Stardust*

@@reader8363, "I do know quite a bit about dragons, I have come across a few studies on the hybrid, but not a whole lot. Do you not know a lot about your kind?" Autumn grabbed a book from her saddle bag and started to flip through some of the pages. "Do you have any specific questions?" There was an announcement that came across the campus. "Students, please if you could make your way to the dining hall. We have some important announcements that need to be made. We do apologize for the inconvenience but you will be able to attend your next class as soon as this is over. Thank you, that is all."

I very much enjoyed your post Randi!! It is so much fun to see the "background" ponies have their time on the sun.

@@reader8363, "No need, we can discuss everything out here without any distraction." She noticed the metal scorpion crawling around on him. She recalled the other day when she saw the creature in a cage outside in the corridor. She walked back to where she holds her class. She takes a seat and waits for Shadow to ask his questions.

@@reader8363 Autumn jumped a bit when she heard the deep voice of the grounds keeper. She turned just before she entered the wood and started to walk towards Shadow. "Sure, uhm, yeah, I can try and answer any of your questions." She was a bit disappointed that she couldn't see what might have been hiding in the woods, but maybe that was meant for another day.

the next class is with Professor @Script Dangles, English/Lit

Autumn was still amazed at what Emerald had done with her magic. She noticed that some of the students were just as shocked as she was. As Emerald flew off Autumn shook her head to come back to reality. "These are all wondrous and amazing creatures and we witnessed some of the magic that Emerald, a Vampire pony, could do just with a glimpse of her eyes. Now, out time is nearly done, but I do have some homework for you all. Please research dragons, any type, there are many different species of dragons just as there are many different types of ponies. You can find quite a lot of information in your books from chapter 5-9. It covers a wide variety of the dragons. I will see you all, not tomorrow, but the day after. Enjoy your day class!" Autumn played with her scarf as the students gathered their books and scrolls. She waved goodbye as they started to head back to the castle. She turned to head back into her cottage, but she heard something quite odd coming from the woods. She turned, trying to look as deep as she could. Then like a flash something flew from one side of the forest to another part. She would have missed it if she had blinked. She looked towards her students, making sure that none of them were still waiting for her or trying to play a trick. But she counted them all and they were all on their way to the castle. She quickly and quietly made her way into the woods. She was too curious not to check it out. The bell rang and the halls were quickly filled with students rushing to their next classes.

Stardust watched as Aria looked a bit uneasy, she could tell that her mind was running at full tilt. She was a bit surprised as Aria returned her nudge. But it was never a surprise when she ruffled her mane, Stardust always had to 'fix' it after Aria did that. She gave a playful sigh as she attempted to 'tidy' up her mane. "Agreed, but er...," Aria's eyes briefly scanned the kitchen and adjoining room before coming up short two members, "I think joining the others will be a bit difficult when there's only one of them in the room." Stardust saw the slight motion from Aria, she knew that she needed to follow her. With a quick brush of her wings she brought herself up on all four hooves. She quietly followed Aria as she made her way through the kitchen and through the house. As they walked towards the door she noticed that Aria had quickly spoke to Lilith. The three ponies made their way out to the gazebo, Stardust was curious as to Aria's motives. Stardust sat down on one of the benches and listened to the conversation. She was intrigued by what Aria was saying, she didn't think that she would ever speak to Lilith after what had happened on the boat. But she understood why she was doing it, Aria always got the answers that she needed and the only pony who could answer her questions right now was Lilith.

Aria!!!!!! <3333 Such a brilliant post!

We will more than likely pick up things after the break. With so much to do it has been hard for me to be online much. I am sure that rings true for a lot of us. We WILL be back to normal though!! We can't let this amazing story line just die!!! lol

@@HackTune, @@Summer Breeze, @, @@SugarfootWillie, @ "Very good Miss Breeze, and to help answer your question, yes, there is a different sort of magic in the Everfree forest. This magic feeds on the fears and the hopelessness of the ponies that enter the forest. That is why the forest is perpetually dark, and when a pony enters, it is almost like the ponies worst nightmares are coming to life, and that is what gives the timber wolves their magic." She nodded and thanked Summer once more before she sat down. Just as she sat down Hack Tune stood and explained his experience. "Fantastic Mr. Tune, dragons are those rare creatures that are difficult to find because of their dangerous nature. But I will assure you, they are very much real. All of the creatures we have talked about today are very much real, from the elemental spirits that are connected to Miss. Flearia, to the phoenix that she saw being reborn. The timber wolves of the Everfree Forest are also very much real, as well as the dragons that you speak of. Just look at me, I am a reindeer, there are very few ponies that have seen a creature like me." She looked to Emerald. "If you would like to see one more mystical creature before the end of class I would like to invite Miss Bolt to come over here with me and let her explain to you about a creature that she is very familiar with." She motioned to Emerald to come closer to be able to speak with the class.

