I. The Queen and Her Shadow: Emerald Night

[Commission by Blues64: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/24269671/ ]

I. The Queen and Her Shadow: Emerald Night

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"You seem fairly chipper than normal, rarely do I see you in a mood like this and it's closing no less. Normally you just want to go to bed," Princess Luna commented as Queen Umbra strolled by the bar. She walked with a skip in her step and the hem of her outfit floated like a butterfly above the ground. Her grey bosom, despite being tightly packed into her dress, jiggled happily with each stride she took. Between her fingers, rolling around like a coin, was a beautiful chalk emerald that shimmered dazzlingly in the dim tavern lighting. Only a keen eye could tell the true quality of the gemstone in Umbra's grey palm and it was a jewel that any dragon would covet for its horde. The waitress smiled ever so slightly, leaning up against the bar-top with her elbow resting upon the wooden counter. Her bust pushed up against the bar top corner before adjust herself into a relaxed position.

	"You would not believe what just happened," Umbra cheerfully said. Princess Luna smiled as well, she placed an empty mug below the counter and leaned forward to listen. It was a slow movement, preventing her exposed and heavy cleavage from any sort of movement but the pair of breasts pushed inquisitively against the counter. It was quite a treat to hear Umbra talk, rather than complain, about her experiences in the Bottled Night and Princess Luna was keen to listen. She considered this a step towards Umbra's rehabilitation and would do anything to support a positive growth within the waitress.

	"Do tell," Princess Luna encouraged, her Wendigo fur trimmed dress pressing against the wooden counter top. Queen Umbra eyed her chalk emerald prize gleefully before turning back to the tavern's owner. She cleared her throat once, implying her parched state and needed something to drink. Without hesitation, Princess Luna poured the waitress some Everfree wine. Umbra sipped from the rim of the cup, her thirst sated, she began her tale.

	"It started while you were alleviating Nightmare Moon of her burdensome curse,"


	The tavern was mostly empty, only a handful of late customers remained within the magical walls of the Bottled Night. A small group was playing pool off in the corner, while several others drank their last drink of the night alone at their table. Queen Umbra picked up an abandoned mug from a table before making her way back to the central bar. As she turned around, she spotted a rather strange figure at the double doors of the tavern. It was clad in a black clothing, from head to toe, nothing seemed distinguishable due to the cloak. Not race, gender or even hair color. It was all meticulously hidden behind a veil of dark fabric, expect for one thing: a pair of emerald eyes. Indeed from within the darkness of the hooded figure shone a brilliant pair of caring and kind green eyes that locked with Umbra. From across the room, the pair of emerald lookers gazed deeply into the threateningly blood crimson eyes of the waitress without fear. Umbra could tell there was magic of some sorts involved, the fact that the magical tavern allowed such a concealing enchantment surprised her. Irregardless, the veiled figure was a customer and Umbra was here to serve. Yet, despite her employment obligation, something inside Umbra told her to wait. Let this figure come to her. The hooded figure walked forward, its cloak barely moved with each silent step the patron made towards her. The steps were silent, giving no hint if it had claws, hooves or feet.

	"Lovely evening tonight, a little dark though," The figure said. The voice alone betrayed the first clue about the customer, it was a male. Umbra shrugged her shoulders apathetically, her bosom gently shifting as her dress straps stiffened slightly.

	"Couldn't say, haven't been out tonight. Or a while really," Umbra said, "What can I get for you. The bar's closing in a few minutes,"

	"How about two mugs of fresh Crystal Changeling Ale?" The figure asked, his emerald eyes watching for Umbra's expression. She raised an eyebrow in curiosity but did little else.

	"Two? Sure, you want them to go?" Umbra offered as she went behind the bar.  He shook his head, he wanted to drink within the tavern, prompting Umbra to search for two empty and clean mugs. She grasped both cups in one hand and turned her back to the customer, turning the tap knob on a light chestnut colored cask. A sparkling onyx liquid crashed into the mug, filling it to the brim before bubbling over with a thick layer of grey foam. Umbra shifted her hand slightly, allowing the empty mug to marry the steady stream of ale. Once it was full and the two cups were twins, the waitress turned the knob once and the waterfall of ale quickly petered out. She spun on one hoof and planted the two mugs on the counter top, a splattering few colonies of foam jumped away from the cups and landed haphazardly by the customer. The brilliant emerald eyes looked down, watching the foam evaporate before looking at his drinks. He took one by the handle and pushed the second towards the grey waitress.

