Scene #277: Morning with Luna

Owner	Pose
Calumnia	Calumnia seems to have curled up at some point during her slumber. Lacking the fur her shapeshifted forms afford, and being caught out of her bed-roll, the cool evening bites at her exposed hide, making her nestle into something warm and soft once a faint turns to dreamless slumber. It is, in turn, the wee pre-dawn hours of the morn that the proto-changeling begins to stir, announced in a flickering of unusual wings and shifting muscles.
Luna	And what is that something warm and soft? Why it is most likely Luna, who stayed through the night to keep watch over Calumnia and protect her from the dangers of the area, be it creature of curious pony. So, Luna has been awake all night, her eyes scanning the forest for creatures who might get to close. She knows (unlike her player!) that this is not an entirely safe area, but being an alicorn she is not really worried about anything that might attack them here. Dragons usually prefer rocky areas or mountains where they can hide in caves, and timber wolves are only dangerous to those without the strength to defend themselves. When Calumnia stirrs, Luna smiles. "Good morning, my little pon-" Luna blinks, then hmms. "What would you call yourself? Pony? While you look a bit different, I think you are still a pony."
Calumnia	The response is a soft murmur and a moment of curling more tightly before the ball-o-'pony' freezes completely still, several very important facts registerring. First, she's being spoken to. Second, she didn't recall falling asleep. Third, she can feel something warm, soft, and slightly tickly over her /bare flesh/. If the situation weren't quite so alien to the proto-mare, the response may have even been violent or a rapid retreat or spell. What actually happens, is a dazed warble and an ungraceful flop and flail as thin legs bat at a wing and her wings buzz painfully against the ground. It takes several moments of this before her mind calms and she goes... somewhat limp, looking at Luna upside down through her cool green eyes. After another moment of silence, a blush forms against the darkness of her choarcoal hide.
Luna	Luna yelps softly when her wing is assaulted, then quickly folds it against her side. "It is alright! You are in no danger!" she says quickly. When Cal suddenly stops and goes limp, Luna smirks lightly. "Not a morning pony, I take it? Not that I can blame you. Morning means that the lovely night and the peace it often brings is giving way to the hustle and bustle of the day. Not to mention the strong rays of the sun that can be blinding to look at." "Are you...ah...thirsty? Do you drink water? I..." Luna blinks, then blushes a bit herself. "I suppose I should try to keep my questions to a minimum. But..I am curious where you will find your sustainence for today."
Calumnia	The blushing stare lasts a few moments longer before Calumnia rolls onto her belly and shivers abit. In a rolling wave from muzzle to tail fur grows, dark grey like her 'flesh', apparently only adopted for warmth. It does make her look less alien, though, to not have (admittedly smooth, maybe even rubbery) flesh exposed. "I fed while in town. I typically am not able to feed while in transit, so I have to try to stay in one place long enough to satisfy my hunger and build enough to make it elsewhere." She responds, walking to the falling hot embers of the fire and a sickly-green aura brings more wood to the coals, which are stirred and blown on until a fire begins to lick at them again. She's silent as she works. "Night is a time of predator and things that would devour a pony foolish enough to meander in the dark when they are blind and helpless." Her eyes look back at Luna, pupils for a change wide and round, the better ot let in the light of the setting Moon; for the sun had not yet risen. "Perhaps I should not be so surprised you show concern for me."
Luna	Luna's ears flatten as she hears another, no less accurate, description of her nighttimes. "You are a pony, regardless of what Discord may have done to you, and my sister and I fought hard to free ponies from Discord. I could hardly say I had done my duty if I abandoned a pony so mistreated by him that she is now shunned by most ponies." Luna says, standing slowly and stretching. She walks over toward the fire, then seats herself on her haunches. "How long have you been living like this? Staying in one place only long enough to feed before having to move on?" she asks, her tone and expression sympathetic.
Calumnia	"No offense intended but your syster felt it was a favor simply to not kill me on principal." Calumnia's voice is cool but not outright antagonistic. More... she's making conversation and shei sn't particularly used to it. "I'm not sure I would willingly count myself as one. I've never intentionally sought the death of a pony, the same cannot be said of the ponies themselves, even if it would just be easier for me to drain them, then gut them so they couldn't give away my position." As she speaks, she walks to her tent set into the trees, fetching a simple cast-iron pot and a few eggs from within the dark-green fabric, returning to set the pot over the low fire so it can begin heating. "Well more recently I've lingered in town as long as there were ponies I could feed from inconspicuously before moving on, though the last town was my record at two less than a score of sunrises (18 days) until Lady Celestia asked me to leave. Prior to that, I stayed in one place until I was discovered and was forced to elave."
