Why He's afraid of Magic

25 May 2014

16:15 Ruzeth eagerly pulls open Lucent's door long after sundown, late into the night.

16:17 Lucent looks up from his chair, where he'd been idly fidgeting with his hooves. "Ruzeth! You're back!"

16:19 Ruzeth smiles brightly at the unicorn bouncing in. "This town is so interesting. So many different ponies and zebra's and other types of creatures."

16:25 Lucent gets up and walks over to the zebra, giving him a welcoming nuzzle before pulling away. "I'm... glad you're back. What were you doing?"

04:33 Ruzeth grins back at him brightly, "Well, you see, I was exploring the town for some rare herbs and then I met this strange clawed pony who took me to her house, where she gave me part of the herbs I need, and told me the rest could be found in the forest. She was pretty sweet and let me nap there."

04:38 Lucent steps back when the zebra mentions the forest. "The forest? She warned you about it, right?" He looks down at the ground and scuffs a hoof. "O-oh. Well... if you've found somewhere better to stay... I won't keep you here..."

04:43 Ruzeth giggles at his friend's fear before and opens his mouth to speak, but before he says anything Lucent says his piece. Ruzeth's ears fold flat against his head and he looks sad, "Wait...so you would prefer I go elsewhere? But...I was enjoying your company..."

04:47 Lucent looks up, confused. "No, I-I want you to stay!" On impulse, he steps forward and wraps the zebra in a tight bear hug. "I missed you today," he says quietly before letting go and stepping back, scuffing the floor again. "S-sorry about that."

04:50 Ruzeth gives an exited squee as Lucent hugs him close, stepping forward to hug him back after the unicorn breaks away. "Sorry about what? I don't mind a hug from you." The zebra emphasizes this by nuzzling up agains the unicorns cheek.

04:55 Lucent 's mouth turns up when the zebra squees, and again when Ruzeth steps up to him and nuzzles him, even as he flattens his ears in embarrassment. His warm yellow cheeks turn a bit orange. "O-oh. Nothing, then," he mumbles, too shy to return any of Ruzeth's affections. "Well... thanks, for staying," he says finally, leaning down to give the zebra's head a tiny nuzzle.

04:57 Ruzeth pulls away sporting a wide grin on his muzzle. "So, back to the forest then. I mean, she did mention about how I /really/ shouldn't go into the forest without her, but you, I figure with your magic and my knowledge of dangerous creatures we can get by and find those herbs just fine. They're super important."

05:02 Lucent grimaces. "I told you, my... magic, it's not... good," he says, hesitating over the words 'my magic.' "And what do you know about those m-monsters, anyway?" The unicorn busies himself getting out some hay for them to eat. "Did you get dinner?"

05:06 Ruzeth frowns and puts on the cutest, most puppydog face he can muster and says, "Please! I'm sure we'll be safe out there. The creatuers cant be that different than the ones back home." Ruzeth's stomach lets out a loud growl in response before he can say anything. The zebra blushes and just shakes his head no.

05:11 Lucent plops down some dry hay on two plates and sets them on the table, his own stomach making some quieter noises. "Me either; I waited for you," he says, glancing over at Ruzeth's pouty face and immediately regretting doing so. The unicorn stammers, unable to resist the zebra's charm. "Well, I... I... okay," he says against his better judgment. "But we have to be *really careful*."

05:15 Ruzeth drops the face instantly dancing in place a little bit, his tail waving wildy. "Oh thank you so much Lucent. Hopefully we can find that flower I need to finish the inscence I need. Maybe I can get another vision." He takes a seat down at the table and begins to eat the hay.

05:16 Lucent sits down across from him and munches on his own plate of hay. "What kind of herbs are these, anyway? What are you going to do with them?""They're just a collection of herbs that are native to Zebrica that became invasive speicies over here. But the best part is, if you mix them together in teh right amouts and then, burn them, teh smoke will put you in the right state of mind to recieve messages from the spirtits.

05:22 Lucent looks a little skeptical, but he nods. "Huh. What kinds of messages do the... spirits give you?"

05:28 Ruzeth smiles basfully at Lucent and responds, "Well you know the last one, that I had some important task to do in Equestria and that I would meet a pony important to my destiny. I need some more guidance though..."

05:31 Lucent tilts his head, unsure why Ruzeth looks so bashful. He chews his hay in silence, looking thoughtful. "Do you think they might talk to me?" he asks.

05:34 Ruzeth shrugs back at lucent, taking another mouthful of hay. "I've never seen a pony attempt to communicate with them, so I don't know. Maybe so though."

05:36 < Ruzeth> damn...my scuplture flopped over whilst baking. It dead now

05:37 Lucent nods. "Well... I'll help you find some, and we can find out." He gives the zebra a tentative smile before leaning down to take another mouthful of hay. It's a little odd, but the unicorn doesn't use his horn to help him eat.

