2/24/16; Knight and Lady

Gleaming Echo woke up fairly early that morning and for the n(th) time in the last month he wondered why some part of him still felt oddly tired. The pony hardly let it disrupt his day, though! His robes were as clan as well... he could spell them. A cultist of Lady Nightmare did need to have pride in their membership! Of course he was just a traitor, but... well, he might just be sentimental that way. Then again without the robes he would look really awkward wearing the reforged pieces of the raiment. ~ Almost like he was trying to imitate the princesses? Nnnnope! The robs along with the armor gave him rather nice lordly look in some ways he liked to believe. Delusions of course, it was a small miracle that nopony had connected the dots! -- The cultist returned to the inn with a small bag of delightful confectioneries he picked up at some cheery shop made to look like what he assumed was some sort of gingerbread house. Was it edible? Shaking that thought. ~ Was anypony awake?

Yunalesca. Even as morning came to shine unwanted through her room's window, the alicorn remained comfortably snuggled in bed. She was, to emphasize again, not a morning pony in the least, and after a late night- however brief the walk, she was more inclined to stay in bed. It was comfortable there, warm, yet the more awake she became the more she realized there was no chance of getting back to sleep. Her stomach was beginning to growl at her, as though backing up this point. Yuna grumbled to herself and finally threw off the covers after a moment to roll out of bed. She straightened her mane as best she could and put on her shawl; there could be no walking about bare-winged under the sun. Her hairbands and bangles were added for good measure before Yuna could step out of her room and wander down the hall, out into the lobby.

Gleaming Echo perked his ears as the very first pony he saw upon entering the door was Lady Yuna! His muzzle parted in a cheerful smile as he bowed his head in greeting. "Good morning Lady Yunalesca! Did you sleep well?" The stallion asked as the bag of pastries floated to the fore. The sight of the alicorn member of his party caused him to momentarily forget his 'mission of food-obtaining.' It was when the bag floated just into sight in the corner of his eye that he went, "Aaah! I almost forgot! I went out and got some delightful confectioneries from one of the local shops. Want some? Not the healthiest of breakfasts but quite tasty."

Yunalesca squinted a little when she entered the brighter lobby, where the sound of Gleam's voice reached her before her eyes registered him. Cheery as usual. "Yeah, kinda." She replied, her gaze briefly flicking to the bag- a silent question that was soon answered when he remembered it was there. Her stomach immediately demanded a sacrifice and she approached, perking up at the promise of food. "It sounds good to me. What did you get?" It had probably been too long since she'd had anything sugary, and it sounded a treat.

Gleaming Echo levitated the bag over to Yuna and let her look through the contents. "Some cupcakes, apple strudel, donuts, cake donuts... Oooh those are gooood! Uh... I also have a few cinnamon twist type pastries." He tried to recall what he had and, well, he seemed to have managed it. Of course he missed a few things but they weren't quite as important, right? There were a few eclair pastries with some delightful strawberry filling he was told, and then little things called donut holes.. An ingenious use for the dough on the inside of the donut, haha!

Yunalesca leaned forward to peer inside at the great assortment of sweets within as he rattled through a list. "You had me at cupcakes." Cinnamon sounded good too, but it was the icing that called to her. He had offered, so she need not ask as she levitated out one of the cupcakes and gently nudged the bag with a hoof to float it back towards him. Yuna took a bite from her cupcake first, preferring to get something in her stomach first before she bothered to talk again. "So how well did you sleep?" She was curious if he knew of Tarnished's little late night wakings, or anything of that sort.

Gleaming Echo beamed when he heard that Yuna had been 'had' at cupcakes! So that was one of his three companions that were happy with the selection! Of course he had no idea where the other two were nor if they were even hungry. Then again the saddle arabian likely wouldn't want anything anyways. Always accusing him of putting stuff in his food! That was more Tarnished's schtick anyways! The question was met by a touch of hesitation however he shrugged. "I slept fine, I think... I felt rather strangely tired when I first woke up but now that I've been out and about a little I don't feel quite as bad." Tarnished had either not told him or hadn't had a chance to. The dark half was oddly quiet... perhaps dormant or sleeping?

Yunalesca took another bite of her cupcake and felt a little frosting clinging to her upper lip. She ignored it until she'd eaten the piece, sticking her tongue out to lick it away. She paused when Gleam expressed such, which didn't seem so surprising to her. "Tired?" Yuna echoed, dropping her cupcake a little away from her mouth. She stuck her tongue out again to search her upper lip for any missed icing as she thought- he clearly didn't know anything, but she didn't have to tell him everything either. "Have you ever considered it might be because Tarnished is awake at night?"

Gleaming Echo inclined his head and watched the alicorn as she took a second bite of the cupcake and found his attention focused on a little icing that lingered on her upper lip. "Aaadorable." would be muttered only for the unicorn to go stiff like a board. Did he reeeeally just say that out loud?! Really?! The unicorn quickly averted his gaze and let out a bit of a cough. However that embarrassment was washed to the side as something she else hit him. Tarnished was... awake? Could he do that?! The good half of the pony laid his ears flat. "I-I hope he hasn't been doing anything... problematic." he'd say with an unsure voice.

Yunalesca froze for a moment when he muttered that- she wasn't entirely sure she'd heard correctly, but it was almost a repeat of last night. She peered at his face with some curiosity when he looked away. Oho. "Oh, no, not really." The alicorn said vaguely, but she was thinking of last night. The things Tarnished had said, she'd promised to keep those secret. The teasing too, probably. "I had a chance to talk to him when I couldn't sleep, and he just explained why the cultists wouldn't be able to toss us into another nightmare again. Not right away, anyway." Yuna shrugged and took another bite of her cupcake. That was all that happened, yep~.

Gleaming Echo blinked owlishly but then smiled some. "I'm happy that he was able to be of help when I could not. He likes to believe he's only the evil half but he's.... just as much of a pony as I am... Or rather, perhaps I'm just as much of a pony as he? Who even knows who the 'original' was anymore! He needs a friend just as much as anypony else... Perhaps even more so than I." The unicorn turned and took a few steps only to turn back to the alicorn once again. "Want another cupcake?" he offered as he gained a somewhat far-off look upon his muzzle. "Tarnished was likely right about anything he said. Both of us have the memories of instruction on dream magic. He likely remembers far more than me...."

Yunalesca finished her sweet treat while Gleam talked, noting his opinion on Tarnished- one that somewhat seemed to mirror her own of last night. The dark half was indeed still a pony, still had his own feelings. She grunted and eyed the bag he still held. "You tempt me. Maybe we can go out walking or something, I don't want to stay inside this inn for too long. It's stifling." Yuna commented and stood up, silent for a brief moment. "He.. does. Er, that is I'd like to consider him a friend but I don't entirely know what he thinks. He did explain something about it taking a lot of magic and some such."

Gleaming Echo sighed. "I... Perhaps that is true." he'd say with a somewhat unsure tone of voice. "Ever since that day my memories have been somewhat off. Memories of magic, some of my friends ~ lost... Other things I'll never know I miss. I assume that those memories went to Tarnished but it isn't like I'd know." That was another reason he was called idiot? He had the horrible tendency to 'forget' things he tried to learn! "A walk sounds lovely, though!" He turned about face and headed to open the door for Yuna. Once outside he deferred to the alicorn what direction to go since it was 'her' walk he was joining in on!

Yunalesca figured that their two other friends were either still asleep, or had already gotten up and wandered off somewhere. Either way, they could find their own breakfast. She hummed in thought and started for the door, moving past Gleam to peer around at the streets. She honestly had no idea where to go in this town, but her habit of travel often kept her from staying in one place too long. And being under a building's roof again was odd. "Do you ever regret that happening at all? The day you became.. two?"

Gleaming Echo shook his head as he followed just one step behind the alicorn and to the side. "Not one bit... If it weren't for the split I would have lost my mind much the same as everypony else in Lady Moon's... service... " He didn't think it was safe to mention cultists right in the middle of Ponyville during the day! "If it weren't for that then I'd never have caught on with what was causing the change in everypony, would likely have not thought about escaping, and thus wouldn't have been able to help you. I suppose even if I did have a modicum of regret I would never renege upon what happened. My frie....companions are too important to me." he smiled.

Yunalesca's mouth dropped open in a small gap of surprise as he brought all of that up. Of course. If it weren't for his duality, she would still be locked up- perhaps going mad with the rest of them. The alicorn shuddered and finally came to a halt when the quick switch between 'friend' and 'companion' cropped up again. It was understandable coming from Tarnished, but not from Gleam. "This is.. true, but I've got to ask. Are we friends? I can't help but notice how you always seem to.. hesitate."

Gleaming Echo never even noticed her expression when he dumped that load of information upon her! With a shiver that ran down his body the unicorn shook himself, tail flicking at the very thought of being consumed by the same madness the rest seemed to have been. Even in the nightmare they still were as... broken... as they were before. When the alicorn asked her question though his ears perked. "I wanted to say but... I didn't want to assume. I mean, as much as we don't get along Distant Lightning does have a point... Who would trust a madpony? Friends trust each-other don't they. Who can trust me when half the time I can't even trust in myself?"

