Freeze! This is Twilight Police! You have been accused of commiting terrorist actas against the Twilight Sparkle Citadel and you're going to be transported there for a fair and square trial, punk. Don't move or you'll make my day, trash. During the academy days my fellow Twilight Sparkles called me a real Tackellberry Mare. Whatever that means. FREEZE!
A - Flee 
B - Surrender 
Y - Fight [Pocket Sand 5/1] 
X – Sarcastic
A

You chose to flee. A smart choice of a smart mare. Why, thank you, Twilight Sparkle. No, thank you, Twilight Sparkle- Wha! You have been hoof coofed! When did this happen?!
>"Thank you for co-operating, Twilight Sparkle. I will make sure to inform my superior officer, Twilight Sparkle, of yours, Twilight Sparkle's, obeying the comand of me, officer Twilight Sparkle."
>Why did you thank yourself for that long!?
>"Can you please put the safety belt on my gun, though?"
>Before you realise, officer Twilight Sparkle pushes her water gun in your hooves. It seems like it's empty.
A - Make a mock reload gesture and point at the officer Twilight Sparkle
B - Make sure the gun is empty and holster it on the officer Twilight Sparkle's chest floof
Y - Drop the gun at the hooves of the officer Twilight Sparkle
X - Say Heck
A

>You point the gun at the officer Twilight Sparkle
>She doesn't seem to notice at first, being bothered by the jingly sound the keys to the hoof-chains
>To her defence they do sounds funny
>She freezes the moment she notices the absolutely useless piece of toy gun facing her way
>A look disbelief replaces the one of grim realistion, quickly followed by the wide-eyed "you fucked up" look
>"C'mon, Twilight Sparkle," she chuckles nervously, "You don't really mean it. Look, I'm just doing my job. I am told to fetch someone suspicious and I do. And you're a Twilight Sparkle, too. You would never hurt a fellow Twilight Sparkle that did not wrong you in any way, right? Whatever you did it doesn't have to end this way. I am sure it's not that big of a thing, anyways, and they want to tell you this personally. So, if you're being calm and reasonable like any Twilight Sparkle should be, could you please lower the gun?"
A - Lower the gun... for now
B - Poke the gun at the officer Twilight and motion to your hoof-chains
Y - Use the gun [water 0/1]
X - Say you're just preparing to holster the weapon
B

>You poke the gun at the officer Twilight Sparkle and motion to your hoof chained hooves
>"You want me to take it off?" her ears flatten back, "I can't- I shouldn't- I- I."
>She changes what to say each time she looks at the gun aimed right at her chestfloof
>"I don't have much choice, do I?"
>Indeed she doesn't
>She slowly, very slowly, gives you the key chain which happily jingles
>Her ears raise at that, but lay down as quickly
>You unchain your hoof and notice they weren't properly tied to begin with
>"So, what will you do now? Will you run forever? They will find you. I will find you. They will tell me, Twilight Sparkle."
>She squints at the asphalt
>"Because of you I will have my chocolate-milk ticket taken away for a week, or t-two... Damn you."
A - Keep the broken gun and gallop out of the alley
B - Stun the police Twilight Sparkle before sneaking out quietly
Y - Tell her she can blame only herself for blindly following orders, give back the gun and run
X - Offer the police Twilight Sparkle some consolation and a hug (but be very wary about the possibilities!)
XX

>You can't stand the look of you, well, of one of you, so hurt and crestfallen
>Somepony would say it's insane, but instead of taking your escape you pull the disgraced police Twilight Sparkle into a tight, incapacitating hug (very clever)
>Her snout digs deep into your chest as her hooves waive around aimlessly
>You make extra sure she does not manage to land an unfortunate, coincidental blow to your head (super smart)
>Eventually the pony in your chest stops pulling away and allows herself to be hugged with more side-to-side contact
>Her sides are shivering and steam comes from her nosetrils
>Her eyes are closed, but the look on her face is clearly conflicted
>Not knowing what to do, she not only accepts the hug, but reciprotes it slightly
>And then you sprike and top the police Twilight Sparkle, before she could manage to touch the gun she was probably aiming for! (super concious during hugs and cuddles)
>It felt like forever, but it takes only about a minute or two before her breathing goes back to steady and she opens eyes, visibly relaxed
>You hope the hug repaid the lack of chocolate milk for a week or two, in any case, she's a version of you, a Twilight Sparkle, and she deserves only the best in life
>She sniffles and breaks the hug
>"Thanks. I needed that, I guess."
>She kicks the ground and giggles
>"So, there's, like, no chance for you to turning in?"
>You shake your head sympatheticaly
>"Shucks. Well, at least the hug was... nice."
>Her purple face dons a type of pink only Rarity and whores are capable of
>"I should probably report your daring escape. You should go. The department will send somepony after me if I don't report soon."
A - Nod like a cool mare you are, keep the gun and stroll out of the alley
B - Sniffle your nose, return the gun and stroll out of the alley
Y - Grace officer Twilight Sparkle with a frienly (but caucios!) shoulder pat and
X - Bounce couple steps back, wave "see ya" and run out of the alley (keep the gun OR toss it back)
AA

>You look the police mare in the eyes with your head high
>A quick nod, 180, and you're trotting outside
>The streets of Lower Canterlot are packed, but you make sure no one is following you
>It would be almost impossible for even best trained Twilight Sparkles
>Those mazes of streets filled with ponies no-pony with right mind would want to buck heads with
>But this encounter doesn't leave your mind as you wander aimlessly
>The Twilight Sparkle Citadel want to see you
>What for?
>Who's the high councelor of the high council nowadays?
>Twilight Sparkle?
>That bitch?
>You shake your head
>It doesn't make sense
>If the Citadel goons would want you alife they would not send only one operative
>And such a bad one
>Unless she was better than you think!
>You scan yourself for any sign of trace spell and find nothing!
>A quick glance to the broken and empty water gun proves it's destroyed beyond civilian grade gunsmith capabilities
>You keep it in your chest floof
>A gun as good as this may come handy sooner or later
>If the Citadel wanted you, dead or alife, why would they send one operative
>Unless it's not the Citadel!
>Have you been lied to by yourself?!
>That certainly is a possibility
>But even if, then who else would pretend to send Twilight Sparkle after Twilight Sparkle?
>You don't know
>Yet
>Unless somepony wanted you to be late!
>But late... where?
>Panick arises in your chest before you remember:
>You have nothing to be, you think
>Unless!
>Somepony didn't want you to be somewhere for sure!
>Yes, you are very good at this
>You are, in the end, Twilight Sparkle
>But if it was indeed a Citadel agent, they will send more really soon
>And where would somepony not want you to be right now?
>At Spike's? He should be safe at his place, you could pay him a warning visit though (A)
>At Rarity's? She has her own security but you doubt they would do any good against the citadel (B)
>At your place? Maybe a bomb is being placed there? (Y)
>... You really don't know yet (X)
B

>Spike proven to be capable of outsmarting Twilight Sparkle's goons (he won in chess against you, once!)
>Your place doesn't seem as important - you can always abandon it and get a new place for a couple of crebits
>You take your way to the slut house
>...
>You arrive at the slut house but something doesn't seem alright
>The ponies in front of the entrance don't make a straight (heh) line, but rather gawk at the missing pair of doors that are off the hinges
>You can hear the police sirens in the distance
>Your hooves carry you though the crowd and into the slut house
>The sight in front of you is a dreadful one
>At least two dozen ponies laying down on the floor, snoozing dreamily
>Some hug each other
>Some are covered in various fluids
>Some wear Rarity's slut wear armors
>All of them with satisfied smiles on their pony face
>Trully sickening view of a battlefield that happened, considering the consistency of the white goo on a turned over table, about fiveteen minutes ago, at best
>A battlefield lost by the local slut guards
>The first floor lacks the owner, though
>The sirens gets louder, as your mind gets fogged with sweet and salty smell of satisfied customers that got the best possible service forced upon them
>Whoever done this to Rarity's slut-itch will pay for it
>But Rarity's not there, the police is coming, and you're hoof into the mess (quite literally considering the goo does not let go)
>There is first floor unchecked and the basement level
>Rarity must be somewhere here
>Even if only her moaning corpse is left
A - check the first floor (Vip and management)
B - check the basement (storage and rest-rooms)
Y -  re-check this floor
X - run out and not let be seen by anypony
A

>You quickly raise the stairs
>The vip room looks equally trashed like the base floor
>The smell is even worse
>About half a dosen working ponies lay in pure bliss in puddles of their vaginal secretion
>You hope it's that, and not water
>You're sure Rarity said more than once she is not insured for a pump-break
>Two guards, one atop other, the one above unconcious, the one under, moving his tights out of pure reflex
>Whoever got them was good
>Was very good
>There is even a pile of feathers and a griffon, comepletely drenched in-
>Your slow and careful treck through the VIP zone ends at the door to the management room
>You toss away the rest of the BlueBerryBeer away, promissing yourself to pay Rarity for that
>The door does look not conquered
>They crystal reader is mounted next to the wall, but it looks like somepony tried to crudely hack into that, with little success, presumably, by the shape of the cock it's pointing towards the north
>It fills you with slight optimism
>You pull the knob but they don't buldge
>Smile and optimism: free beer
>You look around the corpses to look for some sort of crystalgemcard
>This is when the first police ponies manage to get into the corridor leading to the first floor shame hall
>You grab the pony laying on top of the other pony and duck while avoiding his veiny baton rod in the air
>The two ponies gets unplugged with a load pop and squishy sounds of oil being spilled
>With the already despoiled hoof, you search through the pockets of the topping one, now with his spear dangling like a meat bag
>No luck
>You try with the faggy one, completely deaf to the feminine whimpers he feeds your imagination with
>No luck either
>Damnit
>You are at your wits end, but then you notice something
>The guard is still continuing to buck the air
>You hate what you're about to do but you do it for Rarity
>With your hooves planted firmly on either cheecks of his, you squish the freshly used pony rump with all your might
>At first nothing

>but then something shiny and heart shaped drops out of his back pocket
>a new neighgarra of white with another sickening champan-opening sound commence but you don't watch
>You are Twilight fucking Sparkle, and you're better than this
>even if slightly
>you grab the slut-juice covered gem and place it to the cock-sock of the gemreader
>the red light is off, but the green lights up and the door opens
>the management room is nothing like you remembered
>it's completely and utterly trashed, somehow more than the entire club
>you get in and close the door behind, to buy some time in case the police won't help the first victims of this slut-by
>the only thing unbroken here are windows leading out the building and the ones used to observe the clients under
>only your steps can be heard as you search the tiny room for Rarity
>then an air-freshener goes of
>you freeze
>and sneeze
>those fucking orange juice air fresheners will be the end of you long before the citadel will finally got you
>which they won't
>"Gesundheit."
>muffled pony sound from an old and vintage act-storage
>you open it and find Rarity in the metal box
>"Twilight Sparkle!"
>Her pristine white coat smells like big money
>She hugs you as you help her out of the box
>"Wait, stop!"
"Rarity, what have happened here?"
>She pulls a dildo shaped shiv at you
>What is this dumb bitch doing you don't want to know
>"How can I know you are my Twilight Sparkle?"
>You give her your best are_you_serious.filly face but it's no use
>She's better at giving facials than any of combined
>"Speak up! Or else!"
A - "Rarity, if I were from the citadel you would be already bread."
B - "Rarity, put that down before you get yourself in even more troubles than your pristine flanks could ever be."
Y - "Rarity, are you ok? I was so worried when I saw what they did to the slut house."
X - "Rarity, I promise I will make them pay what's due. Those bastmares will pare hefty. And here's five crebits." (hand her four crebits)
X