Stardust tried so desperately to stay strong. Almost cold, so that she could separate herself from her own feelings. She listened as Aria spoke, and that catch in her throat continued to grow larger with each breath. She continued to work with her saddle bags trying to get them organized. She looked at Aria, for as long as she could without tears beginning to fall. She listened intently, peering up to Aria as often as she could but without her catching on to her tears. She wanted to argue, she wanted to fight the words that Aria was speaking. She wanted to get as far away from her own feelings as possible. She longed to be with her, but she was so afraid that her feelings were not going to be reciprocated that she felt that maybe being distant would help. Especially as of late, with Aria being so very quiet, Stardust thought that it was her fault, for everything. It was tearing her up on the inside and she just wanted to keep that hidden, even if it caused her the most pain of all. She wanted to just scream at Aria, she wanted to grab her by the shoulders and scream so the entire world could hear her when she said I LOVE YOU!!!! I want you to be mine! I have always wanted this! Why can't you see that?!? She continued to listen. "...I need you. So, will you stay for just a bit longer? For me?" She broke down, there were very few things in this world that would make Star break down and this was one, the love that she felt for Aria was so strong that no matter how angry she felt because of her feelings or how sad she felt because she figured there could never be anything between them, she would always be there for Aria. She turned to her and flung her hooves around her, sobbing, letting all of the frustration, anger, fear, and confusion out all at once. Finally letting go of everything that was building up within her. "You should know me better than that my friend. I would never leave without talking with you." *Sobbing* "I will wait, I will wait with you, for you. I will be by your side for as long as you will be by mine. We will finish this quest together and nothing will ever try to break us apart again. These other ponies don't understand how important you are to me, and I will do all that I can to finish what they have started so we can finally be happy, safe, and with each other. The sooner we can do that, the sooner I can help to make you happy again." She loosened her grip around Aria's body, but still embracing her, "I... I have been wanting to tell you something. ... Something that has been on my mind for so long, that has been in my heart for.... ever. I just... I have to tell you." She pulled back and looked into her eyes, she knew now was not the time. She knew that she should wait, wait until things were different. Not to mention some of the other ponies heard her blubbering and with an audience, she was not quite comfortable with speaking such intimate words where others would not appreciate them as much as they need to be. "Now is not the time, I promise though, when the time is right, I will tell you." She whispered, "those around us would not understand and it is none of their business anyway." I LOVE YOU!!! DAMNIT! I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK! ... Why is it so hard for me. Why can I say it so clearly in my head, but when I try to tell you, things get in the way or I just lose my nerve. Why can't this just be simple for me?! "We should go back and join the others, with any hope those griffons will be back sooner rather than later." She smiled at her, watching her beautiful friend. She dried her eyes and stood, nudging Aria in the shoulder in her usual playful manner.

Hope everything is okay and we completely understand, life comes first. We do hope that things work out and you will have some free time after the holidays. If you want to come back, you are more than welcome! I was hoping that everyone would like that post. I enjoyed playing that character. I look forward to her next appearance.

