private Whisper II: Kingdom of Darkness

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

(Alright, rest up.)

 

Nexus held on to the hindleg tight, weathering out the shakes and attacks, his armor proving useful against the wooden axe. 

 

How the hell can such a big guy move so fast?

 

Nexus saw a window, and pushed forward with his wings to get farther up the body. He brought out a sword, and began swinging with the blunt end, aiming for the chest and head.

[Senor Citizen 516]

@, Lume ducked a swing that wasn't there. Garrison just backed up, but they were grinning. "Much better. I know you hate me, but you should never hate anything so much that it clouds your judgement. Except vegetables. Zose are okay. Quiet. You did much better that time." Garrison took the real knife and put it back on the rack, then took out another trainer. "Now ve begin in earnest. Sparrink. Ze rules? Don't get hit."

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@@ActFast231, @, @ His grin turned into a scowl, and, shrugging off his hood- revealing the fact that he was a unicorn- he swung his axe more wildly at you. You manage to pummel him in the chest once before a large flash of light flashes from the horn, causing everyoen in the room to become blinded for about six seconds. When Nexus's vision cleared, He was standing about five meters away. A large bruise was beginning to form on his chest- proof on how hard you had hit him. "That was... satisfactory. Good job."

 

Turning to the other two, he bowed slightly. "Sorry about that."

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

Once Nexus regained vision, he saw a bruise forming on the Inquisitors chest. A rather large one. Judging by the size and position of the bruise, Nexus guessed that had the actual blade been used, it would of likely of either killed him or cause major injury.

 

"Looks like my strategy hasn't changed. When direct assaults and swift attacks failed, you forced me to employ stealth and enchantment use. And even then it took quite the struggle to get a hit on you. At least I got the hang of these things." Nexus said, giving a grin and affirmative nod to the sword coming from his right hoof. 

[Lume WMj 228]

"Much better. I know you hate me, but you should never hate anything so much that it clouds your judgement. Except vegetables. Zose are okay. Quiet. You did much better that time."

 

Lume smiled in relief after hearing another approval. "Heh... I don't hate you. I just don't like you very much." She grinned. "But you're right..." She was still finding trouble pronouncing words like 'thank you' and 'sorry' in that situation. Even though she somehow couldn't sympathize very well with their characters, she appreciated their help. The earth mare dropped the weapon down, and sat down herself for a while, panting. The training was showing great results, but it was tiring as well - not to mention stressful, but that was a different issue.

 

Garrison then returned the knife to the rack and gave Lume a fake one, just like theirs. 

 

"Now ve begin in earnest. Sparrink. Ze rules? Don't get hit."

 

She picked up the training knife and got back up on her hooves, assuming the same steady stance from the earlier exercises. "Okay then! Let's do th--"

 

Her sentence was cut short by a large, blinding flash of light that engulfed the entire room. "GAH!! What the--?!" She yelled, covering her eyes with her hooves and being slightly thrown back by the light explosion, the weapon flying off her mouth's hold once again. After a few seconds - which felt like an eternity -, her vision cleared, and she immediately turned to the other pair in the room: Inquisitor Solar Flare and Nexus.

 

Turning to the other two, he bowed slightly. "Sorry about that."

 

Rubbing her eyes with one hoof, Lume waved with the another. "Don't worry about it! I'm fine!" She said, her pupils constricted in the size of a pea. "...Looks like you guys're having lots of fun over there."

 

Ugh... My freakin' knife... She started desperately looking around the room in search of her lost weapon. She looked back at Garrison. "Hold on..." She said, as she trotted over to all four corners of the room. That place was so cluttered with armors and weapons that finding a needle in a haystack didn't sound much harder, not to mention her vision wasn't 100% recovered yet - she was still seeing blurry multicolored spots everywhere. Lume turned to Nexus and Solar Flare upon noticing she was right next to them.

 

"Did you guys happen to see a short-stick-with-a-handle sort of weapon flying across the room somewhere? I kinda lost it because of your flashbang."

[Senor Citizen 516]

"GOD DAMN IT! EVERYBODY DOWN!" Garrison hit the deck, and when they realized that there was no impending attack, they got up and glowered at Solar and Nexus in turn. "Mrglfn. Tells me it's just training and then proceeds to blow a damn flash in a tight room... Freakin' assbag... Nrgmfnl." Looking around a bit, they pointed out the training knife. "Over zere, sort of under ze hammer sing."

[ActFast231 432]

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@,

 

 

 

"...Looks like you guys're having lots of fun over there."

 

"Yeah, loads of fun. If you consider fighting a unicorn with the strength of a griffon and the speed of a pegasus fun, that is." Nexus joked. He was about to see what he needed to do next, when he was cut off.

 

 

 

"Mrglfn. Tells me it's just training and then proceeds to blow a damn flash in a tight room... Freakin' assbag... Nrgmfnl."

