07-05-2015, 06:42 AM
Chapter 4: Trees, Stars, and Alternate Universes
----
Nightmare Rarity stood outside the door leading to the dark depths of her castle, feeling rather nervous for some reason, though she did not let it show. The room itself was silent, save for the annoying fumbling and shifting of a shadowy servant that stood beside her. She stood in contemplation, eying the door in an accusatory manner.
"Why am I so compelled to return?" Nightmare Rarity knew that returning to that strange world over and over again had it's share of risks no matter how much caution she took. She had deliberated with herself for sometime and she had decided she wanted to see that human again...but now that she was standing before the door she felt something she'd never truly felt before: Uncertainty. Stemming from another unfamiliar feeling, nervousness.
"Supreme One?" The voice of the servant interrupted her thoughts, much to her annoyance, but she kept it in check. Fixing the servant with an icy look out of the corner of her eye. "May I a-ask why you keep staring at the door?" She could tell he immediately regretted his question.
"That is none of your concern, however, I am not to be disturbed while I'm down there. Understood?"
He nodded quickly, not wishing to press his luck and slinked back, keeping his head low the whole time. Nightmare Rarity walked towards the door, her horn magically opening it moments before she stepped into the darkness. The door slamming behind her resonated throughout the small space that she now occupied, the blood red rubies suddenly lit up to provide her with light. Casting her shadow on the smooth and ancient walls. Quickly she progressed down the stairs, her hoof falls echoing with every step she took down the dozens of stairs. More occupied with her thoughts than what was around her, registering she'd probably made it down the steps in record time. She had officially reached the underground caverns.
The walls, the natural pillars that supported the ancient ceiling, all of it was covered in glorious gems. Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and so much more. They glinted and glowed in an unnatural manner, providing a great light source as she walked into the cavern itself. Her hooves making no noise as she crossed the ground, of which was gently coated in ancient moon dust. She stopped at its center, the cavern completely silent and Nightmare Rarity still as a statue. Her eyes shut as she focused her power, her elegant horn glowing subtly at first but began glowing brighter and brighter with every passing second. An aura in the shape of a diamond forming at the tip of her horn as the light from her magic began reflecting off every gem in the cavern, the light a powerful blue that would've been blinding for most to look upon. Nightmare Rarity ceased her magical output, and just like that the light winked out like a bulb being switched off, her eyes snapping open.
She noted every gem now glowed a pure white color, as always. Quickly she walked over to a small a small body off water just ahead of her, it was barely noticeable as it wasn't too large, at first glance it'd pass as an out of place hole in the ground. Nightmare Rarity peered into it curiously, a smile on her lips for a few moments as she saw the "bottom" was not a deep blackness, but rather it had once again become her gateway. Casually she stepped into it, her tail being the last bit of her that was swallowed up, a few ripples were sent out for several seconds. Becoming deathly still once more. The gems still glowing a bright white.
----
I took a deep breath before I lifted a foot slowly and delicately set foot onto the park grass. I felt another burst of anxiety and took my foot off the grass and stepped further away from the park itself. Crickets chirping away without a care in the world. I sighed in a mixture of irritation and nervousness, looking back at the street, essentially looking back at my waiting apartment wondering if I should just dash back in there and forget this whole thing.
"She probably isn't even there to begin with," I thought to myself. "She's probably hoping I didn't tell anyone...but what if she is there?" I mumbled to myself. I'd probably look crazy if anyone saw me. A young man standing on the outskirts of a park arguing with himself whether or not he should go in...to meet a talking unicorn mare. The thought of her relaxed me almost immediately. She'd gotten in my head ever since I'd first met her. Not that I really objected, thinking of her was most certainly preferable to some of the other thoughts that crept into my head at times. I felt the corners of my lips being tugged at in the beginnings of an involuntary smile. She was waiting for me! I just knew it.
I felt a particular spring in my step as I resisted the urge to just run in there and get to where I had first met her, that was my guess as to where she could be. I occasionally looked from side from to side and glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one was following me.
"Looking for me?" I heard her beautiful, beautiful voice say. I let out a startled yell and jumped where I stood, looking all around, my heart racing.
