Dusty

For all the size of both cats, they flowed like water down the city streets. Silent paws and soft steps let him pass ponies that did not even notice the two Sphinxes until the passing shadows made heads snap up. He may have noted the lack of interest if he was not so use too it by now. Ponyville was well used to seeing a Sphinx walkling after living there a few years. Nor if his mind was so focused on the other Sphinx walking with him. No matter how long he looked at her. Heard that voice. Smelled her scent. The shock of it was a lingering ember of joy across his mind. A joy given voice in purrs as he speaks of his dreams for Den and Hearth. Grand halls, towering doors… And a grand hearth to keep even a family of Sphinxes warm in the coldest winter. A voice that can’t betray the feeling of hope packed into every word and wishful remark. He did not leave Cadance out in the cold, asking her for her advice on how best to prepare for cubs. And what he can do too help be a father. Even to all the world this looked diplomatic. The topics at paw nothing of the sort. They were an open door for Cadance to speak as equal too himself and his mate. A trusted friend in the making. And one he hoped to have. He came to this city seeing her as a tool, but found a kitten with claws. So maybe she was no kitten at all, if his first belief was so misplaced. She was an Empress of a land hard pressed to be seen as such. His title was much the same. If he told a pony what Tyr means, then let them look at a map… Well. no one will give it much credit. And he found himself placed not just on the path of forging a new kingdom. But fatherhood! The first he planned for the latter fell so suddenly into his paws that it felt like some cosmic joke. Or blessing from the All-Mother. She was a mother tasked with her own struggles, her foal was no easy burden and was no less surprising even if planned. Parents both. Both sitting far north, overlooked from down south. The more played with such thinking the more it was evident they stand to be friends. And so, he’d try for just that. Such thinking can be put to the side for a good meal. With the walk coming to an end he sniffed the air. Blood. Flesh. He can smell it and it made his body react, muzzle going moist as he licked his teeth. Meat. Such a funny thing food can be when one is… Not like most. Overwhelmingly most ponies were herbivores, even if they can handle some small amounts of meat. He found himself on the other side of that. He had to eat meat and can only handle small amounts of other things. Blues cooks found that out the hard way. No faking it. More amusing was the simple fact pony cooking fell flat on his taste. It often came off as bland and flavorless. His cooks found out why. He just. Can’t taste much of the sweetness in the fruits and vegetables they like. But he can taste things a pony can not. Flavors his cooks can’t ever know but have. Some are more amusing than the others. He can’t taste sweet… But he can taste adenosine triphosphate. What did lead him to look over at Jizara, thinking about her food remarks. She craved something she can’t explain. She never tasted it before, that was why. He smiled at that. She’d learn soon. The flavors and richness of meat hidden away. It was just a shame he did not let her enjoy a fresh meal first. The Cooking was nice… But fish was fish. He’d take her on a hunt and let eat fresh. There really was nothing like it. He looked back at Cadance cuffed as they got let inside. “So it seems, a brave bird to say no to a cat.” He mused and crouched down to fit inside the doorway. Being flexible as a cat was a blessing with small pony dwellings. At least they were often bigger past the door frame.

three (3)! Got to meet and get to know the locals!

Two (2). Town is too small the one big seller to risk much. but, low balling one of his few suppliers will just weaken the town more.

i vote one (1)!

