It was evening as Kalfu walked along the main road of Ponyville. He had just come back from one of his private tutoring sessions with Ms. Cheerlie who had been teaching him to read and write this wor;d’s language for about a month now. Of course, he has been compensating her with monetary payment. After all, he didn’t expect knowledge for free. It wouldn't be a proper deal if that were the case now would it? As he walked along, a hardback leather bound book which hung by a sturdy chain lightly taped at his side which was black leather with a spider hanging from its thread with glowing green eyes on one cover, while the other side of the cover had a curled up rattle snake with glowing green eyes poised to strike with its fangs bared. All completely with a lizard climbing along its spine.

This book was going to be what started it all. As he had been faithfully recording everything he knew about voodoo and hoodoo into this book ever since he had finished his lessons to read and write. And along with all the recording, the book has gained a certain amount of power the more he continued to write in it. Almost as if his words held power themselves. Once this book was complete, he would magically create copies and send them scattering across the world while a seal of protection would prevent any damage from happening to the books. After all, who knows how long it would take for someone to find them.

Kalfu tipped his hat to ponies who passed him while he walked along the market section of the town. Some responded with a friendly nod and smile in return. While others averted their gaze rather quickly and hurried away from him, pulling their children by the hand to quickly get them away from him. This didn’t bother Kalfu in the slightest though. There were no doubt going to be some who found him rather spooky given his appearance. He certainly got a better reception than Zecora did when she first came around.

As he walked along, he tapped his cane to a beat that he had in his head while he was only partly paying attention before he ran into someone who had been carrying many bags. Just as expected, he bumps into them before spinning around a few times, catching his balance and catching the pony at the same time in his free arm, even adding flair to the catch by holding his cane out to his side and grabbing all the bags in the air with multiple magic hands. “Sweet Celestia!'' The mare cried out before she was caught by Kalfu.

Kalfu didn’t miss a beat as he spun her around in a ballroom dance fashion before releasing his grip from her hand. He tips his hat to her before placing her bags which the contents hadn't spilled back into her hand “That was a close one, madam! That is my fault entirely. I wasn’t really watching where I was going. Thankfully your items didn’t spill. I am sorry once again.” The mare wiped her forehead in relief as she took ehr bags back and offered him a smile “Oh no harm no foul, darling~. You have quite the skill to have performed such a stylish rescue. Perhaps you would like to accompany me to a future ball some time-...”.

She cuts herself off as she finally gazes upon who had prevented her fall. The first thing she noticed was his rather elegant top hat, then his rather spooky and mystique attire which appeared to be made out of the finest silk she had ever laid her sapphire blue eyes upon. If only she knew that it was pure spider silk, hence why it was so top tier quality. And to top it all off, he wore a couple of rings which had rubies and emeralds embedded in them. Not to mention the large diamond skull on his walking cane really caught her eye as well. No, these weren’t the eyes of a gold digger, this was the eyes of Ponyville’s rising young fashionista, Rarity. And she was all about his ensemble

“By all things fashion…your clothes look immaculate, my dear! Who is your tailor?! You must tell me!” she said as she jumped forward and took hold of the hem of his coat. Her fingers ran gently along the fabric which felt like she was touching the curtains of Luna’s bed chambers. She examined as close as she could get to the fabric before Kalfu looked between her and her bags, seeking materials used for sewing and such before he connected the dots in his head “Well, if you must know, a friendly group of spiders I know crafted this little outfit for me.”.

Rarity’s hands almost left his jacket when she heard it was crafted by spiders. But at the same time, the silk was more divine than anything she had come across in her work. Who knew that such creepy crawlies could create something worthy of Canterlot nobility..royalty even. “My goodness….I would love to get my hands on this kind of material. If only to even work with it and make a few outfits inspired by your own. You have such a refined yet…” he then paused and looked around his outfit again while rubbing her chin in thought “What’s the word I am looking for…?” she asked as she continued to think. Kalfu smiled before answering her “Macabre?”.

Rarity gasped before nodding multiple times “Refined Macabre! That’s what it is! A fine word indeed~.” she said as she clapped her hands a couple of times before finally calming down and realized who she was actually talking to now that she was looking at him full rather than his outfit alone. “Ah…do forgive my sudden rudeness, dearie. I am all up in your business when I haven’t even introduced myself yet. My name is Rarity, a pleasure to meet you~.” she said as she gave him a slight curtsey. Kalfu could tell right away that she was a mare of sophistication and refinement, but at the same time she didn’t give off that ‘snub your nose at lower class society’ vibe either.

Kalfu held out his hand to her, the mare blinking a few times before placing it in his, before he leaned down to kiss at the top of her hand before giving it a gentle squeeze then releasing it “A pleasure indeed, madam Rarity. I am Kalfu, also known as ‘The Voodoo King’. Only in the title of course. I have no actual kingdom to speak of.” he said with a light hearted chuckle while rubbing the back of his head. She returned the giggle in kind as she swayed her tail. Such a gentlestallion, and yet only a few years older than her little sister. Or so he appeared to be. That’s the thing, when Kalfu came here in a younger body, he maintained his full mental capacity of his adult self. He had always thought that wouldn’t be the case.

