Kalfu continued to stare dumbfoundedly at this purple unicorn mare who had accused him of basically stealing from Celestia when there was no theft involved. After all, both parties got what they wanted in the deal that was made. He brought a hand up to his forehead and rubbed it in slight annoyance before responding to her. :First off, dear, The deal was sealed properly. Both parties settled upon the agreed terms. She was just a little hesitant before it happened. And by the way, that cake was absolutely delicious. I can see why she was so hard pressed to part with it. But, she did indeed part with it on her terms. I did NOT steal it from her.”.

Twilight blinked a few times before she huffed slightly, folding her arms as she held onto her pen and parchment rolls like a student who was prepared for testing day “THat may be the case! But still, that is the princess. You should have shown ehr some respect..” she mumbled as she realized that he was right in his explanation. She didn’t like it though. “THat doesn’t matter right now though! I am here because of what she and my friend Applejack have told me about you. And I find your abilities to do what you can do absolutely unbelievable! There is no way anyone can predict the future or commune with the dead! Clearly it is just a form of dark magic that you are performing to pull a wool over their eyes..” she said as she adjusted her glasses again, determined to be right as always.

Kalfu lifted a finger and was about to protest about the ‘dark magic’ bit. But, she kind of wasn’t wrong. His type of magic was both dark and light. But just because it was dark doesn’t mean it was evil. After all, everything has a dark and light side, especially magic. “And I am to assume you believe that dark magic automatically slots someone into evil that uses said magic, yes?” he asked as he tapped his cane on the wooden ground a few times before he started circling around the studious unicorn.

“Little Miss Bookworm has a righteous sense of duty to her princess and mentor. It truly is such a sweet sentiment. But, there was no ‘evil magics’ performed when it came to those two.”. Twilight watched Kalfu circle her like a wraith would be its next victim. The way he moved was like wind, smooth and adrift. What really made her shudder was his eyes. Just from looking within those alone, she could see that he radiated with otherworldly powers that could only be described in spooky fairy tales of ghosts, ghouls and spirits. If only she really knew how right she was.

That was also another thing that she was going to bring up, spirits “Applejack told me she saw the spirits of her parents. But, that’s impossible. There are no such things as ghosts or apparitions or anything like that. Science doesn’t support these things in the least and therefore can’t be proven real! So how is it that you could allow her to see them when they don’t exist in the first place? And how could you even know what her parents look like?” she asked as she threw question after question at him.

A smile slowly formed across his face before turning into a full on sharp toothy grin “Ohooo~. A skeptic. My favorite type to prove that they are absolutely in the wrong when it comes to the supernatural. Let me guess, you also don’t believe in curses, hexes and other kinds of things similar to that huh? Oooh it's all just superstition!” he said as he waved his hands in an exaggerated manner. This really rubbed Twilight the wrong way, as it was clear he was mocking her claims. “Well guess what, dear. They are as real as you or me. Some take a while to work, others can take effect immediately. And once they do, the caster is the only one who can remove them…” of course, that wasn’t true. If you knew how to remove it, anyone could. But he wasn’t about to tell that to this mare who came here to get in his face about how he runs a business.

Twilight didn’t want to admit it, but truth dripped from his words like venom. A truth that she didn’t want to hear. The way he circled her only put her more on edge as she tensed up her shoulders, looking over them as he circled her a few more times before standing in front of her once more.
Besides, if I really wanted to hurt anyone here…” his facial features suddenly become more distorted as green fire erupts behind him and several rather large skeletal arms pop out of the ground while swaying slowly “...I would have done so.” he finished with a deep ghostly tone of voice that echoed throughout the whole swamp before the arms and fire disappear completely just as quick as they came.

Kalfu noticed the fear on her face as she lowered herself down a bit. Her ears pressed against her head and her tail between her legs as she clutched her belongings tightly. “YOu see, dear. Curses and hexes are just another form of magic. Some can be harmless fun. Others can ruin one’s life to the point of driving them to end their own. I happen to specialize in dealing out those curses if I so wished. But, this world isn’t ready for that kind of darkness. Much less to know about it.” he said as he placed a finger to his lips while placing the top of his cane’s grip under her chin so that she made eye contact with him “So, be a good little bookworm and keep quiet. Keep pretending that curses and hexes don’t exist. Cause one day, I might just get rubbed the wrong way myself. And whoever comes to make a worthwhile deal with me will have that power at their disposal. And it could be an enemy of this cozy little kingdom you live in here. After all….” he said before removing his cane from her chin “...Business is business.”.

Twilight’s gaze never left him for a moment as he spoke, the unicorn was petrified in place to even try to avert her gaze from him. Never before has she felt this kind of fear before. It wasn’t a sinister fear, however. It was fear of a greater power than one she knew. Even that of her mentor and princess. Kalfu then made his way past Twilight and opened the door to his home, making his way inside before looking over his shoulder at her “Now if that is all, you may take your leave now.” he said as he closed the door behind him.

Twilight busted into a full on sprint once he had closed the door, running as fast as her legs could carry her across the deck and through the tunnel that had led her there. Once she made it out, she collapsed next to the nearest tree and leaned against it for support as she looked back into the tunnel, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath from both the running and the amount of fear that was flowing through her. It was very much clear to her that if trouble was caused for this man, he could very well do the things he said he could do.