Yunalesca looked troubled and silently promised to herself to punch Lightning for it later. For all his pompous rambling and polite restraint, he still had a way of saying the jerkiest of things to the ponies around him! She didn't know why, nor did she care; she was feeling a little vicious. "I trust you. I didn't at first, honestly, because you were with.. them," Yuna meant the cultists, of course, she picked up his earlier avoidance, "but even with an evil half, I.. er, do. You can't go through a dangerous, almost life-ending struggle with somepony and still not." Yuna turned herself more fully to him and put her forehooves on his shoulders. "Buck Lightning. He's a loser. I've got every reason to trust you, 'madpony' or not."

Gleaming Echo looked to the alicorn almost as surprised as his own dark half that she seemed to be quite so willing to.. trust him, befriend him even! Perhaps he shouldn't be so surprised given what the had to go through. However that train of thought was brought to a halt as she put her forehooves upon his shoulders. His eyes widened but he definitely couldn't hold back the smile. He sat back and picked his own fore-hooves up to wrap around the alicorn in a hug. "Thank you Lady Yuna. That means far more to me than you know." After all, his only friends from before think him a traitor.... It helped a lot to know that he had at least one pony as a friend even if he were a madpony like Lightning said.

Yunalesca never liked feeling like garbage because of what others thought of her, or rather what they might think of her anyway. Unlike her, however, Gleam used to have friends and not only that, was called such a name by somepony who ought to be an adult. Clearly Lightning wasn't. "Besides, you said you'd protect me and you.. have. I'm not sure if other ponies would.. so. You know. I think after everything, you're-.." Yuna found herself pulled into a hug. It'd been far too long since she'd ever been hugged. She relaxed a little in it. "I'm glad." Yuna was used to being alone, had grown used to it, but there was also the matter of loneliness too. She normally didn't have the guts to approach others, but here she had someone she could consider a friend, especially because he was accepting of her. What she was. Why not return the favor?

Gleaming Echo rest his head upon the mare's shoulder even as in some part of his mind the now active Tarnished was torn inexplicably between sheer jealousy and being freaked out because he was jealous of an embrace of all things. At least their current location was out of the way so they wouldn't draw too much attention to! "I said I'd protect you... and by all means I'll protect you til the last breath might leave my body, that much I decry... Not every madman can say they serve their own 'princess' or 'fair maiden." the cultist winked playfully. There were many connotations to that that could be taken many different ways. Did he know that? Was it influence from that troll of a Tar?

Yunalesca's eyes widened at that quiet vow. He would die for her? Her forelegs, now around his shoulders after being pulled into his embrace, tightened a little, briefly. She didn't know how to respond to that. She didn't even know what to think about it. He didn't have to die for her, he wouldn't have to; she knew him well enough by now that she didn't want to lose him. Such a thought was bleak, and she knew that well enough after experiencing such visions of terrible things to come as she did. Yuna released her hold, leaning back and was met by that wink. She wasn't familiar with Gleam winking, only Tarnished. Still, it probably was the thing that finally lead her to doing what came next: she kissed him.

Gleaming Echo didn't have sight upon her eyes to see her eyes widen when he made that vow. He had lost well... everything leaving the cult! He still had his abilities, some bits, and of course the raiment. But what did he actually have? Friends are what made the bleak situation look all the more survivable? He was serious when he said he would die for her. He likely seriously would, she was his friend after all! Gleam and Tarnished were two sides of the same coin! It made sense that they did act like each-other in certain ways. Almost like 'brothers' sharing a body? An odd thought but it was somewhat accurate-ish? The moment she kissed him though all mental activity came to a screeching halt and there might have been the sound of 'glass' breaking. Poor light half of the stallion was blushing like mad even as he brought a hoof up and pulled the mare in for an embrace and a return kiss... He had to do it before he lost his nerves! Tar almost demanded it!

Yunalesca might have flung all reasoning out the window when she'd kissed him, but it just seemed.. the correct response? It was by far the nicest thing anypony could say to her, who had thought herself a freak for so long, though she'd rather nopony die. In fact, she hoped they never got into a dire enough situation. Yuna froze up again when she was pulled closer and kissed back- that she hadn't expected. If she had a moment to think of why she had- had it been out of gratefulness? maybe because there was a chance she liked him? It would have been a weird thought, but she hadn't the chance. Perhaps later when she could think rationally again. Yuna wrapped her front legs around the back of his neck, enjoying something rare.

Gleaming Echo eventually broke that kiss and pulled back. That as when the gravity of what he'd just done smacked him right in the face. Said face turned quite cherry red as the cultist pony gaped like a fish in a quite comical way. He stayed that way for almost three minutes before his posture shifted and his eyes changed into slit pupils. Seems Tar had come out to play! "Our poor Gleam's brain has, for the moment, suffered a catastrophic overload." he'd say with a somewhat more quiet than normal voice. "I can't honestly blame him, a kiss from such a lovely mare is no small thing indeed..." the dark half of the pony grinned impishly.

Yunalesca opened her eyes once it was over, and saw that Gleam was blushing viciously. Oops. She was blushing too, but it seemed she was.. on a bit of a roll with breaking one or the other of the dual stallion. "I, er.." The alicorn began, but Gleam seemed frozen up until his eyes changed to mark Tarnished's appearance. She didn't remove her forelegs, but stayed put, her cheeks becoming a shade redder as he spoke. Yuna was a bit speechless, herself, but she had to say something. "I.. bet. Whoops."

Gleaming Echo continued to hold the alicorn himself. Tar was still honestly a little jealous that the idiot was able to kiss the mare not once but twice! While a large part of him was conflicted on the thought of wanting one for himself he chuckled. Yes, ye did want one! He couldn't let the idiot one-up him. He'd never hear the end of it! "I do hope you don't mind, Lady Yunalesca but.. mm." he'd start with a playful growl only to lean in for a kiss of his own! Of course he had to be a lot more careful due to the rather dagger-like nature of his teeth! Didn't want to do something and hurt her!

Yunalesca watched the pseudo nightmare curiously, unsure of what to do next until he moved in with that growl. It was probably impossible for her cheeks to blush any brighter, but she didn't refuse him. The alicorn pressed close again and returned Tarnished's kiss with a little thrill, running one forehoof up to his long mane. She'd never seen any stallion with such long hair- it was nice. There was the notable presence of Tarnished's sharp teeth but so far none of them hurt.

Gleaming Echo eventually pulled back just enough that their muzzles parted and was sporting one of the biggest gins, yet the grin didn't have any sort of malice to it. "So that is what a kiss is like... I suppose I might have been hasty writing off that holiday..." he'd say with a reluctant glower as he leaned in and nudged the mare softly. The hoof that traveled up to his mane was allowed to do whatever the alicorn so wished. Bopping him on the head, petting through his mane... whatever! Even the dark half of the pony was forced to admit he was enjoying this... far more than he thought he would. Damn 'influence of the idiot'!

Yunalesca reopened her eyes again once Tarnished pulled away, grinning. She had to smile a little herself, and started to idly stroke a hoof down his mane. "Yeah." She murmured and made a soft noise in her throat at the nudge. The alicorn thought to lean back up and bumped his nose with her own, chuckling to herself. At the moment, she didn't care if anypony saw- there didn't seem to be any around, anyway. That was fine with her. Yuna tilted her head and planted a single kiss on his cheek, for the lack of anything better to say.

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a hum as her hoof idly stroked down his mane. That was rather... nice! Not that the dark side would be quick to admit such of course! But the thing was... now what did he do? Tarnished had no idea just how this type of thing usually went! Gleam was the half of him that likely retained those memories! Alas, it seemed he'd have to improvise! "Hmmm... perhaps we should cut this delightful walk short... I believe I might like a... what did the ponies call it on that day? Oh yes... a c-cuddle?" Oh yes he could feel his 'evil' score plummet the very moment those words. Then again he was re-heartened since his 'evility' would recover! After all - Gleam had gone unresponsive and when he came to... if they were in one of the bedrooms cuddling with Yuna the light half of him might freak out! Hehehehe that would be too perfect!

Yunalesca stared at Tarnished for a moment, trying to process if she'd really heard him say that. He wanted to cuddle. Her smile became an amused one- it was too bad about the walk, but they could do that just about any hour of the day when neither of them had anything important to tend to. No jobs, nothing. Well, she technically had one but that was a 'whenever she felt like it or needed the money' thing. "Oh, uh, sure. I'm just not sure how the whole cuddling thing works, though." Yuna admitted with a little shrug, her hoof ceasing its stroking of his mane.

Gleaming Echo quirked his head to the side. "Neither do I! So I believe we'll be juuust fine! Gleam's expression when he gets out of his stupor will be hilarious to if we're already in the midst of c-cuddles! If we're lucky he might get shocked into a coma again!" he cheerfully grinned some as he leaned in and nudged the mare once again with his nose. He brought back his forelegs and, should she do the same, dropped back down to all fours! Thus the cheery dark half plotted the embarrassment of his light half. What a good uh... other half... younger brother? Body double? Uh... confusing! In any case the dark gleam was leading the way.

