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[Maklak]

and Carmine

After waking up Indigo ate his breakfast, and went to the craftpony's workshop to make some things for sale to the caravans. This is going to be a productive day, he thought. After talking to traders about what they like best and working with stones for a while, he was getting pretty good at it. There are so many things that can be made from simple rocks. Some minerals, while not real gems, look quite good when polished, and are suitable for jewelry, like earrings and crowns. Some are strong enough to be made into some kinds of furniture, or even musical instruments. There were some pitfalls to stone crafting of course, as sometimes a stone would have an incursion in the middle, and break easily. Rocks are also quite brittle despite their durability, need to be handled with care, and can't be made to thin. But once you get the hang of all these nuances, rocks are a lot of fun to work it, and can be made into a cornucopia of decorative and useful items, like bowls, pots and mugs.

Carmine was walking towards the mines to make some stones into blocks. He noticed his fellow stone crafter, mason and dyer working on a stone harp. "Hello Indigo, good work today? Any inspiration for anything special?"

“Hello, Carmine. I'm making a stone harp. The caravan wants one. Are you here for these mugs? Or do you want to chat?" asked Indigo, continuing his work.

"I could use a mug, but a chat could be nice too, I'm just making blocks again, got to work for the community. It has been helping me lately to take my mind off all this nonsense." said Carmine.

"Yes, I made some blocks for constructions too. They seem easy compared to a harp, but need to be smooth to fit each other nicely... Wait, what nonsense?" inquired Indigo.

"Glyph came to me and said he found one of my foals, and then he shows me this zebra foal. I was really kind of scared by him." complained Carmine.

"What?!" Indigo puts his tools down, and turns around to look at Carmine. He frowns. "I haven't seen any zebra foals around, but there is a zebra caravan in town. They usually leave their kids at home, but maybe one wanted to be adventurous, and followed them. But why would Glyph bother you about it is beyond me."

"I know, he kept saying it was mine, and then he threatened me."

"That is really weird and unsettling. What did he do exactly?" Indigo frowns, "And what happened to that foal anyway?"

"I think he took her home with him. He said he was going to talk to The Baroness about me not taking care of my family."

"I really don't understand what's going on. I mean I know you're married to Ocean Breeze, and take care of all four of your foals, and none of them is a zebra, but these accusations are so outlandish, it can't simply be a prank. I think you should talk to Virtue about Glyph's behaviour and to the zebras about a lost foal. Or maybe I could talk to Kat, she knows Glyph." Indigo looks rather upset, his work abandoned for now.

"I know, but I don't want the speak ill of a military Pony, and what would I say to the Baroness anyway?"

"Well, you shouldn't let yourself be pushed around for no apparent reason, but I see your point. Talk to the zebras then. If they lost a foal, and want her back, the problem will solve itself. " Indigo frowns again. "Maybe she met Glyph, he asked where are her parents, and she led him to your door? Kids lie sometimes, and something like that could make a soldier very upset. I can't shake the feeling, that there must be a second bottom to this."   

"Zebras,” Carmine says, “I don't know if I can talk to Zebras. The are... well you know... Zebras."

"Well, I've talked to them before. I sometimes ask them for feedback on the things I make, and so should you, really. They are a bit weird, and unsettling, but not so bad once you get to know them."   

Meanwhile, behind some piles of items, a grayish Pegasus mare listens... pretending to be busy with moving things around. She manages to stay unnoticed by the two talking stallions.

"OK, but I just can't talk to them, not after this. I'm not some foal-napping Diamond Dog."

"If you don't want to ask them yourself, then I can. It's not a problem for me. At worst it will rule out one possibility." said Indigo.  "Don't worry, I will ask politely, and won't mention your name."   

"One weird thing though, the zebra foal had wings. Do you know any zebras with wings?", asked Carmine.     

"Well, most of them are like striped Earth Ponies with freaky culture. Some have wings, and can fly, tough. There is a even zebra equivalent of Unicorn, I think. Wings would actually explain a foal getting lost, if she was flying and following their caravan."   

"Then it must have been one of them Winged ones."   

"So, do you want me to talk to them, or not? Because I'm rather upset by this whole situation, and want to see it resolved, so that things go back to normal.”

"Could you please talk to them for me? I'm sorry, but I'm really afraid."   

"I already said, its alright. And you are too agitated to talk to them calmly, and might rub them the wrong way.” Indigo pauses for a moment. “Maybe I should see the foal first, tough. Speaking of which, I'm sure she is scared and lost, so don't be too mean to her, no matter what ridiculous lies she says."

"Well you should go to Glyph and talk to him, then." said Carmine.

"Maybe I should" Though I must be careful, not to upset him, or upset the foal, and piss everypony off. "Alright, the sooner I do this, the sooner it will be over." Indigo walks to the barracks. He rarely ever goes there, but Glyph is probably training with the rest of militia. Unless he is in his room with that foal. Indigo walks into the barracks, and sees some soldiers sparring, but not Glyph. He asks Naginata about him, and goes to his room.


and Friesden

Indigo figured it would be a bad idea to confront Glyph unprepared, so he made up a quick pretext. Reassured, Indigo knocks on Glyph's door.   

"Who is it? You can come in, the door's unlocked." Glyph is sitting in the middle of his room watching Friesden fly around.

Indigo opens the door to see Glyph playing with unfamiliar striped winged foal. "Hello Glyph.." he stares for a moment.

The amber coloured and periwinkle (light blue) striped foal flies in circles, faster and faster. She’s almost dizzy...

"Hello... um... what's your name again?" Glyph asks, cocking his head and trying to remember. Friesden eventually has to land to keep from banging into something.

"I'm Indigo." He keeps observing the foal, noticing details, and trying to remember her as well as possible.

Friesden totters on the ground, slightly off balance, with the first hint of a smile Glyph has ever seen on her face after her father...'forgot'...her.

"Right, Indigo. I was just playing with my little Friesdizzy here. What did you need?" Glyph walks over to Friesden, putting a hoof out to steady her. She almost steadies herself, but eventually gives up and rolls over onto the floor.     

The strange foal didn't even notice Indigo, which was good. Now for the pretext. "Do you know where I can find Kat? I need to talk to her about something. She wasn't in the barracks." Indigo
observed, that the proportions of the foal’s body were more akin to a pony than to a zebra, but he hasn't seen all that many zebras, let alone foals, so he couldn't really decide.

"No, I don't know where she went... I think she was planing to come by after her patrol to play with Friesdizzy here." Glyph smiles and pokes Friesden's stomach. She giggles a little, though the smile doesn't grow any more.

Ah, all right, I'll catch her later then." He couldn't help but smile at the laughing filly. "See you later, Glyph". Well, at least Glyph doesn't look upset now, and he sure seems to care about this filly, so she is in good hooves. But wasn't Friesden the name of one of the foals that run around here? Why would he call this filly Friesden? I may not know all the foals around here, but I’m pretty sure, I’d remember one with stripes.

"You sure you didn't need anything else?" asked Glyph.

"I um... Maybe later, I still have some work to do before sundown". There was no point in asking Glyph questions now. "See you later." Indigo left Glyph's room.

Glyph quickly slips out the door. "Indigo, one more thing..."   

Indigo stopped in the corridor, somewhat stunned. "Yes?" Okay, this just couldn't go as smoothly as I intended. what does he want? Of course he isn't stupid, and knows why I'm here. Is he going to yell at me? Tell me this is my foal?!

Glyph moves outside and motions for Indigo to follow. "Keep your voice down," He says quietly. "I don't want Friesden to hear this."