>The White Dame Rarity looks down at your offer, but can't help but lower the weapon of ass destruction once she counted the crebits you left on the table
>"One is missing."
>The realistion hits her harder than tax collectors
>"Twilight! It is really you!"
>She jumps and hands off of your neck for a moment
>The yells of the police ponies are coming up the stairs
"I'm happy to see you, too,  Rarity, but we don't have much time."
>"I know, I know. It just happened so fast."
>She fixes her always glamour swirly mane.
"Are you alright? The door-"
>"Yes, quite good, thank you. I spent the entire thing inside the confines of this room. Not a single hair got painted white or brown during this... this..."
>You step forward and nuzzle the tese of a noble heart
"I know it must be hard but I need you to focus. I should be gone before the police sees me. They may cum to wrong cumclusions."
>She shakes her head and picks up a chair.
>"Yes, I'm sorry. I just... It happens so quickly. One moment ponies paid to be teased, the business as usual, and then, and then... then they broke in!"
"Who, Rarity? Who broke in?"
>She coves her eyes with her hooves
>"The sluts! The actual sluts! They barged in and started doing things we don't do!"
"Do you remember how they looked like?"
>"I am ruined! I am ruined! Who will want to, to get a private dance, or to be told compliments, or-or to h-hold hooves under the table..."
>That little slut
>"Now that the ponies were shown how real fun is done! I'm done! Bucked out of business."
>She stands up and throws the chair against a shelf full of dildos shaped like dragons
>It falls unceremoniously at the ground with squacking sounds of a fuck-ducks
"Don't worry. I'm sure some ponies will come back. Not every client of yours is a total deviant."
>She giggles and pulls out a fag
>"It's sweet that you say it, but you don't sit in the flank business. Even if they would come back they will all want to relieve this one night. Nothing will satisfy them more..
>"Nothing will satisfy them more than being breed agains their will ever again. Gah!"
>She throws the fag into a trash can
>"Well, with my flanks being ruined settled, what else do you want to know?"
>A pity for an old hag of yours
"Listen, Rares, I may not be a professional whore, but during the..."
>You do it for her
"During my academy days at the horny unicorn school for monetary challenged I sucked in a fair dose of business classes."
>You motion to the macabre outside the window
"And this, this is not a business problem, this is a business opportunity, if I ever seen one."
>She gives you a curious look
>Her mouth remind flat, though
"I know it's against certain rules of Rarity, but you're unharmed, and with that you can rebuild the slut house. Without you... this place could not be."
>The smile is weak but it's there
>She grabs you for another short hug
>Her eyes are so big from close there
>"I guess you really are my Twilight Sparkle."
>She snuggles you again, covering her beautiful unicorn chestfluff into some of the semen you got shot with by the fag's gemholder
>As you break the snugg she places a shiv back into her mane
"Sharp style. I'm glad I did prove myself to be me."
>She only smiles weakly, and then kicks the table, turning it over and breaking its leg
>"You know what, you are right, Twilight. It smells like a wind of change."
>"Is there someone there?"
>The yelling comes from the other side of the door
>Rarity turns her back to you and looks for something in the mess.
"I'm glad I could raise your spirits."
>"Here," she hands you a green looking gem, "this is the recording of the evening. I don't trust the police with it. They work too close with the insurance companies."
"Inscurance companies? What do you mean?"
>She gives you a smirk to cum for
>The white unicorny gently pushes you to the side of the window leading outside
>"I won't let them lose the recording of this place being ruined. I... I might have bought an insurence."
"You?
"You? An insurance?"
>This is indeed a shocking news
>"Well," the cum covered chest proudly sticks out, "as I said, the wind of change.")
"So, you think this wasn't the citadel attack?"
>She stomps angrily right into the puddle of-
>"As you said yourself, Twilight Sparkle. If it were of the citadel's doing, my poor flanks would never turn white again."
>We don't know that for sure
>She still gently pushes you to the now opened window
>"But don't take me wrong, you coming here was a great thing. Now I don't have to worry about the insurance claim being targeted as a fake."
"What would you do if I did not come to rescue you?"
>"Why, I would snuggle it of course."
>You fail to see any clothing on her
"Charming. Listen, I will look through the recording in case there is some kind of trace, any."
>There is smoke from the trash can that grows in power now, with the window opened
>"Please, do. If anything, I owe you. You save my ass in more than one way."
>You can imagine it later
>Two subtle voices can be heard on the other side of the door
>"Are you fucking?"
>"Are they fucking?"
>"They are fucking in there!"
>You get out of the window and stand of a conviniently placed platform
"The feeling's mutual."
>She hugs you one more time, chest to chest, sticking to you in more than one way
>Then she hugs you even closer and something sharp threatent to shave your beaver and more
>"One crebit, Darling."
>That sly vixen
>You can't help but dry chuckle as you pay the missing crebit
>She lets you go, but not before planting one final kiss on your lips
>"Fu, fu. Now only I owe you~, Ta, ta, darling!"
>She closes the window and you jump on an another conviniently placed platform, this time a broken A/C
>The old whore's laughter
>That's the currency you can accept
>And the citadel hates you for it
>Now, what to do
A - your apartmen
B - Spike's den
Y - The local morgue
Z - Sarcastic
B

>Spike
>You're sure he has a gem-reader in his hoarded stash of broken magitronics
>And the plus is, he lives in the lower canterlot
>You manage to get the cum out of your chest but this is not important because look super cool
>...
>Only one more dark and obscure and loot riddled alley divides you from the Den apartment complex
>This part of lower canterlot is favoured by poor dragon fucktory workers and cheap sluts
>But you are a smart pony and you know cheap sluts take cost little to taste but a ton for aspirin for the crabs to be gone
>And that only if you're lucky
>Oh no
>Your thought were clouded with the vision of vet visit and your way has been blocked by another Tw-
>"Yo, dog."
>"What's up, dog?"
>You breath out in relief
>This is no assault by the Twilight Sparkle Citadel
>This is your friendly local diamond dongs
>"A dog got your tongue, dog?"
>They are clearly talking to you
>"You don't know who's curb it is?"
>The towering gray dong-like creatures voices's are sharp like a papercut with a freshly printet ponknote
>No wonder ponknotes got removed from use
>Too many lethal casualties per emission
>"Are you deaf, dog?"
>"Can't hear our barking?"
>They sure are rude, but they don't make any movement your way
>These dongs must be really boned
>You wonder could you go past them without any troubles
>"We are the Artificial Gang and we rule this hood."
>"Yeah, dog!"
>The dongs laughed among themselves
>Low life gangers
>Could be worse
>"Yo, you have a really a nice looking gem there, dog."
>"Yeah, dog. We could relieve it of you, dog."
A - confront
B - ignore
Y - reason
X - flee
YY

>You measure each one of them three
>The shortest makes a face of someone chronically horny
"Yes, I do hear you. I mean, excuse me, I was just shocked. I didn't know this is a private curb."
>"How the heck did you not notice all the shit, dog?"
>The tallest one, with the least retarded facial fur talks
>You look around and see no marking on the grey concrete walls nor metal barrels tossed around in some rush-developed-deus-ex-like game
>The middle one barks
>"Shit's on the floor."
>The horniest one add, very self-satisfactory
>"Usually."
>The look at the floor indeed proves that the alley is far more shit in than it supposed to be on this time of year
"Shit. As I said didn't notice. I meant no disrespect. If you could just let me go and forget this slight this one time-"
>"You disrespect the Artificial Gang, you eat the dirt, dog!"
>"Yeah, dog! You eat the dirt!"
>But there's no dirt around, just concrete, asphalt and dog poops
>It dawns on them, as the shock is visible
>"Er, or eat shit."
>"There's more shit on the ground than ground on the ground... Uh,"
>"YO, stop making my homies feel sick with your charades, dog."
"Once again-"
>"Shut the fuck up, dog. We, the Artificial Gang says how it will be."
>The three of them turn their hunchbacked backs to you
>You could attack now
>But there are poops around there
>You smell the risk to slip during a charge too high
>"You either going to show us the gem or you're going to eat the shit, dog." says the tall
>"From the floor!" says the middle
>"Or the wall." says the horny
A - come closer and beat the shit out of them
B - eat the shit off the floor, or the wall
Y - show them your shit (gem)
X - shit yourself and run away
AA

>You shorten the distance
>"Yo, which one will be, dog?"
>You should probably know better
>but you, Twilight Sparkle, won't let the dongs to talk shit to you
>this shit even sticks to your thoughts!
>make it go!
"Fuck."
>"How did you call my mo-"
>the shit hits the fan as you smash a hoof right across one of their faces
>he whimpers something in sponish as you kick him right in the feels
>in the knee, you mean the knee
>"Dog!"
>The smallest one jumps on your side slices the air where you just have been with a paw covered in poop
>a swift buck to his arm sends seems to seal the fate a nearby wall, as the poop in question copies itself on it
>you scream in frustration at all the shitty puns and turn to the last standing dong on your way with the look to blow it away
>but shits himself in fear
>to dong's defence, perfect nesquicks
>"Dog! Stop! It's a prank, dog! It's a prank!"
>only now you're angry
>you don't let any bullshit to fly past you
>that's why you left the cita-
>damn, he is quick
>he's good
>he pounce and you dodge-
>and you land chest fluff right into the liquid brown menac-
>thank god you have a chronic allergy to bullshit or you would also smell it
>you expect the final blow but it doesn't come
>a quick peak above the brown horison proves the last remaining dong to pick up his comaderie and hauling them somewhere
>you briefly think why are you so retarded and stuff the gem safely into the chest fluff
>fuck
>you pick yourself up and the dong menace is gone
>so, you guess you won
>and you won't ask why does this feel so shitty this one time
A - sneak to your apartment (no way to meet Spike in this state)
B - sneak to Spike's (yes way to meet Spike in this state)
Y - go after the dongs
X - sarcastic
BB

>you sneak into the Den's apartment complex
>right into the basement
>no one even look at a s-
>everypony takes you for a hobo
>free snack when hungry
>free fuck when honry
>and let these suckers thing that way
>you go by the last corner of the last corridor and jump back
>Fuck!
>another Twilight Sparkle stands in front of Spike's door
>you did not notice her uniform but-
>but does it bucking matter?
>Sweet Celestial Bun in Oven Above
>you hoped at least Spike's was safe-
>what are you panicking about, Sparkle! get a hold of yourself, Sparkle!
>yes, Sparkle! Thank you, Sparkle!
>no problem, Sparkl-
>NO
>YOU BEEN THERE
>well, Spike is an important persona for the citadel, right?
>Twilight Sparkles don't hurt Spikes, usually
>there's nothing good that comes from this, as far as you're concerned
>fuck
>how to play it
a - wait behind the corner for the Twilight Sparkle to go
b - stroll there casually and friendly towards Twilight Sparkle
y - sneak behind Twilight Sparkle and uncapacitate her or... worse
x - sarcastic
YX

>you become shadow
>you become nightmare
>you become... hobo
>with a beanie hat, freshly pulled out of convinient chest floof, you wipe the shit off of your chest and put the hat atop your dignified mane
>no one notices the hobo
>you turn the corner and...
>Twilight Sparkle wears a pristine snow white shirt and a pair of oversized glasses
>cute
>but no less deadly
>she knocks on the door
>"Mister Spike. Mister Spike. I know you're there. We need to talk." 
>she pays you no mind as you slowly pull closer and closer
>"It's official work. We have a meeting agreed upon. It's from the citadel-"
>you wait no more!
>with a mighty pounce you knock off the unsuspecting and incapacitated Twilight Sparkle!
>"Ahh!"
>her hooves trash in the air as she screams!
>the voice echoes the corridors!
>a hoof to the mouth, it is!
"Shut up and talk."
>Her pupils are tiny
>Oh, yeah
>you withdraw your hoof but not before saying
"One unthought act and you're pretty shirt goes brown"
>She nods
>"Who are you?"
>you take of your shit covered hobo disguise of a hat
>Twilight sparkle under you gasp!
>"No!"
>You hold the hat close her shirt
>"W-what is this?"
"What do you mean what is this? It's shit."
>you would lie if the squirming under you don't make you feel remotely good
>there is this primal need of being the top Twilight Sparkle
>every Twilight Sparkle feels it, but some are compelled to commit to attrocities just to ride that high a minute longer
>that's why you left
>"We will get you."
>you smirk
>"Eventually."
"Eventually, you'll grow mature and have foals."
>another short gasp!
>"R-realy you think so?"
A - yes
B - no
Y - maybe
X - i don't know
Y

"What do I look like, an oracle?"
>and here's more shivering and squirming and even some tiny whimper in it
>yes, it does feel good to be good
>"No, you don't! What do you want from me?!"
"Shh. No yelling."
>you threat on her with the hat
"And I want to know what do you do here."
>"I-I can't tell you that."
"And I thought you were going to co-operate."
>"N-no, wait."
>The purple menace fixes her glasses
>"I'm here because we are doing static work."
>Statistic?
>That's pretty serious job.
>She should have protection, shouldn't she?
>A quick scan-spell proves there's no other Twilight Sparkle in the distance
>"You know how i-it goes."
>Or she's lying.
"What if I don't trust you?"
>"H-here."
>she moves to pull out something from the still pristine shirt but you shake your head
>instead, you shift more weight onto her belly with yours own and pull the notes yourself
>indeed, it looks like a statistic job with pretty serious questions whose great importance you don't quite understand for the defence of the Twilight Sparkle citadel
>like: "how many carrots is enough in dragon's diet"
>or "what was first, an egg or a dragon soul"
>"S-see?"
>she's still trembling
>how to proceed
A - Tell her to begone
B - Write silly things in the answers
Y - Question her about what's up in the Citadel
X - Terrorise her
BB

>you smile at the Twilight Sparkle cushion agent under you and pick up a pen 
>she is a good Twilight Sparkle
>a loyal Twilight Sparkle
>an honest Twilight Sparkle
>just like you were back when everything was simple
>she doesn't deserve what comes next
"What is the answer to "the sum of the whole is equal to:"?
>"the square of the parts. Why?" her brow furrows, and her ears pick up
>You write down "I like pie"
"What do you like for breakfast?"
>"Pancakes, w-why?"
>Her eyes follow between you and the notepad as you scribble that down
>"No! You cannot!"
>How many carrots is enough in dragon's diet : pancakes
>You look at the answer in the question above but nothing happens
>"I beg you!"
>Weird
>It should make place for another person's answers
>That's how it used to work, at least
>You real couple next questions and answer them really quickly
>What was first, an egg or a dragon soul? Sluts
>"N-no..."
>You turn your attention to the pony under you and shift the weight to get more comfortable
>A loaf above a loaf
>A loud 'oof' escapes her lips
>Perversion
>You know
>Twilight Sparkle the statistic oberves you codly, with fresh tears in eyes and a quivering lip
>"You wrote something dumb, didn't you?"
>Something's off
A - interrogate her about whereabouts of Spike
B - pry about the changes in the statistics procedures
Y - knock her out cold and go to Spike's
Z - torture her more
BZ