@, Stardust jumped, she wasn't expecting anypony to speak to her, especially Aria. She had been waiting to speak with her, but was surprised that it was now. She knew that there were times when Aria needed to think and Star would wait patiently. "I'm confused Aria. The plan was to get here, get the element, and get started on finding the rest." She looked towards Aria, her face was sad, and struggling with so many thoughts in her mind. "Speaking with that Griffon out there it was just weird. He knew more than he should have. Then Harcourt just completely shut down. Walking back I tried to talk to him about our plans and he would not say a word. I just don't understand what happened, is he still upset about the service last night?" Stardust was almost hurt by the cold shoulder that he gave her. "I thought we were starting to really connect and then all of a sudden he just shut down." She looked around the room trying to find where he was sitting. She didn't see him, and come to notice it, she didn't see Psych either. "I don't know where they went, Harcourt or Psych, they are both gone, maybe my help just ruins things. It seems like whenever I try to help something bad happens. They lost their dear friend after we came into the picture, and now Winter is leaving and Lilith seems to be head over heals to be around more rangers. And then..." She stopped, she looked into Aria's eyes, tears welling. She blinked hard trying to stop them from falling. "Nothing, I'm sorry my friend. I just wish that things were happening differently. I should just go out and find the element on my own, that way we would be one more step ahead of Sombra. No pony else is fully in this and I am not ready to give up. I am tried of hiding, I want to get this done and bring back the light, I need to find my father." She stood and looked for her saddle bags. She spotted them in the corner of the kitchen. She looked to Aria and embraced her. Holding her in such a loving way, she took a step back and gave her a sad smile. She then went to her belongings and started to get them ready for her trip that would either be alone, or with the others, that would be ultimately their decision.

@@HackTune, @@Summer Breeze, @, @, @@SugarfootWillie, Autumn smiled as the stallion came to class. She put a hoof to her mouth hoping to indicate to him to speak a little softer as Flearia was speaking with the class. She didn't mind that he was late, she just didn't want anything to interrupt the student. She knew how frightening it is to speak to a large group, especially when they are your peers. "Very good Miss Flearia! These types of creatures can be very interesting and very powerful. They need to be given the room to grow and the structure to listen to the ponies that they bond with. They cannot be allowed to run free or without direction. I have done quite of a bit of research last night after I talked with you Miss Flearia, I was very curious as to what was happening. If you would like, we can discuss more of the subject later if you would like." Autumn nodded to Flearia and looked to the others in the class. "Would anypony else like to share their experiences?" ___________________________________________________________________________________ @@Script Dangles, The mirror began to shimmer, almost if looking into a black pool of water. It gave off a greenish glow almost as dark as the deep black waters. There were sounds of little tiny hoof steps, as if a foal was trotting behind that darkness. The image of a tiny foal peering back at Smoking Mirror. She tilted her head in one direction, and then the other, almost if studying the stallion that was standing before her. She then gave a very large smile and started dancing around as if trying to catch a beautiful butterfly. She would stop and look back at Smoking Mirror, and then get even more excited and continue dancing around. Finally she came to a stop, out of breath and inhaling as much air as she possibly could. Once she caught her breath she began to speak. "Gee, you sure are big and strong, you look just like my big bwobber." She giggled. "I sure hope you don't have a special some pony." She giggled again. "You sure have a huuuuuuge pwace. I would wove to see the whole pwace." She looked past Smoking Mirror and saw the orb resting on a small table. Her eyes grew very large, a very thin smile appeared on her muzzle. She peered at it, and her eyes went from a bright blue to a deep green. She could no longer hold her figure. A deeper voice came from the little foal, "Oh my dear, dear Smoking Mirror. You have done so well." The tiny white foal began to deform, looking as if it were very painful. She hunched over as her spine elongated, her head whipped back as her tiny face exploded into a full grown mares head and muzzle. One leg would shoot out and the almost disgusting looking mess of a pony was twitching on the floor of this dark mass that surrounded her. As the transformation was coming to an end, there could be a maniacal laugh coming from the now balled up black body of a full grown mare. She stood, her legs were thin, strong, her horn was curved in more than one direction and ridged. Her delicate wings flitted as if to dry them, as the newly born butterfly. She opened her eyes, and that deep green shot straight to the orb once again. "Oh, Shining Mirror, you got my gift. I am so pleased. Have you noticed the wonderful effects yet? Oh how this is going to be such an enjoyable time for you. You will be able to hunt and feast with the others. They will be arriving when the time is right." She gazed longingly into the orb. "OH! Wonderful, absolutely wonderful, it has already affected that batpony. This is even better than I could have imagined." She laughed and it filled the room. "Do not be afraid my love, you will feel its effects soon, don't fight the feelings that you have. Embrace them and feed on them, they will give you strength. Find that pony, have her gaze into it, let it hold her, let it feed her. You are so close, you will accomplish my wishes, you will do this because you love me. Just as I love you. Oh you will make me proud my darling. I am so happy you called to me." She reached out as to touch Smoking Mirror, she looked longingly into his eyes, and with a flash she vanished in a puff of smoke.

