{"id":38007,"date":"2024-04-01T13:19:01","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T18:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=38007"},"modified":"2024-04-01T13:28:33","modified_gmt":"2024-04-01T18:28:33","slug":"chapter-11-the-necklace-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2024\/04\/01\/chapter-11-the-necklace-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 11: The Necklace Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click here for story index page.<\/a><\/p>\n

Tabby and Toby made their way across town to the church rectory, and knocked on the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby, nice to see you,\u201d said the priest, a subdued black-and-white colored stallion, upon opening the door. \u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe’ve got an Atlantean spirit!\u201d Tabby burst out excitedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fr. Isaac looked at her markedly. \u201cYou know,\u201d he said significantly, \u201cwe’ve talked about this\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn’t do anything this time. I swear,\u201d Tabby said impassionedly. \u201cI mean–honest, it wasn’t me. It was my sister’s fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMmhmm, blaming the other party, a classic pitfall,\u201d said Fr. Isaac, nodding shrewdly. \u201cAnyway, Atlantean spirit, eh? It\u2019s been awhile since I\u2019ve had one of those. That last beast you cooked up in your kitchen was a doozy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSauce demons are the <\/span>worst<\/span><\/i>!\u201d Tabby said emphatically. \u201cIt was never my intention–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what they say about intentions,\u201d the priest said, nonetheless remaining upbeat. \u201cThe road to–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, I know!\u201d a flustered Tabby broke him off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let’s get going,\u201d Fr. Isaac announced, after collecting some supplies in a satchel.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it true, that you\u2019re not really Athena?\u201d Tamara asked, cautiously approaching the silver pegasus, who was eyeing a cabin cruiser in the harbor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d snarled Athena, hurling a magic blast that Tamara narrowly dodged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose that IS new,\u201d Tamara said to herself, thinking rapidly. \u201cMaybe Tabitha\u2019s on to something.\u201d Raising her voice, she addressed the pegasus. \u201cAthena, remember that\u2026 uh\u2026 spa day? The microdermoabrasion mask?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see what you\u2019re trying to do,\u201d laughed Athena, \u201cbut I assure you, it is futile to reach your friend. I am fully in control.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill you at least sign a release to appear in my video?\u201d Tamara boldly asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Athena was taken aback. \u201cWait–what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, I always have a videographer with me,\u201d Tamara said matter-of-factly, gesturing at a stallion in the bushes, who waved back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t make light of this!\u201d Athena said furiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I assure you this is my business and I take it very seriously,\u201d said Tamara in a somber tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Athena lifted her hoof into the air, just as the camera stallion started levitating off the ground as if held by an invisible thread. He started choking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, just chill,\u201d Tamara said placatingly. \u201cWe\u2019ll cut the footage. Let Cedric go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t underestimate what I can do,\u201d Athena growled, dropping Cedric to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, I\u2019m really not in practice for this sort of thing,\u201d Tamara complained, \u201cbut I guess I have to fight you now.\u201d Aside to Cedric, she added, \u201cKeep the camera rolling, but stay out of the way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby, Toby, and Fr. Isaac arrived on the scene. Tamara was holding her own, but much like Tabby, hadn\u2019t been able to mount her own attack but was merely fending off the aggressor\u2019s psychic blows.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby came across a young stallion with a camera, frantically dashing around and dodging blasts as he attempted to film the scene. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d she asked incredulously. \u201cOh, you\u2019re with Tamara, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and there\u2019s a bonus in it for me if I can pull this off without getting the camera fried,\u201d the stallion said excitedly. \u201cLook at her <\/span>yeet<\/span><\/i> that energy bolt!\u201d And he bounced off energetically, shouting \u201cYOLO!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose aren\u2019t real words,\u201d said a perturbed Toby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2026 right. I would maybe be more concerned about getting fried personally,\u201d said Tabby with a frown, but the young stallion was already gone. \u201cI\u2019ll help Tamara distract her so you can do your thing,\u201d she addressed Fr. Isaac before darting off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, there\u2019s two of them?\u201d Shane realized, seeing a second red-maned pink unicorn appear on the scene. He was watching from the shadows behind a boathouse and waiting for an opportunity to get his map back, knowing he had no skills to help in this situation. \u201cIt\u2019s a regular party out here. I hope someone knows what they\u2019re doing,\u201d he muttered, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabitha, what\u2019s the plan!\u201d Tamara shouted, seeing her sister approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know! I don\u2019t have one!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fr. Isaac took out a book and started reading the ancient language contained within, mystical energy emanating above the pages.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the great energy released attracted Athena\u2019s attention. \u201cWhat is he doing? Stop that!\u201d she shrieked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need a few minutes,\u201d called Fr. Isaac to Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, right,\u201d said a flustered Tabby, jumping over to him and throwing up a shield and narrowly deflecting a blast from Athena.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t stop me!\u201d the silver pegasus insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHah, take that!\u201d Tamara cried out, finally able to get off a shot of her own with the entity targeting Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re weak,\u201d Athena sneered, batting the blast away effortlessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, Tabitha, I\u2019m not sure how much longer I can keep this up!\u201d Tamara yelled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUGH! Why does everyone expect ME to have all the answers!\u201d Tabby complained, feeling a distinct lack of resourcefulness. Then she remembered the <\/span>clatruna<\/span><\/i> from Butch\u2019s shop, and her hoof went into her satchel to pick it up. It only had a tiny bit of magic, but if she magnified it with the last remaining energy she had, then maybe it would serve as a distraction long enough\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby threw the jewel aloft into the air where it levitated. She pointed a hoof at Athena, and the jewel orientated itself with its point in Athena\u2019s direction, and unleashed a beam of energy, which hit Athena square in the center of the necklace medallion. The pegasus screamed in pain and lifted the medallion off her chest, as if it were burning her flesh.<\/span><\/p>\n

