Alivda

Raven shivered as she felt the surge go past, before noticing that it was strong enough for the others to feel. "I don't think it's anything but something somepony cast... I know the castle has a lot history, but I would bet that with how long the princess has been here, it's got more positive energy than negative..." She said, as they headed down the hall after the surge. After a bit of down the hallway she felt the surge again, stronger than before. Either they were getting closer, or the magic was playing with them. The part she really noticed though, was how the magic felt the vaguest bit familiar, though she couldn't place it...

Raven frowned as she examined the bookcase. There was a fleeting magic, almost like someone had cast a spell that could flow around an area, instead of over the entire area. She shivered again, the feeling of even that faint magic flowing away felt tainted. It seemed similar to Sombra's magic to her, but he wouldn't do something like this, not even to amuse himself. She was so lost in her musings, she didn't realize what had happened to Blueblood until she turned around. As soon as she saw Blueblood bleeding, she went over, concern on her face. "Are... Are you okay?" She asked softly, ashamed she didn't notice sooner...

Raven smiled at Hogo-Sha. "Ah, so, it's a natural ability then. Well, It'd be kinda cool to learn more about this, perhaps you and Blueblood could come by my house after all this... Sombra knows he's welcome anytime if he wishes to join us." She said, before following Sombra into the doorway. As she did, she felt it, a large shiver moving down her spine. Soon after, books were flung at them, but not by anypony. Her senses didn't pick up on any concealing spells, so either they were good mages, or it was a more generalized spell to create the effects. She carefully headed towards the bookcase, planning to scan it with her magic to try to learn what the spell might be...

As they walked down the hall, Raven spoke, loud enough to be heard by all of their group. "So, Blue... You've been friends with Icy for awhile, right? I... It's been a bit since our last date, since she's been busy, and I wanted to surprise her with something... Got any ideas?" She asked, smiling slightly even as she shivered from the atmosphere. When Hogo-Sha dashed around the corner, she head a shout and a large door bashing. She reacted instinctively, stepping in front of Blueblood even as they rounded the corner, the guard mentality that had been drilled into her as a child dictating her action. When she saw the large wolf-like creature, she calmed though, a wide, enthusiastic grin on her face. "Wow... This is cool. I take it you're a natural shapeshifter? Or is it a kind of magic that requires a lot of concentration?" She asked, looking interestingly at Hogo-Sha...

Raven nodded with a smile, glad that Sombra would help her. She had to admit, she was also a little giddy at how she'd get to see parts of the castle that the general public usually weren't allowed in. "Well, Hogo-Sha, you'd probably be best to lead on this. I'm only picking up faint traces of the magic myself, and I've never really tried to track using magic, so..." She said, her smile fading a bit. She went to stand by Blueblood, and stood there for a bit, waiting for the group to move. She had an idea to surprise Icy next time she saw her, and Blue and her seemed to be close friends, so Raven wanted to pick Blue's brain on it...

Raven nodded with a smile. "I wasn't really planning on doing much today, was just going to ask Sombra here about some crystals... I kinda want to forge a sword for myself, and I have an idea for a unique design..." She said. She felt that shiver yet again, and frowned, her brow furling... "I agree, we should get started... I'm not sure I'll be able to concentrate on anything else until we get rid of whatever magic's in the air..."

She glanced around, especially after the door was shut, taking in the guard. "I'll admit, the part of the castle grounds I'm most familiar with is actually just within the walls, where the guard train and such... As well as the REA supply rooms..." She suggested as a starting point. She'd been there a few times with her parents, when they'd been meeting with old friends. She couldn't help but idly wonder if, between being friends with Blueblood, and family with Sombra, just how far she could get into the palace on her own... Might be fun to try someday, she decided, before returning her thoughts to the matter at hoof...

Raven smiled and nodded. "I'm don't know much about dark magic, except what little I've seen Sombra use." She said, before feeling that shiver run down her backbone again. "That being said, I'm... more sensitive to the ebb and flow of magic than most, so hopefully I can help. If nothing else, I suppose I could be a detector." She smiled as she continued. From the sound of what Sombra had said, it seemed as if the source of the magic was moving, or not very concentrated. Either somepony powerful had placed the spell, or it was an ambient effect generated by Sombra presence... She hoped the former, of course. She didn't want to lose Sombra. Between him, Ice, and Blueblood, they'd really helped her come out of her shell...

Her eyes widened suddenly as she realized that she hadn't introduced herself. "Oh, Sorry, I'm Raven Shadowfire, last heir to House Dupone. Though most just call me Raven... I'm kinda new to the whole socializing thing..." She said, a little sheepish. She extended a hoof out to Stormy, a soft smile on her face...

