open Tears of Virtue

[Addem Up 246]

"Hey, lay off of him. Hundreds of others have been to try and get rid of that cloud and you are just picking on this one. Rather than criticising, try actually doing something about it rather than making others feel small and useless." Pondah said to the bossy pegasus of the pair, trying not to raise his voice lest an argument form as a result.

 

A rumble came from Pondah's belly.

 

[Where's that pie? I'm pretty hungry now.]

 

The pegasus shook his head towards Pondah. "Hundreds? What're ya talkin' about? That cloud only appeared yesterday, and if SOMEpony had been doing their job-" 

 

"I told you, I tried to get rid of it! The thing's possessed or something; I can't touch it." She sighed, then said, "Th' earth pony's right. Go try it yourself."

[MagicalStarRain 599]

@@Addem Up,

 

Sheesh, they should've brought a pony along with them that knows about strange phenomenons like these. Star Rain thought, knowing very well how much trouble it spelled. "Did this type of cloud ever appear before? Do you have some type of weather manual that tells you this stuff?" she asked to the pegasi above. 

[Addem Up 246]

@@Addem Up,

 

Sheesh, they should've brought a pony along with them that knows about strange phenomenons like these. Star Rain thought, knowing very well how much trouble it spelled. "Did this type of cloud ever appear before? Do you have some type of weather manual that tells you this stuff?" she asked to the pegasi above. 

 

"No! That's the thing, it ain't like any cloud I've ever seen. Most of 'em, it's just whoosh and they're gone. But that one..." She glanced over at the offending cloud, then said, "There's more of 'em, too. I saw them just over the horizon. They're coming from Canterlot or something."

[qqq 217]

"Coming from Canterlot!" Pondah shouted. "We've got people we know in Canterlot! They could be in great danger! And they have no confirmed information or help to go on."

 

Pondah began pacing back and forth, muttering several obscenities under his breath.

 

[Oh! Seems the research team has failed! Canterlot Team are dead meat now. Game over. No more lives. End of the line. Death and possibly the loss of Equestria and all down to you. Fail.]

 

Pondah felt a surge of determination rush through his body. He charged out the door.

 

"I'm not letting them die. I'll be in the library!" Pondah blurted.

 

Pondah continued his charge, doing several ponies and almost knocking a cart flying. He hammered on the door of the library and waited for a response.

 

A brown blur went through the sky and disappeared into the distance.

[Addem Up 246]

The librarian opened the door once more, smiling. "Oh, it's you. I'm afraid I haven't finished restoring the book yet, if that's why you're here." She steps aside, saying, "Come in, please. It looks like it's going to rain, and you certainly don't want to be caught outside when that happens."

[MagicalStarRain 599]

@,

 

Star Rain's mind was in a whirl when Pondah fled. But she only had one thought and goal set in her mind at the moment: Go after Pondah! She sped out of the door and followed him, ignoring the fact that she was quickly getting tired. "Pondah! Wait up! Where are you going?!" She stopped at the library when he flew in. 

[qqq 217]

"It's very important. Phew, can I... help in restoring the... book?" Pondah managed to say in between some deep breaths. I can't promise I'll be to useful but I need that book restored as soon as possible. It's gotten important."

 

Pondah took a step inside the library and gave a shake. A burst of pain shot through his leg. He has pulled a leg muscle.

 

"AH! Ouch! My leg! I think I've pulled something."

 

Pondah tried to get rid of the pain when the door burst open, launching Pondah into the ground a few metres away.

[Addem Up 246]

The librarian frowned, shaking her head. "Well, I'm not sure how much help you'll be, but I could always use another pair of hooves. Come inside, dear, and we'll see what we can do."

 

She jumped back as the door slammed open, throwing the injured pony to the ground. "Oh, my! Are you all right?" She looked up at the culprit.

[qqq 217]

Pondah strained to get up, trying not to put too much weight on his damaged front left leg.

 

"Hnng... Ah! I'll be hnn... fine. It's nothing I can't deal with."

 

Pondah hobbled over towards the librarians desk which had the book, still in tatters, on it.

 

"So then, what needs doing?"

[Addem Up 246]

Pondah strained to get up, trying not to put too much weight on his damaged front left leg.

 

"Hnng... Ah! I'll be hnn... fine. It's nothing I can't deal with."

 

Pondah hobbled over towards the librarians desk which had the book, still in tatters, on it.

