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The Mercenary

By Hearthsong
Created: 2026-04-27 14:06:22
Updated: 2026-05-12 20:37:54
Expiry: Never
anontwilight sparkleocsafeeqgequestria girlssci-twisongfickind of

  1. 1.
    Another AnokoVA inspired piece - though I think it quickly gains a life of its' own beyond this initial bit. Watch in amazement as Hearthsong bases his entire understanding of the entertainment industry around Tony Hawk's Underground. Skateworld? Musicworld.
  2. 2.
     
  3. 3.
    Part One:
  4. 4.
    >Ah, Canterlot City
  5. 5.
    >In the past decades most people would describe it as a sleepy little town
  6. 6.
    >If one had to mention anything of note about the place it'd probably be the completely one-sided rivalry that had been going on between the two local high schools for decades
  7. 7.
    >The kind of losing streak Canterlot High had going on really had to be studied, something that truly sad only came around once in a lifetime
  8. 8.
    >Of course then a demon tried to enslave the school's populace and things really weren't ever the same afterwards
  9. 9.
    >Ever since then, the city gained a bit of notoriety, being ranked pretty damn high on clickbait articles of dangerous towns to avoid visiting across the country
  10. 10.
    >So many exploded gas mains, peculiar weather balloons falling, mass gas leaks had been reported over the years that it almost made one question how there was even a city left standing
  11. 11.
    >The locals knew better, of course
  12. 12.
    >Just a bit of chicanery to keep any government higher than the local authority from turning their eyes on the town and getting a real look at what was going on: the continued leakage of Equestrian Magic into the world
  13. 13.
    >Almost everyone had stories to swap about cherished items gaining enchantments, or a neighbor going berserk and turning into an angry grievance-themed wizard before getting their ass beat by a septet of women
  14. 14.
    >It was just a fact of life living in Canterlot City that at some point you were going to get hit in the face with a rainbow
  15. 15.
    >Don't make a big deal out of it
  16. 16.
    >(Seriously, don't make a big deal about it, no one wants the FBI raiding the town)
  17. 17.
    >And so for a time that was life
  18. 18.
    >But as everyone got a little older
  19. 19.
    >A new aspect of the town was developing
  20. 20.
    >Ever since that fateful Battle of The Bands a little over half a decade ago, the music scene in Canterlot City had grown more and more prominently
  21. 21.
    >Dozens of bands and solo acts had been spurred to action by the Dazzlings and their Siren's Call
  22. 22.
    >Inspired by the breakout performance of The Rainbooms that had saved the school from being turned into a feeding ground for the Sirens, many groups were also keen to try their hand at being something
  23. 23.
    >Years after this generation had graduated from High School, many groups still persisted
  24. 24.
    >Bookings for gigs were cutthroat in Canterlot City
  25. 25.
    >Dozens of acts fighting over the scraps they could, trying to get their names out there
  26. 26.
    >And so, what was originally a nowhere town with almost nothing to speak of about it turned magical hotspot was now on the precipice of something else:
  27. 27.
    >Becoming the next Nashville or New Orleans
  28. 28.
    >All this town needed was one breakout group to put it on the map
  29. 29.
    >Anyone not actively participating in the scene "knew" that that was going to be The Rainbooms, still going strong all these years later
  30. 30.
    >But Trixie and The Illusions, Flash Drive, The Snapshots, MC Snips, DJ Pon-3, among many others...
  31. 31.
    >Well, they certainly had their own ideas on who was Number One in town
  32. 32.
    >Where did (You) figure into all of this, though?
  33. 33.
    >Well, that's simple:
  34. 34.
    >In the middle of all of these competing bands, (You) were a Mercenary
  35. 35.
    >...
  36. 36.
    >No, not that kind of mercenary, obviously
  37. 37.
    >That wouldn't be at all relevant to the premise we just spent 3500 characters setting up, now would it?
  38. 38.
    >You were a Lyrical Mercenary
  39. 39.
    >A surprisingly lucrative profession, if you say so yourself
  40. 40.
    >Because at the end of the day, there's two things these bands manage to have in common:
  41. 41.
    >Almost everyone is in their mid-20s, and no one's doing this professionally yet
  42. 42.
    >Which means beyond having to practice their sets and meet up for gigs
  43. 43.
    >They also their day jobs to contend with
  44. 44.
    >Some have college courses to attend
  45. 45.
    >Most often have both
  46. 46.
    >And sometimes? A bandmate couldn't make a show because they spent all night cramming for an exam and they're totally burnt out
  47. 47.
    >Or their boss is being a huge dick and sprung overtime on them on nights when they already had a show lined up
  48. 48.
    >Or a litany of other reasons that resulted in the same thing: a band was down a member and needed someone to slot in on short notice
  49. 49.
    >That's where the Mercenaries came in
  50. 50.
    >Musicians unaffiliated with any band who were happy to fill in those missing slots... for a fee
  51. 51.
    >(You) were far from the only one, of course
  52. 52.
    >But if you were to let yourself crow a bit, you were absolutely the best Mercenary in the city
  53. 53.
    >(You) are Power Chord, and ever since you were a snotty little baby, playing with the toy drum you mother bought you to distract and wear you out while she fucked the pool boy, music was your life
  54. 54.
    >As you grew up and got more acquainted with it, there wasn't an instrument you didn't try your damndest to master if you could get your hands on it
  55. 55.
    >And at Crystal Prep Academy, with its' ludicrously funded music department (along with every other department being flush with cash, who was Principal Cinch fucking?)
  56. 56.
    >That meant you got your hands on quite a few of them
  57. 57.
    >The end result being an incredibly well-rounded proficiency with all manner of instruments
  58. 58.
    >Guitars of all stripes (Lead, Bass, Rhythm), drums, violin, saxophone, piano - even the mighty keytar
  59. 59.
    >There hadn't been a request for mercenary work that crossed your way that you hadn't been able to fulfill yet
  60. 60.
    >Your ability to slot into any role had made you quite in demand
  61. 61.
    >From running drums for Flash Sentry and his Flash Drive
  62. 62.
    >Shredding lead guitar for Photo Finish's Snapshots
  63. 63.
    >You once even took the stage with Octavia Melody for a cello duel at her behest
  64. 64.
    >Your most prominent and persistent clients, though?
  65. 65.
    >Easily The Rainbooms
  66. 66.
    >Fielding seven members all with incredibly busy lives meant that more often than not at least one of them simply couldn't make a performance here and there
  67. 67.
    >Whether the bassist Applejack had put off the harvest for too long and couldn't leave the farm
  68. 68.
    >Or keytarist Rarity had deadlines to meet for her boutique that simply couldn't be pushed back further
  69. 69.
    >Or the drummer Pinkie Pie finally crashed after a week straight of partying and working overtime at her bakery job and was going to go into a coma for at least 48 hours
  70. 70.
    >Or anything the rest of the group couldn't hold off any longer
  71. 71.
    >They made for a most lucrative group on your end
  72. 72.
    >And tonight was no different
  73. 73.
    >The aforementioned Pinkie Pie was in the midst of another one of her sugar comas, leading you to take up the role for them
  74. 74.
    >You all performed exceptionally, naturally
  75. 75.
    >This was far from your first time working with the Rainbooms, and despite not being a member you had picked up on their cadence as if you'd founded the band by this point
  76. 76.
    >So when the crowd for the decently sized auditorium they'd managed to pack erupted, you simply basked in it with them
  77. 77.
    >(That and finally let out a deep breath behind the mask you were wearing)
  78. 78.
    >(Mercenaries tended to make it very apparent that they weren't a member of the band they were working for - some of them took to wearing elaborate costumes that clashed against the rest of the group's aesthetic, along with stage names)
  79. 79.
    >(You kept it simple: a green full face mask that Rarity had very kindly stitched together for you, obscuring your face and replacing it with a massive question mark)
  80. 80.
    >(Your stage name? Anonymous)
  81. 81.
    >After a time Rainbow Dash finally grew tired of soaking up cheers and called it a night
  82. 82.
    >Leading you to your least favorite part of the experience:
  83. 83.
    >The post show bar crawl
  84. 84.
    >Now, don't get you wrong
  85. 85.
    >You liked working with The Rainbooms, they were an exceptionally talented band
  86. 86.
    >And individually, they all seemed like pretty cool ladies
  87. 87.
    >But you regretted your inability to turn down the bar crawl
  88. 88.
    >(Too many wide, expecting eyes on you at once, you weren't made of stone!)
  89. 89.
    >But whenever you went on these crawls, you... pretty much became an afterthought to them
  90. 90.
    >Not maliciously
  91. 91.
    >At least you don't think
  92. 92.
    >But this was a group of friends who had known each other, some of them for over a decade now
  93. 93.
    >They knew each other like the back of their own hands
  94. 94.
    >And trying to slip into that group dynamic was like trying to get around a brick wall by running straight through it
  95. 95.
    >Splat
  96. 96.
    >So, they chattered among themselves, shared in-jokes that were years in the making, and you...
  97. 97.
    >You just kinda existed at the same table as them
  98. 98.
    >In the least the 'newest' member of their group (still a present part of their troupe by half a decade at this point), Twilight Sparkle realized you were still there
  99. 99.
    >And she was always happy to engage you in conversation if someone else wasn't taking up her attention
  100. 100.
    >Though admittedly it was mostly a conversation with her at the head, so it lead to a lot of scientific jargon that flew so far over your head it was laughable
  101. 101.
    >It was much the same when she talked about her burgeoning magic theories (She and Sunset were pretty much the brains of this operation when it came to their activities regarding that stuff, and it showed)
  102. 102.
    >In the least, being the complete librosexual that she was, she was all too happy to discuss literature with you on top of all that, which was much more easier for you to keep up and actually engage with
  103. 103.
    >So when you weren't filling in for her these bar crawls often times turned into a two-person book club between the two of you
  104. 104.
    >Tonight's discussion on the character motivations of "Middlemarch"'s Dorothea Brooke and her disastrous pursuit of Edward Casuabon wasn't going so well, however
  105. 105.
    >Rainbow Dash had bullied Twilight into "living a little tonight"
  106. 106.
    >By which she meant actually drinking instead of enjoying a soda while everyone else drank alcohol
  107. 107.
    >Which led to the bookworm enjoying her first Cuba Libra, or rum and coke
  108. 108.
    >It also led everyone to realizing that Twilight was a complete fucking lightweight (something that probably should've been apparent in the first place, given that she wasn't a prominent drinker in the slightest)
  109. 109.
    >You thought she was trying to say something about Tertius Lydgate's subplot, but she was slurring her words so badly that she could've been talking about Typhoid and sewer grates for all you could tell
  110. 110.
    >Then she lost her balance and smacked her head on the table
  111. 111.
    >The sudden bang caused everyone at the table to jump
  112. 112.
    >And the den mother, Applejack, to take stock of everyone
  113. 113.
    >Rainbow Dash was holding her own, to your continued surprise
  114. 114.
    >She was like five feet even and had at best 5% bodyfat
  115. 115.
    >You have no idea where she got the alcohol tolerance she had from
  116. 116.
    >Or where it all went
  117. 117.
    >Rarity was currently trying to let Applejack wear her like a scarf, hanging off the farmgirl and giggling shamelessly
  118. 118.
    >Bit too much wine for that one, but AJ certainly didn't mind
  119. 119.
    >Fluttershy was sleeping in the booth already, with four drained daiquiris in front of her
  120. 120.
    >And Sunset...
  121. 121.
    >Well, Sunset left already
  122. 122.
    >She had an early morning to get ready for, with a fairly major psychology exam waiting for her
  123. 123.
    >"Alrigh', I think we're about done here for th' night."
  124. 124.
    >Rainbow Dash immediately started whining and protesting while you got out of your chair to check on Twilight
  125. 125.
    >Fortunately, she hadn't headbutted the table nearly as hard as it had sounded
  126. 126.
    >There was a bit of a mark but she hadn't broke the skin at all
  127. 127.
    >Still, it was prudent to be sure
  128. 128.
    "You alright there, Twilight? Brain still in one piece?"
  129. 129.
    >The young woman groaned, standing up on spaghetti legs and immediately putting both hands on the table to steady herself
  130. 130.
    >"Feeling... dizzy."
  131. 131.
    "Rum, coke, and head trauma will do that to you. Lets get you home, huh?"
  132. 132.
    >Applejack interjected at that point
  133. 133.
    >"Ah, don' worry about it, Anon."
  134. 134.
    >Your stage name had become a bit of a nickname among the group, which was fine
  135. 135.
    >"Ah'll handle gettin' her home, don't you worry."
  136. 136.
    >You eyed Applejack, taking stock of her... current stock
  137. 137.
    >Rarity was currently coiled around her neck, hanging on for dear life
  138. 138.
    >The farmgirl was also carrying Fluttershy, still snoozing away, over her shoulder like she was carrying a sack of flour
  139. 139.
    "Your load looks pretty heavy already, AJ. Though I guess Rainbow Dash could take her?"
  140. 140.
    >You turned to face Rainbow Dash...
  141. 141.
    >And got a distinctly empty space where there used to be a lead vocals and guitarist
  142. 142.
    >From the front of the bar you could hear Rainbow Dash call out 'see ya guys later I already paid for my part byyeee!'
  143. 143.
    >Goddamnit, Rainbow
  144. 144.
    "... Or she could ditch us. That would've at least been one drunk for each of us to handle. Much fairer odds."
  145. 145.
    >"True, but still. Ah got this."
  146. 146.
    "And I still insist. You shouldn't have to ferry everyone home yourself, super strength or not."
  147. 147.
    >Twilight stared between the two of you
  148. 148.
    >She blinked one eye, then the other before really registering the conversation
  149. 149.
    >"'Non, you'll walk me home?"
  150. 150.
    "Of course I will. It's not far, right?"
  151. 151.
    >"Yeah! I mean, no? Um. Yes, it's not far."
  152. 152.
    >Twilight perked up at the offer, stumbling over and grasping at your forearm
  153. 153.
    >You turned to Applejack and shrugged
  154. 154.
    "Looks like she's on board. I'd say be careful getting those two home, but Hell, Fluttershy weighs like, what, a few grapes?"
  155. 155.
    >Applejack gave you a look that you couldn't quite place
  156. 156.
    >Narrowing her eyes but giving you what mostly felt like a genuine smile
  157. 157.
    >"... Right, she's a dainty thing. You take care of your charge too, y'hear? Ah'll be right cross if y'don't."
  158. 158.
    "Wouldn't dream of it. Goodnight AJ, Rarity."
  159. 159.
    >And with that you split up
  160. 160.
    >The crawl tonight had seen you across three establishments tonight, and this last one was definitely in the nicer, more upscale part of town
  161. 161.
    >Incidentally, Twilight's apartment wasn't too far off from it
  162. 162.
    >You honestly couldn't believe she bothered moving out, especially since her actual mansion wasn't even that far off from the apartment she was renting out
  163. 163.
    >You had asked about it before and she said she wanted the full college experience, and she wasn't going to get that living at home and commuting to Horsepun University
  164. 164.
    >(The fact that she was matriculating at Horsepun was also fucking mindblowing, Twilight was a goddamn genius)
  165. 165.
    >Not that Horsepun was a bad school by any means, but she should absolutely be studying at Harvard, or... was there anything better than Harvard? (Ultra Harvard?)
  166. 166.
    >You didn't really know any prestigious schools beyond the ones everyone already knew via cultural osmosis
  167. 167.
    >Either way, you had pointed out the 'real' college experience would've been sharing a cramped dorm on campus
  168. 168.
    >Not renting out a high rise in the rich part of town
  169. 169.
    >In the face of that point, she just got sheepish and admitted that she was nervous about living with a total stranger
  170. 170.
    >And
  171. 171.
    >At the moment you kind of wish she'd put on that sheepish air, because drunk Twilight doesn't know how to walk
  172. 172.
    >After just five minutes and two blocks she'd tried to stumble into the road three times too many for your liking
  173. 173.
    >Which led you to your current situation, holding her hand firmly to ensure that she didn't try to wander off to her death again
  174. 174.
    >"I'm not THAT tipsy, I'm just walking a little diagonally... the sidewalk is being purposefully wobbly..."
  175. 175.
    >You simply responded to her by quirking up an eyebrow
  176. 176.
    >'Tipsy' was a slurring of the speech and a stumble here and there
  177. 177.
    >This was some legendary levels of alcohol intolerance
  178. 178.
    >You hoped Rainbow kept her peer pressure to herself in the future, but you imagined this was going to be a more common occurrence
  179. 179.
    >When you didn't respond verbally Twilight simply got a stupid smile on her face, violet eyes dipping down to the hand you were currently holding on to (cupped, not interlocked)
  180. 180.
    >"Thank you for holding my hand... I promise I'm not going to fall. Again."
  181. 181.
    "You'll forgive me if I don't entirely believe that, Twilight. I'm just going to hold on to this for safekeeping until we get you home, alright?"
  182. 182.
    >That just got a giggle out of her