 

 

"And how would you react to having a large heavily armed bat pony on your back pummeling your chest?"

[Senor Citizen 516]

@@ActFast231, "Easy. Fall over backwards, get up, stomp its ribcage. Three-step plan, quiet, and you can be sure it won't be getting up." Garrison yawned, and then leaned on the ropes, looking at Nexus."You're an enigma, Nexus. You seem like a bad sort, so vat are you doink vis goody-two-shoes over zere?"
 

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

 

 

"Easy. Fall over backwards, get up, stomp its ribcage. Three-step plan, quiet, and you can be sure it won't be getting up."

 

"OK, note to self. Don't make a habit of jumping on the backs of opponents larger than you. Armor and all, that would still hurt like hell."

 

 

 

"You're an enigma, Nexus. You seem like a bad sort, so vat are you doink vis goody-two-shoes over zere?"

 

"As bad as I am, I try to do good. I may have the skills of a hunter and assassin, but that doesn't mean I can't try to help out with those skills. Plus, considering her experiences in Delvia so far, I figure she needs all the help she can get overcoming her weaknesses." Nexus moved out of earshot of Lume.

 

"Plus...she's a friend, and one of the first ponies to show me any kind of kindness in years. She means a lot to me."

 

(I assume that is who you meant, considering that I wouldn't call Solar Flare a "goody-two-shoes")

[Senor Citizen 516]

@@ActFast231, (Got it in one!)

"I'll be honest with you, I'm sort of jealous. You know who my one friend has been since I had to disassociate with Pinkie? Red. And we're the same pony now, so that doesn't even count. I'm goink to be qviet avile, he needs to get somesink off his chest. Thank you. Where was I? Oh, yeah. You ever get the feeling everyone's out to get you? With me, it's actually true. You know how many friends I've had since birth? Two. It's sort of good, but really bad at the same time. You know? All I'm saying is, there's a rule to the Mult- ah, Universe. No matter how badly off you are, there can and will be someone who has it worse."

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

"I think we all have had our fair share of hardships. And these hardships have had an unfortunate effect on who we are now. We chose to take this path in life for our own reasons. But that doesn't have to rule who you are and how you behave. Look at me, I had to watch everything and everypony I knew taken away by changelings as a teen. I spent the next 16 years training myself in combat and survival to aid my futile revenge quest. But even so, I still always offer assistance to those who need it, be it through my medical expertise or through search and rescue operations. I always try to be as polite and helpful as I can be, even if I can't always be so. I bet you that if you-both of you-just tried being more open, more friendly, ponies would be more willing to be your friend. And don't be discouraged by failure or rejection, less you become bitter and hateful. There's somepony for everypony, even for the mercs, hunters, killers, and warriors of this world." 

[Senor Citizen 516]

@@ActFast231 Garrison looked at Nexus for a long moment, then burst out laughing. "Who do YOU know that would want to be friends with a half-psychotic, eight-hoof-tall monster? Face it, friend, because I did a long time ago. We are a package deal, a literal relationship dead end. There is nopony. NOPONY that would EVER want to be friends with a freak like us, for good reason. Red lets me talk, most of the time, he's a quiet sort. But he's always got two bits, and he's always going to stick 'em in. Even if somepony were to, for whatever twisted reason, like ME, they'd have Red to contend with as well. And Red, you are absolutely my best friend, but to pretty much everyone else you're a pain in the ass." He sighed. "The only good thing is, friends are a liability. You want to break a pony, kidnap his wife and send him a piece of leg every day for a week. Oh- See? That wasn't even my THOUGHT, and it still ended up with me saying it! Sorry. You vere talkink about friends beink liabilities."

Edited July 18, 2013 by baman

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

It was Nexus' turn to laugh.

 

"You think YOU'RE a freak? I met a unicorn mare that believed the changelings to be divine and tried to summon the queen by dripping her own blood onto her own severed horn. I learned this after she brought me to her room under the guise that she was offering a contract. She then tried to seduce me, to get my armor off for...that and when I refused, she tried to stab me through it, saying that 'the heretic must be destroyed for the divine glory of Queen Chrysalis. She ended up falling on her own blade when I shoved her off. So believe me, I've met worse. For what it's worth, you two are alright. A bit violent and eccentric, but alright."

[Senor Citizen 516]

@@ActFast231, "I appreciate the effort." Garrison turned away from Nexus. "Every word about me a bald-faced lie, but it was an attempt." He looked back. "Dead end, buddy. Literally. You get to know me, there's one way out. Not a threat, just a sad fact. You want to read something that'll make you question everything you've ever known, come see me after training."

Edited July 18, 2013 by baman

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

The tone he carried gave Nexus pause. He questioned if this was something he really wanted to get himself into. What secret could he know that is bad enough that only allowed...one way out?