At this juncture, Fr. Isaac chanted an impressive-sounding incantation, and mystical energies crackled from the book and sent out winding fingers toward the pegasus. With an unearthly shriek, a vaguely humanoid ethereal form rose up out of Athena\u2019s body, then a blinding flash of light and the ground shook under them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Athena slumped to the ground, and Toby ran to her side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a most dreadful experience,\u201d she said, gasping for air and getting her bearings. \u201cToby, you saved me!\u201d she cried out, her eyes lighting on the doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? He didn\u2019t do anything,\u201d Tabby protested. \u201cNo offense,\u201d she added with a nod in his direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNone taken,\u201d Toby assured her, holding Athena\u2019s hoof in his. \u201cThis was your show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy knight in shining armor,\u201d Athena continued gushing, gazing at him admiringly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever,\u201d said Tabby, rolling her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s settled,\u201d Fr. Isaac said with a satisfied nod, tucking the tome away in his satchel. \u201cI may be able to catch the end of the parish council meeting,\u201d he added, consulting his watch. \u201cTry to stay out of trouble, Tabby.\u201d And he went on his way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll just be taking my property back,\u201d said Shane, stalking off after reclaiming the map which was sticking out of Athena\u2019s purse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tamara whistled. \u201cCome along, Cedric! Time to get editing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got it, boss,\u201d he said, scrambling along after her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNext time you\u2019re going to stage something like this, give me advance notice, so I can get my whole team lined up,\u201d Tamara said chidingly to her sister before going off. \u201cThe lighting could have used some work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour convenience is always at the forefront of my mind,\u201d Tabby said dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Thomas\u2019 flight had come in and he was walking through town, on his way to find Tabby. He had caught an earlier flight and was hoping to surprise her. He had a gnawing fear that they hadn’t been connecting since he had made the change in teams, and been distracted by the publishing agents. And this separation had only served to intensify the feeling. He had resolved to try harder to show how important she was to him, and with that in mind had armed [legged] himself with a bouquet of flowers to present to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

But suddenly, there was some sort of explosion in the direction of the river, and a resultant shockwave that shook the ground, and Thomas hurried in that direction to lend aid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas met Fr. Isaac on the way, who gave him a distracted greeting, and not long after noticed Dr. Shane leaving the area. It was not entirely surprising, then, to find that Tabby was at the epicenter of things at the harbor. \u201cTabby? Is everything okay?\u201d Thomas asked anxiously, but the party seemed to be over, as everyone was walking away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re back early,\u201d Tabby said, innocently enough, yet it was not exactly the warm reception he had been planning for. \u201cYeah, it\u2019s fine, Toby and I just had to get Fr. Isaac and it was this <\/span>whole<\/span><\/i> thing…\u201d She rolled her eyes expressively.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas was not exactly thrilled to find that his fiancee had been spending his absence in the company of her ex-suitor–though that stallion seemed to be occupied with Athena at the moment, walking off with her leaning heavily into his side. \u201cToby? Fr. Isaac?\u201d Thomas asked, much perplexed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Tabby said confidently, and Thomas almost thought she was not going to expound on further details, but she finally continued, \u201cTiffany was possessed by an Atlantean spirit–it wasn\u2019t <\/span>my fault<\/span><\/i>! But I was cleaning up the mess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That, and the kiss she gave him, went a long way to assuaging Thomas\u2019 troubled soul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got you these\u2026\u201d Thomas said, holding out the bouquet and belatedly realizing the flowers had fully wilted, some effect of the psychic shockwave. \u201cOh\u2026 never mind,\u201d he said in some dismay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Tabby eyed the bouquet. \u201cWell\u2026 they’ll probably still compost at least.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight. Well, why don\u2019t we head to the SSSS, and you can tell me the whole story,\u201d Thomas invited.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d Tabby chirped.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