"Up here," she chuckled in an amused voice, I grunted and followed the sound of her voice, my eyes trailing the trunk of a tall and thick tree. Branches big and small jutting out of it at various points, green leaves lazily hung from them, undisturbed. It took a second look over before I finally made out the shape of her body, well concealed by the shadows. Her mane hung down regally and her eyes glowed down at me; and while I wasn't one hundred percent certain I could've sworn I saw her smile. If only for a second until she realized I'd spotted her.
"How the hell did you get up there?" I asked, befuddled. Never once did I imagine in my lifetime I'd see a unicorn in a tree.
"Magic," she replied in a deadpan voice. I raised an eyebrow at her response, unsure of whether she was being sarcastic or not. However I was left with little time to deliberate this as she had begun speaking again.
"So, you came here for me I suppose?" She asked me from above. The crickets had quieted now, and I suddenly felt self conscious, being out in the open as I was.
"Yes. Why else would I be here now?" Now I suddenly felt embarrassed, shoving my hands deep into the pockets of my jeans and looking down at the dark green grass. "Why are you here?" I asked.
"Well...I don't quite know the answer to that. Perhaps I'm bored, or just curious," I almost winced.
"Honestly what were you expecting? Her to say 'I like you'?" I scolded myself. I shifted my gaze back to her to find she was looking at the sky. A few strands of her mane blew in the gentle breeze, her beautiful equine body relaxed, a back leg hanging lazily over the side. I also noticed a lovely pattern on her flank, resembling a mixture of stars and diamonds.
"Are you coming up?" She was looking at me again, and I just knew she knew I was staring.
"Uh, never been one for climbing trees," I sheepishly responded, again the urge to look away came over me, yet I did not. My embarrassment did not cease when she rolled her eyes and gave a light huff. I yelped when she magically lifted me up, although I noted that it was strangely gentle in its context until I hovered just centimeters above the branch, quickly gripping it before being released from her magical grasp.
"T-thanks," I stammered, trying hard not to look down...or up, for that matter.
"Fear of heights?" She inquired, raising a brow.
"More of a fear of falling, I'd say," I sat up, but my legs clamped firmly at each side of the branch, a single hand clutching it tightly as well.
"Relax," she smirked, "I'll be sure to save you should you fall." She purred teasingly, her sapphire eyes half lidded. My breath caught in my throat. She was so captivating in every sense of the word. I wouldn't have objected to kissing her right then and there. I regained my composure (or at least I like to think that I did) and cleared my throat.
"So what're we doing up here?"
"I'd rather not be seen, and I wanted to see the stars," she turned her gaze skyward once more, "they're different from my own."
"You're not from this world." I stated.
"You catch on fast," she looked at me, "I like that."
My heart felt like it could be dong joyous backflips in my chest right now at her compliment. I worried she'd get sick of me, or somehow hate me. I smiled, trying not to blush. "Why does she have this effect on me?!"
"I suspected, it only makes sense really. Can you actually see them all? The stars, I mean?"
"Why wouldn't I?" She crossed her forehooves over each other, seeming to be in a conversational mood.
"Meh, here they get obscured by pollution, clouds, and all the lights from the cities," I said. "I don't think I've ever seen a sky full and full of stars," I said, a bit sad. Nightmare Rarity's lovely face showed neither shock or anger, just a passiveness to it all.
"How unfortunate."
----
The two sat in silence for a minute or two. Nightmare Rarity never looking away from the human, who shifted about slightly. Not out of nervousness anymore, he looked down. From the left to the right, and very briefly upwards but quickly back down once more. Her observant eyes looked him up and down, taking in every little feature. His eyes were dark brown, he hadn't shaved in a few days or so as she noted he stubble on his cheeks. Not that she objected. His hair was short and it did look rather soft. He used an index finger to push his glasses back up the bridge of his nose before he looked at her again. She couldn't help but think he was rather handsome-"Did I REALLY just think that?!"
But she had to admit it was pleasant to have a conversation about something simple with someone completely different than what she was accustomed to.
"So where are you from?" He asked, picking off a small piece of tree park before flicking it off to the ground below.
"Equestria. A world not too unlike this one."
"Inhabited by other unicorns?" He asked, his deep brown eyes full of wonder as he realized he was learning about an alternate world.
