Steel Hammer relaxed once the Doctor and the Bounty Hunter had came to a consensus. He had feared for Scarlet, but this was a better turnout than he expected. At least she'll be able to get out of here , he thought. The Earth pony wanted to speak to her, knowing it was perhaps his last chance. "Sorry my lady, but I fear we will not have that drink. But do be well on your travels." Alas the Noxferus told him not to talk, and clearly was in no mood for disobedience. That, and speaking with Scarlet could only cause trouble for her as well.
So instead he gave a short bow to Scarlet, one of respect and honor. Drink well, for the both of us.
He waited for the Noxferus' next action. He stood and waited, his stance showing he was partly worried about Lens, and partly impatient. I want to know what happened tonight, and why. He looked at the remains of Lightwing, his cloak had been blown over his head. The ground was soaked.
Poor kid… and what of Southy? Dead as well? At least they've been avenged. But the sooner the Noxferus gets to investigating, the sooner I can get Lens out of here. He paused to cough a bit. At the very least, I can save her.
This waiting is driving me nuts.
Snow Tail nodded. "Thank you, Master," she opened her wings and began to fly back to the shore where she found Star. So far there seemed to be no more appearances of the Cult's minions. But then again, they had a tendency to show up and give a nasty surprise or two.
"I wish I could do more for Star… but I'm no Doctor. I can't do much for those eyes than those affected by spells or suncannon fire… and pray the effect is temporary." She frowned at her inability to help. "At least there's one other pony I can do something."
Settling down, the pegasus was near the log she thought she left Storm. Looking around, she didn't see any sign of the soldier. Tail was about give shout, but then paused. "Aw drats, I forgot to ask her name," she muttered. "But I don't think we had time for proper introductions." Placing her hooves to "cup" over the mouth, Tail began to cry out: "Hey G. I. Jane, you around here?"
She listened closely, and hoped the soldier was alive.
Star stood there, not sure what to make of Torrential's offer. For a moment, she wanted to accept the Alicorn's embrace and return his teasing, letting her passions get the best of them both. The pegasus forgot that was even blind, her mind forming the image of Torrential in his cloak and cap. Emotions came, like a flood breaking through a dam, engulfing her mind. "Abandon my connection with-?" She shuddered and fell onto the shore.
Sweeper… it seemed like forever since Star Dancer gazed upon the maneless alicorn. And just like her brother, the Chambermaid also appeared to her as if her eyes were functioning. Her grey coat shining like sliver, her smile betraying her air-headed but caring nature. It was her who fulfilled the Scholarship. It was her who restored the hope of a shanty town in the middle of nowhere.
And it was Sweeper who saved the life of a foal nopony had cared for, near another refugee camp were there was no love. It was on that day, months ago, that Dancer realized how wonderful the Alicorn of Cleanliness really was. And since then, the Scholar also grew to know the Lady.
Now Dancer was asking to choose the blessing of two she cared for. She loved them both, each in their own different way. Tears began to flow from Star's eyes, her tears dropping onto the shore.
"I… I… don't know, I don't know…" she said. "Thi-is is too much to take in."
After a silence of several moments, the Scholar weakly rose from the ground and placed her head on Torrential's body. " I'm not sure… what I can do now. What to do now. Being with you is amazing… but so is your sister… I don't…" She sniffed, trying to control her sobbing. "Please, could we wait latter. I'm too tired, scarred. For now, can you just be my teacher like you always been? Like it was when we walked days ago? I can't think of the future now, not now."