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mlpdestinyverse · 6 years ago

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Impasse

Skychaser meets Astral Dusk and the two have a...”disagreement”.

Feat. Skychaser, Astral Dusk, Dreamaria Flow, Eventide Twister

Story and Description Under The Cut

"Hey, are you writing one of your poems?" Skychaser couldn't help his curiosity. He leaned in closer to a certain younger pegasus next to him, the mare attentively focused on the notebook in her hooves. In turn, Eventide Twister quietly peered up at the stallion. The two ponies were waiting together outside of an old shop, leaning against its wall in the cool shade. The third and last member of their group had yet to arrive, which left both Skychaser and Eventide to distract themselves in the meantime. Skychaser had allowed a comfortable silence to form between them, mindful that being left alone with him made things a bit awkward for the silent mare. If there was anything Sky wanted, it was for Eventide to find a comfortable space around him, and that meant not pushing idle conversation too far. At some point he noticed Eventide pulling out a notebook from her saddlebag to scribble in it. In the half-year of knowing the pegasus, Skychaser knew that only meant she was working on one of her written pieces. He remembered how hesitant the mare had been to share them with him when he initially brought up her notebook months ago. Now Eventide was lightly nodding in response to his question, looking back down at the page after. She was still for a short moment, as if thinking, before she lifted the journal up slightly and gave him an inquiring look. Skychaser smiled and nodded eagerly. "Yeah, I'd love to read it!" Eventide allowed Skychaser to take the notebook from her. He gave Eventide one more glance, as if to make sure she really didn't mind sharing with him. The mare simply stared down at her hooves with a neutral expression, and Sky took that as his cue to not leave her waiting. Noting all of the eraser bits and erase marks on the open page, his orange eyes began to roam over the neat penmanship: These broken piano keys And their appalling tune Fail to deter the optimist in you With a patient touch Light as a faded dream You close your eyes and play a melody

They reluctantly give way With a sound that’s harsh and jarring But you find reason to stay To sweetly convey To find the pieces That haven’t decayed Your song I replay And one day I may Betray Delay These feelings that stay Until I can say I'll willingly give way.

Skychaser perked up. "Well hey, this is really good!" The stallion rubbed the back of his neck with his free hoof. "I mean, I'm not good at deciphering fancy meanings and all of that, but this one sounds pretty." He shot Eventide a look of curiosity. "Say, I feel like you wrote a poem about a piano before too. You wouldn't happen to know how to play one, would you?" Maybe it was a jump in logic, but if Sky couldn't understand whatever deeper meaning this poem surely possessed, the least he could do was try to discuss its surface-level subject. Eventide seemed a little surprised by the question, but gave a firm nod regardless. That peaked Skychaser's interest, and he let out a chuckle. "So you're a fast flier, a poet, and a pianist?" Skychaser grinned. "Who knew you were so multi-talented, Eves~?" Eventide blinked, quickly turning her head away afterward. Sky had to restrain himself from teasing her as a bit of red dusted her cheeks. 'But I gotta say...' Sky thought to himself, giving the poem another glimpse. 'I don't know what it is, but something about this poem almost feels...romantic-' "SKY! EVE!" Sky easily located the third member of their trio, blue mane and all as she weaved around a few strolling ponies to reach them. In one easy motion, Eventide took her notebook back and slid it into her saddlebag. "I'm really sorry guys!" Dream called out as she closed the distance between them. "I need to work on waking up early-" With his hooves now free, Skychaser waited until Dream Flow was right in front of him before he reached up and took Dream's cheeks into his hooves. He squinted at her, squishing her cheeks in. "Girl you late." Instead of accepting her "punishment", Dream apparently had a different idea in mind. "Mleh-" Instinctively, Skychaser retracted his hooves as Dream stuck her tongue out to one side. Knowing exactly what she had attempted, he made sure to gasp dramatically. "Were you about to lick me?!" Dream grinned. "That's what a sister would do, riiiight~?" Skychaser playfully pouted at her, earning him a giggle. Dream Flow then turned to greet Eventide, giving her friend a sunny smile. "Hi Eve!" Eventide softly smiled back and gave a meek little wave. "Alright, so!" Dream Flow began, stepping back to address her two friends. Her eyes practically sparkled. "We're all here, so our afternoon ice cream date commences no-!" "-oAH, WHOA, LOOK OOOUT!" All three ponies