A Silver Lining (Concluded)

[Toast]

As they enter the house Silver gaze shifts all around the interior. Despite the fact that there were no lights on inside his glow kept the place bright enough to see around without any difficulty.


"I suppose we won't be needing to light the candles this time."

Even though Dark was joking Silver still couldn't help but feel the need to apologies.

"Heh, sorry. It doesn't really have a off switch." Well that wasn't fully true, if somepony were to douse him with a bucket of water that would probably do the trick, but that wasn't something he wanted to let them in on, especially Slipstream. When Dark leaves to the kitchen Silver find himself alone with Slipstream for a moment, so he just took the time to continue looking around the house, checking out some of their little knick-knacks and furniture, seeming to be intrigued by nearly everything he looks at. When Dark returns Silver watches as she takes a spot on a chair while Slipstream goes to sit on the couch. A small wave of disappointment runs through him, he would much rather have had it the other way around. "Am I really that desperate?" he thinks as he take a spot on the opposite end of the couch Slipstream was on.

"So, Silver, what d'ya think of the place?"

"I like it, it feels kinda ominous... In a good way though." He says trying to justifying the feeling, he did indeed like the place, and it was partially due to his own glow that lit the room up that caused him to get that 'ominous' feeling that he strangely enjoyed.

"It's just like my home back in the valley, just the way I like it"

Darks comment made Silver smile. He could relate to that, it was always nice to have reminders of where he came from. Once Silver got settled in a comfortable position on the couch he decided it was finally time to ask the question that had been on his mind for awhile.

So Dark, I hope it's ok to ask. I mean Slipstream keeps calling you bright eyes." He gives Slipstream a little smirk. "But I was just wondering, how is it your eyes do that? it's really quiet fascinating."

[Dark Star]

Dark Star was mildly pleased to hear that Silver enjoyed the decor. After he got himself situated, he turned and questioned the method in which her eyes glow. She smirked at this; knowing what made her special and being able to explain it was something she enjoyed on occasion. "Originally, I thought that it was just a hereditary part of my family, which I noticed in both my mother and my grandparents. But it was actually a side effect of the potion that I consume so frequently. As it would seem, it directly links itself to the optic nerve and the section of the brain that recognizes emotion. When one's emotional state reaches a particularly high point, the eyes begin to glow, the brightness varying between individuals" she explained.

Slipstream let out a loud yawn. Anytime Dark Star began explaining anything about herself, she always felt as though she were speaking a different language. She just propped her head up with one hoof and waited for something more interesting to happen. Half-way through her explanation, she heard the tea kettle going off in the kitchen and smirked at this. "I got this" she said as she quickly got up and speed-walked over to it, thinking to herself 'Anything to get out outta there'. She returned after the dark mare's explanation was over carrying a tray with the kettle and a few cups on her back, balanced carefully using her wings. She placed the tray on the table and poured some of the kettles contents into the three cups, then got back up on her side of the couch.

"Thank you, Slipstream" said Dark Star graciously. She levitated one of the cups to herself and took a sip of it. After doing so, she smiled and turned back to Silver. "This link is established due to the herbs that grow near the valley and awaken this bizarre trait when consumed for the first time. I'm almost certain that all born or descended from the valley posess this trait, it's just a certain mix or different herbs that awakens it" she explained with an unsure look. She then looked at Silver and smiled, asking "Are there any other such questions you have for me, or would you rather a spot of tea?" she asked.      

[Toast]

Silver enjoyed listening to Dark lecture on. Just like back at the pastry shop he quietly listened to her talk about herself and explain more about how her potion worked. He liked how much detail she went into as well, It reminded a lot of how his dad would explain things to him. However a yawn from Slipstream signalled that she didn't share his enthusiasm.

