days ago, but she couldn't wait to make those little angels smile. Those foals were a beam of moonlight on Glory's life and she couldn't wait to see them again.

 

Glory slid out of her bed and trotted over to the table where she had placed the apple strudel and gobbled it up. After a few mumbles of delight Glory began to trot in place in rapid succession.

 

"That was simply divine," Glory squealed excitedly, "I wish I knew who the caterers were, not that knowing would do me any good." Despite being an upper class pony, Glory didn't take most things for granted, and she appreciated the finer things in life with a passion. True she can eat high quality food when she gets invited to a fancy event, but good food never gets old in her book. Of course, in the presence of upper class ponies she does herself the favor of not getting too excited. Once she got done trotting in place she cleaned the mess her meal had made.

[Durppie]

She was taking the book. Letterform panicked for a moment, but reassured himself. The pegasus had helped him fool the crowd and potentially save the strange unicorn mare's life. Also, the book was probably safer with her than a known social critic whose life was made precarious by his writings. Still, the gentlecolt had no idea where said madmare was at the moment. Even with Night Haunter around, it was best to keep your wits about you. And a madmare's ability to do so will be...impaired.

 

"Ah, one thing madam. I apologize for getting into your time like this but do you know where the indigo mare went?" He kept his tone polite and without most of his usual arrogance. He'd rather not have a fight on his hooves. Letterform couldn't help glance around a few times to make sure no attackers lurked anywhere.

 

---

 

Pumpernickel continued to stand guard at the door. Master Letterform was later than usual, if the ornate grandfather clock was right. Of course it's right. He's very particular about the things he purchases and their quality. I hope no disgruntled pony has hired any assassins after him. I know he isn't slipshod at magic, but there are plenty of other ponies that could overpower him if they wanted to. The earth pony servant's worry increased with every passing minute. By now the unicorn should've been back from the park and in the dining room with some pastries.

Edited March 16, 2013 by Durppie

[Limn]

Great, Letterform was speaking to her, Psychosis resolved to keep her tone polite and calm. "I'm sure she's well at her place of lodging by this time." Psychosis paused in her brisk trot, turning towards the minty maned stallion. "Letterform, I'd rather not disclose that unicorn as your newest pastry dish." Psychosis voice was laced elegantly with a polite warning of threat. Her hooves shifted back to the front. "Goodnight Sir." Psychosis began to waltz back into her walks brisk pace, taking care to keep her hoofsteps soft to not attract attention. Her mind began to list the things she'd be required to do when she arrived at her home. As well as wonder if Letterform was going to press for information, lad didn't become popular in society based on backing his hooves off when he needed too.

[Durppie]

"Rest assured I never intend to do that to the mare. I simply intended to protect her, miss." Letterform could tell the pegasus was starting to get a bit impatient with him, and briefly wondered if he should take her word for it. After all, the dark coated mare was also concerned about her was well. "I'm not entirely confident in her state to do so. I'll trust you for now, but for Luna's sake I hope you aren't lying. And keep an eye on that book." It was blunt and somewhat aggressive, but he was known for that. It was getting late, and both of them needed to get home. If he searched Neighstrasmo for the unicorn with the star and clouds cutie mark now, it would be fruitless and very dangerous.

 

He nodded goodbye at Psychosis and made his way to his home. This part of the city was familiar to Letterform, as he loved the arts. Also it was close to Aquilla Gardens, so that was another benefit.

[Limn]

That was it, Letterform had spoken his peace. Personally, Psychosis couldn't say she believed him, she only knew his writing, his words. He intended to protect the indigo unicorn? What for, he didn't know her, and based on his profession, he didn't exactly protect ponies. Night Haunter protected ponies by threatening and fighting the more criminal of ponies, even if it was a hopeless endeavor by himself in this town. Letterform merely wrote, he wasn't exactly a candidate for a revolutionary writer either. His opinion wasn't important, he was just a critic. His writing didn't help the ponies in the slums, and he was already walking on eggshells in the higher ranks. Letterform didn't help or protect ponies, and neither did Psychosis, maybe, maybe that should change. Besides, it was allow us a chance to Fight.

