The moon and the snow [open~]

[stardust]

The clouds passed by ever slowly, traveling along the small drifts of breezes that caught them in their path like a tide. Her dark form rested lazily in a white puff that was just off the edge of the grand city in the sky, one hoof dangling back and forth in the air. Stardust was looking down at the world through the clouds that sprinkled the green lands in a glistening layer of snow, admiring how even from above the sight was a beauty. The flowers were something she would surely miss during the winter, but the thought of spring made her wait patiently in the cold.

Her glittering silver eyes lingered on the world below as a shiver passed through her from the chill that came with living so high. Lifting her head from it's place on the pillow like cloud she tugged her fuzzy scarf tighter, hoping it would bring her more warmth than the riding blanket fastened around her body. Folding the hoof that had been dangling over the cloud underneath her body she let out a frosted sigh as her gaze turned up to the bright sun. The day was passing slowly, which bothered her. She ached to seek the glow of the moon when she flew down to the land of Equestria to see the lovely snow. Stardust didn't always travel by night, but preferred it since the ways along the clouds were less congested as the birds and other pegasi flew off to their homes. It was also more dangerous because of the nocturnal creatures that roamed the skies in a silent and slippery way.

Birds twittered somewhere below her, and the mare set her head down again to watch two blue jays twist and play with each other before flittering off to another place. A smile pressed itself to her lips as she stood to shake off the water that had gathered on her from sitting on the cloud so long. Before making her trip down to Equestria she would probably need to make a snack to eat since all the shops would be closed at night. She needed to get her boots too, cause the snow always caused the ground underneath to get damp.

The dark mare flew into the bright city, being careful to avoid the busiest ways while navigating. She didn't want to get in the way of the pegasi manufacturing the snow crystals for another scheduled drifting. They were much too like stars, aimlessly sparkling in a beautiful sense, and she would feel bad to break the pegasi's hard work.

[Red Charge]

As she entered the city Stardust saw the most peculiar sight, a unicorn, laying prone on a cloud, looking absolutely terrified as his cloud carried him around. He was attempting his best to dodge the looks the Pegasi around were giving him, but it seemed that he could not avoid them. Every Pegasus he attempted to stop for conversation flew away before he could.

The frustrated pony sighed exasperatedly, and upon spotting the dark mare, his cloud sped towards her, "Excuse me Madam!" He called desperately, "Please, don't run away, I merely seek some assistance!" The oddly dressed unicorn flew over towards her, hooves clapped together in a pleading gesture.

[stardust]

Her eyes flashed to the unicorn, eyebrows drawing into a confused expression. It certainly was the most peculiar thing to see, a unicorn on a cloud so high up. Stomping her feet lightly on the cloud to try and rid of the awkward feeling she was getting the mare looked around to see if anypony else would help the unicorn. Stardust blinked once she heard said pony call to her, and she bit the edge of her lip in uncertainty. He certainly seemed harmless enough, she decided.

"What's happen?" Her voice was quiet, but she looked down at him in worry. This certainly was going to cost her some time on going down to see the lovely night time of Equestria, but she wasn't just going to ignore him like all the other Pegasi had. She was nicer than that, despite being socially awkward. Maybe he would ask help in something she was knowledgable in? Hopefully, she thought, that would be the case. Or she would just seem like another young mare that didn't know a thing about the world other than the sky and flowers.

[Red Charge]

"Oh thank you Madam, I cannot express my gratitude. I assume I simply arrived at the wrong town. Everypony seem quite alarmed to see me here, though I hardly know why, a simple cloud walking spell combined with locomotion shouldn't be that out of the ordinary for unicorns right?" He rambled on, ranting for a while, "I seem to have lost my way, I was looking for the Great Library in Canterlot? I'm sorry, I've never been to Equestria before. Could you help me?"

The unicorn was dressed in what appeared to be heavy coats and shawls, as though prepared for a very harsh winter. The cloud it was riding on was humming with a magical aura emanating from his horn. As for the unicorn itself, he was covered with a bushy beard and mustache, and seemed completely exhausted.

[stardust]

She took in his strange appearance, still seeming a bit wary. When she heard of his intentions to go to the Great Library in Canterlot the dark mare smiled. That was something she could help him with, most definitely.

"Of course, sir, but it is a ways away even along the routes. You don't want to stop for a drink?" The last bit was muttered with a shyness as she shuffled her hooves. Since they were going to Cantorlot she would make an oppurtunity to grab her saddle bag. It would be dark by the time they got there, and Stardust decided to just walk down the ways from there.

Her silver eyes glittered with the slight nervousness of being turned down for the offer, but she would have to deal with it.

[Red Charge]

The unicorn, unaware of the fact he had not had a drink all day until that moment, smiled warmly, "That would be most welcome, madam. I could hardly refuse the only pony who paid attention to my plight regardless, could I? That would be awfully rude."