"I got this. Anything to get out outta there"

Silver gaze follows Slipstream when she leaves the room. She had probably heard this all before. That or she didn't care much more scientific like talk. The thought causes Silvers eyes to shine for a split second as another little plot comes to mind. It's not that her presence was really a big deal, but if he did want a chance to be 1 on 1 with Dark then all he needed to do was to keep her talking. If he was lucky it might just be enough to bore Slipstream out of the conversion. Besides it was already getting a bit late, so it could work if it was already making her tired. And if not he would still get to just listen to Dark lecture on, which to him wasn't a bad consolation prize.

When Slipstream returned Dark finished her explanation before offering him some tea. "Some tea would be wonderful, thank you." He says happily, talking a cup. He thinks a bit more about what Dark had said. So her eyes flair up when her emotions do, an interesting effect, stunts her ability to be subtle about anything though. And it certainly did a lot more to explain what had happened on the train.

"However if you could amuse me a bit further." He starts. "Does this end up affecting your eyesight in
any way, or is it just a cosmetic effect?" He takes a small sip of tea before asking another question that her explanation brought up. "And beyond that. You say it links with the section of the brain responsible for emotion. Does it have any influence or side effects on the brain then? It feels like something with such powerful properties could potentially be dangerous."

[Dark Star]

Dark Star was happy about Silver enjoying her lecture on her potion. Sure, it was something they had already discussed earlier that same day, but it was nice that he wanted to know even more. Slipstream was less than thrilled about it though, really if she were any less thrilled, she'd be snoring through everything. She just lied down on the couch and put her front hooves behind her head. When Silver questioned even more about her potion and it's many side effects, Slipstream let out a loud groan. "Forget this, I'm going out for a flight" she said as she got up and stormed out the door. "Remember to stay above the clouds!" Dark Star called out. The door slammed shut and Dark Star flinched slightly. 

"To answer your first question, no, my eyesight isn't bothered at all when they light up. All that happens is that things around me get noticeably brighter, nothing else happens" she explained. It was his second question that made her think a bit more before her next response. "Aside from the deep slumber it causes when it's effects wear off, I'm not entirely certain what other side effects there may be" she says as she takes another sip of tea. "I've never experienced anything unusual, but I can only assume that whatever happens will be revealed at some point or another. I just pray that it isn't anything too detrimental to me or my health" she said in a worried tone. "Perhaps if Slipstream were still here, she might be able to tell me if anything else happens?" she asks herself out loud.  

[Toast]

Silver looks down at his tea and give a victories little smile when Slipstream decided to bail. His plan worked perfectly, and even faster than he anticipated. She didn't even try to change the subject or anything. Although if he was a Pegasus he probably feel the same way, Silver always wanted to know that it felt like to be able to glide through the sky, and he figured night flying was probably pretty cool too. He tried not to think about that now, he had got what he wanted so it didn't really matter.

After Slipstream exits Dark gives her explanation. Her response was something he expected, but he does notice her slight sad tone, it probably was a bit of a sensitive subject to bring up, implying that her way of life might be causing her brain damage. So he knew it would be best to reassure her himself.

"Oh I'm sure you'll be fine. You said the herbs are native to your region, so I'm sure your kind as been using it for generations, if there were any side effects they would have noticed by now. Besides the refinements ponies can achieve through potion making also allows us to weed out most negative attributes plants such as that might have." Silver speaks almost as though he had thought of the answer before he asked the question. He stakes a sip of his tea as he realizes this might give away the fact he was just trying to get Slipstream to leave. That would be a bit of a stretch but he wouldn't put it past Dark Star to notice. "Should probably change the subject anyway." He thinks.

"So, Slipstream is your roommate. She doesn't seem so bad. I mean she does tease you a lot. But can I ask why you were so afraid of letting her know about today?" Silver asks. It was a question that he had been wondering since they got back to Ponyville, and Dark had said something about telling him why. For some reason he felt a little anxious to find out.

[Dark Star]

As Silver comforted Dark Star, she felt a great wave of relief wash over her. She didn't particularly like thinking about negative effects anything could have for anybody, so when she suddenly started to think about it, she felt quite depressed. The depression didn't last for very long luckily. "Thanks, Silver" she said to the glowing stallion gratefully. She thought a bit more about how kind Silver was, which then led to thoughts about his many other good qualities. Those thoughts were brushed aside as the aforementioned stallion suddenly spoke up to her. He was mentioning how nice a roommate Slipstream must've been, and then asked her about what she seemed to be hiding from him. 'I knew this would happen sooner or later, I just thought I'd have a bit more time than this' she thought to herself.

