Shade Glow

He who haunts, the undead father of @mlp_Afterglow, possessed by spirits of @mlp_ShadeKing

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

Corpse sounds.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

@mlp_Afterglow One of the pages is, oddly, smeared with sauce from carbonara.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

A new item itself to the collection in the Maverick study.

Titled, "A Shady Book" Bound in velvet cloth of deep near-black purple.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

Within are lyrics to songs, a recipe for jambalaya, instructions for how to play the banjo, magical incantations, and a photo of him, Afterburner, and @mlp_Afterglow when she was still a kid in sepia on the bayou's edge.

The book remains still.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"We love you." He repeats, weakly. A brief rattle from his lungs. His leg goes limp as the flickering of motion from his eyes stops.

That's all there was to be of Shadeglow.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

He reaches for Glow's hoof opposite of Dust. "Girl, we forgave you before it even happened. Know that we did. We love you."

He smiles again, ever so softly. It is somehow strong.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"Down paths where frost walks beside,

Old memories brought back to life,

Whispering please don't forget me... haha, oh how apt. To hear your voice like this... why... why I could be back in Hollow Shades right now. Your mother brushing my mane as you picked up the song."

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"Good, that's-" He shudders and coughs dryly and quietly.

"Well, and why've you gotten so quiet?" He looks back to @mlp_Afterglow.

"Cat got your tongue? Words trapped in your lungs?"

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"Take care of my daughter, you hear? I know you will already, but promise me." He says.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"Well," He says, rolling his neck on the back of the couch to face her more directly. "I'll tell you the same thing I told @mlp_Mas, if you'd humor a finished stallion."

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"Hah! What's left of him, you mean." He coughs.

"My girl tells me you're her fire. Keep her warm, light her path, that kind of thing."

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"Now don't go blaming her. I don't.

Living of the last of that tyrant's magic now. Last smolders of a fading fire. It's behind us now, aye?"

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"Ah, spectacular entrance, glimmering in the candlelight.

It could be one of the last things I see and I wouldn't dare mind.

So you're the one that's going to marry my daughter." He says, weakly still.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"Time will give you more than your poor bones could ever take, child of mine." He gives a weak laugh and has another sip.

"And she's a faerie? Can't say I've met many of the folk. Know they're special. You take good care of that, you hear?"

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

And drink he does, for just a minute.

"Ah, thank you..." He says, taking a slow moment to catch his breath.

"Don't think I'll be getting the luxury of meeting her. Does she make you happy?"

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"I've been around, yeah. Not very cognizant... magic's wearing thin. But enough 'bout that. Tell me about you two."

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

"Water, please. I... thirst." He says, sounding just now a bit coarse.

"Tying the knot... and so young still. Tell me about her, Glow." Shade wobbles over to the couch, and sits.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

He of course, hugs back.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

He coughs, no mask. Sorry Mas.

"These brittle bones weren't going to be crushed by the likes of him."

He says matter-of-factly.

[Shade Glow @mlp_Shadeglow]

Shade, leaning against the wall, weak, hobbles into the room haggardly.

"M-my daughter... getting married. I can hardly believe it." He says with a cheek wrinkling smile over at the pair.