A Gift from the Past (Private) [Concluded]

[Ashti Sandburst]

Focusing his magic with an paralysed body was not really something he was accustomed to, and it been quite exhausting although he felt like the paralysis was starting to fading away as he felt the contact of his hooves on the floor but it was too soon to be able to move. And, save the tiredness, Ashti's head was hurting and he felt like nauseous. In a bearable level but still it was very disliking. Dealing with such issues, the Sandlander didn't noticed the minotaur's rise and reacted only when he cast the smoke ball.

Not only confused, he was also puzzled with the fact he didn't attacked them or took back the suitcase. It would have been easy... speaking of wich, the Ambassador was wondering about the suitcase’s content. He supposed it was the box but he was not really sure.

"Thank you for the assistance, I do not wish to consider what might have happened had you not stopped that feathery fellow in time."
Well, likewise... ugh !

Ashti seemed a bit paler than before like if he was sick and really feel like he was about to vomit when the Ibex's patted him... but the sensation faded shortly after. Did it was a side effect of the gas ? Or does it was his body struggling with it ? He have no clue but he was sure to pay a visit to the doctor... at least when he would be able to walk.

He managed to nod to A'bek when he suddenly heard a voice from behind. He can't move his head much and from his position was unable to see the voice's owner. But he was sure to have heard it once. However he indeed spotted some cops, reassure him. Because right now he was not able to fight.
So, seeing peacemakers ponies was easing although it didn't cured him..

Looking to the police settling the crime scene, Ashti was a bit bothered by the flashes and tuned his glance towards the mare.

"Well ain't you two been busy, are you aware that you two just went hoof to..uh..claw, with an agent of one of the most annoyingly hard to catch antique thieves in Manehatten?"
... ah ?

The sandlander was somewhat surprised by this information : he was not really abreast with criminality so he didn't know that the griffon was so important. In any case Ashti didn't felt like he have really fought or be helpful, save the end of course. Listening the detective.

"[...] hope you didn't get too roughed up by all this goat boy"

The Sandlander looked to A'bek then Busgy, shaking the head slightly, trying to not intensify his headache.

That would have taken the cake, eheh.. thank you Madam the... huh... inspector.

And he politely yet friendly smiled to her as best he can right now. in his situation. The good thing is that he almost felt his legs again and managed to move slight with unsure move. It provoked needles and pins which made the ambassador to grimace a bit.

"They won't get far, and even if they do it'll be a while before they're active again. They gotta lick their wounds and avoid their bosses, fear makes mistakes so we'll get em"
We hope so... although...

Thinking of Oscar and his words triggered some flashes to the sandlander, an notably when remembering the "Lorelei" name the griffon used. A griffon called Loreleil... ? Normally he had a good memory but the flashes fulfilling his mind were hazy however he did remembering something, this name was familiar. As Oscar, but even if he hardly know him, Ashti was sure that the griffon was resourceful enough to not be totally penalised by this failure. But it was maybe just an impression.

Anyway he nodded to the mare and with greats efforts tried to walk, moving his limbed members to join the detective but not without collapsing. It was like he had to learn how to walk again but hopefully be helped by some policeponies which leaded him to a car where he could the rest the time of the travel to the police station.

During the trip, and feeling sightly better, Ashti took this opportunity to think more about this Loreleil... he was close, he was about it... and with a lot of focus he finally remembered : Back when he was around 18-20, Ashti have met a female griffon lost in some ruins and slightly wounded. It was during a relic hunt and he rescued her. He remembered now that her name was indeed Loreleil.

Thinking she was a civilian, Ashti revealed him his identify and duty. In the depths of these ruins there was an artefact that both looked for. Lorelei explained him she was here to find this artifact which have the power to cure her sibling. She asked him to help er and he naivety did so. But she was a -inexperienced- treasure hunter and manipulated Ashti. They teamed up for a day but when they returned from the ruins with the artifact, she betrayed him and gave the artifact to her brother.

Now it was clear, the griffon he was seeing was a younger Oscar and Ashti even fought with him. Defeated, Oscar and Loreleil flew away leaving the sandlander with the artifact. The encounter have lasted just some minutes and as he have kept the artifact, Ashti didn't sought revenge and finally forgot about them.

Oscar's words were making sense now, but sadly it didn't give any clue to find him. Finally they arrived to the station where a doctor was waiting for Ashti. The sandlander spend the whole deposition drinking a drug, antidote, annihilating the gas’ effect. It was not the antidote but something close enough to cure the effect. The nauseous sensations was the first to vanished, the it been the headache at Ashti's relieve. And after one-hour rest it was the paralysis which almost ended up. And totally but Ashti was now able to walk and move without major problem.

"It has been quite a night, is there anything left to do?"
Well, taking a rest personally... but I have t go home at first. Eheh.

