Post by Solar Solstice on Apr 10, 2013 21:16:48 GMT -5
Hesitation was never a quality that Daybloom possessed in great measure, but the dark, mossy enclosure in which she found herself seemed poised to generate new attributes in her psyche. The walls pulsated with unnatural life, the low thrum of stomata opening and closing itching at the very edge of her hearing, as though somepony were whispering dark thoughts directly into her mind, unbidden. She pushed herself to proceed further down the passage, but the conditions only worsened; by the end of it the moss had given way to taut vines that hung menacingly across the narrow threshold into the central chamber.
At first, she could see nothing, but slowly her eyes became accustomed to the dim bio-luminescence, soft light emanating from pods or postules at the very back of the room. In between her and the light, however, were shadows, shades with voices, ghosts of a forgotten past.
"I...I am here as you have requested," she said, daring not to lose what little grasp of the initiative she may have possessed.
The response was reflective, yet somehow distant and cold. "So we have, indeed," said a voice, female and flowing. "We do not normally make our own inquiries but your case seems...intriguing."
Daybloom pursed her lips. "I do not see why this warrants your attention," she continued. "I would have guessed that such a trivial matter such as an overachieving student's science fair presentation would not cause you anxiety."
"You forget your place," the same voice responded, colder and more imperious. "You forget our concern with upholding the values of Earth Pony society. You request for an...exemption to the curriculum - the curriculum that /we/ dictated - does something to undermine those values."
"He's only a colt," Daybloom said, trying to modulate her voice so that it didn't sound disrespectful. "He is under great pressure, and I feel that the...that the Harmony of the community depends upon his being given leeway. You...you let my brother do the exact same thing more than a decade ago."
A long, oppressive silence followed. Daybloom glanced across the room, towards the vague silhouettes of the ponies seated high above her. She was afraid even to feel disdain towards them, lest they know her secret thoughts.
"...Very well," said the voice with a patronizing calm. "But remember this: we grant leeway only because of the friendship between ourselves and your father in our struggle against a common enemy. Otherwise your elitist, meritocratic unicorn values - the kind of values your colt's family insists on importing to this region - remain as unwelcome an intruder as ever. Remember...you and your kind are only guests of the League of Thorns, Daybloom de la Trevalles."
Daybloom stared upwards, trying to catch a glimpse of a member of the League, as she had so many times before, but it was always fruitless. Light and shadow did not seem to behave properly in this place. Here was a power beyond the grasp of even unicorns, something more primal and ancient than mere magic. Here was a power that could strangle rivers and choke the air with plagues and turn the Everfree Forest into the wild, chaotic place it now is. Here, a unicorn had no power except her dignity.
"...Thank you for your leniency," Daybloom said, bowing in gratitude.
At first, she could see nothing, but slowly her eyes became accustomed to the dim bio-luminescence, soft light emanating from pods or postules at the very back of the room. In between her and the light, however, were shadows, shades with voices, ghosts of a forgotten past.
"I...I am here as you have requested," she said, daring not to lose what little grasp of the initiative she may have possessed.
The response was reflective, yet somehow distant and cold. "So we have, indeed," said a voice, female and flowing. "We do not normally make our own inquiries but your case seems...intriguing."
Daybloom pursed her lips. "I do not see why this warrants your attention," she continued. "I would have guessed that such a trivial matter such as an overachieving student's science fair presentation would not cause you anxiety."
"You forget your place," the same voice responded, colder and more imperious. "You forget our concern with upholding the values of Earth Pony society. You request for an...exemption to the curriculum - the curriculum that /we/ dictated - does something to undermine those values."
"He's only a colt," Daybloom said, trying to modulate her voice so that it didn't sound disrespectful. "He is under great pressure, and I feel that the...that the Harmony of the community depends upon his being given leeway. You...you let my brother do the exact same thing more than a decade ago."
A long, oppressive silence followed. Daybloom glanced across the room, towards the vague silhouettes of the ponies seated high above her. She was afraid even to feel disdain towards them, lest they know her secret thoughts.
"...Very well," said the voice with a patronizing calm. "But remember this: we grant leeway only because of the friendship between ourselves and your father in our struggle against a common enemy. Otherwise your elitist, meritocratic unicorn values - the kind of values your colt's family insists on importing to this region - remain as unwelcome an intruder as ever. Remember...you and your kind are only guests of the League of Thorns, Daybloom de la Trevalles."
Daybloom stared upwards, trying to catch a glimpse of a member of the League, as she had so many times before, but it was always fruitless. Light and shadow did not seem to behave properly in this place. Here was a power beyond the grasp of even unicorns, something more primal and ancient than mere magic. Here was a power that could strangle rivers and choke the air with plagues and turn the Everfree Forest into the wild, chaotic place it now is. Here, a unicorn had no power except her dignity.
"...Thank you for your leniency," Daybloom said, bowing in gratitude.