So, over ice cream, the story was related; and other citizens, having heard rumors about the events of that evening, had sought Tabby out at the ice cream shop for more details. In any case, the couple did not find themselves truly alone until the walk home some time later that night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Wexford was acquitted of all charges?\u201d Tabby broached the topic tentatively. \u201cThat’s good? Bad? What is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the justice system did its job and that’s the decision, so it is what it is,\u201d Thomas said prosaically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think he’s guilty,\u201d Tabby said plainly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think he has a lot of work ahead of him repairing his damaged reputation,\u201d said Thomas guardedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going to happen to him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe’ll be okay–this was a setback, but he’ll rebuild.\u201d Thomas fell silent for a long moment. \u201cHe may not have done anything to be charged for in the legal system,\u201d he said at length, \u201cbut as for his marriage vows, I think he has a lot to answer for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d Tabby was unsure how to go on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was my mentor for many years. I let him shape me. If I hadn’t come to my senses and gotten out of there\u2026\u201d Thomas trailed off pensively. \u201cI just want you to know,\u201d he said, taking hold of her hoof, \u201cI would never do that to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’ll try to never give you reason to want to,\u201d said Tabby softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

They walked in silence for some time, neither willing to verbally acknowledge that their first kiss had technically been cheating…<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyway, the future was what mattered, Tabby told herself. And she trusted him.<\/span><\/p>\n

BUT\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomething\u2019s on your mind,\u201d Thomas said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just, uh\u2026 how many mares have you, uh\u2026\u201d She blushed furiously, unable to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSlept with?\u201d he said with a self-deprecatory smile. \u201cNo one. It never went that far. I could have, but\u2026 maybe it was the memory of what my mother would think, that held me back. She had high standards for us.\u201d He looked at her questioningly. \u201cDid you and Toby\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Tabby said quickly. \u201cAnd there\u2019s no one else, either. That\u2019s not how we do things <\/span>here<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that unpleasantness is over,\u201d Wexford announced upon entering his New Pony home. \u201cNow we can all get on with our lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed we can,\u201d said his wife, Spindrift, who was coming down the sweeping main staircase.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt would have made for a better showing if you had been there today,\u201d he said chidingly to his wife, hanging his cloak on a rack.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, anything to put on a good show,\u201d Spindrift said coolly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wexford eyed her warily as she approached.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not surprised at the favorable outcome,\u201d she continued. \u201cYou always have been good at covering your tracks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpindrift, I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re getting at,\u201d he protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am not such a cuckold as you think,\u201d Spindrift said. \u201cYou have discounted me, thrown me aside when my youth was no longer an attribute, and I have been silent, but\u2026 it is time to speak for myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve let this trial nonsense get to you,\u201d said Wexford with a frown. \u201cDon\u2019t give it another thought.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember, when we were young and in love, back on the commune farm?\u201d Spindrift closed the gap between them. \u201cWhen the world seemed to be in our grasp\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we were happy,\u201d Wexford said with reluctance. \u201cBack then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we could have stayed that way, had we remained in that paradise,\u201d Spindrift said with a sad smile. \u201cBut then your parents gave you that ultimatum to follow their plans. You should have walked away and left me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith the twins on the way? No.\u201d Wexford shook his head emphatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe commune would have provided for us,\u201d Spindrift said. \u201cBut now you\u2019ve driven Nox and Sol away, and I have nothing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know you felt this way.\u201d Wexford frowned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re much too busy with your doxies to spare a thought for your wife\u2019s feelings,\u201d spat Spindrift.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose days on the commune\u2026 I was young and naive,\u201d Wexford considered. \u201cI grew up. You didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think that my personal development counseling is nonsense,\u201d said Spindrift, drawing herself up imperiously. \u201cAnd yet, the most influential ponies in the world have come to me for help. The Casales, Vandercorns, Kirschtortes–I\u2019ve helped them all reach their full potential, and they\u2019ve paid me handsomely in return.\u201d Quietly she added, \u201cThere was a time that you believed in me. But that was a long time ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpindrift, it\u2019s been a long day,\u201d Wexford said wearily. \u201cI can\u2019t have this conversation now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have it now, or not at all. I\u2019m leaving,\u201d Spindrift announced.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wexford started in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think I have enough spirit to do so?\u201d she said tauntingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019d come to your senses soon enough and realize you like having a roof over your head,\u201d he said sardonically. \u201cAnd crystals and incense don\u2019t pay for themselves, you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re not the stallion I married,\u201d she said bitterly, reaching for the door handle.<\/span><\/p>\n

The door closed behind her, and he was alone in an empty house.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Click here for story index page. Tabby and Toby made their way across town to the church rectory, and knocked on the door….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38007"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38007\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38010,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38007\/revisions\/38010"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}