He scooted over on his cloud and tapped the empty space, inviting the mare to join him on his comfortable ride. "Where are we headed? I'm afraid I know next to nothing about this city, so I'll need some directions." He seemed much less intimidating now that he was calm, his voice had a sort of pleasant, fatherly tone to it.

"And please forgive this mess on my face, I have been far out in the barrens researching, and have neglected tidying up my facial hair." He grinned at her through his bushy beard and mustache. Finally his prayers were answered, a generous pony that will help him on his way, perfect!

[stardust]

The mare smiled softly when he had accepted, giving the cloud a strange stare before gently hovering over to the spot. Sitting down comfortably, her smile turned to the unicorn. "It's alright, my house is just down this street. It's easy to spot really, I've put potted flowers in the window that glow a beautiful blue at night."

Her eyes seemed to light when she mentioned the flora, ones from her childhood that she had found in the Everfree Forest. They had meant a lot to her, so she had to take some back to decorate the house she would move into. They offered her a soft light at night to sleep by when she wasn't down visiting the lands.

"Maybe I can find somepony to help you tidy up once we're in Cantorlot?" Stardust looked at the scraggly beard, nose scrunching the slightest at how messy it was. "Or maybe at my home?" She offered in the nicest voice she could manage. Truth betold, his appearance did put her off, especially how unclean he seemed to appear. It was probably just the facial hair though that made her wince.

[Red Charge]

"A very generous offer Madam, but I'd hate to impose! Of course it would be rude to refuse if you offered it, so I suppose it is up to you. This bushy thing does come in handy in the freezing winds of the north, though. Fortunately, if I find what I am looking for in the library, I might not have to go back there any time soon!"

The cloud began to speed in the direction indicated by Stardust, the unicorn's horn glowing with a matching aqua hued aura as the cloud. She could hardly notice his mixed ice and shallows colored pelt beneath his shawls and coats, but it popped out every here and there. He seemed to be very relaxed now that he has been able to talk to somepony, he had feared that Equestria would not welcome one of its colonists in the north. Had that been the case he would be simply devastated, to come so close and be denied.

If he found what he wanted in Canterlot, he could very well be one of the most honored scholars in pony history! He needed all the help he could get, and it seemed he might have found a potential assistant already. He would need to think carefully on how he could excite this mare to help him. Pegasi are invaluable in exploration, for they could reach places no earth pony or unicorn could.

"Oh my, how rude of me, I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Hind Sight, currently about to publish my PhD Thesis on the Equiterian Empire." He bowed slightly, "Would have had it already, but sadly there is no higher education institute in the north. I had to conduct my studies by correspondence and trust me when I say it takes a long time." He chuckled, "Might I inquire for your name?" He asked, parking his cloud in front of Stardust's house.

[stardust]

A small gasp left her as the cloud began moving, the glow partially reminding her of her own flowers that made her feel so warm. "Oh, it's really no imposition." Her silver eyes stayed mesmirized by the aura, voice becoming much softer. She had really never talked to a unicorn before despite her travels over the lands, let alone witness their wonderous magic. Even unicorns in Cantorlot did not talk to her or her to them, since she only went to view the gardens and the stars from the balconies off the cliffs. That was all she really liked to do these days because they were really her only method of peace within the bustling cities.

Stardust looked over at bearded unicorn, dipping her head in a small bow once he had introduced himself. “Hello, Hind Sight. My name is Stardust.” The dark mare offered a warm smile. “That does sound like an awful amount of work. I’m sure the libraries of Cantorlot will definitely aid you in your studies.” She glanced down at the cloud, hoof digging in from the awkward feeling she had. Though to his credit, he was gradually making it melt away with the small talk.

Seeing the glow of her flowers in the sills of her window made her glance up and smile at the sight. “Ah..here it is.” Stardust gracefully slipped off the cloud and to the door of her home to open it. She turned to the unicorn. “You’re welcomed to come in while I get you a drink and perhaps prepare a snack or two.” As she went in, she continued speaking. “I’ll leave from Cantorlot later tonight, and I will need a nibble to have as I go.” Going into the kitchen the young pony poured two glasses of water, taking out a couple of slices of lemon to lie on a plate beside the beverages on the table. She had indeed picked up some manner of formality from her stays in the grand, royal city.

[Red Charge]

Hind Sight seemed unsure if the Equestrian's customs of eating were the same as those in the Northern Colonies. He waited patiently for Stardust to return with the drinks and then downed his glass of water in one drawn out gulp. "That was amazingly refreshing." He said, then eating the lemon in one bite and grinning. "Oh, your lemons are so much sweeter than ours!" He stuck a hoof to his chin as his mind drifted away, then just as suddenly came back.

"Madam are you aware of the Equiterian Empire?" He asked, hooves clapping together softly as he observed her reaction. "The Equiterian Empire was a very powerful force in the world prior to the Elements of Harmony. They had keeps from the Northern Barrens to the Zebra Territories." He paused again, still observing, "I was investigating some of their ruins up north when I picked up the directions to a forward military outpost... right here in Equestria."

