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=Father of the Night 19=
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>The moon hangs high in the sky by the time you and Bruce get back home with your new guest.
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>You'd done an extensive search around Dinky's house looking for any signs to where her mom went. Dinky was young, she could have just gone out to the store and run a little late.
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>Unfortunately, Dinky also seemed to be incredibly clever.
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>No sign note left, no sigh of a struggle, not even a note from a boyfriend or something that would call her away.
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>And it's not like you could have just LEFT her there. So back to the house with you she went.
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>You carry Dinky through the house towards the kitchen.
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"Let's get some food in your belly, huh? My mom always said that helps."
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>Dinky shuffles her hooves as you set her down and remains quiet.
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>"If nothing else it may help us come up with more ideas, Dinky." Bruce says climbing up into a seat next to her.
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>You open the pantry and take a look around. What do little fillies like? Probably the same things little colts like. Too bad your little colt was a total weirdo.
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>Cereal? No, it's late.
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>Porridge? Who the hell eats that?
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>Apples?...That'd do. And it gives you an idea.
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>You grab a few apples from the fruit basket and set them out in front of Dinky.
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"Do you need them cut up, Dinky?"
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>She shakes her head and speaks in a voice barely above a whisper. "It's fine...I-I like the skin."
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>Dinky reaches out and bites into the fruit. "Mom was a bit jumpy around knives anyway..."
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"Right...Bruce? Entertain her for just a minute."
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>"Mister Anonymous what a-" Bruce starts.
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>But you've already booked it to the phone.
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>Manetech was Equestrias primary technological juggernaut before the murder of Bruce's parents. And as his current guardian, you had some perks when it came to getting new toys.
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>Phones were a new invention in Equestria, very few had them. So you used your newfound pull to get one installed in your house as well as AJ's barn and Twi's library.
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>You would need it.
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>You press a few buttons and listen to the ring. It wasn't that late...you should be interrupting anything.
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>Someone on the other end picks up and says "Hello?"
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"AJ! Hey, listen, it's me Anon. Can I get your help on som-"
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>"What? Anon I can barely hear ya, speak up!"
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>Huh?
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"AJ I'm talking normally."
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>"No ya aint! I can't hear a word yer sayin'!"
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>Now that you think about it, AJ's voice sounds quiet too, almost like it's too far from the-Dammit.
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>You sigh.
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"Applejack, you have the phone upside down."
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>Silence followed by fiddling around comes through your end before Applejack says "Oh. I knew that."
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"Sure you did, Hayseed. I need your help."
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>You can practically hear AJ's eyebrow cock from here. "Now what could ya need help with at this hour of the night?"
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"There's like..."
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>You lean out from where you are and look back at the kids, Bruce and Dinky seem to be talking.
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"There's this kid here...a new one. A little unicorn named Dinky who says her mom is missing."
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>"And what do you need me for?"
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"Because I can't take care of kids!"
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>"Anon, ya had a little colt living with you for months." AJ says deadpan.
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"Bruce is...a really shitty example of a normal kid."
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>"Anonymous!"
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"What!? He is..."
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>"That aint nice t'all! Now you get on in there and help that little girl or so help me!"
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>You rub your head.
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"Yeah yeah...so I guess help from you is a no?"
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>"-click-"
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>Guess so.
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>You head back over to the kids and catch the tail end of their conversation.
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>"She fell from the sky, you say?" Bruce asks.
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>Dinky nods. "But that's just what the man from Appleoosa told me. I don't ha- I mean- He might have been lying..." she stumbles out.
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>You come up behind Bruce and take a seat next to the both of them at the counter.
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"Hey guys...what are you talking about?"
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>Bruce turns to look at you. "Oh just...rumors Dinky had heard."
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>You look to the filly. [spoiler][/spoiler] "Any good ones?"
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>She just shakes her head.
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"Right...well I was on the phone with Applejack and invited her to come over and help but she's a bit...occupied right now."
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>That's one way to say "You got shot the fuck down, son."
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>Dinky munches her apple. "I met Miss Applejack in the market a few times...she's nice." she says quietly.
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>Poor little bugger's probably still scared.
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"Yeah...she is...And so are we. You can stay here as long as you need to, okay Dinky?"