"This interactive questionary of yours does not seem to work properly."
>"What do you mean?"
>A confused look on her face tells you everything you need to know
>Nothing
"Tell me how did the field data gathering procedures changed."
>The squirming once subdued return with double the pleasure
>"I can't!"
"Can't or cannot?"
>"What?"
"Can't or can."
>Her nerves relax for a moment.
"Not. Cannot."
"Gah! Stop this! I don't believe you! Why are you like this?!"
"I can do it all day, pal. Or rather can't. Or cannot."
>Her angry whining is like honey for your ears
>Something deep down you may be woken up, but you don't buldge
>Not when the stakes are higher than Twilight Sparkle herself
>"This makes no sense! Stop this cruelty! I have been good to you, Twilight Sparkle!"
>She makes a point
"Then be good for me couple more second and tell me what changed."
>You reposition yourself on her top and put even more weight on her
>Your chest flufs connects, and you look one another in the eye closer than you are cumfortable for
>But you don't budge
>Twilight Sparkle gasps
>"T-the password. They added the password. Leave me be-"
"Not so fast, sweet heart. What is the password."
>"I don't know."
"You want me to believe that?"
>You motion to the poop covered hobo hat that you will miss dearly
>"Fine. The password. You need to write it down at the bottom of the list once you're done."
>That's an important information
>If the citadel password-ed up statistics, they could have weaponise other science branches as well
>One more thing to know
"What is the password?"
>"Why would I tell you?"
>That makes you raise a brow and thrust your hips at hers once
>ONCE
>You are reasonable, not like those Twilight Sparkles
"Have I hurt you, yet?"
>You say as you trace the outlike of her purple head with your hoof
>She mewls in your touch
>"N-no, I guess. Twilight Sparkle, the password is Twilight Sparkle, Twilight Sparkle."
>Twilight Sparkle is their password?

>That's strong
>You doubt anyone would figure it out in a reasonable timetable window to hack a terminal during a stealth timer going off
>Not that you would know
>No sir
"Who came up with that? "
>"I don't know! I swear. We just ger the passwords together with dispositions!"
"Who's your boss?"
>"It's Twilight Sparkle, you don't know her!"
>Probably true
>The citadel's internal policy always disgussed you
>And the democratic voting when everypony is named the same is a hell of a buck
>You fill the rest of the answer spots with vague drawing of various stallion cocks of colours (blue) and sizes (big)
>Then you write down the password at the signature place
>A happy tune plays out
>"No! What have you done! What have you-"
>She bucks you off!
>That comes harly as a surpise
>An angry nerd who research job has been ruined can achieve inner strenght no one suspected her of
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you know it
>The other Twilight Sparkle jumps to her legs and points a hoof at you, very accusingly
>"That's it! You will answer for that!"
A - Go for the kill
B - Knock her out
Y - Persuade her
X - Flee
YY

>You look Twilight Sparkle right in the eyes
"I won't lie to you. I'm not sorry for what I did to you, and I'm not sorry for what you will make to do if you refuse to co-operate."
>She stomps a hoof, "You are a low life scum, Twilight Sparkle! The citadel will have you punished for it!"
"Won't."
>"Mark my wor-"
"Or will not."
>An angry step forward on her side
>One small step back on your own
"Listen, nerd. Against what your training is telling you, I did not come here to fight you."
>"You already assaulted me. You ruined my field research. You threatened to ruin my new shirt!"
>When it sounds like that Twilight Sparkle makes more sense than you, Twilight Sparkle
"But I didn't ruin your glasses."
>She raises a hoof to poke at you, which would be a very rude poke, if your experience means anything
"Look at the hat. Imagine it as clean as your shirt still is. Now picture what would it do to the glasses on your snout. Now look at the actual state of the hat."
>You point at it with a waves of your beautiful mane
>Slowly, very reluctantly, she lowers her leg to the ground, but stops before the tip of the hoof touches the floor
>"You're a rebel. You hurt Twilight Sparkles. Your very existence defies the citadel. What would you even do here? Aren't you on a run?"
>She's talking
>Good
"Hey, it's me who asks questions here."
>"No, you are not! Answer me, or we're done here. A-and don't even think about asking me to not write a report about you!"
>She breathes in and out, regaining compusture she never ever have
>Well, frankly speaking, you were kind of a clit to Twilight Sparkle and her flanks may be in serious trouble
>"What are you doing here?"
>Should you tell her
A - Accuse her of inviding Spike's privacy against the citadel's policy [Rarity Gem 1/1]
B - Accuse her about the maresaccre at the slut house [Slut house arc 1/1]
X - Lie to her and try to assert the dominance [Gun 1/1]
Y - Incapacitate her in a cool way [Pen 1/1]
YAXXBBB

>"What are you doing here?"
>Should you tell her
"I'm trying to inform Spike about what your citadel superiors did to my friend, Twilight Sparkle."
>Twilight Sparkle clad in still snowy white shirt, narrows her eyes
>It does not avoid your perception that while the cloth was originaly white, the current colour is wet
>Most likely by sweat
>Probably not only hers
>The thought makes your head spin
>"And what are you trying to say Twilight Sparkle Citadel has done to your friend?"
"I'm not going to tell you. If you somehow doesn't know yet, you will know soon enough."
>Her lips curl above her teeth as she snarls
>"Twilight Sparkle, you were supposed to answer my question!"
"But I just did."
>"No, you did not!"
"That was another question."
>A deep running scrunch on Twilight Sparkle's perfect face tells you, you won
>You take a quick step forward
>Twilight Sparkle takes a quick step back and raises a hoof but freezes
>Her face turns red as she stutters something
>You don't listen to her
>The hoof she raised could look like in self defence, but you are Twilight Sparkle
>You were trained in Twilight Sparkle arcs
>This Twilight Sparkle before you could cover in fear when confronted, cry and bawl like a little, sexy filly, with great taste in clothes and glasses brims she was...
>But she talked back
>Only now you notice it
>The raised hoof could be aimed at something hidden in her chest floof
>You did not think about digging through her floof and now you lost the chance
>This may be none-sense
>This may be typical Twilight Sparkle indulged paranoya
>Or this mare could be not the Twilight Sparkle she says she is
>Because you're pretty sure there was no combat snuggles class at the ecunnyony courses
>Fuck
"Where were you about two hours ago?"
>She takes a step back
"Where. Were. You?"
>Her head lowers to the chest level as she backs up the flanks into the door to Spike's apartment
>You follow, with your head held high
>Anger is a heck of a fuel
>But you are better than this

>Or so you like to think
>She never lowered a hoof from the vicinity of her floof
>"I d-don't- I don't know w-what are you i-im-"
>That's it
>This is no coincidence
>With a swift slap to her leg she falls flat on the ground before you
>"N-no!"
>With a weak hoof-maga grab to her flank you turn her around pn her back
>Twilight Sparkle looks at you above the brim of her crooked now glasses and moans
>She moans
>What a nerve
>You don't tower above her anymore, you lower your face a the level of her tummy and with both of your frong legs you part the down side of the shirt
>She fights back
>No use
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you have 300 confirmed licks
>With a swivel of your tongue you find Twilight Sparkle's belly button and invide it
>It tastes like a poor mare's fear
>You suscept she smells like lavender, but with your always malfunctioning nose you are more autistic than ever
>One lick
>Two lick
>The licks
>And a nibble
>And a cry of pleasure leaves her mouth
"Will you talk?"
>"N-n-ah~~"
>Her hind hooves kick weakly as you continue your moistening assault at the proximity of her digesting system
>She bites on her hoof to muffle the agonizing musical she can't, or cannot stop
"What do you know about raid?"
>You say between kissing, pulling and tugging at her perfectly toned belly
>"I don't know anything!"
>This Twilight Sparkle is a tough cookie to milk
>"Please! Ah-I beg of you, Twilight Spaaanklee~ I don't know about any raid at any slut house!"
>Bingo
>You did not mention the place, now did you
>Should you point it out to her so she gives up or-
>Sneak attack!
>Her front hooves rab your head and force you down on her perky gi-
>You Prrt with your mouth with all your might
>Right in her belly
>She screams
>Water falls
>Twilight Sparkle falls limp
>Your assault ceased, you makes sure to take use the rest of her shirt to clean off your fluff from all the moisture accumulated
>You look down at the mewling and neighing pony
>She looks content and pretty
>And asleep

>Damnit
>You overdone it
>There is no way you're going to wake her up now
>That would be too cruel
>You take off her completely damp shirt
>Fold it and place next to her just like your momma taught you
>She tries to fight you back by being cute and adorable with her heavy breathing as you reach for the glasses, but you are Twilight Sparkle
>Cuteness is your weapon of choice
>Nature implemented, not augemented
>With the glasses secured and placed on top of the shirt you nod content to yourself
>You still needs answers, though
>Your hoof eachoes through the corridor as it meets the wood of Spike's door
"Spike! Spike! It's me, Twilight Sparkle."
>The door doesn't open
"It's me. Let me in."
>You wait for a bit before you retry
>Is he not home?
>No way to know for sure
>Spikes value their privacy
>Sometimes too much
>There's no worse thing a Twilight Sparkle can do than to walk up on a Spike watching his Kirin Cart-
>Damnit!
>With some time bought by taking Twilight Sparkle out you wonder about your next action
A - check out her chest fluff before you go [Hacking]
B - steal her glasses, they will look better on you, anyways [Scavenging]
Y - lay down next to Twilight Sparkle to take a well deserved nap [Empathy]
X - go to your super secret apartment no other Twilight Sparkle knows about []
BB "ABCD"

>With a new pair of nerd shades, and the citadel's statistic tiny notebook, and with a pen, all of these safely stuck in your chest fluff departnment, you leave the Twilight Sparkle snoring corpse behind you
>You leave the Den complex in a different route than through the previously owned Dong street
>No time for shit
>It's only a matter of time before Twilight Sparkle will wake up and warn the Twilight Sparkle about you being aware of what happened at the slut house
>You only fear for Rarity's well being
>She may not get lucky next time if the goons decide to spread some free of charge love and compatibile veneral diseases
>You fasten your pace as you sneak through the dark passages of lower canterlot
>...
>You arrive at your secret apartment with no further turbulence
>All the warning mechanism of the possibility of the hideout being compromised says: "it's not"
>Which means the lock was locked
>You get into your apartment and let out a breath you did not hold
>Your flanks plop on the sofa with a pleasurable plap
>It's still the sun time, but the window pannels render a view full of one big star and couple of tiny moons floating around it
>A gift from an old friend
>You look at the surrounding and with a deep shrug which fills you with determination you get up, find the gem reader, and plop it next to your spot on the sofa
>The device looks a bit dusty and rusty
>You shrug and go to the kitchen to take a glass of tap water, but...
>The fridge lures you with silent pleas, though
>You pop the last can of Sparkle-Cola and take a swing
>Sparkle-Cola has what ponies crave the most
>It has electrolites
>filled with artificial energy, you gently place the gem into the device and hope it won't choke on it
>quiet music begins to play as a vision from an iHoof industrial camera shows on the wall nearby
>it's hoovtzart
>and it's the insides of the slut house first floor
>the camera moves left-right, right-left

>the recording is blurry, but the clattering of glasses and sounds of fur on fur rubbing
>you turn on the Twilight Sparkle enhanced measures of better and improved vision and they allow you to see more
>that is, your pout almost touches the wall as you stand closer
>you can see only couple of the patrons drinking and one particular your looking mare doing something with another patron's hoof under a table when-
>the door blast open!
>the camera stops moving
>it points at the entrance hallway only
>three ellegant looking ponies in expensive cartoon boxes run into the place and-
>and spits perfectly in the camera lens!
>it almost made you take a roll!
>almost!
>your head pokes out from behind the gem reader and you refocus on the onbstructed vision
>what follows next would put less expertised Twilight Sparkle to a blush
>but not you
>you compliment the hoarsiest sounds of appriciation that's gutter-ably are possible with a sip and a coughing fit
>the recording ends after fifeteen minutes of sounds of raising agony and meaty whacks that echoes through your tiny apartment
>after a quick shower to deal with the filth you just witnessed you realise this was no amateur job
>the spit sticked well
>high quality spit
>professional works
>and the aim
>none of the ponies were Twilight Sparkle
>if any of them was, it would be simple
>the citadel goons
>but none of them even remotely resembled you
>this makes no sense to you
>but the statistic Twilight Sparkle knew about the attack?
>you suspect she did
>you also think you wishful think for her to know
>GAh!
>that's why you wanted to talk with Spike
>he would well advise you, as always
>you re-watch the gem recording one more time and after another long and hot shower you find your mind fog clogged and your stomach empty
>yet you can't get the spit out of your mind
>only one pony you know of could pull a shoot as good as that, but Applejack disappeared when the sweet apple acress got reposessed by the orgasm collectors