Dark Star cleared her throat and spoke in a serious tone. "Silver, I have to be honest with you, I've been hiding something important. It was something I should've told you right away, yet I just didn't say anything because I didn't want to hurt your feelings" she said with a deep breath. She sighed and looked at him with her eyes glowing mildly. "Silver, I'm already dating another. His name is Crimson Tale" she said as she levitated a framed photo of him. The photo was a full-body shot of a dull-red colored unicorn with scruffy, black hair and red eyes, the same as hers. "We've been seeing each other for a little over a month now. Anytime I spend time with another stallion, Slipstream teases to tell him all about the times where this happens. The only reason I don't want him to know is because it would break his heart. Please understand, I like you very much, it's just that I can't hurt Crimson" she explained.

There, she had said it. She came clean about her feelings belonging to another stallion and settled the issue with Silver, in spite of how the issue was with her own insecurity rather than him personally. She sat and stared at him silently as she waited for his response.

[Toast]

As Dark began to explain her secret Silvers attention picks up, his ears shift slightly and his eyes widen in anticipation. At first it all sounds good, but the sudden part about hurting his feelings causes his hopeful feelings to revert.

"Silver, I'm already dating another. His name is Crimson Tale"

"We've been seeing each other for a little over a month now. Anytime I spend time with another stallion, Slipstream teases to tell him all about the times where this happens. The only reason I don't want him to know is because it would break his heart. Please understand, I like you very much, it's just that I can't hurt Crimson"

There is a solid five second pause after Dark finishes where Silver says nothing. But he still has the same expression on his face. It wasn't happy and it wasn't sad, it was just neutral. His head glances down at a slight angle for a second before shifting back up at Dark now with a more saddened look.

"Dark star..." He says slowly to her. Silver was stumped, he couldn't quite figure out a reaction which was causing his brain to lack the formulation of any words. Suddenly the pony who was always aware of everything, who always thought of everything, was speechless. He looks down again, but only to collect his thoughts, he knows he need to handle this situation properly to keep Dark Star from thinking he was upset in any way. And even though he was, it most likely wasn't for the reason Dark might have thought. He closes his eyes for a few short seconds as the words finally find him, he looks back up at Dark, this time with a small smile.

"Dark, I understand that must have been tough to say, so thank you. The truth is, that I like you Dark, a lot, So I can't say that I'm not a little disappointed." If one were to look closely, if would be possible to notice the slightest of blush on Silvers face. "But I hope you don't think that's the only reason I'm spending time around you. I truly do believe we can be great friends."

"Even if that's all we are." Silver doesn't say this out loud, but assumes its implied.

Like you said yourself Back in Canterlot, I do feel that we're a lot alike." He pauses, and at that moment a sad look appears on his face. "But I just hope.. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable at any point today."

[Dark Star]

After Dark Star had finished her explanation of her relationship, she gave Silver some time to process the new information. He looked as if he was stunned for a small time, but then he looked very depressed. She felt bad about how it is she said it and wanted to apologize, but he managed to pull his thoughts around and smile at her. He told her that he was a bit disappointed, but was happy that she could be strong enough to tell him right away. Dark Star returned the smile and listened as the glowing stallion continued his explanation of his thoughts. He had apologized for making her feel uncomfortable and then trailed off how he wanted to remain friends, something that made the dark mare's eyes glow with emotion. 

He had spoke in a way that wanted to remain friends and she walked over to him silently. He closed his eyes and she hugged tightly, smiling with her eyes closed behind his line of sight. "I'm so glad to have met you, Silver. It makes me so happy to know you're alright with practically everything I've told you today. We're going to be such good friends, I just know it" she said in a soft tone. She knew this would come as a great surprise to him, but still wanted to hug him nonetheless. 