	"For you," He suggested and raised the mug in a toast. One of Umbra's thick eyebrows raised in curiosity, her right cheek was hefted as she half smiled from the offer.

	"Sorry, I don't drink on the job," Umbra replied, but her body rejected the denial. Crystal Changeling Ale was one of King Sombra's favorite drinks and that taste had not changed since becoming bound to the Bottled Night. The cloaked figure pushed the frothing drink towards the waitress once more, a single drip of the ale landing upon his black gloves.

	"It's the end of the night. Your boss isn't here and you deserve it. When was the last time you had a drink without being judged?" He asked. Something in his voice struck a note with Umbra, both cheeks were now raised with a faint smile as she realized he was right. She scooped up the mug and raised it to the air.

	"To crystals," Both Umbra and the cloaked figure toasted, bumping their drinks against one another before taking a long drink.


	"Drinking on the job huh?" Princess Luna slyly teased. Umbra shrugged, finishing off her wine before giving the glass back to Princess Luna. The mild teasing would normally annoy Umbra, but tonight she was quite indifferent to the harmless ridicule. Princess Luna offered Umbra a second glass full of wine.

	"Feeling rather generous tonight? Or is this my long deserved bonus pay?" Umbra asked.

	"You seem rather happy tonight so why spoil the mood?" Princess Luna replied as she got herself a drink to match Umbra's beverage. "But that can't be all though. A single drink to brighten your evening, so much? And you haven't told me about that lovely stone quite yet," She wiped a single drop of wine off of the cusp of her mountainous blue breasts after corking the bottle.

	"In due time," Umbra said as she sat down on one of the velvet stools. She still kept her arm up on the counter top in a relaxed posture but spun in place so her breasts could rest on the counter. She gazed fondly into the cup and placed the impressively beautiful chalk emerald beside the base of her drink. Umbra cleared her throat and continued her tale.


	The cups landed loudly against the bar stop and the two took a breath as the sweet alcoholic beverage entered their stomachs. The mugs had been emptied in a single swig, only a handful of foam and drips revealed the consumed contents.

	"You must be wondering about my clothing," The hooded figure suggested.

	"It crossed my mind. If it was because you were hiding something hostile then the tavern would have repelled you before you could even step inside the door. The fact you obscure yourself with cloth and magic is rather intriguing though," Umbra admitted, brushing a single hand through her thick and bushy mane.

	"In my line of work you can never be too careful. You see..." His left hand slipped within the folds of his robe and searched for something. Umbra gripped the handle of her mug tighter, preparing for some kind of assault or harassment. Instead, the male brought out a large black mat. It was two feet long and tightly rolled up but Umbra's keen eyes could see the thin outline of various shapes in the soft black membrane. Her curiosity was piqued and she loosened her grip on the mug, it wasn't anything hostile but in fact quite the opposite. The hooded customer took great and careful movements with his roll, much like it was a small child. He placed it on the table and slowly unfurled it, allowing it to spread to its full meter spread. Umbra's eyes widened like a child in a candy store as she caught a glimpse of something she had once forgotten. The mat was coated in gemstones and jewels of all kinds. Each one carefully placed in rows that were three inches away from one another so not to pollute its neighbours with its brilliance. Umbra's hand trembled slightly as she gazed longingly at all the precious stones before her. It reminded her of the greatest crystal mine in her kingdom, one that had been unparalleled in all of Equestria. At its height, King Sombra's mine was the envy of the world for it's mass amount of crystals. One could not take a single step within the stone walls without seeing some kind of jewel. And now, after so long, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and all other manner of gems were, once more, sprawled out in front of her.

	"Wh-where... how?" Umbra stuttered, unable to turn away from the visual feast of jewels.