Luna	Luna watches in curiousity as Calumnia starts preparing what looks to be a regular meal. "Well, I am certainly glad you did not resort to such things as murder. Even I would not be able to defend you if you did that." she says, then tilts her head. "You eat normal foods and yet still need to drain ponies?" Luna asks, seeming a bit puzzled by that. She decides it must be two different needs, and so shrugs it off. "Have you considered..." Luna hesitates. She knows she would hate to do such a thing, but... "...asking ponies if they would be willing to share? I am sure if ponies knew the truth, they would not forsake you so easily." Luna is also puzzled by her sister's apparent reaction of 'kill it'. Perhaps Celestia did not hear the whole story.
Calumnia	Eggs crack into the heated pot. Not the ideal instrument but a bit of magic to act as a spatula and heated metal to cook it works well enough. They rapidly start hissing, magic prodding and breaking them up, half frying and half scrambling them. "I need less love if I eat and drink regularly. I can survive without it, but I have the supplies and..." She hesitates, half smirking, "A guest, this morning." The situation is rather novel in itself, until the question is asked. Her ears pin and she emits a low hiss from her throat. "Oh yes. I've asked. It was the first thing I did. They were very polite. They listened and stared as I explained what I knew of what happened and next thign I know after I told them what I needed from them to survive, I was being chased out with sickles, torches, and pitchforks. I didn't even get that courtesy after the first time form other ponies. So yes, I've asked. And been run off and sometimes chased. As I mentioned before to your sister, I eventually stopped asking and /took/. I am somewhat ashamed how much I took the first time but I was starving." She bares her fangs for a long moment, then exhales. "But unless a pony is trying to kill me, I prefer to run or injure in order to escape. I do not hesitate to defend myself when necessary, of course." A clay plate floats from her supplies, and the eggs find their way onto them, and are offered to the lunar mare.
Luna	Luna listens to the story, her own ears pinning back. She shakes her head, then sighs. She doesn't know what to do. Her sister seems to think this creature beyond redemption, and the townsfolk so far have been very opposed to her. Luna's ears perk up lightly as an idea comes to her. What if -she- supplied the love herself? She is an alicorn, so she has more energy to spare, right...? But, her ears flatten again. Her sister would never go for such an idea. She would have to keep it a secret. But...she doesn't want to do that. Keeping secrets from her sister is bad. Sisters don't keep secrets from each other! Luna sighs heavily, then looks at Calumnia again. "I think I need to know a little more. Does your feeding diminish the target's feelings in any way? Or does it simply drain their energy?"
Calumnia	The palte full of eggs levitates up within view for a moment. "Would you like to have your fill first?" She offers, "As I said I can do without, and I think there's some raspberries left over there." She nods twoard a cluster of leafy green briars barely visible at the edge of the firelight. The proto-changeling settles by the fire, enjoying the crackling warmth and remains silent, regarding the Lunar Lady's question for a few moments. "It depends on how much I take. I've seen ponies become tired or listless, and if I feed too much they can become irratable, grumpy, sometimes even violent. I don't feed on anypony much after they begin to show signs of anger." She snorts. "/I'm/ not the monster." That coment is edged with venom but not directed toward anypony in particular.
Luna	Luna blinks as the eggs are offered. Not her usual breakfast of choice, since she prefers vegetables, but she is not one to turn down something offered by a gracious hostess. She accepts about half of one egg and politely floats it off the plate, nibbling it as it floats there. "Thank you." she says with a smile before listening to Cal speak. "I see..." Luna says after the explanation. "That sounds rather like what happens to a pony who does not get enough sleep. I wonder if there is any connection..." Luna ponders that a few moments, only to blink in surprise at Calumnia's sudden outburst. She sighs sympathetically, then shakes her head. "I would say you are no different than a bear or a wolf, in that regard. They are not monsters, but they must feed to stay alive. It is simply misfortune that you must feed on ponies." Luna is quiet a few more moments, then she stands. "Alright, Calumnia, I am going to make you an offer. The next time you are feeling...hungry, contact me. I will willingly offer myself so that you might be spared the pain of persecution by other ponies. But, I would ask one condition. That you allow me to present you to the townsfolk of Everfree in your natural form. And you cannot hide your form while in Everfree. I am confident that with time, we could convince the ponies there that you are not evil or to be feared." Luna offers this choice with confidence, but inside she is a bit scared of what Celestia would say.
