Nightshade nodded. "Yeah. We were close. That was why I told you it would be boring. Tried to make you not want to go. But then you gave me those puppy dog eyes of yours, and... dammit, no. This was my fault. I'm sorry."
"You gonna be alright? If it helps, we did do some good last night. Eight ponies are safe at home today because you killed that thing."
"We should probably talk about this," Nightshade said quietly. "But later. You have a recording session to get to."
"Love you, too, Raven," Nightshade said as the pair walked out. As soon as they were out of earshot, she turned to Dusty. "So. Hollow Shades. I know she's scared of the place, and I understand why, but... this kind of thing can't be good for her. What do I do here?"
She arched an eyebrow "Not the response I was expecting. That sounds like an idea I'd come up with." After a few moments of silence, she sighed. "No, you're right. Ripping off the bandaid is exactly what she needs. I hope."
"It is. The old house. Where they died. It was never demolished nor resold. The cleanup was awful, and there are still stains on the walls and floors. Take her there." He sighed. "It'll hurt her like hell initially, but she needs to overcome this trauma."
Nightshade shook her head furiously. "Whoa whoa whoa. That's too far. Even if it'll be good for her, I can't hurt her like that. I won't. Haven't I already put her through enough?"
"Like a band-aid, Nightshade. You could say I know her psychology very well. After that, I doubt she'd tremble at the mention of Hollow Shades any longer."
"Okay. Fine. But you better be damn sure, because I can think of at least a dozen ways this could go horribly wrong." She sighed. "Now please, I need a large glass of something strong. I have a class full of school foals and amateurs in an hour, and I don't think I can face it totally sober."