Yunalesca huffed a quiet laugh at that, leaning into the nudge briefly before she dropped her own front legs, having been released from his embrace. While he started off, taking the lead, the alicorn thought to stop and snatch up the bag of confections- dropped and forgotten after their little makeout. She didn't think either of them would want to forget them to go to waste. Yuna quickened her step to catch up to him, just until she was at his side. "So, where to?"

Gleaming Echo turned to look at the concealed alicorn and smirked some. "Mmmm.. well... We could go to your room, my room... or your cart even. I'm sure any of those places would be private enough would they not? Perhaps we could flip a bit or... toss a dice to decide, but I don't have any dice..." he rumbled teasingly at the alicorn as she joined him walking. His attention turned to the bag that was floating with Yuna and he blinked owlishly. "Would have been a crying shame leaving those behind... But then again." he paused and grinned a cheshire grin. "I have found myself in a far more interesting situation... Not at all unpleasant either."

Yunalesca faltered a moment the second he spoke of rooms, and her cart. Privacy. There was no harm in that, surely, it wasn't like cuddling in public was all that ideal. She forced herself to start walking again before she lingered too long, puzzling over the question. Whatever bit of blush had faded returned and she shook out her mane to cover her face from any prying, stranger's eyes. "The cart is a little out in the open, it might be kinda.. questionable. One of the rooms might do." Yuna finally answered with a little cough. "No funny business."

Gleaming Echo wouldn't have been able to bat his eyelashes at the alicorn. "Funny business? Moi? Why, I'm the perfect picture of evil civility! Thy need not worry about keeping thine virtue!" he was being a bit of a ham, but that was a bit of a coping mechanism because his own blush was back and he still had no idea how to deal with something like that! Thus they arrived back at the inn and he'd open the door for the mare. Both doors, actually. The door to the inn itself and then his own room! Might as well use his right? "Hmm... robe on or no?" he inclined his head. Technically none would be quite fine, he was just the odd one wearing robes. Not having them would just freak out Gleam even more when he came to! He was EVIL! So very EVIL!

Yunalesca cleared her throat when she heard his response and found herself speechless. This was fine. She at least had a confirmation nothing would go too far- that was a thing she didn't think she would be ready for, for a long time. The alicorn followed Tarnished into the inn, a roof she had aimed to escape just a short time prior, but even a short walk did her a little good. She canted her head at him when he mentioned his robe; she had little idea that he meant to freak Gleam out in that manner. He had made mention of it, but it didn't really cross her mind. Yuna slipped into the bedroom in question, hesitating a moment at the realization of where she was, but she forced her legs into motion again. The bag of confections was set aside on a bed-side table while she waited to see what Tarnished was going to do.

Gleaming Echo hummed some and stared at the bed. Confound it! It was too small to do a good cuddle! He looked to the chair and... Oh! There was a pretty good sized couch! Not as fun as having Gleam regain consciousness on a bed next to Yuna though... That would have been bucking hilarious! "Okay.. couch will do..." he rumbled and smirked. Deciding the 'buck it all' approach the cultist shifted and extracted himself from the robes and the shoe part of the reforged raiment. Thus in the end he was left with just the chestpiece on. Just so he wouldn't start experiencing the negative effects of having taken the armor off...To note that would probably be the first time she would see his cutie mark too! The stallion shook himself and hopped up on the large couch where he flopped over and tapped said couch to have her join!

Yunalesca couldn't help but eye the stallion some when he started to take off his shoes, and the robe. She'd never seen him without his robe on, let alone what he looked like underneath. His cutiemark was a curious one, as were the stripes on his back. Something like her own, though they were numerous and a few shades darker than her coat. Yuna followed him to the couch in the corner and settled herself down beside him at his invitation, leaning close. A hoof moved towards the raiment around his neck, simple curiosity, but she didn't touch it. "How come you still carry this around? If it was driving the cultists mad, wouldn't it do the same.. ?" Yuna left the question up to interpretation: to them, to nearby ponies. Anypony, really.

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a grimace. "We kind-of sorta discovered on the third night after our glorious escape that taking it off might... well ~ Have some ill effects now." the dark half of the pony sighed as he leaned against the mare and settled down comfortably with his head on a foreleg. "If the armor is taken off we will start to go through increasingly rapid mana loss. too much of that and we start to experience mana depletion and could eventually slip into a coma. If we get fully drained... well... not entirely sure what would happen. A pony is only corrupted as long as the armor is worn, and even then it is only the bearer. Long as you nor the others put it on you will be unaffected..." The dark unicorn shifted a foreleg to drape over the mare in a loose embrace. The embraces were admittedly enjoyable.

Yunalesca grimaced when the raiment's curse became apparent through his explanation. A coma? "It must be uncomfortable to wear it all the time, but.. I can see why." She said, finally dropping her hoof onto its metallic surface just to touch it. It was implied it was safe, as she had no intention of putting it on. Yuna held back a shudder at the thought and moved her hoof up his neck to his cheek at the feeling of his own around her. "Do you think there'll ever be away to do away with that or is it just something impossible?"

Gleaming Echo made a bit of a face. "There likely could be. The issue is caused by Lady Nightmare's corruption lingering inside the artifact. If it could be cleansed in some way then it might be well... possible." The dark half of the pony smirked and playfully nuzzled the hoof that had moved to his cheek. He shifted and rest his head somewhat right up against hers if he could! He pulled the mare close and all but snuggled right up. "Unfortunately... Those that we would ask likely would not be very happy with the presence of a 'new nightmare'..."

Yunalesca made a quiet 'mm' noise in thought, quiet as he pressed close and pulled her close in turn. The alicorn turned her head a little, just to leave a small kiss on the side of his muzzle. "The princesses?" She asked at last. "It.. doesn't seem to pose too much of a problem, I guess. Potentially life ending if you're separated but," Yuna fell quiet, considering the possibilities, "if the situation ever does change and you're dying because of it, there may be no other choice. It's not like its your fault that this thing was made. Besides, the cultists are a bit of a problem aren't they?" She exhaled through her nose at their mention and nuzzled against his face.

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a croon and tried to force back the blush that threatened to light his face back up when she placed that small kiss upon the side of his muzzle. "It would have to be them... Gleam had pondered what would happen if we were hit with the death laser of friendship but apparently they lost the elements or something." the dark pony waved a hoof and then he tensed and a wide grin stole over his features. Sadly he was unable to finish answering her questions! "Oh ~ Ohohoho! Gleam is starting to wake! Let's see how this goes." And with that the dark pony pulled his hoof back and laid his head on his crossed forelegs. After roughly half a minute the pony once again began to stir. His eyes opened to see his bedroom at the inn and he blinked. "Oooh... What a nice dream! I wish it were real...." the light half of the pony sighed as he stared out across the room. However he soon realized that he was resting against something warm.. and.. breathing?!
Gleaming Echo turned his head and came to a sudden stop when he saw. "L-Lady Y-Y-Yuna?!" He was.... cuddled up against Lady Yuna! The poor light half was decidedly overwhelmed by this rather quickly and oh... Was there a tiny bit of blood coming from his nose? He remained right there. Wide-eyed with tiny pupils contracted to tiny specs... Gleam.exe has suffered a catastrophic meltdown... He remained like that for another good five minutes before he suddenly blinked and it seemed tar was back under control. The dark pony burst out into evil 'giggles'? The look on his face! Lucky there was a mirror across the way. "He's really blown out now!" The dark pony took lots of sadistic pleasure in this.

Yunalesca chuckled lightly at his reaction before becoming a little serious. She had something to say about that, but she had no chance- Gleam was waking up. She quirked a brow but remained silent while the other half took control of the body, and overheard a muttering about the kiss being but a good dream. Yuna let a smile slip at that. "Hello, Gleam. Uh.." Any questions of concern have been lost upon the unicorn. He'd broke again. "Why does he keep freaking out like that?" Yuna asked Tarnished once he'd retaken control, grimacing a little at the blood. She thought to slip off her shawl, using the underside to dab at his nose and followed his gaze to the mirror. O-Oh. "Well."

Gleaming Echo let out an amused snort. "The idiot is the closest thing to 'innocent' that we can be. As you know I have all of the emotions that would be considered 'impure'.... " Tarnished let out a sigh and his ears fell back. "To put it simply he is just... overwhelmed. Passion is in a bit of a grey area where we are concerned... And with passion comes other emotions... Emotions our rent asunder psyche is having trouble dealing with. I am not so easy to flummox as he is, thus here I am still." he smirked, conveniently forgetting about his freak-out episode... It also helped that he had a larger heaping of the emotions in question since he did know lust....Not quite the right emotion but close, right?