jumped as a sudden crash sounded nearby. Closer than nearby. Right next to them, really. Glancing past Eventide, Skychaser could see a crumpled mess of grey feathers. The owner of said feathers, dressed in a brown uniform, laid face down in the dirt as she groaned. "Ms. Derpy Hooves?" While the crash landing had caught the attention of nearly everyone in the vicinity, the realization that it was Derpy had most of the onlookers shrug and carry on with their business. Sky almost winced, wondering how often the mare had to crash for it to become such a norm. Eventide on the other hoof immediately trotted to her boss's side and helped pull her back onto her hooves. Both Dream and Sky followed after her. "Are you okay?" Dream asked worriedly, glancing over the older mare. "You didn't hurt yourself, did y-" "EVENTIDE!" Derpy exclaimed with the utmost relief. She either ignored or didn't notice the unicorn as she threw her hooves onto her worker's shoulders, staring at her with wide, desperate eyes. "Thank GOODNESS I found you! I really need your help!" At Eventide's questioning look, Derpy continued, flustered. "You wouldn't believe it! Everypony else couldn't come in today so I'm the only one at the office! The mail truck's unloading right now and at this rate, I won't get all the mail sorted and delivered today!" Derpy dropped down to the ground and clung to Eventide's foreleg, startling the younger pegasus. "I know it's your day off, b-but if you could come in for just a few hours and help me out with sorting, I'd be sosososo grateful! I'll even pay you overtime for it! Pleeaaaase?" Sky noticed Eventide practically sweating as Derpy stared up at her with uneven puppy-dog eyes. Eve turned back to look at her friends, her uncertainty clear as day. Sky had to sympathize with her. What a way to be put on the spot, and by your boss no less. As if she had just noticed them, Derpy gasped and stood back up. Her whole body - ears, wings, and all - drooped dejectedly. "O-oh dear, do you already have plans?" Eventide turned back towards her boss, tense and hesitant. But before anything else could be said, Sky watched as Dream swooped in and threw a foreleg around Eve's shoulders. "Sorry! 'Scuse us for a second!" The unicorn turned away from the older mailmare with Eventide in tow and moved over towards Skychaser. While Sky's stare held a question, Dream answered it with a friendly smile. "Friendship huddle time!" "Friendship wha-ah!" Sky cut himself off as Dream Flow threw her free foreleg around his neck and tugged him down to her and Eventide's level. After a moment of shifting his gaze between the two mares, he raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Uuh so...why are we huddling?" Yet Dream Flow seemed to be in her own little world as she giggled quietly to herself. "I've always wanted to do something like this..." "D-Dream, focus." "I am focused!" Dream Flow tilted her head to look at him. "Eve deserves extra time to think without being pressured, or else she'll make a rushed decision and end up thinking about this for the rest of the day!" She angled her head to Eventide then, who appeared equally as confused as Sky felt. Smiling gently, the unicorn mare continued. "You could agree that you already made plans. Or you could go with her if that's what you want. We won't mind either way!" Overflowing with optimism and determination, Dream Flow drew the foreleg that was around Sky away and gave a confident hoof-pump for her friend. "Just be honest with yourself and your feelings! Go with what your gut is leaning towards so you won't have any regrets!" Her eyes crinkling merrily, Dream tipped her head to one side. "Okay~?" It was amusing for the stallion to see Dream talk like a motivational speaker. He wondered what she knew about Eventide or what she had sensed to draw out such a speech. It seemed to do it's job, however, as Eventide appeared less troubled than she was moments before. Instead, she stared down quietly in thought. Both Dream and Sky patiently waited for her, giving her whatever time she needed to contemplate. In due time Eventide pulled away from her friends, turning to face the older mare who was grunting and struggling to preen the messy feathers out of her reach. Realizing her employee was looking at her, Derpy Hooves straightened her back and smiled sheepishly. "Um?" "Fewhours?" Derpy's ears shot up. While Eventide's inquiry surprised the grey mare, hope began brimming in her eyes. "MHM! Yeah! Just enough to lessen the workload!" "...okay." Derpy Hooves released an elated squee and once again threw herself at Eventide's foreleg, nuzzling it. "Oh, thank you, thank you! You're the absolute BEST Eventide! I ought to put your picture up and make you employee of the month!" 