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>Bruce nods. "And we will help you find your mother."
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>Dinky looks at you both. "How are you gonna do that?"
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>You and Bruce exchange a glance. "We have our ways." he says.
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>Dinky looks at the two of you and then her apple before squeaking out a quite "Promise?".
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>You both nod.
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>Dinky gets a small smile. "Thanks Bruce, M-mister Anon."
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>You tap the table twice.
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"But we can't do that on an empty stomach!"
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>You head over to the pantry and root around some more.
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"You guys haven't lived until you've had peanut butter and apple slices..."
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>Gotta help the girl. Gotta be a good guardian. Gotta show up AJ.
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>Dinky rests on your shoulder after her snack as you carry her through the halls.
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>"How did you know that would put her to sleep, sir?" Bruce asks.
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"There isn't a being alive who can resist peanut butter apples and warm milk, Bruce."
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>Not to mention that you could see the stresses of the day catching up with her.
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>You open the door to the guest room and head over to the bed.
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"Can you check to make sure the window is shut?" you ask.
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>Bruce runs over to the window and wriggles under the curtains, his little tail wagging back and forth.
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>"It is secure."
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"Good. We don't want her catching a cold."
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>You lay Dinky down and pull the blankets over her, dropping them when she begins to rouse from her slumber.
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>"Nnnnggg..."
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>The little filly pushes herself up and rubs her eyes with her hoof before looking at you.
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>"Mister Anonymous...? I must have fallen asleep...I'm sorry."
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>You pet her mane.
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"Dinky, there's no need to say sorry. You've had a busy day and we understand, right Bruce?"
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>Bruce nods. "You will need your rest if we are to look for your mother."
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>Dinky curls up a bit. "Can we start looking soon?"
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>Bruce nods. "You and I will start looking tomorrow right after school, we'll search high and low for her."
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>Dinky smiles. "Thanks Bruce."
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>Surprisingly, Bruce smiles back. "It's my pleasure."
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>You kneel down to her eye level.
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"Now, Dinky, this is important. Do you know -anything- about before your mom went missing?"
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>Dinky shakes her head. "She just said she was going to deliver some letters and then wasn't there to pick me up after school..."
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>You nod.
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"Do you have any other family?"
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>Dinky ponders. "My big sister goes to university in Fillydelphia, but that's about it."
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>Hmm...not much in the way of leads.
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>You start to notice her eyelids drooping again and nudge Bruce.
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"We'll leave you to your rest, Dinky. We're both right down the hall if you need us." you say with a smile.
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>"Yes, do not hesitate."
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>You and Bruce turn and walk out the door.
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>"Goodnight you two...and thank you." Dinky says.
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>You nod back to her and shut the door.
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>Once the door is shut, you turn to Bruce.
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"Please tell me you have some ideas." you whisper.
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>Bruce trots down the hall and rubs his chin.
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>"Not a great deal at this juncture..."
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>Brilliant...
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"So what do we do?"
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>Bruce looks back at you. "We"?"
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>You rub your hand on the back of your head.
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"I don't like sad kids, call it a weakness."
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>Bruce stares at you for a few seconds. "Quite."
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>You follow next to Bruce as the two of you walk back downstairs from the guest rooms.
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"Guess we'll have company for a little while..."
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>"Hopefully not too long..." Bruce says.
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>You nod.
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"Any help you need from me, just ask."
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>Bruce nods as well. "Appreciated, mister Anonymous. I'll keep you in mind if I need your...talents."
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"I'll also let Mac know he's gonna be escorting another kid to school for a few days."
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>"I will keep an eye on Dinky at school and help her search afterwards, all will be well."
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>Right...well that was as planned shaped as anything.
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"It's getting late, I'm gonna turn in. You should think about it too."
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>Bruce hops up and heads to his secret door. "I will retire after I've done some research...perhaps some clues to Dinky's mother will reveal themselves if I investigate the mail routes."
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>You get up and walk upstairs. [spoiler][/spoiler] "Good luck, Bruce."
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>Dinky is snoring softly when you poke your head in to check on her, that puts you at ease.
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>You crawl into your own bed and turn out the light, resting your head against the pillow.
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"Tch."
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>This house was gonna become a boarding house if you're not careful.
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