Yunalesca wasn't so easily fooled, either, but a hoof drifted up in front of her mouth when Tarnished explained exactly why. It was dropped again, as with her now slightly bloody shawl. Innocent? Poor Gleam. Yuna moved her forelegs up to wrap around Tarnished's shoulders again, leaning close to his face. "What, like I startled you last night?" Yuna pointed out with a quirked eyebrow. It almost sounded like a challenge, to her, but not one she'd act on- unless to prove him wrong, now that such a barrier of physical affection was past. "Mm, I guess I'll just have to get him used to it.. er, but I wouldn't want him to end up hurting himself either."

Gleaming Echo twitched visibly whenever the little 'hiccup' of his last night had been mentioned. "As much as it pains me, yes. And again, never mention that to anypony!.. However I have been able to rebound from the shock and here we are... Letting me torment the poor fool I share a body with is a plus too! Such marvelous stress relief!" he smirked some only to shift when the alicorn wrapped her forelegs around his shoulders one again. He mirrored that action and pressed up against the mare, offering a fanged grin. "Mmm...The longer it takes to get him used to it... the more often I'll be able to sneak out." The stallion leaned in and nuzzled the mare.

Yunalesca chortled softly, shaking her head and leaning in to his nuzzling. "Yeah, I won't tell anypony.. but I would have to say, you are evil." She snorted. "I can't see how passion can possibly be considered impure. Maybe some aspects of it, but," Yuna shrugged, uncertain. "Speaking of, I do have a few more questions." Such a prime moment like this, without the other two to get in the way or distract her from such a conversation, she could finally ask him.. whatever. "Why do you call Gleam an idiot?" Yuna asked at last. "He's a bit of a goof, I know that, but I haven't figured out why."

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a sound and his expression fell. "A... I... Several reasons I guess." he let out a grump and stare past the alicorn at the mirror where Gleam could be seen sitting with that dopey vacant look. "Gleam hardly looks before he leaps, for one... He'll dive into a fight as soon as he can play hero. He also.. well, only an idiot would have wanted to steal the raiment of Nightmare Moon given how it is cursed... But alas he did so, and we're stuck with it. I also suppose it might be just... what I call him." The dark pony was admittedly conflicted on a lot of things where that was concerned.

Yunalesca quirked an eyebrow at the pseudo nightmare and briefly glanced across the way at the mirror. Poor Gleam. She thought again as she turned her gaze back upon his other half. "Huh, I see. If I understand correctly about why, he must have been pretty desperate. I think he mentioned friends in the cult before?" Yuna said questioningly, head tilting. "Still, it's.. probably a good thing that he did what he did. None of us would be here now if he hadn't." The alicorn grimaced again at that thought of being trapped and leaned her head against the side of his neck.

Gleaming Echo quirked his head and turned back to Yuna. "That is... true. But even if he had the best intentions the fool has also doomed us both to harbor a cursed object lest our magic drain from our body." the dark half grumped and rest his head against the mare, using her as a bit of a pillow... Quite the comfortable one too! "I don't know the laws against possession of objects of a dark magical nature, but I bet you they are likely restricted if not forbidden. If it weren't for the spells we have on it I bet a unicorn would have already been able to feel the energy the raiment gives off."

Yunalesca's ears flicked back against her dark mane, but pondered that regardless. If they hadn't, it must give off a terrible aura. Almost like Nightmare Moon herself- she remembered that terrible, dark dread. "If it ever becomes a problem.." The alicorn trailed off, referring to what she'd spoken of earlier. If it needed dealing with, if they needed help, they'd have to find the princesses. Nopony else could help. Yuna tilted her head just a little under his, considering a different topic. She peeked over at his flank- not for any bad reason, but for the cutiemark. "I saw your, er, Gleam's? Whoever's it is cutiemark. I've never seen anything like it before. What's your special talent? Out of curiosity."

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a smile and nodded, tail giving a good swish. "And... We'll ~ Appreciate the support if that ever happened." The pseudo-nightmare smiled and then looked to follow her gaze to his cutie mark. "It actually used to be different.." he'd say with an odd tone of voice. "Gleam's mark became that whenever our psyche...broke. A cutie mark represent's a pony's special talent and...well, neither of us are the original. I figure the mark now simply has to deal with Gleam and myself... Two halves of the same whole but where that lays in our talent I've yet to divine..." he sighed as he studied the mark. "The robes were quite handy when it came to concealing the change in mark."

Yunalesca pulled her head back for a moment to gape at him. The answer had surprised her that much, and she just didn't.. was it possible for cutiemarks to even do that? Change? She closed her mouth and stared, confused. "I.. wow. I didn't think that could.. happen." Her eyebrows knitted down and she looked at it a little longer, the intertwining bands of gold and purple. Huh. Yuna settled back against him, shuffling her wings against her back into a more comfortable position. "Could go digging for information on that, or something. But, uh, I do realize I've been drilling you both with questions. Asking about magic, about yourselves.. You're free to ask me the same if there's anything you want to know."

Gleaming Echo waved a hoof and shrugged. "I somewhat doubt there have been many ponies to suffer a full psyche split to the point that we have. Even Nightmare Moon was still Luna through and through... just fueled with darkness and jealousy, no?... We acknowledge we're two different ponies... perhaps even brothers in a very twisted sense. I don't know cutie mark Lore to have a concrete answer to that...." With that the stallion fell quiet and looked to the mare as she offered information herself. "Hmm.. I do have an idea as to why, but I hate to assume..... Why do you truly hide the fact that you are an alicorn from everypony? Fear of being... different?"

Yunalesca listened quietly, worrying her lower lip with her teeth for a moment; cutiemark lore, surely there had to be information somewhere? Something the princesses might have or know. "Yeah, pretty much." She answered at last. "I just didn't want ponies to freak out about it, I was too scared of what they'd think, or what my village would think. I was a unicorn, and suddenly I have wings." Yuna paused, mulling over her feelings on the subject. "I didn't want the attention, especially since a new princess had cropped up to be crowned in Canterlot. All that stuff, too."

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a sigh. "Dear Yuna..... " he began, seeming to be searching for the proper words. "You mustn't let popular opinion weigh so heavily upon you." he'd say as he looked to the mare's wings and nudged one with his nose. "You have a beautiful pair of wings, yet you know not how to use them." he'd say as his attention returned to her. "Alicorn are generally revered... perhaps even worshiped when it comes to the cultists and the temple of the sun. Your form is nothing that you need to be ashamed of nor hide from." he'd say with an amused expression. "Only those who have done something great can become an alicorn..." he'd drift off only to let out a bit of a sound. "Something that I could never do." he continued with a small shake of his head. "Do you want to stay on the ground, fearing exposure for your life? Or do you want to fly? Be free? I'm sure ponies would come from far and wide to have their fortunes told by an alicorn too." he smirked.

Yunalesca had to look up at that endearment, stilled while he spoke his reassurances. A small blush returned to her cheeks and she looked away, down at her wings- one of which she spread out to admire the white-tipped feathers. "I always thought about flying. What it'd be like. Sometimes just for the sake of getting away." Yuna murmured, smiling faintly at the image that Tarnished had brought to mind. That would be an interesting thing, ponies seeking out her help as a fortune teller deliberately because of her alicornhood. "Dusk could probably teach me how. I suppose its just a matter of facing my fears." She deliberately left out Lightning as an option; he always seemed to have some snobby ramble to go on. Yuna snorted and faced Tarnished again, leaning up to plant a kiss on his cheek. "I'm sure you can."

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a snort. "Do I look like a pony that could be selfless enough? Our magical prowess is also fractured just as mightily as our mind is..." he'd ask with a bit of a chuckle. "I'm quite sure Miss Dusk would be willing to teach you how to fly. I'm not sure how different the nuances would be between wings like hers and wings like yours, though." he'd hum in thought only to grin. "Alright, we need a means to help you face your fears? Why... I'll stay with you and so will the idiot. If somepony has a problem with you I can just blast them into the chaos age! It shall be the mightiest of evil deterrent! "

Yunalesca was serious when she expressed this, and her gaze did not waver from the stallion. The matter of wings was briefly considered- yes, there was a chance, but it had to be about the same thing, right? If not.. maybe she'd have to talk to Lightning, but that meant she couldn't punch him for all the times he'd called Gleam a madpony. Choices. She thought with a grump. "I think you could be, but I do appreciate that. Maybe I could try to go out with my wings uncovered.." The idea still made her balk a little, but that was the deal with facing ones fears, wasn't it? "I'd appreciate it."

Gleaming Echo hugged the mare just a little tighter and grinned wide, almost impishly! "Yes! Going outside would be a marvelous first step. And anypony that causes trouble can find out the hard way what happens when their tail is lit on fire!" he had that cheshire grin again... "The best of evil of bodyguards I shall be!" the dark pony chuckled as he flicked his tail and envisioned shoving fiery orbs of doom in places the sun doesn't shine... Especially if they came across Distant and he made an untoward comment about Lady Yuna! Hehehehe.....

Yunalesca shook her head a little when Tarnished when on his little tirade, but it at least made him sound more like himself. As long as he was happy, it didn't matter to her either way; but it was kind of funny. He really tried. And to think she used to be a little scared, and a little freaked out, by the whole split personality thing! "I'm sure you will be." Yuna murmured, her smile widening as she reached up to stroke back his mane; such gentle affection, it'd been too long to the point she'd been starved for it.