05:40 Ruzeth reaches accross the table and ruffles Lucent's mane, brushing that bony horn once again, pulling away as soon as he touches it. "Thank you so much Lucent." The zebra doesn't notice anything odd, just cause it doesn't even occur to him that one might use magic to help them eat.

05:47 Lucent doesn't really notice the brief brush against his horn, since it wasn't much more than what his mane felt like when it rubbed against it. He smiles again, looking up at Ruzeth from his plate. "Y-y'r welcomf," he says through the hay that he's chewing, before swallowing it with a gulp. "So... about what the spirits told you, they said you'd meet... 'a pony important to your destiny'?"

05:49 Ruzeth nods back at Lucent finishing off his plate. "Well mostly, they didnt tell me so much as left an impression. They never actually use words, but y ou kind of get a sense of their meaning. I dont know that its nessesarily a pony, just some sort of intelligent creatures. I"m pretty sure I"m supposed to find a zebra shaman and tsuff..."

05:51 Lucent nods slowly. "Well... I hope you find one." He gives the zebra another weak smile. "You seem... really happy today. A lot more than yesterday."

05:53 Ruzeth responds with a small giggle. "Well of course I'm feeling a little better. I've discovered that I'm gonna find what I need to consult iwth the spirits again. THey're sure to let me know where this creature is so that I can fulfil my distiny.

05:55 Lucent smiles a bit wider. "That's great! So you have like a purpose, and stuff!" He sighs and frowns, his thoughts drifting to his own, still-empty life.

05:56 Ruzeth blushes and shakes his head sadly, "Well no...I guess I don't really know what my purpose is, but maybe it'll come clear in time. "

06:05 Lucent cleans off his plate and puts both of them in the sink, before plodding over to his one armchair and flopping down into it with a heavy sigh. "Me too... I wish it'd happen sooner," he says, dejected.

14:36 Ruzeth drags his dinner cushion over to the armchair and lays it infront of the chair before taking a seat, looking up at his friend. "Don't worry Lucent, It'll come to us in time."

06:38 Lucent sighs again. "I don't know... At least you have-- no, nevermind," he says, cutting himself off and shaking his head. "I shouldn't burden you with my problems..."

06:41 Ruzeth bites his lip and shuffles around on the cushion, looking up at Lucent and folding his ears. "What? Havn't I burdened you with enough problems? Heck you have saved me on a number of occasions, so I think I can take a couple of problems off your back."

06:44 Lucent shakes his head, not making eye contact Ruzeth. "No... I'll be okay," he says, "I'm fine." His posture belies his words, though, as he slumps back in his chair and stares into space, studying a few brown spots on the aging ceiling.

06:45 < Lucent> eye contact WITH Ruzeth *

06:50 Ruzeth looks and responds in a hurt tone as Lucent refuses to share his problems with him. "But I thought we were friends right? Friends help each other through their probelms. You do trust me dont you? Cause...I trust you..."

06:54 Lucent 's ears swivel towards Ruzeth as the zebra sounds hurt. "I do trust you," the unicorn says finally. "I just..." he starts, and sighs. "I was just going to say that at least you have some kind of plan for finding your... purpose." Frowning, he continues. "I don't have anything," he says, dejected. The strong unicorn slumps in his chair.

06:59 Ruzeth stands up off from his cushion and works his way onto the couch to give his friend a close hug. "Your purpose is something you have to find. The spirits do not just throw it out there, they lead you on a journey of self discovery. You, just as I, must find our own purpose in this world." Ruzeth leans a head on the pony's shoulder

07:07 Lucent mrfs as Ruzeth crawls on top of him, the fur dragging against his nethers a little awkward. He scoots over as much as he can to give the zebra some space, but the unicorn is quite stocky and takes up most of the room. Ruzeth can fit his left legs into the free space, but definitely not his body. The yellow stallion reaches a hoof over to Ruzeth's head and gently strokes through his mane, the chiming of the rings helping him relax. "Well... I just wish I could have a little help finding it. I've had no luck so far," he says sadly.

07:14 Ruzeth purrs at the getntle stroking leaning in and hugging aroudn Lucen'ts neck tighter. "Well, we were going to get those herbs tomorrow. Hopefully you will find the answers you seek, or maybe the answers will come to me. Speaking of purposes, I need to find a job that I can do...have any ideas Lucent?"

07:19 Lucent shifts around so that he can wrap his other foreleg around the young zebra, having another's warmth next to him making him feel a little better. "Tomorrow? But I have work... or wait. Is today Friday? I do hope they work though," he says, sounding less gloomy. "A job? Um... Well, what're you good at?"

07:26 < Lucent> compromise: make today thursday

07:28 Ruzeth nods at the unicorn. "I think tomorrow is Friday actaully...Work generally happens every day back in my tribe so I didn't used to keep track of days so well." The zebra looks down at the ground, thinking hard to answer the other question. "Well...I tended to the herb gardens back home and was trained how to smpot the important wild herbs to harvest...I guess I know some rudimentary potion stuff and shamanism..."

