The Charity of Shadows {Stratus/Nightshade}

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If anything, ponies couldn't say the Shadowbolts were greedy. Although Stars was of the 'get as many bits as possible' mindset, Nightshade felt a little more generous with her bits. That stemmed from her family. So, here she was at a charity event for a local orphanage. The setting for the event was at the Rainbow Falls. Nightshade had to admit... The pony who put it together knew what they were doing. Wide array of simple yet delicious food. Beautiful scenery. Stars out and twinkling. Nice lighting. Orphans allowed to mingle and talk with the guests. Don't get her wrong, if this hadn't been a good orphanage, Nightshade would have sneered at the very thought of going. She did her homework. These were good ponies willing to make a difference in these foals' lives. So Nightshade was all for it. Take a bad situation and help make it better for the foals. Nightshade leaned against a mound of cloud, just lounging and sipping punch. This evening, the blue pegasus outfitted herself in a simple dark bomber jacket with a white tee shirt underneath. Nothing fancy. She even had her hair brushed down. However, she wasn't alone. Her SIC was there too. Stratus. He was there because she asked him to be, of course. He probably wouldn't be there if she hadn't. "I love the look of this place at night... Don't you agree, Stratus~? Hm~?" She fluttered her eyelashes at the big lug, even though it meant not a bucking thing other than it was funny to her.

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Stratus had not initially intended to be at this charity event. In fact, before the captain asked him to accompany her he didn't even know it existed. Indeed, Stratus didn't often pay attention to anything that didn't involve him or his job. Not to say though that he did not care about the event, but he was not exactly a pony who had much to offer monetary wise. Stars was the one with all the money, and Stratus doubted she would be inclined to part with any of it. There were always only two types of clothes Stratus ever wore: his work uniform, and formal wear. And though his careers changed and his golden armor was replaced by a black and purple flight suit, Stratus still had his formal clothes for whenever he had to attend an event such as this charity. With a black formal blazer, white undershirt, and navy blue tie, Stratus perhaps looked a bit overdressed compared to the captain. Or perhaps she was underdressed; either way, it was likely that neither of them would have cared. Stratus stood quietly by Nightshade's side, still as a statue. Being a guard, he was used to staying still and blending into the crowd. The pegasus statue came to life however as the captain spoke to him. "It's an interesting sight," he said in agreement, ignoring Nightshade's meaningless flirtations. "Though I'm curious as to why you invited me, captain. I would have assumed you'd prefer to bring Stars with you." Stratus wasn't exactly the life of the party after all, and Stars was an old friend of Nightshade's. "Not that I am against your decision, but it seemed odd to me," he added on, assuring the captain he did not doubt her judgement.

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Oh, what a stick in the mud. He said 'interesting'. That's not an answer. That's an answer to get out of making an answer. He didn't even acknowledge her little game. Instead, he brought up Stars. Boring. "I brought you for several reasons. One being Stars isn't with that mare anymore and I don't want to have a conversation about it with her. Two being you're my second in command and it doesn't hurt to for the two of us to be seen out in public. Three being you need to loosen up and get out more instead of being the flying statue we know you as. Finally, four being that I don't want to explain my motives to Stars behind my charity work. Or tell her about all the charity work I've done without her knowledge." Nightshade picked up her glass and sipped at the ruby red liquid. "There. Four reasons. That good enough for ya, Stratty?" She wasn't one to wait for answers, however. She turned her attention to the night unfolding before them. "Have I ever told you about my family, Stratus? I doubt it. I don't talk about them much. I prefer to keep personal details just as that. Personal. But, I'd be willing to make an exception. Just for tonight. Because why the buck not~?" She stuck her tongue playfully at her brick wall. Nightshade liked to play mind games. Sometimes she did things to make ponies she didn't like uncomfortable. Sometimes she did them to get something she wanted. Sometimes because she was bored... Fun.

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Stratus certainly didn't try to be interesting. He had long since resigned himself as to being a 'boring' pony. It's just how he was; acting any other way would simply be being dishonest, and that was one thing Stratus was not willing to be. Still, he listened to the captain intently, feeling a better understanding of his presence here now that her reasons were explained. Perhaps he had a few other questions to ask (especially about her third reason), but the captain continued onto a different topic before Stratus could respond. He had never put much consideration as to what kind of family the captain came from, but admittedly now that she mentioned it Stratus was somewhat curious. Now ignoring her childish display of sticking her tongue out instead of flirtations, Stratus gave her a neutral but attentive look. "You haven't. I never considered asking since it is a personal matter, like you said." Nightshade would have to be blind and deaf to not know Stratus kept to himself, so he didn't feel the need to explain himself any further. "I would hope that this knowledge doesn't come with the assumption that I would talk about my own family though. There isn't much to tell," Stratus added. Besides not really wanting to discuss his past, he also considered it truthful that he didn't have much in the ways of family to talk about. Chances are, he'd only disappoint the captain.