  183. 183.
    >"You really didn't have to walk me all the way home, you know. My apartment's literally on the opposite side of town from yours, after all!"
  184. 184.
    >You're pretty sure if you WEREN'T walking her home she'd be in the middle of the road either passed out or making a complete nuisance of herself
  185. 185.
    >... Or Applejack would be desperately trying to corral two drunken goblins and one sleepy lush right about now
  186. 186.
    >Your mouth thinned at the comment about your own apartment, but you let it slide without comment
  187. 187.
    >"But you still did, and you said... you said, 'Of course I'll walk you home!' like it was so easy and not a burden. You're really nice, Anon."
  188. 188.
    >The woman suddenly throws her free hand in the air, before resting her palm over her eyes
  189. 189.
    >"I only had one drink! ONE! And now my brain is being very unscientific. You don't mind if I talk a lot, right? Because all my thoughts are gathering together in a big circle and chanting 'Okay Twilight, confession time'!"
  190. 190.
    >Twilight punctuated that last sentence with a few pumps of her arms, trying to mimic a cheerleader with pom-poms
  191. 191.
    >You simply shrugged at that
  192. 192.
    >You were kind of curious what someone like her would have to 'confess' to, anyway
  193. 193.
    >What, turn in a few library books too late?
  194. 194.
    "Sure, if you feel like talking, I'm all ears. What's on your mind?"
  195. 195.
    >"I had a lot of fun tonight... with the girls, I mean."
  196. 196.
    >You managed to keep your mouth from turning down at that addendum, though you think even if you let the hurt on your face show Twilight wouldn't have noticed
  197. 197.
    >Was that necessary?
  198. 198.
    >"Rainbow was loud and trying to talk to everyone at once, Sunset was moody... Rarity tried to order something more expensive than my grocery budget, and my heart nearly stopped!"
  199. 199.
    "That's saying a lot, given who's saying that."
  200. 200.
    >Twilight blearily turns her head to stare at you, and she smiles
  201. 201.
    >"I really appreciate you keeping an eye on me tonight, even when I couldn't articulate myself properly... and when my elbow slipped and I knocked my head on the table, you were the first one there to make sure I was okay. That made my chest feel warm... not from the alcohol, but from knowing I mattered to someone."
  202. 202.
    >She wasn't kidding when she warned you about being chatty
  203. 203.
    >It felt nice to hear someone say that, though
  204. 204.
    >Twilight suddenly gained an introspective look on her face
  205. 205.
    >"It's funny... I'm not majoring in it like Sunset, but I study psychology all the time. A lot of the magic that leaks into our world is heavily influenced by emotions - both negative and positive. I understand a lot of the concepts, but... I'm really bad at saying how I feel. About you."
  206. 206.
    >You were a bit blindsided, there, and it apparently showed on your face because Twilight immediately kept rambling
  207. 207.
    >"I don't want to mess things up! So I keep it locked up. Do you ever think about how sad that is? We keep our feelings towards the people who mean the most to us locked away, refuse to be honest about them... because we're scared of being honest with those people the most."
  208. 208.
    "It is kind of ironic, I guess. The people we should be most comfortable with are the ones we worry the most about upsetting, so we maintain a status quo with them. In a way, you can be more honest with strangers because, well, who cares, right? You don't know them enough to hold their opinions of you in esteem."
  209. 209.
    >Even through her bleary gaze Twilight seems to register that you understand, offering you a ten-megawatt smile and nodding so enthusiastically she rocks unsteadily on her feet, causing you both to have to stop walking until she stops swaying
  210. 210.
    >"That's right! Exactly what I was thinking, Anon!"
  211. 211.
    >Twilight lets out a loud sigh of contentment, stumbling forward and pulling you along, sidling a bit closer to you as she does
  212. 212.
    >"I think I like walking with you like this... just us. The streets are quiet, the night air is crisp. It feels safe. I feel safe."
  213. 213.
    >The fact that you were in the part of town that the local police patrolled the most was probably a factor in that
  214. 214.
    >You couldn't help but glance around, your eyes set to look for threats out of habit that... simply didn't exist in this part of Canterlot City
  215. 215.
    >What few people that were out this late at night were friendly, all smiles and upright postures
  216. 216.
    >Not a single person you and your charge had passed looked like they were capable of throwing a punch without breaking their thumb
  217. 217.
    >As you considered the baffling income disparity that could exist in even a town as small as this, you stumbled slightly as Twilight suddenly bumped into you, leaning way more heavily on your person
  218. 218.
    >When you looked down at her (having a whole head and a half of height on the young woman), you found her grinning that stupid sort of grin you could only find on drunks who'd taken leave of social inhibition
  219. 219.
    >"Also, you smell really nice. What kind of shampoo do you use? My brain's decided that's important information!"
  220. 220.
    >You perked up a brow at that
  221. 221.
    >You're fairly certain if this girl was just slightly more sober she'd be mortified of both the question and the insinuation that she'd been sniffing you
  222. 222.
    "Honestly, I just grab the cheapest bar I can find. Couldn't tell you what brand or even the intended scent for a million bits."
  223. 223.
    >With that (and a bit of a disappointed pout), you gently push Twilight forward to get her off of you
  224. 224.
    >Her apartment isn't that far off, right? Please.
  225. 225.
    >Despite failing to give her the information she desired, the young woman rebounds from this disappointment to sigh contentedly and stumble without a care in the world
  226. 226.
    >"You know, most people don't go out of their way for me like this. They think I'm responsible, that I always have myself 'put together'."
  227. 227.
    >Couldn't fathom where people got that idea from
  228. 228.
    >(You knew for a fact that Twilight used a level to make sure her bangs were perfectly straight, but you refrained from pointing that out right now)
  229. 229.
    >"Tonight though... you let me let my hair down and be messy, even if I went a little too far and couldn't talk about "Middlemarch" like we planned to. Tert... Tet... Lydgate's name is hard to say tonight! My tongue's tied up in knots..."
  230. 230.
    >Technically that was more Rainbow making her let her hair down tonight and you not being in charge of her, giving that Twilight is a grown ass adult
  231. 231.
    >But you suppose you could've just drank her rum and coke and made the point moot
  232. 232.
    >(Rum and whiskey are good friends, even, you probably would've been fine)
  233. 233.
    >"I liked that. I like... you."
  234. 234.
    >Did you hear that right?
  235. 235.
    >As you're about to ask the young woman suddenly stomps her foot and throws her chin in the air
  236. 236.
    >"There! I said it! Not just like, oh, you're nice, but like... I appreciate your presence. Your kindness, the way you listen patiently about magic and my scientific studies even though I can see on your face that you don't really understand what I'm talking about."
  237. 237.
    >That wasn't untrue, but you did feel like kind of an idiot when she said it like that
  238. 238.
    >"Everyone's gotten so casual about the magic in this city, and hardly anyone wants to listen about chemistry and biology, but you let me gush."
  239. 239.
    >Twilight stares at you with a bright smile on her face, and continues to bulldoze this conversation
  240. 240.
    >"If I were sober, I would NEVER say this out loud... but since I'm scientifically compromised? I think you're attractive, too. Not just on a physical level, but... urgh."
  241. 241.
    >Judging by the expression on her face, it looked like it was causing her physical pain to get this next bit past her lips, 'scientific compromise' or not
  242. 242.
    >"Your... energy and vibes."
  243. 243.
    >Honestly? You're floored
  244. 244.
    >Twilight Dolores Sparkle using the phrase 'vibes' unironically?
  245. 245.
    >Someone must've broke the thermostat in Hell
  246. 246.
    >"You make me feel calm when you're with us on stage. Normally my brain's calculating all the ways the performance can go wrong, but you never let the pressure get to you, and you're so relaxed that it's really easy to just follow your lead and really enjoy the show. I've never mentioned it, but I really appreciate that..."
  247. 247.
    >Twilight suddenly glances around
  248. 248.
    >You can see recognition cutting through her hazy gaze
  249. 249.
    >"We're almost at my building... that went faster than I thought. I kind of don't want the walk to end yet... not because I don't want to go home, of course, but because I want to stay in your company just a little longer."
  250. 250.
    >As the pair of you find your way to the gated entrance of her apartment complex, and Twilight fiddles with her purse to find her ID, she still has more to say
  251. 251.
    >"I always thought that feelings were something you had to analyze and break down to understand, but with you, they're just... there. Simple, warm. Not complicated. I wish I could walk you back home so you didn't have to make your way back alone, but that would defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?"
  252. 252.
    >You can't help but chuckle quietly at that
  253. 253.
    >It helped quash the relief that she wasn't going to try and follow you 'home'
  254. 254.
    "Just a bit, Twilight. Do you need help there?"
  255. 255.
    >"I got it! Just.. give me a minute."
  256. 256.
    >You watch with amusement as the poor girl pulls out a set of keys, a library card, her college ID (which she tries several times before realizing why it wasn't working, to her great embarrassment), an unattached keychain of a cheap little plastic dog that vaguely resembles hers, and then,
  257. 257.
    >"Ta-da!"
  258. 258.
    >Her ID card for the gate, well done
  259. 259.
    >As your walk continues, so does your friend's talking
  260. 260.
    >"I always want to be brave and ask you to hang out more, like... all the time - but then my brain does what it does best and thinks up the worst case for every possible outcome."
  261. 261.
    >"Like, What if you're too busy?" ("I'm usually not."),
  262. 262.
    >"What if you aren't interested?" ("I would be, most likely."),
  263. 263.
    >"What if I'm annoying and talk too much?" ("You make it endearing, usually.")
  264. 264.
    >"But tonight, I don't feel too scared to ask -"
  265. 265.
    >Twilight stares up at you with a puzzled expression, suddenly
  266. 266.
    >"Which is weird, and probably the alcohol now that I say it out loud, but... also wonderful. Can we... do this again? Preferably with less rum involved. But the walking, being close... I liked all of it. Hearing your voice so close to my ear, the way you let me set the pace and didn't rush me... I want to get to know you better, Anon."
  267. 267.
    >Twilight fired off another rapid-fire series at you, then
  268. 268.
    >"Like, what's your favorite place to go when you're tired?" ("Bed? Kind of an obvious one, Twilight.")
  269. 269.
    >"What music do you listen to when you can't sleep?" ("Something with a low BPM to calm my brain down.")
  270. 270.
    >"What do you dream about when no one's watching?"
  271. 271.
    >That one struck you harder than the rest of her inane line of questioning, to the point that you actually stopped walking
  272. 272.
    >Twilight kept walking, but given that you were still holding her hand, she quickly stopped making progress moving forward and stared back at you questioningly
  273. 273.
    >You looked at her, really looked at her, with her glazed over eyes and flushed cheeks and that little grin on her face that was both incredibly cute, and an excellent indicator that that massive brain of hers wasn't fully all there right now
  274. 274.
    >And you couldn't help but be honest
  275. 275.
    "... Belonging somewhere. Really belonging."
  276. 276.
    >The violet-skinned girl simply stares at you for a few moments more before erupting into some giggles
  277. 277.
    >"I'm being really forward, aren't I?"
  278. 278.
    "... Just a bit."
  279. 279.
    >You tamped down your disappointment, and kept walking, prompting her to do so
  280. 280.
    >"I want to learn all of that and more. I've been holding this in for a long time. When I see you laugh with the others, I get this tight feeling in my chest, like. I want to be the one that made you laugh like that. I want to be the one you come home to, and tell your day to."
  281. 281.
    >As she rambles, Twilight pulls you in directions more confidently despite her stumbling gait, clearly having a better idea of where she is now compared to earlier
  282. 282.
    >Before long you stand before the door leading to her apartment, and, perhaps predictably, the yap continues as she fishes for her keys
  283. 283.
    >"I always tell myself not to be weird, but I find that worry really distant tonight. I really like you, Anon. Enough to not even feel mortified that you're seeing me like this. I feel safe."
  284. 284.
    >With her keys retrieved, you're now privy to a show of the Twilight trying and failing to thread the needle and put it in her keyhole
  285. 285.
    >After a few moments you gently reach out and steady her hands so that she can actually get the key in
  286. 286.
    >She offers you a very grateful smile and giggles
  287. 287.
    >"You're being very patient with me right now... and that's just making me like you more, you know."
  288. 288.
    >Twilight pushes the door open and takes a few shaky steps inside her home
  289. 289.
    >She looks back at you, waiting
  290. 290.
    >And despite yourself you follow after her
  291. 291.
    >Twilight's apartment is...
  292. 292.
    >'Lavish' doesn't seem strong enough of a world
  293. 293.
    >'Luxurious' might be in the ballpark
  294. 294.
    >Part of you wonders if Miss Moneybags over here brought this high end furniture from her room at home or if her parents kitted her out with brand new stuff just for this place
  295. 295.
    >You honestly wouldn't be surprised by the latter at all
  296. 296.
    >"You know what I want to do?"
  297. 297.
    >Twilight snaps you out of your envious appraisal of her living room
  298. 298.
    >(You're pretty sure the carpet is authentic Persian)
  299. 299.
    >"There's a really nice cafe near the library in this area, with cozy booths and window seats. We should go there! I'll bring a book, you'll bring..."
  300. 300.
    >Twilight stared at you
  301. 301.
    >Then kept doing so for just long enough to make things awkward before her brain rebooted
  302. 302.
    >"You could bring... you! And we can just... talk. About whatever we want. I've always wanted to do that with you, but I didn't know how to say that without sounding... desperate."
  303. 303.
    >You really aren't sure how to take that, to be honest
  304. 304.
    >Desperate as in she thinks asking you out would be a desperate move, or as in she wouldn't know how to word it without sounding... overeager?
  305. 305.
    >It didn't sound that way to you. so...
  306. 306.
    >"But I don't want to be hung up on things like that. I want to be with you, so I'm saying it as boldly as I can."
  307. 307.
    >Twilight kicked off her shoes in a lackadaisical fashion you're pretty sure she'd never do sober, and started to stumble towards a door across the room
  308. 308.
    >She stopped just short of it to make eye contact with you again, and smiled lopsidedly
  309. 309.
    >"I don't want tonight to be a sudsy memory, I want it to be the start of something. More walks, more talks, and more of your time. But I'm going to pass out in my bed, now."
  310. 310.
    >At that, Twilight opened her bedroom door and stepped inside, but not before she poked her head out of the frame
  311. 311.
    >"I hope I remember this courage, but even if I don't, I hope I remember how you made me feel... safe and seen. Thank you for walking me home, Anon. Lets do this again... just you and me, okay?"
  312. 312.
    "Of course, Twilight. You get some rest, okay?"
  313. 313.
    >With a cheerful nod, Twilight closed her door
  314. 314.
    >You waited a few moments to make sure you didn't hear her trip over something in her bedroom and fall over
  315. 315.
    >When you were satisfied, you took another glance around the apartment you had been left alone in
  316. 316.
    >Ritzy rugs, handsome leather chairs and a couch, a solid mahogany coffeee table
  317. 317.
    >Pictures covering every inch of the wall
  318. 318.
    >Some friends you recognized, her dog, Spike
  319. 319.
    >Folks that were presumably family
  320. 320.
    >Even having been invited inside, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were trespassing
  321. 321.
    >Like you had no business being in this world
  322. 322.
    >Her kitchen was tucked away, seperated by a half-wall
  323. 323.
    >All sorts of doodads and devices littering the counters that you wondered if she even knew how to use
  324. 324.
    >What were the odds she had a butler or something for this place?
  325. 325.
    >No one answered the door to receive you, so maybe a visiting maid
  326. 326.
    >Either way you looked around the kitchen just for a bit, considering one last favor to leave Twilight with before you left for the night
  327. 327.
    >Procuring a pen and some scrap paper, you began to scribble down a family recipe before you heard the lock to the front door 'clack' as it was engaged
  328. 328.
    >Did Twilight have a roommate?
  329. 329.
    >Glancing over at the door you felt like a deer in headlights
  330. 330.
    >Though that paralyzing shock gave way to confusion as the front door was pushed open
  331. 331.
    >And standing in the doorway was not some upper crust roommate...
  332. 332.
    >But Applejack
  333. 333.
    >The farmgirl stared across the way at you, brow perked up so high it almost disappeared into her bangs
  334. 334.
    >"What'cha writin' there, sugarcube?"
  335. 335.
     