Cities, how that seemed to change. Yet this one. Well, this one felt… Like an eco of the past. He knew why, he was told and did read up on it. A city locked away for over a thousand years just to be dropped back into the flow of time. It was like him in that way. Trusted into a world unlike the one they knew last dawn. Just to wake and find it all changed. And like him, it had too adapt to that sudden and startling change. Waking up to one falling into a cold lake as it is. Swim or die. So he felt a respect for it and the souls whisked along with it. Never asked, never wanted. Just. Here now. He looked out over that city, its odd buildings cut into huge gemstones. That eco of times long past, when stone and cave was home. When one made home from the land. Not of steel and stone made by one's own paws. New things were creeping in, flowing into the cracks but they held onto that old way. That past they knew. It was just a shame Cadance was not born of the same stock. They’d get along better than. Both understanding what it is like too be…. Ripped from one place in time and dumped into another. But she knew such things, she talked with many that lived it. Lived in a city that suffered from it. He respected her for that. And how she’s been behaving. Spine. Claws. Not scared to show her fangs. She needed to do that more, he felt. But she was not the cub he feared. Some pushover doormat he’d have to battle over with Twilight to lead about. He wanted equals, not puppets with hoof and paw scrambling over the strings. In a way all of this trip has gone better than he hoped. This deal. This… Game of words and deals. Just look at his mate! He was going too take her as such, no matter what but look at her now… He still did not know how to put that into words. He was going to be thinking about it for a long time. So much… Hope and joy rolled into one event. Not for himself, but his very kind. He pulled in a long breath of the cool air as Cadance talked to Jizara. The cold was… Something he was getting used to. He found that if he spent some time in it, his body would put on the winter coat regardless of time. But never as good as coming before winter. Some may not know it, but even his homeland of sand and sun got… Rather cold in winter. Most of all when the sun dipped past the sky. And his kind as is, preferred the moon over the sun. A gift in a way as it helped him deal with the north better. He hoped it would work for Jizara as well… And maybe she can adapt to his preferred sleeping pattern? One can hope. But then his ponies… Well, they can deal with it. If they need to speak with their Tyr they can come when he is awake. But that is a long way off. He looked over at Jizara and smiled softly. “Do pick out something, you have fine new legs and paws to test and work. On more things than my poor back. You lead and I will follow ever so, enjoying the view.” He says with a grin betraying all too well how his words may be taken.

Pipp flicked an ear, eyeing this ‘siren’ up and down. She heard the name before in some games, but that was it honestly. Part of her didn't really believe he was one. He looked more… Pony than fish. And was male. Siren were all female! Well in games they all are. And sing songs too make you go hop into the sea and drown… Look, not a lot of games were sea based where she was from. Or shows. “Have too admit, I was expecting a bit more… Fish?” She whispered to Sunny before stepping closer to Allegro. “Well peas- Allegro it seems Sunny has some… Wonderful plan in the works to help you. Somehow…” She looked over her shoulder at Sunny with a raised eyebrow. “Does the plane really just make everyone like him? I think a homeless… Siren needs more than that Sunny. He needs a job for starters…” She looked back at Allegro with a warm smile. “How do you feel about working in film? You are pretty exotic looking. I bet you can make a killing doing some industry work or another in film or streaming. Hrm, maybe start out in streaming. Can get that going with just a phone even. Get some cash flowing for you! Also, look into getting a nice cart. You can make one into a small home pretty easily, just move it every day and no one can pester you much about living in it. If you need help with that I do run a charity for helping the mu- ah, Earth Ponies. You can ask for help from it and you can get food and shelter.” She explained with a warm, if tired, smile. She hoped she could clear this all up and get to bed. But with Sunny… She needed to get some coffee made didn't she.

Jizara was not alone in feeling uncomfortable. Niilaavin felt a rolling feeling of disgust and uneasy anxiety feeling that hoof touch his neck. Being submission was never an easy or enjoyable act for his kind even among each other. To do so for… Something that was viewed more as food than remotely on the same level of worth was worse. Yet he was better than most of his lost kind and knew he must swallow his pride. He was in a way, paying for the sins of his blood. For if the All-Mother loved them so, she’d not let his kind be left in such a sorry state of things. Humility. An idea viewed as sin now sat on his back as a raw truth. He needed this humility to earn his place in the world. Humility now, for pride later. He lifted himself up, rising up before the princess to his full height as he watched her own display of humility. At least both were bearing the burden of such and made all of this feel less heavy on his own shoulders. He did not know what was fitting to act on this, so followed in the way he knew. Simply popping a claw and bushing the dull edge over the back of her neck, keeping the sharp tip as far away from her as best he can. Soon as it was done the claw snapped back into place out of view. “Jnn’ḫpj ꜥqꜣjb.” He muttered in a tongue long lost but with a warm smile. “We walk with our hearts a straight path.” He added with a purring chuff. “It means the path is just, may it stay so.” He looked over at Jizara and flashed a toothy grin. “And for the sake of amusing myself, she is my ḥmt. I am her hj.” He chuckled some and nose bumped her. “And someday soon I shall torment her with more words, maybe are cubs will learn them as well. But that is getting ahead. Shall we see this grand city? I feel we may see it often in the decades too come.”