Not good Indigo complies.

"You... you're one of them too... have you talked to Carmine?"

Really not good "One of whom? I occasionally talk to Carmine, he is a mason and stone crafter and dyer, like me. Why?" Indigo backed up a bit, looking tense.

"Has... um... Kak ya mogu eto slovo... Has he mentioned Friesden at all?"     

Very bad. Did he just speak in devilpony to me?! "He mentioned you yelling at him." Indigo whispers, looking afraid.

Yelling... what? I didn't yell but... so he still doesn't... "So... he still won't clam his foal then? I... I did want a foal but... to have her kicked out of her family..."

Indigo tries to compose himself, and reason with Glyph, even tough it looks like a lost cause. "Um. Glyph. I'm pretty sure, I haven't seen a striped foal around here. What is it about her being Carmine's daughter?"   

"Well... that's the thing... from what I can gather, she's not Carmines foal... just Ocean Breeze's..." Glyph awkwardly shuffles his hooves, seeming uncomfortable about the subject.

Indigo looks taken aback, and very put off. "WHAT?" He exhales, then laughs, then whispers "You mean his wife cheated on him with a zebra? But that's... How can that be... even hiding a foal like that... she would have to dye her coat... I'm sure I would remember striped... I don't..." He stops talking, and just stares, visibly stunned.

"I'm just guessing... but I was there, I saw Friesden try to talk to her family... and that... that... Rogatyĭ prinosyashchiĭ smertʹ, I saw him deny her existence... When I saw her stripes though... She was all wet, I think she had just climbed out of the well..."

"I'm really confused now," said Indigo. “This sounds crazy.”

"So he's still... still refusing to acknowledge that she's his foal? Not... not even a small hint of it?"   

"Well, I... if his wife cheated on him, this is a very bad way to find out about such a thing. He might have snapped... Have you asked Ocean Breeze about it?" "And do you want me to believe this craziness?" Indigo asked, more angrily?

Friesden has heard some shouting and is currently trying to decide whether to go out or not.

He doesn't believe me... of course he doesn't... Glyph sighs, looking defeated. "Fine, you don't have to believe me, just... don't mention this to Friesden please. She still hopes her father will come and pick her up... I haven't talked to anypony about it, but Stiletto said she was going to talk to Virtue... I just had to focus on keeping her safe. And as happy as I can... I'm her father now, at least until Carmine comes to his senses." Glyph sighs again, looking back at his room. "Although... even though I hate the thought of her being abandoned... I still love being her father...
I'll miss it if she goes back to her real family."

Indigo nods. "Look, I'm rather upset about this situation, and want it resolved, and without making anypony too upset. I'm willing to give you the benefit, of the doubt. I'll come back shortly" Indigo frowns, and starts to leave. Stiletto is involved in this? I should have known.

Friesden builds up the courage and goes out the door, just in time to see Indigo walking away. "G-g-g-glyph? Can we go and see dad?"

Indigo turns, and says "Carmine is busy making stone block for the warehouse, and there is some commotion outside. Nothing to worry about, but you are safer here." With that he walks away.

Glyph nods, "Yeah... but we could always go somewhere to play if you want malyutka."

"Oh. How long till I can see dad?"
   
Indigo walks straight into the dining hall, to get enough food and drink for a lunch for three, as well as some candy (carrot slices with honey), then walks back to Glyph's room.   

Meanwhile Stiletto flies in and lands on the complexes' upper level. She waits at the top of the stairs for an opportunity to confront Carmine.

"I...I just want to see dad... I just want him to like me again..." said Friesden.

"I know... but until you do... can you try to be happy as my little Friesdizzy?" Glyph moves over and hugs Friesden. "Just a little bit?"   

"O-o-o-okay..."

Indigo made the trip as quick as possible. With the candy in his saddlebag, and food on a tray, he walks back into Glyph's room. "I brought you lunch."

Friesden mumbles a bit. "'Thank you."
   
"Wow, thank you Indigo..." Glyph looks over at Friesden, a flash of sadness in his eyes. "Come on malyutka, lets eat..."

Indigo eats his food quickly, and waits for them to finish.  Friesden makes slow progress on her food, her head facing the door as if waiting for somepony to walk in. At some point Indigo looses his patience, but doesn't show it. "So Friesden, want to play a game? I'll ask you riddles, and for every one you answer you get candy."

"Riddles?"

"Well yes, you don't like games? Or candy?" Indigo pulls out a jar of carrot slices with honey.

"Okay...” Should I ask what riddles are?

"That could be fun, I bet you'd be good at it too Friesden." Glyph smiles, trying to encourage her.   
   
What follows is a series of questions such as "Who is Virtue's husband", "What colour is Rondel", and "Where is the place, where Flux makes rocks into metal". for every correct answer Indigo floats a slice of carrot, and moves it around the room with telekinesis, for the filly to fly up and catch. Friesden gets most of the answers correct, but doesn't understand some of the questions. After the candy is exhausted, Indigo says "Well, I hope it was fun, because this exercise is good both for your body and mind. I need really to go now, tough". He looks at Glyph, shrugs, then nods, and collects empty dishes.

Glyph nods back, having understood the intention of the game. "Well it was nice seeing you Indigo."

"Bye". Indigo walks back to the kitchen to drop the empty dishes. Well, I suppose I should still talk to the zebras anyway. I promised Carmine. With a frown he walks towards the depot to find Sekashi.




Carefully choosing his words Indigo inquired Sekashi about the caravan, zebra foals, flying zebras and zorses. She was quite surprised at the subject of the conversation, and made a joke about him clumsily hitting on her, so he was forced to explain that there is apparently a zebra or a zorse foal in the camp, and asked for her discretion. He learned that the caravan had no foals with them, what the name for flying zebras is, and that zorses are possible, but their stripes are usually white. Sekashi wanted to see the foal for herself, but he persuaded her out of it. The filly could be upset to see a zebra, let alone be questioned by one, and some ponies seemed already on edge about this situation. None of them wanted another caravan incident, so Sekashi agreed to wait. Indigo once again apologised for the topic of the discussion. He now has much fewer doubts about Friesden. It was pretty clear the caravan had nothing to do with her, and that she was in Dawnpick for some time. Besides, Sekashi wouldn't lie to him, would she?

He returned to the craftpony's workshop, but Carmine wasn't there. Oh well, a lot happened during this day, and he had some thinking to do. What should he do now? Find Carmine? Talk to Ocean Breeze? Go to Virtue’s office, to check the census, look up the name Friesden, and read about the laws on divorce, adoption and dispossession of a bastard? Technically handling situations like this was Virtue’s responsibility. Indigo only got involved because Carmine asked him. Maybe letting other ponies figure it out, and hoping for the best is not such a bad idea? He still had some work to finish today, and already wasted the whole morning. Nothing like working on a nice harp to take his mind off all this trouble.


(( This is a letter I got from Psalms01 on deviantart:
I am an extensive admirer of Telgin’s “Role-play” on the bay12forums. The consideration and fidelity that the players embrace in the role-play is enthralling. The Dawnpick epic is such an inspirational story. Nothing but preeminent faith and wishes for you and your comrades in weaving this narrative.

Be certain to share! ))

[Powder Miner]

Powder was hauling a boulder back form the caves he had recently mined. "Hello Jaxler." After answering Jaxler, he continued the work song he had been singing under his breath, something in another language. "Len zrai lon zraid y len zrai i zraid jen eezzeerreenn..."