 

"I'll consider that. But before anything I think there are some...things that I need get off my chest with Lume. If you catch my drift." 

[Senor Citizen 516]

@@ActFast231, "All right, you two can have a convo. But I want you to think long and hard about whether you want to do this. Once you're in, you don't come out. If you catch my drift." Garrison left.

Are you sure you want to do this?

Worst case scenario is he hasn't got the spark, we kill him and activate the failsafe.

You're rationalizing. Are you sure?

...Yes.

Edited July 18, 2013 by baman

[Lume WMj 228]

Looking around a bit, they pointed out the training knife. "Over zere, sort of under ze hammer sing."

 

Lume looked over the general direction Garrison pointed at, her vision still a bit blurry. She went closer to inspect the hammer they mentioned, and soon spotted the training knife, partly visible under the stack of equipment. "Ah, there it is~" And she grabbed it.

 

Upon turning around, she saw Nexus and Garrison talking. She didn't know exactly about what since she'd only been able to hear a few bits of the conversation from where she was in the room. Not wanting to be nosy and interrupt, she just stood there looking around and pretending she wasn't interested, when in fact, she was very interested. Garrison, for instance, looked somewhat troubled, speaking loudly every now and then. Lume felt guilty.

 

Are they talking about me? Oh dear... I think I offended them... What if Nexus thinks I'm a jerk now?? Ugh, I kinda was... Worry showed up evidently in her expression. For the second time since she arrived Delvia, she needed badly to apologize. However, the merged mercenaries left the room before she could say anything. Apparently, the training was over.

 

Cautiously, the earth mare trotted over to Nexus. "Um... What was that about?"

 

@@ActFast231

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

Nexus watched as he walked away, still uneasy about what he said. He was curious, but this seemed like it could lead to his death. And while the hunter has fought many different creatures, he wasn't sure he could take Garrison on in a straight up fight. He l

 

 

 

Cautiously, the earth mare trotted over to Nexus. "Um... What was that about?"

 

Nexus immediately noticed the concern on her face and now he had another worry plaguing his mind.

 

"Yeah, we were just discussing some things. I may see him later about...something." He said with a shrug. He looked over to Solar, and quietly lead them to the other end of the training room, out of earshot.

 

"I think...maybe we should have that talk now, considering training is more or less. There are some things that need to get out into the open." Nexus was shuffling in place rather nervously, taking a sudden interest in the wooden grain of the weapon rack next to them.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@@ActFast231, Solar Flare watched the conversation with interest and a hint of pity for both of the participants in it. He sighed and turned to Nexus. "I do not recommend meeting with them right now. I suspect of something, and I do not think that it would be a good idea to be distracted by it when we have a dangerous mission to prepare for." He bowed. "I am going to... go now. A five minute break. Be ready when I come back." He sighed and headed upstairs.

[Lume WMj 228]

@@ActFast231

 

"Yeah, we were just discussing some things. I may see him later about...something."

 

"Something...?" Lume said, somewhat disappointed with the brief answer. She suspected their conversation had been more than 'something', but then again, she didn't want to be too much nosy. It was his conversation, and she should respect his space. But still, curiosity was killing. She would find a way to speak with Garrison later somehow.

 

Then, Nexus looked over at the Inquisitor and led Lume a little farther away from him.

 

"I think...maybe we should have that talk now, considering training is more or less. There are some things that need to get out into the open."

 

She started feeling nervous herself. Indeed, with the training in a seeming break, the two could have their talk. She then noticed how nervous Nexus became as well. "Yeah... We should... talk." She agreed, before Inquisitor Solar Flare approached.

 

"I do not recommend meeting with them right now. I suspect of something, and I do not think that it would be a good idea to be distracted by it when we have a dangerous mission to prepare for." He bowed. "I am going to... go now. A five minute break. Be ready when I come back."

 

The earth mare blinked. It seemed like everypony was uneasy about the conversation between Garrison and Nexus. Perhaps for different reasons, but she was quite worried anyway. After Solar Flare left the room, the two lovebirds were alone in privacy at last. Five minutes was the time they had to spare. Lume began shaking in place once again, unconsciously tapping one of her hooves on the floor.

 

"So... Yeah!... We should talk... Heh..."

Edited July 18, 2013 by Lume~WMJ

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

Nexus watched as Solar Flare left, and looked back to Lume, trying to not look extremely nervous...and failing. His heart was beating so fast it was almost audible. But armor tends to dampen sound. Speaking of, Nexus removed his helmet, and set it aside.

 

"Alright, well, I-I figured what uh, what those feelings were. And ummm, it came as a shock. I think...well, you have been very kind to me, more than anypony has before, except maybe my parents, but, you know...anyway, you're v-very kind, and um, pretty, as well. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I..."