Pipp nodded along, making noncommittal sounds as she hardly heard a word being spoken. She wasted no time in hosing him down, even less time too grab up the brushes and soap to scrub him down like some filthy dog. Regardless of what he is, or was, she knew one fact of the matter. He smells horrible. And did not look much better. Whatever problem that was going too land in her lap can be dealt with after this problem is fixed. “Leg up.” She mutters, wasting no time too lift a leg up and brush over and under. Muzzle. Ears. Back. Barrel. Rump. Nothing was safe from her frantic cleaning. She did pose a moment to scrub at some scales and looked a little confused when they stayed put. After a few pokes to confirm they were in fact attached to his body she commanded Sunny to get the polishing kit…. After the better part of an hour of being commanded around the task was done. Allegro was the cleanest he has ever been. His fur was smooth as silk, scales glittered under the stars on hooves polished and trimmed to standard fit for royalty. Pipp gave him one last inspection before letting a smug grin pass her muzzle. “Not my best work. But passable for a rush job. Come again when it's not the middle of the night and I will give you a more proper clean up for free. Just once. Anything after that and you pay for it like the rest do.” She stepped away and looked over at Sunny, the mare she ran ragged like some servant over the passing hour. “So! Now that we cleaned up your friend to presentable what’s the problem? Something about a house burning down? Tragic but I can’t just go paying for every pony's new house.” She explained with a little shake of her head before stepping closer and leaning in too whisper. “Also, what is he? I’m trying my best here but I have no clue what he is. Never seen a pony with scales and fins.”

Niil let out a mused chuff as he looked over his back at the large doorway, the echoing shouts seemingly only increasing in pitch as he can hear other servants joining in. “Half my staff are making bets if they kill or marry each other. Despite how it sounds, they get along more than chaff but when they do rub it's all claws and fangs… But when they are done mauling each other I can bit we will find them drinking together off on the rim of the city. Hard too say where that coin will flip. Maybe the Princes of love will join in on the bets? Pot is sitting at 780 bits.” He let out a putting chuckle before looking back at the pink pony with a warm smile. “And speaking of you, some warning next time you sling spells on my mate. I was rather unpaired.” He chuckled more and shakes his head gently with a playful head bump at Jizara. With keen eyes one can see neither cat seemed to have made it too the evening without new scars. More so Niil… Someone was still learning how to keep her claws in sheath. “Regardless, I am thankful and do wish to pass along my thankfulness. I know North may have put some into a less joyful mood but she is… Well, driven to do the best for me. I hope she did not overstep. Your kindness will not go unpaid and I hope I can offer my paw in friendship, not just for papers but with earnestly. You are the closest power to are borders, obviously, of note. Herds will overlap and I believe customs will mix and dance together into something new. More so than with Equestria. We are bound, that is the obvious truth.” He gave her a full bow this time until his muzzle was flat on the ground and his wings opened wide out. He then lifted his head so his neck was exposed to the mare. An act of ultimate trust and humility for his kind. And the first time Jizara ever witnessed him do such.