[jaxler]

Jaxler noticed that powder was carrying a large rock. Jaxler hadn't talked with powder sense the incident in the caverns so he figured he might as well take the opportunity and strike a conversation.

"Do ya need any help with that boulder?"

[Powder Miner]

"Nah, not particularly. I carry these things a lot."

[JaxtalMK2]

Okay the third and final of the relationship scenes for now. You kinda need to see this to get what's gonna happen with Kat and Glyph so yeah. And remember this happened a fort update back, so fit it into you're timeline.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Kat had returned home from her guard duty, done with the day already. It was great that they allowed her to keep her uniform, weapons and bolts at her own house rather than the barracks. Already at night where not many ponies are awake, She stares blankly at her crossbow as she places it down on her bed. "Tonight's the night.." she said to herself, coldly.   

She wanted to let out a sigh.. she wanted to just blow it off and go to sleep now so she'll wake up all happy and ready tomorrow.. but it can't wait any longer. Kat changed her uniform for her usual casual dress, putting her armor into the cabinet. Her expression was blank and cold.. because she knew what she'll be doing soon. After changing into something more comfortable, She picked her bolt quiver up and attached it to her side, then pick up her steel guard's crossbow and slung it. In her mind, she wanted to just drop it all into the chest and drop herself onto the bed.. but no matter how much she wants it, she found herself already leaving her apartment, locking her room...

She spread her wings, and started to fly away into the night sky. Above the lights of the city, letting cold night air wash over her.. she couldn't believe she hadn’t stopped.. she was weak.. she flew and flew.. Finally, over the walls, hoping that nopony saw her leaving Dawnpick's safety.   

Glyph leaves his house quietly, then sees Kat fly overhead. Looking around, he decides to follow her, down the path, and out of the walls. He keeps his distance, wondering what she was going off to do.   

Kat flew quite a distance away from Dawnpick.. but not far enough to get herself lost. After all she wasn't looking forward to get herself killed or anything. She lands inside the sparse woods.. finally being able to let out a soft sigh for herself.. she frowns as she unslings her crossbow into her hooves, pulls it's string back and loads one of her iron bolts into the slot. "you're a Monster Kat.. you know it.." she says quietly to herself as she inspects her crossbow like she does every morning.   

Glyph moves in, keeping out of sight. He hears her words, and cocks his head. "monster? why would she think that..." He mumbles to himself, watching close.   

Kat has that absent-minded look on her face, not the smiling blushing Kat. Her eyes were somewhat sparkle-less from how low the lights are, Kat began to sneak, her crossbow pointed out and ready.. already seeing her first prey tonight.. a good-sized hare just nibbling away carelessly.. Kat took her aim down the sight.. whispers "I'm sorry..." then pulls the trigger mechanism of her crossbow, sending the bolt flying away with force, hitting the hare in the head, fracturing it's skull and tearing apart the brain, making it flip and roll from the force before eventually ceasing to move and live.   
"Wow... she's a good shot..." Glyph keeps following her, trying to keep quiet and out of sight.   

Kat reloaded her crossbow again before walking over to the dead hare, opening her saddle bag that she brought with her and put the dead hare in there, extracting her bolt from it's head. She had to grab the bolt by it's head with her own mouth, tasting the blood made her shudder.. and is that.. a blush?.. no.. probably not.. can't be.   

"A blush? Cou-... no... no way..." Glyph watches Kat move with interest, chewing his lip as he sees the blood on her muzzle.   

Kat  placed the bolt into her quiver, she didn't bother wiping her muzzle clean from the dribble of blood that it made. Rising her Crossbow again, she continues her hunt for a new prey.. It wasn't too long before a new prey was found.. this time, a white bunny.. smaller than the hare that she just killed. Kat sneaks quietly until she has a clear shot.. aiming down her sight, this time, without even a sorry, she pulls the trigger. Sending her iron bolt flying straight into the bunny's midsection, sending it flying back a good couple of feet, It didn't die instantly, in fact, it squirmed and wiggled, struggling to breath and trying to escape whatever monster that might be hunting it..

Kat slowly walks up to it's dying body. It looked up at her with it's black beady eyes, gasping for air.. no doubt begging for mercy.. and Mercy she gave.. she raises a hoof up and positions it above it's head... then bringing it down. Making a loud audible sickening *Crunch*   

Glyph watches, and hears the crunch... he moves slightly closer, moving a little bit out of his cover. Kat picked the bunny up, and removed the bolt from it. grabbing it at it's head again as she pulls it out.. this time, Glyph could see her face easier, and that.. look on her.. it really looks
like she's blushing when she taste the blood.. but.. it can't be! He seems almost entranced by the sight, taking another step closer before realizing he could be seen and hiding again.   

After removing the bolt, Kat frowns again, heavily.. before putting the bunny into the same saddle bag with the hare and reloading her crossbow with that bolt. She lets out a heavy sigh.. and mumbles to herself "you're a sick.. sick mare.. Kat.."  At that moment, while mumbling to herself, Kat saw another thing move. Seeing that it's a wild cat, she aims down her sight and fires. But the thing was too fast, making her shot miss and it bolting away Fast like a.. well.. cat. Heading directly towards... where Glyph is hiding.   





Glyph tenses, seeing the cat run towards him. Seeming almost asleep, he raises a hoof and stomps down as the cat runs by. With a sickening crunch, the cat's spine snaps, and it falls to the ground paralyzed, but still mewling pitifully. Kat was surprised to hear the stomp and the Cat's painful mewling. She quickly reloads her crossbow again, fearing that whatever was finishing her job might be dangerous to her as well. or worse..   

Glyph grabs the cats tail in his mouth, dragging it behind him as he walks out from his hiding place. Kat almost dropped her crossbow when she saw who it was, seeing Glyph dragging the Cat by it's tail "G.. Glyph?"   

"Hello Kat..." He flicks his head and tosses the cat down between them, the poor thing still mewling. "I wasn't expecting you to miss... but I caught it for you."   

Kat wasn't expecting to see what she's seeing at all. her eyes were wide, looking down between the mewling cat and Glyph, who doesn't seems to be shocked by what she's doing at all. "w.. what?.. w... why?"   

"Why what? Why did I catch it?" He shrugs, "It was running towards me... why were you shooting things in the night?"   

Kat sighs.. heavily.. she aims her crossbow down at the Cat's head and puts it out of its misery.. splattering blood and pinning it to the ground.. Kat whimpered.. looking down shamefully.. "because... i'm a bad pony.."   

"A bad... you're not a bad pony..." Glyph moves closer and places a hoof on her withers.   

Kat closes her eyes, whimpering quietly, her body slightly shaking already "y.. yes i am.. if.. if i'm not.. i.. wouldn't be out here... doing.. this.." she forced out, finding it harder and harder as she says each word as tears threaten to burst out of her eyes.   

"K-kat... mein wenig Liebe... you're not a bad pony... I... I know it..." Glyph pulls Kat into a hug, nuzzling her, not seeming to mind the blood at all.   
Kat couldn't hold it in anymore.. tears began to form in the corners or her eyes.. and her words began to get mixed in with sobs "b.. but.. i.. i killed.. things.. defenseless.. things.. and.. and.. i liked it.. i'm.. a sick.. and *hiccup* bad.. pony.. it's.. it's not right!" she said, hugging tightly onto Glyph, dropping her crossbow onto the grass.   