Gleaming Echo hummed and leaned his head into the stroking hoof. One of his own raised up to brush through Yuna's own mane a few times. Then there was suddenly a bit of a playful glint in his eye as he got a dangerous idea. He shifted and wrapped his hooves around the alicorn once again. He rolled onto his back and gently pulled Yuna up until she was partially resting on top of/leaning on him! One foreleg draped over and stroked gently at her wing as he adopted a slightly more smug look and cheekily gave the alicorn a peck of a kiss.

Yunalesca closed her eyes to the hoof stroking through her mane, relishing how nice it felt. Her own hoof had been dropped as she focused on it, but such a thing would not last very long. When his hooves wrapped around her, she expected it to be another embrace.. until he leaned back and pulled her with him. She let out an amusing squeak of a sound and blushed bright when she realized where she was now. "Oh, uh.. whoa." Yuna uttered, making a muffled noise when she was given a kiss. She snorted at his cheekiness and dipped down to return one. "Funny, I didn't see this coming."

Gleaming Echo let out a chuckle and smiled at the return kiss.... "Good... Because..." he'd start only to blink and his smile grew again. "Oooooh...Sleeping beauty is awake again! This will be goooooood!" The dark half closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "That was weird..." he'd mutter only to open his eyes and find himself staring directly into Yuna's own unless she had moved. His muzzle opened and closed a few times as the sheer shock of this position hit him like a freight train. "I-I... T-t-tar took c-control again?" he'd ask as he looked up at the alicorn while his muzzle started to resemble a cherry.... poor Gleam...

Yunalesca. Surprise flitted across the alicorn's face upon the announcement that Gleam was finally coming to again. "Oh." She immediately clammed up the second the two seemed to change, and instead of Tarnished's growling voice issuing from their shared body, it was Gleam's softer one. He didn't crash this time, not like before, but he seemed to be in quite some shock. Yuna was torn terribly between going along with Tarnished's little joke, or just being honest. "Well, he did, yes." She admitted and glanced off to the side, biting her lower lip. Yuna didn't want to end up destroying Gleam. "I-It's not what you think." A weird thought occurred to her then, perhaps a stupid one, but she had to wonder: with a pony struck with such a duality like this, how did that even work?

Gleaming Echo wouldn't have been able to help but let out a bit of an 'eep'.... "G-Good... s-so nothing u-untoward right?" he'd ask even as he actually found his hooves lifting to wrap around the mare. Tar was likely to blame for that and Gleam did find he rather... liked the feeling. "J-just laying here?" he questioned with a horrible, horrible blush. He glanced across the room at the mirror only to see Tar with a shit-eating grin trying to hold back his laughs.

Yunalesca's blush darkened a little and she looked away only once his hooves moved up around her. The mirror was given a glance, and she had to try her hardest to bite back a smile; some of it still slipped through anyway. Evil. "N-no. Nothing like that. This uh, this is new." The alicorn finally explained, returning her gaze to the blushing unicorn. Recalling what he'd muttered earlier the first time he'd come to, Yuna thought to address that. "It wasn't a dream, you know." Yuna leaned her head down towards him, as though she was about to kiss him, but stopped short of it.

Gleaming Echo was gaping like something akin to a fish still even as he laid with Lady Yuna on top. The unicorn's blush grew even worse though. What a position this was for them both! He didn't know whether to praise Tarnished or curse him into the bowels of Tartarus for this! Oooh, Lady Yuna was quite soft! U-u-uh wha? His brain shorted for a moment as the overwhelmed unicorn's blush turned his muzzle into the likeness of a cherry. He returned his attention to Lady Yuna and found her muzzle just inches from his like... w-was she going to kiss again! If much more blood went to his head he'd be passing out again! "It wasn't?" he'd manage even as Tar cried out in frustration somewhere.

Yunalesca watched Gleam's reaction with steadily growing amusement as she recovered from the awkwardness of his questions. His face had become so red! She was surprised his nose hadn't started bleeding again as it had earlier, but it was a good thing it didn't. Yuna was smiling by the time he turned back to her, almost playfully so. "No, it wasn't." Her voice was soft, and she considered doing so again- but ultimately she decided against it. She didn't back away from his face, however. "It was for, uh, a few reasons I suppose, but I had to."

Silent Dusk heard something behind the door she passed, so out of curiosity opened the door, stuck her head inside, looked at the two as she blinked and tilted her head, then slowly retreated her head going. "Nope, nope, nope, nope. nope." and closed the door again.

Gleaming Echo looked up at Yuna and then he heard a sound of damnation! The door opened! And alas sticking her head in the door was Silent! The unicorn's eyes widened almost comically. "T-This isn't what it..." and the Thestral had 'noped' out. The unicorn developed a bit of a twitch at the uproarious laughter sounding throughout his head. Oh yes, such a perfect development! Just so... so funny! The dark half of the pony was in stitches! Thankfully Gleam didn't KO or something!

Yunalesca was distracted from any further teasing when she, too, heard the opening of the door. The alicorn looked up after Gleam did, her eyes widening when she caught the brief visage of their thestral companion before she disappeared behind the closing of the door. She couldn't have made herself speak up in time, she was too thrown by the shock of discovery. They... Dusk.. she probably thought the wrong things. Yuna's cheeks grew red and she coughed, shaking her head as though she was straightening her mane. Her gaze briefly flicked to the mirror, drawn by the movement within, and saw that Tarnished seemed to be laughing. "Oh Celestia." Yuna muttered and turned back to Gleam. "Are you.. okay?"

Silent Dusk trotted towards her room and bucked the door closed, then moved to the bathroom and turned on the cold water, grumbling as she moved under it followed by a squeal at the cold. "Luna buck me sideways they.. they just.. why was that so... ugh lucky son of a... at least some of us get laid."

Distant Lightning was exhausted from all this tomfoolery, these and tics. At least he managed to find one book that guided his interests. He cared not where the others went at this time, so long as he had the solace to read it. He had removed his vest, his monocle held by his own accountability. He choose to lay himself on the inn's bed, knowing if it fell it was safe. His cufflinks were laid over his vest, folded nearby his saddlebag. He unbraided his mane and spent hours combing it, and his tail, out as he read. The flowing locks of claret were for more voluminous than one would assume, but the male kept it tightly bound and out of harm;s way. Though cutting it would be easier, it went against his family's traditions to cut even a strand of one's mane, so they had inventive ways of decorating it and tying them back.
Distant Lightning laid with the book against his chest, the pillows situated so he could rest on his back. His wings were splayed out so they were how crushed beneath his weight. The gold-fletched feathers of orange and red were like a cashmere cloak, but in such a position it was more a king's quilt. His forehooves held up his book, hind, left foot balancing his pocket watch. "And with the madgod was sealed in stone..." He finished reading, eyes narrowing as he pondered the book. "It seems Equestria is ripe for cults and madgods..." He muttered, left hoof scratching at his chin. He snapped the book closed and rolled to his side as his wings pulled in.
Distant Lightning resting on his stomach he flicked out his tail, the curtain of scarlet raining down over his pelt as he face planted the fort of pillows. "This tells me nothing of their culture, just their violent magic...." He groaned. He just laid there a bit, feeling irritation, tail twitching to indicate such.

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a groan and just let his head fall back to stare upwards. "Well... That's a thing now, isn't it..." he let out a sigh and brought a hoof up to press against his head. Tar was still rolling on the reflected floor of the hotel room and laughing his flank off in the mean time. To the point that the so-called evil pony had tears streaming down his face. The Thestral's face, Yuna's face... GLEAM's face! It was beautiful! "I'm fine." he'd say with a bit of a sigh only to just say buck-it all and leaned up to give Yuna that kiss that had been oh so rudely interrupted..

Yunalesca bit her lower lip nervously, choosing that moment to look away again for the mirror. The way Tarnished was cracking up, it was no wonder Gleam put a hoof to his head- his laughter would probably give him a headache. The alicorn just shook her head, torn between feelings. "Do you think w-.." She was cut off midsentence as she settled her gaze back upon the unicorn beneath her, who'd kissed her abruptly. Her squeak of surprise was muffled by his lips, and once she recovered, Yuna kissed him back. Once, if, they pulled apart, she would try again to voice her question. "Do you think we should go after her.. ?" She wasn't sure what Dusk thought, or- oh, buck, what if she told Lightning what she'd assumed she saw?

Silent Dusk got out of the shower and shook her coat out, then still slightly damp she mumbled. "Buck it." as she snuck out to Lightning's room then stealthily snuck inside, noticing it open and creeped up on her unsuspecting prey, then swiftly hopped onto the prone stallion and brought her hooves around his shoulders nuzzling his neck tenderly. "Yuna and Gleam are together, so guess who I like and who might get lucky as well?"