  336. 336.
    Part Two:
  337. 337.
    >"What'cha writin' there, sugarcube?"
  338. 338.
    >After the initial surprise of seeing Applejack, you calmed down pretty quickly
  339. 339.
    >You knew the farmgirl after all, so it wasn't like you had to introduce yourself to some stranger and play a game of 'no wait I'm not here to rob you put the phone away'
  340. 340.
    >With that concern making itself apparent and immediately resolving yourself, you got back to your writing
  341. 341.
    "Well, I'm trying to remember my grandfather's hangover cure. He swore by it up until that train accident he caused and them permanently taking away his license. So far I'm recalling tomato juice and sliced ginger. Your family probably has something like this, right? Any suggestions?"
  342. 342.
    >Now it's Applejack's turn to seem taken aback, as she walks further into the apartment
  343. 343.
    >You don't miss the way her Mutsu green eyes tick around the place, as if looking to make sure everything's where it's supposed to be
  344. 344.
    >As much as you would love to drag this couch home, AJ, it's clearly a bit too big to shove in your pants pocket
  345. 345.
    >Appreciate the 'subtle' insinuation, though
  346. 346.
    >"Well... that depends. Are y'goin' fer 'so nasty it clears yer head right up' or 'actually helpful for recovering'?"
  347. 347.
    >You hum at that, that's a good question
  348. 348.
    "I figure the latter for her first time getting drunk, seems like it'd be cruel to prank her like that when she's already going to be dealing with that sort of headache."
  349. 349.
    >Applejack nods approvingly
  350. 350.
    >"Well that's swell of ya, Anon. In that case ah'd suggest a fruit smoothie; milk, frozen bananers, blueberries, and just a lil' bit of spinach. Maybe some yogurt. Helps calm the stomach down, an' that goes a long way to not feelin' like death in the mornin'."
  351. 351.
    >With her preliminary search of the apartment completed to her satisfaction, Applejack jolts as she realizes something is missing, at least from her field of vision
  352. 352.
    >"Say, where is Twilight, anyway?"
  353. 353.
    >You respond as you scribble down Applejack's suggested cure
  354. 354.
    "Well, hopefully she's in her bed right now... face down. I listened for a minute to make sure I didn't hear any faceplanting on the floor or her crashing into whatever furniture she's got in there."
  355. 355.
    >At that, AJ gives you that look again
  356. 356.
    >You really aren't sure what her deal is
  357. 357.
    >"Y'didn't go in after her to make sure?"
  358. 358.
    "Shit, AJ, I already feel like I'm intruding in here as it is without going into her personal bedroom. You're free to go make sure she landed safely, if you want."
  359. 359.
    >"Righ'... alright, Anon, ah'll do that."
  360. 360.
    >With that, Applejack exits stage right, entering in Twilight's bedroom while you enter the kitchen
  361. 361.
    >After considering the best place for it, you eventually use one of her fridge magnets to pin it in a place of prominence on her fridge
  362. 362.
    >You sign the bottom of the page
  363. 363.
    >'Two out of seven of your friends recommend this concoction. That might seem like a really bad fraction, but we didn't ask the other five at all. - Anon'
  364. 364.
    >Stepping back into the living room, however
  365. 365.
    >Now it's your turn to have realization strike you like a lightning bolt
  366. 366.
    >You move over to the front door of the apartment, and poke your head out, looking up and down the hall
  367. 367.
    >Applejack calls out behind you
  368. 368.
    >"What'cha doin', Anon?"
  369. 369.
    >You pull yourself back into the apartment, giving Applejack an expression of alarm and concern
  370. 370.
    "Uh, AJ? Are you missing some folks? Like, say, a tall, sleepy wallflower and a fashionista who was trying to turn herself into a scarf?"
  371. 371.
    >Applejack stares at your confusedly before realizing what you were asking
  372. 372.
    >"Oh! Uh, Don't you fret none, Anon. Ah set them up with one of them Goobers usin' Rarity's phone and called ahead t'let Big Mac to know to expect'em. By this time they should be safe 'n sound in th' guest room."
  373. 373.
    >You almost don't catch her mutter 'at least Fluttershy oughta be' under her breath
  374. 374.
    >You choose wisely not to comment on that
  375. 375.
    >Something far more important was bugging you anyway
  376. 376.
    "That's... unlike you, if you don't mind me saying. Just shoving them in a stranger's car like that. Why would you do that?"
  377. 377.
    >And then... Applejack gets that fucking look on her face
  378. 378.
    >You've seen that look before
  379. 379.
    >The way she's not making direct eye contact
  380. 380.
    >Scrunching up her nose and sucking her lips into her mouth
  381. 381.
    >The last time she made this face she made the band fifteen minutes late for a show because she forgot her bass guitar at home and kept making up stories about where it was until everyone else ganged up on her about it
  382. 382.
    >"We should, uh. Probably get goin', Anon. S'a long hike back to the Acres and... where ever you live, surely."
  383. 383.
    >The implication being of course that you wouldn't live in the nice part of town
  384. 384.
    >You do deign to follow Applejack out, though you keep staring at her intently the entire time
  385. 385.
    >The farmgirl is visibly sweating buckets by the time you reach the gate leading out of the complex
  386. 386.
    >You know Applejack
  387. 387.
    >Everyone else in the group calls her 'Mom Friend', 'Den Mother', 'The One Who Makes Sure We Don't Get Arrested', and she takes those titles seriously
  388. 388.
    >So her just... sending two drunks, one of which wasn't even conscious off in a stranger's car?
  389. 389.
    >It goes so far against everything you know about her as a person that you wouldn't initially believe someone telling you she did it
  390. 390.
    >What could be so important that she'd act so contrary to her character?
  391. 391.
    >... Now that you're really thinking about it, what the Hell is she doing here, anyway?
  392. 392.
    >Twilight's apartment was on the opposite side of the city from her farm, it was going to take hours for her to walk back at this rate
  393. 393.
    >Did she just want to make sure you didn't get lost?
  394. 394.
    >No, that doesn't make sense
  395. 395.
    >If Applejack thought you two were lost she would call Twilight to see if you two needed help navigating and then come meet you two in person, most likely
  396. 396.
    >Going to Twilight's apartment by herself doesn't make any sense
  397. 397.
    >Unless...
  398. 398.
    >You feel like a stone's sinking into the bottom of your stomach as an idea suddenly comes together in your mind
  399. 399.
    >You don't want to think it's what's going on here, but it should be easy to prove
  400. 400.
    >You pump the brakes and relax your intense stare on Applejack, leaning back and resting your forearms behind your head
  401. 401.
    >Let the walk lapse into silence to bring the tension in the air to a simmer before you strike up the conversation again
  402. 402.
    "So, did you have a good time tonight?"
  403. 403.
    >Nice and casual
  404. 404.
    >Applejack seems to appreciate the new subject and nods, giving you a tired smile
  405. 405.
    >"'Course, Anon. It's always nice to unwind with everyone after a show like that. How 'bout you?"
  406. 406.
    "It was nice, yeah. Twilight and I were going to discuss "Middlemarch" more tonight, but she got sidelined by Rainbow 'encouraging' her to try rum, and you know how that went down. Remember how she encouraged Twilight by ordering a rum and coke too so they'd share?"
  407. 407.
    >"Heh, yup. And Rainbow downed her glass before Twilight could get three sips in. Really makes ya wonder where she puts it all, that girl could pass for a beanpole ah swear."
  408. 408.
    "Easily. By the way, are you going to join Fluttershy at the shelter this week? I think I remember her asking all of us if anyone could make it, apparently they got a lot of new dogs in after that one grandma died and the surviving family weren't willing to take them in."
  409. 409.
    >"Ah'll definitely try and make time. Those poor critters... it really burns me up how some people can be so cruel like that. In th' least they're all still together, but y'know folks are gonna part 'n parcel'em out... Ah should lean on Granny a lil'. Winona could use some friends."
  410. 410.
    "I'm sure she'd like that, especially since she's getting up in years, right? And hey, how about when Twilight stumbled on the sidewalk, got embarrassed over tripping over her own feet, and tried to veer off into the street?"
  411. 411.
    >"Ah, yeah. That poor girl's gonna need to either steer clear'a alcohol or ease more into it, her balance jus' went entirely out the window tonight. Ah was impressed that you managed to corral her out of harm's-"
  412. 412.
    >Applejack immediately clams up and 'the look' is back on her face, as her eyes shrink practically to pinpricks
  413. 413.
    >You baited the trap and she stepped right into it
  414. 414.
    >You're pleased with the success... but also incredibly disappointed
  415. 415.
    "Well see, that's something, because that didn't happen until we parted ways at the bar, and we crossed a corner down the block. How did you know that happened, Applejack?"
  416. 416.
    >You pick up the pace so that you can round on the farmgirl and stand in her way, staring Applejack directly in the eye
  417. 417.
    "Did you dump Rarity and Fluttershy in a Goober just so you could tail me and Twilight, Applejack?"
  418. 418.
    >Applejack outright refuses to meet your gaze
  419. 419.
    >Her face scrunches up even harder
  420. 420.
    "Why would you do that? I would've been perfectly fine if you wanted to join us on the walk."
  421. 421.
    >The scrunching intensifies, but her teeth are starting to grit
  422. 422.
    "Hell, I could've used the help keeping Twilight from walking into traffic or stopping her from faceplanting."
  423. 423.
    >Finally, she breaks out into a full snarl and starts stomping her feet
  424. 424.
    >"Ah wanted to make sure y'weren't a creep, alrigh'?!"
  425. 425.
    >The farmgirl's face is tinged with color, but you already know it's out of annoyance than anything demure
  426. 426.
    >"Ah wanted to see what kind'a guy y'were when you were alone, so I hung back t'make sure Twilight was safe with ya."
  427. 427.
    >And there's the confirmation
  428. 428.
    >You had a feeling, but you were naive enough to hope that maybe you were off base about it
  429. 429.
    "... I can't believe you."
  430. 430.
    >You turn on your heel and start stomping off, your own face burning with embarrassment
  431. 431.
    >Applejack immediately takes off, matching your gait despite her shorter stature
  432. 432.
    >"Look, Anon. It weren't nothin' personal. Ah was jus'.... apprehensive. Yer a damn fine musician but we don' really know ya that well, is all."
  433. 433.
    >Honestly?
  434. 434.
    >Part of you can even understand that
  435. 435.
    >Applejack was just looking out for one of her friends, that's something a good friend would do
  436. 436.
    >But that mistrust still stings in your chest
  437. 437.
    >You look back to stare at her sternly, trying and mostly failing to keep the bitterness out of your voice
  438. 438.
    "Well, it's not like we regularly hang out after gigs for hours at a time. Wait, shit, we do do that. Honestly, I don't know why you all even bother inviting me to the crawls afterwards."
  439. 439.
    >"Yer part of the show, Anon. Of course we're gonna invite ya to hang out afterwards, it's th' courteous thing to do."
  440. 440.
    "Yeah, and it's like hanging out with a big polycule. Or at least two really intense couples. I legitimately think this is the longest conversation we've had outside of work, Applejack."
  441. 441.
    >Applejack flinches back as if struck, but going by the hesitation on her face she knows she really can't refute what you're saying
  442. 442.
    >"...Yer right, Anon. Ah should've made the effort. Then we wouldn't be in this situation righ' now t' begin with. Ah'm sorry."
  443. 443.
    >It's really hard to stay mad at someone who sounds so sincere, damnit
  444. 444.
    >You chew on your lower lip, trying to stew and keep some of that anger nice and hot
  445. 445.
    >But you can already feel yourself cooling down
  446. 446.
    >With a defeated sigh, you just shake your head
  447. 447.
    "You're a good friend, Applejack. I can tell. I'd just like to see some of that my way."
  448. 448.
    >"Ah'll try from here on out. Y'really do seem like a solid guy, if it helps. Treated Twilight real courteously even with'er getting rambunctious as she was. Very respectable."
  449. 449.
    >That... gives you pause
  450. 450.
    "How close were you following us, anyway? Could you hear us talking?"
  451. 451.
    >"Nah, ah was keepin' my distance t'be safe. Ah heard her shout a few times but couldn't really make out at her normal volume. Ah admit ah am a mite curious..."
  452. 452.
    >You manage to keep your sigh of relief internal
  453. 453.
    "She was just getting really passionate about her opinions on the latest Daring Do movie adaptation versus the source material, is all."
  454. 454.
    >Applejack seems to pick up on your bullshit, though
  455. 455.
    >"Righ'. And the truth is?"
  456. 456.
    "Well, the truth is that's what I'm going to tell her if she asks about it in the future, so I think that's good enough for you."
  457. 457.
    >Now, you're getting blasted with Applejack's other signature look
  458. 458.
    >One of her eyebrows is perked up while the other furrows, and a small frown slips over her face
  459. 459.
    >"Anon..."
  460. 460.
    >Any of the girls would be sweating already, but you just look at Applejack like she's a fucking idiot
  461. 461.
    "I get that you take the 'Mom Friend' title seriously, but that doesn't make you entitled to your friend's private conversations. Especially after stalking them. Put that eyebrow back where it belongs."
  462. 462.
    >Applejack grimaces, but, given that you are very thoroughly on the moral high ground right now, complies with you
  463. 463.
    >Before long your walk leads you back to the bar where this all started
  464. 464.
    "Now, I think this is where we part ways. Sweet Apple Acres is... thataway, I believe? And I'm going this way."
  465. 465.
    >You gesture in the appropriate directions, to which Applejack nods
  466. 466.
    >"Righ'. Listen, Anon. Ah'm sorry again. For not trustin' you, and bein' nosy. Next time we hang out ah'll make an effort. Ah kinda wanna know who you think is datin' who in this group here."
  467. 467.
    "Tch. No prizes for guessing you and Rarity. But sure, I'll hold on to my other guesses until then."
  468. 468.
    >"Right cruel of ya, heh. Good night, Anon."
  469. 469.
    >With that, the two of you part ways
  470. 470.
    >Applejack makes her way northeast - in the direction of her farm relative to the bar
  471. 471.
    >You veer straight south, turning a corner...
  472. 472.
    >... And then waiting about five minutes just to make sure she's good and gone
  473. 473.
    >When you're confident you won't be spotted, you return to the bar parking lot
  474. 474.
    >Making a beeline for the very back, to an ancient, boxy, ugly ass van parked as far back as you could've managed
  475. 475.
    >This piece of shit was forged in the 1980s, as far as you can tell
  476. 476.
    >Some real vintage Mystery Machine shit
  477. 477.
    >It gets at best 9 miles a gallon and it smells like burnt oil most of the time
  478. 478.
    >But it's your baby
  479. 479.
    >Your chariot is a glorious royal purple with some stubborn rust spots
  480. 480.
    >And along the side is a truly majestic airbrushed mural of a classic wizard, complete with giant hat, massive gray beard, and starry robe
  481. 481.
    >This master of the arcane faces directly forward and scowls at the world
  482. 482.
    >Flipping everyone who perceives it the bird with both hands, which are on fucking fire
  483. 483.
    >The piece of shit van? 600
  484. 484.
    >This mural? 1500
  485. 485.
    >And it was worth every fucking bit
  486. 486.
    >You head around to the back and open it up
  487. 487.
    >The cargo area is fairly crowded
  488. 488.
    >Featuring a massive bag of clothes that you really need to get around to running through a laundromat
  489. 489.
    >A display stand for your beat up, well loved bass and lead guitars, the only instruments you personally own
  490. 490.
    >And a twin sized mattress to really sell your current situation
  491. 491.
    >No one who's in a good place in their life is sleeping on a Twin-sized mattress
  492. 492.
    >Closing the door behind you, you leap onto the mattress, groaning as the old memory foam is currently suffering from Alzheimer's, the way you feel every inch of the flooring underneath as you land on it
  493. 493.
    >Home sweet home, Anon
  494. 494.
     