"And then some. Pegasai, earth ponies, and alicorns," she listed off the types of ponies in her world.
"Alicorns?" Michael asked.
"A pony with a horn and wings," she resisted the urge to scowl at the thought of Princesses Celestia and Luna. And she'd heard that another hated enemy, Twilight Sparkle, had attained alicorn status as well. Although while she'd never admit it, but she found it amusing that the sometimes mentally unstable librarian was royalty. She could only just imagine how she must be handling the duties of being a true leader. Michael leaned back, a quiet "wow" escaping him at all this newfound knowledge.
"Discovering a unicorn, an alternate universe...," he trailed off, his eyes shining as he thought of another question, "are you their leader?" He pointed to her tiara. Nightmare Rarity's left ear twitch slightly.
"Not exactly." She would speak no further on said subject. "I'm not quite their favorite pony." She glanced back up at the moon, she'd spent enough time watching this world's moon to keep track of the time fairly well.
"Well, I must be off now," she felt sad to leave him. It felt far too soon. Michael's eyes glinted in sad way, but she could tell he was trying to hide it.
"Already?"
Nightmare Rarity didn't answer, but merely held out a hoof. He reared back, surprised by the gesture, but quickly understood and reached out with a hand to take her hoof within its gentle grasp. Time seem to slow for the both of them as he held her hoof, never breaking eye contact, her horn glowed gently; surrounding him a magical aura as they lifted off slowly from the safety of the tree. He gave a sharp intake of breath when they first lifted off, but never did he appear truly nervous. Michael trusted her. Again, for what seemed to be too soon, they landed on the grassy ground. Yet still he held her hoof, looking into her eyes, like he just couldn't bring himself to look away from her. Nightmare felt her cheeks turn red and her face grown hot, she registered his thumb gently run over her hoof tenderly.
Michael shook his head as he realized he'd held on for a bit too long and let go, backing away somewhat to give her space.
He was the first to speak.
"So, same t-time tomorrow night?"
Nightmare Rarity was silent for a bit, trying desperately to process what had just happened. She snapped out of it at the sound of his low voice, looking at him once more...and smiling.
"Yes. I'd like that, Michael."
----
Nightmare Rarity stood outside the door leading to the dark depths of her castle, feeling rather nervous for some reason, though she did not let it show. The room itself was silent, save for the annoying fumbling and shifting of a shadowy servant that stood beside her. She stood in contemplation, eying the door in an accusatory manner.
"Why am I so compelled to return?" Nightmare Rarity knew that returning to that strange world over and over again had it's share of risks no matter how much caution she took. She had deliberated with herself for sometime and she had decided she wanted to see that human again...but now that she was standing before the door she felt something she'd never truly felt before: Uncertainty. Stemming from another unfamiliar feeling, nervousness.
"Supreme One?" The voice of the servant interrupted her thoughts, much to her annoyance, but she kept it in check. Fixing the servant with an icy look out of the corner of her eye. "May I a-ask why you keep staring at the door?" She could tell he immediately regretted his question.
"That is none of your concern, however, I am not to be disturbed while I'm down there. Understood?"
He nodded quickly, not wishing to press his luck and slinked back, keeping his head low the whole time. Nightmare Rarity walked towards the door, her horn magically opening it moments before she stepped into the darkness. The door slamming behind her resonated throughout the small space that she now occupied, the blood red rubies suddenly lit up to provide her with light. Casting her shadow on the smooth and ancient walls. Quickly she progressed down the stairs, her hoof falls echoing with every step she took down the dozens of stairs. More occupied with her thoughts than what was around her, registering she'd probably made it down the steps in record time. She had officially reached the underground caverns.
The walls, the natural pillars that supported the ancient ceiling, all of it was covered in glorious gems. Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and so much more. They glinted and glowed in an unnatural manner, providing a great light source as she walked into the cavern itself. Her hooves making no noise as she crossed the ground, of which was gently coated in ancient moon dust. She stopped at its center, the cavern completely silent and Nightmare Rarity still as a statue. Her eyes shut as she focused her power, her elegant horn glowing subtly at first but began glowing brighter and brighter with every passing second. An aura in the shape of a diamond forming at the tip of her horn as the light from her magic began reflecting off every gem in the cavern, the light a powerful blue that would've been blinding for most to look upon. Nightmare Rarity ceased her magical output, and just like that the light winked out like a bulb being switched off, her eyes snapping open.
