HORSETRON: Defender of Equestria

"GAAAAA! WHAT in the world was that!?" Terra shouts as an overwhelming searing pain engulfs her eyes.

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Sorrysorrysorry, your highness. I realized the crystal could be dissolved magically, so I tried, but it went wrong." That was Diamond Dust, screw up extraordinaire. Not good for anything except breaking things.

ooc:

Princess Terra realized that part of the pain she was feeling wasn't her own and almost collapsed.  However, Risk Burst had a much sterner reaction as she stumbled blindly, "You fool! Why didn't you wait for one of the mages to handle this? No wonder you weren't cut out for being in the guard!"

"I know, I know Sir-I mean Ma'am." Diamond Dust mumbled. Why in Equestria the statue chose him, he didn't know. Some use he'd be protecting the Princesses like this.

Terra takes a few harsh breaths before managing to make a comment. " I am sure that he is well aware of his shortfallings at the moment. Though I must ask why he did what he did.."

Several ponies rushed into the room including a tall, older stallion with a thick and greying beard.  Princess Terra was able to recognize his voice as her advisor, Alte Antiquus.  "I heard a most unnatural tune, Your Highness.  What has happened?"

Eclair trotted through the castle halls with a spring in her step as she quietly hummed to herself a cheery little folk song from her youth. Her hoof falls beating a steady sprightly natural tempo to her humming on the castle floors as she headed back to the kitchens. That is until a shrill tone blasted through the castle that she could as much feel through her hooves and teeth as hear with her ears and causing her to jump a good few feet into the air. Her wings instinctively opening up and beating gently at the peak of her jump, keeping her levitating a pony height off the ground.

"Mon dieu! What was zat?"

She asked no one in particular even as the angle of her wing beats shifted to propel her forward down the hall towards where she assumed the sound originated. Before long she found herself following a pair of maids who were likewise seeking the source of the mysterious sound. Three became four when a noble pony joined the small group, then four became seven when a small group of guards did likewise. Soon a small herd of ponies filled the hall, on hooves or wings, headed in the same direction with Eclair in the center of the mob. She couldn't turn back now if she'd ever even thought to do so.

In no time at all the small wave of ponies rushed into one room in particular where the Princess waited, looking slightly dazed. She tilted her head slightly as she dropped to a landing when a noble pony stepped forward to speak to Princess Terra.

Eclair adjusted her hat and scarf self-consciously as she did, unaware the Princess was too blind at the moment to notice if her beret was askew.

ZamuelNow wrote:Several ponies rushed into the room including a tall, older stallion with a thick and greying beard.  Princess Terra was able to recognize his voice as her advisor, Alte Antiquus.  "I heard a most unnatural tune, Your Highness.  What has happened?"

Terra nods her head in the direction of Alte's voice and replies trying to keep pain and weakness from showing from her body and voice. "Only a magical accident involving an enchanted crystal."

Sky Wolf saw the Princess and Diamond Dust near the crystallized painting from the previous night's auction.  She seemed less responsive of her surroundings than usual but was apparently trying to maintain the brave face.  Near them was a deep red unicorn mare.  The surrounding crowd looked like variations of castle staff though a few seemed to have higher ranking due to their demeanor and how they carried themselves.

---

Alte Antiquus noted the Princess' response and mannerisms.  To the crowd he spoke in a calm, yet authoritative, tone as he stood taller than most of them, "Merely a simple mishap as is sometimes the occassion of magic.  The Princess certainly appreciates your concern but there's still work to complete for tomorrow.  You wouldn't want to let her down, would you?"  Most of the crowd started to disperse though a pegasus and earth pony of rank seemed to instead move closer.

Her ears flip back against her head as she scuffs her hoof nervously on the floor.

"Excusez-moi monsieur, but is zere anyzing I can do to help?"

ooc:

"You're of the cooking staff?  Some ice and a clean towel should be plenty."  The earth pony, blue mare whose pink mane was adorned with a wreath of flowers, moved next to Eclair, "Please, allow me to assist you."

Eclair nods with a smile, fluttering her wings slightly at her side.