'Mailponies have employees of the month?' That aside, Sky couldn't be surprised that Eventide would choose to help. While Derpy exchanged a few more words with her employee before soaring off, Eventide turned back to Dream Flow and Skychaser, appearing apologetic. "...sorry." "Don't be!" Sky reassured. "You do what you have to do!" "Sky and I will probably be wandering around the shops by the time you're done, so just find us and we can get even more ice cream later!" Dream happily clapped her hooves together. "Good luck, Evie~!" Eventide appeared to relax, her smile warm as she dipped her head to Dream Flow. Waving their friend off, the two remaining ponies watched as Eve flapped her wings and followed after her employer. -------------------------------------------------------- Dream Flow and Skychaser walked through Ponyville's bustling streets, both keeping an eye out for Sugarsocks' wandering ice cream cart. Sky noted how Dream had an extra bounce to her step and was humming as she eagerly glanced around. He laughed. "Honestly, what is with you and ice cream?" He raised an eyebrow. "You're always suggesting we get some. I'm starting to think you're addicted to the stuff." "But it's so good!" Dream insisted, turning so she could walk backwards and face the stallion. Her colorful eyes shimmered, as if the very thought of the treat brought her joy. "My hometown's really old-fashioned and the closest thing they have are maple snow cones in winter." She sighed with a smile. "And it doesn't compare to the sheer variety you guys get to have!" Skychaser smirked. "You mean our classic flavors like 'white chocolate' and 'pink chocolate'?" Ah yes. He remembered their first ice cream outing. Emotionally intelligent and professional counselor Dream Flow not recognizing flavors like vanilla and strawberry was something he couldn't let go or let her live down. "Hey!" Dream used her magic to playfully flick the stallion's bangs, bringing forth a laugh out of him. "I told you I never got out of my town much, you can't blame me for getting the flavors wrong!" She laughed heartily with him. "Like, strawberries are red, how was I supposed to know pink ice cream was..." Dream suddenly trailed off. Her eyes unfocused, as if something unseen had caught her attention. Before Sky could ask what was wrong, the mare stopped in her tracks and turned herself around. And just as she did, Skychaser found himself jerking to a halt beside her. The pony that had rounded the corner of the building they were passing had to do the same as the three almost collided with each other. While the question of Dream's behavior sat in his mind, Sky was temporarily distracted by the earth pony stallion now standing before him. He wore a white lab coat, and his layered blonde, red, and and purple mane was almost endearingly messy in the back. Skychaser noticed how exhausted and tight the stallion's expression appeared, though, accented further by the dark eye bags under his eyes. It was easy to say he stuck out like a sore hoof. And yet... 'Well hello there. Never seen this guy before...' Sky put on his best charming smile, ready to apologize for the inconvenience. But just as he was about to, the other stallion took one look at Dream Flow and something flashed across his face, his expression shifting into a sour one. Confused, Sky followed his line of sight. He noticed the way Dream's ears were pinned back, and for the first time, he watched as a strained smile formed on her muzzle. "Oh. Hey Astral-" "Hmph." The stallion shot Dream Flow an icy look and proceeded to quickly and wordlessly push past the mare. His shoulder was close to shoving against hers had she not stepped closer to Skychaser, who steadied her with his hooves. 'The hell?' Sky stared after the retreating earth pony, once again peering down at Dream to find her watching the stallion expressionlessly. "The heck was that about?" Sky finally asked, taking a step back to get a good look at the mare. Dream released a nervous laugh. "Just...Eventide's brother. Astral Dusk." Sky's head pulled back at that, baffled. "Seriously? I didn't even know she had one." He paused, noticing the way Dream was staring downward. "Well yeesh, did something happen between you two? He was pretty...unfriendly." "It's...kind of my fault." Dream lifted her eyes, smiling sadly. "When I first met him, he...seemed like somepony who really needed a friend. So I wanted to befriend him like I did with Eventide, and I was hoping I could help him open up. But I think I made things worse..." She exhaled deeply. "Once he learned about my talent, he shut me out and has been...hostile since." Sky's eyebrows furrowed. "But why?" Another first. He didn't miss the hesitance on Dream's face. "...h-hey, let's just forget about it. Today's supposed to be a fun day, right?" Dream laughed again. "This is kind of a downer!" "I mean...I guess." As much as he wanted to push his questions, it didn't take a genius to see that the mare wanted to change the subject. The two trotted on, eventually catching the sound of Sugarsocks' bell-ringing. And yet that subtle and easy to miss look of hurt that had flickered across Dream's face occupied his