 

"So then, what needs doing?"

 

She frowned down at the book, saying, "Well, I could use a good pair of eyes. The text is mostly hidden by charring, but I might be able to expose a few letters at a time. Too much, however, and the page will rip. If you can remember what I've exposed, we might be able to get this done."

[qqq 217]

"A good set of eyes are one of the only skills I have. I reckon I can do this. It's just a memory test at the end of the day."

 

Pondah took another look at the book. It was no less damaged and burnt than when he had seen yesterday. Clearly, it was going to take a long time to uncover the secrets and stories within the book.

[Addem Up 246]

She smiled at the pony. "Well, it's a good skill to have. Now, let's get started." She closed her eyes, humming softly as bits and pieces of the damaged text began to glow. The letters, while gibberish at first, slowly begin to condense into a some-what meaningful order. 

 

Topaz... faith... strengthens the... to the spirit... earth po... Ru... ymbol of j... les in the p.. scence of... nger, or evil he... venom... Opal... ope, gives glim... ids those with... sight... apis Lazul... luck and a ho... sman... opal... Emerald, symbo... nor, dulls when lies... roken. Connec... sus... ethyst, sym... truth, calm... Areiba, tribute... ago... mond, sy... ng... ickery brings... luck..."

Edited April 1, 2013 by Addem Up

[qqq 217]

"Wait, I think we're getting something! I can make out a few words about gems but nothing fully understandable. I'll have to mull over these for a while. Can we dig any deeper?"

 

Pondah saw the names of several gems as he had said.

 

[Mind Message to Star rain: The book is saying something about the Tears of Virtue. Don't mention anything to anypony. The less people know about our quest, the easier things week and less rumours will float around and be sent to the Grey One.]

 

A wince came from Pondah as another burst of shot through his leg

[Addem Up 246]

The librarian panted, shaking her head. "Not right now. It takes a toll on me, and my age doesn't help with that. Even when I was young, I'd be lucky to get through a page of restorations in a few hours."

 

She shivers as the text fades. "If you can write down what you remember, I can try to piece the words together."

[qqq 217]

"Ok. Lucky I've got a good memory."

 

Pondah took a piece of scrap paper from the librarian's desk and wrote down what he could remember. It only took a few minutes due to Pondah's photographic memory. He then did the same on another piece of paper.

 

"There. An exact reproduction of every single smidgen of writing I just saw. I'll keep a copy for myself. After all, they say two heads are better than one. Thanks for your help."

 

Pondah then turned to face Star Rain.

 

"We best get going. We need to find a way of getting money so we can actually have somewhere to live and some food."

[MagicalStarRain 599]

@,

 

Star Rain nodded  and said,"Alright." In response to Pondah's telepathy, Got it. 

 

"Hmm... well, we should best work at a place that has lots of ponies in it. More ponies means more information, right?" she suggested. Especially a bunch of old ponies. Though she didn't say it in order to not anger the librarian. "What about that coffee shop I passed by a couple minutes ago?"

[qqq 217]

Pondah took a step through the library door and into the outside, now bathed in midday sun. He managed a yard before the muscle in his front left leg from earlier seized up, causing Pondah to fall forwards and face plant the ground.

 

"Ow..." Pondah moaned.

 

After a few moments, he was able to stand up again.

 

"Star Rain, can I support my leg on you? We'll end up going about a metre an hour otherwise."

[MagicalStarRain 599]

@,

 

Star Rain moved closer to Pondah and nodded "Yes". "Would you like me to heal you? I know some medical spells that can help ease the pain. It won't help that pulled muscle I'm afraid," she offered, her horn already glowing cyan then turning minty green, which is what always happens when she's about to use a healing spell. "Where are we going now? I have to know since I'll be leading you pretty much," she asked. 

[qqq 217]

"Don't worry. I'm fine. I was thinking of going to that coffee shop so we can get jobs and not, you know, do the dying thing."

 

Pondah shuffled over towards Star Rain and placed the injured leg around Star Rain's neck as an impromptu crutch. Pondah gave another short, sharp breath from the pain.

 

[Ha! Get a job! You, job! Ha! Fat chance. You have no skills! There's only one job you left that requires the skill you have and there's a problem with that as there are laws against prostitution. Good luck Peasant. You'll need it."]

 

Pondah's eyes let out a small tear which dripped down his muzzle.