Antione sits up and looks around. He gets to his hooves and says, “Ah… You didn’t take my advice…”
“Antione… The mayor says you are the one that raised the fog wall.” the earth pony interrupts, trying to ignore the thoughts of the advice he gave.
The unicorn pauses for a second, gives a wistful sigh, and says, “The more you know about what is going on, the worse it’ll become for you. You have a sharp and curious mind, but those sort of things will be your enemy here. Please, just take my advice.”
“Antione… Why did you try to shoot me?” She says, “I just… I just want to understand what is going on. What has made you become like this? Why would you ask me to ever do such a thing? Why?”
“And I want to tell you, but I have to repeat.” He says, coming up to the grate as well. His eyes are full of tears. “There is only one way to end this. If you don’t yet have the courage to do so. Please use my flat. It is protected from all the others. They can only come inside with an invitation.”
“Protected? From what? Why?” She says, exasperated. “Invitation? What…?”
He holds up his hooves, and looking down at his blood-stained boots says, “Just… Protected, alright? There is enough food and water there for a few days.”
“Are you hurt…?” Mulberry says, wiping her tears away so she can check better.
“No, no… This is from those…” He turns his head and says louder, “Lazy, saucer-headed lumps of flesh you call city guard!”
“He hurt one of them?” The mare says, turning concerned to Goldenclaw, who the unicorn had been yelling at.
“Oh, yes. But it was not an injury to worry about. He’ll be fine.” Goldenclaw says. “The doctor told me himself.”
Mulberry checks his beloved boots again. She’s no expert or anything, but she feels like that much of a blood-stain couldn’t have come from a small wound.