07:31 Lucent nods back. "We'll go on Saturday, then." He hmmms as he considers the zebra's skills. "Maybe you could help out at a farm?" he suggests, wincing slightly as he says the word 'farm'. "Or a local, er... apoc.. apothc... potion-maker, if we have any of those."

07:38 Ruzeth lights up excitedly at the mention of an apothecary. "I suppose that if I can't find a shaman to study under that might be the next best thing. At least I'll get to hone my potion making skills." The zebra then takes a moment to address the wince he felt from Lucent, "Is there something wrong with farms? You dont seem comfortable with that word."

07:43 Lucent winces again and flattens his ears. "No, I... Well... You see..." he says, fumbling for words. "Trust... right..." The unicorn sighs. "The short story is that I had some... 'bad experiences' growing up on a farm," he says, struggling to actually reveal this. The unicorn yawns widely, covering his mouth with the hoof that'd been ruffling the zebra's mane. "It's late, and I have to get up for work tomorrow," he says, "We should at least get in bed." The unicorn pulls away, getting up from the chair. He walks towards the bed, but halfway there he remembers the lights and heads to turn them off.

07:48 Ruzeth shifts about, falling onto the seat as Lucent pulls away. "Alright, I guess it is getting late...but you still owe me an explanation later..." The zebra trots over to the bed before walking into Lucent as he turns to get the lights. "I thought we were heading to bed, whatcha doing now?"

07:51 Lucent flattens his ears but doesn't acknowledge Ruzeth's request for an explanation. He tries to step around the zebra in his way. "Turning off the lights," he says. "They're over there."

07:52 Ruzeth steps in front of Lucent as he tries to step around. "Cmon, you can get the lights from bed, the cool way. You wouldn't want to accidently snuggle into anything in the dark would you?" Ruzeth is pretty firm in his words, eager to get his friend to use his magic again.

07:54 Lucent folds his ears down more and pushes the zebra aside without saying anything, easily overpowering the younger stallion. He walks over to the light switch and turns them off by hoof, then turns and heads to bed.

07:57 Ruzeth tries to resist as best as he can, but is unable to actually hold strong against the push of his friend. With a sad sigh, he makes his way over to the bed, hoping in just before the lights go out. "I dont' know why you don't insist on using such a neat talent..."

08:00 Lucent easily finds his way back to his bed in the dark, having done it nearly every night. "It's... painful," he says rather vaguely, climbing into bed and accidentally using Ruzeth's belly as a hoofhold to lift himself up.

08:03 Ruzeth lets out a yelp of supprise as he feels the weight of his friend sink into his gut. "Hey, easy there...and magic is painful to use?" He asks curiously. "I'm sorry...I didnt realize that was the case. It just seems so easy."

08:06 Lucent pulls his hoof away as soon as he's on the bed, flopping down next to and partially on top of Ruzeth since the zebra was laying in the middle of the bed. "No, not.... not doing it, just... talking about it," he tried to explain.

08:08 Ruzeth scoots over on the bed to allow the unicorn to lay down. "What's so painful about talking about it? You can confide in me, I wont laugh...Its not that you are a bit of a gimp with magic is it? Cause I wouldn't beleive that for a second after that first encounter."

08:14 Lucent signs, stretching out on the bed. Before he answers, he rolls towards Ruzeth and wraps his legs around him, pulling him close to his chest in a tight hug. The stallion nuzzles into the zebra's mane, taking a deep breath of his scent. "...Kind of," he says finally. "I'm... not trained with it." He gives Ruzeth another squeeze when he finishes talking, this being hard for him.

08:18 Ruzeth snuggles backwards into Lucent's warm body, letting out a murr of contentment, his ears perked to catch is freinds explanation. "Oh thats all? See thats not so bad. You just need to practice, and maybe I'll look aroudn to help find you a teacher or something." Ruzeth gives a wide yawn, before settling down into the pillow closing his eyes.

08:22 Lucent nuzzles at Ruzeth's neck and cheek, then sighs, the zebra able to feel the the hot breath on his neck. "I..." he begins, trying to figure out how to put this into words. "It feels... wrong. To do it."

08:25 Ruzeth frowns and shakes his head at Lucent's words. "That's probably because you are not used to using it and feeling it work," Ruzeth remarks eyes still closed and breathing softening

08:28 Lucent doesn't say anything to that, but Ruzeth can feel him shake his head. The unicorn closes his eyes and sighs, squeezing Ruzeth against his chest as though to make sure the zebra is still real.

08:29 Ruzeth drifts off to sleep quickly in his friends embrace

08:36 Lucent takes a bit longer to fall asleep, laying awake listening to the steady breathing of the zebra in his legs. His eyes water as he relives all the past times he'd been caught and punished for trying to use magic. The stallion sighs again, giving Ruzeth a gently squeeze and trying to force the thoughts from his head, thinking about how he could help the young zebra find his place in the world instead. A faint smile alights on his mouth as he drifts off to sleep, cradling the younger pony between his legs.