 

Celestia above why is this so hard to get out? Come on man, it's not like you have doubt in this department, so just pony up and get it out!

 

"S-sorry, this is very, um, foreign to me. i don't really have experience in this field, a-and getting this off my chest is tougher than I thought, but I mean that should show how much of an effect you had on-"

 

And with that, Nexus began to ramble nervously. 

[Lume WMj 228]

@@ActFast231

 

Lume gradually ceased shaking when she noticed Nexus' uncomfortable situation when trying to tell her what he wanted to. She pulled out a smile and gently placed her hoof over his mouth.

 

"I love you." She said quietly, her smile getting larger.

 

The earth mare's face was almost entirely covered by the reddish tone at that point. She decided to stop postponing and tell him what she felt once for all without thinking too much about it. Gladly, it worked. She turned away from him. "And it's crazy, you know... I never thought I'd feel that way for anypony, much less right now, right here... It's been messing up my thoughts, thus messing up my mental and physical stability because of my Tarot power. It took a while for me to understand, but now... everything makes sense. I just needed to get this off my chest, to open up with you. I just needed to clear off these fears and doubts in my mind. Perhaps I just needed... you."

 

"But then again, this worries me. Quite a lot. Solar Flare just remembered us that we have a dangerous mission to prepare for. This is a freaking battlefield after all. We couldn't... we shouldn't have those kinds of feelings for each other. It might put in risk our survival. Heck, it might even put in risk the rest of our group!" Lume sat down, the worry in her eyes ever prevailing. "I just... I just don't know what to do..." She lowered her head.

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

Nexus was quickly silenced by a hoof on his mouth, his face growing a much more vivid red.

 

 

 

"I love you." She said quietly, her smile getting larger.

 

For a second there, he could of sworn his heart stopped beating. He immediately relaxed, his own feature taking on a large grin of their own.

 

 

 

"And it's crazy, you know... I never thought I'd feel that way for anypony, much less right now, right here... It's been messing up my thoughts, thus messing up my mental and physical stability because of my Tarot power. It took a while for me to understand, but now... everything makes sense. I just needed to get this off my chest, to open up with you. I just needed to clear off these fears and doubts in my mind. Perhaps I just needed... you."

 

That warmed his entire body. He felt like he finally did something worth while. He finally did some good. And the reward was something he could only dream about until today.

 

 

 

"But then again, this worries me. Quite a lot. Solar Flare just remembered us that we have a dangerous mission to prepare for. This is a freaking battlefield after all. We couldn't... we shouldn't have those kinds of feelings for each other. It might put in risk our survival. Heck, it might even put in risk the rest of our group!"

 

She had a point. This was not exactly the most appropriate time to fall in love. Guess love cares not for your convenience. He thought about it...for a second, before Lume reacted.

 

 

 

Lume sat down, the worry in her eyes ever prevailing. "I just... I just don't know what to do..." She lowered her head.

 

Nexus sat down next to her, wrapping a bat wing around her and bringing her close.

 

"I love you too. Don't worry too much about it. Between the two of us, we'll figure something out." He used a hoof to gently lift her head up to meet his gaze.

 

"Remember what I said when you came to me to apologize? We're in this together. We watch each others backs, and we're there for each other when we fall. I meant it then and I mean it now. Whatever happens, I'm here for you. Always." He  brought her in for a hug, both with forelegs and wings.

[Lume WMj 228]

@@ActFast231 

 

"I love you too. Don't worry too much about it. Between the two of us, we'll figure something out."

 

Lume's eyes sparkled and suddenly she felt her body's temperature rising again. Indeed, the feeling was mutual. And she couldn't believe how happy she was, and how relieved she was knowing that. She had the goofiest smile on her face at that point.

 

"Remember what I said when you came to me to apologize? We're in this together. We watch each others backs, and we're there for each other when we fall. I meant it then and I mean it now. Whatever happens, I'm here for you. Always." He  brought her in for a hug, both with forelegs and wings.

 

She let herself enjoy the moment, and soon wrapped her own forelegs around Nexus as well. "Thank you, Nexus... You're the best." Her eyes watering. Finally, she was able to open up and clearly express her feelings with all the words she wanted to include. And with that out of the way, it seemed like all of her problems and worries disappeared. Except for not knowing what to do next. But perhaps time would tell better than anypony else.

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

 

 

She let herself enjoy the moment, and soon wrapped her own forelegs around Nexus as well. "Thank you, Nexus... You're the best." Her eyes watering.

 

Nexus smiled warmly in the embrace, relieved that he finally got it out. He finally achieved something he hasn't done since his youth. He had somepony to love. And not just anypony, but a beautiful, intelligent mare.

 

"Thank you Lume, for helping me recover what I lost years ago." He said warmly.

 

"We'll find a way to make this work. I promise you that."