“Oh my~. A king you say?” She asked in genuine curiosity. Kalfu nodded again “Yes, but like I said, in title only. I don’t think I will ever have a kingdom of my own. That would be too much hassle. Besides, I am currently tasked with a far greater goal.”. She placed a hand over her mouth slightly with raised eyebrows “Ooooh, a young stallion with ambition and drive. You better be careful with that. WIth your sense of fashion and your drive, you will have all the mares coming for you. Especially in the upper parts of society.”. Kalfu could tell that her words were sincere and not just flattery. And it made him smile that she spoke to him so genuinely even though they had just met. She was quite beautiful, both inside and out.

“THat is very kind of you to say, madam. But, I am afraid that someone like me who grew up in the backwater swamp of his original home has no place in high society. You see, we get too loud and rowdy when it comes to celebrating and parties and such. And If I go somewhere with a proper lady who isn’t used to that, I don’t want to ruin her image. And from what I can tell, you don’t deserve that embarrassment either.”. Rarity places a hand upon her chest with a smile and a light “Aaawww~” leaves her lips. But she shakes her head in response to his words “I am friends with a wild party pony and a farm girl who isn’t afraid to get rowdy herself. So I could handle it! But, it is very sweet of you to consider others before yourself. You have such a generous heart.~”.

Kalfu shook his head at that last part “I do? Well not according to a few other ponies around here. Apparently they don’t like the way I do business. Making folks give up items they are really attached to for something else they really want. I’d say it's fair trade, wouldn;t you? It’s not always about monetary gain, but what you are willing to give up for what you truly desire.”. Kalfu expected her face to go sour at his words, but it turned to more serious than upset “As a business mare myself, I see no issue with that kind of business mindset. You don’t budge on the price you offer. That means you stand your ground. And that is admirable in its own right. So, don’t you worry about it, sweetie. You keep on doing business the way you have.”.

Kalfu nodded as her words reassured him about the way he performed his business practices. He offers a hand to ehr again before taking her bags “Let me at least help you get these to where you are going. We have been talking for so long that it has gotten rather late. The streets are empty and I wouldn’t feel right leaving you out here alone.”. Rarity blinked a few times before she looked up in the sky. It certainly had gotten very late! She gratefully took him up on his offer, thanking him with a peck on the cheek before they started walking along the now quiet roads. As they made their way to Rarity’s home however, Kalfu could feel a gathering of several souls forming behind them as figures in hoods were making their way awfully close to them.

Kalfu moved in close to Rarity and wrapped his arm around her waist rather firmly. This surprised Rarity and made her blush rather deeply before Kalfu spoke in a hushed whisper”We are being followed…stay close to me and I will make sure that they don’t touch you. Just play along. Don’t look back. Okay?”. She almost did when he said that, but caught herself before nodding slightly so as to not give away the fact that she knew. “So, shall we take the shortcut home, my dear? I can;t wait to get home and spend more time with you.” he said as he put the plan in motion. Rarity placed her own free arm around his shoulder and nodded, gazing into his eyes to really sell the performance “Oh yes, my darling~. It has been so long since I have gotten to be with you~.” she cooed.

Soon enough, they both turned down an alleyway, the hooded figures following behind rather quickly now that they thought they had them in a spot where they could pounce on their target. But, it seemed that no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t catch up to the ‘couple’. They’d always turn a corner, leaving them seen just enough to only vanish over and over again. As this went on, the thugs were suddenly grabbed by skeletal arms and pulled into the ground one by one. The hands covering their mouths to make sure their screams couldn’t be heard as well. Kalfu would send them deep within the forest in the swamp where he’d deal with them later.

Once they had all been removed. He releases his grip from her waist before smiling up at her”Pardon my hands, madam Rarity. I didn’t mean to….grab you in such a manner. But they won’t be bothering you again.”. The mare blushed heavily at his sudden assertiveness, fanning herself a bit before nodding in understanding “Oh my dear, you have nothing to be sorry for. That was some very quick thinking on your part. To think…in this little town that there are ponies like that…”. Kalfu nodded in agreement “I am sure that you would have been more than capable of dealing with them should you have had to. But, I was here. And a beautiful mare such as yourself makes a prime target for those kinds of folks.”.

Soon enough, they arrived at the boutique that Rarity ran. Kalfu placed the bag at her doorstep before smiling up at Rarity who in turn smiled back. Though, her gaze averted a bit once she felt her face heat up again “I.,..wouldn’t complain if we had to do that again though. I hope you have a good night, dear. Sweet dreams to you.” La;fu chuckled lowly before nodding “Indeed, that was pretty fun, not going to lie. I hope you sleep well too, madam Rarity. Make sure to keep all your doors and windows locked, yes?”.

As he stepped off the stoop, Rarity called out to him “It's just Rarity, sweetie. No need for the madam part. Especially from somepony like you….” He stopped before tipping his hat to her “And you may call me Kalfu. Or Kal, if it so pleases you. Anyways, be safe, Rarity.” He said as he made his way off towards the forest, disappearing into the fog that had gathered suddenly around the town. Strange weather indeed.The real question was. What was Kalfu going to do with those would-be assalants that had their eyes set upon Rarity…”

I am making Rarity swoon a bit for him as well. But keeping the romance paths strictly for Zecora and Pinkie. Also, check out the theme I posted in the story description if you are interested. I thought it suited it pretty well.

May the darkness grant you peace.