private Land of Shadows

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

Red sat and watched everypony around him, some talking, others still eating. Red knew that his friends from the Odyssey were here, but in his state of mind, was not in the mood to chat. He got up from his table and trotted over to the lake, where the Manehattan sun was painting itself across the sky. A brilliant mix of orange and purple which was absorbed by the calm, soothing waters of the lake, and reflected brightly by the ripples and waves. Red sat there, and felt pain in the fact that this moment right here could have been a calm and romantic moment with Neon. But sadly, it couldn't be this way.

 

(500th post in the RP! YAY!)

Edited August 3, 2013 by Joey Slowgano

[Budding Night 1,043]

(YAY! Already 500 posts  )

 

@@Sterling Crimson

 

As Evening ate quietly next to her husband, her thoughts were happy but her heart was throbbing. Not like that she was upset over the wedding, the sort when you are feeling really bad from the inside when you have absolute no reason to. A Chill came up her spine, she straighted up and looked behind her; nothing. It wasn't particularly cold either, but Evening wrote it off as a random chill, as they always were.

 

~

 

'You read how it's dark. It's darker than usual. I should get to it now, before its too late to do anything'

 

~

 

A small breeze made a noise behind her, along with a small sort of buzzing noise. The purple mares shoulder was suddenly hit by a wave of static as a hoof lay gently down on her coat, she slightly jumped and turned around, knowing who was behind her. It was her special guest she had brought from long away

"Hello" she breathed, smiling. Her voice was a tad lower than most female voices, but not low enough to be mistaken for a males voice. Evening smiled back at her

"Hello" she replied, her voice was croaky, she coughed and shook her head. She looked back at her and saw the knowing smile that she always gave her. 

 

Evening semi-turned herself so she was facing both Sterling and her at the same time

"This is my Husband, Sterling Crimson" she said, smiling at Sterling calmingly, even though her stomach felt like it was boiling. Her friend smiled at him

"Sterling, this is.." Evening looked at her desperately, she didn't know what to say, when she looked at Evening she caught on

"I'm.." she said, turning her head back to Sterling "I'm Cryptic." she rushed, giving a weak smile to Sterling "Cryptic Night, lovely to meet you. I've heard a lot about you and your great sacrifice" Cryptic Night? Well, it was a good a name as any. 'Cryptic' gave a friendly nod to Sterling and turned back to Evening

"Evening, I need to talk to you. I'll you'll excuse us, Sterling"

 

After both of them giving a smile to Sterling, they walked off a bit away from where everypony was. Cryptic may have been a few years younger than her, but she was nearly just as tall. Her green eyes looked tense from behind her brown glasses, there was a static in the air between them with every move she made, but it wasn't from her tension, it had always been like that between them, and it always would be.

 

They stopped when the crowd of ponies were just hearable, Cryptic turned towards her with a small sigh, sad eyes but she was smiling. Evenings instinct was telling her to worry everything out, but she knew this girl, she was never to worry too much when she was around. The static air between them was a strange feeling but it.. soothing, to know that it was around.

Edited August 4, 2013 by Budding Night

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

DJ had been chatting to Vinyl for most of the evening. They had both loved the joke with Sterling, which was partly Vinyl's idea, and were looking forward to getting the party started. "Wow! I'm really thirsty all of a sudden!" Vinyl exclaimed randomly. "I've got a surprise for you, DJ!" Using her magic, a bottle appeared in the air next to her. "Want some?" she asked.

 

When he saw the bottle, DJ's eyes went wide with fear. "Vinyl... put the bottle away..." he managed to say, his eyes fixed on the bottle.

 

Vinyl was confused by his sudden change in mood. "What's wrong? I thought you'd be more than happy to see this again!" She opened the bottle and poured herself a glass of cider.

 

"NO! Vinyl you do NOT want to drink that particular cider! Not even a glass of it!"