Slipstream came back inside at this moment, smiling when she got herself an eyeful of what was going on in the living room. She walked over, loud enough for it to be heard, and Dark Star gasped and looked over at her. "S-Slipstream, this isn't what it looks like!" she panicked. Slipstream kept her smug grin as she swaggered on up to the two hugging ponies on the couch. "I think I know what I saw" she said in a tone just as smug. Dark Star worriedly looked over at Silver, then back at the younger mare walking in on them. She hoped that Silver would know something to help her get through this easily. 

[Toast]

Silver goes silent as Dark approaches him. He was unsure what to expect at first and would not have guessed what did happen when Dark suddenly hugs him. His eyes widened and body tenses up as a surprised expression appears on his face.

"I'm so glad to have met you, Silver. It makes me so happy to know you're alright with practically everything I've told you today. We're going to be such good friends, I just know it"

Her words causes his body to relax, despite the somewhat sappy nature of the situation Silver couldn't help but feel a little bit emotional. It was sweet, and felt like it was something that was out of character for Dark, which just added meaning to her actions. Finally his body releases its tension even more and he returns the hug, although he only uses one hoof. However, Silvers return of affection was short lived as the ever so inconvenient Slipstream chose this moment to return from her night flight.

"S-Slipstream, this isn't what it looks like"

"I think I know what I saw"

"Ugh." Thinks Silver, now looking somewhat annoyed. This pony seemed to revel in being a nuisance, considering her apparent age Silver wasn't too surprised. Still, it put him in the situation of now having to figure out what to say.

"But do you know what you heard?" Silver says. He hops down from the couch in order to be level with Slipstream as he addresses her directly. "Dark just told me about Crimson Tale, and I know you don't know me very well but surely your close enough with Dark to know she's not THAT type of pony." Silver spoke with sternness and authority in his voice, the way a professor might talk to a student that wasn't paying attention. Silver didn't really like it when he did this, but he hated being accused of anything he didn't do, and a lot of times it helped get his point across. Although he was a bit worried about Dark seeing his more serious side.

[Dark Star]

Slipstream kept her smug grin as Silver explained how Dark Star told him about Crimson Tale. She chuckled to herself lightly at how serious he had become. He didn't seem like the serious type, considering his appearance, but it would seem things weren't always what they appeared to be. She flapped her wings and hovered just above him and ruffled his mane, keeping her grin the way it was. "Ya don't have ta be so serious, I was just yankin' your chain" she told him and then hovered back down to the ground. This was just the kind of thing Slipstream loved to do, giving other ponies a hard time. Dark Star sighed to herself from back on the couch. "Why do you always have to be so childish?" she accidentally asked aloud. 

Slipstream's ears perked up right away at this comment and looked over at the dark unicorn, annoyed. "And what is that supposed to mean?" she asked. Dark Star scowled back at Slipstream and responded with a stressed tone. "You never seem to grow up, you just continue to give others a hard time, much like a child" she scolded. Slipstream scowled and flew over to Dark Star. "I'd rather be a child than a stick-in-the-mud who can't take a joke!" she told her, clearly frustrated. "That's just it though, you never stop and take things too far!" Dark Star replied. The two's eyes locked and the tension in the air rose. Slipstream's teeth were gritted and Dark Star's eyes were glowing. 

Within mere moments, the two got into another one of their infamous arguments. Slipstream bickered about how Dark Star always treated her like a child, despite the fact there was only a two-year difference between the two of them, while Dark Star argued that Slipstream always took her little jokes too far. The two continued to argue in front of Silver until he spoke up and stopped them. 

[Toast]

Silver let out a sigh as Slipstream explains herself and ruffles his mane. He feels slightly foolish for being so serious, he really should have figured she was just giving them a hard time. Although he was slightly relieved that Slipstream didn't get angry or anything with the way he spoke to her, in fact he kinda admires how she was able to still enjoy her own joke. Feeling it might just be best to apologize for being so serious in order to keep the peace, he was about to speak before Dark threw a wrench in his plan.