>a hoof goes down your body when you think of that but you stop yourself
>two showers in half an hour is enough,  your inner, better Twilight Sparkle whines
>should be enough, your outer, prettier and smarter Twilight Sparkle neighs back
>no use, with the can empty you won't have the energy to live it off the third ti-
>you're at the dead end, Sparkle, you know that
>and you don't know what to do, yet
A - take a well deserved nap [Yawn]
B - go to a local horn eleven shop to restock [Food!] 
Y - look around the apartment to find some left-overs [Search]
X - roam the streets [Stealth]
A

>A well deserved nap, it is
>Darkess overtakes you quickly
>No dream comes
>Not even the smallest
>You wake up when the sofa moves on its own!
>The living things!
>Hold on- no
>It's the old whole twelve store building that shakened
>And you worried about that silly movie The Night of The Living Bed comes true
>HOLD ON
>The whole building is shakened!
>A loud thunder is still perfectly roaring in your covering ears
>Damnit!
>The citadel found you
>Or it's some stupid turf war
>But you're Twilight Sparkle and  you can't bet your luck on that
>Not that you don't like to gamble your life, but... you're Twilight Sparkle
>You can math
>You know the odds
>The BOOM's echo eventually ends and a lot of pony voices in distress calls out
>Poor fillies
>Some rush out of their apartments
>You would love to stop them... yet, that is very convinience for you
>Twilight Sparkles may lose a minute or two to pacify or push past them
>You look around the apartment
>It was a cosy and warm and fuzzy place
>You will miss it dearly
>Especially the free champignon mushrooms growing in the bathtube
>No time to get to any of the hidden stashes!
>You must run!
>And you run to the door!
>Then you stop, come back for the gem, and-
>And you think about the route of escape!
A - run out with other ponies and rampede
B - make use of the old ventilatory system
Y - get out through the window on the window sill outside
X - bariccade yourself in and prepare defense
BXX

>you consider your options and decide to defend your turf
>this is how the gongs must feel like
>with a rough estimation of time that you still have turns out-
>turns out you don't have much time
>you suspected it but you had to be sure
>with dignified haste you gallop to the pile of half read books and dig deep into it
>it pains you to trash them away, but it's still better than letting them being read without consent of the owner
>they deserve better
>you can't look as you dig through the pile of your precious children untill you-
>aha!
>with a mighty pull a gray looking chest gives up and land on the floor
>M.A.R.E. chest contains everything you may need to take your Twilight Sparkles with you
>but where?
>The promotional text under the name is confusing
>another roar
>another shake
>some dust and paint falling on your head
>you haul the box to a more preferable position and unpack it
>...
>you didn't have enough time to deploy everything you have when the neighbour's screams got quiet
>probably silenced with threats of unrelenting belly rubs or worse
>free saddle measurements in a shop a bit too expensive for your budget
>the horror leaves your system as a familiar static sound cuts through your thoughts like a papercut
>Twilight Sparkle used a localisation spell
>they know you're here for sure
>you know they know
>two edged piece of paper
>...
>you look once again at all the pieces of the improptu death zone and stand inside the M.A.R.E. chest
>it has a very convinient visior and lays very close to the vent
>on a second thought, you open the vent
>just in case
A - close the chest with you inside and observe the assault
B - move the M.A.R.E chest closer to the window
Y - stay as you stay, in order to vent, just in case
X - stand your ground to finish off kill zone survivors run to the other room in search of the B.O.X.
AA

>with a last glance around,you salute to pay respect
>the M.A.R.E. stash closes on top of you hitting your horn and squeezing you somewhat
>but it's ok
>you cry only a little
>a little!
>who could blame you for-
>another explosion!
>this one far closer and bigger than any before
>the box with you moves back by a hair due to the sheer force
>you quickly grab the complementary carton binoculars and put it on your nose
>you don't know how it works but it works
>it's pure magic enhanced into a form
>with them on, you can see everything as good as if you were not inside a container
>which is not much at the moment, frankly speaking
>the vision is filled with thick black smoke
>yet you manage to see a pony sized hole in the wall next to the door
>the pony intruder holds in her hooves a mace some of sort
>anti-magic device, you suspect
>she quickly back tracks to the door and pull the door knob open and two more mares run into the place
>those Twilight Sparkles are different tier from what you can tell
>all three of them wear full body carton armors
>perfectly capable of stopping water for about five second before they begin to melt
>the citadel wants you
>all of it takes only about three seconds between the breach in the wall and those three in total galloping in
>and then the true hell opens

>you shoudl thank them for making so much smoke
>they can't see where they are going
>and they can't sense it with any magical means
>nothing protects their hooves from running right into the maliciously spilled lego pieces
>all of them scream in pain
>all of them stumble around
>one of them bucks in shock and confusion
>this one lands on even more traitorous lego pieces!
>that Twilight Sparkle screams and fall her side, trying to get the small objects out of her frogs
>you do your best not to giggle
>you really do
>the other two do not share their fallen Twilight Sparkle comrade fate
>they run through the kitchen and end up very close where you are
>too close
>there's hope!
>one of them holds a plate of freshly baked cookies
>she offers one to the other, but the other is better than that
>to her ultimate demise, the second is not
>she takes a bite and find them too hot
>take that!
>she freeze, then rush to the kitchen
>you wish you could see if Twilight Sparkle is trugling to take a sip from the tap
>poor thing
>you cut the water off
>the only thing she can drink is what you want her to-
>and here comes more screaming and even more smoke!
>that silly filly drank horse-shoe red looking intant kompot you prepared
>she did not know you baptised it with hot tabasco sauce
>you almost feel sorry
>almost
>the fiery red looking Twilight Sparkle runs to the door and falls into a hug of another Twilight Sparkle who shyly pokes her head into the breach
>another one comes out and, while dangerously waving a water pistol filled with fresh red pain, tries to pull out the first fallen, still trashing combatant
>the last standing Twilight Sparkle looks at the pile of half-read book
>the strongly augemented purple quickly turns around and kicks the M.A.R.E. chest!
>the carton oculars fall off and break!
>Gah!
A - stay still and try to NOT CRY
B - jump out and try to fight her in hoof combat 
Y - jump out and try to disengage
X - sarcastic
AAX

>Twilight Sparkle sizes you up
>Your lip is not quivering in anticipation
>Your breathing stops
>Not knowing what to do you decide against acting alltogether
>You sit in the military grade crate and hope for a miracle
>Or to say it in a cool manner befitting Twilight Sparkle ninja kirin extra-ordinare
>You stick to principles and play dead
>The heavily augemented mare takes a single step forward before her radio buzz
>"Op. Is Op here?"
>Her brown pulled down
>Her eyes narrowed at you
>an intrusive thought forces its way past your cranium
>how would it be like if she stood like that above you
>and you don't want to know
>you think
>with a look of annoyance she turns to the radio
>"OP here."
>She finally esponds
>"Withdraw." the radio says
>A vein turns visible on her forehead but her eyes never leave your not-so-secured-stash
>"What do you mean withdraw?!" anger in her voice almost palatable
>the radio comes back to live
>"Long  range radar spell turns null. Suspect escaped. If she ever been there."
>Twilight Sparkle takes off her helmet AND her view away from you
>oof!
>that was close
>she turns her back to you and witness the ruin of an apartment as she stomps a hoof angrily, breaking the wooden pannel under it into toothpicks
>wow
>you don't want to be that wooden pannel anymore
>y-you never wanted to be that pannel to begin with
>the M.A.R.E. should think of better ventilation systems cos it's damn hot in the box
>"-bucking ubelievable!"
>"That's an order."
>You didn't listen!
>Crabs!
>you refocus at the defeated combatant Twilight Sparkle amd wonder briefly should you do something now or-
>she gives the room another pissed off look as if the walls could have protected you 
>with taht she bows her horn to the floor and cast the radar spell!
>you rush to prepare a counter-measure
>but you don't know did you manage to pull it off or what
>you don't feel the electric itch either
>weird

>the M.A.R.E box must be really magic proofed
>you didn't know that
>AND YOU TOTALLY NOT GIGGLE AT THIS REVELATION
>She quickly turns to face you again!
>oh no!
>fumes of brain damage get out of her nose!
>she runs at you, grab the you by the case and sends you flying again!
>Ow ow ow!
>you sacraficed your comfort and safety to steady the lid
>so, you did not sacrafice your safety in the long run, but a broken rib is a broken rib
>which you don't know how hurts because you never had a broken rib
>the radio wakes up once again!
>"OP. You-...-fa-...-g-go-""~!"-...-to! Disc-ipli-nnary actio-...-nns will be tak-en. Be at your supervisor's office after the operation."
>Twilight Sparkle doesn't listen, though!
>She looks where you just where!
>At least not at you
>Taht would be extremely painful
>What is she looking at-
>At the opened vent!
>"Four Uuus. This is Twilight Sparkle. I think I know how the suspect got away. Permission to pursuit?"
>A heavy breath is heard on the radio operator's side, "Don't take localisation spell off. Team Algebra will catch up. Team Grammar withdrawn. Do not try to interact alone. Do not remove the tag off the target."
>a static pause can be heard
>"Permission... granted."
>Whoa!
>You didn't know Twilight Sparkle smile's can turn so sadistic!
>So mad!
>The mare almost jumps into the vent and instanly disappears 
>only her hoofs hitting against thin metal echoes through the building
>but even they get away pretty quickly
>only the sound of burning books and creacking under the weight of so much magic being used accompany you for a better part of half an hour
>it's possible you can go out of the box now-
>hold on...
>you pull everything out of your floof!
A - inspect the broken water gun
B - inspect the pair of glasses
Y- inspect the pen
X - inspect the statistic notebook
XAA

>you look at the gun
>it's a green top - blue bottom model of a water gun
>pretty standard, but with a broken glass and a scary hole in water tank
>the gun is empty
>the trigger is just right
>really, a standard police equipment
>really well done
>break proof
>if the marefacturer is to be trusted
>this item does not possess any identifying numbers
>probably removed due to being previously used by low tier citadel goons
>or maybe never had them
>it lays in the hoof very well
>it doesn't have a safety button, though
>high risk high threat
>you're unable to say would the gun leak water if kept barrel downwards
>easy to conceal
>very reliable 
>quite pretty for an untrained eye
>with a muzzle that can work like a face opener
>but it doesn't look like it can shoot very far
>overall, a pretty common, perfect self-defence weapon on the street
>especially for those that can't be bothered with looking for ammo
>if the comercials are to be trusted
A - conclude everything's good and go out
B - inspect the pair of glasses
Y - inspect the pen
X - inspect the statistic notebook
XXX

>but do you really trust commercials?
>you give the broken gun last one glance
>maybe
>you turn back to the other items
>your eye catch the notebook
>it's worn out and it looks like it was used for generations of statistic data collectors
>the paper is yellow
>the edges are ruined
>couple of pages are missing
>and it's binded in the old fashioned metal rolls on the top way
>no one produces things like that nowadays
>this should be in a magic history museum more than in an use
>unless the citadel either has an inclination towards well established technologies
>which does sounds unlikely, but also very likely, when you think at it
>the answers to the questions evaporated over time, but your sign prevailed
>you wonder should you tap the pen on the first quiestion to see your sign erase
>hard to tell, but you can always do that later
>reading in M.A.R.E. case is one case, but writing in it?
>that would be as uncultured like swines
>those who don't wear hats matching their outfits, that is
>your lips quivers in uncertaincy
>as you commit last one attrocity testing
>you tear a piece of magically enhanced paper from the last page and put it in your mouth
>mmm, tasty paper
>it tastes like any paper ever
>which it should
>why shouldn't it?
>you are Twilight Sparle and-
>shouldn't old magi-paper taste worse?
>and how would you know how it's supposed to taste?
>it shouldn't be tasted at all!
>why did you think of that, Twilight Sparkle
>or are you a totall gluton?
>GAh!
>...
>what to do
>mmm
A - everything's good, take all and go out
B - inspect the pair of glasses
Y - inspect the pen
X - leave the notebook and get out
XXA

