10-29-2015, 12:14 PM
Chapter 16: Acceptance
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The day out had ended after what seemed like an enjoyable forever, aside from the incident at the little restaurant the day had been lovely. The sun had mostly set, the last rays of it appeared as orange streaks through the curtains and shining upon the purple floor. I emerged from the bathroom, wearing on a dark gray shirt and black pants, made from exquisitely soft material that rested gently against my skin. Nightmare Rarity lounged comfortably on the bed, smiling at me approvingly which quickly caused me to feel shy again. Luckily I didn't blush this time.
"I'm pleased to see they fit."
"Yeah, how'd you learn to make clothes?"
"Well, let's just say I picked up on some of Rarity's better habits, fortunately without the penchant for fainting couches," she added that last part with something that was a mixture of amusement and scorn in her voice. I must've given her a strange look because she laughed (a beautiful laugh) and beckoned me over with a single black hoof, to which I obliged happily; climbing up on the bed again to find her awaiting to take me into her grasp softly. I had asked her previously if we could cuddle again, I'd felt nervous to do so because I thought it was too forward or invasive but to my happy surprise she was eager to do so. Her chin rested atop my head, my hair still slightly damp from the shower and I could've sworn I heard her inhale my scent, my face resting against her chest. Her fur was soft to the touch and I felt I couldn't get enough of it, despite her delicate appearance I could feel well toned muscle as I touched her, but it was not unpleasant. It only seemed to increase her power in my eyes.
"You're not blushing," she said, tilting my face up to her own with a hoof placed beneath my chin, briefly caressing it.
"I guess I'm getting accustomed to this," I replied with a smile, increasing my loving hold on her, "it feels so natural." I said, the empty feeling in my chest was gone, it has been gone all day. The diseased feeling of loneliness and buried sadness that had hung over me was gone. "Like all this was meant to happen..."
"You believe in fate?" Nightmare Rarity inquired in a curious voice, a hoof running down my back and a leg draping over mine leisurely.
"Not particularly...though I've come to believe some things in life are so powerful that they...alter. Change things." I said, feeling my voice trailing off as my mind yet again began thinking about the vastness of life and the universe itself. In a short span of time I had met a being from an alternate universe, fallen so deeply in love with said being, traveled to an alternate universe and have since engaged in a romantic interspecies relationship with the being. With her.
"You speak of such things with an endearing wonder," she spoke, bringing me back to the present, I couldn't help but grin. Feeling flattered.
"I don't think I've ever been told anything about me is endearing," I said, a chuckle creeping into my voice, I noted it was now dark outside and the crickets were beginning their nightly songs.
"Get used to it," she replied with playful devilishness, her forelegs enclosing around me in a hug, the feeling of love and acceptance washing over and into me.
We lay together in silence for several minutes, my hand traveling from her shoulder to her side over and over, feeling her ribs rise and fall with each breath she took. I heard her sigh contentedly and she nestled down into the plush pillows, I too felt my eyelids grow heavy and was tempted to sleep, but my mind and the persistent question that had begun to linger within it had started to nag at me again. I shifted away from her slightly to look at pretty face, her eyes were closed peacefully though I knew she was not yet asleep, a small smile graced her feminine features. I didn't want to disturb our serenity...but I had to know.
"Nightmare?" I whispered my question, one ear twitched slightly at the sound of my voice and her eyes cracked open slowly to look at me.
"Hmm?"
"Can I...can I ask you something?"
Nightmare Rarity raised an eyebrow at me, seeing my expression was a vaguely unhappy one, causing her to prop herself up.
"Yes?"
"Why do the other ponies hate you?"
----
Nightmare Rarity didn't expect such a question to pierce her heart in such way. It wasn't that the question's wording stung, she knew he was direct and she liked that, nor was it the fact that the other ponies hated her. She was well aware of that and frankly she didn't much care, she didn't like them either. Logically she knew Michael was bound to bring it up at some point and in hindsight she was surprised he didn't bring it up sooner, yet she found her answer was hesitant. Nightmare knew he had a vague idea of why, but nothing in depth. The concept of telling him gave her a strange and unpleasant feeling in her chest and stomach...it wasn't guilt for her actions, certainly not. Her eyes took in his expression and realized it was the fact that she was hated stung at him, and she could tell he was uncomfortable asking her that and perhaps felt a bit guilty as well.
Nightmare Rarity did not like seeing him that way...and even worse...she did not know what would happen if she told him. Would he fear her? Hate her too? Disgust?
"I should've worded that better-," she silenced him with a hoof placed gently over his lips.
"No, I appreciate your frankness. And part of a relationship is honesty, correct?"
Michael nodded slowly as she lowered her hoof, the feeling of his lips lingering upon it as she took a deep breath before finally speaking a minute or so later.
"I've tried to conquer Esquestria. I've brought harm to both Princess Celestia and Luna, and their subjects. Many times I've thrown this world into chaos and strife for the sake of attaining more power for myself."