Pipp gave the mare a rather concerned look. “Ooook, what did you do Sunny?” She asked with a soft huff, less one of anger and more the sound of one coming too terms with the fact her night far from over it seems. When the topic moved too showing off some pony… Well. That made her mind wonder. Just what DID sunny do? Well, less do and find. This mare had an insane talent for finding things. For good and bad. Mostly good! But the amount of nonsense that followed was hard too ignore. But Pipp was stuck in it now wasn't she? Some part of her brain told she can shut the door and be free of whatever was about too happen. But she can’t do that. So she just took a soft breath and mentally prepared herself whatever nonsense was bound to happen and opened the door fully, following the mare out. “I can keep calm.” She muttered. Allegro? What an odd name. It made her brain tickle a little, she heard that term before… Oh! It was one of the honestly too many names for a tempo beat. Her trainers are rolling in their sleep knowing she can’t list them all off the top of her head. Anyways, she liked to go off vibes not old pre-built nomenclature for how her music was structured… She blinked a few times, eyes moving up and down Allegro’s body. Hooves to ears. Nose to tail… “ah.” Her muzzle scrunched as she took a step back. “Oh… Ok…” She switched too mouth breathing too keep that horrible smell out of her nose. WHAT did sunny drag out of the sea? “You!” She aimed a hoof at Allegro. “Are getting a bath. Now. I can't even focus. Did you sleep in a fishing trawler's hold? Over here this way.” She trotted more outside and shut the door, then moved down the alleyway a little ways and stopped by a hose mounted to the wall of the shop. A drain was close by. “Stand over that. Sunny, grab soap and some brushes. And shame on you. You have a perfectly fine shower but let him wonder around looking like this?"

“Roll out the red carpet 'cause the queen is here! And bow down before me and be of good cheer! Have my bath ready, and my food prepared! So mirror mirror on the wall, who's the prettiest of them all?” With a kick of a hoof the closet door shut with a hard snap as golden hooves glided along the floor to a beat only in her head. “Me! Me! Me! I'm the queen of them all! I will rise, never fall! I'm forever standing tall!” Her voice sang alone to the clop of her hooves as she trotted across the tile flooring. Closing the shop alone was only as much a drag as one let it be… Even if it was a task underneath her. You gotta do what you got to do sometimes and letting the serfs off early to party was such. It kept them happy and let her enjoy some R&R after a busy day. Maybe she will grab a ride back to the palace and crash at home? She can use the hot tub. Her daydreaming of sinking into a hot tub bigger than some houses was disrupted by some frantic knocking. It almost made her leap out of her own hide, but thankfully she was alone so no one saw that. Taking a deep breath she perked her ears and took a moment to work out it was Sunny yelling for her. “Oh, what has she done now…” She rushed for the door, only stopping at a mirror to give herself a pass over and swift touch up, then reached the lock to flip it over and push the door open as she peeked her muzzle out. “Sunny? What are you doing banging the door down this late?” She fussed softly. “If you need me to buy something for you again, you don’t have to put on a show you know.”

--Time skip! Evening.-- Lord, soon too be Tyr, Niilaavin laid out over a dozen large pillows watching two servants all but lose their minds. North and Quill were no longer even discussing finances and seemed more keen on trying too murder each other. Honestly it was a welcome break from hearing numbers vomited forth for the better part of an hour. He was well aware of how grim his finances looked just founding a kingdom, a few more muzzles too feed hardly seemed noteworthy. It seemed he was wrong… No wonder his kind took over kingdoms. But such was fate and here was to pick up the pieces. “North, no biting.” He muttered, watching his Huntsmarshal trying to maul his Steward. This was hardly the first time. You’d think Quill will have learned by now not to bring up Norths… Dressing habits on her off time. He was about to break it up properly when a servient rang a bell. It was just about the only way to be heard over the ongoing shouting match. He waved her over and dropped his head low, leaning an ear close to the mare as she spoke up. After a moment he nodded and raised with a yawning stretch and nuzzled at Jizara he muttered into her ear. A few moments later both cats slipped away, leaving Quill and North behind… He had to blink a few times as he adjusted to the sun outside. He never did like being up in the day, yet everything happened in the day. But with his eyes adjusting he looked around and found the pink mare enjoying the evening air. She wanted too take him and Jizara on a tour of the city. Something he wanted and gave him time too speak with her outside some formal meeting. He was, honestly, planning to not pay her much mind before today. But she impressed him at the meeting. The kitten had some fangs and was willing to flash them. She had more backbone than he was expecting and that was a good thing. She may be worth working with closer. Time will see. So he made his way over. “Greetings Princes, I hope the sands bring you on good tides?” He said with a half-bow before her, then looked around the city and up at the sky. “Well, there is a lack of stands blowing for such. But the air is nicer for it I think. I have yet to miss grooming out a few pounds of it every evening.” He chuckled softly and looked back down at her. “But soon I will replace tides of sand with drifts of snow… Time will see what is worse.”