  495. 495.
    Part Three:
  496. 496.
    >With that dramatic night behind you, life pretty much returns to normal
  497. 497.
    >As you suspected, Twilight didn't breach the subject of her tipsy confession or act any different around you
  498. 498.
    >And as you elaborated to Applejack, you weren't going to remind her
  499. 499.
    >You recalled a few things about the latest Daring Do movie she did hate and were able to convince her of your cover story pretty easily, to which she apologized profusely for ranting your ear off about terrible greedy movie studios and the perverse glee they surely get off on, getting important details like the exact shade of beige Daring Do's wardrobe wrong
  500. 500.
    >... That is to say, she apologized profusely 'again', because that was neither the first and would absolutely not be the last time you're going to hear about something like that from your nerdy friend
  501. 501.
    >Now, you know full well that there's plenty of guys that would've given their masturbating arm to catch a girl like Twilight Sparkle's attention
  502. 502.
    >She's Scrooge McDuck loaded, she's unfathomably intelligent, cute as a button, and her constant state of anxiety is pretty endearing most of the time
  503. 503.
    >And yes, you're aware of all those things and absolutely appreciate them
  504. 504.
    >You just don't trust a thing drunk people say
  505. 505.
    >Fuck, man
  506. 506.
    >Your own mother looked you in the face with a wine glass in hand and told you that she loved you plenty of times
  507. 507.
    >... Then she wouldn't even look in your fucking direction, still sipping from that goddamn glass as your dad shoved that check into your hands, told you to get the fuck out of his house, and-
  508. 508.
    >Whoa ho, hey
  509. 509.
    >Very sneaky, brain, but how about you put those memories right back in their box this instant
  510. 510.
    >The point is, you didn't trust like that, for issues you weren't super keen on elaborating on
  511. 511.
    >If Twilight really felt that way she could convey it sober
  512. 512.
    >But that was neither here or there right now
  513. 513.
    >Right now, you're at a practice session with Flash Drive, slotting into the drums once again
  514. 514.
    >Brawly Beats had a sudden death in the family that's got him out of state entirely to attend the service, and he'll be out of reach for the next two weeks
  515. 515.
    >Just enough time to miss a gig Flash Sentry had lined up
  516. 516.
    >So with a quick ring on your busted ass cellphone, here you are, filling your calendar for the next two weeks on your schedule and getting back into the groove with this group
  517. 517.
    >Flash Drive's one of your less frequent clients, due to their members being so close knit
  518. 518.
    >They're pretty much the only band that had formed in Canterlot High far before the Sirens came and gave everyone the bug, after all
  519. 519.
    >Flash's brand of "I'll have her home by 9PM sir!" super safe pop rock takes some getting used to, but you can hang
  520. 520.
    >Honestly, a few days of practicing the setlist Flash's cooked up for their next show, you're pretty confident can do your part in your sleep
  521. 521.
    >To the point that when you get a call mid-practice you didn't even hesitate to pull your phone out of your pocket
  522. 522.
    >Lurching your head against your shoulder to hold your cell in place while you continue to plug away at your midtom and snare
  523. 523.
    "Ahoy hoy - I didn't look at what number this is, so who we got here?"
  524. 524.
    >"Yo Anon! It's Rainbow Dash. What's that racket? Sounds gay."
  525. 525.
    >You hope Flash can't hear your phone over your drumming, or else he's going to be bummed out
  526. 526.
    >If Rainbow's calling his setlist gay, well shit, who would know better?
  527. 527.
    "I'm in the middle of a practice with Flash Drive. What's up, Dash?"
  528. 528.
    >"You're working with Flash Drive? Man. Do you think you can get them to wrap up soon so you can get over to my house? We've got a practice going on here today too, I finished writing up an awesome new song I wanna get some practice in on and I figured you ought to come over so you can learn it too."
  529. 529.
    "That's not really my call Dash, besides, I'm pretty much spoken for. Flash already booked me for the rest of the month. First come first serve, you know that."
  530. 530.
    >"Dude, c'mon. It's Flash Drive. We're the Rainbooms. How are you gonna pick them over us? We're going to start in about an hour, try not to be late."
  531. 531.
    >You were about to respond with something along the lines of 'Their money is as green as everyone else's', but Rainbow almost immediately hung up on you when she was done talking
  532. 532.
    >You can't help but grimace as you let your brick of a phone slide off your shoulder and onto the floor
  533. 533.
    >It's fine, it's basically indestructible
  534. 534.
    >Rainbow's always been pushy like that, when she wants something she's pretty much used to getting it
  535. 535.
    >Tough kitty toenails though, you're not going to ditch a client, that's just terrible business
  536. 536.
    >Especially when the money's already in your account and you're pretty damn tired of eating off value menus
  537. 537.
    >Tonight Anon's going to eat some motherfucking actual people food
  538. 538.
    >Or probably Denny's
  539. 539.
    >The sound of your brick-like phone crashing onto the floor causes all the rest of the band to jolt
  540. 540.
    >Flash gives you a look
  541. 541.
    >"You alright, Anon?"
  542. 542.
    "Sorry about that. Got a call, can't really afford to ignore'em with a business like mine."
  543. 543.
    >"... Jeez man, you're a machine, it didn't sound like you missed a beat at all."
  544. 544.
    >You just give Flash, Ringo, and Sandalwood a grin
  545. 545.
    "That's why they pay me the big bucks. Lets get back to it, eh?"
  546. 546.
    >With a brief, shared laugh, you all get back to practice
  547. 547.
    >...
  548. 548.
    >...
  549. 549.
    >A few hours later, with a nice burn in your arms, you scroll through your phone after leaving Flash's place
  550. 550.
    >Rainbow Dash completely blew up your brick, goddamn
  551. 551.
    >Several texts that range from antsy but curious to pretty damn aggressive
  552. 552.
    >And one voicemail that you just went ahead and deleted rather than subject yourself to
  553. 553.
    >You fired off a quick "I told you, I'm booked. Can't be helped." text before putting your phone away and parking about two blocks away from your actual next destination:
  554. 554.
    >The Canterlot City Animal Shelter
  555. 555.
    >You'd been giving some thought to what Applejack said that night
  556. 556.
    >The girls really didn't know you that well
  557. 557.
    >And while you personally felt that a lot of that was on them
  558. 558.
    >It did give you the idea of trying to make some inroads with them on a more personal level, instead of trying to pierce through the thick hide that was them as a massive group
  559. 559.
    >So, that's what's led to you visiting this drab building on a lovely Sunday afternoon
  560. 560.
    >Instead of being at a Denny's demolishing a fucking Slamburger
  561. 561.
    >Fluttershy basically lives at this place, as far as you can tell
  562. 562.
    >It's basically the only thing she ever talks about during the post-show outings
  563. 563.
    >'Oh gosh, you should really see the cat we got recently', 'Mr. Feathers said the funniest thing the other day', 'We got a new Labrador in and his name is Hamburger, can you believe that?'
  564. 564.
    >You can in fact believe that, people name their pets stupid shit all the time
  565. 565.
    >You don't really have anything against animals, per se
  566. 566.
    >Your parents simply didn't want one running around the house, getting fur all over the place and shitting everywhere
  567. 567.
    >And now, well, now you live in a fucking van, so subjecting a small animal to that kind of environment seems incredibly irresponsible
  568. 568.
    >You can't directly talk to animals like Fluttershy, but you can pretty much figure out what the dogs want (food, playtime, the chance to shit)
  569. 569.
    >Honestly, you get a little more into it, probably owing to not having the chance to actually have a pet as you mentioned already
  570. 570.
    >To the point you don't even realize you're eventually not alone until a bit of pink catches in your peripheral vision
  571. 571.
    >When you look over Fluttershy's staring at you like a deer in headlights
  572. 572.
    >And just... keeps doing so, to the point that the person with her that you didn't initially notice feels the need to clear his throat
  573. 573.
    >"Ahem. Well, as you can see, we have another volunteer for once. Do show them how we do things around here, won't you, Fluttershy? I'll be up front at the reception desk if either of you need me."
  574. 574.
    >With that the presumed receptionist gets the Hell out of dodge, leaving you in this suffocating atmosphere
  575. 575.
    >You decided to break the ice first
  576. 576.
    "Hey there, Fluttershy. Sorry I'm unannounced, but I remember you mentioning the Shelter was a bit overwhelmed with all the new dogs that came in. Thought I'd make an appearance at some point to help out."
  577. 577.
    >She's still just fucking staring at you
  578. 578.
    "I, uh. It sounds like I'll be in your care for the next few hours, so if I do anything wrong please tell me?"
  579. 579.
    >The awkwardness of this conversation is so dense you're pretty sure if it fell over on you you'd be crushed like a bug
  580. 580.
    >Eventually Fluttershy finally nods and hurries away to deal with the cats in the shelter, instead
  581. 581.
    >And that just about sets the tone for the entire rest of your time in the Animal Shelter
  582. 582.
    >When you finish dealing with the dogs and move on to the cats, she moves on to the small contingency of birds that the shelter hosts
  583. 583.
    >You swear despite her fleeing your presence you can still feel her eyes on you
  584. 584.
    >But when you give in and glance around there's no one there
  585. 585.
    >Eerie
  586. 586.
    >Part of you really wonders if Fluttershy got hit as a kid or something, no one is just naturally this jittery
  587. 587.
    >You'd love to ask, maybe even potentially bond over shitty parents, but the woman's rejected every stab you've taken at small talk
  588. 588.
    >It's only at the end of your visit that you finally get something out of Fluttershy
  589. 589.
    >As you exit the front doors of the Shelter she hesitates and looks directly at you
  590. 590.
    >Rubbing at her arm nervously before finally getting the nerve to say,
  591. 591.