Actually among things to do Ashti still had to return to the curator. Although it was possible that he must already been informed of the situation. But there was something else to care of, the book about the Deerean magic art in Fillydelphy. If it was true, then he will have to call one of his acquittance to confirm A'bek's statement. From now it would be Ashti's personal aim. But this, it can wait tomorrow. From now a bath and a good rest were welcoming -with our without Arabesque-.

Ashti looked to the Ibex when he spoke about Arabesque, suggested to contact her. Well, he admired have thought to it and this could be a good topic to chat about during the supper. But it can wait, also...

Well... I actually... do not know where she gone...

He rubbed his neck awkwardly. She actually never told him in which hotel her « appointment » is. Also it was possible that she was already at the manor waiting for him. And he should indeed maybe return to home immediately before she worry too much.

But it is probable she is already at home... and it would be ungentlecolty to make her wait. But about you, Mister Thorns... What will you do now now?

The tone used was friendly, at least friendlier than before. He sure didn't have spent enough time to consider A'bek as a friend but he was now a good acquittance of his. Also this question was not totally a polite reply, he actually was interested to know A'bek's project in this new world and see if he can hypothetically help him in a way or another.

[CableZ]

A'bek let out a yawn, it had been a while since he had slept and this night had been a long one to say the least. As Ashti spoke, A'bek thought about the night as a whole. He'd started the day simply on a whim, heading into the city, looking back on things, that was his first mistake. Frankly he wasn't sure what had spurred him to head into Manehatten, probably that he heard of a great park in the city. While Central park was a very nice place, the city was a little too...concrete to hold A'bek's tastes. He had nothing against cities he just couldn't stand them for too long, they were too loud. This was a city that never slept also, which just made the noise all that more annoying. It was an impressive architectural achievement, the ponies ability to build was impressive but at the same time it could be a little destructive.

He didn't think too harshly of them however as he had seen the smaller towns of Equestria and found them very nice. As for the rest of his day, he wasn't sure what to make of it. It seems his curious whims had gotten him embroiled in a crime and a fight against criminals, not exactly what he had envisioned when he started his day. He'd often heard of Druids doing work like this when he was growing up, he just never thought he was going to be doing it. Still he was happy it was dealt with, he was thankful that Ashti was there to help as he was a valuable companion. Still it would have been more preferable if the whole ordeal had simply not happened. When Ashti asked what he planned on doing now, A'bek rubbed his chin in thought for a moment.

"I think I need some rest, and something to eat. I have heard of places in this city that are open all day and night, perhaps I might partake in a meal at such a place then head out of the city to find a place to lay my head." A'bek looked up and down the street for a moment, wondering which direction he might head in. "I find no peace in a place such as this, a little to artificial and noisy for my tastes, I hope to get used to them in time but for tonight I will head out of the city, I recall there being a verdant grove to the north. I shall wander north for a few hours, thankfully my Ibex metabolism keeps me going for extended periods of time," A'bek chuckled.

Taking a few steps away from Ashti before stopping a moment and realized something, A'bek headed back over to the ambassador and held out his large cloven hoof; offering a hoofshake to the sandlander.

"I am glad to have met you Ashti Sandburst, I hope we cross paths again some other day."

Smiling with a farewell. A'bek walked backward a few steps before turning around and heading off into the city, he walked down the street and turned a corner; this was the last Ashti saw of the goat, for now at least.

[Ashti Sandburst]

I think I need some rest, and something to eat. I have heard of places in this city that are open all day and night, perhaps I might partake in a meal at such a place then head out of the city to find a place to lay my head."
Ah. I see...

At these words, the ambassador thought to help the Ibex, like giving him some money or propose him to rest in his manor... but, on a second thought, A'bek was still imposing by his size... and every of the the beds in Ashti's home would maybe too small for him and he will probably not sleep very-well. The manor as the furnitures were created for ponies, and not adapted for the Ibex. Although he have a couple of two-persons bed. The issue is that... they would probably collapse under his size : aside of being for ponies, they were not very tough, especially the old one.

For the money... Ashti was placing a hoof in his jacket's pocket, listening to the Ibex. He agreed on the fact that Manehattan was quite noisy, unlike Deerham. Thinking of it, if Ashti have met A'bek there, he would not had this problem : as the city have antelope, camel and Hirânn as citizen, the furniture were more adapted to them than pony ones.

Antelope have pony's size, camel were probably almost the same weight than A'bek and the Hirânn a similar size even if slightly smaller they still have deer-like antlers.

Anyway the motion of a grove made the sandlander to react. Is he was speaking about this place his brother, Dream Gaze, told him about? It was an centuries old abandoned alchemist/druid-like's small village. But it was a knothole so it was maybe not the same place. A'bek was speaking about. The said village was at a good distance of Manehattan, if he remembered right. While he was thinking of it he didn't noticed the steps made by the Ibex and only when this one showed him his hoof that Ashti looked to A'bek.