>You decide you're good to go
>Except taking the notebook
>The notebook stays behind you in the M.A.R.E. box
>It seems to be magic-proof and it saved your hide this time
>They may find it if or when the Twilight Sparkle will decide to search through this place but... why are they not here?
>The citadel has more than all resources to secure the place
>What would be stopping them other than a learning nap, you can't imagine
>You close the stash and look around
>There's not much left and the fire is spreading
>The sight of all your books catching fire in slow-motion fills your eyes with tears
>The black, thick smoke only adds to that
>But it's mostly the books
>Maybe you should try to protect them
>But you can't!
>Ponies in other apartments begin to wake up and yell and scream and run in amok
>You better not be seen
>Somepony's head poke through a pony shaped hole in the wall
>"Hey, is there anypony?"
>You fully turn to face the intruder with the horn poking its way!
>It takes a couple of seconds before the pony eyes' spot you
>"You alright? Can you walk?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
>You found yourself double surpsised
>That you can speak
>And that your voice sounds so weak
>"Don't stay there too long! Looks like your side got the worst hit. Grab anything you can carry and go out. Help somepony out if you can. The services has been already informed."
>"Informed?"
>he, because it's clearly a stallion, turns to somepony on the corridor
>"Yes, about the collapse of the building," he turns back to you, "move quickly!"
>He waits for you to respond
>You nod
>The corners of his mouth raise ever-so-slightly in a weak smile
>He leaves
>So should you
>But first!
>You around the piles of even-more-set-on-fire things till you get into the kitchen
>The fridge lays to the side, sticking the top of it through a thin wall
>Your hoof break and tear away a tile piece from under it and you grab the bag from the secret stash
>It's too big for the floof, but you can carry it on your back
>Now, which route should you take?
A - by the corridor, the stair case (down) and the main entrance, as suggested by the neighbour
B - by the corridor, the stair case (up) and to the roof
Y - by the vent into which Twilight Sparkle went to
X - by the window and on the balconies of the building
BYY

>Vents, then
>You push your pretty purple head into the entrance in the wall and find it in perfect side to not offend you
>Your hooves echoes slightly with each step but it's perfectly ok, as the whole building is catching more and more FIRE
>Or falling apart
>Hard to tell
>There's some of old dust that bites you in the snout
>There's little to no airflow in here
>Not quite sure is it good or bad
>Guess you'll find out
>Which you wish you won't
>Tap tap tap, each step forward
>There are couple of places where the pipe bends, all of them horizontal so far
>Certainly, some of them leads to other apartments
>You are certain becuase you can see the apartments through the vents
>But you don't have time for that, now do you?
>You try to find the way to any of the vertical ones
>When you reach another apartment you backtrack to a wider place and turn around
>
>Finally!
>You manage to find a four way connector
>A vent going from top to the bottom, the one you came from, and one more that's 90 degrees to your left
>It leads straight down and up, though
>Unless you feel athletic you won't be able to just slide down in it without hurting yourself
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you don't feel athletic at the moment
>Not in general, just not right now
>Uh!
A - slide down the vents
B - climb up the vents
X - continue to vent (to the left)
Y - return to any apartment and get out
Y

>Screw this!
>You try to unscrew the vent in the closest apartment which does seem not to be set on fire, yo
>It's solid work
>And it won't budge
>You kick it once, twice
>Nothing
>You lay down on your back and kick it with a hindleg and it gives ever so slightly
>Why is this such a hard work you don't know
>Victory!
>You roll into somepony's home and find yourself pretty dumbfounded
>An angry looking, black and white, hissing ball of fur bares its claws and fangs at your general direction
>By the sounds of it there's no pony in the apartment but this cat whose back is bent like a string in a bow
>AND JUMPS IT DOES
>You dodge behind a sofa
>The little creet meows sadly and uses its tail to signal who is the boss here
>You would do the same but you're not petty nor scared
>It attacks once again but this time you don't buldge, because so brave and in-thought you are
>The deadly monster cat stops just before making a contact and-
>Begin to mewl, "Meow meow meow meow meow."
>It's fuzzy for sure, you can tell, it snuggled one of your hoof and reciprocated with nervous purring at your petting it's head
>Dark, unhealthy smoke gets into the apartment through the closed door and accumulates under the ceiling
>You try to pick up the cat but it runs away
>Not far, thit time, it only grabs a gray pony-sized hoodie
>It refuses to let it go
A - grab the hoodie and the cat
B - leave the cat but take the hoodie
Y - leave the hoodie but take the cat
X - leave the hoodie and the cat
>You wonder...
>Your eyes fall on the door and on the window
>Not knowing which apartment it is you can't picture your posisiton on the builiding plan
C - open the door and if possible look for stairs
D - open the door and if possible look for a lift
V - open the window and try to get on the building elevation if possible
Z - go back to the ventilating system
AV

>Your hooves instinctively tie themselves around the cat
>It meows like crazy
>Only when you make an impromptu bag out of the hoodie and let it hang on your chest the cat gets quiet
>You push it into the hoodie and to your satisfaction it oes not try to run away
>With that concluded you look at the door
>There's more and more smoke coming out from behind them but it's not something you can't manage
>You come closer to the door but pause at the last moment
>Your leg hovers above the door knob
>You feel something
>Heat
>It's really hot on the other side of the doors
>Damnit
>You don't know is the fire close, but you don't dare to open the door
>The smoke's too hot for you
>You'll pass
>You mean, you'll pass through the window-door leading to a balcony
>...
>You had to break it with a kick
>Clouds of smoke follows you on the balcony
>The view before you looks almost dark
>The moon is high
>The floor is 8th
>The city is iluminated with thousands of LED lamps
>Red and blue lights, accopanied with very well known sirens are moving around
>Some of them to this location
>But those are not what you're looking for
>No
>You look for tiny little purple specs
>You look for the Twilight Sparkle citadel goons
>They withdrawn, alright
>Would they not leave behind some kind of a pair of eyes?
>You know you would, if you had two spare
>Which you don't
>Nor you will soon have even one pair as there's more poisonous smoke behind you
>The sky above glitches as you look around to find some overgrown clothes horse in the corner
A - jump out of the balcony to the one on the 7th floor on the left (no balcony on the 8th floor there)
B - use the clothes horse contents to make an improptu rope and get out of the balcony to the one under yours (but will it suffice to hold you)
Y - travel by the parapet to the right and turn the corner of the building (if you dare)
X - travel by the parapet to the left for the lenght of three balconies and get on it (if you want) 
YBAA

>You have no clue waht to do
>The cat weights like a bag of candies on your neck
>A bag of candies you can't eat
>you don't want to lose,
>but that's fine, too
>the travel to the next balcon on the same floor on the left doesn't sound very plausible
>maybe it is, but it doesn't look like there's some better way out of there and each step you take is a risk you take and
>mare
>you're good at math
>what's behind the corner of the building?
>you pry your inner eye to tell you
>two carriages fly by in a far away distance
>yeah, this seems like a long shot, even if it's a turn around
>what if you don't make it?
>you know exactly what and that makes this sneak into unknown less of an exciting idea as before
>what you mean is: the citadel wins
>that thing?
>you are Twilight Sparkle and that thing won't happen
>no, sir
>not today
>er, tonigh
>you grab the clothes off of the clothe horse and tie bigger parts of it in tight knots which you would not be able to get off easy
>Rarity could, but not you
>nu-uh
>with the impomptu rope you tie it to a a metal barrier above the concrete half-wall dividing the balconies from the deep space...
>damn
>you can't tell will you make it
>barely a piece of the rope is visible when you look down
>standing on the barrier is out of the picture unless you accidentally develop emergency wings
>which you don't
>you let the rope dangle to the left side of the balcony and stress test it one more time
>the corners of shirts, pants and panties gets all wrinkled and tied
>or untied
>how are you supposed to know what you're doing
>even more smoke from the building makes you haste
>...
>you slipped down the rope and fell the last half a meter to your hooves
>easy
>there's nothing on the balcony and there's an apartment with a small dose of smoke in it
>no one there
>AAAh!
>The whole building violently shakes!
>You could swear it moved a bit down
>A big metal box flied couple meters away and crashed into the ground!
>More sirens are heard and-
>-and in closer proximity, too
>being saved does feel so nice right now, but anything feels so nice right now!
>And you shouldn't be seen!
>think fast!
>to the left is another three balcony long hole between another one, with a narrow parapet in between
>to the right is the balcony you were above, just after one small jump distance
>under you is floor 6th balconies in the very same patterns as already seen, you assume
>you ASSUME
>oh, how low you fell with your risk calculus...
>you would ask the cat for directions but it only looks at you with its light green eyes and blinks slowly from time to time
>think faster!
A - get into the apartment (7th floor)
B - jump to the balcony on the left (one floor lower, no rope)
Y - go to the balcony on the right (jump)
X - use the parapet to get to the balcony on the same floor to the left (the far away one)
B

 >the cat is fine
>it moves its head up and down slowly
"Ey, uhhh, my new furry friend. Do you know any way out?"
>The cat blinks slowly
>That settles the cat matter
>A quick look through the balcony window prooves it's a living room of a typical low canterlot living apartment
>You can get in and try to search for anything that would be found in a typical apartment
>What also your mighty Twilight Sparkle perception makes aware for you is that - this balcony door does not make the smoke to go through them
>only a small amount of smoke is up the dark, ugly ceiling
>and there's no handle on this side of the door so only a kick can help
>at least you don't have to worry about repaying the damage
>for once!
A - get into the apartment (7th floor)
B - jump to the balcony on the left (one floor lower, no rope)
Y - go to the balcony on the right (jump)
X - use the parapet to get to the balcony on the same floor to the left (the far away one)
[The same as before after addition explanation]
B

>You jump!
>In place
>Totally not out of fear
>For preparing yourself
>This time no panty-rope to get down onto
>Er
>Let's forget that
>You don't take a leap
>You hang down the barrier and kick your hindhooves weakly as you let go
>The landing is not perfect, alright, but it's a landing
>Your pride may be hurt, your back, too, and the cat angered, but at least-
>OW!
>The cat bites you!
>Ow!
>It doesn't hurt, more like a surprise, really, but still!
"Why are you doing this? I'm saving your furry life!"
>It takes some heavy patting but the cat is no more hostile
>For now
>You look around and this balcony is in a far more dustier state than the last one
>The apartment it belongs to has the door closed and shutters closed
>You look around and spot a big crown of ponies looking up
>No purple dots, though
>At least you think so
>It's still six floors to go but you're not sure can you make it this all way down
>If you break a rib while doing so you doubt you will be able to land properly
>Damn, you can't do it without a rope, Rainbow Dash wouldn't!
>No, you're better than this, there's nothing Rainbow Dash wouldn't do
>And that's why she's such good friends with Rarity
>...
>This is not time for this
>There is another balcony on the far left (three balconies away), with an AC unit on the way in the middle distance
>Another palcony you could try to land on to the down left, with some carton boxes
>Two balconies on the right and then a parapet and a corner
>One full of sporting equipment in good shape
>Worth to remember where to get a bike or some durmbells if you ever have a use for them [Scavenger Perk]
>And if the building will stand [Twilight Sparkle]
>...
>Why are you like this, again?
A - get into the apartment (6th floor)
B - jump to the balcony on the left (one floor lower, no rope)
Y - go to the balcony on the right (jump)
X - use the parapet to get to the balcony on the same floor to the left (the far away one)
[welp]
None

>You leap to the apartment on your right
>The doors open, and there's no smoke
>It's almost completely dark there
>It's a living room that leads to other rooms
>There's a cup of coffee at a wooden table, two Muncher energy bars (which you swiftly take) and to a wall at the wait level is sticke a half used dil-
>You turn around and look for some kind of rope
>...
>You rampage through the kitchen but find no food
>Er, you find no rope, but the cable to an iron can do
>For some reason there are three irons here
>Each of them bigger than a regular sized one, even if not much
>Each of them signed, "papa", "mama", "hastur"
>You haul them to the living room
>Then you notice the bed
>The matress looks dirty, wet even
>But it can do, if you can throw it over to the other balcony
>The cat meows weakly and you don't ignore it
>His eyes shine in the dark room and he stops to vocalize its concerns once pulled closer to the chest
>You look around for the last time and see a glimpse of the apartment door being wide open
>your hair stands up as a wave of cold sweat falls on you
>somepony or something is standing in the dark hallway and is looking at you with shiny green eyes
A - leave everything and run out to the balcony
B - take a reasonably sized iron and do the same
Y - try to take the mattress and get yourself eaten
X - pull out the gun and confrot the pony of shadows
XXB

>You fortify this postion
>The gun in your hoof aimed right between the eyes of the nightmare monster
>You stomach lands on the floor, you head hiding behind an iron
>Never taking your eyes off of the dark figure in the door
>It's light green eyes never leaves you alone
>Nor does it blink
>It froze as if in mid-shock on its own
>The ominous feeling of it already gnawing at your bones provides enough encourageent not blink back
>This thing should be
>The cat cease to move
>Only the technicolor rays of moonlight reach into the door behind you
>The creature opens its jaw ever so slowly
>White teeth that reflects the light
>Canine teeth made to tear tender pony meat
>You can't watch
>You can't turn away
>You blink
>Your heart drops
>The creature's gone
>Only green lamps on the wall behind the door flicker
>You freeze
>The hair on your back dance waltz
>The death waltz
>You turn around and-
>wheeze
>...
>You pulled the triger of the empty gun and nothing happens
>The shadowy figure is not behind you
>Not in the doors
>You take a breath
>A first in an eternity
>An uneasy step forward proves it's hard to push the iron with you, but you do it anyways
>You stay in the apartment with the gun in the hand
>The lights in the doorframe flicker once again
>From up closer you can read EX and IT written on them, with a white luminescent arrow pointing to the bottom right
>You dare to unfortify yourself by putting a hoof to your head
>...
>Only the sirens from the emergency cart echoes through the building
>They must be here
>In place of your imagination
>Because you imagined that, Twilight Sparkle
>You did
>Did you not?
>The white arrow turns on and off once again
>The tears locked in your eyes fall freely
A - take the mattress and go back to the balcony
B - take the iron (for the cable) and do the same
Y - go inside the dark building
X - go to the other balcony to check another apartment
YYY