Calumnia	The plate is drawn back in but pauses as Calumnia's ears perk, listening to the offer, before placing the plate of food at her hooves, and she cuts off her magic, isntead leaning her head down to eat as an Earth Pony might, or a Pegasus. After a few swallows she exhales. "I...." The offer to be fed willingly is something - for her - unheard of. Then again she's fully aware that she has a reputation, and a vague approximation of her form had already spread, thanks to her unwillingness to kill witnesses. "I'm sorry. I cannot accept your offer, though... I do appreciate it. I truly do. Maybe if you had been the first pony I met." She smiles, exposing those fangs a bit more prominantly unintentionally before sighign and returning to her meal.
Luna	Luna mmphs in slight annoyance at the reply. Not that she is surprised, but it is still annoying. She is trying to help! "I must urge you to reconsider. The ponies of Everfree might be more willing to listen if I present you than those ponies you faced alone. Surely you do not want to continue on this path. Magister Twilight's world...that could be you if we do not do something to prevent it now. Your shadowy efforts are only damaging your position in this world. If you become viewed as a predator, then..." Luna looks worried. She doesn't want to say what it would mean. She gives Calumnia a pleading look. If she can't save this pony, one of the creatures Discord damaged so badly, then how can she say that she saved the world from Discord?
Calumnia	Taking the time to finish her meal before responding, Calumnia removes the pot from the fire to cool, and places the clay plate out of the way to be washed later. "I /am/ a predator, Luna. I just am lucky enough that I needn't kill to - hmm. Would that make me a parasite then?" She asks, voice trailing off. Another introspective moment passes before those green eyes, still bearing a (mostly) rounded pupil look up at Luna. "I...can't Luna. Every time I've ever been in a town, I've been chased away, attacked, or even fled from, if I've had to defend myself recently. Ponies are skittish, and they're terrified - at best - of anything that even hints at Discord, much less something with these." She clicks a hoof against her fangs. "Hay, I've even heard that some of the plants he's created are being stamped out where ponies find them. In fact I saw a town burning as much sugar-cotton as they could dig up." By now the distress is evident on her face, pupils narrowing a little as her ears pin, wings buzzing lightly while her tail lashes. "They'd kill me or chase me away. Again! And... and... I odn't wanna feed on a pony I know is nice." Her eyes flick to Luna's. "I've never been able to stay in one place long enough to know if there's any extended effects from feeding and-- I - I wouldn't want you to end up like some of the ponies that I over-drained."
Calumnia	(Sugar Cotton is a naturally occuring form of candy-floss; featuring vibrant pink and blue leaves it blooms in the summer months and into autumn, alternating between flower and seed. Different breeds offered a variety of flavors. Extinct in modern Equestria, and the inspiration for Cotton Candy)
Luna	Luna bites her lip as Calumnia does a bit of story telling. And it isn't a happy story. Luna is quiet for several moments after that. Finally though, she speaks. "But, wouldn't it be better to find out on someone who is willing to take that chance, and who has the aid of other worlds behind her? Not to mention that I am able to heal myself from most injuries or fatigue. It is better that I am put in danger than any of the weaker ponies of our world who would not be able to cope with it." Of course, Luna doesn't think about the fact that if people know that one of their beloved saviors is being drained, it could turn out even worse. She is just thinking that she has to be able to save Calumnia somehow.
Calumnia	"Are you asking me if it's the morally correct choice to possibly bring harm to a pony that is more willing to take a life than save one, or to almost certainly harm a pony displaying faith and kindness?" Calumnia's voice is almost deadpan, but it's edged with a dark undertone. "I say I'd be /wrong/ to feed off of you in anything but an emergency because you're /willing/ to help me. You're /willing/ to share your love and kindness, and therefor are /undeserving/ of any pain that might cause you. Meanwhile a pony that would rather kill me than offer a little bit of their energy to save my life should be targeted first, because they aren't offering that love anyway, what use do they have for it?"
Luna	"It is morally correct to harm somepony who believes he or she is defending herself? No. And while it is alright to defend yourself, it is not alright to target someone who -might- hurt you." Luna says, her expression one of someone who is quite sure of herself. "You may feel it is alright to go after one who has hurt you in the past, but...that just is not right. Because that pony could become somepony who is a friend in the future, and..." Luna seems to get a bit flustered at this point. She isn't used to explaining things. "It's just better if you feed on someone who is willing, okay?!" she finally says, not knowing what else to say. "Because, those ponies you take love from might want it for something else!"