    >"...Rainbow Dash was really mad you bailed on us today."
  592. 592.
    >And then there she goes, power walking away before you can properly respond
  593. 593.
    >Well shit, now you can't tell if this was her being shy or showing solidarity for her pissed off friend
  594. 594.
    >Both, maybe?
  595. 595.
    >Little Miss Dash is just going to have to deal, she knows your policies
  596. 596.
    >...
  597. 597.
    >...
  598. 598.
    >About a week into your contracted period with Flash Drive, you've got their setlist down pat
  599. 599.
    >Their BPM is a bit slower than you're used to, so having to hold back like this is actually kind of a fun challenge
  600. 600.
    >Especially when you're trying to sell that you're into the whole thing instead of moving at a more sedate pace
  601. 601.
    >Keeping up the energy of the performance is just as vital as keeping on beat, maybe even moreso
  602. 602.
    >You have to completely tamp down your enthusiasm when you're working with Photo Finish's Snapshots, for example
  603. 603.
    >Their Germare roots are very present in their performance, you still shiver with terror at the memory of Photo Finish screaming at you in a foreign language for smiling during one of their shows
  604. 604.
    >Terrifying, but also kind of hot
  605. 605.
    >If that doesn't describe the photographer to a 'T'
  606. 606.
    >That's the past, though
  607. 607.
    >Right now you're enjoying a break with Flash Sentry and his crew
  608. 608.
    >Shooting the shit, talking more about yourselves than having a real conversation
  609. 609.
    >It's nice at least, especially since owing to there only being four of you instead of eight, it feels a lot easier to get a word in edgewise
  610. 610.
    >Ringo suddenly looks over at you, a thoughtful expression on his face
  611. 611.
    >"Say, Anon - you've been running as a Mercenary for a few years now, right? Have you ever thought of putting down roots with any band? Maybe even starting your own?"
  612. 612.
    >Only every single fucking day, buddy
  613. 613.
    >You don't answer so bluntly, though
  614. 614.
    >Just shrugging your shoulders lazily
  615. 615.
    "That sounds nice from time to time, yeah. Devoting myself to a sound, playing a static role. Honestly there's already so many bands in town though, I don't know if this scene could stand another group."
  616. 616.
    >Plus you aren't really sure who you would recruit for that sort of thing
  617. 617.
    >One or two Mercenaries maybe
  618. 618.
    >There's a murmur of agreement across the other three guys, having not considered how bloated the music scene already is
  619. 619.
    >You're spared having to really think about it when you phone buzzes in your pocket
  620. 620.
    >You pull it out to find Twilight's sent you a text message
  621. 621.
    >'Hey Anon! Are you on your way? Everyone's already here - did Pinkie remember to pass along directions?'
  622. 622.
    >Confused, you fire back a text of your own
  623. 623.
    'I wasn't aware I was expected somewhere. What's going on, Twilight?'
  624. 624.
    >'What? Pinkie said she invited everyone. We're going out to the woods to do a little camping, Applejack really got into a nostalgic mood thinking about our time at Camp Everfree and talked us all into it!'
  625. 625.
    >You take a quick peek at your texts, but you know you don't really need to bother
  626. 626.
    >You don't have Pinkie Pie's number, and vice versa
  627. 627.
    >The energetic drummer's energy is... a lot, to speak it plain
  628. 628.
    >Your wavelengths don't really match up
  629. 629.
    'Must've lost my invite in the mail. You lot have fun, try not to get too eaten by mosquitos.'
  630. 630.
    >'Oh, well. I'll do my best! Have a good weekend, Anon! We're going to be pretty radio silent for the next few days.'
  631. 631.
    >You set your phone back in your pocket and grimace
  632. 632.
    >Objectively, you didn't think you'd be invited to an outing with the Rainbooms like that
  633. 633.
    >But knowing they're out there and Twilight was looking forward to seeing you there leaves an odd warmth and bitterness in your heart
  634. 634.
    >Apparently it shows on your face because the other three members of Flash Drive are all staring at you with expressions of curiosity and concern
  635. 635.
    >You really don't care for it, and get up out of your chair to excuse yourself
  636. 636.
    "Sorry fellas, that was important - I gotta jet. I'll see you for the show, alright?"
  637. 637.
    >The members of Flash Drive all clearly aren't buying it, but none of them call you out and simply wish you a good night
  638. 638.
    >You sincerely doubt it's going to be one, now
  639. 639.
    >...
  640. 640.
    >...
  641. 641.
    >The day for Flash Drive's latest show finally arrives
  642. 642.
    >They're playing Opener for a touring, more established band
  643. 643.
    >You're so engrossed in the local scene to the point you're a bit out of the loop of what's popular on a wider stage, but judging by the packed crowd of the Canterlot Amphitheatre, whoever's headlining must be a fairly big deal
  644. 644.
    >Flash's sound must match up well with them because the crowd's nice and hot by the time you run through the set, saying your thank yous, and departing the stage
  645. 645.
    >Running with these guys has been fun for the past two weeks
  646. 646.
    >They have their own in-jokes and references that fly right over your head, but you had a good time regardless
  647. 647.
    >It's always bittersweet when engagements end like this, but you know you'll probably be linking up again with them sooner or later
  648. 648.
    >It's easier to beg off their invitation to hang out post show than the girls, but it doesn't hurt that in the midst of your spiel you phone goes off
  649. 649.
    "Sorry guys, I gotta take this. We'll go bowling soon, promise Ringo."
  650. 650.
    >When you pick up the call you're immediately hit with a cacophony of background noise
  651. 651.
    >It sounds like someone's in a club
  652. 652.
    >A familiar raspy voice comes through your speaker
  653. 653.
    >"Yo Anon, we need you right now man, Applejack had to cancel at the literal last minute and we're due on stage in like thirty minutes. In and out. Twenty minute set. Can you do it?"
  654. 654.
    >All that exposition catches you a bit off guard, but you get it
  655. 655.
    "Uh, shit. Yeah. I just finished up with Flash and his show, so I'm free. Just text me the address and I'll be there as fast as I can."
  656. 656.
    >Fortunately the venue is nearby enough that your van can get you there well within the time frame
  657. 657.
    >You park a block away and pull out your mask and bass guitar (though you suspect Rainbow Dash will want you to play with an instrument that doesn't look like you threw it down the stairs a few times)
  658. 658.
    >You enter in through the back, flashing security the credentials Rainbow texted over to get you in
  659. 659.
    >And...
  660. 660.
    >Applejack is here
  661. 661.
    >Didn't Rainbow Dash say she called off?
  662. 662.
    "What the Hell?"
  663. 663.
    >Applejack is steadfastly not meeting your gaze
  664. 664.
    >"Sorry, Anon."
  665. 665.
    >You're about to ask what the deal is when the Rainbooms exit their dressing room
  666. 666.
    >And... what the fuck are they wearing
  667. 667.
    >The first thing that comes to mind is the Sergeant Pepper album cover
  668. 668.
    >But like, take that shit up to eleven
  669. 669.
    >Every girl is dressed up in their own color-coded marching uniform, bedazzled to the extreme in a parody of good taste
  670. 670.
    >Rainbow Dash immediately makes eye contact with you and smirks
  671. 671.
    >"About time, jeez. Come on. We're doing "Awesome As I Want To Be", "Better Than Ever", "Shake Your Tail", and "Shine Like Rainbows" tonight.
  672. 672.
    >Her expression darkens a bit
  673. 673.
    >"We'd be doing the new song tonight but SOMEONE couldn't be bothered to show up for the practice sessions. Lets go."
  674. 674.
    >You match Rainbow's glare with one of your own
  675. 675.
    "You know how my business works, Rainbow. Flash got to me first, I'm not going to bail on him-"
  676. 676.
    >Apparently Rainbow was banking on you defending yourself, because despite her making a show of rushing everyone on stage, she turns right on her heel to get in your face
  677. 677.
    >"Oh please. Can we talk about that, really? This 'Mercenary' crap. You know you play with us like, three shows to every one of some other band, right? I had Twilight do the math on that."
  678. 678.
    >You really ought to get a medal for holding your tongue on that and not saying something incredibly mean, there
  679. 679.
    >That said the fact that their band is twice the size of every other act in town is probably a factor there
  680. 680.
    >There's way more opportunities for one of them to need to be replaced compared to every other band that averages out between three and four members in comparison
  681. 681.
    >"Everyone who's anyone knows we're the best band in this town, and you're always running with us. They ought to know better- honestly, you ought to know better, too."
  682. 682.
    "What exactly am I supposed to know better about?"
  683. 683.
    >Rainbow just stares at you like you're an idiot
  684. 684.
    >"Dude, you're basically a Rainboom. We should be taking priority here - so when I call you for a practice session I'm expecting you to be there next time, got it?! Now lets GO already."
  685. 685.
    >As if she wasn't the one who delayed you all going on stage in the first place
  686. 686.
    >You stare at the rest of the girls
  687. 687.
    >Most of them have apologetic expressions, but they certainly didn't even try and interrupt Rainbow
  688. 688.
    >You eye their flashy, elaborate, over-designed outfits, then look down at the simple green mask in your hands
  689. 689.
    >You think of how Applejack didn't trust you enough to be alone with a mutual friend
  690. 690.
    >You think of how Fluttershy wouldn't say a word to you at the shelter
  691. 691.
    >How the group headed out to enjoy time together without you
  692. 692.
    >This is 'basically being a Rainboom', huh?
  693. 693.
    >Well, this basically fucking sucks
  694. 694.
    >Gritting your teeth, you slip your mask back on your head for the second time in the day
  695. 695.
    >It stinks of sweat by this point and you're sure there's some salt stains here and there
  696. 696.
    >You're going to go out there in front of that crowd and fucking kill it, even if you are pissed right now
  697. 697.
    >You're a fucking professional after all
  698. 698.
    >But you know this bullshit can't be allowed to stand as it is
  699. 699.
    >Something needs to change
  700. 700.
     