 

Vinyl giggled. "What's wrong? It's not that bad, is it?" Before DJ could do anything, she drank the whole glass. She grinned, enjoying the taste. "See, DJ? It tastes jusht... jusht..." Suddenly Vinyl's eyes drooped and her head fell back against her chair, as she quickly fell asleep.

 

DJ facehoofed himself. "Why in Equestria did I bring that back from the boat?" he asked himself. "It should have stayed where it was...."

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@, 

 

Neon took a sip of some cider she had ordered and sighed. She looked around and saw Sterling, just Sterling, where was Evening? She must of been talking to somepony Neon thought. She decided she would go say congrats to Sterling now that he wasn't surrounded by everypony. She got up and started to walk over when she saw DJ, she walked over to him and laughed a bit "Nice DJing you did, well till you put on the boring music" Neon was about to turn away when she saw Vinyl "Uh, is she okay?"  

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

@PinkieShyFlutterPie

 

"Thanks. I was just giving Sterling his wedding present in a style that I thought was more 'fitting'," DJ replied with a grin. When Neon asked him about Vinyl, he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, you remember that cider I found on the ship? I brought some back with me, and Vinyl got hold of it. She'll be fine..." He glanced back at Vinyl, who was fast asleep in her chair. "...I guess..."

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@,

 

Neon listened as DJ explained what happened. When he was done she laughed "So Vinyl got passed out from this stuff? Wow is it strong" Neon looked over at Vinyl and laughed some more, more then she should have "Sorry, i'm laughing way to much. Anyways, i was on my way to say congrats to Sterling...So i'll go do so!" 

Edited August 4, 2013 by PinkieShyFlutterPie

[Inactive01 5,299]

@Budding Night

 

Sterling saw Evening leave with a certain blue mare... she approached Evening very suddenly and she broke their moment of intimacy under the dusky sky of Manehattan. Sterling was worried by this blue mare, even if she looked... nice enough. Nice wasn't the term Sterling would use. He was slightly disappointed that their intimacy was ruined temporarily, but if the business was important, then so be it. If she knew about his sacrifice and if she knew them both, then he couldn't go against her greetings. 

 

While the two left to what seemed like private chatter, Sterling couldn't help but ponder again about his past. The blue mare... he used to play with her every day as a duet on the piano... He placed his hoof onto the side of his head as he continued to ponder why she could possibly want to be performing here. It made absolutely no sense considering what happened... Still, his anger overflowed in him as he then banged his head onto his table. It was just too much to bear. Why... how... If only he could just shoo her away... but everypony would know about that... the last thing he wanted... Dr. Thorrington and Mr. Hayfield were already beginning to raise their eyebrows after his change in attitude since his graduation...

----------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

@lincolnshirepony

(OOC: Hey Lincoln. Here's another flashback for us to try out)

 

 

 

It was October. Sterling was still in his first year of medical school in the University of Manehattan. The ponies continued to blather nonsense and vitriol against him, but he didn't care. He had a friend by his side... a blue mare with a wavy dark blue mane. He was currently at the piano room, a room supported by dark brown hardwood and surrounded by bright cream walls. The new Steinhay and Sons was just recently purchased by the University in hopes of upgrading their already well established music department. He was very excited to try out the piano with her, and he was waiting for her to arrive. They would be playing duet piano soon enough, the perfect way for Sterling to get away from all the troubles of the University of Manehattan...

Edited August 4, 2013 by Sterling Crimson

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@@Sterling Crimson, 

 

Neon walked over to Sterling, she was smiling and about to say hi when she saw he was upset and banging his head on the table. She walked up to Sterling and waved "Hey! You...Alright? I just came to say congrats and all" Neon looked around "Oh, and where is Evening?" 

[Love*Potion 575]

Kismet didn't know what to do, but she figured sitting here alone in the moonlight wasn't helping. Breathing in a deep sigh, she heaved herself onto her hooves and began to wander around the park. She weaved her way through the crowds of ponies; some sitting and enjoying their meals, some standing around and enjoying their conversations. It seemed as though everypony were having a good time.