Distant Lightning had been trying to fall asleep, but his mind was spinning with this and that. He'd have to take another trip to the library when his muscles weren't so sore. An adventurer, he was not. A weight on his bed shocked the pegasus from his daze, feathers ruffling and fur standing on end at the feeling of another form next to his own, without his permission! A familiar voice crossed his ears as he raised his head, body shivering at the ticklish touch of a snout on his neck. There was a trickle of fear that laid upon him. The words of a widow spider on his ears. He tried to find protest on his voice, but a lump had formed when a string of words created a most confounding sentence.
Distant Lightning his jaws parted, but not in the shock of the revealed actions of his heathen compatriots, but the fact that the second string of words was directed at him. Perhaps he was as mad as Gleam at this point. Certainly no mare would be speaking of him, toward him, in such a manner. "M-ma-madam!" He nickered out, head turning, but with her weight atop him, and the soft bed below, he could hardly squirm out. Given the fact his body had locked up on him given one's natural response to somepony pouncing you and assaulting you with such carnal beguilement he found himself, to what they called 'weak-kneed'. "I..I find myself without answer, but to s-sate curiosity: whom is it you hold with such passion?" Why had he asked, because he could not believe such nonsense!
Distant Lightning was well aware he was an egghead. Not fashionable. But to add he was rather insociable, to no fault of his to be fair. he moved to tuck his hooves, as if in preparation to escape. Adding to that his wings tried to find purchase and pull from his back, the claws tipping his feathered wrist wiggling nervously. Flight, fight, flight fight, flight, flight, flight! But he could only sputter uselessly: wings stiff, knees jelly, and brain a bowl of pudding.

Gleaming Echo was hardly able to help but smile some and quickly nodded as soon as she asked her question. Perhaps getting out of this situation would stop Tar's laughing... "I think that might be best... We weren't 'doing anything' per-say... Though I wouldn't mind doing this again." Tar's influence again because he actually winked at the alicorn on top of him... Before realizing what he said and blushing profusely. Damn it Tar! That was merely met by more laughing! "You can head her off and I'll slip my robes back on." he offered.

Yunalesca couldn't help but give voice to a laugh, a soft chuckle that was, and reluctantly leaned back off of him. The wink was noted, drawing a widening of the eyes before she rolled off him, the couch, and onto her hooves. She gathered up her shawl in her magic and slung it about her shoulders, but made no move to cover up her wings. After her talk with Tarnished earlier, she would give it a shot, letting it be known. Gleam, however, he didn't have to cover up.. but she knew he felt he had to anyway- whether it was the raiment, or his cutiemark.. Yuna moved towards the door, giving the mirror and its reflection a brief glance on the way out. "Dusk?" Yuna spoke to the darkness of the hall and found no sign of their bat-winged friend. She thought she might find her out here, either giggling, in shock, or listening in. It was none of those. The hall was empty, though she was sure she heard voices a couple doors down. Yuna's brow furrowed and she crept forth to listen, wondering if Dusk had spilled the beans, that weren't actually beans.

Silent Dusk almost purred into the saddle arabian's ear. "Why you you silly stallion, and gauging my your reaction Tar was wrong, you do not prefer colts over fillies." then she gave a soft nip to his neck. wiggling playfully on his back as her tail swept along his. "Just let me recharge some my handsome southern scholar and I'll let you learn anything about thestral mares into every tiny detail as much as you want this further evening."

Distant Lightning whinnied nervously, the sound escaping him before he could even verify it himself. His eyes were wide, causing his monocle to drop between his forehooves, which kneaded against the soft surface below. No matter how hard he tried to move: the primal peanut set far in his brain refused and demand he study this event! It was intriguing, but in the same this was something akin to fondling a forbidden totem. His jaw parted, before closing. He tried to move back, but anytime he did he would feel that she was ... not his imagination, to say the least on the matter. he swallowed hard, trying to exercise his voice and opinion on the matter. Always! That cursed madpony was always mentioned!
Distant Lightning stilled, because he could not move without feeling the contrast of their fur. His was short, very soft. It was suited to the hot days. And she -- was there. Obviously. "F-for yo..you're information madam... I've no compelling resolve to refute the presence of stallions or mares." Though he too had no positive experience with either to know where to place... His ears folded back, that lump forming again. "But i--" Feeling the nip at his flesh he once again felt that obnoxious sensation crawling beneath his skin. Twas invidious because he knew not what it was. No words had he to describe the odd pulse in his stomach that followed. It was a mixture of fear, and the soft touch of cake in one's muzzle. Most peculiar, foreign, and outright terrifying.
Distant Lightning turned his eyes toward Dusk. "B-but miss Dusk..." This did not seem proper. "It w-w...does you no honor." He looked about trying to find a place beside her to look. "B-b-by what do you mean??" His brain gave full stop when she inferred something beneath her offer of knowledge. Something oddly tainted, immoral. Licentious.

Yunalesca. The voices grew a little louder and clearer the closer she got to the door, a mixture of Dusk and Lightning's voices. Did she tell him then? The alicorn paused just outside the doorway, her head cocked towards the wall while one ear was focused on listening in. She felt bad for doing so, the things she heard Lightning saying made the whole situation sound private. Like her and Gleam's had been. Her face scrunched a little in thought, debating on whether or not she should just return to his room or try to tell them they were all wrong.. Her front teeth picked at her lower lip a moment and she leaned forward, peeking around the doorway. And froze. Oh. Yuna's hoof drifted up to cover her mouth without her intending it, as though to muffle any sound that might come out; surprise, bafflement, amusement.. She.. she needed to sit down for a little.

Silent Dusk giggled through her licking and drinking. "What I mean my well learned yet socially awkward pegasus. is that once I'm done with this I'll let you spend a night with me, then in the morning I'll educate you in everything thestral." so blunt yet no trickery of any kind in the bat's voice she was many things but not a liar, nor one to mince words, wings flicking as she gave his chin a nudge. "Surely you understand that more clear explanation?"

Distant Lightning was many things, but a lecher he was not. He was not a flirt nor the sort who put himself into situations where ponies would label him as a playpony, or a vigilante of the body. He was well bred, astutely raised. A whip for every ill-begotten behavior brought forth from the dregs of uneducated society. There were a number of red flags going up as Dusk met each and every goal of what not to do with stallion or mare. His jaw was parted and brain sending high levels of nope to his legs which fought viciously to move from under the pleasant weight. Wait. What? No that wasn't what he meant. Her supple form was merel-- NO! For the love of the Sandseas!
Distant Lightning's brain tried to reach a state in which it could negotiate with the rather libidinous mare. Forming words became an impossible measure. He was between a state of do not want, and not sure if want, and a requirement of the primal construct of all living creatures. But was this truly a requirement? Was it not a selfish desire valued by harlots and concubines? Did that make him a eunuch? He was an educated stallion of Saddle Arabia. He was not wont to such primitive desires. He had gotten along fine all this time! One broken heart twas enough to drive the gallant poet to drown himself in literature.
Distant Lightning felt he could address her clearly now. His mind settled and though his heart raced and his breathing a bit unsteady he was a teacher, though too a student of this world! She needn't submit to such lowly desires so he could learn who she was, or so she could know of him. Yes. He will tell her straight out. He inhaled and bade his vocals to perform with a steady rumble, paced by his higher thought process. "Okay." Dammit.

Gleaming Echo emerged from his room wrapped back up in his robes once again. Okay... So now where was Lady Yuna? The cultist moved down the hall and blinked as he caught sight of said alicorn...She'd... lowered herself down to sit? What was going on? The stallion stood back a few paces and inclined his head.... Curiosity got the better of him pretty quick to. With a curious expression he leaned around to look himself and... 'What..Da Buck?! The stallion stood there for a few moments and stared on... what in the bloody hell was - oooooh.... Silent must have gone and jumped Distant....That thought was all that was needed to send Tar reeling back in laughter in his head. Gleam was still staring though.. it was like a train wreck....

Yunalesca didn't know why she was still sitting here, listening in on something so private, but the second that she heard Dusk say something like... like.. that.. The mare froze, hoof pressed over her mouth and her eyes wide, staring. Did she really hear that? Had her ears processed that correctly? Yuna felt a presence slide next to her, but she didn't know how to acknowledge Gleam's arrival. She just sank down onto her belly and put her face in her hooves, horrified and confused. Lightning had uttered 'okay.' What had they caused, if it was them? It was probably best to retreat, but Yuna wasn't sure if she could move other than peek out.

Silent Dusk notes that in a way Yuna and Gleam had been the ahem driving force behind this course of action but she wasn't mad or anything, at hearing Lightning answer with okay she blinked and lowered her ears with a soft blush, rolling off to lay next to him while still holding on to the pegasus, licking his wounds closed and peppering his neck in kisses. "I want you to know I'm not the type to just run away from you after this Lightning, and will keep my promise." the two poor onlookers could get a good full view of bat right there as she lifted her tail out of excitement.