This of course, was meant to be shocking, as it was known by all - Equestria was unoccupied until the Unicorn, Earth Pony and Pegasus Trinity settled in. Evidence of the Equiterian Empire being here, would explain much about the past that is only existent in Myths and Folklore. This time Hind Sight stopped entirely, the unicorn gauging his new Pegasus friend's reaction.

[stardust]

Stardust watched a with a bemused expression as the unicorn downed the glass of water, gingerly sipping from her own after she had gotten a straw. She gave a nod, smiling at his observation. "Yes, the earth ponies are really talented down here. They grew those." She took a bite of her lemon, pausing once Hind Sight had started talking about the Equiterian Empire.

"Yes, I have read about them in books." She placed the peel of the lemon down on the plate, wiping her mouth gently with a napkin. Her head tipped as he went on, a subtle shock coming over her. The dark pony was very aware that no one should've inhabited the land before the Ponies had claimed it, and it was certainly a curious time that the military outpost is supposed to date back to before then.

"That seems interesting. And probably the first I've heard about it." She nodded again, looking down at her glass in thought. After a moment, she looked up at Hind Sight with wide eyes. "Have you found the location of the outpost?" If he hadn't, maybe she could lend a hoof into the study. She did know her way around the lands of Equestria, and she could definitely help with scouting the skies for such a historic sight. Well, that's what she hoped for at least.

[Red Charge]

"I found directions." He said, "However, they are written entirely in Equiterian, and I do not have a codex to decipher it. The codex I need is at the Great Library in Canterlot. With it I should be able to translate the directions on the map I found." He paused, trying to keep some level of suspense, "Should I succeed in this endeavor, I would need an assistant... Someone who could help me research and gather the findings. Of course we'll also hire a working crew when we go... but I need someone to help me work on this on a more serious basis."

He considered himself for a moment before finally continuing, "But if you would allow me, I'd like to go freshen up and remove this abomination of fuzz on my face." He grinned at her, though he hadn't suggested it bluntly yet, it was obvious what he was intending. He wanted to give her time to think about it. This way she did not need to commit even after he returned from a good shower and shave.

"May I?" He asked.

[stardust]

"Ah.. sounds like a lot of work." She mused. She knew finding the codex would take effort since there were many entries and books within the vast shelves of the Great Library, but translating the directions from Equiterian would also take much work. Stardust had no doubts this scholarly unicorn could do it, what she wondered was how long it could take? Maybe not too long for him, since he seemed to know what he was doing.

The young pegasus leaned in slightly once she noticed Hind Sight had paused. Her head lifted a bit when he had mentioned needing an assistant before she set back on her bottom once more. "An assistant?" Stardust echoed, looking down at the table as if working out the words in her head. Maybe he had read her mind because she certainly would love to aid the unicorn in his studies, but there was much to think about, the pros and cons of agreeing to do such.

Glancing up at his request to clean up, she let a little smile of relief nest on her lips. "Of course, go right ahead." Not only would this let him clean up and make her feel comfortable, she decided she needed time to think about it.

[Red Charge]

Entering the shower the unicorn quickly conjured up his somewhat dirty razor from his heavy coat, he proceeded to shower and shave, first leaving on a small goatee, before deciding to scrap the beard entirely.

He then pulled out the most necessary items from his worn coat and then discarded the entire thing into the trash. He wasn't going to need it here, and it was high time to get some new attire. He would probably do so in Canterlot. He then, after a moment of musing, finally exited the bathroom.

The transformation was incredible, not only did the stallion seemed younger by at least half of his age, but without the heavy coats and beard he looked almost handsome. With the right clothes and accessories he would look pretty good. "Thank you so very much for letting me use your facilities madam." He said with a cordial bow.

[stardust]

As the unicorn went on to leave her to her thoughts, Stardust let out a soft sigh. She turned to begin making snacks, something that was necessity whether she decided to go on the journey with Hind Sight or not. Her mind occupied itself now as it started to weigh out the benefits of the expedition. Not only would this allow her to explore and see a historic and controversial sight, but it could also change the history of their lovely land as they knew it. Hind Sight would also be a good mentor to help her understand the stories she's told her whole life when she herself only believed them stories.

On the other hoof, it would take her away from her lovely home and the flowers that she would be so comfortable with. There could also be danger at and within the sight as far as wild beasts or rogue ponies were concerned. And if they had failed to prove that it was really from pre-Equestria they would waste a lot of money and effort on something that was fruitless. She bit her lip in thought, not noticing when the freshly shaven unicorn had joined her again.

The dark mare turned when she heard his voice, staring at how well he had cleaned up. He certainly looked regal enough, she nodded with a smile. Giving a small, courteous bow she turned to pack the snacks in her saddle bag before setting in on the table. "You're very welcome. I've made snacks for us." She paused, thinking.

"You were saying you would be needing an assistant if you translated the directions earlier, yes?" Though the silver-eyed pegasus did not want to seem pushy, she had made her decision.