>You are Twilight Sparkle and you wish there was any way to know what's behind the corner
>Any way other than to stick off your vulnerable but capable head out of it
>The cat occassioanlly purrs and scrapes your chest floof with claws
>Ha!
>It deals you no damage!
>Unicorn master r-
>You get out of the apartment right into completely dark corridor
>The gun is hold high, just in case the pony of shadows is real
>You are 100% sure it isn't
>...
>The green colour of [Exit] signs marks the way to the staircase
>You find it easily while encountering nothing on your way
>It's quiet, though
>Too quiet for your likings
>The slow steps echoes on the ugly lino floor
>That's a thing worth mentioning;
>The building was never good to live in
>At least at the time you got yourself in
>The apartments were cozy, if the occupants were so
>Luckily for everypony, ponies are cozy
>Some at least
>The common area, however, well, it left little to imagination how scrape and concrete-like the lower canterlot is
>The staircase is no different
>A glass door with two windows leads to it, and both are broken into shards
>You step carefully and victorious through the sharpy rubbles
>Once on the stairs you feel uneasy
>You fight the need to flee and look back
>Nothing new is visible
>If anything, there's more shadows than before
>There is no light on the stairs
>No emergency light-bulbs on the stairs, even
>On the corridor you had at least some white arrows
>The steps lead down and up
>To get to the half floor is rather easy
>To turn 180 degrees back and climb down by the balustrade is easy pease
>To jump out of your skin because the cat begin meow furiously till you pattet it is completely natural
>You are on the straicase on a floor you don't remember
>The floor's emergency lights are as the one's above - minimal, white and light green
>The stairs leads down
>The hairs on your back rises
>Metal on metal noise can be heard somewhere
>As if a pipe fell down
>Pony noises cuts through the state silence that commences
>You must manually remind yourself to move
>A weak, almost un-noticable gust of wet wind falls on your mane
A - run down the stairs
B - walk down the stairs
Y - run into the floor and close the glass doors (which looks mighty sturdy right now!)
X - turn around and contront your completely reasonabl-(EEP!)
X

>Aha!
>You jump in place and swing the weapon at the pony's jaw!
>The shadow has no eyes, nor head
>Only a glimpse of white arrow under green, flickering letters in the far away distance
>You could swear it wasn't turned on when you have been next to it
>You don't need to swear to know that-
>Ow! Ow! Ow!
>That you doesn't have time to catch the balustrade!
>One hoof slipped and you went flying down the concrete stairs!
>Ow! Ow! What the heck?!
>Your determination and optimism is gone
>The pony of shadows got you for good, now
>Outside of your pride being mare-handed to you, nothing happens
>No pony-monster pounces at you
>Nothing but the hard, cold floor connects with you
>You landed on your back
>You wish you could gice your back to somepony
>The cat screams for a short bit and digs its deadly lasers and teeth in your chest
>Ha!
>Lucky you
>You can't feel it, really, you just know the cat does it
>Once back on your legs you don't fear to look up the stairs
>Nothingness lined with weak light source
>One of your back hooves does not feel too well
>It would be best not to perform any hoof-maga nor kara-neigh till it feels better
>Ugh
>The cat does not give up in it's nomming endeavors even after an administered pat
>Time to ignore the cat and get down
>Which you do
>The ominous feeling of somepony watching you doesn't leave you as you descend in almost complete darkness, but nothing more raises your pulse during the travel
>...
>The bottom floor's lights are turned off, too, yet, the level is filled with rescue ponies who bust the door open the moment you reach the bottom of the stairs
>They fill the corridor like a tsunami wave, but with many different hats with fitting ties
>Police hats, Fire fighters hats, Combat nurse hats
>You're better than hat envy-ing them, though
>Because you have a gun, and a good gun is the best hat income source
>The whole building shakes
>It feels weaker than on the upper levels
>It doesn't make anypony any-less nervous
>As quickly as ponies (in hats) got in, now they are scrambling out
>What you notice just now is a vandalized gop-nik-nic vendinch machine
>Concrete ash falls off of the walls as another explosion in higher leves can be heard
>Weird
>Does it mean the last couple floor corridors were silenced?
A - put the glasses on and fit in the crown
B - wait in the shadow until they are gone
Y - throw the cat at somepony
X - check out the vending-machine
AA

>You slowly, very slowly, dislodge the cat's parts from you, to it's great dissatisfaction, if angry hissing is any indicator of that
>It takes to anger the furry friend even more so you can pull the glasses out the container of your chest
>You realize you did not test the glasses inside of them
>Becoming completely blind is not something you did not practice just now, but OW!
>The fuzzy ball of hatred put its carbon based (science!) claws to your side!
>You can't help but let it go into the air
>It hisses at you and raises it's tail high
>You don't feel too bad
>That really hurt!
>You put the glasses on your face
>Just as suspected
>Fake glasses
>20/20 Twilight Sparkle vision
>The cat meows once again and disappears in the getting smaller group
>So much of gratitude
>You rush out of the shadows and stick your butt between some visibly shaken earth pony stallion medical doctor and a pegasi mare fire fighter pony
>if hats can be trusted
>which they can because: matching ties
>"Why did they tell us to get there if they want us to evacuate?" asks the masculine voice
>"I heard the service will used a life-search-spell again." answers the feminine one
>"Does it mean somepony was in and now is out?"
>"It means we follow the procedures and hope for the best."
>They both finally notice you as you narrow the doors
>Their eyes grow in size
>"Whoa! Who are you?!"
>"Are you a civilian?"
>"Are you hurt?"
>"Do you need a hug?"
>"A blanket?"
>"A cup of mocha?"
>Damni-
>The building shakes once again!
>This time with extra metal screaching!
>Almost everypony is out by now
>You are the first to act
>With a hoof on each of their necks you pull them out of the building
>So much for their help
>...
>In front of the building is a wide and long pony-free safety-zone
>Residents are given cozy blankets and warm tea
>You refused the cup of coffee
>You look cooler that way
>Your hoof and back gets attended to with a small bandage with butterflies and you immedietely feel better about it
>With a loud creek that fills the sky under the moon above, a part of the building collapse on itself
>None of it falls, though
>Pegasi secured that
>The dark sky above the building has been turned off to provide more light
>Full of tiny white dots imitating the stars, all turned on at the moment, making the scene as light as a day
>If not for the metal dome to be partialy visible one could say both the Moon and the Sun can be seen
>Sometimes you wish your could do that kind of maintenance work
>But you are Twilight Sparkle and you're a wing-less unicorn
>You don't wait for hot cocoa to be served
>You disappear into a dark alley before the rescue ponies notice they might have seen a mare like you some other time
>...
>You need answers
>You also needs questions
>Or better questions
>And a drink
>Where to go
A - The Hive (a night club)
B - The Barn (a saloon/bar)
Y - The Mine (a dive bar)
X - The Mane (a pub)
AAXB

>You limp to the night time district
>The mess is left behind you
>At least you avoided being taken to the citadel
>But at what price?
>This time you have no idea but the price got reduced by this Celestia given hood-shirt
>Absolute Cozy out of teen
>...
>Ok, well, you kind of limp for real
>It's minimal, alright
>Stepping with your left hind-hoof does give this sharp pain of something being smashed
>But here you are!
>You check your iMare card and see you have exactly 950 crebits
>You could swear you had a whole 1000, but, hey, no one can steal them, right?
>You place the polymer card back in your floof and fast travel
>...
>The Hive
>The night club's renoma is well know, low and cheap
>Which is not correct with the facts
>It's a high end place for ponies of action living in the lower canterlot
>The building it occupies is a tranformed old canterlot style-building
>It was modernised multiple times, that you can see
>And above it's three condignations it extends into open space above
>It's pretty rare around this parts to not have an another building above the shorter one
>It's some kind of a show-off of your position in the hood
>The line to the club is long, the music is loud (even through the doors!), and an armed guard in a black suit stands in the door
>There's a dark alley next to the club
A - wait in the line (responsibly!)
B - cut the line (politely!)
Y - explore the alley 
X -  go to any other fixer's location (the list from before but with 1, 2, 3, 4, instead
YYBA

>You are Twilight Sparkle and queues were not made for you
>Pretty ponies are queue-not-compatibile, they say
>A brown coated pony crossed the road and cut before you cutting in!
>Rude!
>The guard turns to her only after she made it very close to the door
>"Show your pass."
>The pony didn't stop until the guard palced a hoof on her chest at full leg disgance
>"Hey! I'm too cute for the queue!"
>The ponies in line only now notice the commotion and their ears and eyes turn to the scene
>Someone of the kick the ground, some sniffle
>All of them curious, some with stinky eye
>Cutting the line seems harder than it looked
>The guard doen't budge
>"Listen, pal. Either you show me the Hive pass or you can trot to the back of the line by yourself, or by my kicks."
>Now, the guard isn't built in any particular matter but something about that suit wearing character made you reconsider your idea
>You thank Celestia it's not you in that posisiton
>"Ok, damn. Sorry."
>The pony looks at the end of the angry at her line and chooses to walk away
>...
>The guard lazily observes the perimeter as you walk past the building to get into the side-alley
>He looks at you briefly
>You wave at him friendly but he doesn't react
>...
>They alley is quiet and wide enough for a cart
>Full of old, dirty cartons and other trash too!
>With only two sources of light at the end
>A lamp post next to the back-door to the club and a small lightbulb above the door on the opposite of the door
>Even more trash and trash boxes is there
>The back doors to the club looks closed and there's a camera on the roof that points at them
>Shucks
>You could vandalize it, but wouldn't that gather the attention?
>Twilight Sparkle investigation time!
A - try to disable the camera without destroying it
B - dig through the piles of trash
Y - check out the door on the other side (somepony's inside)
X - go into the camera field and wave
XY

>You get next to the back-door leading to the Hive
>The camera focuses on you - you think
>It doesn't really visibly move nor twitch nor nothing
>With a front leg above your head you wave your greetings to any security pony watching you
>...
>And nothing happens
>It's really hard to tell from this distance is the camera even on
>You pull and push the door
>The metal clank under the doorknob makes sense
>Locked
>You could try to play with it if you had something
>Yet, you're not the best at it, and in case the camera is on - yeah, just not welcome at the best
>You briefly think about going to another place but the dull sharp pain in the hidn leg is a thing you want to cherish as little as possible
>...
>On the other side of the narrow alley is a door
>It's a glassed one, with light inside, and it doesn't look angry at you
>Nor that doors can look angry at you
>Or at anypony
>You just get close enough to stick your snout to the glass
>The small entry room with an empty bookcase, a desk, a single chair and one lightbulb on
>Not much of furniture in there
>The opposite side of the room ends where a medical green curtain covers the light to another room
>You let yourself in
>The room feels tiny with how many furniture there is
>You can't get a better look before an elderly looking pony stands in the door, with the cutrain covering his back-side
>"Yes?"
>He sniffles
>"How can I help you?"
>Yeah, how?
A - who are you and what do you do
B - how to get inside the club
Y - where to get medical help
X - sarcastic
Y

"You can help me by answering me this: Where is the closest medical center?"
>You don't try to sound cool
>You're Twilight Sparkle, you always sound cool
>The stallion's ears relax
>"Huh. Nice one."
>He waves for you to follow and submerge under the cover leading to the next room
>It looks more like a workshop with many big screens set around a one sitting table and half as many around the other
>There are other doors leading somewhere in the other corner
>The cabinets next to walls are full of-
>"So. What do you want to be done?"
"Huh?"
>He giggles, stops, turns around and - and his ears stand back up!
>"What do you need help with?"
>Is he some kind of a medic?
>Oh, alright, worth a try
"You see, I stepped wrong and one my hind-hoofs hurts since."
>He only looks at you
>It worries you more than it probably should
>A snicker leaves his mouth
>"You don't really know where you are?"
>A weak smile is all he gets from you
>"And I thought someone sent you for something big."
>He shakes his head and slumps his shoulder blades
>Now that you look at him he does indeed look like a fellow nerd
"Can you do something about the pain?"
>"Show me."
>He pats one of the tables with a lot of pointy metal equipment above
>Not really trust-worthy, is it
>You turn to a side and pull out the hurt leg
>With a weirded out look on his face he comes closer and takes your hoof in his hooves
>His gently trace along your frog
>Rub the base of the hoof
>Massage the leg-
>Ow!
>This does not escape his perception
>"Well, I would prefer you to sit on the table, but if that's not an option it gonna hurt more."
>You're a big mare and you tell him this
>"Not big enough to trust your friendly neighbourhood ripperdoc."
>He grabs your leg once again and inspect it
>You sneer in pain
"But big enough to find his place."
>He only cocks his head at that