His face bore little reaction, he always knew there was something deadly about her from the very beginning, but he never truly knew how deep that deadliness went.
"I was once known as Nightmare Moon, and my history with Equestria spans many, many years. Over a thousand, to be precise."
Michael's eyes widened a bit at that particular revelation, but he to her surprise there was no disgust or fear or even harsh judgment in his brown eyes. He breathed deeply, he had one hand gently grasping one of her hooves and decided to speak again.
"Somehow your...related to that pony, Rarity..."
"Well, not as a family member. When I returned again I needed a new vessel, I was...formless at one point. I wasn't always...," she trailed off, her sapphire eyes becoming distant as she remembered days long past. "When they defeated me again they finally believed me dead, evidently they were wrong. I survived through sheer force of will and my magical power, though I do suspect it was partially because they couldn't use the Elements of Harmony," she said. Again, noting his face had no negative reaction, shocked but that was all.
More silence passed between them, Michael unsure of what to say, and Nightmare Rarity not wanting him to feel overwhelmed too much. He brought a hand to his mouth, trying to think of something to say, slowly the hand lowered and a single word left his lips.
"Why?"
Nightmare Rarity blinked, her head rearing back ever so slightly, she intended to be honest, and honest she would be.
"Because I wanted to."
It was a simple answer, and not one he'd been expecting, he wasn't looking at her now. Which made Nightmare Rarity worry she had gone too far, and suddenly a strange panic filled her heart. She feared he would hate her, that he would leave her and tell her to never show her face again. She opened her mouth but he looked up at her before she could get a word out, to her absolute shock, he leaned in and hugged her tightly. A gasp of surprise escaped her, she felt a hand stroke her mane and his mouth inches away from her left ear.
"I won't insult you by asking if you truly love me, because I know you do, I just want to say I love you despite your past. I accept you."
His words rang in her ears and her heart pounded in ecstasy and relief as she joyously hugged him back even tighter.
"I love you Michael, so very much, I love you more than anything."
"I love you too my Nightmare, thank you for being honest with me...and trusting me enough to tell me."
They sank back down on the bed together,this time eye to eye, in those moments they had felt their bond grow all the stronger. They could feel it in their hearts and souls. It wasn't long until they were sound asleep, thinking only of their future together. How two beings from two entirely different universes could be so closely united, perhaps closer than united, in such a short but precious amount time together.
Author's Note:
Emotion fueled chapter we wrote together.
-----
The day out had ended after what seemed like an enjoyable forever, aside from the incident at the little restaurant the day had been lovely. The sun had mostly set, the last rays of it appeared as orange streaks through the curtains and shining upon the purple floor. I emerged from the bathroom, wearing on a dark gray shirt and black pants, made from exquisitely soft material that rested gently against my skin. Nightmare Rarity lounged comfortably on the bed, smiling at me approvingly which quickly caused me to feel shy again. Luckily I didn't blush this time.
"I'm pleased to see they fit."
"Yeah, how'd you learn to make clothes?"
"Well, let's just say I picked up on some of Rarity's better habits, fortunately without the penchant for fainting couches," she added that last part with something that was a mixture of amusement and scorn in her voice. I must've given her a strange look because she laughed (a beautiful laugh) and beckoned me over with a single black hoof, to which I obliged happily; climbing up on the bed again to find her awaiting to take me into her grasp softly. I had asked her previously if we could cuddle again, I'd felt nervous to do so because I thought it was too forward or invasive but to my happy surprise she was eager to do so. Her chin rested atop my head, my hair still slightly damp from the shower and I could've sworn I heard her inhale my scent, my face resting against her chest. Her fur was soft to the touch and I felt I couldn't get enough of it, despite her delicate appearance I could feel well toned muscle as I touched her, but it was not unpleasant. It only seemed to increase her power in my eyes.
"You're not blushing," she said, tilting my face up to her own with a hoof placed beneath my chin, briefly caressing it.
"I guess I'm getting accustomed to this," I replied with a smile, increasing my loving hold on her, "it feels so natural." I said, the empty feeling in my chest was gone, it has been gone all day. The diseased feeling of loneliness and buried sadness that had hung over me was gone. "Like all this was meant to happen..."
"You believe in fate?" Nightmare Rarity inquired in a curious voice, a hoof running down my back and a leg draping over mine leisurely.
"Not particularly...though I've come to believe some things in life are so powerful that they...alter. Change things." I said, feeling my voice trailing off as my mind yet again began thinking about the vastness of life and the universe itself. In a short span of time I had met a being from an alternate universe, fallen so deeply in love with said being, traveled to an alternate universe and have since engaged in a romantic interspecies relationship with the being. With her.
"You speak of such things with an endearing wonder," she spoke, bringing me back to the present, I couldn't help but grin. Feeling flattered.