mind and refused to sit with him. He didn't really care what reason this stallion had. The way he had acted towards his friend, and the way he was making her feel, was something Sky couldn't seem to let go. The moment Skychaser saw the ice cream line and how long it was, the pegasus felt he had an opportunity before him. "Hey Dreamers, can you wait in line for the both of us? I kiiiinda need to find a bathroom." He hummed uncomfortably, bouncing in place once. "Like, real bad." "Oh! Um," Dream Flow looked around. "I'm not sure where the nearest one is-" "I think I saw one somewhere back where we came from!" he pointed his hoof behind him. "I'll be back, but if I'm late then just get me the usual!" After handing her his share of gold bits, Sky rushed off towards his "destination". In reality, the moment Sky was out of Dream Flow's sight, the stallion began his secret mission. 'Time to make like Miss Pinkie Pie in spy mode.' He tip-toed close to buildings and scooted behind bushes, sticking out his head every so often to scan each area for a certain brown stallion. There was no way he could miss the earth pony. And he was right. A few streets away from the ice cream stand, Sky located Astral at the edge of the shopping square. He was slowly walking around and looking at the different fruit carts with that same calm yet tight expression. Once he settled on buying an apple, Astral began wandering away from the shops. Humming, forming a makeshift plan in his mind, Sky proceeded to tail the taller stallion. As the buildings thinned out and more trees and bushes surrounded him, Sky made sure to be careful of his hooffalls on the grass. He was glad that the path they were on was secluded and further away from other ponies, giving Sky a chance to talk to the stallion one-on-one. But he had to wonder, where exactly was Astral going- "Why are you still following me?" Sky nearly leapt when Astral Dusk turned half-way around, glaring at the very bush he was hiding behind. 'Whoops...' Apparently he underestimated how perceptive the tired-looking pony was. Awkwardly, Skychaser stepped around the bush and into the open. While he took a moment to blow a leaf out of his hair, he did his best to stand firmly as he faced the stallion. Astral's teal eyes hardened at the sight of him. "Don't you think there's something slightly wrong with stalking somepony, Sky? Honestly. What could you possibly want?" 'Huh?' Skychaser blinked, caught off guard. But not so much by the accusation. "You know my name?" Astral went quiet, his expression flat and unreadable. Skychaser pondered the possibility of Eventide telling her brother about him. Still, that didn't quite explain the earth pony being so casual as to use his nickname upon meeting him. The stallion didn't exactly seem the type. With a frustrated huff, Astral shook his head and shot a look of annoyance at him, as if the answer were obvious. "I'm one of Ponyville's royal scientists. I work in Princess Twilight's castle. Of course I know about most everyone in this town." Sky stared at the stallion dubiously That answer was rather...vague. Astral sternly stared back regardless. "Don't make me repeat myself. What do you want so badly that you'd follow me this far?" "I mean...maybe you didn't see me, but I was there with Dream Flow." Skychaser paused, to gauge any sort of reaction from the other stallion. Astral's eyelids drooped, but he said nothing. "She's my friend. And your sister's friend-" "I'm aware." Astral barely batted an eye. Sky felt his eyebrows furrow. "Well, maybe you're not aware that you're hurting her with how you're acting around her. The way you almost shoved past her earlier didn't exactly help." Skychaser wasn't completely sure what he wanted to accomplish here. All he knew was that he felt a need to do something, anything to stand up for the kind unicorn who stuck by him. This was especially the case in what felt like unfair, nonsensical judgement. What sense was there in behaving like this over a talent, and one like Dream's no less? It made no sense to him. "....you really came all the way here just to tell me that." Irritated, Astral quietly scoffed, muttering to himself. "Stupidly persistent..." Frowning deeply, Sky pressed on. "So you don't care...then I want to know; what do you even have against Dream?" Astral eyed him. "...you're not going to leave unless I tell you." It wasn't a question. He stated it as if he knew with certainty that would be the case. And he wasn't wrong. Sky simply nodded in confirmation. There was a period of silence where the two stallions stared at one another, waiting. "...I don't like a pony who plays the friendly and selfless card just so she can get into your business." Sky jerked his head back, his brows pulling inward in confusion. "Wha-" "And I especially don't like a pony who expects you to rely on her because she thinks her special little talent is the answer to all of your problems." Astral finished, a look of distaste