Calumnia	The proto-changeling considers the rebuttle, listening to the fire crackle and pop as her eyes turn to hte sky. She doesn't do that much, and even in the hours of predawn a few stars are visible, which brings her attention back down to Luna. "...Well then, what would you say if we put that to the test?" She asks. "I'll come with you to Everfree if you garuntee my safety personally until I leave, so long as I don't break any laws of course, and I will agree not to feed on anypony that does not consent to it knowingly. Under a few conditions."
Luna	Luna blinks as Calumnia agrees. "Really?" she says, seeming surprised, before she coughs. "Ah, of course! I will personally gaurantee your safety. Anypony that wants to hurt you will have to go through me." she says, spreading her wings and putting on her best heroic pose. Until she hears that there are more conditions. "...what conditions do you want to add?" Luna asks, unable to keep herself from being a bit suspicious of more conditions. "I mean, I guess it is fair since I gave you some..."
Calumnia	Calumnia clears her throat. "Since I believe you, and possibly your sister, are exceptions, not the rule... I don't think your ponies would ever abide my presence if they new what it meant. Therefor to prove my point, on my first day there, I want it publicly announced /what/ I feed on, and /who/ will be providing it for my stay. I think the reactions will speak for themselves. If I am correct then I am perfectly entitled to feed as I have been; without a ponies knowledge, because they wouldn't give it to me if they knew. If you are correct then perhaps I've misjudged ponies as a whole, and this can be a way to start over." Frmo her tone of voice she doesn't believe it likely. "Secondly, if I /am/ attacked, and for some reason you are not there, I want your promise that you will not allow me to be hunted beyond the edge of the Everfree, because I /will/ defend myself, to the death if necessary. Third, I would /like/ to know how I might depart this world. I am not foolish enough to believe I could hide indefinitely after revealing myself. Should your little ponies fail to be as accepting as you expect, I want a way out."
Luna	Luna doesn't seem phased by that first part. "Of course! I was going to inform them of all of that anyway." she says, before she listens to the rest of it. She doesn't particularly like the possibility that her little ponies might attack Calumnia, but she has to admit it is a possibility. "...alright. I will grant your requests. The ways off of Equestria are not hidden, so you probably would have found them eventually anyway." Luna says. "And if you are attacked for some reason, I will ensure that nopony from this Equestria comes after you. I will even try to prevent those from outside Equestria from coming for you, if that happens." It isn't unreasonable to want a way off of a hostile world, after all. Luna smiles after that. "So, you have nothing to worry about. I'll make sure nothing bad happens to you if at all possible." Luna holds out a hoof for a hoofshake to seal the deal.
Calumnia	A hoof raises to Luna's, but hesitates. "Actually, one last condition. If I notice any effects suggesting I'm taking too much from you, and I have no other.... volunteers... by the time they manifest, the deal is off. I will leave and quite probably make my way elsewhere." She looks to Luna's eyes, trying to hold her gaze. "You are the first pony that's been truly kind to me, and treated me like what I used to think a pony /would/. I'm not going to let you suffer for me."
Luna	Luna smiles as she holds Calumnia's gaze. "I already said, I'm willing to suffer a little. So, how about any serious effects, rather than just -any- effects?" she says before extending her hoof again. "I would hate for you to disappear just because I seem a little sleepy one day. That happens all the time because I stay up too early." She giggles at her own little joke.
Calumnia	The look given in response is less thn mirthful. "Fatigue is common and I actually took advantage of that side effect to use it as a sedative. Weakness comes after, then it starts having an emotional impact. Whether you're willing or no, I am not."
Luna	Luna sighs softly. "Alright." she says, a bit begrudgingly. "So, it's a deal then?" she says, her smile returning.
Calumnia	With that, Calumnia's hoof meets Luna's, shaking on it to seal the deal. "We're agreed. For the time being though I should have enough in reserve to get to the town and a few days after. I was prepared to spend a week on the road and a few more getting settled into town. A bit longer since I don't have to take on a different guise."
Luna	Luna nods, smiling brightly now. "Great! But, be sure and wait for me before...well...I guess it would be alright to enter town without me, but you should enter in your disguise and lay low until I am able to introduce you to the town in your normal form." she says. Then, she turns and starts to clop away before stopping and looking over her shoulder, her tail giving a swish. "...I could...fly you to within walking distance of Everfree, and introduce you today. Or tomorrow."
Calumnia	"It's alright. I can fly, but I still prefer the ground. Heights make me dizzy." She smiles uncertainly, and with a yawn sets out the sleeping roll. "I'm goign to get some more sleep anyway. I hope you're right, Lady Luna." As she climbs into the soft roll of fabric and stuffing, her fur vanishes back into her hide. "Good n... Good day." She offers with a smile, before bundling in.