2nd Sun: "Grocery Shopping"

[pirateponyprincess]

This forest seems to be a lot darker than I remember it. Perhaps there was a reason why the client was willing to pay so much.

[The scroll shows Captain Celestia wandering about the Everfree Forest. Indeed, the interior seems a lot more dark an sinister than it usually is, though those who have seen the forest since the mirror incident are probably aware of this already.]

Nonetheless, I shall be here for the next several hours to gather herbs and other useful materials. While I am here, shall anypony else require anything from the forest? As I am already being paid to be here, we may be able to work out a fine deal. I must make a living too, after all.

[Suddenly, a distant noise could be heard, which catches Celestia's attention for a moment. A pair of weapons are produced from somewhere off-screen in response.]

Leave a message, and I shall get back to you once I have added a pelt to my spoils.

[The feed cuts from there, but not before a shadow could be seen moving through the trees.]

Comments

[Action]

[shy_kindness]

[The pull is there... It's so strong... The closer to Everfree, the stronger it is. But what's pulling them toward Everfree?

...Wait, was somebody talking to them? After a moment, Fluttershy looks to the other one.]

Hm?

[Action]

[kind_to_all]

[ Oh, Fluttershy recognizes that look. She wraps a wing around her double and tugs her gently away from the forest. ] Fluttershy? Come on, let's go back to the cottage. There's nothing else we can do here.

[Action]

[shy_kindness]

Oh.

[Fluttershy looks a little embarrassed.]

Let's, um, go back to Ponyville. It's just this pull towards The Everfree. It never really happened before we died.

[Action]

[kind_to_all]

It-- what?!

[ It occurs to Fluttershy that she doesn't really know anything at all about Shy and Cruel. ]

What happened?

[Action]

[cruel_kindness]

[Fluttershy thought this Fluttershy already knew. Whatever, Fluttercruel takes over for this part and they begin walking over towards Ponyville.]

It happened months and months ago, even before we came to this Equestria. Like 6 or 7 months ago or something. We were just having a picnic with friends, then we got this really extreme headache, I took off flying, and... I think I crashed and broke my neck. That's how we ended up in The Reaper's Game.

Didn't know you didn't know.

[Action]

[kind_to_all]

I-- I didn't, no! [ But she remembers the Reapers coming up in their conversation with Discord. ] Oh my goodness -- but you're okay?

[Action]

[cruel_kindness]

[Cruelly smirks and pats Fluttershy's back.]

We're as okay as we'll ever be. Besides, if anyone tried to make things worse for us, they'll be feeling the force of our hooves driving into their skulls really hard.

[Action]

[kind_to_all]

O-oh. [ Shy supposes she should be used to Cruel by now, but unfortunately they haven't spent enough time together for that to be the case. ] Well... if you say so.

[ They walk side by side, Fluttershy glancing uneasily at her double. After a little while, she asks quietly: ] What's a Reaper?

[Action]

[cruel_kindness]

A Reaper is someone who gives challenges to people in order to make them stronger. Not just physically, but in many other ways, too.

I like it. It's cruel to be kind, and that's exactly why it's awesome.

[Action]

[kind_to_all]

Oh. [ That doesn't sound necessarily like something she'd like, which is why it surprises her, but evidently it works for Cruel and Shy. ]

That sounds dangerous. I guess I think you should always try to improve yourself. I just... wouldn't have thought that, um. [ Gulp. ] Dying would be a good way to do it?