"Why do you always have to be so childish?"

Silver's eyes widen as he looks over to Dark. That was a comment he did not see coming, and he feels the slight sensation of panic shooting through his body. "Oh-no." He thinks as the two ponies began to go at it. Along with being extremely uncomfortable to be present for, Silver couldn't help but feel responsible for their bickering, if he had just been less serious with Slipstream maybe he could have prevented this situation.

"...I may have done some damage here."

Internally Silver takes a deep breath, he was still the adult here, well for the most part anyway. He still couldn't really tell just how much younger Dark was, if she even actually was at all.

"Is that really relevant now?"

Probably not, instead it was time to focus on the situation at hand. While trying to break up an argument held its own risks, Silver had a feeling that letting them go on like this would probably only cause the situation get worse.

"Dark, hold on. I don't really think that's fair." He starts, trying to speak as calmly as he can in hopes of appealing to Dark's rational nature. "Slipstream said she didn't mean any hurt feelings, she was just trying to get a rouse." Silver shot a quick smirk at Slipstream before looking back at Dark.
"And if that's true, then..." He picks his words carefully. " Then.. Its only as big a deal as we make it, right?" Silver looks at Dark with a gentle, pleading look. While it may appear as a simple way to try to calm the situation, Silver was much more interested in Darks response, for better or for worse. He felt a little guilty for turning the two ponies fight into a test of her character. But he wanted to know if Dark was mature enough to be the bigger pony.

[Dark Star]

While Slipstream and Dark Star argued the way they usually did, Silver felt as though he needed to step in. So he did just that, quelling the argument between the two mares by bringing up how the younger of the two of them only wanted a bit of fun. Dark Star took a deep breath and calmed down, then brought her thoughts around. She knew fully well that that wasn't the time or place for an argument, especially in front of company, but the way Slipstream taunted her made something in the dark unicorn's brain snap. She knew he was right though, so she turned and faced Slipstream.

"I'm sorry about that Slipstream, you just act so immature sometimes and I just want you to act your age is all" she told the younger mare. "Hey, I'm only 17, I still got a lotta time to be the way I am. And you're only two years older than me anyway, so there's no need for you to act like a strict old lady" Slipstream responded. Dark Star smiled and chuckled at Slipstream's words. "I was only raised by strict parents, I didn't necessarily choose to be this way" Dark Star explained sheepishly. Slipstream smiled and placed her front left leg on the older mare's shoulder. "Don't sweat the small stuff, Bright-Eyes. I still love ya anyway ^_^" she told her. 

Slipstream then gave out a loud yawn and took her hoof off Dark Star's shoulder. "Love ta spend more time, but I'm gonna hit the hay. Don't be too loud now" she said with a wink and then headed upstairs. Dark Star sighed wistfully and looked forward. "I don't know what I'm going to do with her" she said to nobody in particular. She then turned and faced Silver. "You wouldn't believe it, but I was actually quite shy before Slipstream came into my life. She taught me how to put on a brave face in front of any newcomers I just so happen to meet. She really does a lot to help, I only wish that I could do more to help her..." she trailed off. "Oh, here I am getting sentimental while you're here listening (nervous giggle). I suppose you probably know the feeling though, right?" she asked. 

[Toast]

A massive sense of relief comes over Silver, that and an odd sense of pride. It was obvious to him that he was more than a little happy over how Dark handled the situation. It seemed through only a slight intervention she was able to settle Slipstream down, as well as herself. Silver stays quiet the entire time the two ponies spent apologising to each other.
Silver doesn't respond, instead he just looks at her, letting his silence and reassuring smile be his answer.

"I believe she'll be fine." He says, instead responding to her previous comments. "She's at that age where she's figuring out the pony she'll become. While her natural personality will stay prevalent, her ideologies and values will be shaped by those she has strong ties with. And with you, I think they'll be shaped in the right direction." Silver speaks very methodical, as though unaware of the quality of compliment he just gave. Instead he takes a couple paces around the house, noticing how much darker the interior was becoming. Sitting for a moment he raises his right forleg and looks at it. The glow had visibly faded since they arrived. And it had now reached the point where the walls of Darks home were shaded. Silver knew at this point he only had about another half hour before his glow completely dissipated, and thinking about it made him begin to realise how tired he was becoming.