>...
>You end up on the table
>The machines equipped with many knifes, syringines and tubes face down on you
>Thankfully, none comes to live
>You check out what seemed to be a cosmetic magazine while he's busy doing some scans
>It is not a cosmetic magazine at all
>It's an iPonyX new visiors offer
>See more with more eyes!
>The ripperdoc pony comes back from one of many next-to-wall cabinets holding something in his hooves
>"It seems there's no bone fracture no nothing, but just in case, I say take those anti-biotics. One pill a twice a day for a week."
>He places a small white bottle used to carry glazed rock candies on a metal tray
>"Don't mix them with alcohol or you risk a liver transplanation."
"Why?"
>"You don't really want to know why. The next thing I offer you are painkillers."
>The second bottle have a blood-thirsty pony face on it
>The text says "Trust the Pain-Killer"
>You have never seen any of these two in the tv
>You don't watch tv, though
>"These are quite expensive but this is all I got. Above that, you must really take a week off. If the mobility gets worse and not better, go to a hospital. If you can't afford that you can always come and we will replace the invalid part with something easier to fix than biologics."
>He gives you a professional smile
>You pull out a leg to grab the bottles but he stops you
>"Money first."
"How much?"
>"Three Hundred for the antibiotics. Five for the painkillers. Advice is free of charge."
"Why is the painkillers more expensive?"
>"These work on not biological transmittors. That's the only I got. You're quite different from my target clientelle, you know."
A - Take the Antibiotics
B - Take the Painkillers
Y - Take both
X - Leave empty hooved
X

"I will take the antibiotics."
>He raises an eyebrow (higher than ever before!)
>You take your card and poke his
>The transfer is done and both of you check yout your bank accounts
>You take the antibiotics bottle and inspect it
>It really looks like a glazed candy
>Very yummy (you suspect)
>"Do you need anything else?"
"Do you know any way how to get inside the club nearby?"
>You jump off the table and he follows you to the entrance door
>"How about showing them your member card or waiting in the line?"
"Any... other way?"
>"Sorry. I don't pick fights with neighbours. Though, you're always welcome if you choose to ditch the bio-tech and turn chrome."
>He quickly adds
>"If you have money."
>The both of you exchange a hoof shake and the door closes behind you
>You're back at the alley
A - try the back door to the club again
B - get back to the line and wait
Y - dig through the trash
X - go to another location
Z - pop in an antibiotic pill (candy)
ZX

>You take one of the pills and keep it in yout mouth till it dissolate
>It is possible to just swallow it
>But it tastes too good
>With last glance to the dark alley you move forward the exit
>On your way this time you notice an open gate that normally would block the entrance here
>Call yourself lucky, Twilight Sparkle
>Why, yes, Twilight Spark-
>-you been there, you done that
>The hour is late, yet the line to the club got only longer
>Closed shops around the entire street lights up the way as you limp by them
>But where are you going?
>What are the other places you know fixers meet?
>What would you even ask a fixer about?
>Now that you think of it, coming here was illogical
>You have no place to go and you're running out of money
>You could go back to Rarity's or Spike's place but isn't that risky for everypony?
>Where to go...
>What to do...
>You don't feel too well
>Maybe getting a place to sleep is the most reasonable...
A - go to: 1 -The Barn (a saloon/bar), 2 - The Mine (a dive bar) 3 - The Mane (a pub)
B - go to a motel to rest
Y - go to Rarity's
X - go to Spike's
Y31

>...
>You go to Rarity's Slut House
>You don't quite know what to expect but what you see is something you could have expected
>The area is cordoned by the service ponies
>They enter and exit the building as they please
>No signs of Rarity outside
>You think of going to the Barn, but the Mane is closer
>...
>It's a neighbourooh is filled with shorter, four-eight stories tall buildings and it remind you more of the canterlot from the books
>during the ponistration age, at least
>The bar is a safe space
>No harm can be done anypony on its ground, such are the rules set in cyberdeck rubbles of ponies who disrespected this rule
>The local pony mob resting and peace-talk space
>Or it used to be, back in the times upper and lower canterlot weren't divided
>So says the scarse history records you got in your hooves about a half year ago when you left the Twilight Sparkle citadel
>It wasn't long after that when the council realized you are not at your assigned spot
>Not your fault the instructions weren't too clear
>That's what you said then and the hunt never stopped
>You sigh heavily and enter the building
>The place is vast, but divided with pseudo-walls so each table has some privacy while it's impossible to sneak in any open carry cute cat or fart pillow
>The waiters are bulky and friendly, but it's just an act
>The owner makes a fortune on the high end mafponios
>You grab a lonely place at the bar and barmaiden takes notice of you
>Her maid outfit just a little bit too short at her flanks
>The light in her eyes clearly betraing she knows it
>She enjoys it
>Mafponies, mare
>"What will it be for you?"
>Her voice rings with a happy jingle
>A sweet jingle
>A jingle as bright as new day's first sun ray
>There is a slight chance you feel particularly horni after being bonked
>You look at her
A - order juice
B - order lemonade
Y - order hard-cider
X - order her
AAYX

"I will take a juice."
>Her smile almost genuine
>Her coat of light brown with white dots
>Her eyes the deepest green you've seen
>"What juice?"
>She looks at you with a funny smirk
>"We have apple-juice, orange-juice, banana-juice, pear-juice and mare-juice~"
>Her eyebrows wiggles ever so obviously
"I will take, ummm, bananas."
>She rolls her eyes as she shakes her head as is to say "unbelievable"
>The juice is delivered in no time
>Tall glass
>Yellow mass
>Two cubes of sugar drop in it
>"Freshly milked."
>You kind of begin to suspect she's interested in becoming friends
>How kind of her
>No new patron comes in the building so far
>You take a sip of the toxic concosion-
"Mmm!"
>and find it refreshing and tasty
"What's your name?"
>She giggles like a filly
>"Why? It's Open Tap."
>Cute
>You look around to see that no pony seems to mind you two at the moment
>Then you give her your best-mare smile
"Listen, Open Tap, I look for a couple of answers, but I don't want to bother patrons. Can you point me to the correct pony?"
>She pokes her lower lip with a tip of her hoof as she thinks
>"That depends. What kind of answers or contacts you look for."
A - I look for a job
B - I look for ponies (at the slut house)
Y - I look for a certain dragon (1 - Spike) or a pony (2 - Applejack)
X - I look for a twilight sparkle
YXXX12

>Well, why not?
"I'm looking for a certain pony. Her name is Twilight Sparkle. She's a friend of mine."
>The bar-maiden puts her legs on the counter and rest her head on her hooves
>"What if I say that I can be your Twilight Sparkle, tonight?"
>You double take and you totally don't break a sweat
>Open Tap only half-laughs at you
>Her voice suddenly deeper, tender than before
>She winks at someone behind you
>You turn your head around only to discover no one close enough to be winked at
"I'm sorry, Open Tap, but I don't think this will do. I'm also looking for a certain dragon-"
>"My, my~" she cuts you off
>SHE CUTS YOU OFF
>rude
>"You certainly don't look like the type, mare," she accents it with fanning herself with a hoof and half-blushing
"What? No-"
>"Well, I certainly would love to be there when you three meet."
>Her grin is almost as smug as Rarity's, but more toothy
>How do they treat patrons here?!
>Is this how mob ponies live?!
>Is this not forbidden by the Oneighta?
>"If that's all what you,re looking for tonight, then you should talk to the Bobby."
>Why is it so hot here anyways
>You take a sip and turns out it was the last one
>"He is usually around here at this time of whatever time it is now."
>What
>A small-framed charcoal coated pony exits the restroom walking funny
>"Yup, that's him. Good eye."
"Thanks. And the drink? it was delicious."
>You stand up but a quiet harrump stops you in tracks.
>Turn around and find her smug
>No idea why
>"My name is Open Tap, not Open Tab."
"Huh?"
>"That will be 15 crebits. The drink? Remember?"
>Oh, yeah, right
>You laugh sheepishly as her eyes look almost glued to yours
>Something about this mare unnerves you
>As if she knew something you didn't and wasn't afraid of sharing it against your will
A - pay 15
B - pay 20
Y - pay 25
X - pay later
YYA

>You return with a smirk of your own and place your card on the counter
"Use yours, too."
>Open Tap uses the hoof-sized card reader and then pulls out her own crebit card
>"What for?"
"Just do it."
>You are Twilight Sparkle, the confident
>She gives you another wide, radiant smile
>"Thanks, you... mare~," her voice rich with... something
>Heck if you know
>The last word sends a pleasant vibration from your ears to your spine, though
>So it must be friendly
>Oh, Bobby the stallion sits at a lonely table in a far away corner of the room
>"Before you go, don't call him Bobby. Don't call him Pin either. He will tell you how to call him."
>Her eyes flatten back and she scratches the back of her head
>"I kind of forgot."
>You take couple of steps to Bobby's table and realize you forgot to ask who and what was she winking for-
>No, you can't go back so soon
>Maintain your coolness

>The stallion doesn't look young, in fact he looks older than you
>But he is just so small!
>Like, your size
>Mare-sized stallion
>His black colouration doesn't help
>He presents almost cute with a fish-tank behind his back
>You realize you been staring but it does not seem to be a problem since you're literally standing next to his table as he is looking up at you with very worried expression on his face
>Oh, right
"Um, hello?"
>The pony in question sniffles and nickers quietly
>"Hello?"
>His eyes narrows as he looks around the place and sips an orange lemonade with extra sparkles
>"Who are you?"
"My name is T- Twinkle Sprinke. I was told you can help me to find somepony."
>Another sip, another snort, even more sour grimace
>"Yeah? Who says that?"
"Well..."
>You point a very discrete and not obvious hoof at the general direction of the bar-maided.
>He looks between you and the area
>"That depends."
>With a movement of his head he invites you to sit down
>You oblidge
>Wow, these cushions, so soft
>"I'm not going who are you working for or with, Twinkle Spinke, but I am going to ask the most important question of all."
>Holding breath comes so easy
>"How much you have?"
"What, time?"
>"Money."
>Uh
>"I can help you to find anypony, even anycreature, but it gonna cost, and if you don't have cold blooded twibits, Twinkle Sprinkle," he snickers at his own poo-n, (you do too, out of good behaviour!), "then I can't help you. Not even gonna lie I am sorry."
>He takes another swink and ends the glass
>With a hiccup, couple of droplets of orange colous fall out of his nosetrils
>So this is how the mobponies live and die
>By drinking with the fishes
"I'm looking for a pony, and a dragon."
>His hindhoof taps the panneled floor
"Her name is Applejack, and his is Spike."
>He only nods
"What is the price?"
>He jerks his head and you notice his eyes are deep brown, almost as black as his coat
>"Give me a day, or two. In the meantime prepare money."

>Both of you lock your eyes
"How much?"
>"As much as I will tell, capiche?"
>...
>You eventually nod and smile
>The corners of his lips grimaces, as if he wasn't used to smiling
>A nervous neigh escapes his mouth
>You pretend you didn't hear it
>That's a nice thing to do
"We have a deal."
>"Name's Chalk. If I won't be here tomorrow by the usual time ask for a Bobby, or for a Pin."
>Your ears raise
>Should you ask?
>Well...
"Yeah, I was told not to call you that."
>Now it's his turn to laugh a hoarse, dry laughter of a miner-pony
>"Yes, that's the code. That's how I know you are worth my time."
>Huh
>"Want anything else?"
A - ask about his skillset
B - ask about the place
Y - ask about the bar-maiden
X - leave him to his drink (now snort-free)
YY

>You can as well ask about the mare
"Chalk, since you asked - what;s up with the mare at the bar? Open Tap?"
>"Whadda ya mean?"
>His dark outline fits like a shadow in the view of the fish tank behind his back
>Even his pout doesn't ruin the view
>"She's good friends."
>... with?
>Oh, the mob, ok
"What am I trying to ask is... does she have a vision problem?"
>The colt frown
>"Why do you ask? You some kind of a veterinarian?"
>wow, rude
"No, she just... keep winking at somepony behind me, but there was nopony behind me."
>"Maybe she was winking at you?"
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you kind of figured it already
>But you're also Twinkle Sprinkle and that's an embarassing subject right now
>If the citadel saw you right now they would die from laughter
>Worth noting down
"It sounds silly. I wouldn't bother you with asking if she wasn't doing that all the hecking time."
>Now, the casual curse made his interest pique
>"All the time?"
"Well, most of it."
>"Somepony can get lucky, if you know what I mean."
>You don't
"I wasn't sure not the motion, but is it acceptable in this... place."
>"What? This is a pony place. We are not prudes like those griffons from the Perch."
"Thanks for clarifying this."
>"No biggie. You better ask her about it. You seem kinda her type."
"What? Fresh meat?"
>"Purple."
A - ask about his skills
B - ask about the place
Y - ask about the bar-maiden
X - leave him to his drink (now snort-full)
YXXA