"And? I... I enjoy that too... even... even that cat, I just crushed it... and enjoyed the feeling..." He hugs her tight, trying to give her some comfort. "I-it... it's just something we have..."   
Kat continues to whimper, sniffing softly.. she looks up at him with teary eyes "r.. really?.. b.. but.. it's.. wrong.. and.. bad.." she said. looking down shamefully again. "the.. goddesses wouldn't.. want ponies to.. d.. do this.."   

"W-well... t-they c-created us... a-and we're like this... s-so... maybe... maybe i-it's okay? I... I never really t-though about it... but... either way, you aren't a bad pony... you joined the guard, you swore to protect the  ponies of Dawnpick... a bad pony wouldn't do that."   

Kat sobs softly, slowly feeling better. "they... they created.. us.. and.. gave us.. the ability to choose.. i.. i choose to be.. doing.. *whimper* this.. while i can.. choose to.. not.. i.. if i weren't.. out here.. tonight.. these critters.." she began whimpering again "they wouldn't... die so soon.. by me.."   

"T-they... I... I don't k-know much... I never really l-listened to g-grapple..  and t-there wasn't a-any... any w-worship in Ironbridle... but, if... if they made it s-so we l-like..." He swallows, looking at the cat again. "Like this... then why is... why is it wrong?"   

Kat whimpers and shakes her head softly.. shuddering lightly, not wanting to look at the cat for the moment "t.. they just.. made us exist.. a.. and.. let us.. choose w.. who we want to be.. t.. they were kind.. to give us a choice.. a.. and.. i.." she sobbed softly.. "i choose poorly.."   

"Then... then... but, this is how we feel... why... why c-can't that be... be alright... I never... never chose... I just always felt..." Glyph closes his eyes, taking a breath, then carefully wipes the tears from Kat's eyes. "At... at least now I know I'm not the only one..."   

Kat shudders as he wipes away her tears. she Sighed softly and give him a soft nuzzle to
the nose "let's.. let's go back.. a.. and clean.. i.. i don't want to stay here anymore.."   

"I... but... okay..." Glyph gives Kat a kiss, tasting the blood on her muzzle, trying not to blush. He breaks the kiss, and gives her one last nuzzle. "Just... don't come out here alone again okay? I wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to you..."   
Kat sniffed softly.. looking down again "w.. why should you?... i'm.. " she couldn't bare to finish the sentence and just walk with him instead.. not forgetting to pick up her crossbow and retrieve her bolts as well. but leaving the poor dead cat there for whatever carnivore to find.   

"You're mein wenig Liebe, and you're perfect like you are... now stop beating yourself up... please..." He stays close to Kat as they begin to return to Dawnpick, watching for anything moving.   

Kat finally let out a smile.. feeling considerably better pretty fast with Glyph close to her like this.. she smiles up at him.. then nuzzle him on the side of his head "thankyou.."   

They arrive at the river, and Glyph leaves Kat's side for a moment. "We... we should probably get cleaned up here, better than tracking blood into the village."   

Kat nodded, she searching for a dry patch of grass, she puts her crossbow down, followed by her quiver.. then her saddle bag. she seems pretty okay now, not crying or anything. but she also doesn't seem over-joyous either. "Ponies used to think i'm a Vampire or something.."   

"A vampire? Heh, I suppose I can see why..." Glyph places his axe next to her gear. "Blood on your muzzle... do... do you like... the taste too?"   

Kat blushed softly from the question. "a.. a little.."   

"Y-yeah..." Glyph blushes a bit, thinking of how she looked pulling the bolts out of the creatures. "I... I don't know why but... I do. And... and kinda how you look... like this." He looks away, hoping he hadn't gone too far.   

That made Kat blush even more, and she didn't even bother to wipe the blood away either.. she pawed at the ground shyly for a moment, biting her lower lips softly and looking down as she ponders something.. then began to unbutton the top part of her dress rather.. slowly..   

"K-kat..." Glyph swallows, knowing how much that meant. "A-are you sure about..."   

Kat perk her ears up from the question.. then smiles as she undoes another button.. "yes.. i'm not going to wash with my clothes on now.. am i?" she said, blushing. clearly knowing how much it meant for them   

"I... I see... guess you're right..." He reaches up and undoes a few buttons on his coat. "Can't get clean with my clothes on..."   

Kat didn't stop blushing, in fact, she blushed slightly brighter seeing that Glyph is joining her in the undoing of cloths.. as Kat unbuttoned enough buttons on her top dress, it was revealed that some blood have trickled down to her chest slightly. and it stands out in her coat even in the night like this   

Glyph swallows again, something about the crimson standing out from her coat making him blush more. He undoes more buttons, shuffling a bit with nerves.   

Kat finally undoes enough buttons, and pulls the top part of her dress off above her head, revealing her clotheless coat. She blushes from this and tried to use her wing to cover as much of her as she could   

Glyph undoes the last button, sliding his overcoat off, showing his bare coat as well, and trying not to stare at Kat, having a bit of difficulty. "Y-you... you look really... nice."   

Kat blushes deeper from the compliment. "t.. thanks.." she replies as she fidgets shyly for a moment.. before deciding to continue her stripping, undoing her skirt so she can pull it off. Rather slowly, finally revealing her hind legs, flank, and Cutie mark.   

Glyph swallows and shifts, still trying his hardest not to stare. "I... I like your Cutie mark..." He slowly undoes his pants and slides them off, placing them next to his coat, giving Kat a view of his cutie mark as well. "Crossed swords... a talent for fighting?"   

Kat blushes down as she folds her cloths together. her tail trying it's best to offer her some covering. "n.. not a really.. good talent.. is it?"

"I don't know... seems more on how you use it... as long as you enjoy what you're doing..."   

Kat nodded softly, now being fur-naked. she couldn't help but to blush at this fact, even if normally ponies don't have problem walking around naked.. but this, she feels somewhat embarrassed about this. "i.. i guess.."   

Glyph blushes a bit as well, moving closer and cautiously brushing against her side. the
pegasi mare doesn't seems to mind much from brushing, she's blushing more than usual when clothed though. But not a single hint of uncomfortableness was given.  "Your fur is... soft..." He presses his side against Kat, nuzzling her a bit.   

Kat let out a soft coo as she continues to blush, softly pressing herself back against him "mm.. yours aswell.." titling her head slightly to nuzzle it against his nuzzle. swishing her tail softly from side to side   

"U-umm... I-it's nice to... to feel your fur..." His tail swishes as well, and he kisses her cheek, and her mouth, smiling softly. Kat gulps softly, blinking and blushing lightly from the kisses.. then
smiles softly up to him, nuzzling his nose with her own... and presses her muzzle against his for a kiss..   

Glyph leans into the kiss, enjoying her taste, mixed with the lingering flavor of blood. Kat
closes her eyes fully as she kisses.. enjoying it just as much as their first kiss. Letting out a happy sigh, she warps both of her forelegs over Glyph's shoulders for a hug.. pressing her bare chest against his. He pulls her close, making a happy little noise. He keeps the kiss held, loving every moment.   

Kat couldn't help but to let her wings pomf up slightly, revealing herself just that much more, no longer embarrassed that she's clothless and is being held close by Glyph like that. She tilts her head slightly to the side, opening a chance for him to deepen the kiss if he wanted to. Glyph takes the opening, gently deepening the kiss, pulling Kat as tight as he could.   

Kat gulped and shudders lightly, her blush returning as she begins to pant softly, feeling Glyph deepen the kiss, her wings fully pomf'd. Glyph begins to brush her mane, gently caressing her as he kisses her, he shakes slightly and blushes a bit, enjoying the closeness. Kat mmnms softly into the kiss, feeling him gently caressing her like that, making her forelegs pull tighter onto him, holding onto him closer, pressing more of herself against him, blushing hard and enjoying it just
as much as him.   

