14 - Return

I trot pretty calmly to the lodge, not certain on many things. I almost end up tripping a few times as I travel, my thoughts taking my focus away from safely travelling. Why would… Celestia attack them? Did they… do something? I get back after a while, to find Riva outside the lodge, circling back and forth. Clearly debating something with themselves.

When Riva spots me, they quickly run to me. “Red, what are you doing?! Why'd you go out alone?” Their voice is filled with concern, with… care for me. They wrap their wings and forelegs around me in a hug, tightly. It's like they don't want to let me leave.

I look down, embarrassed. “I-I… had to go back… to figure out what I'd missed.” I mutter somewhat quietly, but lean into the hug, it's pleasant despite the possibilities.

Riva frowns, looking at me. “You could've been hurt! You said it yourself that you were under rubble! I-it could've caved in! D-don't worry us like that!” They release the hug, pulling back a bit. They're pulling Sylv into her own worry despite the fact the unicorn was fine with me going, if… hesitant. Maybe Sylv was worried too.

“Sylv taught me h-how to protect myself… a-and how to let her know if I got… stuck. S-so I would've been fine…” I say quietly, made to feel like I'd made a mistake, but in my mind knowing I did the right thing going back alone. “B-but… there wasn't anything else there anymore. Just… this.” I poke at the necklace gently, looking up at the pegasus.

Riva looks at the necklace, tilting her head. They then glare at Sylv, but with a sigh turn to me again. “Nh, fine. Just be careful okay? And don't go back.” They turn to head inside, and I follow.

“O-okay.” I nod a bit, smiling at her before glancing past the couch towards Sylv, to see what she's up to.

*So, you're back? How'd it go?* Sylv's quieter voice meets me as I do so; she's in the kitchen packing away the food Riva's brought. There are also books on the table, ones that I don't remember seeing anywhere in here before.

“I… just found a necklace, and… nothing else.” I tell her as well. “So I won't be… going back a-again.”

Riva heads to the couches, and pokes the table, noticing my gaze over the books. “I loaned some books from the library. History, mostly. I wanted to comb through them for any mention of a dark and red alicorn.” Riva looks up at me, then back to the books. “I also asked the librarian, but uh… he said he doesn't recall any alicorns like you? He said he could be mistaken, but…” They sigh. “I'll try and find something about you.”

I nod as I walk past, glancing at the books. “A-alright, thanks.” I smile, heading to the kitchen.

*Are you hungry?* Sylv asks. *Or do you just want some tea?*

“Both would… be good.” I tell her, and sit down nearby, examining the kitchen again now that it's light out.