"I don't think I've ever been told anything about me is endearing," I said, a chuckle creeping into my voice, I noted it was now dark outside and the crickets were beginning their nightly songs.
"Get used to it," she replied with playful devilishness, her forelegs enclosing around me in a hug, the feeling of love and acceptance washing over and into me.
We lay together in silence for several minutes, my hand traveling from her shoulder to her side over and over, feeling her ribs rise and fall with each breath she took. I heard her sigh contentedly and she nestled down into the plush pillows, I too felt my eyelids grow heavy and was tempted to sleep, but my mind and the persistent question that had begun to linger within it had started to nag at me again. I shifted away from her slightly to look at pretty face, her eyes were closed peacefully though I knew she was not yet asleep, a small smile graced her feminine features. I didn't want to disturb our serenity...but I had to know.
"Nightmare?" I whispered my question, one ear twitched slightly at the sound of my voice and her eyes cracked open slowly to look at me.
"Hmm?"
"Can I...can I ask you something?"
Nightmare Rarity raised an eyebrow at me, seeing my expression was a vaguely unhappy one, causing her to prop herself up.
"Yes?"
"Why do the other ponies hate you?"
----
Nightmare Rarity didn't expect such a question to pierce her heart in such way. It wasn't that the question's wording stung, she knew he was direct and she liked that, nor was it the fact that the other ponies hated her. She was well aware of that and frankly she didn't much care, she didn't like them either. Logically she knew Michael was bound to bring it up at some point and in hindsight she was surprised he didn't bring it up sooner, yet she found her answer was hesitant. Nightmare knew he had a vague idea of why, but nothing in depth. The concept of telling him gave her a strange and unpleasant feeling in her chest and stomach...it wasn't guilt for her actions, certainly not. Her eyes took in his expression and realized it was the fact that she was hated stung at him, and she could tell he was uncomfortable asking her that and perhaps felt a bit guilty as well.
Nightmare Rarity did not like seeing him that way...and even worse...she did not know what would happen if she told him. Would he fear her? Hate her too? Disgust?
"I should've worded that better-," she silenced him with a hoof placed gently over his lips.
"No, I appreciate your frankness. And part of a relationship is honesty, correct?"
Michael nodded slowly as she lowered her hoof, the feeling of his lips lingering upon it as she took a deep breath before finally speaking a minute or so later.
"I've tried to conquer Esquestria. I've brought harm to both Princess Celestia and Luna, and their subjects. Many times I've thrown this world into chaos and strife for the sake of attaining more power for myself."
His face bore little reaction, he always knew there was something deadly about her from the very beginning, but he never truly knew how deep that deadliness went.
"I was once known as Nightmare Moon, and my history with Equestria spans many, many years. Over a thousand, to be precise."
Michael's eyes widened a bit at that particular revelation, but he to her surprise there was no disgust or fear or even harsh judgment in his brown eyes. He breathed deeply, he had one hand gently grasping one of her hooves and decided to speak again.
"Somehow your...related to that pony, Rarity..."
"Well, not as a family member. When I returned again I needed a new vessel, I was...formless at one point. I wasn't always...," she trailed off, her sapphire eyes becoming distant as she remembered days long past. "When they defeated me again they finally believed me dead, evidently they were wrong. I survived through sheer force of will and my magical power, though I do suspect it was partially because they couldn't use the Elements of Harmony," she said. Again, noting his face had no negative reaction, shocked but that was all.
More silence passed between them, Michael unsure of what to say, and Nightmare Rarity not wanting him to feel overwhelmed too much. He brought a hand to his mouth, trying to think of something to say, slowly the hand lowered and a single word left his lips.
"Why?"
Nightmare Rarity blinked, her head rearing back ever so slightly, she intended to be honest, and honest she would be.
"Because I wanted to."
It was a simple answer, and not one he'd been expecting, he wasn't looking at her now. Which made Nightmare Rarity worry she had gone too far, and suddenly a strange panic filled her heart. She feared he would hate her, that he would leave her and tell her to never show her face again. She opened her mouth but he looked up at her before she could get a word out, to her absolute shock, he leaned in and hugged her tightly. A gasp of surprise escaped her, she felt a hand stroke her mane and his mouth inches away from her left ear.
"I won't insult you by asking if you truly love me, because I know you do, I just want to say I love you despite your past. I accept you."
His words rang in her ears and her heart pounded in ecstasy and relief as she joyously hugged him back even tighter.
"I love you Michael, so very much, I love you more than anything."
"I love you too my Nightmare, thank you for being honest with me...and trusting me enough to tell me."
They sank back down on the bed together,this time eye to eye, in those moments they had felt their bond grow all the stronger. They could feel it in their hearts and souls. It wasn't long until they were sound asleep, thinking only of their future together. How two beings from two entirely different universes could be so closely united, perhaps closer than united, in such a short but precious amount time together.
Author's Note:
Emotion fueled chapter we wrote together.