"Of course! I shall retrieve them tout de suite!"

She turns her attention towards the earth pony mare with a short curtsy.

"Merci madame! It is much appreciated! Allons-y, s'il vous plaît!"

And with that she begins down the halls keeping a slightly hurried but easy to follow pace in deference to her current companion.

It took a bit of time due to the crowd returning to their posts but Eclair easily managed to reach the ice storage in the kitchen.  "You seem to be quite new.  Don't think I've seen you around the castle."

---

"It seems I must ask, why are the rest of you are still here?  Especially you, Serene Blue.  It's a surprise you managed to locate a brush."  The light blue pegasus chuckled and casually leaned against the wall, "C'mon Al, I always make sure to be more presentable for royal events and I want to look my best for tomorrow." "You know better than speak with such disrespect..." Risk Burst was still clearly struggling to stand through her disorientation.  Meanwhile, Princess Shimmer Wishes made a wide arc around the commotion and gently tapped the crystal.  The gem immediately dissolved to dust, leaving behind just the painting.

Eclair smiles as she looks around for a moment, quickly fetching a clean bucket and beginning to fill it with ice.

"Oui, it is so! Wiz ze big speech coming up so soon, everypony has been, 'ow you say..., besides zemselves trying to make sure everyzing is just so! Here in ze kitchens especially, zey need all ze help zey can get! And so zey went looking for chefs, and it was my honor to be asked! Je m'appelle Eclair, a pleasure to meet you Madame! I do hope you will enjoy ze meal provided tomorrow!"

She once again gives a small curtsy with her introduction, before stopping for a moment to consider the bucket of ice.

"Do you zink it would be a faux pas to bring ze ice in a bucket madame? Perhaps I should fetch a fancy bowl instead?"

Diamond Dust wanted to sink even further into the ground after hearing all the ponies coming into the room. " Is the painting okay?

"Doubtful.  I believe the ice is for treating wounds.  Besides, the Princess can't see the pail right now though I'm sure she'd appreciate the thought.  How have you been holding up during all the hustle and bustle?"

---

Princess Shimmer Wishes very calmly looked the painting over, "It looks quite remarkable.  I'm impressed with the artistic skill this must have required."

Dust breathed a sigh of relief... then seized up again? "Princess Rosepatch? Are you there?" he asked rather loudly, worry clearly evident.

"What are you going on about? Princess Rosepatch passed away shortly after the War."  

Princess Rosepatch does not reply.

Dust's panic grew. If the princess was in trouble, because of him... "Your Highness! Can you hear the Princess?!

Eclair nods in understanding.

"Quite well, merci! I grew up at mon Momma's side helping wiz her restaurant, so I am very used to it!"

She considers the bucket for a moment after filling it before taking hold of the handle in her mouth and lifting it experimentally.

"Zis should be enough, oui? Now we need to get fresh towels. Perhaps we could find a maid?"

ZamuelNow wrote:"What are you going on about? Princess Rosepatch passed away shortly after the War."  

Princess Rosepatch does not reply.

mjh6 wrote:Dust's panic grew. If the princess was in trouble, because of him... "Your Highness! Can you hear the Princess?!

Terra raises an eyebrow in the general direction of Diamond Dust's voice and forces her voice into an even if slightly concerned tone." It is possible something became disrupted when the magic reacted. Perhaps with time there will recovery."

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Spark Rose calmly looked over to one of the nearby maids, "I require a stack of clean cloths as swiftly as you can manage."  The maid scurried off and brought back several thick white cleaning cloths in a neat stack. Scooping them up, Spark Rose started to briskly trot back to the Princess since the crowd had thinned, nodding for Eclair to follow.

---

"Well, I hope the unclear state of mind isn't contagious.  I'll wait to receive proper medical diagnosis."  As Risk Burst calmly waited, Serene Blue looked over Sky Wolf and Star Catcher as if she were sizing them up.

Diamond Dust forced himself to calm down. Panicking wouldn't help. Clearly, it was best for him to sit down and try not to touch anything, especially with his magic.