Distant Lightning was not sure who to blame for the current situation. His course of actions in life had led him to do naught but achieve knowledge! He was a good son, who did as his parents told him, and never overstepped his bounds. Though -- that was perhaps what left him so low on the ladder. He was never one to fight, but he did always strive through hardships for his family's honor and to push away the burdening disgrace of his sister's death. He was too young to really do anything, but neither could he stand not knowing just why she had to go. All he had ever been told was 'she was sick' He was offered excuses. 'they didn't know what it was, it was too late'. Time and time again he was pushed to his studies in the stead of talking to her grave, an empty foal without his sister.
Distant Lightning had nothing but his education. He only had his books. The one time he had opened up his heart to another, twas ripped from his chest. Thus he buried it beside his sister, finding no hope in the matters involving casual socialization with ponies. Books did not betray you. They did not lie. They did not make you feel inferior. You handled them, controlled their information, used them as you pleased. It was power that he could wield with confidence. Yet here he was in a state of helplessness. No power, staring into the face of the most peculiar pony he had ever seen.
Distant Lightning had not been taken by love at first sight. Such drivel and preposterous fantasy written into the most dull and dreary of novels. Oh, certainly he has read them. Love was in books too. Knights in shining armor. Dragon-taming heroes and ponies in distress. He swallowed again, feeling his heart choking him. This wasn't love though. It was bawdy, risque. Those distracting books depicting forbidden romance and foreign love affairs. She indeed was not a normal pony, nothing he had ever seen. but that did naught but make her -- exotic. Demure, yet candid. And honestly... she was more deserving than something so beastly.
Distant Lightning found little strength still before he pushed his tucked foreleg to raise his weight. His muzzle picked up his eyeglass and set it on the forgotten book. "Y-you do not seem the sort to flee, Miss Dusk, but I have been wrong before." He admitted. He lowered his head to press against her stomach, brushing his head in an affectionate manner. "But neither am I the sort to simply take, as I have told you." He moved up, slowly, and buried his muzzle against her neck. "It is unkind, to treat one such as you, as an object." he would continue to gently provide her attention, his left forehoof moving up to encircle her torso.

Gleaming Echo stared on.... Brain testing ~ testing brain - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5? Gleam finally managed to shake himself back into the living world and found it difficult to ~ No! Heroes don't watch this! With that rather odd thought he managed to pull himself free. He stepped back from the door and glanced at the seemingly entranced Yuna. He needed to get her away to! He nudged her to see if he'd get a response. If not then he'd pluck her up with his magic and strung her across his back only to flee back to his own bedroom once again! Tar was the one quiet in the back of his head... It seemed the sight that Silent gave the both of them broke him....for now..

Yunalesca was still a bit frozen, face half buried in her hooves. It was just getting worse now, especially since Lightning had given in and begun to reciprocate Dusk's affections. And she was still lying here, watching like some sort of.. of.. Well she didn't know, her mind was drawing a blank. She felt something nudge her side and responded slowly, her head twitching around towards Gleam. She hadn't reacted fast enough, but being pulled away and over his back was good enough for her- her sight had been cut off from the terrible scene within. Soon she was safe behind another door, in Gleam's room again, she eventually came to notice. Yuna was now at liberty to release a swear and shook herself out of her daze. "I-I can't.. even.." What are words?

Silent Dusk smiled up at the stallion and mumbled. "Some of the more excessive explanation was bravado I admit Lightning, since you're a rather big stallion go ease on a poor bat?" she had never even noticed the other two, which was probably a blessing otherwise she might have been quite quite embarrassed there, but hey big stallion right here is all good.

Distant Lightning was unsure what to do, but he could not be selfish. She was wholeheartedly providing a valuable commodity that should not be, and shan't be forsook. He had many compelling arguments as to why this action was a bad idea. They varied from her foreign blood, to her requirement of blood. Naturally her predatory behaviors sent his pony mind a scurrying, but she moved like a pony, spoke, like one and, currently, smelled like one. His muzzle was pressed close to her fur, inhaling her clean, fresh scent. Twas purely her and oddly satisfactory for the epicurean equine. Though he fought for control, mentally: he could not agree to any reasons he had for seeking to depart from the warm form.
Distant Lightning was in a bit of a half-focused daze when she spoke, her voice crawling into his senses as it seemed inclined to do. That voice of hers as well was a befuddling siren song. Bewitching. Were he not a stallion of logic he would have been insistent her words be a form of witchcraft! But such olde magic, and spellwords were greatly out of reach of pegasus. But she was no pegasus. But she was no such fiend. But she was a heathen. But she was so malleable against him. He moved to try and pull her closer to his own form, though twas becoming impossibly hot for such a chilly night!
Distant Lightning furrowed his brows, brain trying to sort her words amongst his thoughts. "Always gentle...so small." He muttered burying his face away in her neck once more. "He mustn't do her harm, he could not. "Upon my honor. She may drain ever drop of my essence upon these grounds if ever--" Something or another, for his brain faltered and he resumed the cuddling, coddling, licking, nipping, and whispering.

Gleaming Echo let out a snicker as he heard a particularly intense swear came form the alicorn! "I believe Silent may finally have managed to get Distant to submit... Maybe she can get him to stop being such a pain in the flank." he'd muse as he glanced at the mirror. Tar was quite unconscious sprawled out in the reflection with blood streaming from his nose and a rather odd grin. The sight was enough to make Gleam choke out a chuckle even as he was concerned for his darker half... Poor Tarnished....He got an eye full of too much.

Yunalesca sat back to contemplate things, things other than what they'd seen so she could get her mind back in working order. "Yeah, probably.. I'm disappointed I couldn't tell her that she didn't see what she thought she saw. There's no way I'm going back out there to interrupt them though.. I might puke." Yuna shook her head and used a hoof to sweep her hair back neatly, an almost physical representation of her getting her bearings. She took note of Gleam's glance and looked the mirror's way, faltering somewhat when she saw the state Tarnished was in. Pity she couldn't have broken him as badly as that. Yuna snorted at the thought and turned back, eyebrows raised. "Well, uh. Guess we better not let those cupcakes go to waste." Yuna indicated the bag Gleam had brought back that morning, where it had been left on its table.

Silent Dusk giggled and wondered if their companions had as good an evening as she and her southern companion seemed to be having, surely they would not have been too deterred by her interruption right? right.

Distant Lightning was unaware that any of his companions, excluding the one he was currently focused on, had been active. It was the most unearthly hours at present, so what pony was up? Well it seemed thestrals were quite nocturnal and matched up well with insomniacs. He was not tired, so such an excuse would hold no water were it presented in a pitcher, but he did find himself deep in the perilous throes of inescapable luxury. Anything he had on his mind previously of his notes, his remaining time seemed a trite arbitrary in the face of the unexpected literary achievements he currently partook in.
Distant Lightning had been read by Dusk and her earlier queries of his lack of personal amusement. Books could only provide for two of the six, or more senses, held within a pony. For current he had no knowledge of what sense connected to where, but the insurmountable intemperance was quite -- fun. Sands be praised.

Gleaming Echo let out a bit a blush and scuffed a hoof. "Yeah.. puke..." he'd say only to have a full-body shiver and looked towards the bag of treats. "Y-yes... Lets partake upon the sweet confectionaries and try to f-f-forget that which we saw!" The unicorn actually made to lean back against the alicorn as he summoned the bag, pulling out a cupcake for both himself and alicorn. The stallion took a bite and let out a sigh.

Yunalesca flicked an ear Gleam's way, trying to determine his tone and mood as he seized upon her suggestion and brought over the sweets. She idly leaned back up against him, more accustomed to his touch now than she had been that morning before she'd ever bothered to roll out of bed. Yuna took her cupcake with some gratefulness and bit into it, chewing it over slowly to savor it. Down it went and Yuna extended a wing to gently nudge the unicorn, his sigh catching her attention easily in the silence. "What's the matter?"

Silent Dusk shrugged off her thoughts and guessed they'd enjoy their night well enough, chuckling from him while he was occupied with his senses, thinking that exploring and using all your senses was quite fun indeed, being nocturnal was great.

Distant Lightning had no thoughts considering the vagrants at this point, as he was muzzle deep in another brigand's fur. How far has he fallen? His mind was spiraling out of control as he was no longer able to argue with himself, let alone think. His luxurious, silken tail danced this way and that. The memorizing threads of carmine were like a waterfall of color, specks of orange were sensuous upon their owner. Mane too drew over the smaller female as he laid himself over her, the tresses sheltering her in the dark. The dim light of the lamp had begun to burn his focused eyes. Forehooves would tuck against her side as his right wing lashed out and took out the traitorous light source. "Gentle, soft..." He murmured only to feel her close to him once more, sending his thoughts into an abyss. The cascading sensation was, ironically, felt as if he was weightlessly free falling within the confines of a dream. That Tartarus born nightmare caused all this trouble, even the troublesome mare beneath him.
Distant Lightning could no longer temper his fortitude, With the sensation all-consuming he pressed his muzzle against her ear, exhaling as his words formulated a most unbecoming string of words before he pressed his muzzle's lips to her own, quietly apologizing. "I am weak, chatelaine, prithee: allow me to be at your side. Courtier, concubinus, puppet. Such a lovely sight, this. A sultana who knows just what she wants." And, with that it became rather dark, and faded to black.