  701. 701.
    Part Four:
  702. 702.
    >Hey, Power Chord? Anon? This is your brain
  703. 703.
    >Do you think we can be objective about this?
  704. 704.
    >Just humor me for like, five minutes
  705. 705.
    >Maybe upending your entire career and taking a huge gamble on your life because someone pissed you off is... a bad idea?
  706. 706.
    >That's an interesting point, brain, but here's the thing:
  707. 707.
    >You already know this is a terrible idea
  708. 708.
    >You're just too angry to care
  709. 709.
    >Lets zoom out a bit
  710. 710.
    >It's been a few days since that last-minute show with The Rainbooms
  711. 711.
    >You've been ignoring Twilight and, surprisingly, Applejack's texts and calls
  712. 712.
    >Stewing in your anger properly unlike last time
  713. 713.
    >It's a lot easier this time around since Rainbow Dash absolutely didn't apologize
  714. 714.
    >She probably thinks she was the one wronged in the first place, so fat chance she was ever going to do that
  715. 715.
    >Rotting in the back of your van, staring at your guitars, trying to ignore the smell of your laundry bag
  716. 716.
    >You had nothing to do but think
  717. 717.
    >You've been doing this Mercenary gig for about four years now
  718. 718.
    >How long was this bubble going to last, really?
  719. 719.
    >Eventually one of these groups would make it big and break out of this town
  720. 720.
    >Maybe one or two more, but eventually life's going to catch up to them and they'll realize their actual careers lie elsewhere
  721. 721.
    >Hell, most of the musicians in this town probably realize that already, a huge chunk of the people making up these groups are going to college for decidedly non-musical tracks
  722. 722.
    >And where is that going to leave you?
  723. 723.
    >You're not exactly in a comfortable spot in your life as it is, but what happens when the work dries up, Anon?
  724. 724.
    >Parking your piece of shit van permanently somewhere once you can't afford gas and mugging people in the south side of Canterlot City?
  725. 725.
    >Going back to your father, hat in hand, admitting he was right all along?
  726. 726.
    >You feel your jaw set tight and your teeth grind together
  727. 727.
    >You'll be six feet in the ground before you look that bastard in the eyes as a failure
  728. 728.
    >That thought, that defiance has been burning in your chest ever since it drifted to the forefront of your mind
  729. 729.
    >Which leads us to right now
  730. 730.
    >Sitting in a dingy cafe conveying all these thoughts to the man across the table from you
  731. 731.
    >Good old Norman
  732. 732.
    >Another Mercenary in town, and one of the better ones you would say
  733. 733.
    >Though you don't think you've crossed paths with this guy once without him smelling like cheap weed and applesauce
  734. 734.
    >He always comes through with his jobs though
  735. 735.
    >And by your estimation he's one of the best bassists in town
  736. 736.
    >Top 3, easy
  737. 737.
    >Just, y'know, don't ask him to piss in a cup or trust him alone around your cupboards
  738. 738.
    "... So, that's why I want to go for broke. I'm going to make pursue this band whether you agree or not, man, but I'd sure as Hell like to have you along for the ride. What do you say?"
  739. 739.
    >Norman stares at you with a vacant smile, blinks one eye, then the other
  740. 740.
    >You choose to take this as a good sign
  741. 741.
    >The stone man coughs into his hand a few times before sitting up out of his chair
  742. 742.
    >"I feel ya man, I've been thinkin' about that lately too - this shit ain't gonna last forever, and then my dad's probably gonna want me to get a job at the video store or whatever instead of sitting around the house all day."
  743. 743.
    >Norman, Blockbuster's been dead for like two decades
  744. 744.
    >You decide not to bum out your potential bandmate and keep that to yourself
  745. 745.
    >"I'll roll with you, but two guys ain't exactly a band. You got anyone else on board yet?"
  746. 746.
    "No, but that's why I wanted to meet here."
  747. 747.
    >You gesture to the small stage across the room, currently occupied by a trio of women
  748. 748.
    >All three of them are dressed as gaudy wizards
  749. 749.
    >Though the one in front, warbling about how great she is, is clearly the leader of the bunch, going by how her hat is twice as big as the other two's
  750. 750.
    >Norman follows your hand and, impressively, immediately sobers up
  751. 751.
    >"Bro if you seriously try and add Trixie to this group I am fuckin' out, man."
  752. 752.
    "Haha, fuck man, I would be too. Don't you worry though - she's not who I had in mind. Trust me."
  753. 753.
    >Norman gives you a look, but shrugs before chugging down the rest of his drink and putting down a few bills
  754. 754.
    >Nice, you were totally going to front the whole thing
  755. 755.
    >"Alright Anon. I got a practice set scheduled with the Snapshots today, so I'm gonna head out. Good luck."
  756. 756.
    >You just snicker and wave him off, keeping your eyes on the stage all the while
  757. 757.
    "Alright, peace out. Remember not to smile."
  758. 758.
    >"Pfft, I know. Only one of us gets a boner from getting screamed at in Germare, dude."
  759. 759.
    >You swear that incident is going to haunt you until the day you die
  760. 760.
    >Leaving that behind though, you simply observe as Trixie and the Illusions run down their setlist
  761. 761.
    >It's not a very long concert
  762. 762.
    >Even years later Trixie's only got about four songs fully written
  763. 763.
    >She most likely ran out of different ways to talk about how great she is, you imagine
  764. 764.
    >Saves the crowd from having to endure it for long if nothing else
  765. 765.
    >When the show is over and everyone's done politely clapping, you make your move
  766. 766.
    >Approaching the trio as they're getting their equipment squared away (or at least two of them are), Trixie catches sight of you
  767. 767.
    >A sneer immediately makes it way across her face
  768. 768.
    >"Enjoy the show? Of course you did."
  769. 769.
    "Oh, for sure. I was actually hoping to talk, though."
  770. 770.
    >Trixie juts her chin up and stares down at you, something she's only capable of doing because she's still on the stage
  771. 771.
    >"As I've mentioned before, Mercenary, Trixie and her Illusions have no need of your services!"
  772. 772.
    >You seriously doubt Trixie could AFFORD a Mercenary, much less your rates, but you keep that barb in your mouth
  773. 773.
    >You don't want to start an argument with the magician and keep her around
  774. 774.
    >Trixie huffs when you fail to rise to her bait and glances back at her Illusions
  775. 775.
    >"Trixie will be returning to her trailer now - do not keep her waiting!"
  776. 776.
    >And off she goes, leaving her bandmates to finish packing up the equipment by themselves
  777. 777.
    >Perfect
  778. 778.
    >The girls give you a look before getting back to work
  779. 779.
    >You give it a few moments before approaching Fuchsia Blush, kneeling down to assist her in dismantling Trixie's amp
  780. 780.
    >"Hey! Hands off, man."
  781. 781.
    "Sorry, I was thinking this looked like a lot of stuff to deal with for just two people. I figured I'd help out. Many hands make light work, you know?"
  782. 782.
    >Fuchsia gives you a look, then you can see her gaze tick towards the smoke machine, the strobing lights, and their own synthesizer machines
  783. 783.
    >You can actually see her waver before her head dips, sighing
  784. 784.
    >"Yeah, sure. I would like to get this done sometime today."
  785. 785.
    >Grinning, you get right back to assisting in the dismantling
  786. 786.
    >You simply work in silence with Fuchsia for a bit, letting her take the lead and direct you
  787. 787.
    >Eventually though, you feel the silence get good and comfortable enough to be broken
  788. 788.
    "So, how've the shows been? I haven't really kept up with your schedule."
  789. 789.
    >Fuchsia grimaces and sets the amp in its' case with your help
  790. 790.
    >Damn this thing is heavy, Trixie really makes these two deal with this stuff by themselves?
  791. 791.
    >That'll probably work to your benefit, come to think of it
  792. 792.
    >"We're doing fine. We've been doing somewhere between two or three shows a month at... various places."
  793. 793.
    >That isn't bad for a scene as crowded as Canterlot City's, really
  794. 794.
    >But you know the more popular groups do twice that many, easy
  795. 795.
    >And at much nicer venues
  796. 796.
    >Out of all the shows Trixie and the Illusions had advertised for this month this dirty cafe is easily the nicest place you would've found them
  797. 797.
    >You really did not want to take Norman to a strip club on a Tuesday afternoon
  798. 798.
    >The kind of things you'd see would not part from your brain for quite some time
  799. 799.
    >Fuchsia seems to be thinking the same thing and dips her head again, sighing
  800. 800.
    >She has absolutely seen some shit on Tuesday
  801. 801.
    "What about you, though? Are you satisfied with the way the band's going?"
  802. 802.
    >Fuchsia hesitates as she untangles the cords of the strobing lights
  803. 803.
    >Her mouth opens but she quickly closes it, seeming to think better of herself
  804. 804.
    >When she looks over at you though, your expression is clearly patiently waiting for her response
  805. 805.
    >"It's fine. It doesn't matter, as long as Trixie is okay with the things are going, then we're all good."
  806. 806.
    "Fuchsia, I get that you're relegated to the "and the" part of the band, but you don't have to act like you have no input in it. Be real with me, here. Are you happy?"
  807. 807.
    >The woman tries to glare at your jab, but you can tell she doesn't have enough heat for it
  808. 808.
    >She just shakes her head and sighs defeatedly instead
  809. 809.
    >"I... wish we were doing better, but I don't think that's surprising. I think that's something everyone feels. There's always room for improvement. There are things I would do differently, but I'm not the one leading the band."
  810. 810.
    "Well, what if you were? I'd love to hear how you'd try and change things."
  811. 811.
    >Fuchsia looks up, completely forgetting about the lights for a moment as she really considers it
  812. 812.
    >"Well... I'd put one of us on another instrument. We don't strictly need TWO synths, at least I don't think so."
  813. 813.
    "Another instrument, huh? Like, say... the drums?"
  814. 814.
    >Fuchsia glances at you in the corner of her eye, grimacing
  815. 815.
    >"You still remember that, huh?"
  816. 816.
    "Vividly."
  817. 817.
    >Years back, you had brought your bass in for some repairs at the local instrument store ran by Vinyl Scratch
  818. 818.
    >You remember there being a hell of a percussive racket you could hear from yards away and were fully expecting to see Pinkie trying out a new drumkit
  819. 819.
    >Seeing Fuchsia behind the snare going absolutely fucking crazy was a complete surprise
  820. 820.
    >You had only ever seen her working the synth before, you legitimately thought she didn't even know how to play any other instruments
  821. 821.
    >So lost in her own percussive world you had completely forgotten why you were even there until she finally stopped playing
  822. 822.
    >Stared forlornly at the price tag on the kit
  823. 823.
    >And rushed past you out of the store
  824. 824.
    "That's the sort of thing that sticks with you, Fuchsia. You're a damn fine drummer. Easily equal to Pinkie, I'd say."
  825. 825.
    >That gets a small, weary smile out of the girl, but it doesn't last long
  826. 826.
    >"I appreciate that. I wish Trixie thought the same, but she's never been interested in having me get back behind the drums, so convincing her to spend some of the band's funds on buying or even just renting a set isn't happening."
  827. 827.
    "And you're just fine with that? I remember the grin on your face when you were putting that kit through its' paces. You loved playing those drums. Are you really going to just let those skills degrade while you play with a synthesizer for a few more years until she finally gets bored and focuses on her magic act?"
  828. 828.
    >Fuchsia grits her teeth and outright glares at you
  829. 829.
    >You can see her fists clenching with frustration
  830. 830.
    >"That's just how it is, Anon. And she's not going to get bored, we're going to make it! We're going to show everyone!"
  831. 831.
    >You just give her a disbelieving stare, and she almost immediately cracks under the pressure of it
  832. 832.
    >"...Maybe she'll have room for us in her magic act. Magicians usually have assistants, right?"
  833. 833.
    "Right. But that's not what you want either. I know you love music, Fuchsia. Don't try and pretend that's not what you're passionate about."
  834. 834.
    >This is finally too much for the girl, and she lets out a yell that startles Lavender and the rest of the patrons in the cafe as she whirls on you, eyes alight with anger
  835. 835.
    >"Is there a point to this, Anon?! Did you come here just to needle me about how unhappy I am? What is your fucking deal, man?!"
  836. 836.
    >You aren't too proud to admit that scared you a bit, even if you do have a little over a foot of height on this lady
  837. 837.
    >Her response was a bit more than you were expecting, but it plays right into your hands all the same
  838. 838.
    >You school the shock off your face and reach out, carefully putting a hand on Fuchsia's shoulder
  839. 839.
    "Look, I'm sorry if I pushed too hard. I didn't come here to remind you about your circumstances... or, at least, I didn't intend to make you this upset. But I did want you to hear yourself say that with your own mouth."
  840. 840.
    >You look Fuchsia square in the eye, and the intensity of your expression seems to lock her in, unable to break the contact, both physical and visual
  841. 841.
    "You said it yourself that you're not happy. You're not satisfied with where you are, and I think we both know, where that path is leading? Isn't where you want to go. You asked me what my deal is? I'll keep it simple. I'm starting something new. I'm done playing other people's music... and I need the best damn drummer in this city if this new group's going to make it."
  842. 842.
    >Fuchsia's face seems like it can't decide on being pleased with your praise, shocked at your declaration, or upset at the realization that yes, she isn't happy with her lot in life
  843. 843.
    >You push it just a little further
  844. 844.
    "Do you want to go through the rest of your life being an illusion, or do you want to be your own person again, Fuchsia Blush? Join me on this new path, if only for your own sake."
  845. 845.
    >Tears begin to pinprick in the girl's eyes, and for a moment you feel like you may have gone a bit too far there
  846. 846.
    >But she suddenly takes the hand on her shoulder and cups it with her own, giving your digits a squeeze
  847. 847.
    >"Damnit, man... I do. I want to be me again. But I have a condition, and if you don't consider it this isn't happening."
  848. 848.
    "Name it."
  849. 849.
    >"If I can convince her, Lavender Lace comes too. I'm not just leaving her behind."
  850. 850.
    >You glance back at Lavender Lace, who's a few paces away from the two of you
  851. 851.
    >She was originally working on unplugging and dismantling the smoke machine, but as your conversation with Fuchsia got more intense she got less and less focused on her work to the point that she was just openly staring by this point
  852. 852.
    >When your eyes meet she 'eeps' and looks away, hurriedly fiddling with the plugs again
  853. 853.
    >Your mind briefly flashes to the band name and logo you had already thought up
  854. 854.
    >Your very specific name, especially
  855. 855.
    >Still, there are worse requests
  856. 856.
    "Well, fuck. The more the merrier, right? What does she play, though? I'd like to know what I have to work with, bringing her on board."
  857. 857.
    >At that, Fuchsia draws a bit of a meek grin across her face
  858. 858.
    >"...The Synthesizer. She's really got into it over the years, unlike me. It's the only thing she's ever learned."
  859. 859.
    >A bit less flexible than you'd like, but that's fine
  860. 860.
    >Having a synth on board, and even better, someone who actually wants to play it could be useful
  861. 861.
    >You give Fuchsia's hand a squeeze and return her grin with something more enthusiastic
  862. 862.
    "That's fine by me. Welcome to the band, Fuchsia Blush. I can tell this is the start of something great."
  863. 863.
     