 

"Good," Kismet thought to herself, "Evening and Sterling deserve the perfect night."

 

She walked a ways more until she reached a beautiful pond, reflecting the moonlight off and glittering in wonder. Kismet took the opportunity to sit and gaze out onto the lake, soaking in the moonlight. Suddenly she didn't feel so alone. She felt peaceful here, and content. 

 

"I wonder which of Evening's friends I will meet next? I know... well Sterling of course, and... ummm... (what was his name?) the little blue one..."

 

She looked up back toward the reception area.

 

"That's him over there...!"

 

 

((@@Zhooves,))

Edited August 4, 2013 by Love*Potion

[Inactive01 5,299]

@PinkieShyFlutterPie

 

Sterling continued to look down towards his table as he recollected his polarizing past. A duality of darkness and light, of hate and love, and of betrayal and trust. The more he thought about it, the worse he felt. It was wedding day! He had to forget about his past! He was starting a new life with Evening! 

 

At that moment, he could hear a voice from the distance. Another familiar voice... Was it Neon? It was! Sterling quickly pulled himself up from the table, surprised at Neon's sudden entrance. He was beginning to show fear that he was venting his frustration on a most frabjous of days... Sterling composed quickly, hoping that Neon didn't see. When she asked him about what happened, it was too late... Sterling had to find some diversion away from his gestures... he gave Neon a sheepish smile and spoke nervously,

 

"Hey Neon! Everything's just fine! And thanks very much for the congratulations! Evening's gone with somepony about a private matter. Not sure what exactly... It's left me nervous about what she would do, even if she were a friend of Evening's..." 

[Zhooves 843]

@@Love*Potion, 

Sitting there alone for a while, he let out a big yawn. Having been up all day and a good chunk of last night was very tiring on him. Taking a look around, he spotted a pony that looked familiar. Finding nothing better to do, and having a need to find himself some more peace and quiet, he dropped off of his seat, and slowly and nervously, without a word making his way over next to Kismet...

"...'ello." he said, touching the water with a hoof as he looked out over the lake with somewhat empty eyes.

Edited August 4, 2013 by Zhooves

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@@Sterling Crimson,

 

"Well i guess i'll just say hi and congrats to Evening after...And, i'm sure everything is fine with her" Neon said to Sterling. "Are you sure everything is okay?" Neon asked. Just a little wile ago he seemed all happy, which he should be, its his wedding day after all.

[Inactive01 5,299]

@PinkieShyFlutterPie

 

Sterling was feeling slightly calmer now. He could see the concern in Neon's face; after all, he was supposed to be enjoying himself! He'd probably never see again after today, and that would! He nodded to himself with a smile of contentment and replied,

 

"Yes. Now that you say it, everything's fine. I just hope Evie will be fine too after the conversation, although I still have this bad feeling something bad will happen... Oh well. I shan't interfere with their private conversations. I'll just finish up here and wait. You should congratulate Evie too! She's been so happy and I'm sure she'd love some congratulations from her friends!"

Edited August 4, 2013 by Sterling Crimson

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@@Sterling Crimson,

 

 "You have a feeling something bad will happen? Well...Maybe you just need to have some cider and calm down. DJ has some of that strong cider from the ship, that will really calm you down!" She laughed a bit then looked over at Vinyl sleeping then turned back to Sterling "The cider made Vinyl real relaxed as you can see...Anyways, yea, i'll say congrats to Evening as soon as i see her!" 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@PinkieShyFlutterPie

 

Sterling chuckled nervously when the word "cider" was mentioned. Ever since he saw DJ in a drunken fit after drinking that cider, AND after what happened long ago with his parents' allergies to cider, he didn't want to take that chance. Still, it WAS wedding day... and... he didn't want to be impolite... 