She noted every gem now glowed a pure white color, as always. Quickly she walked over to a small a small body off water just ahead of her, it was barely noticeable as it wasn't too large, at first glance it'd pass as an out of place hole in the ground. Nightmare Rarity peered into it curiously, a smile on her lips for a few moments as she saw the "bottom" was not a deep blackness, but rather it had once again become her gateway. Casually she stepped into it, her tail being the last bit of her that was swallowed up, a few ripples were sent out for several seconds. Becoming deathly still once more. The gems still glowing a bright white.
----
I took a deep breath before I lifted a foot slowly and delicately set foot onto the park grass. I felt another burst of anxiety and took my foot off the grass and stepped further away from the park itself. Crickets chirping away without a care in the world. I sighed in a mixture of irritation and nervousness, looking back at the street, essentially looking back at my waiting apartment wondering if I should just dash back in there and forget this whole thing.
"She probably isn't even there to begin with," I thought to myself. "She's probably hoping I didn't tell anyone...but what if she is there?" I mumbled to myself. I'd probably look crazy if anyone saw me. A young man standing on the outskirts of a park arguing with himself whether or not he should go in...to meet a talking unicorn mare. The thought of her relaxed me almost immediately. She'd gotten in my head ever since I'd first met her. Not that I really objected, thinking of her was most certainly preferable to some of the other thoughts that crept into my head at times. I felt the corners of my lips being tugged at in the beginnings of an involuntary smile. She was waiting for me! I just knew it.
I felt a particular spring in my step as I resisted the urge to just run in there and get to where I had first met her, that was my guess as to where she could be. I occasionally looked from side from to side and glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one was following me.
"Looking for me?" I heard her beautiful, beautiful voice say. I let out a startled yell and jumped where I stood, looking all around, my heart racing.
"Up here," she chuckled in an amused voice, I grunted and followed the sound of her voice, my eyes trailing the trunk of a tall and thick tree. Branches big and small jutting out of it at various points, green leaves lazily hung from them, undisturbed. It took a second look over before I finally made out the shape of her body, well concealed by the shadows. Her mane hung down regally and her eyes glowed down at me; and while I wasn't one hundred percent certain I could've sworn I saw her smile. If only for a second until she realized I'd spotted her.
"How the hell did you get up there?" I asked, befuddled. Never once did I imagine in my lifetime I'd see a unicorn in a tree.
"Magic," she replied in a deadpan voice. I raised an eyebrow at her response, unsure of whether she was being sarcastic or not. However I was left with little time to deliberate this as she had begun speaking again.
"So, you came here for me I suppose?" She asked me from above. The crickets had quieted now, and I suddenly felt self conscious, being out in the open as I was.
"Yes. Why else would I be here now?" Now I suddenly felt embarrassed, shoving my hands deep into the pockets of my jeans and looking down at the dark green grass. "Why are you here?" I asked.
"Well...I don't quite know the answer to that. Perhaps I'm bored, or just curious," I almost winced.
"Honestly what were you expecting? Her to say 'I like you'?" I scolded myself. I shifted my gaze back to her to find she was looking at the sky. A few strands of her mane blew in the gentle breeze, her beautiful equine body relaxed, a back leg hanging lazily over the side. I also noticed a lovely pattern on her flank, resembling a mixture of stars and diamonds.
"Are you coming up?" She was looking at me again, and I just knew she knew I was staring.
"Uh, never been one for climbing trees," I sheepishly responded, again the urge to look away came over me, yet I did not. My embarrassment did not cease when she rolled her eyes and gave a light huff. I yelped when she magically lifted me up, although I noted that it was strangely gentle in its context until I hovered just centimeters above the branch, quickly gripping it before being released from her magical grasp.
"T-thanks," I stammered, trying hard not to look down...or up, for that matter.
"Fear of heights?" She inquired, raising a brow.
"More of a fear of falling, I'd say," I sat up, but my legs clamped firmly at each side of the branch, a single hand clutching it tightly as well.