  864. 864.
    Part Five:
  865. 865.
    >Your hair is streaked with magenta and pink, you've been thinking that you might need to upgrade your prescription, and you are just teeming with anxiety right now
  866. 866.
    >If there's anyone (You) could be than Twilight Sparkle, you'd be surprised
  867. 867.
    >Well
  868. 868.
    >You guess you could be the OTHER Twilight Sparkle, but she doesn't wear glasses as far as you know!
  869. 869.
    >Lucky...
  870. 870.
    >The girls assure you that your glasses are cute, but sometimes you just feel self-conscious and wish you weren't too squeamish for LASIK
  871. 871.
    >Some guys like glasses though, right?
  872. 872.
    >Ideally some tall, green guys that exude confidence and paradoxically calm down your mind while making your heart race...
  873. 873.
    >Whoa, nelly
  874. 874.
    >You want to say you got a bit off topic there, but at the same time, not really?
  875. 875.
    >A certain green guy is the main cause of your anxiety right now
  876. 876.
    >Anon hasn't been answering your calls for a month now, and apparently Applejack hasn't been able to get a hold of him either (since when were they friends?)
  877. 877.
    >A surge of anger reverberates through your chest as you think about the last time you saw him
  878. 878.
    >Getting dressed down by Rainbow Dash in front of the whole group
  879. 879.
    >It was so stupid!
  880. 880.
    >Anon isn't part of The Rainbooms just because he plays with the group more than anyone else, that's completely absurd!
  881. 881.
    >That's just a statistical likelihood resulting from the band being twice as big as every other band in town!
  882. 882.
    >You really didn't think Rainbow would use that against Anon when you brought it up off-handedly one day
  883. 883.
    >You just thought it was an interesting stat
  884. 884.
    >But somehow she got it in her mind that he should be putting The Rainbooms ahead of every other group in town
  885. 885.
    >Everyone knows that's not how the Mercenaries work!
  886. 886.
    >If it had been any other Mercenary, they probably would've laughed in Rainbow's face and ditched the show right then and there for the disrespect
  887. 887.
    >(Which in this case wouldn't be too catastrophic, seeing as Applejack was actually with you and not actually unavailable, sure)
  888. 888.
    >But Anon was a consummate professional and gave it his best effort anyway
  889. 889.
    >Then immediately bailed before anyone could invite him to hang out
  890. 890.
    >He never did that to you before...
  891. 891.
    >And you...
  892. 892.
    >During that entire spiel by Rainbow, you just stood there like an absolute idiot, not interjecting or defending him at all!
  893. 893.
    >So big surprise he ditched you all
  894. 894.
    >Rainbow Dash was confident that he was just throwing a fit
  895. 895.
    >Well, Dash, that was about four weeks ago
  896. 896.
    >The group has been fortunate they haven't needed a Mercenary in that time
  897. 897.
    >Because as if you weren't worried enough already, when you went to check Anon's bookings on his website, the entire domain was down
  898. 898.
    >You don't know how your friend(?) manages his finances, but given that Mercenary Work is his primary source of income, you don't doubt that he would make keeping that website up a top priority
  899. 899.
    >He didn't quit, surely
  900. 900.
    >You had him as a friend on MyStable, and he didn't mention a career change at all
  901. 901.
    >Granted, he didn't post that much, but something that big would warrant telling everyone (telling you, at least... surely, Twilight, surely)
  902. 902.
    >Eventually having had enough of this radio silence, you decided it was time to confront Anon directly at his home
  903. 903.
    >But that just led to a new can of worms when you realized
  904. 904.
    >... You had no idea where he lived
  905. 905.
    >That turned out to be a sentiment the rest of your friend group shared, in fact
  906. 906.
    >When you asked, there were some mentions of seeing Anon around town, hanging out at cafes, grocery shopping, and the like
  907. 907.
    >But no one had a clue where to actually find him
  908. 908.
    >And given how you and the girls were pretty thoroughly spread out across Canterlot City, that was... shocking
  909. 909.
    >Vexing
  910. 910.
    >Concerning
  911. 911.
    >You didn't like the way it made your chest feel to realize you didn't know something so fundamental about your friend
  912. 912.
    >You could answer questions about Anon's taste in literature easily, (He loves romance and hates tragedy, he's kind of sappy like that)
  913. 913.
    >Knew full well that scientific pursuits weren't his forte (The face he made whenever you were discussing physics and he was trying very much to not look completely lost was just adorable)
  914. 914.
    >And could name all nine instruments he was proficient in by heart (Guitar: Lead, Rhythm, Bass! Keytar! Drums! Keyboard! Saxophone! Violin! Cello!)
  915. 915.
    >But... you didn't know where he lived
  916. 916.
    >And when you thought of that, you couldn't help but think of all that you didn't know alongside that
  917. 917.
    >What were his hobbies outside of music?
  918. 918.
    >Did he have any friends he saw outside of your group?
  919. 919.
    >Is he allergic to anything?
  920. 920.
    >... Is he single?
  921. 921.
    >You groaned as you felt a bit of color heat up on your face
  922. 922.
    >Raising your coat to further hide your face as you navigated the streets of Canterlot's South Side
  923. 923.
    >Your parents would be having a conniption if they knew you were out here alone
  924. 924.
    >They always stressed how dangerous this part of the city was
  925. 925.
    >... You knew they didn't mean to be classist
  926. 926.
    >They still succeeded, but... you can tell it came from a place of concern for your safety
  927. 927.
    >So then, what brings the upper crust heiress to the part of town her parents explicitly told her to stay away from?
  928. 928.
    >... A little bit of that same 'place of concern'
  929. 929.
    >And a lot of telling yourself that it wasn't hypocritical
  930. 930.
    >A little illegal, maybe, but,
  931. 931.
    >Um
  932. 932.
    >Shut up, brain!
  933. 933.
    >You've been doing a bit of snooping, there, you said it
  934. 934.
    >Anon may not post that much on MyStable, but his device's GPS does do check ins on popular spots
  935. 935.
    >You found an app that skirts the limits of good taste that notified you when he did just that
  936. 936.
    >And... followed him
  937. 937.
    >Not maliciously!
  938. 938.
    >You're not going to try and mug him or anything!
  939. 939.
    >You just... want to see him again
  940. 940.
    >Speak to him face to face, see what's going on with him
  941. 941.
    >You miss your friend...
  942. 942.
    >Your pursuit has led you to a club deep in Canterlot's South Side
  943. 943.
    >The streets have a bit more trash than you're used to (read: any)
  944. 944.
    >But judging by the foot traffic this is definitely a popular place
  945. 945.
    >The neon sign says a single word: 'Jubilee's'
  946. 946.
    >The line is a bit of a slog, but before long you hand over a cover charge and get inside
  947. 947.
    >The 'vibe' (ugh) is unlike any of the clubs or venues you've played at with the girls
  948. 948.
    >Seedier... livelier...
  949. 949.
    >Heated...
  950. 950.
    >The dance floor is packed with people who you're pretty sure don't understand the difference between 'dancing' and 'sex'
  951. 951.
    >You can hardly watch some of them before you feel your face, which had already been heating up, practically catch fire
  952. 952.
    >W-wow
  953. 953.
    >You... really hope Anon isn't in all of that
  954. 954.
    >Because you wouldn't be able to find him!
  955. 955.
    >No other reason...
  956. 956.
    >For now you take a seat at one of the assorted tables set up before a modestly sized stage
  957. 957.
    >No one comes by to take an order from you, but that's fine
  958. 958.
    >You want all of your wits at your command when you find Anon
  959. 959.
    >No Cuba Libras for you tonight
  960. 960.
    >A smile drew across your face as you briefly remembered that next morning
  961. 961.
    >You vaguely remembered Anon taking you home, and the proof of it in the form of that smoothie recipe he and Applejack (though you weirdly don't recall her on the walk home at all, not that you remembered much of that night in general) left on your fridge that really helped you get through that day
  962. 962.
    >All the more reason to see your friend
  963. 963.
    >You kept your head on a swivel, trying to catch a flash of green, or a head of dark hair
  964. 964.
    >Before you can find your mark though, you're jolted out of your looky-looing as some microphone feedback erupts from the stage
  965. 965.
    >A tall woman with milky skin and a vibrant red updo, wearing a cream dress and red corset has taken the stage
  966. 966.
    >The sight of her has many of the patrons hooting and hollering, to which she just laughs and tips them a wink with her egregiously green eyes
  967. 967.
    >"Alright, alright, settle down ya animals. I'm happy to see you too, but I ain't gonna be gracing this stage for too long. Don't be too disappointed now."
  968. 968.
    >A chorus of 'awwws' and outright 'boos' are her response, getting the woman to laugh again
  969. 969.
    >"Flatterers! Well, welcome back to Jubilee's. As you already know, I am your most beautiful host, Cherry Jubilee. Tonight's line-up is a little different than you're all gonna be used to, we have an actual opener for the Dazzlings tonight!"
  970. 970.
    >The mention of your old band's old rivals gets you sitting up in your seat straighter
  971. 971.
    >You weren't around for the Dazzlings, of course, but the girls had filled you in enough to get you alarmed
  972. 972.
    >No one LOOKED like they were under a spell, so... maybe they were just here to legitimately sing?
  973. 973.
    >Your worry for Anon spiked and you almost missed Jubilee's continued announcing
  974. 974.
    >"Tonight is their debut as a group, but absolutely not their first time on stage, so give'em hell! Give it up for WE THREE KINGS!"
  975. 975.
    >The crowd applauds politely but it's clearly scattered, as is often the case with new acts
  976. 976.
    >Your eyes widen in surprise as the band comes on stage
  977. 977.
    >You recognize the two girls immediately as members of Trixie's trio, though you can't recall their names
  978. 978.
    >A guy you don't know at all, and...
  979. 979.
    >Anon?!
  980. 980.
    >You'd recognize that green mask anywhere, of course
  981. 981.
    >You were there when Rarity stitched it together and when she presented it to Anon
  982. 982.
    >Is this band really picking up a Mercenary on their debut?
  983. 983.
    >That doesn't speak well for them...
  984. 984.
    >You watch as Anon, with a truly 'well-loved' lead guitar takes the center stage... right in front of the microphone
  985. 985.
    >What?
  986. 986.
    >Anon counts down from three, two, one, and...
  987. 987.
    >It's an immediate musical eruption as the fuchsia girl behind the drums kicks into high gear, both men following her frenetic lead
  988. 988.
    >The other girl with the synthesizer is already firing off some pre-recorded chorus
  989. 989.
    >It's a powerful start, 40 seconds of pure adrenaline, but even as pumped as it makes you
  990. 990.
    >Nothing prepares you for the sudden cut of the lead guitar as Anon reaches back, and RIPS his mask in half
  991. 991.
    >(You swear you heard a familiar scream way back behind you, but you were too entranced to really register it)
  992. 992.
    >His face is carved into a feral snarl, regarding the audience for a split second before he suddenly belts out his first lyrics
  993. 993.
    >"IN THE WINDS OF THE MOUNTAINS HIGH, UNDER THE VAST AND ENDLESS SKY, ECHOES A CALL FROM THE GODS WHO REIGN: YOUR LOSS, THEIR GAIN!" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGD60Kv7aD0)
  994. 994.
    >You're just...
  995. 995.
    >Completely blown away
  996. 996.
    >The proceeding six minutes are an ode to the fighting spirit within everyone
  997. 997.
    >And you can't look away
  998. 998.
    >Not for that, or the next three songs they open the night with before finally ceding the stage to the Dazzlings, who, like you, have absolutely fed on the energy Anon and his group stirred up in the building
  999. 999.
    >If you had to describe the spectacle, it would be like...
  1000. 1000.
    >Watching a man trudge through waist height water only to immediately take off sprinting the second he was free
  1001. 1001.
    >The pacing of it, the power of their music was unlike anything you'd ever seen
  1002. 1002.
    >And as amazed as you were...
  1003. 1003.
    >You were a little disturbed
  1004. 1004.
    >Watching Anon up on stage with these people, you could see a world of difference in his behavior
  1005. 1005.
    >Even when he wasn't furious with Rainbow, Anon was a professional on whatever instrument the group needed him to be
  1006. 1006.
    >But here?
  1007. 1007.
    >He was... loose, you could say
  1008. 1008.
    >He bumped shoulders with the bass guitarist and shared grins as they tried to outperform each other
  1009. 1009.
    >He made audible calls for the girl on the synthesizer to play certain sound effects, sometimes startling her when they clearly weren't to plan
  1010. 1010.
    >Several times when it came time for a drum solo he would outright cheer the drummer on loudly, encouraging the audience to join him and laugh when she made faces and yelled at him to shut up
  1011. 1011.
    >You had NEVER seen him have so much fun on stage before
  1012. 1012.
    >Even now as the quartet exited the stage, they were shoulder to shoulder, talking animatedly
  1013. 1013.
    >And...
  1014. 1014.
    >A sud-soaked memory suddenly roared to life from the murky depths of your mind
  1015. 1015.
    >Anon, holding on to your hand as you walked the streets of North Canterlot City
  1016. 1016.
    >You were babbling, asking all sorts of stupid questions ('What's your favorite place to go when you're tired?' Really, Drunk Twilight?)
  1017. 1017.
    >But one of them pierced his armor...
  1018. 1018.
    >"What do you dream about when no one's watching?"
  1019. 1019.
    >You had to stop as he did as well, his grip too firm for you to pull away and when you looked back...
  1020. 1020.
    >An expression akin to a deer in headlights as he stared at you, looking for... something, before speaking
  1021. 1021.
    >"... Belonging somewhere. Really belonging."
  1022. 1022.
    >And then you fucking giggled, and you could see the disappointment in his eyes
  1023. 1023.
    >As you watched your friend disappear behind the curtain, you felt a deep weight settle on your heart
  1024. 1024.
    "Is this why you've really been avoiding us? Because you found what we couldn't give you? ... What I couldn't give you?"
  1025. 1025.
    >You felt tears forming in the corners of your eyes, and you angrily blinked them away
  1026. 1026.
    >Don't start crying, Twilight
  1027. 1027.
    >You don't have the right
  1028. 1028.
    >You stood there and just let Rainbow drive him away from all of you
  1029. 1029.
    >Rainbow...
  1030. 1030.
    >Your eyes widen as you notice a flash of rainbow hair marching and stomping in the direction of the backstage curtain
  1031. 1031.
    >Flanked by several other heads of hair you unfortunately recognize
  1032. 1032.
    >After standing stunned for a moment, you wipe the tears fully out of your eyes and hurry after them
  1033. 1033.
    >This can't be good
  1034. 1034.
     