 

"Umm... I... I guess I could have a sip huh? Umm... which... which one's best?" replied a very nervous Sterling. Deep inside, he wasn't sure whether it was a good idea or not... 

 

All of a sudden however, Sterling heard another pair of voices calling out to him from the distance! It was his parents, Front Page and Bubble Gum! Sterling got up from his seat, excused himself to Neon and ran up to them before giving them a group hug!

 

"Mom! Dad! You made it!"

"Well of course we'd make it! Why in Equestria would we miss our only son't wedding?! Silly Sterling!" chuckled Front Page. It WAS pretty silly of Sterling to be surprised his parents would make it...

"Oh son! We're so proud of you! We really do hope that all we taught you will serve you well in your new life with Evening! Still, if you need any help, you're free to contact us! We'll still be in Manehattan!" spoke Bubble with her usual giddy voice.

"Oh thanks mom! I... I still can't believe this day's arrived though! I feel... so blessed to be here today!" 

"Well son! After all that travelling and fighting you did to get here today, you ARE blessed indeed! Do you have your speech ready Sterling?"

Yep! Right here!" Sterling then took out a nearly scrunched piece of paper from his tuxedo pocket. Front Page merely gave him a headshake.

"Son... it's a very important speech! You can't speak in front of hundreds with a crumpled piece of paper!" replied Front with slight frustration in his voice.

"Oh dear... it's the speech that matters! We already went through his speech numerous times even before the wedding! I'm sure Sterling will do wonderfully... even with the scrunched up paper..." replied Bubble Gum with an assuring smile on her face. 

"Well... I guess so. It's just that it's a one time thing! You can't mess this up Sterling! Like the time you tried to present about ginseng... Ugh..." 

Sterling chuckled with a blush upon his face after being reminded of THAT... let's just say that Sterling had to improvise everything for his university presentation... and it didn't go well.

"Yes... I remember that dad. It won't happen again. Trust me. I have the speech memorized!" 

"Good Sterling! We'll be at the dinner tables near the stage if you need us before your speech tonight! I also have to prepare one of my own... Hahaha!" 

 

Sterling then waved back at Front Page and Bubble Gum as they walked happily away to their seats... He then turned back to his dinner table, continuing to wonder not only when Evening would be done chatting, but also whether he could find some way to avoid seeing that mare tonight...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note was waiting for her time to perform. Something felt off about the night, but she dismissed it as her nerves. She did not want to be here and was starting to wonder if she even should be here. After all, Sterling had hurt her when it counted most.

 

But now wasn't the time to think about that. She was about to perform. It was one of the only things that had made her feel at ease with the world. Besides, she couldn't hold it against Sterling, not when she still loved him. He was one of the most important ponies in shaping her life, and he had given her more hope than anypony. She would give anything to go back and fix things, even if only to keep their friendship alive. No matter how much she tried to suppress it, she couldn't stop hoping for him to come back.

 

"I am playing a piece that he loves. Perhaps it will make him happy." She thought back to all the time times she had seen Sterling happy and smiling. "He has such a nice smile..."

 

Blue Note's mind wandered to a happier place, which was something that she preferred to happen before a performance. It helped her keep herself together. She went back to a chilly fall morning, when life had been brighter than ever before...

 

 

@Sterling Crimson

 

Blue Note was running through the paths of the University of Manehatten campus. It was a cold morning, so she had thought to wear a pretty, purple scarf. She was excited to play on the new piano the department had just ordered, and thought that it would be a perfect time to show Sterling a piano duet she had been working on. Everything was working in her favor these days, or at least more so than before. She had a wonderful friend, and a chance to study what she was meant to do. The naysayers would always be there, but nothing could stop her on a day this glorious. The sun's warmth would break through soon enough.

 

She went into the music building, and practically ran to the practice rooms. Blue Note burst into the room Sterling was waiting in. "Sorry I'm late. I was up until 2 working on this duet that would not get out of my head." She paused a moment to compose herself. "So, ready to try this out?"

