01-06-2018, 08:54 PM
The Pale moors, it seemed, were always a dreary place. The place seemed to be in a perpetual haze, with a constant chill in the air. If Celestia's current experience represented the common state, actually seeing the sun was likely a rare occurrence, and the days were typically lit by the more muted light of the sun through the clouds.
In other circumstances, Celestia might have found this mildly depressing. The sun had once been her domain, so to be more distant from it was something she found hard to see as positive. And more than that it often was, or was at least interpreted as a harbinger of happiness and peace. To see the denizens of this realm have such limited access to it would typically be disheartening, and provoke feelings that must be overcome.
Despite all that, at the moment Celestia found comfort in that atmosphere all the same. For all the shade, it was still a brighter place than the one they just came from. And now that she looked, it seemed to have a subtle, if sparse, beauty all its own. She even had to admit that perhaps it was a good thing not to be in the brightest of places, after being in the twisted version of this realm for so long, the full light of the sun might have been overwhelming.
Their group was invited into the town, and offered a place to stay, despite the fact that town itself had just been ravaged by those same forces that gave the primes so much trouble. Celestia was of half a mind to leave them alone, so as not to put any additional strain on their recovery, but her own body reminded her that she too needed the rest. She'd pushed herself hard, and while they had ultimately survived Psych's poison, it would take some time to fully leave her system.
The town was remarkably intact considering what it had gone through, although after a moment's thought she realized that shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. The strength of the invaders had likely precluded much in the way of armed resistance, and then the Nebula forces in this region had been after test subjects rather than conquest or destruction. The bigger cost was not to the structures of the Hillside but to the inhabitants. It was a terrible cost to the town, but at least had the saving grace that less would need to be rebuilt as the town recovered, and it meant there was some pre-existing shelter which the primes could use. Granted, the tavern they were invited into wasn't built to accommodate equines, but Celestia was able to make due by grabbing a couple cushions and seating herself near her comrades. They also had some wood at the ready, and after a brief inspection of the fireplace Celestia used her magic to start a fire there. She'd add replacement logs to their supply later, for now she wanted to feel some warmth. Despite her somewhat changed outlook, the Moors were still a cold place.
Once they'd all had a chance to settle, Celestia's companions brought up a good point. Somehow, they had managed to journey as far as they went and overcome threats of the scope they had faced, yet they still new next to nothing about each other as people. While it is true there are few better ways to get the measure of someone than a 'trial by fire', that was no replacement for a proper introduction.
Still, despite the general agreement, the moment that followed was quiet. All of them were exhausted from their recent ordeal. “I suppose I would be as good as any to begin,” Celestia eventually said, reclining on her cushions. “I was royalty, and lead my country, where I came from prior to the Omniverse. Though I must confess, I haven't been using my title since my arrival, as what is a princess without subjects?” She smiled a small, tired smile. “I must admit, I am finding it to be something of a reprieve of my duties...former duties. Even if this is still much that could be done.”
Celestia felt that would be enough to start. Her new friends could ask anything they wished to know in particular, and she would volunteer more information soon enough. “Ash,” she said, looking toward him. “I've never seen anyone who fights quite like you do, where did you learn such unique tools?”
In other circumstances, Celestia might have found this mildly depressing. The sun had once been her domain, so to be more distant from it was something she found hard to see as positive. And more than that it often was, or was at least interpreted as a harbinger of happiness and peace. To see the denizens of this realm have such limited access to it would typically be disheartening, and provoke feelings that must be overcome.
Despite all that, at the moment Celestia found comfort in that atmosphere all the same. For all the shade, it was still a brighter place than the one they just came from. And now that she looked, it seemed to have a subtle, if sparse, beauty all its own. She even had to admit that perhaps it was a good thing not to be in the brightest of places, after being in the twisted version of this realm for so long, the full light of the sun might have been overwhelming.
Their group was invited into the town, and offered a place to stay, despite the fact that town itself had just been ravaged by those same forces that gave the primes so much trouble. Celestia was of half a mind to leave them alone, so as not to put any additional strain on their recovery, but her own body reminded her that she too needed the rest. She'd pushed herself hard, and while they had ultimately survived Psych's poison, it would take some time to fully leave her system.
The town was remarkably intact considering what it had gone through, although after a moment's thought she realized that shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. The strength of the invaders had likely precluded much in the way of armed resistance, and then the Nebula forces in this region had been after test subjects rather than conquest or destruction. The bigger cost was not to the structures of the Hillside but to the inhabitants. It was a terrible cost to the town, but at least had the saving grace that less would need to be rebuilt as the town recovered, and it meant there was some pre-existing shelter which the primes could use. Granted, the tavern they were invited into wasn't built to accommodate equines, but Celestia was able to make due by grabbing a couple cushions and seating herself near her comrades. They also had some wood at the ready, and after a brief inspection of the fireplace Celestia used her magic to start a fire there. She'd add replacement logs to their supply later, for now she wanted to feel some warmth. Despite her somewhat changed outlook, the Moors were still a cold place.
Once they'd all had a chance to settle, Celestia's companions brought up a good point. Somehow, they had managed to journey as far as they went and overcome threats of the scope they had faced, yet they still new next to nothing about each other as people. While it is true there are few better ways to get the measure of someone than a 'trial by fire', that was no replacement for a proper introduction.
Still, despite the general agreement, the moment that followed was quiet. All of them were exhausted from their recent ordeal. “I suppose I would be as good as any to begin,” Celestia eventually said, reclining on her cushions. “I was royalty, and lead my country, where I came from prior to the Omniverse. Though I must confess, I haven't been using my title since my arrival, as what is a princess without subjects?” She smiled a small, tired smile. “I must admit, I am finding it to be something of a reprieve of my duties...former duties. Even if this is still much that could be done.”
Celestia felt that would be enough to start. Her new friends could ask anything they wished to know in particular, and she would volunteer more information soon enough. “Ash,” she said, looking toward him. “I've never seen anyone who fights quite like you do, where did you learn such unique tools?”