Looking Maybe?

[aphoenixsong]

I believe we have traversed down this path before. Who in their right mind would want to put up with the wafflings of an old man? [What follows is a very mischievous smile. Wafflings. Really, Dumbledore?] Where have you set your sights? What do you foresee for the future? I am curious about the workings of your mind, Madam.

Comments

[betterthanperfect]

You have no idea how happy my mun is to see you here. I mean, I don't know you, but she wanted me to tell you that you made her day. So thanks, old man.

[aphoenixsong]

It is always pleasant to be welcomed. I have come to expect the opposite response.

[This is what happens when you play a dangerous game, kids.]

My name is rather long, so I think I will leave you with Albus.

[betterthanperfect]

Why? From what my mun says you're a powerful wizard for the side of good, right?

[She smiles, although she can't keep the eternal cockiness she has ut of it.]

My name is Sunset. Sunset Shimmer. It's good to meet you, Albus.

[aphoenixsong]

Good is relative, I'm afraid. It is not always so easy to perceive and those that become lost in the confusion are often the ones that are hurt the most.

Likewise. I wasn't aware Unicorns could talk.

[betterthanperfect]

Good is defending people from others. It's not relative, not to me.

I am from a land called Equestria. There, everypony, be they a Pegasus, a Unicorn or an Earth pony, can speak. I know a Zebra who speaks and have heard of Buffalo speaking as well.

Do Unicorns outside of Equestria stay silent...?

[aphoenixsong]

Then you are one of the blessed few with a clear conscience.

[One of his white eyebrows rises in intrigue.]

I do not know their language, so it is not for me to say whether they speak or not. However, I know they do not speak as you do.

[betterthanperfect]

I don't think they're as few as you think, Albus.

[She continues to look confused for a moment before it clicks.]

Oh! They must be using magic to speak to each other, like my people did in the old days.

[stayfluffy]

But waffles are awesome! Especially with gravy and sprinkles!

[preferable]

Oh. This is certainly.. [ unexpected? bizarre, even for him? nope. ] convenient. [ what? ] Future students are maddeningly vague about some things, you know.

[ a pause. ] --When do we begin the beard, anyway?

[aphoenixsong]

Perhaps they are being kind. [Oh he recognizes you. How nostalgic.] I feel the need to keep certain events from you myself.

[His brow furrows thoughtfully.] I believe I grew it when I became a Professor at Hogwarts.

[aphoenixsong]

I can't say I have had that particular [and peculiar] combination.

[aphoenixsong]

The world would benefit if that were the case.

[He blinks.]

What sort of Magic? I am a Wizard and I have been successful in speaking to non-humans before.

[preferable]

I am you, simply without the years of experience and--one hopes--wisdom that you presumably picked up over the decades. Why would you wish to keep things from yourself?

At what point? I've been offered the job, but I certainly have no urges to begin growing out a beard. [ .. yeah, he's already had his falling out with gellert. it's probably why he looks so thin and exhausted. ]

[aphoenixsong]

For the very same reason that one does not meddle with the past idly. I am told you will not recall what I tell you, but the risk is too great. [The burden is too great.]

I had a beautiful auburn beard while I taught Transfiguration. I cannot recall why I started to grow it. Perhaps I thought it made me look more dashing.

[stayfluffy]

It's really tasty! You should try it sometime, especially with rainbow sprinkles!

[aphoenixsong]

So the sprinkles make all the difference? Curious.

[betterthanperfect]

It's called hekka - the ability for those with pony magic to speak to each other without others knowing or, if they hear it, understanding. Pegasus, Unicorns and Earth Ponies call have hekka, but in Equestria we don't use it since there aren't many humans out and about.

[aphoenixsong]

I would like to learn more about it, certainly. I know a wand-maker that would benefit from being able to speak to Unicorns.

[stayfluffy]

Oh yeah! The different sprinkles make all the difference! You want the ones that are round like confetti, those make the best waffles! The long ones are really good for nachos though!

[The little bot knows her sprinkles, trust her on this.]

[preferable]

I'd like to believe that somewhere, somehow, we don't repeat the same mistakes. I already know that Gellert is.. [ he presses his lips together. ] Well. Things will only get worse. And he's not the last Dark Lord, either. .. And somehow, this Voldemort character has something to do with why Severus is so intensely uncomfortable around me.

[ hrm. ] Or taken more seriously by the students?

[aphoenixsong]

You sound like an expert. [A sprinkle expert! How rare!] I do admit I have a sweet tooth. It has just never occurred to me to mix sweet with savory.

[aphoenixsong]

Ah Gellert. [That...is a sensitive subject - even after all of these years.] Certainly not. Dark Magic will always be prevalent and it will continue to give rise to so-called "Dark Lords".

So you have met Severus? How is he? [Best to keep this light-hearted.]

[He chuckles.] I wonder. [That was it.]

[preferable]

I meant the last that I--that we--will personally.. deal with. [ he's not sure he's ready for war. ]

The version I met was courting a young woman, as I recall. He had several friends who were quite protective of him, so I presume he was doing well. He preferred not to speak to me face-to-face if he could avoid it.

[stayfluffy]

It's the best! It makes the sweet stuff taste ten times as sweet. Believe me, I've tested it scientifically, with beakers and everything just like Pappy would!

[aphoenixsong]

No, I'm afraid not. [This pause is weighty to say the least.] Lily Evans. She is rather important to him.