"I am very glad to see you all. So, today, we are going to have a guest in class. Everyone this is Emerald Bolt, she is going to be teaching your defense class, but today she would like to observe our class." Autumn motioned to Emerald and gave her a smile. "I do hope that you all thought about what I had asked you to do for your homework. I would like to start our discussion right off today if anyone would like to be the first. Anyone, please stand and tell the class what types of mystical creatures you have seen, read about, or heard stories about."

I know, I didn't plan on editing it. I just had a different idea as to what Harcourt might say or do after everything. But I was surprised, lol, just as much as I am sure he was surprised that Stardust yelled at him lol.

That's not how I saw Harcourt reacting. Now I am rethinking my entire post.

The necklace that Winter gave Psych?

Harcourt can tell her that they aren't there. Are there going to be any elements found in the kingdom or are we just here to meet with the grand ranger so he can tell us about them?

This is why I thought that they were all here. I can edit my post.

Kind of? I guess... since Stardust will be the bearer of the element of laughter, figured since we were basically told that all the elements are on the island then the element of laughter is close enough to have a tiny effect on her. idk. I can take it out if need be.

I yelled at Harcourt!

@@Randimaxis, Stardust was only half listening to the griffon, she was distracted by the rumbling under her hooves. But from what she did hear, she was somewhat shocked. All of the other elements are HERE?! She turned to Harcourt, who was talking with the smaller griffon. Once he was done she tried to speak. She was so baffled and could hardly form the words. At this point Stardust was getting a bit frustrated by the secrets and the deceit. She had been the only one with their head on straight and just now finding out that somepony else knew more than they let on.... "Harcourt....what?...the elements....seriously?!...What is going on?! and WHY did he say that YOU would know what was going on?!" Stardust was getting angry, this rarely happens, and when it does, just like when she felt backed into a corner she began to lose herself. Her cheeks were hot, her eyes went from their optimistic bright blue to a deep sapphire. It was almost like some other pony was taking over her body. "What have YOU not been telling US!? I have known you for MONTHS now and you never felt the need to just let me in on a few things. Like who the heck Lilith really was?! Why we so desperately needed to get to the Griffon Kingdom. And you KNEW who Stormwing or whatever the hay his name is was actually talking about didn't you?!" She was shaking with the power that she felt. "Why should I even stay here with you?! Ever since Aria and I decided to help you she has done nothing but go down hill! And your other pony! Trivy! Maybe if you hadn't been so damn wrapped up in the accident, which, by the way tore up Psych much more than anypony else! This is WAR! You will lose ponies during WAR! You don't have time to mourn them, you do your job, you do your duty and fight on because of them! I have had to learn that the hard way! I have lost more ponies that you could count!" She got within inches of Harcourt's muzzle. "If you think for one moment that I am going to do anything for you without you being 100% honest with me from this point on you are sadly mistaken. I am not going to lose Aria because you feel the need to keep secrets." She took a step back, her rage that had taken over quickly dissipated. She blinked a few times and was a bit wobbly. She could see Harcourt staring at her with a stupid look on his face. "What are you staring at? Come on, we have to get the others, and what was the Griffon on about? Are the rest of the elements all actually here?! That would be incredibly convenient." She tilted her head to the left, then to the right trying to figure out why Harcourt looked so silly. "Seriously... is there something on my nose?! What? Stop just standing there, you felt it, that was no ordinary earth tremor, let's make sure the others are alright." She began to head back to the cottage.

@@HackTune, @, Mystical creatures class is held outside. Autumn's cottage is much too small to have it in there. She likes to have her class outside as long as the weather is nice. Once the rain season begins she moves her class inside the castle. But for now everyone is outside in the little clearing just a little bit away from her cottage and the woods.

"Miss Bolt, of course you can stay with me in the class today. It would be fun for the students to get a look at another mystic creature. I have told them to be prepared to discuss all of the mystical creatures that they have seen, heard about, or have questions about. I wouldn't be surprised if after your speech at dinner the students would have many more questions." Autumn smiled as the students started to gather around. "Oh, and you can call me Autumn. I leave the professor part for the students." She gave Emerald a wink and went to greet her class. "Good morning students! I do hope you had a wonderful night and a delicious breakfast! Now, shall we begin?"