Ah, finally home. Acquilla Gardens, close to the roadway, two houses away from Blue Cresent, most convenient place for a quick flight near the everfree as well as comfortable living. Psychosis pressed her eye against the eyehole, allowing an inner security system to scan her eye through her glasses. Much easier than fussing about losing a key and someone breaking in. With a click, the door opened, immediately closing as Psychosis entered. Descendant from generations of fighters, Psychosis's family had fought for Equestria and the princess for centurys. Not important enough to be recognized by the public, her family hadn't been heroes worth noting, but they still fought.

Psychosis explored the house for intruders, purely out of habit, everything was still in order, no one was here, and nothing was gone. She resigned to her room. Psychosis set her harp down on the wall by her hammock. A hammock was the closest thing to a cloud concerning a place to rest in Psychosis's mind. She laid the book down on her hammock, streching her wings before fluttering onto her hammock. She shifted the book open. Now was the time to examine this book, fate was a crual thing.

Edited March 16, 2013 by Limn

[CaptainCute]

Moon Blitz stretched his wings before he secured the package in his bag, it was too late in the night for this to be a normal delivery. I better get tipped handsomely for this. He had checked the address before coming out, upper class territory. Upper class ponies always gave the best tips, after all, they were the only ponies with money to spare. The night's cold air brushed softly against Moon Blitz's cheeks and the moon shone brilliantly. Moon ran a hoove through his hair, stroking it back. He let out a mighty neigh and stood on his hind legs as his front hooves swatted the empty space before them. After he finished being dramatic he took a running jump into the sky, it didn't take Blitz long to get to his destination. Moon sneered at the well build homes and eye-catching scenery. All these ponies with their fancy pants neighborhoods, one day I'll live in a beautiful house, be filthy rich, and most importantly admired by all. I'll get there by the sweat of my brow too, my comfort won't be handed to me on a silver platter. But why on earth couldn't I be born into a rich family?!? Blitz took a clipboard and pen from his bag and used his tail to knock on the door. These ponies better not keep me waiting.

[Durppie]

((Assuming he's knocking on Letterform's door.))

 

The look on the sherbet colored Earth pony's face when Letterform had finally walked through the door at last was one of relief. Pumpernickel had been attempting to concentrate on something other than the grisly fate of his employer and the end of a stable job, such as talking to his colleagues and looking over his bread recipe he loved so much for the thousandth time. It had always worked for a few minutes at a time, but then the Earth pony would always think back to Letterform. True, the monocle sporting unicorn was pompous, vocal and full of himself. But employers were employers and bits were bits. Pumpernickel also found that privately the critic didn't mind speaking to his servants as equals, a practice that would be odd in other houses.

 

Closing the door behind him and ignoring his servants' looks of shock and curiousity, Letterform strode over to the dining room, which generally didn't receive too many guests. He unclasped his satchel, gently taking out his journal and a pen. Briefly checking the pen for any damage or ink leakage, he began to write in elegant calligraphy. The black writing had barely filled up half a page before a rumbling sound came from his stomach.

 

I'll have to fix that."Zinnia, bring me some onion soup au gratin please." He addressed a lilac colored unicorn nearby with a cutie mark of four flowers.

 

"Would you like anything else, sir?" Letterform paused. "No, Miss Meadows." With a flash, the maid teleported to the kitchen as he continued to write about the day's events. Keeping a journal was a behavior that was foolish for obvious reasons, yet he had gone through five of them so far.

 

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Before he could get up, Pumpernickel opened it to expose a dark gray pegasus stallion. "Master Letterform? The mail's here." Magically the writer closed his journal and set his pen down before walking to the door.

