13. [Audio]

[brodakota]

[North's voice comes over the network, sounding rather panicked. Surprisingly so, especially to people who know him for his quiet, patient demeanor.]

Is anyone else in Ponyville right now? 

If you are, have you seen Theta? 

It's really important that I find him, and I think it's getting dark.

[That's new...and all the more worrisome.]

Comments

[skysmirror]

[Xion goes to have a look of her own. If Theta is in there, he just might be stuck if he hasn't come out to meet them by now. Though the fact that he hasn't said anything is weird. Barkley seems to recognize the scent, though, since he's wagging his tail and barking to encourage her.]

Theta?

[brokentrust]

[Nope! It's a shadow! Jumping out to scare Xion!

Boo!!!]

[skysmirror]

[He'll have to do better than that to actually scare Xion, but she is startled. So startled, in fact, that she can't help but take a few steps back before reflexively summoning her Keyblade.

Barkley, for his part, scrambles back so quickly he falls on his rear. He's up pretty quickly, though, barking at Shadow!Theta. That wasn't very nice!]

[brokentrust]

[The Shadow seems unperturbed. That was fun! Can he do it again?]

[guerriera]

[ RUDE, shadow!Theta, rude! ...And very out-of-character for the shy AI.

Momentarily distracted not by Xion's retreat but by the magical key summoned by the younger mare, it takes a minute for Carolina to notice this change in personality. Max meanwhile, waddles over immediately to whuff at Barkley, then attempt to nose at the Theta-dragon, snuffling the ground before making odd whining noises. ]

...Something's not quite right.

[brodakota]

Yeah. I'm pretty sure that's not Theta. He wouldn't do something like that.

[skysmirror]

[The one good thing about these shadows is that their actions give them away. Over her momentary start, Xion dismisses the Keyblade. Sorry about that surprise, Carolina, but old habits and reflexes are hard to overcome.]

No, he wouldn't.

[Barkley whuffs back at Max. He's okay, just surprised. But that sure is a funny smell, right?]

[guerriera]

[Just how many of you people have keys, anyway? ...Would be a question she'd ask had Carolina seen more than one other fight with such a weapon. As it is, there's simply a look, because seriously, a key? before she steps towards shadow!Theta. It's a wary stalk, head lowering slightly as she approaches.

Max yipped in agreement, before nosing further at shadow!Theta, trying to tag it with his tongue. What gives, little dragon-person?]