"Relax," she smirked, "I'll be sure to save you should you fall." She purred teasingly, her sapphire eyes half lidded. My breath caught in my throat. She was so captivating in every sense of the word. I wouldn't have objected to kissing her right then and there. I regained my composure (or at least I like to think that I did) and cleared my throat.
"So what're we doing up here?"
"I'd rather not be seen, and I wanted to see the stars," she turned her gaze skyward once more, "they're different from my own."
"You're not from this world." I stated.
"You catch on fast," she looked at me, "I like that."
My heart felt like it could be dong joyous backflips in my chest right now at her compliment. I worried she'd get sick of me, or somehow hate me. I smiled, trying not to blush. "Why does she have this effect on me?!"
"I suspected, it only makes sense really. Can you actually see them all? The stars, I mean?"
"Why wouldn't I?" She crossed her forehooves over each other, seeming to be in a conversational mood.
"Meh, here they get obscured by pollution, clouds, and all the lights from the cities," I said. "I don't think I've ever seen a sky full and full of stars," I said, a bit sad. Nightmare Rarity's lovely face showed neither shock or anger, just a passiveness to it all.
"How unfortunate."
----
The two sat in silence for a minute or two. Nightmare Rarity never looking away from the human, who shifted about slightly. Not out of nervousness anymore, he looked down. From the left to the right, and very briefly upwards but quickly back down once more. Her observant eyes looked him up and down, taking in every little feature. His eyes were dark brown, he hadn't shaved in a few days or so as she noted he stubble on his cheeks. Not that she objected. His hair was short and it did look rather soft. He used an index finger to push his glasses back up the bridge of his nose before he looked at her again. She couldn't help but think he was rather handsome-"Did I REALLY just think that?!"
But she had to admit it was pleasant to have a conversation about something simple with someone completely different than what she was accustomed to.
"So where are you from?" He asked, picking off a small piece of tree park before flicking it off to the ground below.
"Equestria. A world not too unlike this one."
"Inhabited by other unicorns?" He asked, his deep brown eyes full of wonder as he realized he was learning about an alternate world.
"And then some. Pegasai, earth ponies, and alicorns," she listed off the types of ponies in her world.
"Alicorns?" Michael asked.
"A pony with a horn and wings," she resisted the urge to scowl at the thought of Princesses Celestia and Luna. And she'd heard that another hated enemy, Twilight Sparkle, had attained alicorn status as well. Although while she'd never admit it, but she found it amusing that the sometimes mentally unstable librarian was royalty. She could only just imagine how she must be handling the duties of being a true leader. Michael leaned back, a quiet "wow" escaping him at all this newfound knowledge.
"Discovering a unicorn, an alternate universe...," he trailed off, his eyes shining as he thought of another question, "are you their leader?" He pointed to her tiara. Nightmare Rarity's left ear twitch slightly.
"Not exactly." She would speak no further on said subject. "I'm not quite their favorite pony." She glanced back up at the moon, she'd spent enough time watching this world's moon to keep track of the time fairly well.
"Well, I must be off now," she felt sad to leave him. It felt far too soon. Michael's eyes glinted in sad way, but she could tell he was trying to hide it.
"Already?"
Nightmare Rarity didn't answer, but merely held out a hoof. He reared back, surprised by the gesture, but quickly understood and reached out with a hand to take her hoof within its gentle grasp. Time seem to slow for the both of them as he held her hoof, never breaking eye contact, her horn glowed gently; surrounding him a magical aura as they lifted off slowly from the safety of the tree. He gave a sharp intake of breath when they first lifted off, but never did he appear truly nervous. Michael trusted her. Again, for what seemed to be too soon, they landed on the grassy ground. Yet still he held her hoof, looking into her eyes, like he just couldn't bring himself to look away from her. Nightmare felt her cheeks turn red and her face grown hot, she registered his thumb gently run over her hoof tenderly.
Michael shook his head as he realized he'd held on for a bit too long and let go, backing away somewhat to give her space.
He was the first to speak.
"So, same t-time tomorrow night?"
Nightmare Rarity was silent for a bit, trying desperately to process what had just happened. She snapped out of it at the sound of his low voice, looking at him once more...and smiling.
"Yes. I'd like that, Michael."