Glyph begins to breath a bit harder, and slides his hooves along her back and along the joint of her wings. Kat gasps in softly, as she feels his hooves touching the joint of her wings, shivering softly and letting out little eeps and soft Mmmms.. already panting slightly harder. Glyph, emboldened by the fact that she wasn't pulling away, begins running his hooves along what of her wings he could reach.   

Kat shivers hardly when she feels Glyph's hooves running along her wings, making them stiffen even more, almost painfully, her blush intensifies and she holds even tighter onto him, letting out soft little moans from her sensitive wings being played with.   

Glyph breaks the kiss for a second, looking deep into Kat's eyes. "Are... are you okay w-with me doing this? I... I don't want to make you uncomfortable again..."   

Kat pants for air for a moment, before smiling up to Glyph, having that blush and dreamy looks on her face.. "yes.. i'm okay with this.. afterall.. " she said, giving him a soft nuzzle "you're my
love.." she continued. nuzzling softly down his neck, nibbling at his fur lightly.   

Glyph smiles, then brings his mouth back to hers, and again he starts to gently rub along her wings Kat shudders softly, letting out soft coos, she didn't held the kiss for very long, and when it broke, she presses her forehead against his, looking at him in the eyes as she whispers to him "i've got a secret to tell you.."   
"What? Y-you can tell me... anything."   

She smiles softly, nuzzling at him lightly at his neck again, happily.. before whispering back. "i'm a vampire.." She chomps at his neck skin with her mouth, hard enough to break the skin to make him bleed, but not hard enough to really REALLY hurt him badly. she holds tightly onto him and latches her muzzle on the bleeding spot that she made on his neck.. suckling softly to make him feel as if she's really drinking him.. and in fact, she IS.. blushing from his taste of blood.. it tasted like what blood tasted like.. but much better than any animal she has ever tasted before.. it was.. much more enjoyable for her.   

Glyph tenses up, panic flashing in his mind for a second. He relaxes quickly, holding her close. "I... I see... e-eat what you need then... I know you wouldn't hurt me..." He holds still, letting her suckle.   

Kat Mmnms into his neck from her suckle, she holds it for a little while.. then while still having some of his blood in her muzzle, nuzzles up at him and gave him another kiss.. sharing his blood for him to taste. He kisses her, tasting his blood on her lips, enjoying the taste, even though it was taken from his own body. Kat nuzzles at him lightly again after sharing his blood and breaking the kiss, still holding closely "aren't you.. afraid of me?"   

"I'd never be afraid of you... I love you, and I know you love me. You wouldn't kill me, so I have no reason to fear." He nuzzles Kat. "And many reasons to stay right here."   

Kat murrmurred softly as she smiles.. leaning herself fully onto him and nuzzles lovingly, sighing happily "mm.. thankyou.. my love.."   

"Did... did you enjoy your meal mein wenig liebe... did... did you get enough?"   

She giggles happily and prods his nose with her hoof lightly "silly, i'm not really a vampire.. i don't drink blood for food normally."   

Glyph blushes at being tricked. "Oh... I... you g-got me with that... but..." He swallows, and looks away. "Did... did you like it?"

That delivers another blush to Kat's face, making her shy away slightly "y.. yes.. i did."   

"That's... that's good... A-actually.. it kinda felt nice... thinking I was feeding you... Didn't taste bad either." He chuckles, "Maybe I should try some of yours." He nips at her gently, not even hard enough to hurt, then nuzzles her again.   
Kat eeped and giggles, blushing softly "mmm.. w.. well.. i guess.. i wouldn't mind.. "   

"Really? You sure? I... I'd try not to hurt you too much..."   

"w.. well.. i don't really like getting hurt too much.. but i wouldn't mind if it's from you.." she said and nuzzles him softly, licking at his muzzle   

"Okay... t-thank you..." He kisses her, then moves his mouth down to her neck, licking it once, then biting down just hard enough to break the skin. He begins to gently suckle and lick at the blood. The taste was even better than his own, better than any animals. He blushes and closes his eyes, enjoying her taste.   

Kat gasped, blushing and whimpering softly from the pain, shuddering lightly but overall she seems fine enough. holding closely onto him    . Glyph licks at her for a while longer, than does the same as she had, smearing her blood on his muzzle and raising it for a kiss. She accepts the kiss, shuddering softly as she tastes her own blood. holding tightly onto him. letting out soft Mmnms..   

Glyph holds the kiss for a moment, then breaks it, nuzzling her gently. "I... I didn't hurt you too badly did I?"   

Kat smiles softly, having a single drop of tear on her eye from pain reflex "mm.. not really." She sits down on the patch of grass.

((Cutting a bit for not getting the thread locked.))

Some time later... Glyph and Kat have gone to Glyph's house to end the day. Glyph has just entered and is on the bed.


Kat followed in, making sure the door is closed and locked, she puts away her crossbow and bolts before joining him on the bed, staying really really close to him, and curled up slightly "mm.. feels great to be here with you again.."   

Glyph pulls the covers up over them both, nuzzling in close to her. "Yeah... I love being close to you... m-maybe... maybe we c-could do this more often? S-spend the night?" He yawns a bit, laying his head right next to hers. "And... next time you go out for... for that... can you bring me?"   

Kat blushes softly as she nuzzles onto Glyph, tucking her head in between them as she curls up comfortably, still shivering lightly from the warmth inside her "mm.. yes.. we can.. and yes.. i will.." she answered. wrapping her legs around him to hold closely onto him, oh how she wants him to know so much of how great his gift for her feels.   

"Good... I'll be looking forward to it... both of those..." He kisses her, closing his eyes and slowly drifting off to sleep. Kat was quick to drift into sleep as well.. snuggling closely onto her love.. once again... she was happy.   

[jaxler]

"suit yourself. ya know, I really haven't gotten to talk to you since you about got eaten by that crundle."

[JaxtalMK2]

here's a scene, so there.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Glyph quietly opens the door for Kat. "Shh... Friesden is sleeping..."   

Glyph sees that Kat's not wearing her guard uniform today, but instead, her casual dress that blends her in well with the rest of the citizens of Dawnpick.

"Ah, right," she replied quietly, looking to the left and right to make sure nopony was looking before entering his room. "We need to talk..."   

Glyph moves back into his room, sitting down. "About what?"   

Kat keeps her voice low, so she wouldn't wake the filly up. "About what I'm going to be doing.."   

"What's that? Is... is something wrong?"   

Kat lets out a little sigh. "Yes Glyph.. there's something wrong. There's a monster in the city.. a true monster."   

Glyph thinks for a moment... "You mean... you mean Carmine don't you."   

Kat nods in reply. "Yes, that's him."   

Glyph grits his teeth. "Yes... him... that... chudovishchnyĭ rogatyĭ... what about him?"   

"Well... he's a monster. And as a guard of the city, it's my duty to remove any threat that comes to our city and her ponies.. and I think a monster within our walls is a threat.."   

"Yes... but what are we going to do about it?"   

"Well... I'll try to take the monster out of him.." Her voice becomes lower, and somewhat colder. "Even if i have to cut it out of him.."   

"Cut it out... do you mean... krovavaya rabota... as if he were one of our bunnies?"   

Kat leans slightly onto Glyph as she looks down and thinks.. "Their deaths were swift and painless.. monsters doesn't deserve that. And.. I never knew you could talk highpony."   