	"I'm a gemstone collector and merchant," He answered, his own green emerald eyes looked over the mat. "It's not exactly a complete collection bu-"

	"Are you kidding me? For a simple merchant, this is a fine collection. I've only seen a select few compilations of precious stones, that almost rivals my own collection long ago. Of course you're missing some of the more exotic stones but that's unsurprising... Even as king I found it hard to acquire some," Umbra admitted. The hooded male nodded and handed Umbra a white glove.

	"In case you want to hold any of them. Neither of us want to sully these fine stones with our finger prints," He offered and Umbra happily accepted.

	"If you're searching for snow amethysts, try the land beyond the Yaks. There's a glacier cave where you can find a select few," Umbra suggested as she picked up a pink diamond. She held it up slightly to observe it in the light, she scrutinized the jewel and nodded once in admiration.

	"Yes, I cut them myself," He answered before Umbra could even ask. She let out an impressed whistle, one of the highest compliments the apathetic and generally grumpy waitress could give.

	"Fine work then... there's plenty of love and care in these cuts and you're very well trained... looks like a mix of magic and various tools..." Umbra said inquisitively. The man nodded and picked up a fire ruby that had been carved into a square. He fondled it between his gloved fingers then handed over to the waitress.

	"Yep, this was one my earlier cuts and I'm quite proud of it,"

	"Using a fire ruby as your first cut? Ha... risky but impressive. You're rather confident in your craft then," Umbra commented and placed the stone back on the mat. Her hard emotional mask had been taken off to expose a much more relaxed and casual waitress. While still hard to read and guess Umbra's emotions, it was clear she was happy and was enjoying the mysterious figure's collection.


	The two went on for a few more minutes, talking and exchanging stories about jewels, the cutting process or the task of collecting them. But the night was drawing to a close, used mugs were piling up on empty tables and soon Umbra found herself alone with the emerald eyed gem merchant. At last he yawned rather loudly, breaking the tales the two had woven.

	"Apologies Umbra but I think I'm spent for now. I'm sure you want to close up anyways so you can relax," He said and began to roll up the black mat, hiding the jewels within its rolls. Umbra's crimson eyes watched longingly, grasping for the last glimpses of the wonderful stones.

	"Yes... you're right," Umbra reluctantly admitted and hopped to her hooves from the stool. "Suppose we've gone past closing time anyways,"

	"You're quite knowledgeable about jewels though. Maybe I should come back and get your opinion on my next finds," He chuckled and put the mat back within the folds of his robe.

	"So long as you don't cause trouble, you're welcome to return," Umbra said, wishing deeply for him to return soon.

	"Before I do though... here..." He once more sent his hand into his cloak and retrieved a beautiful chalk emerald. "I don't think this would sell well so you can keep it as a tip for entertaining me this evening and the late closing,"

	"You're sure?" Umbra asked cautiously, some what wary of 'free' gem stones. He placed the emerald in the palm of Umbra's grey hand, with a single nod, turned to leave.

	"Please come again," Umbra said in a well trained service voice, however, deep down, it was more of a request than anything. Much to Umbra's surprise, she felt something firm and sincere press against her lips. She was caught off guard and had been too focused on her newly acquired treasure to resist the kiss. Blush swelled within her cheeks giving her a faint rosy hue, it had been so sudden it took her a second to realize what happened. By the time she looked up, the hooded figure was at the door, and with a single wave, left the tavern.

	"A... genuine kiss? One of respect not lust..." Umbra muttered to herself, deciphering such acts was another skill she had picked up as a monarch.


	"Wishing someone would come back? That's rare of you," Princess Luna smiled.

	"At least this thing isn't charged with magical energy," Umbra said as she tossed the emerald up in the hair and caught it with ease.

	"I'll finish cleaning up. Why don't you take it easy Umbra? You've done well today," Princess Luna suggested. Without a word of thanks, Umbra got up and left to relax in her room.

	"See you tomorrow then! I'll bring a pedestal for your prized emerald," Princess Luna said before Umbra was out of earshot. "At last... progress,"