North seemed too ponder something a moment, as if she wanted to speak up. But seemed to let the moment pass with the talks about desserts. In truth she wanted to say something, but felt it may be taken as rude. Niil will of course eat it and enjoy it… But as the cooks well know with how, he rather lacked a sweet tooth. In fact, he can’t seem too taste sweetness at all! A rather well known pink mare put that too the test. But North can’t think of a way to bring it up without sounding rude about making something that must mean much to the ponies here. So, she’d play along like she knew her Tyr will. He was used to ponies and sweet food. But it did make her think she’d need too try and change her own tests more… She needed too eat more spicy food, he loved spicy food and she will to. “Well, if that wraps up this day’s meeting we can move onto more pleasant and fun matters. Cadance, if you want to have your head of staff meet with me I’m welcome to help plan events, food and so on. I have years worth of time under this belt pandering to my Tyr, I know just how much food…” She trailed off, looking into nothing for a moment. Blinked and focused on Cadance. “You… Insured that the fruit of their love will be bountiful…” She blinked, thinking deeply for a few moments. “Oh, by the All Mother I need too start preparing. How many will she even have? How much food? Toys fit for a kitten!?” She spins on the spot and trots for the door, her voice booming with command the moment she pushes them open. “WHERE IS QUILL SWIFT? GET HIM!” She barked at the first servant she saw. “YOU! Head too my room, get the log books! You three! You will be on help duty for Quill! And you! Change outfits for long flying and grab a nap. You will head out before sundown with priority mail.” With a herd of servants rushing away she took a breath and looked back at Blueblood. “Prince, do you need me for anything more?” She asked, staying by the doorway with a wary smile on her muzzle. “As I may be… Very busy soon with just two sphinxs to look after. And must prepare for the litter. You know well the logistics of feeding one sphinx. Half dozen…”

North was not shocked by the oncoming storm, she was more shocked at how in the grand scheme of things gentle the winds were. Some deep part of her wanted to see the princess get more enraged and slip the deck. But still, she got some enjoyment knowing she at least flustered the Princess of pony-kind by not rolling over like some trained dog. North may have been trained and lived a life of duty, but she was her own mare now and she’d not slip an inch on that rope. So she let the winds blow over while still sitting tall, that trained smile on her lips and made no movement to show agreement or disagreement. She simply let the other side get it all as she peeked apart the words in her mind what she wanted to hear. The mare was not wrong on some things. Things have gone better than reasonably expected by some extremes without counting the changing of Jizara. That alone will be a burden she knows Niil will work well and hard to repay. Along with every other act of generosity given like coins to beggars. The sooner it was repaid the swifter one was free from the favors implied by the act. She did have too choke down a scoff at the remarks of the ‘gift’ for becoming a Sphinx. Becoming one at what cost? Did Twilight forget her own words? ‘My final permission.’ That was not even a dagger in the sheath, but one placed on the table. She had no regrets rejecting the offer and found herself feeling more justified by the moment in doing so. She didn't need Twilight to become one. Niil himself told her Jizara was a Sphinx by soul. She will become the same and even if her body stays the same, her heart will not… And then an epiphany struck her. Sharp, strong and like ice under a hoof. What WAS a Hyatrian? Nothing. Not at the moment. Other than herself. She was the first Hyatrian wasn't she? The first given a title. The first to bow at the Tyr. The first to trot into a new court, new kingdom, new culture… It made all the world around her seem to muffle out into the background. She was the first and the one prime of place to lead this new culture. She may not be a Sphinx, but she was a Hyatrian. She didn't even know where to start with such a journey. But it lit a blazing fire in her chest that filled her with new found purposes in life. It was euphoric and made the loss of one dream easier to stomach. She was Hyatrian, and proud to be such. Even if it took lifetimes, Hyatria will stand tall and proud. Rising from nothing much like her Tyr, it will open its wings and embrace the sun with its evident place in the world. But everything starts with the first unsteady steps. Even her Tyr nursed and fell about on his perfect paws before he mastered them. His fangs were once dull nubs. Claws harmless tools of a kitten. He had to make do, lay low and weather the storms. So she will as well. For now she was a kitten and lacked the grace she so wished to hold. She overstepped and was given a swift slap on the muzzle. Nothing grave, or lasting. But something to learn from. What if she messed up more? What will her Tyr think? She was the first Hyatrian, she MUST conduct herself in a way befitting his glory. As such she found it unfitting to drag out what was done anymore than it has been. The offer was rejected, let the next act start and a new deck snuffled. She nodded over at Blueblood. “I think that is a good idea, most find him rather alarming until they speak with Lord Niilaavin. You must see the lines of foals that cue up on Nightmare Night to ride on his back, or pose around his claws and fangs. If he can win over the trust of a motherly mare to place her foals in his very jaw, well. A speech to your subjects will do wonders, and give him a space to make clear how open he is with how they feel. If they wish to leave he will not stop them. Hearing that from his own muzzle may win much in the way of goodwill and trust.” She added with a soft nod of the head. “And I’d like to add that maybe Cadance will take part in the speech as well. Not before, not after. Together with Lord Niilaavin to help show some unity between both?”