"I suppose it might be time for me to get going as well." His gaze follows his hoof as he lowers it back to the floor. He blinks a few times while still looking down, now becoming very aware of the lack of energy in his body. "It's been an interesting sort of day, hasn't it?" He says out loud, despite the fact that he was actually asking himself, although there would be no way for Dark to know that. It seemed his inner thoughts had begun to find their way outwards. The night always did make him a little strange.

[Dark Star]

Silver spoke of Slipstream as if he were a proud father or uncle. It brought a smile to Dark Star's face as she listened to each word flow from his mouth and inter her ear canals. "What a wonderful thing to say, Silver" she declared. The way he described Slipstream's growth rate, it was almost as if he had known her his entire life. It seemed incredibly wistful to the dark mare. "You'd make for a great father, Silver. That or a great uncle" Dark Star told him. At that moment, her mind began to wander off to a small fantasy involving her as a mother, raising a young foal along, of all ponies, Silver. She snapped back to reality and realized just how much her face burnt from the mental image alone. She wondered for a moment if Silver saw that.

After her little fantasy, Dark Star took notice of how Silver's glowing started to die down. It looked a bit strange to see such a thing dimming down to such an extent. "How unusual" Dark Star noted. Perhaps there was something about the glow that had to dim down at some certain hour of the night-time. Silver noted that should be leaving soon, which made Dark Star frown. She didn't want him to leave so soon, especially since the evening was so young. "I suppose good things do have to come to end at some point" she said in a depressed tone. She walked ahead, leading Silver to the door, then turned back to face him. "We'll always live in the same town though, so we really won't be missing each other" she told him with a smile.

[Toast]

Silver takes instant note of Darks depressed tone when she. He actually found it a little odd that she'd be that bummed out over him leaving this much. Although she could just be acting sincere, one would think that getting rid of the pony that has essentially been hitting on you for the past while wouldn't be a bad thing.

But he apologized for that right? And she accepted. So why did his thoughts go there, there was really no reason that they couldn't now just hang out as friends. Maybe he was still just a bit frustrated over the whole thing, rejection was often a tough pill to swallow. But maybe that was it; that was why. If Dark was knew that they would only ever be friends, then wanting to spend time with him could meant that he posed no threat to her current relationship.

"Ok, even I know that's a stretch." He thinks, realizing that along with these thoughts being irrational he was also becoming petty. "Besides that's what you would EXPECT her to do you idiot, that's the MORAL thing." Silver often spoke to himself in this head but rarely ever insulted himself. But he knew thinking something like that was stupid. As he follows Dark to the door he heaves a silent sigh. It was time to look at the upside of everything today. He met a like-minded pony with common interests and personality, and making a friend was never a bad thing. Even though he may have met her too late, that was just the way it was going to be, and in the end he would have to deal with it.

"We'll always live in the same town though, so we really won't be missing each other"

Darks comment helps to raise Silvers spirit. "Of course." He says, sounding cheerful. "Ponyvilles not that big of a place. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon." He continues as he walks past her towards the door. Just as he exits he turns around to face her again. "And if not, well. I know where you live." He says in a creepy way on purpose, following it with a light chuckle. Despite everything his odd sense of humour was still intact.

Suddenly there was a pause between the two ponies. At last the moment of saying goodbyes arrived. Silver knew it would be best to say something quick before things felt awkward. So once again, for most likely the last time of the evening, he breaks back into his Canterlot formally.

"Well Ms. Dark Star, It was a pleasure to be able to accompany you for the day." Silver crosses his chest with one hoof and lowers his head in a bow as he speaks, the same way he did when he originally introduced himself earlier that day. When he finishes he raises his head, only to have his eyes meet Darks, and as mentioned before, he has to look ever so slightly up to do so.