crossing his face. "There. Is that what you wanted to hear?" Taking a step forward, Skychaser glared at the stallion. "Literally what are you talking about? Her magic helps ponies." "And I think it's invasive and creepy. Agree to disagree." A flicker of anger ignited within the pegasus, and he released a low growl. "What, so you're just going to ignore the fact that she's been helping your sister-?" "Great. Good for her. Doesn't mean I want that mare anywhere near me." Sky's shot a puzzled look at the stallion. Astral thought Dream was in it purely to be nosy, but was fine with her helping Eventide? He even acknowledged she was helping? Or...did he not care about his sister? Astral huffed to himself. "Besides...I won't trust anyone that I can't properly read." "Read?" That drew out a short laugh from Skychaser. Compared to a lot of ponies, Dream Flow was one of the most expressive and open that he knew. "Okay, now I know you're just being paranoid. That filly's practically an open book." "Right. Trust the one who's constantly smiling." Sky's amusement faded out. "...what does that mean?" "Ugh..." Astral glowered at the pegasus. "Why don't you use your own brain for once? If I really have to explain it to you, then I guess you're just as ignorant as you look." Skychaser bristled. He lifted his head high, leveling his glare. "Huh. So I'm guessing you just have some awful habit of assuming you know ponies. Is that it?" With a humorless snort, Astral looked off to the side indifferently. "Who knows." Upon looking back over at Sky, the pegasus noticed Astral's eyes flick to something past him, his expression once again souring. "Speaking of creepy...had fun eavesdropping?" Eyebrows shooting up, Sky whirled around to find Dream Flow slowly approaching, two ice cream cups floating beside her within her magic's hold. She stopped a few feet away and gazed at the stallions quietly, her expression troubled. "I was...looking for Sky, and-" "Turn that off." At the sound of his commanding voice, Sky returned his attention to Astral. The stallion's eyes were narrowed dangerously at the sight of Dream's glowing horn. When Dream failed to react right away, Astral's lip curled back and he snapped, raising his voice. "Turn your magic off!" Whipping his head, Sky caught Dream jolt at Astral's voice. To his shock she hurriedly - even shakily - moved to place the cups on the ground. "Wh- no! You don't have to listen to him! Dream!" Her magic had already flickered out, however, once she had ensured the cups were lowered. She stood there tensely, peering up through her bangs for just a split second before quickly averting her eyes again. "I'm sorry." "Hmph...at least you have some decency." That was it. Disgust and rage flared inside Skychaser, his feathers standing on end along his neck and back. In seconds he was storming towards the other stallion with a snarl. "The hell is your problem?!" He heard a soft gasp behind him, as well as a strange sound. When he was just feet away from Astral, suddenly there was an orange flash of magic next to him as Dream teleported beside him. She quickly grabbed at his shoulder with one of her hooves. Her voice was even yet insistent as she spoke to him. "Skychaser." He stopped in his tracks, if only because he would never think to shove her away. But Sky refused to drop eye contact with Astral. "This guy needs someone to tell him off." "No, Sky...I'd never want you to be angry in my place." Something about her tone led him to break eye contact to look at her instead. Next to him, Dream was pressing her hoof firmly against his shoulder, her eyes urgent and pleading. "Please...?" Sky searched her face. Something about the softness of that word was cooling down his temper, his anger finding a way to slowly fizzle down. Guilt began taking its place, realizing he had allowed aggression and old dangerous habits to overtake him. Sky's ear flicked as a low, dry chuckle met his ears. Before him, a small, wry smile pulled at Astral's mouth. "Well...good to see the guard dog's been leashed." Skychaser could feel himself boiling again. Though this time, it was from irritation. 'Now he's just downright taunting me...why?' Sky didn't have time to get the question out. He was caught off guard as Dream stepped forward, just enough to gain the scientist's attention. Her voice was light yet firm as she spoke. "Astral...you don't have to like me or my talent. But we don't have to dislike each other either." Offering a good-natured smile, she placed a hoof on her chest. "We won't bother you, I promise. So let's drop this negativity and head our separate ways." Skychaser couldn't guess how the earth pony was going to take that. Astral eyed her sharply, and didn't respond right away. Then, his eyelids drooped, as if worn by the exchange. "...whatever. I don't care." And that was that. Without another word, the researcher turned and strode away. “Sure you don’t buddy....” Sky muttered, only to feel a hoof