‘At the moment, I do not believe it is wise to change you in full to become a Sphinx.’ North knew well this was going too be the outcome. It hurt regardless to see that such a thing was possible, truly and openly achievable, and outside her reach. To spend years following some dream was one thing. You make peace with a dream and know it to be such. Wanted but intangible… But what came changed the dull pain of knowing something was out of reach into the sharp pain of dagger between the ribs. She stared blankly at the dark purple gemstone and found her teeth grinding and wings fluttering gently, hardly kept in palace by her side. Did Twilight fail to understand how this looked? How this felt? She didn't did she. She was like all the ponies here. Soft, cuddled and born into a world that hands them everything on a silver plate. Blissfully unaware of what the world was like outside the garden walls. This. This was not a gift. This was a bribe sitting on a hook. ‘My final permission’ was spoken so softly and kindly, as if the words were not a threat. Did Twilight truly think so low of her? Or maybe Twilight was so blinded by years of being the saver of this land to not think past her own muzzle. So used to being the hero she never ever wondered how her words sound to another that doesn't worship the ground she trots on? Twilight was not even in charge of this land when North first stepped off that old ship, ponies packed together like fish in a hold. Where was Twilight when North felt a whip crack on her back. Where were the ‘elements of harmony’ as her own mother sold her into slavery as a filly. And here she was, sitting across the table from the mare that can with a wave of her horn change her life forever. And the mare did nothing but rub that power into her face. She felt enraged, eyes looking across the table at Twilight as her hoof kicked out and slapped the gemstone across the table back to its maker. She felt words swelling into her muzzle to dismiss the offer and flat out retract asking to be changed. But the slamming of hooves on the table knocked her focus and the words out of her muzzle as she looked over at Blueblood. She looked over at him, seeing the glint in his eyes… And felt ashamed at her oncoming outburst. What will Niil think? She let out warm breath and sat down as Blue spoke with more grace than she’d muster in the moment. When he was done speaking she felt more balanced as the outburst passed and she had a moment to gather her thoughts. “With all respect Princess, I can not in good faith take the… Gift.” She forced a smile on her lips. She didn't’ feel anything of the sort. Just bile. “With how it is offered as it will break my own oaths given unto my Lord, soon to be Tyr, and my duty unto him.” She kept it short and sweet. Blue gave all the context needed and spoke it better than she’d be able to in the moment. She hoped Twilight would see the way the wind was blowing and simply retracted the offer and let them all move on.