Raven frowned, then smiled. "Of course, I'd be willing to help you." She said, something causing a nagging feeling in the back of her mind. She could feel something about the palace was off, but couldn't quite put a hoof on it. Now that she thought about it, the guards did seem slightly weary, scared even... She frowned at this, though she smiled a bit as she saw the new arrivals. "Blue! It's been a bit... Whose your friend?"

Raven smiled as she walked into the castle, glad that most of the guard knew of her. She waved at one of the one's she'd met when she was younger, when she noticed Sombra standing off to the side of the entry way. Since she'd come to see him, she headed over, and bowed slightly. "Hey, Sombra, how ya doing? I figured we could hang for a bit, maybe do some research or something? If you're not busy, that is..." She said, smiling at him. So far, he'd proven to be everything she'd thought he would so long ago. From what she heard, he wasn't even lashing out at any pony, not even playfully. She suddenly shivered though, feeling like a cold wind just blew through the room...

Count Raven in!

Raven thought as she stared at the paper. While not the response she had wished for, the ideas Princess Cadance had given were not to be dismissed. She wasn't sure wrestling was for her, however the other advice could work... Maybe she could try running a training camp or something similar. Smiling at that thought, she got out her stationary set and wrote.

Dear Cady,

I wish to thank you for the advice you responded with. While I do not believe that I will be spending time in the ring, it is an interesting solution. I actually am inspired to attempt to open up a self-defense camp. 

By the way, I've enclosed a small donation. While I intend it to help those that might need a hoof in the Crystal Kingdom, I'm afraid I'm just going to have to trust your judgment there. Raven doodled a small winking face in the letter here, making it clear it was a joke.

With greatest respect,

Last Heir

Raven signed the letter, enclosed a hoof-full of bits, and sent it on its way. She didn't expect a response to this one, but still enjoyed the act of writing it.

Raven frowned as she looked at the newspaper. While she was not one to normally read one, finding most of it to be boring reports, with only the occasional story on those less fortunate, some of the nobles at the last gathering had mentioned of both the scandalous and yet extremely fun idea of writing directly to the co-ruler of the Crystal Empire, Princess Cadence herself. It was an idea the young mare had found merit in, for she often struggled with self-doubt since her parents disappearance. Getting out a piece of parchment, as well as her family's official seal, no sense in not being respectful, she started to write.

"Dear Cady,

I suffer from a problem of being unable to commit to a decision at times, but that is not the problem, or in this case, problems I wish your advice on.

The first problem is that I happen to be in a position that not only allows me to help with societal problems, but also enjoy doing so. I routinely help at the orphanages nearby, donating and spending time with the foals there. Yet, I cannot help but feel that it's not enough. See, I feel that my talents lay in the area of protecting others, and while helping those that can't help themselves does feel right, it doesn't fill me with the joy I expected it to. Am I wrong in thinking that I'm meant to do more, to help at a greater level?

The second problem ties into the first a little. My parents were quite well-known in the R.E.A., my mother a captain of her own squad and all, and we would often take trips to visit outer laying towns. They had retired from the R.E.A. to raise me, and it took me awhile before I realized that the reasons for the trips were not to just have a vacation, but so my parents could apply there militant training solving problems for the townsfolk. It was on such a trip that I acquired my cutie mark, which I got protecting my parents from an ambush. I found that day a talent for combat, and seem to instinctively know how to fight hoof-to-hoof, as it were. Yet, I loathe fighting. The thought that I could so casually hurt another is... well, sickening to me. Yet I also can't deny an attraction to fights when they happen, it literally seeming like my blood is singing in joy when I find myself having to defend myself from ruffians. Is it wrong to enjoy something so thoroughly that is so harmful to others? Also, just as a fyi, my third problem makes it difficult to follow in my family's hoofsteps by joining the R.E.A.

The last problem that I need advice on is thus: I suffered an accident as a young foal that left me slightly disadvantaged in the spell casting department. The injury to my horn is nothing that I wish to hide, or shy away from, used to it as I am now, but I find myself envious of those who suffer no trouble casting. Recently, I heard about spell foci, artifacts of a sort that made casting easier and was wondering if you might know if it was worth pursuing them, or looking to make one for myself...

Even if you find yourself unable to help me, I thank you for taking the time to help ponykind as well as myself...

With deep respect,

Last Heir of House Dupone.

P.S. if you could strike the part about House Dupone out, some of the circles I travel in in Canterlot enjoy your column a little too much..."

Raven sighed as she finished, a little surprised that she had poured herself out like that to a stranger, let alone one of the princesses. She took the sealed letter in her magic, the glow hesitant yet never wavering and mailed it. Nothing to do now but wait...