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a sheepish grin. "Can't believe we saw that... Though I can't help but feel a little for our dear foreigner. I wonder if she jumped him because she walked in on us? You know just how...ah... feisty she's been with him. Seeing us might have been the straw that broke her back!" he'd say with a bit of an odd expression. Indeed Silent had been all but throwing herself at him... Well.. She was somewhat considered thrown now.

Yunalesca was quiet a moment as she munched on her cupcake, licking away whatever frosting clung to her upper lip as she worked her way through it. "I considered it, and she might have with the way she's all over him normally." Yuna shrugged and shifted a little so that she had a glance at the mirror. "I can't fathom being like that. I'm not so brave or as bold as she is, to be able to just throw yourself at a stallion without a care. Decisions usually require a lot of thought rather than just.. tossing caution to the wind." Yuna wondered aloud, slightly puzzled. She worried too much about the reactions of other, and more so she pondered whether or not she was interested; she ended up being unsure about a lot of things in life because of it. Mostly she stuck to herself and her own interests and that was that. "Kinda weird to think about."

Silent Dusk nickered softly as she drew the stallion into her dark embrace, wings half folding along his form letting the saddle arabian taste all the hidden fruits of the night only to whisper back to the pegasus. "Never a puppet my skittish, but for tonight and mayhaps others a kindred soul to share warmth and tenderness with." then the night faded to black.

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a sigh and rubbed his head with a hoof. "I somewhat know what you mean. I-I mean.... Its taken me a little to get used to being this close to you! (And several instances of brain meltdown!) I never was the most social pony in the cult... before... I guess that didn't change much." he'd say as he nudged and scooted up against the alicorn. "I think you've done well enough... Tar probably manipulated the situation a little too." The pose of the dark half had changed in the mirror to being laid up against the wall... still seemingly unconscious with the goofy grin though!

Yunalesca ate what little was left of her cupcake in that time, eyebrow quirking. "I suppose so. When you said that you would protect me.. that you would die for me, I guess I didn't have any other way to express how I felt. Not in so many words. I never thought a kiss would lead to what it did, don't think I could have warned you either." Yuna smiled a little at that. "It broke a barrier, which I helped, I think.. and I had a feeling. You don't really wink." The alicorn shrugged and leaned her head against his shoulder, looking amused. Would Tarnished ever recover? She had something to tease him about now, when he'd been doing just the same about Gleam's own freakouts just earlier.

Gleaming Echo let out a bit of a snort. "Oi! I can wink." he'd say with a pout and a flick of his tail. "All heroes can wink for their fair maidens! What hero would I be if I cannot wink?" And he winked... somewhat poorly at that! Then again was it a purposefully poor wink to act as a joke? Or... perhaps he just sucked at winking. Tar was the more sneak of the two perhaps he had all the winking knowledge! Gleam brought a hoof up and ran it through the alicorn's mane ever so gently, enjoying the feel of her mane upon his hoof. "You are quite the beautiful maiden, though, Lady Yuna." he'd say with a bump of his nose. Across the way the pony in the mirror finally started to stir. Shaking with what looked like... giggles? Pervy Tar... He did have the majority of Gleam's ah... lust? Why his mind shut down should be simple!

Yunalesca released a single quiet huff of a laugh and shook her head. "I mean to say that I just haven't seen you do it before, so it was a surprise when it happened." She corrected herself. "I started suspecting it, but whether you can or not won't diminish you." The alicorn leaned into his stroking hoof, but the compliment made her finally look at him. She was.. beautiful? There was something she found she liked about being referred to as maiden- the 'lady' title had also been growing on her for some time. Yuna shifted in her spot, leaning up just to nuzzle into his cheek, a quiet thanks.

Gleaming Echo leaned down to return the nuzzle even as he glanced across at the stirring figure of Tar in the mirror. "I wonder what you would do if Tar and I ever found a way to temporarily split... Then you'd have both of us to contend with at once." he smirked a little evilly... Probably Tar's influence again since the dark half was waking up. The unicorn shifted and moved to lay down. A hoof raised and with a tug and a roll he moved to pull Yuna back up on top of him and held the alicorn much like he had before, a hoof brushing over her wings.

Yunalesca briefly closed her eyes to the affection, though they sprang open again at the statement. His smirk, it wasn't helping the situation at all, and a smirk that was again unlike Gleam. She gave the mirror a narrowed eye, finding that Tarnished seemed to finally be waking up from his own coma. It was him, alright. Yuna felt movement beside her, and a pull that brought them right back to where they'd been before Dusk's brief interference. A squeak of surprise had escaped the alicorn. "I-I'm not exactly sure." Yuna stuttered a little as she tried to imagine how that would possibly work out. Possibly a lot of fighting between the two halves, over her, maybe? But affection from them both, too, and the idea made her shiver. Yuna rested her head down on his chest, spreading her wings out a little for his touch. "What do you think?"

Gleaming Echo inclined his head... "I'm not entirely sure myself! I'm sure both Tarnished and I could find it in ourselves to stop arguing enough to... lavish the fair maiden with all the attention she could ever, ever want." he'd say with a smile that was a bit of a mix between his normal and Tarnished. Yep... Tar's brain was still quite in the gutter. His hoof continued to brush at Yuna's wings, stroking the soft feathers. "I like your wings..." he'd mutter with a bit of a smile. Now she'd heard that from both the halves! Perhaps they were not quite so different. Then again they were both halves of the same pony so it did make sense that they'd actually like similar things....

Yunalesca wasn't sure if her thoughts had been that evident, or they'd just been thinking about the same things. The blush that appeared cross her face betrayed her thoughts on the matter and she averted her gaze, feeling a confusing mixture of emotions. "Might be nice." Yuna murmured, moving her hooves up to drape them over his shoulders, one going a bit further to his cheek. A small smile reappeared, smoothing back some of her surprise. "I'm glad you do. I wasn't sure what to think about them for a long time."

Gleaming Echo knew quite well that both he and Tar bickered and argued enough that it was quite the subject. For all he knew if they ever figured out how to temporarily separate they (meaning Tar) might try to kill each-other (Gleam) until they re-fused! Tar's grin once again appeared upon Gleam and the pony leaned up to give the mare a kiss. After a time he pulled back and there was a hint of a more narrow pupil in one eye. "They are lovely... Does this mean I also have my very own alicorn goddess to dote upon all to my~our own now, yes?" he teased playfully. "Every cultist needs a goddess." Yep... Tar was definitely heavy-handed influencing things.

Yunalesca lifted her head a little off of his chest, mostly because he had leaned up to her. The alicorn returned his kiss gladly, moving her lips up against his. Her hoof wandered across his cheek, stroking gently, and she fixed him with a curious look once it was over. "Me, a goddess?" Yuna almost scoffed at the idea, no, she couldn't be- but she wouldn't. "How kind of you two to think of me so highly, but I believe so." Her voice held a tone of amusement, but she wasn't laughing at him for being so cheesy. It was just.. she couldn't put a word on why. "Only yours."

Gleaming Echo let out a smile that was all Gleam! "Yay! I have a dear goddess again! And she's so much cuter than Miss Nightmare was!" the unicorn nuzzled the alicorn delightedly and placed a few kisses trailing up her neck and muzzle. Poor gleam didn't quite know just what he was doing,Tar manipulating the actions of the naiive light half! Ah well, that means things just got done yes?! Tar had seen what he wanted of Silent, now it was time to give some due attention to their 'goddess'! Hehehe.

Yunalesca couldn't help but chortle lightly at the sheer delight on Gleam's face, a sound that remained as a smile on hers. Her eyes closed for just that space of time that he lead kisses up her neck- a sensation that prompted her to shiver again. She bit her lower lip, stupidly tempted by an urge, and perhaps a little swayed by the attention she was getting. Maybe she would act on the idea. Yuna moved her forehooves down to press against the floor on either side of his neck, something to put her weight on as she rose just enough to move one back leg over his body. She was no longer just half laying on him, but straddling. Now to wait and see his reaction~. "Cute? You're cute."

Gleaming Echo let out a 'meep' sound of sort as the alicorn shifted and.. put a leg over him?! His hind legs were stretched out comfortably so there was no issue at the very least. But... The blush that appeared back on the unicorn's face was quite something! Amusingly enough being called cute caused the poor pony to sputter amusingly. "C-c-cute? B-but heroes are supposed to be dashing? Handsome even? I-I'm not sue about cute!" he'd say as both forelegs came to rest upon Yuna's back gently, slipping up and down while rubbing small idle circles near the base of her wings.

Yunalesca made herself quite comfortable on the unicorn's lap, or what would constitute one, and leaned over the startled stallion. "Yeah, cute. The way you react to things is rather cute." She stated, letting her mane fall forward to hang like a curtain, out of the way of the hooves that found themselves on her back. Her smile had become more of a smirk, and Yuna bent her head to kiss his furiously blushing face. "You're handsome, too, so don't worry about that."