gently touch his shoulder again. “It's okay. Let him go." “I'm sorry, but what an actual ass." He growled, now that the other stallion was out of their radius. "He’s going to get slapped by somepony one day, I just know it.” Dream smiled kindly. "Maybe. Hopefully he'll pull himself together before that happens?" Sky stared at Dream for that response. Now more than ever he was baffled. "Dream...how are you not angry?" It was true that he had never seen what the mare's anger looked like. But for Astral to treat her so severely, only for her to wish the stallion well? The unicorn hummed. "It's not exactly my favorite emotion. And it's not one I really experience." Dream Flow jumped to her hooves then, smiling bright. "With that said, come on! This whole thing with Astral isn't worth your anger!" He could tell she was trying to lift the mood as she playfully nudged him with her flank so he would stand up with her. Normally he'd let her, content with being distracted from negativity, but... There was also a difference between lifting the mood and trying to pretend it wasn't there. "Maybe, but...I can't really help feeling the way I do. Right?" Sky sighed, rubbing his foreleg roughly. "I'm sure it'll die down later, but right now, I can't help being angry after all of that. I can't exactly make that feeling go away. You know?" At Dream's silence, Sky curiously looked up to find her staring back at him with a stunned expression. "...you're right." While guilt flickered across her face, it was replaced by an apologetic smile as she lowered her head. "I'm sorry...that was insensitive. Of course you should vent and let your feelings run their course." "H-hey, it's alright." Sky extended a wing a patted his friend on the back. In that moment, he remembered. Dream could sense his negativity even with her magic inactive, couldn't she? 'That's probably how she knew Astral was nearby earlier...I'm sure he's a walking cloud of it. She must be worried.' Sky breathed in deeply before exhaling, hoping to relieve at least most of that angry flare within him. "So...is that why you ended our conversation earlier? Because you knew I wouldn't react well if I knew everything?" Dream smiled weakly at him. "That's part of it. I should've been more honest about that, huh? The last thing I wanted was for it to negatively affect you. But I never expected you to confront him like that." Skychaser winced. "Yeah...s-sorry I lied and snuck off behind your back." He rubbed the back of his head. "It was dumb. I really didn't think that whole thing through." Dream affectionately bumped her head against his shoulder. "I think your big bro senses kicked in, sooo I can't fault you too much~" The two ponies chuckled together, and thankfully the warmth was helping to relieve the anger still churning in his chest. Though, one more question did come to mind.... "You said 'part of it', right?" Sky inquired curiously. "What was the other reason?" Once more, a silence descended upon the duo, a contemplative look on Dream's face. "I...know more than I should." "Huh?" Dream turned her head, looking out towards where Astral had retreated. "I know more about Astral's feelings than he wants me to know. I think it's why he's acting as aggressive as he is, especially towards me." "Huh..." Sky mumbled thoughtfully. It made sense. She of all ponies would be able to understand whatever mess of emotions was inside such an unpleasant pony. Even now, Sky was at a loss when it came to whatever logic Astral had attempted to spout out. "So...what IS his deal then?" Dream's smile softened. "Sorry Sky. I can't really say." "Can't?" The stallion frowned. "Is this about that whole 'confidentiality' thing? He's not one of your clients, so-" Dream shook her head. "It's not about confidentiality. It's about respecting his feelings." Something sad crept into Dream's expression, yet her smile remained. "Astral wasn't completely wrong. My magic can be invasive to a degree." The mare gazed down at her hooves, gently running one against the sand below her. "My magic can never be turned off completely, you know? I'm constantly reading ponies without meaning to, whether it's feeling a negative shift or downright getting a glimpse at their emotions just because my horn is active. So it's not fair for me to share that information, unless they consent or it's detrimental. Thank goodness the latter's never happened." Dream Flow straightened, catching Sky's eyes with her own. There was something gentle yet resolute there. "But I want you to understand that my intent is never to...'get into somepony's business'. For me, whenever someone seems lost or has some internalized negativity, I just can't help but feel inclined to aid them if they let me." Sky watched as the unicorn placed her hooves over her chest where her heart would be, closing her eyes peacefully. "My magic is meant to help others, and cultivate happiness. That's my destiny, and I believe in it. Even if there are ponies