Edited March 17, 2013 by Durppie

[CaptainCute]

Moon Blitz quickly made his appearance more cheerful when he heard the soft creak of the door. About time. Moon smiled at the stallion who opened the door, it was an odd smile, Moon had his teeth clenched into a clipboard. Oh great, it's a servant pony, no surprise there, most upper class ponies never answer their own doors. Blitz was use to servants answering the door, and servants usually didn't tip him. Naturally he was pleased when he saw another pony come to the door. Aw yeah, main pony in the building, this might actually be worth my while. Moon Blitz moved the clipboard into his left hoove and offered the pen with his right.

 

"Package delivery, you also have some mail along with it." As soon as someone signed the clipboard Moon tucked the board into his bag and replaced it with a package which he handed to the servant. Blitz then retrieved some mail which he placed gentle on the package.

 

"Lovely weather, although it seems chillier than usual." Moon put on his friendliest face as he stretched out his wings before recoiling them back into their resting state. Moon did this to give the appearance he was cold, and that he went to a bit of trouble to deliver that package.

[Durppie]

Letterform signed the clipboard with a flourish, careful not to drip ink on anything before recapping it and focusing on the pegasus mailcolt curiously. The pen was a different make from what he normally used, but it was easy to use nevertheless. The colt at the door seemed to have a dark coat like the mare with the harp earlier, but also had pink throughout his body. Pink was odd to see on a male, but then again this colt looked as if he was younger. Young fillies and colts often did have the strangest fashions. But he had often been criticized in his youth for looking too much like a filly, so perhaps he really was in no place to judge. That's never stopped me however... The unicorn thought with amusement.

 

"Yes, the weather is indeed nice tonight. I presume you-" His gaze went to the colt's wings. "-are quite cold? Pumpernickel, bring the package and mail inside please. While you're at it, see if the kitchen ponies have made any hot cocoa. If they haven't, tell them to do it as fast as possible. Have Zinnia bring it here." With a "yes sir", the servant pony brought the materials into the office and then quickly galloped to the kitchen to bellow his master's request.

 

This youngling seemed like a decent sort, he figured. Why not? Oh, and there was the tip. It was considered polite to leave tips. "Young sir, wait a moment. I shall need to get my bits." Letterform smiled a little at the pegasus before venturing into his office to withdraw some of the bits he had hidden there. He nodded at Zinnia, who was already coming down the hall and levitating the hot cocoa. This cocoa was of a high quality, consisting of the second best beans. The best was probably reserved for the Princess.

[RainDash]

Twilight sat in the dark room again. Here she felt so much older, like she had spent years dreaming instead of mere hours. Here she was safe though, in this colorless, dark room. Hell was other ponies, she knew. Suddenly she knew the presence behind her. The indigo unicorn shook, her eyes dilating and her composure collapsing.

 

"What's the matter? Don't want to see your old 'teacher'?"

 

Twilight tried to close and open her eyes in the real world, but she couldn't escape. She wanted to vomit, to cry, to say something! She was paralyzed by fear, the fear the gripped her nearly every night when the Princess enjoyed tormenting her. Wether or not she actually bothered to torment her was yet to be seen. In Twilight's broken mind, the Princess had become her tormentor.

 

"Those ponies you met today are laughing at you. 'What a silly pony' they cry! You were afraid of a hoofshake!" The laughter made Twilight shake in fear.

 

"Super driver..." Twilight tried to sing, a song to distract her mind.

 

"It won't work. Heh, you're pathetic. Every time you talk to ponies, you shun them, shoo them away!"

 

Twilight placed her hooves over her ears, but it was as though the Princess' words cut through the jury rigged ear muffs.

 

"Your invitation to the festival is in the mail. Try not to cause an incident..."

 

Twilight woke, covered in sweat and breathing fast. She sat up and cried for a moment, used to this ritual of abuse and nonsense. after she regained her composure, she went to find a book to read. Maybe she would find the book-

 

"Holy Luna I left the book in the street!" Twilight exclaimed shortly after lighting some of the torches around the library, to any on looker it appeared open.