  1035. 1035.
    Part Six:
  1036. 1036.
    >Back in the saddle as An-
  1037. 1037.
    >No
  1038. 1038.
    >You're done with that name, you left that mask in pieces back on the stage
  1039. 1039.
    >(Hopefully Adagio doesn't trip on it, or else she's going to have some words with you)
  1040. 1040.
    >So, you're back in the saddle as POWER CHORD
  1041. 1041.
    >And you're on motherfucking cloud nine
  1042. 1042.
    >That performance went off without a fucking hitch
  1043. 1043.
    >Though Fuchsia is currently punching you in the shoulder and putting on a face for you heckling her during her drum solo, you can tell by the grin she's failing to stifle she isn't really upset with you
  1044. 1044.
    >Lavender is by her side, while your other side is flanked by Norman
  1045. 1045.
    >Man, this is a wide hallway
  1046. 1046.
    "I had a good feeling about this set, and we completely killed it. Awesome work, Kings."
  1047. 1047.
    >"And Lavender?"
  1048. 1048.
    "Especially Lavender."
  1049. 1049.
    >You share a grin with the girl in question
  1050. 1050.
    >When you had shared your ideas for the band name and logo, she was a pretty good sport about it and gave her vote to go ahead and run with it
  1051. 1051.
    >You resolved to tweak the logo in some way to involve her
  1052. 1052.
    >Maybe put a sprig of lavender flowers in the crown?
  1053. 1053.
    >With the mood high and tentative plans to swing by some shithouse diner in the area already coalescing, you all split up to start putting away the equipment
  1054. 1054.
    >A comfortable silence descends over the four of you as you work
  1055. 1055.
    >Sadly, it does not last
  1056. 1056.
    >The door to the place the club's designated as a 'dressing room' slams open, and a familiar rainbow maned woman marches in, flanked by two more: one blonde, and one with a stylish purple hairstyle
  1057. 1057.
    >"Anon, what the FUCK was that?!"
  1058. 1058.
    >You startle, but quickly recover from your shock
  1059. 1059.
    >How the Hell is Rainbow Dash even here?
  1060. 1060.
    >In a probably stupid move, you didn't advertise this move at all beyond taking your booking site down
  1061. 1061.
    >Wanted a nice clean start for We Three Kings, not coasting off your reputations
  1062. 1062.
    >You school your expression into a more neutral one before responding
  1063. 1063.
    "This was our debut. I'm not sure what brings you to this part of town, Rainbow, but what'd you think?"
  1064. 1064.
    >Rainbow is glaring so hard at you that you're surprised you haven't caught fire
  1065. 1065.
    >Good thing her Geode is all about Super Speed, instead
  1066. 1066.
    >"What I THINK is that it was bad enough that you've been avoiding The Rainbooms, this is a whole new level of throwing a tantrum. How did you even rope Trixie's flunkies into this? Don't they have boots to lick or something?"
  1067. 1067.
    >You put a pause in your packing up your guitar to march on up to Rainbow
  1068. 1068.
    >Staring down at her with a firm glare that, to her credit, she doesn't flinch at
  1069. 1069.
    "Watch it. Those are my bandmates, now. I've seen what you'll do if someone talks shit about your crew, you can damn well expect much the same if you start spouting off that kind of talk about mine."
  1070. 1070.
    >Before Rainbow can fuck around a little more to initiate the finding out process, Applejack butts in between both of you, resting a hand on your respective chests to ensure that no one tried to push past her
  1071. 1071.
    >"Listen, sugarcube. We didn' come out here to start a figh'-"
  1072. 1072.
    "Could've fuckin' fooled me."
  1073. 1073.
    >"Well, not ALL of us did. Ah swear, 'Non."
  1074. 1074.
    >"I may very well! Did you see the way that ruffian tore apart that mask I made him? Just shredded a precious gift like it was nothing! The nerve!"
  1075. 1075.
    "Rarity, you outright told me it took you five minutes to stitch that thing together. And come on, you can't tell me you didn't appreciate the dramatic effect of me tearing my past to pieces for a fresh start."
  1076. 1076.
    >"... It was a bold statement, I suppose..."
  1077. 1077.
    >Applejack gives Rarity a look before addressing you again
  1078. 1078.
    >"Really though, 'non. Ya haven't picked up the phone in a month. Ah was worried about you. We all were."
  1079. 1079.
    "What the Hell do you care? Be real with me, Applejack. We're not friends, we're acquaintances who could pick each other out of a police line-up. Hell, you couldn't even get Pinkie, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Sunset to come along on whatever the Hell this is supposed to be. And stop calling me 'Non'. I think it's pretty clear I'm done with that name."
  1080. 1080.
    >"Fine, ah can do that. Power, ah know we haven't been the best friends to ya, but we really do wanna fix that. As for the others, Pinkie had a party scheduled today, Fluttershy's sick, Sunset... well, yeah, ah guess she ain't too interested. As for Twilight well, uh-"
  1081. 1081.
    >"Hey, can we STAY ON TARGET HERE?"
  1082. 1082.
    >Rainbow, having gone several entire minutes without being paid attention to, erupts
  1083. 1083.
    >Which is good because it distracts you from noticing that Applejack was starting to do her best impression of someone eating a raw lemon (also known as her lying face)
  1084. 1084.
    >"I don't know what kind of stunt this is supposed to be, man, but we both know you're not serious. Stop screwing around!"
  1085. 1085.
    "Why does it have to be a stunt? You really think I can't bet on and try to make something of myself?"
  1086. 1086.
    >"You were already making something of yourself by being with us! This is just basic math, man! You're the best Mercenary, we're the best Band. You BELONG with us."
  1087. 1087.
    >"That's not math at all, Rainbow."
  1088. 1088.
    >Everyone assembled leans over to see Twilight entering the room, closing the door quietly behind her
  1089. 1089.
    >"We'll circle around to that later, though. What are you girls doing here? Did you follow me? Because I didn't tell anyone where I was going tonight."
  1090. 1090.
    >Rainbow throws her hands up in the air, letting out an annoyed huff
  1091. 1091.
    >"You've been acting weird too, Twilight! All of us noticed. I went to your house to hang out and try and talk to you about it and your parents said you were gone. And like, no offense girl, but you don't go out alone like, ever."
  1092. 1092.
    >Twilight, expression one of offense, opens her mouth to try and defend herself, but Applejack and Rarity nodding along solemnly sucks the wind right out of her sails
  1093. 1093.
    >"Yeah, that's... that's true, I guess."
  1094. 1094.
    >Rainbow, to her credit, only looks a little smug
  1095. 1095.
    >"So when your MyStable page pinged that you checked in at a coffee shop near the divide between midtown and South Canterlot I gathered up everyone who could come to see what you were doing... and it's a good thing I did, because THIS guy's fucking around!"
  1096. 1096.
    >Rainbow Dash whirls on you again
  1097. 1097.
    >Is she...
  1098. 1098.
    >She is outright getting on her tip-toes to try and get in your face
  1099. 1099.
    >Lady, you are five feet and some very sparse change
  1100. 1100.
    >Even as she is now she's barely coming up to your chin
  1101. 1101.
    >You have eyes only for Twilight though
  1102. 1102.
    "You led them here? Why would you do that? Why are you even here, in fact?"
  1103. 1103.
    >"I didn't mean to! I didn't even know they were following me! And... I missed you, Anon. You haven't even texted me all month. When your site went down I was worried."
  1104. 1104.
    >Maybe you're just biased, but that explanation, despite being pretty much the same as Applejack's, hits a little harder coming from Twilight
  1105. 1105.
    >Fortunately there's a yapping athlete nipping at your heels right now to keep you properly focused
  1106. 1106.
    >"STOP IGNORING ME, YOU ASS! Look, if you wanted to get our attention, you got it. You can send these three home and we can just go back to my place. I got some more songs I'm writing that I want you in on, man."
  1107. 1107.
    >You throw Rainbow Dash a bone and squat down a bit to make proper eye contact with her
  1108. 1108.
    "This band isn't a cry for attention. I know it's a hard concept to grasp, Rainbow, but not everything happens because of you. "We Three Kings" is legitimate, and we're going places. Now get the Hell out of here, and take everyone with you. I'm staying right here."
  1109. 1109.
    >"Like Hell you-"
  1110. 1110.
    >"So sorry to butt in to what looks like might devolve into a hilarious fist fight, but actually, NONE of you are staying here."
  1111. 1111.
    >More interruptions
  1112. 1112.
    >Twilight startles and stumbles out of the way as the Dazzlings enter the dressing room, carrying their own equipment
  1113. 1113.
    >Well, Sonata's carrying it at any rate
  1114. 1114.
    >Girl is a trooper
  1115. 1115.
    >The trio of Sirens are flanked by the burliest members of security they could find, none of which look happy to see the throng before them
  1116. 1116.
    >Adagio regards the scene before her like she would a particularly interesting bug she found on the sidewalk
  1117. 1117.
    >"Sorry Power Chord and crew, but you've taken way too long - and Jubilee says she can hear you all screaming all the way in the front. One of our boys here will help you pack - the other's to ensure those of you who had no business back here to begin with hit the bricks."
  1118. 1118.
    >"This isn't any of your business, so how about you just-"
  1119. 1119.
    >"Not any of our business? Rainbow, dear, this is OUR turf. You're causing a scene and you shouldn't have been allowed to get this far to begin with. It's very much our business - which I've decided is concluded. Ta-ta!"
  1120. 1120.
    >The former villains push past the Rainbooms and saunter past you, getting to lockers that are clearly set aside for them
  1121. 1121.
    >Sonata makes eye contact with you and grins as one of the bouncers begins helping Lavender and Fuchsia pack their equipment
  1122. 1122.
    >"Awesome show by the way, guys! You really riled'em up for us."
  1123. 1123.
    >You just give Sonata a grin in return and finally finish packing away your guitar, thoroughly dismissing Rainbow Dash and crew
  1124. 1124.
    >The rainbow-haired woman outright yells 'this isn't over!' as she's pushed out of the room
  1125. 1125.
    >Who does that shit outside of movies, man?
  1126. 1126.
    >To their credit the rest of the Rainbooms are more cooperative
  1127. 1127.
    >Though you don't appreciate the feeling in your chest as you catch the forlorn look in Twilight's eye
  1128. 1128.
    >Before long your group is packed up and heading out the back door
  1129. 1129.
    >Fuchsia Blush stares up at you, expression concerned
  1130. 1130.
    >"You good man? Things looked like they were really going to get nasty before the Dazzlings stepped in."
  1131. 1131.
    >You let out a deep exhale before nodding
  1132. 1132.
    "That really fucking sucked, yeah. I don't get what Rainbow's deal is at all, but I'm not going to let her ruin this night, and I hope you three won't either."
  1133. 1133.
    >Norman, Lavender, and Fuchsia all agree in their own ways, and startle when you clap your hands together
  1134. 1134.
    "Right! So, Waffle House? I'm feeling like some crispy bacon and potentially seeing the workers beat the piss out of someone."
  1135. 1135.
    >With a much more enthusiastic agreement, the four of you pile up your equipment in Norman's van and drive off into the night
  1136. 1136.
    >You know full well that Rainbow Dash meant it when she said she wasn't done with you, but right now all you want is to celebrate your debut with your bandmates - no
  1137. 1137.
    >Your friends
  1138. 1138.
    >Whatever comes later, you'll deal with it later
  1139. 1139.
    >Tonight's agenda has nothing but good vibes and artery clogging diner food on it
  1140. 1140.
    >And so that's all you're going to deal with tonight

Timberwolf Study, Part One

by Hearthsong

[COMPLETE] Kingnon Snippet I: In Which Moonbitch Gets Bitched Out

by Hearthsong

Timberwolf Study, Part Two

by Hearthsong

Timberwolf Study, Part Three

by Hearthsong

Timberwolf Study, Part Four

by Hearthsong