"I can somewhat... but that wasn't highpony... that was my homelands language, I think it's called lopony here... And you're right... monsters deserve much more... a true... krovavyĭ simfoniya..."   

"A true.. what?"   

"How do the words translate... a symphony of blood, would be the literal translation..."   

"Mm.. a symphony of blood.. I like that."   

"Yes... it does sound nice... especially for this one... but..." Glyph looks over at Friesden, sleeping peacefully. "It would have to be quiet... maybe he takes a walk in the woods, and doesn't return... for her sake, she can't know..."   

"She won't know... but I know she still wants him.. but he doesn't deserve a sweet filly like her.. nopony should suffer the punishment of being with him."   

Glyph nods solemly, "The others... I felt sorry for them... Friesden, I could take her, but the others..."   

"The others wouldn't want to see their father gone into the woods and never return..."   

"I would adopt them too, if I could... even Friesden wouldn't want to see him disappear..."   

"As much as we want it, Glyph.. we can't just make a pony disappear.. not without getting ourselves into some serious trouble.. but I'm not going to stand around and not doing anything about it neither.. lessons must be taught.."

"Yeah... we can imagine, but there's no way we could..." Glyph sighs. "How can we teach him a lesson though?"   

"I'll do it.. and... well.. I'll find a way.."   

"I... I want to help..." Glyph looks at Friesden again. "I have to help..."   

Kat smiles softly, even somewhat sadly, then nuzzles Glyph softly. "You're already helping.. you're taking care of her.."   

"And so are you... I... I just wish that... that this seemed to be doing anything..." Glyph gets a sad look in his eyes. "Why can't I help in this? I... if it's going to cause trouble, I should be the one to do it."   

Kat wraps her forelegs over Glyph's shoulders to pull him into a hug.. "You shouldn't... because you need to look after little Friesden.. that's why.." she sounded a little bit more sad now. "That's why i should do it.."   

"Kat... mein wenig liebe... I... I need you too... Friesden needs you... promise. Promise you won't do something that will take you away from us..." Glyph pulls Kat tight to himself as he speaks.   

Kat closes her eyes as she rests her head on his shoulder, sighing softly. "I.. I don't know.. but I promise that.. I won't do anything that's too much.. maybe.. maybe I'll get removed from the guards.. jailed.. and maybe.. beaten some.. but I promise I won't do anything that'll get me... gone."   

"Kat... no... it's not worth that. he's not worth that."   

Kat shook her head lightly. "no.. mein liebe. It's not about him.. it's something that I must do.. i.. it.. there's a monster inside me that... if I don't do something... I'll probably go insane.. and.. and if I do.. I'll never be able to see you again.. it's like.. it's like an inspiration.. it just HAS to be done.."   

“M-mein... mein..." Glyph blinks a few times, trying hard not to break down. "I... I understand
n-needing to... to do s-something... but... if y-you get thrown out of the guard... beaten... jailed... I... I might not be able to stop myself..." His gaze finds its way over to the sleeping filly "E-even... even for her..."   

Kat put on the best smile she could muster, nuzzling Glyph softly again "trust me... I won't get in much trouble.. you know me. if.. if it'll make you feel better.. I could.. lie. and, make up things... but.. you wouldn't want that.. do you?"   

"No... just... I am having to hold myself back... like I said... a krovavyĭ simfoniya... I... I need to do something... I need to help... and... and knowing that you might get into that kind of trouble..."   

Kat smiles softly.. a gentle, sad, soothing smile. "you're not a monster.. mein liebe.. don't turn yourself into one.."       

Glyph smiles, his a dark smile. "Mein liebe... you know better. You know what I am... how I feel... if you got... no... it wouldn't... wouldn't end well... for anypony. Just let me help, we can perfect what needs to be done... together. I... I can't let you do it alone... even if that means leaving her for a while... Stiletto, Flux, they can watch her... this is something that needs to be done."   

Kat sighs in defeat. "Very well... but.. if there were only one.. we can lie.. we can say that he'd gone mad and attacked us.. or something.. but if there's two.. well.. I.. I guess we could scare him.. but.. but what if he tells other ponies?"   

"Tells them what? That the mean old militia ponies scare him? Let him fear... let him catch a glimpse of our monsters... and who would believe him? The one who threw away his foal... nopony will buy his stories... or care if they're true."   

Kat_pony nodded lightly.. "Mm.. I guess you're right.. who would've thought.. right? Me and you.. well.. i guess they could imagine about you.. but.. well.. what about that unassertive smiling cheerful Kat in the guards? she couldn't possibly be like that, can she?" she said, giving him a
wink and a little giggle.

Glyph laughs. "Now now, certainly that hard working, friendly, Stallion, the one who adopted a foal that was thrown away like trash, certainly /he/ couldn't be like that?" He winks back at her, giving her neck a little nip.   

Kat eeped a little from the nip and giggles, nuzzling back softly at Glyph's ears. "Mm.. course not. He's such a sweet, kind Stallion that only wants good things for everypony. Surely he wouldn't bother his time scaring some heartless old pony when he still has a foal to look after, right?"   

"Of course not... and the both of them are even offering up their free time to watch all the other foals so they stay safe, how could they be ones who would threaten anypony?"   

"Mmhmm, of course they'll never do that."   

Glyph nuzzles Kat for a while longer, before looking up at Friesden again. "We have a foal now... a perfect little filly..." He closes his eyes, holding Kat close. "I just wish I had wings, so I could fly with you both..."

Kat smile softly and nuzzles onto him softly again. "Well.. Stiletto mentioned something about mechanical wings from her homeland.."   

Glyph smiles softly as well. "Mechanical wings... if only... I would love to be able to fly with you... it looks so nice up there."   
   
Kat_pony nodded and smiles. "mmhmm.. it sure is.. i'd love to cuddle with you on a patch of clouds.. you'll love it."   

"I... I'm sure I would... maybe I can ask Stiletto... Are... are you looking forward to the stable mein wenig liebe? All those foals, all under our protection..."   

"Mmhmm.. i do.. it's going to be lovely!" Kat chirps happily, opening her right wing for Glyph to scoot into.   

Glyph snuggles in under Kat's wing, smiling at the thought. "I wanted to be a pen-father for a bit, back in ironbridle... but I didn't have the choice... if... if the stables seem to do well, I was going to suggest to Virtue... well..."   

Kat tilts her head slightly, "Suggest to.. what?" she ask. Glyph could also feel a cold bump under Kat's wing.   

"Well... suggest that she assign a small guard group to them.. just you and me at first... and others that would either join, or just cycle in and out... but I think just us two would be enough..." He cuddles closer, then feels the bump. "Wait... what's that Kat?"   

Kat perks her ears slightly, then realize something "Oh." she moves away from Glyph just a bit so he can see under her wing, revealing her steel guards crossbow hiding snugly under her wing along with a sheathed small dagger just below it. "those.."   

"I see... staying armed... even out of uniform. Hard to hide my axe though, isn't it."   

Kat_pony nodded and smiles "Mmhmm, it's useful to always be armed."   

"But why are you hiding them? You're a guard, and even if you weren't, I don't think there's a rule against going armed... wonder if I could conceal a dagger in my overcoat..."   

"Well.. i was stalking Carmine.. and i don't want him to notice.. so i had to look like just another pony in the fort. Happy, smiling, clothed, armless, and.. why'd you want to conceal a dagger anyway?"

Glyph shrugs, "Never know when you might need a weapon nopony knows you have...and technically, wouldn't it fit in more if you went clothesless?"   