who think like Astral, I don't want to be discouraged. I truly, honestly want to devote myself to this in every way I can." "Dream Flow..." Opening her eyes, the mare grinned at him sheepishly "In fact, it's why I moved to Ponyville! To broaden my world and for a whole new beginning." Skychaser nodded as he listened with interest. He never knew the full extent of Dream's feelings on her own abilities. Somehow it never even crossed his mind to ask her what it was like, or even what drove her. At least now he had the chance. And maybe it could serve as a good distraction for them both. "That's seriously really cool, Dream..." He tilted his head. "But what did you mean by 'cultivate happiness'?" Dream Flow's eyes seemed to light up at the question. "OH, yes! Stop me if this is hard to follow, but um," Dream lifted her hooves, gesturing them about as she spoke. "You see, happiness may be a fleeting emotion, but it’s a vital part of harmony when you think about it, right? And harmony is ponykind’s ideal, so happiness is ponykind’s ideal too!" "'Ideal'?" "Yeah! Like, it's what ponykind as a society aims and wishes for. Equestria is called the 'Land of Harmony,' after all!" Dream nodded to herself with certainty. "So with that ideal being so important to everyone, I want to do my part in helping anypony that I can reach a place where they can work towards their ideal state of happiness! In my case, sorting out and analyzing emotions is that first step~" ...Skychaser wasn't sure he completely understood this talk of ideals. But the way Dream seemed so driven by her beliefs was all he needed to understand how important it was to her. Once his friend had finished gushing, Skychaser smiled tenderly. "Well I for one think that's admirable." Dream Flow let out a shy laugh, rubbing her foreleg. "Gee, thanks...I never told anyone about that before. I'm so glad you don't think it's strange." Throwing his wing fully around Dream, he pulled the mare into a fond side hug. "Psh naw, never Dreamers~" 'But huh...guess there's way more to learn about Dreamy than I thought.' Pulling away, Dream Flow shook her hindquarters of any dirt and turned towards the abandoned treat cups. Even from a distance she was able to engulf the cups with her magic aura and have them float over to them. She tilted them forward to inspect them closely. "A little melted, but...salvageable!" Dream handed the appropriate cup over to Skychaser, who balanced it on a wing. "Heh, guess we got lucky~ But even if we didn't, we were gonna get more with Eventide later anyway." 'Speaking of Eventide...' Although hesitant for a few seconds, Skychaser chose to speak his mind and glanced over at his companion. "Hey does she...know? About her brother and whatever's going on I mean." Dream's expression softened. "Eventide and Astral don't really talk, so I can't say if she knows what's going on with him personally. But I haven't told her about any of this, and I'm not really planning to." Sky was a little taken aback by that. "Really? I mean, shouldn't she know?" "She already has so much to deal with. I don't want to put this on her and make her feel responsible for his actions, especially because they aren't close in the first place." 'I guess that makes sense.' Dream gave a long, cat-like stretch before she bounced back up onto her hooves. Her energy seemed to return to her as she faced him with her usual cheer "And hey, it really isn't a big deal to me anyway! I'd rather Astral be honest with me about how he really feels than to pretend to like me, you know?" She beamed up at her friend. "So try not to worry about it too much! As long as we respect his space, everything should be fine!" Skychaser had a feeling he'd never be able to follow that level of positive thinking. Even as somepony who tried to keep things fun and light-hearted, he was pretty sure Dream Flow was on a whole other level. Nothing seemed to get her down. In fact, in all the time he'd spent with her, he couldn't recall ever hearing her complain. 'It's like optimism drives her whole being...geez. Guess she's the type to refuse to let negativity get to her. That's...pretty incredible.' He personally didn't think he'd be forgiving the 'royal scientist' anytime soon. But in the end, for the sake of letting Dream move past this, Skychaser smiled back. He decided to take the first step back towards the town's square, keeping stride with his friend's hoofsteps as she followed. "If you say so, Dreamers. I'll do my best." ____________________________________________________________

Holy wow there's a lot to dissect here (this turned out way longer than I anticipated). But I'll leave that up to you guys~ We finally get a glimpse at present-day Astral Dusk, who's....well, who knows. And we learn more about our dear emotion counselor~

#mlp #my little pony #mlp art #mlp oc #Eventide Twister #Dreamaria Flow #Skychaser #Astral Dusk #Destinyverse #story

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