Edited August 5, 2013 by lincolnshirepony

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@@Sterling Crimson,

 

Neon laughed a bit "You don't have to have some cider if you don't want to. But, if you do i would say-" She was saying when Sterling's family came. "See yea later" Neon said so Sterling could be with his family, she wasn't sure he heard her tho. She walked back to her table then took a sip of her cider. She looked around to see if there was anypony to talk to, that's when she noticed Red seemed to be gone again, she wondered where he had gone. 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Steel was so happy for his friends. He was just as happy that Clover was now with him officially. He had to admit that Sterling's comment had him thinking about his future with her. How long would they honestly last? What did their future hold. Despite Princess Celestia's blessing, he couldn't help but shake a sense of ominous was in his stomach.

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

Red sat there for a good amount of time, just watching the sun set over the lake. Of course, he knew he'd have to go back to the party sooner or later, so he got up and headed back, just in time for the live performances. He walked past Neon @PinkieShyFlutterPie, and wished for a way to make things better between the two.

Wasting my time, Red thought to himself. How could trying to win back the mare I love be wasting my time?

[Love*Potion 575]

((@@Zhooves,)) 

 

 

Kismet flinched back at the sound of the blue colt's voice.

 

"North!" Kismet said, suddenly remembering his name. "How did you get here??" she paused - "I mean... I you're quick..." she gulped, feeling foolish. With a cute, quirky smile she said:

 

"It's nice to see you."

 

Kismet was never too good with social situations, especially with new ponies. Sighing inwardly, she waited for a response. In the meantime, she gazed forward deep off the glowing horizon, shimmering with the moonlight.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Clover sipped from a glass of punch slowly. Despite her talk with Steel, she was still worrying about the future. Not just her impending alicornhood but also the relationship with Steel. How should she act? Would her inexperience drive him away into the hooves of another, more experienced mare? She had no way of telling.

[Zhooves 843]

@@Love*Potion, 

Not taking his eyes off of the lake, he lifted his hoof back up from the water, rubbing his fore-head with it.

"Mh, nice to see you too... Somepony I believe to be friendly..." he said, before he yawned lightly. He blinked a few times before looking up at her with half-shut eyes. "Came here for a little more... Peace, I guess. I can still hear half of the ponies from here though...".

[Love*Potion 575]

((@@Zhooves,)) 

 

Kismet breathed a quiet laugh, "I know what you mean. Weddings are great and all, and I'm happy for Sterling and Evening, but it can be quite intimidating. Especially since all of Equestria is either here or watching it on live television..."

 

Kismet paused and looked back to the lake.

 

"It's nice to feel a bit of tranquility before heading back to the real world." She said, barely louder than a whisper. She looked down at the blue colt, his eyes heavy.

 

"You guys must have had quite an adventure. If you don't mind me asking, what happened? From what Evening told me, you guys and the other  - survivors - became very close...."

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

@PinkieShyFlutterPie

 

Red stood, watching the performers, with Neon Strobe a few feet away from him.

Come on, dammit, he thought in his head, Grow a pair and talk to her. You want to make things right with her, right?

Red, however, felt that talking to her right now would just make things worse.

Do it, no balls, the voice said, I said "no balls," so you have to do it now.

Red just stood there, awkwardly, watching the performers on stage, when he finally decided to talk.

"...Hi Neon," he said to her, "Enjoying yourself so far?"

[Zhooves 843]

@@Love*Potion, 

Listening as Evening spoke, he seemed to be thinking a little bit before yawning again.

"Hm, yeah... Big boat... Loud noise, followed by chaos... Then I was taken to this island, where the others met and got together... I... We found another big boat that we used to get from island to island, encountering what I guess one could call challenges along the way... When we got back to the mainland, the others learned that something had happened while we were gone... We went to investigate, defeated the pony that were the cause of the trouble, and here we be..." he said, before taking a deep breath. "Not something a pony easily forgets." he continued, with a slight smile.