"I can't easily hide my things if I went clothless.. besides, i think he's seen me in the guards, wouldn't want him to recognize me."   

"True enough... better than if I tried, I don't think there's any way he wouldn't recognize me..."   

"Well... at least I think I know when and where we can find him alone.."   

"Oh really? Good... that should be very fun... maybe... maybe we go for some fun in the woods first? That might add a bit of... impact."   

"Wm.. oh? what's on your mind?"   

"Well, we do tend to sometimes get a bit... messy in the woods... and most ponies seem to be... unnerved... by blood."   

"Hmm.. i just suddenly have an idea.. what if.. we pretend to be hit by one of those 'inspiration mood' thing? then claim we don't remember a single thing after? They'll believe us.. right?"   

Glyph laughs. "Yeah... there are some that make it so the ponies don't remember anything..."   

"But what would the inspiration be?"   

"to scare the crap out of a heartless pony?"   

"Yeah... blood... fear... sounds like a fun night..."   

"Mmhmm.. sure sounds like it.."   

"Hmm... so how are we going to do it? Just walk up on him... strike some terror? Maybe catch a few of our bunnies before?"   

"Maybe.. yeah.. maybe we could also pretend to be possessed by some divinity or something, coming to deliver the news that he’ll have a special place just for him.. a pony whom force an innocent foal away from her mother and family.. and forcing a mother to abandon her foal."   

Glyph smiles evilly. "Yeah... perfect... of course... if we scare him too bad... he might take Friesden back..." Glyphs face falls a bit at that.   

Kat grinns just as evilly "Yes.. maybe I'll even collapse right there and you come back to sense and think he did something to me? That's going to be SO great."   

"Ohhh... you are evil... I like that idea a lot... maybe we wait until somepony wanders by to have that happen, so all they see is the very end..."   

Kat nods, giggling "Yes.. yes I am."   

"But... if he takes Friesden back... just ‘cause he was scared... that wouldn't be good for her..."   

"Mein liebe.. you know full well he doesn't deserve her.."   

"No... he doesn't... not even close."   

"Well.. the 'divine' can warn him to be very careful of what he'll do next.. because there's hell.. and there's a thing worse than that, that no word in pony will describe it.."   

"Maybe, and there is plenty else you can do to scare, can't you moĭ malenʹkiĭ vampir..."   

"Ooohh... to be a Vampire again hmm?.. Well, it's all very tempting but.. wouldn't the other ponies just.. you know?.. Put me to death for being a vampire?"   

"Hmm... I suppose that one’s hard to put off to possession huh... well, you can still feed on me whenever you want..." Glyph nuzzles Kat, brushing his neck along her muzzle.   

Kat smiles and nuzzles her muzzle softly at his neck, sighing lightly. "Mm.. still, i wouldn't want any foals to see us like that, though.. especially not Friesden.. she'd probably run to Carmine and try to protect him or something.. or it'll scare her for life. Other foals too, not good if we're going to be their pen father and mother."   

"Yeah, so at night then, when all the foals would be asleep? Would add to the fear as well, two seeming specters of death walking out of the darkness..."   

"Well, it's settled then?"   

"Seems it. Now the only question is when."   

"As soon as the time is right?"   

"Maybe tonight... maybe tomorrow? Should be soon..."   

Kat nods. "Yep, very soon!"   

[TALLPANZER]

Stiletto enters the keep of Dawnpick and knocks on the door to Virtues' office

Virtue looks up from her desk "Come in."

Stiletto opens the door and walks in "Miss Virtue, do you have some time? I need to discuses a very important matter with you."

Virtue gives her a concerned look and motions to a chair "Of course, what's the matter?"

Stiletto moves to the chair and sits across the desk from Virtue "A foal named Friesden has been... forgotten, by her father."

Virtue: "Forgotten? What... exactly do you mean?"

Stiletto: "From what I have been told, her father, Carmine, refuses to acknowledge her. I believe this is because of her recently discovered lineage. Friesden is a hybrid of Zebra and unvergessen."

Virtue raises an eyebrow and mentally chews the statement "Unver...what? And... recently discovered lineage? Do you mean..."

Stiletto: "unvergessen... umm the midpony name is.. Pegasus, yes that is the word. By that I mean what I said, she is half Zebra."

Virtue: "But... but... I thought she..." Virtue is silent for a few moments "How do you know of this? I... I mean... she looks like a pony to me. Why would you think she is part zebra?"

Stiletto sighs and hangs her head "Second hoof information and observation. She is currently at Glyphs' apartment, he has taken her in, because her parents have kicked her out."

Virtue: "I don't understand... Carmine... and Ocean Breeze... I wouldn't think that they would just kick her out like that... especially her if she is really her mother..."

Stiletto: "I promised Friesden I would get you to talk to them, but only if you are comfortable with the idea, and mentally prepared to do so, I also promised Glyph I would go with you."

Virtue looks away for a moment toward the dorms "If... maybe it would do some good. They're both reasonable ponies. I can't believe she'd cheat on him... but I also can't believe he'd do something like that to a helpless filly..."

Stiletto: "This might just be my opinion, but I believe this is what happens when jealousy is allowed into society. How much time do you need to prepare?"

Virtue sighs heavily "What preparation can there be for something like this? Let's go see if they're home..."

Stiletto nods and stands up while indicating for Lady Virtue to lead the way

Virtue stands and leads Stiletto to their home. She knocks at the door "Hello? Carmine? Ocean Breeze? Are you home?"

Carmine walked to has door and opened it just a crack "Baroness Virtue!?" he frantically opens the door all the way, then spots Stiletto and goes pail "I, I, Ummm," his voice gets really small "What did I do?"

Virtue tries to work a reassuring smile onto her face, but doesn't do a good job "Relax... I just want to ask you something. Is Friesden here with you?"

Carmine looks at her puzzled "I don't know anypony by that name."

Virtue: "Of course you do... she was your second born daughter, remember?"

Stiletto scrapes a forehoof along the ground, tearing the dirt to pieces

Carmine chews his cheek "No, Chestnut is our second Foal, are you ok Baroness, you look a little... put off."

Virtue: "Carmine... this is serious. Where is she? Do you not know?"

Stiletto moves to whisper to Lady Virtue

Carmine shakes his head "I know lost Foals' a serious matter Baroness, but I already asked Indigo to talk to the Zebras about the Foal Glyph brought by earlier."

Virtue frowns "Alright then... is Ocean Breeze here? Can I speak with her, please?"

Stiletto whispers "I have seen this before, he has retreated from reality to a more comfortable place in his mind."

Carmine Nods and makes a gesture to invite the Baroness and the Military Dragonpony inside "Why of course you can Baroness. She is with our Foals."

Virtue steps over to Ocean Breeze and makes a motion for her to speak discreetly "Ocean Breeze... where is Friesden?"

Stiletto looks at Ocean Breeze reassuringly "You can talk to us, unless something is making you uncomfortable here."

Ocean Breeze steps toward the door and leads them outside. "I... I can't talk about this in front of him. He refuses to say anything about it..."

Carmine "Where are you goin-"

then Stiletto cut in "She is going out on a walk with her friends, we are going to talk about Mare things, you understand, Yes?"

Carmine gulped "Y-y-yes M-miss Stiletto!"

Virtue waits until they are outside and repeats her question "Ocean Breeze... please, tell me the truth, where is your daughter?"

Ocean Breeze places her face in her hooves. "I don't know... he... he dragged me away from her when he found out. I... I think Glyph is looking after her... but... but"

Virtue: "Why would he do that? You can talk to us. What did he find out?"

