NOTE:
Sorry for the lack of updating and chapter releases. I've run into a bit of writer's block and have been very busy as of late. More regular updates to come.
William Sable
Chapter 8: Trouble on the Home Front
Shadow stood atop a hill, the cool night-time breeze gently gliding across the plains in front of him. The pale moonlight lit the plains, casting shadows everywhere. Storm observed everything, entranced by the natural beauty before him. The soft thud of approaching hooves broke Shadow's trance. He listen closely and quickly identified the gait.
"Hey Shadow."
Storm turned and saw Twilight Sparkle approaching him, walking slowly up the hill.
"Rainbow Dash has been looking for you," Twilight continued, "She's hasn't seen you for most of the day, and she's getting worried. She won't admit it though."
Shadow nodded and responded, "I'll be sure to stop off at her house on my way home."
Storm turned once again to gaze out into the darkness before him.
"What are you doing up here?" Twilight asked, raising her left eyebrow slightly.
"Enjoying the scenery," Shadow answered with a grin.
Twilight shook her head and asked again, "What? I don't see any..."
"Twi, you're not looking at it the way I do. I've always liked the night," Shadow explained.
"Why? It's cold, hard to see, quiet..." Twilight questioned, trailing off with a slight shiver.
Shadow smiled, and responded, "I like the cold. The peace and quiet is nice. And it isn't hard to see. If you have your eyes used to the dark, you can see fine. And everything is just so different and... serene at night."
Sparkle frowned and questioned bluntly, "Something's wrong right? Last time you got this poetic you were depressed."
Shadow nodded and answered, "There's a lot that's wrong. The trainees I've been given are useless, I've got an insubordinate Sergeant who's sneaking off during the day, and then there's Dash..."
Twilight cocked her head to the side and sat down, stating, "Go on. What happened?"
Storm rubbed his neck nervously, and continued, "She uh... wanted me to... be uh... erm... rel... suh...I... uh..."
Twilight lowered her head and nodded slightly, ushering Storm to continue.
Shadow took a deep breath and blurted out, "She wanted me to get intimate but I didn't want to because I don't think I'm ready and I don't want to ruin what we already have going because it's going pretty good."
Storm panted slightly after finishing his sentence and looked at Twilight. She nodded and pondered for a moment.
"Well if you aren't ready, you aren't ready," Twilight concluded, adding, "And it won't ruin what you've got going. With the way she acts about you, I don't think you have to worry."
Shadow smiled and remarked, "Thanks, you have no idea how much it helps to be able to talk to somepony."
Twilight smiled, and stood up, saying, "No problem, see you around."
With that the purple unicorn left. Storm stood alone, a shadowy outline amidst a sea of even darker shadows. After a few minutes he took a deep breath and left for Dash's home. Within minutes he found himself on the doorstep, the faint candlelight from within trickling through the cracks of the door.
He knocked quietly, and soon he saw a familiar face answer the door with a smile. After a brief greeting, Storm followed Rainbow Dash into her house, the two Pegasi taking a seat in the living room as they had done so many times before. It had nearly been a week since he had been inside Dash's house, and it felt odd to be there once again.
"So how's your dreams faring? Any better?" Storm asked, mustering a light-hearted smile.
Dash shook her head and replied in a raspy voice, "No, they're getting worse if anything."
Shadow sighed and remarked, "It'll be fine, they'll pass in time."
Rainbow nodded doubtfully, her ears drooping slightly.
"Something wrong?" Storm asked, noting her depressed look.
"It's nothing," Dash stated shaking her head.
Shadow raised an eyebrow, and retorted, "Dash, you're bad at lying."
Rainbow cringed as he spoke. He could read her so well, and in this case it was annoying.
"I feel bad…" Dash slowly answered after a few moments.
Shadow nodded, indicating for Rainbow to continue.
"I feel bad about the other night," the blue Pegasus stated, "It was wrong of me to try to force… that on you… especially twice."
Shadow nodded and replied, "Its fine. I understand. The main reason I… didn't… was because I don't think I'm ready for that, not yet at least. And I don't want to ruin the thing we've got right now."
Rainbow sighed slightly, her breath filled with relief, and responded, "Cool."
Awkward silence followed, as the two sat staring at the floor. Finally, Storm broke the silence, his face serious.
"I need your opinion on something important," he stated, looking deeply at Dash.
Rainbow raised her head and nodded.
Storm sighed and explained, "There's a Sergeant at the base who I think is up to something. He could be innocent but something seems off. What should I do?"
Dash thought for a few seconds, before asking, "Well, why do you think he's up to something?"
Shadow quickly answered, "I barely see him all day, he gets no work done and I just have a hunch."
Rainbow nodded and pondered on Storm's reasons. She knew they were valid reasons for investigating his daily routine, but was slightly doubtful. He could just be slacking off.
Dash responded finally, "Well I can't be of much help Hotshot. Just go with the flow."
Shadow agreed half-heartily and stood up.
"I've got to go; morning comes earlier than anticipated. Thanks, for everything."
Rainbow smiled and replied, "No problem, later Hotshot."
Shadow walked out of the large living room, its column archway towering over his head. As he opened the door, he stopped, hearing Dash call to him. He turned around slowly and saw her advancing toward him with an object in her mouth.
"For one," she started, he voice muffled by the object, "You never gave me a goodbye kiss."
She placed the object on the ground in front of Storm. It shined brightly in the pale candlelight.
"And two, this belongs to you."
Storm inspected it closer and immediately recognized it and smiled. It was his old aviator sunglasses.
He laughed and said, "Thanks Dashie, but you keep them."
Dash shook her head and responded, "No, I'm good. I've got my own pair, and I don't wear aviators. There not as cool as mine, no offense."
Shadow smiled and nudged the glasses onto is face. He gently pecked a kiss of Dash's cheek, and with a slight bow, left out the door. Storm was beaming on the way home, the icy wind rushing past his face as he flew homeward.
'Well I guess that's settled."