After having finally caught her breath, she stands up and looks back at the entrance once more before making her way back to the library. It was clear that she was going to have to find a way to conduct her research on him in a much more pleasant way. She definitely realized that accusing him of wrong doings was not the smartest way to go about first introductions. If she got up the courage again, she would do better next time..if there was a next time.

A few hours later, Kalfu sat in his home, quietly carving out some handmade charms he had planned on selling at some point. Sure, he could conjure them up with his magic and it would be said and done. But, handmade charms and trinkets held a greater power more than anything. Perhaps because of the care and work that was put into them? Just as he had placed one down that he had finished, there was a knock at his door. Having already gotten out of his clothes for the evening, he groans in slight annoyance as he lazily floats over to the door and opens it not even caring that he was buck naked in front of the one who would be knocking. It was after hours and it was his home after all. Whoever they were, they were about to get an eyeful.

The moment Kalfu opened the door, he was hit with an almost overwhelming scent of freshly baked cake with a hint of cotton candy. A pink, fluffy maned mare who was rather pleasantly plump was standing behind a cake that she had baked specifically for the new arrival that she had heard rumors about since halloween night. And given her nature, she had to make sure that he was welcomed just like every other newcomer. “Hello there, stranger! My name is Pinkie Pie! I heard you're new to our area and I made you a little something to help you feel more at home-...”.

She stared at him as he floated there, hunched over slightly as he gazed at her with a tired expression on his face, but offered her a smile nonetheless as she was holding the cake out toward him with eyes the size of saucers and her jaw nearly hitting the ground “Ah, a cake just for me? That is awfully sweet of you, my dear. It wasn’t really necessary. But, thank you nonetheless.” he said as a couple of disembodied skeletal hands appeared and took the cake from her before placing it on the dining table in his home.

Kalfu turned his attention back to Pinkie Pie who was still blatantly staring at him. Her tail twitching and swaying behind her unknowingly as she eyed up his lithe but fit form. He looked pretty good for a living ghost. He just needed a few more pounds on himself. Kalfu blinked a few times before he lifted a hand up to snap his fingers a couple times in ehr face before she fell to the ground with a startled yelp. She jumps back up before dusting her clothes off and does everything in her power to keep her eyes above his waist.

“Oh my gosh! I didn’t expect to meet you for the first time like this! Normally my new friends are clothed BEFORE I get to know them on a more intimate level!” she said as she blushed heavily at what she was looking at every now and then. Kalfu shrugged his shoulders slightly and yawned “I mean, haven’t you ever wanted to be naked in your own home? It's quite comfortable And besides, it's after business hours, I certainly wasn’t expecting any more visitors today after the bookworm dropped by.”.

Pinkie Pie finally started to calm down a bit after fanning herself a bit. She cleared her throat nodding in response “Oh? Twilight stopped by before? No doubt to bug you about who and what you are. You certainly don’t look like any kind of pony I have seen!” She said as she seemed to look him up and then down…again. “In fact, you are somehow both handsome and spooky all at once and I like it! Spooksome! Handsooky? One of those!” she said as she bounced lightly on her hooves, her hyper grelin energy showing in how she spoke to him.

Kalfu gave a tired chuckle and bowed his head slightly in thanks for her compliment “As a symbol of thanks for your kind words and the cake, you can have this.” he said as he opened up his free hand to reveal the charm he was working on earlier. She leans down and does her signature long “oooooooooo’ before he places it into her open palm. She looks over the rather strange but fascinating carving. It was a human skull carved out of wood with his mark in the top of the cranium, a circle with an X carved into it like a scar.

“I have bestowed a small tiny piece of my power onto it. It will protect you should you run into any kind of trouble so make sure you keep it on you at all times. Even when you feel safe, always keep it with you. Maybe turn it into a pendant, even.” he said as he was quite pleased that she seemed to really like it “Wooooow…creepy cool~.” she said before sliding the charm between ehr cleavage “It will be safe right in here!”.

Kalfu lets out another yawn before looking out at the darkening sky, then back to Pinkie “You better head back while there is still a little bit of light left, my dear. This forest gets pretty treacherous at night for those who can’t handle themselves within it. My name is Kalfu by the way. Also known as ‘The Voodoo King’. If you ever need my services, come on by during business hours. I am sure we can strike up a deal if there is something you truly desire.”.

Pinkie nodded several times before taking one of his hands, shaking it firmly as she responded “And don’t you be a stranger either, Mr. Spooky! Come by Sugarcube Corner and see me~. We got all kinds of goodies that suit everyone’s taste buds..and I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing you around the town more often. If you ever need anything or are feeling down, Auntie Pinkie Pie will be there to help you with anything. ANd I mean…anything~.” she said before she turned around and bounced off.

Kalfu then shut the door and floated back over to his couch before letting out a puff of air when he collapsed. The way her soul and body radiated..it was exhausting! She was truly the personification of happiness and delight. And it was too much for him to take in all at once. Especially since she also radiated a natural lust. “She must be quite the nympho. I thought she was going to jump my bones for a moment there.” he said before he grabbed another piece of high quality wood and began his work once more “Though, she is a pleasant girl to be around to be sure. A welcome change to the one from earlier today…”.

Lets throw Pinkie in there for a bit of lovin to, huh? Not often I see a lot of affection thrown her way in fics when it comes to HIEs

May the darkness grant you peace.