Stiletto clenches her teeth, a near by statue has a crack form in its' base.

Ocean Breeze hangs her head and says, "She is not his foal. He knows now. It's true..." She looks up, tears forming in her eyes. "When he found out... he acted as if he'd never seen her before in his life..."

Virtue is taken aback "You mean... she really is half zebra?"

Stiletto move to put a hoof on Ocean Breezes' withers

Ocean Breeze nods somberly. "Yes. One day... when the zebra caravan was here... I was out at the pier... a bit drunk... and... and he came. One of the merchant guards. I... I'll never forgive myself for cheating on my husband... nothing excuses that..."

Stiletto: "What? why? You where just..."

Ocean Breeze begins weeping, barely managing to finish with, "I love my daughter with all of my heart... but... when he got like that... I... I just... I didn't know what to do! I still don't... my other children... I..."

Virtue is speechless

Ocean Breeze collapses to the ground, crying uncontrollably. "I want her back. I'd do anything to have her back... but I don't know what Carmine will do... he might hurt her... or take the other children... I... I..."

Stiletto Offers a forehoof to her "We are here for you Ocean Breeze. I will do anything you ask if it will help."

Virtue doesn't know how to proceed. Tears are dripping down her cheeks as anger kindles in her soul.

Ocean Breeze looks up to her, failing to stifle the crying. "What can I do? He won't let her back into the family. If he hurt her... I... I couldn't live with myself..."

Stiletto: "Ocean Breeze, I believe you husband is quiet ill, in his head I mean, I do not think it is wise to let him near Friesden, not for sometime, his fragile mind is unable to deal with the current state of reality."

Ocean Breeze stares into the road below. "I think you're right. I... I'm a bit scared for myself and my other children... but I don't think he'll hurt us. But her..." She begins crying again. "What can I do? My child is out there without her parents... I... I'm going to be sick..."

Virtue sighs and lowers her head, she then chews her lip, failing to find words again

Stiletto: "Ocean Breeze, this is not you fault, you are a kind and generous pony. You husband has let jealousy overwhelm his judgment. Please believe me when I say you are a good pony, and your daughter will be well cared for."

Ocean Breeze blinks and looks into Stiletto's eyes for a few seconds. "B-By who? Glyph?"

Virtue considers the implications. Glyph wasn't her father. What did he really know about raising foals? And the poor thing needed her mother...

Stiletto nods, "Yes, Glyph cares for her very much already, him will be a good Ersatz Elternteil for her. For now." Opens her forelegs and wings "I am sorry I can not do more now, but I will always be here for you."

Virtue: "If Carmine cannot be trusted around her... I see little alternative..." Virtue places a hoof to her forehead as she looks down, letting a few tears drip onto the shale stones under their hooves

Ocean Breeze continues to cry, but the sobbing has given way to more controlled weeping. "I'll never forgive myself for this. I've done something absolutely terrible to my husband and now my child... if only I could get her back... but I can't..."

Virtue crouches next to her and lays a hoof on her back "Rest assured... whatever happens... Friesden will be cared for. If Glyph can't give her the care she needs, I'll go hungry or without a home before she does." Virtue sighs again, wishing she had something more she could "Perhaps Carmine will change his mind... he was her father for years... but until then... if Glyph wants to look after her, I think he is capable."

Stiletto sits down and gently brought the two mares in close for a comforting hug "Things will get better, we can help you and your ill husband, If you ever need us we are here."

Ocean Breeze says nothing for a long time. Finally she says, "Please... don't let my mistake hurt my daughter any more than it already has... you... you have to help her... and help me..."

Virtue: "We will. I'll do everything in my power to help your family."

Ocean Breeze sniffles a few more times and nods. "Tell her that her mother still loves her, and always will." She shakes her head slowly, looking down again. "Perhaps I can still see her... when he's not around..."

Stiletto pets Ocean Breezes' mane and presents her chest as place to cry "I promise I will, I will do everything in my power. I will bring you to see her when I can."

Ocean Breeze forms the smallest hint of a sad smile possible. "Thank you... both of you..." She stands eventually and says, "I... I should b-be getting back to the rest of my family...”

Stiletto wraps her wings around the two of them "You are both such strong mares. Lifting so much on your own. You do not need to bare it all on your own though, give me any pain you can not carry on your own."

Virtue nods her off and watches as she disappears inside their home. Emotional torment wracks her as she slowly turns to Stiletto

Stiletto: "Yes Lady Virtue."

Virtue: "Why... why do things like this have to happen?" She wipes her eyes. "I... I thought everypony here..." her sentence trails off as her voice begins to fade into crying.

Stiletto hugs Virtue tightly in her forelegs "Everypony here is a good pony, they just forget sometimes."

Virtue: "I... I... I just can't imagine... if-if Harvest Moon... or I... Rose... Valor..." Her crying intensifies for a moment before she manages to recollect herself. "Friesden... the poor thing... G-Glyph can look after her... b-but..."

Stiletto: "He will love her with all his heart, as will we all. I promise that to you as well."

Virtue nods and chokes out something unintelligible.

Stiletto: "I will be strong for you all, lean on me when you need to... I...I love you."

Virtue sniffles and pulls back from the hug "Th-thank you... Stiletto... you've been a fine example to all of us." Virtue sighs and wipes her eyes again
Stiletto nods and bows "Thank you my Lady Virtue, your words mean very much too me."

Virtue: "Th-there's no need for the formalities..." she says, with a nervous smile. "I-if you see Glyph... tell him he has my full support, and to not hesitate to ask me for anything he needs." Virtue looks back to her own home "I... I d-don't know if I can do this right now... would you tell him that for me? I-I need to get home..."

Stiletto: "I will tell him. Is there anything at all I can do for you as well as that?"

Virtue shakes her head "No... thank you... you've done more than most ponies would already. Just see to it that Glyph knows what happened tonight..."

Stiletto spreads her wings for take off "He will know soon, it will make him sad, but also happy, he already loves her."

Virtue nods and returns home to find Harvest Moon and their children. She gathers them all together and gives them a loving embrace. She'd never hurt her family like this... never...

[Omicega]

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[KingStrongbeard]

Glaive listens, intently to Falcata's performance. The lovely white pegasus seems to shine in the pale moon light, as the music soothes every ache and sore muscle from Glaive's long day of training.

"That was beautiful Falcata, I had no idea you could play so well." Glaive smiles at her, before turning to look up at the night sky. The moon was full and the sky completely clear, the stars were countless. "Hmm, it looks like you have made gods jealous with your talents, they have really gone all out on tonight's sky." He pauses for a moment before asking, "Who taught you to play?"

[Omicega]

.

[KingStrongbeard]

Glaive's smile fades as Falcata speaks. 'A friend. His songs. An old lover perhaps.' Glaive suppresses his jelously, 'No Glaive, even if he was her lover, that was before she met you, no need to get jealous. She loves you now.'

Silently he moves closer to her and sits as close to her as he can, before putting a foreleg around her. "I'm...sorry for your friend. Did...did you want to talk about what happened? I'll listen if you want to talk. I'm always here for you."

[Omicega]

.

[KingStrongbeard]

Glaive listens without interrupting to Falcata's story. When she finished, he tightens his grip on her a bit. "I had no idea you'd had to deal with so much in your life. He'd be glad you're going to start playing again. Your music is wonderful, and the world would suffer from it's loss. I suppose if we are sharing the past, I should probably tell you the story of how I got my cutie mark. It...It isn't a happy story, though, do you want me share it?"

[Omicega]

.