Ashti was... not really a hoof-shaking guy. And preferred bowed and reverence like in Prench aristocracy or deerean culture. The rare time he did it was during diplomatic meeting. But... it was about giving, as the ibex was offering him one then he would be rude to refuse it. Like for a gift. So, he took the cloven hoof and shook it, nodding and forgetting about his thoughts.

The pleasure is mine, Mister Thorns. I do not know if we meet again, but I hope you will find with you need or want there, on this world and time. ^^

Then he finally looked to the Ibex walked away. And as his turn he turned back and called a taxi. Minutes later, the Ambassador finally returned in his home, exhausted. And Arabesque joined him later.
She seemed as tired than him by the day and she too noticed the fatigue of her husband. The evening didn't lasted long for them, the supper was very light and short and they quickly headed to the common bed. Not without having chatting about their recpective day and understood better each other reasons to be tired.

Arabesque have listened to Ashti's encounter with the interest of a novel reader. She regretted but at the same time was happy to not have followed the Ambassador : She would have not be very useful. But she was also eased and relieved that her husband was fine. At her turn she recalled to Ashti was happened with Bariton with details and he now understood why she was as exhausted than him... but he was happy that she had fun at least. To relax, Ashti proposed her to take a bath together... but Arabesque suddenly fell asleep, and Ashti too, not longer after.

Two days later : Fillydelphia.

A book in hoof, sat on a comfortable seat, quiet. Ashti waited patiently but not without excitation to reach his destination. Standing in the first-class train car, the sandlander rose his head from his book and glanced at the horizon while a voice resounded.

Mares and Gentlecolts we are commin' in Fillydelphia, ten minutes before halt.

Eh, Axir... (finally)

If Ashti have sleep after his encounter with A'bek, he didn't forgot his agenda. The book A'bek spoke of... it existed. At first, Ashti called a contact, an antiquarian, working in Fillydelphia. This one confirmed that he knew the book Ashti described him. He have asked to several peoples but most never heard of this book, "the Scholars Compendium on the World of Magic and its Schools"... at the exception of one pony, in Fillydelphia which remembered have see it in the library. But the problem was that when the Ambassador called, the library was closed so his contact could not read him the book's text and anyway it was a too important matter to not see the book by himself.

An issue is that, he doesn’t know how many copy of the book exists and where they are. If the book his revealing too much information and that Ashti will have to destroy the pages, it would be complicated to find them all.

Minutes passed, and the landscape stopped to pass before the his eyes : he didn't waited to raise up and come out of the train. Fillydelphia... it was the first time he went there, completing his of towns he have visited since his arrival in Equestria years ago. Sadly, the sky was cloudy and the air not as warm as he expected.

He was not wearing his suite this time because not in duty, but he regretted it.

Lekin ana var zanîn-ja... (If I have know...)

But he was not here to take sunbath, anyway. With a inquisitive eyes he scrutinise the station and its customers. There were not a lot of ponies around but one got his attention. Wondering he walked to the mare, older than him.

Excuse me, Madam?
Huh? Oh! You... you are Sir Sandburst, right?
^^. Indeed, thank you to have awaited for me. And nice to meet you... is the library open?
Ah, yes. This way please.
Thank you.

This mare was not someone Ashti have already met before, but the relic tracker as Ashti have a list of collaborators and useful adressess for the missions. The list contains scholars, antiquarians and librarians mostly. It is how he contacted the mare which was specialised in rare and old books. And it was with a determined steps that Ashti walked to an old-looking building. The library itself was not very spacious yet there were a lot of books, ancient and new, exposed to everyone. The mare leaded Ashti to the place she had in mind, where she remembered have seen it.

Magic art, It should be there... ho! You have found it already ?
No too hard, they are classified by name, eheh.

The book levitating in the front of the Sandlander, this one thanked the mare and politely asked her if she could bring him a book whose he used a fake name to distract the mare. She accepted although sceptical. Now that she was gone, the sandlander struggled between steal the book or remove the Secular arcanum's pages.

Secular arcanum, secular arcanum...

Quickly he opened the book and moved the pages with hast : he would have no a lot of time before the mare's return. Of course he was not reading it but rather skimming through the texts until he finally found it. To not do a poor move, the Ambassador read the text with focus, and more he read more he took time until that he finally finished the verso... and a smile in face, he closed the book. Hearing steps coming to him.

I am afraid, I didn't found it.
… Oh? Well, no worry. It is fine. Sorry for it ^^.

Then, he took the book in hoof and placed it back to the shelf under the mare's wondering glance.

Well, Madam... I was glad of your assistance. May I propose you a coffee? I have time before my next train.
Oh... Well, I can't decline a free coffey ^^.
^^, well then... shall we?

And it's on this light tone that the ambassador barred his metaphorical agenda and closed his personal quest. Confident. With what was written in the book, even a neophyte in the Secular Arcanum would have pity of the author(s) and feels embarrassed. The good side is that... Ashti have now a joke for the Arcanist...