>Twilight Sparkle, the tempt-less
>Or temp-resiliant
>You resist the desire to bother this pony any more, considering it couldn't end well, and you go back to the bar-maid
>Only to find her unaproachable
>Two ponies sits next to the bar, both of them wearing suits
>That's normal?
>Two other masculine ponies stand in a small distance from them, their ears standing and waey
>The distance is bit enough to not pry to listen
>Not big enough to not see these waiters don't really intend to serve these patrons, but rather protect them from unwanted ponies
>Lucky for you, you're a really wanted pony
>Couple of steps to their direction you take make the waiters-security-force to face you
>Ok, you're wanted by the citadel, not here
>Worth a try, eh?
>You take a slow step back and the guards visibly relax
>You excuse yourself with a weak smile and bow your head
>The patrons don't pay you any mind, as they laugh and drink
>Open Tap, however, notices you
>She raise a corner of her mouth and winks-
>Winks!
>- at you (you think), she throws her mane back and returns to her clients
>...
>What now?
A - sit somewhere and wait till the patrons are gone
B - go to a motel to get rest
Y - go to any other bar from the previous list of locally available hubs (1 - the Hive (rave), 2 - the Mine (dive bar), 3 - The Barn (saloon))
X - search the street for quick cash
AXXY

>Twilight Sparkle, the tempt-less
>Or temp-resiliant
>You resist the desire to bother this pony any more, considering it couldn't end well, and you go back to the bar-maid
>Only to find her unaproachable
>Two ponies sits next to the bar, both of them wearing suits
>That's normal?
>Two other masculine ponies stand in a small distance from them, their ears standing and waey
>The distance is bit enough to not pry to listen
>Not big enough to not see these waiters don't really intend to serve these patrons, but rather protect them from unwanted ponies
>Lucky for you, you're a really wanted pony
>Couple of steps to their direction you take make the waiters-security-force to face you
>Ok, you're wanted by the citadel, not here
>Worth a try, eh?
>You take a slow step back and the guards visibly relax
>You excuse yourself with a weak smile and bow your head
>The patrons don't pay you any mind, as they laugh and drink
>Open Tap, however, notices you
>She raise a corner of her mouth and winks-
>Winks!
>- at you (you think), she throws her mane back and returns to her clients
>...
>What now?
A - sit somewhere and wait till the patrons are gone
B - go to a motel to get rest
Y - go to any other bar from the previous list of locally available hubs (1 - the Hive (rave), 2 - the Mine (dive bar), 3 - The Barn (saloon))
X - search the street for quick cash
XXX

>The night is getting late and you're getting tired
>You chose against going and taking a rest
>You did not chose against reason, though
>It won't hurt to go around the hood in hope for...
>Don't know exactly what
>It's not taht you will jump some hard working pony, now will you?
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you are smart
>And that thing?
>That wouldn't be smart
>The lower canterlot doesn't sleep, the buildings around here go from six stores to twenty
>The newer, the uglier, somehow
>No pony else is nighering about it
>Only you
>You don't really belong here, you know it
>Nor you belong in the citadel, you know it even more!
>If that makes any sense
>You're in pain, you know?
>Well, in a subdued-pain, but it still is pain!
>3 AM, and you pass by the holder tower
>You wouldn't notice if not for you looking at the sky
>A rainbow bridge cut it above you, around 100th - 120th floor
>The name's cute, but it's a wide gray piece of metal hung just under the sky
>The holder towers are a connector to the higher canterlot
>Heavily locked
>Heavily guarded
>This one is about three stores high, a block of concrete with a single glass covered elevator shaft going all the way up
>The mere presence of such a structure provided ponies with the rare feeling of security
>Ponies around these blocks don't have to worry about somepony forcibly snuggling them or bouncing on them or telling them a lewd joke
>Charge free

>You roam the back alleys a bit more
>There is nothing really going on at 4AM
>The city doesn't sleep, but it also isn't partially awake
>More like it collapse on an unmade bed and just lay down till it's time to wake up
>Such a place this town is
>From time to time yellow and red lights of a charriot high above the ground catch your eye
>...
>What does bother you about this place is the complete lack of grass
>Ponies are supposed to see a lot of green
>Grass green
>Not neon green
>There's no path of dirt around there, too
>the only rain you get is when a water pipe gets broken
>Being here for the last half a year would be challenging even without the Twilight Sparkle goons going after you
>Now that you think of it, you're really lucky Rarity was here and she believe your history
>You almost fall on all four thanks to her help
>You met Applejack once, but it just... it wasn't the same
>About others?
>No pony knows
>Certain things change
>It's 5 AM and you're tired
>You finally find a place where you can get couple of crebits, but the labor ponies are now getting out of their homes, going to work
>What you find is a small marketplace, with a very peculiar fish smell
>In the back stands vending machines and...
>You're Twilight Sparkle
>Free snacks are, like, your second nature
>You won't ever confirm it to anyone, though
>There is a big sign of a hotel nearby, too
>Neat
A - go to a hotel
B - rob the vending machines
Y - roam the street (again)
X - chit-chat at the market
BBX

>The market is only opening when you sneak past the entrance, right into the vending machine corner
>They are bright
>They are many
>Full of overpriced goods
>And stuck in place, if the corporate welding to the metal plates indicates something
>You boop each one of them right in the cube detector
>It's a trade marked name for the crebits collector
>When machines are online, they say so by warm greetings and happy tunes
>You're interested in those who operate offline; these display very concerned warnings, like: "Watch out, tall grass!" or "Once in the bum is just for fun!".
>You don't pry why
>Not that many of the machines display this sick sense of humour,it seems, but certain things doesn't change
>Only two of the offline ones are equipped with the blue cubit memory
>It means they both work, but they store gold in themselves untill someone picks it up
>You're Twilight Sparkle, extra-ordinaire snack's collector!
>...
>Easier said than done
>Poking your hooves around the panels make you waste time
>That used to work around the citadel
>You suspect the only way to overdrive the security measures is to fry them
>Zapping is loud, though, and the blue cubit modules can be of literally any size...
>And you can't zap both of them same time!
>They are too far away
>Sweet Celestia
>You have to choose
A - zap the vending machine selling NRG-products. (NRG sells its best known sugar cube batons for around 5 crebits at a shop price)
B - zap the vending machine selling RUB-ER-products. (RUB-ER sells well known anti depressant toys which are the first choice among failed self-snuggles attemptees, usual price is also 5 crebits)
Y - abandon the idea and head to the hotel
X - [tired]
AXXY

>Screw this idea
>With a stomp you turn back and get out of the vending machine dead end
>You would lie if you say "just in time, because a civilian almost went in", because that did not happen
>This just can't end well in this state
>And you didn't even think how would you haul or download the money on your card
>You could loot them for snacks
>That's what you used to do
>Being tired makes you risky
>You exit the market place without being forced to exchange pleasant greetings with scarce passerbying ponies
>...
>You reach the nearby hotel building in no time
>It's three stores high, but from your experience with such places, the air conditioning is non-existent
>Your leg begin to hurt again once you reach the reception
>You look through your black hoodie and pristine chest floof for the painkillers, but find only the antibiotics
>It's not even 5 hours since you took the last pill
>You should wait
>...
>The reception is a desk with one slender looking mare with a peculiar look
>It's mane doesn't just end like any-pony else's, but rather falls down her neck on both the sides and meets at her chest
>The last thing you notice is her horn which-
>-which is whicked and splintered into two at the end.
>The mare in front of you is a kirin
>And she talks with a strong eastern accent
>"Welcome to the Silent Hill. We don't really have a hill here. Previously knows as the Silent Village, but the new owner changed the name. Not that we had a village here, anyways."
>As she end her speel two pairs of ponies walk in past you and go out
"What's the price?"
>"Twenty crebits paid a full day cycle. Fifty bits of bail. The third floor is under maintenance process. How long you want to stay?"
"Does it matter?"
>"Not really."
"Do I need to sign something?"
>"You need to pay on time."
"I will take a room."
>This is the first time she cocks her head to a side, as if confusion, but you could swear she does it a lot; you don't know why you think that

>"We don't have rooms here. We have cubits."
>This makes sense, considering the price
>You nod
"That's what I meant."
>"Put the card to the terminal, please."
>You do as you're told and put your card next to a screen-like light yellow screen built in on a nearby wall
>625 turns into 555 on your eyes
>not literally, the tv doesn't show it, you just remember how much you have
>You have very good memory
>And you fear how much will it cost to hunt down AJ or Spike or Twilight Sparkle
>Uh
>you don't remember did you ask Chalk-pony about th-
>"Here's your card, don't lose it."
>Oh, yeah
>"Number's 314."
>Yousecure the small orange card iwith the number in your floof and enter through the next pair of doors
>The building doesn't look taht tall, but each store is easily twice as tall as any other living space
>It's incredibly ugly, almost completely made of concrete
>With a big open space filled with chairs and tables in the middle, cornered on each end with small food stands
>Above the central platform free space up to the roof
>A staircase on your left and on your right, probably not the only two
>Your stomach is good, or you're too tired to eat
>Slowly, you trudge on the first floor
>There are crude looking red neons hanging off the wall
>Both turned off, but they say "1" on the left and "2" on the right 
>You reach the second floor and the same pattern of neons changes to "3" and "4"
>The stairs lead up, but you just go to find your place
>Once inside the living site you pass by many ponies goint to work or coming from work or socialising in this little comune
>Not only lone types, but also whole families living one next to another
>The roof is lower here, pretty regular, only two cubits fit in place
>One above the other, a ladder is shared between two
>You find yours at the dead end of a corridor
>You get in and close the door behind
>It's completely dark

>Darkness and silence for the first time you entered the building
>The light above your head turns on and so does the air ventilation
>Only now you realize how unpleasantly hot the corridors were
>This tiny air vent is just enough to keep one pony not suffocating in this small, box shaped metal trap called home
>It's not that the place is tiny, but you can't stand up in there
>It's enough place for a tiny mattress with built-in pillow, a charger-slot and the light turn-off next to the head of the bed, and about two hooves in lenght of space for your things
>One and a half of pony height in lengh and two-pony wide
>This is your new home
>The silence doesn't stay on forever, as a foal somewhere nearby begins to cry
>You lock the door and turn off the light
>It was a long day

>The low humming of air vent goes off only when you unlock the door
>You don't know what time it is
>The place outside looks as packed as before
>As loud and smelly and-
>It feels as if you did not sleep at all
>Maybe you didn't
>You head out down to the food parlors and consume what is 25 crebits worth
>530 is not much
>with hunger and thirst sated you pop a pill of the antibiotics and search for a clock
>there is none
>a pony sitting alone with her back to you is who you ask
"Hey, what time is it?"
>she looks at you with a long face which turns into a bright smile
>uh oh
>"Twilight Sparkle!"
>UH OH
>she jumps to her hooves- and so do you!
>her light blue coat crashes into you and-
>She hugs you
"Wow, umm, ok."
>"Long time no see."
"You t-too, b-but-"
>you don't know her
>she knows a twilight sparkle
>she can't tell you are not you
>you know what you mean
>the point is, she doesn't
A - friendly
B - neutral
Y - hostile
X - sarcastic
AAAXXX

>You give her your best Twilight Sparkle(tm) smirk and wait
>Her head cocks to a side as her eyes narrows at you with a smirk of her own
>"But what?"
>You wave a hoof at her to come closer and so she does
>Straight to her ear you whisper-
"Butts."
>A burst of laughter is your prize
>It's contagious
>Couple of ponies around join to laugh but quickly cuts themselves in the mids of it due to not really hearing the joke
>There was no joke, to begin with
>"Ah, so that's what you been doing all this time?"
>Her blue eyes full of tears
"More or less. You know me, I prefer flanks."
>"Flanks? Now, that's the first time I hear about it."
>Uh oh
"You know, ponies change. You can spank only so many cheeks before you can tell the difference between the beet red and mean meat."
>You have no idea what you just said
>The smile she wears seems more genuine than the synthetic hay in hayburgers around there
"How have you been, er-"
>You pause
>"I can't believe you forgot my name, again!"
>Twilight Sparkle's best sorry smile
>"I told you to go to a memory doctor. They could fix you, you know?"
>A herd of office mares rushed beside you
>Both of you sit down at your table
>"Well?"
>She excepts you to say something?
"I know."
>"And?"
"I forgot?"
>She taps the table and raise a brow
>Her blue eyes pierce yours
>You can tell
>You watch hers
>Then a single crack of a smile
>She rolls her eyes
>"That's just so much you." 
>She sighs
>Both of you resume to your food
>"I left the Marehattan about half a year ago. Lower city finally got sink in the sea and turned into a sewer water. You know it. You saw it."
>You suit a grim expression that matches hers
>"I stayed for a bit, but I quickly realized you were right. It was important to get out of that heck hole. No one cared about that place, no one with actual power, that is. I packed what little I had and I moved on."
>You reach out and pat her hoof
>The sad smile is gone in no time
>"I won't be kidding. If I were to say it was an easy thing to do I would be lying. To leave that place, with so much memories... But I had to save myself. 
"So you packed and left. It must have hurt."
>"Watching the place turn into a boiling pot of colts and fillies playing grown-ups would be far more painful in the long run. It's as you said, certain ponies cannot be trusted with power."
>She slorps her coke through a star-shaper straw
>"I just wish you have waited for me. Why did you not wait for me?"
>UH OH
A - because you would not leave with me in the picture
B - because you needed to make your own decision
Y - because I couldn't wait
X - what is your name again?
XXX

>"Well? What do you have for your defence?"
>Her hoof pokes at your direction
"Eh, what is your name, again?"
>Her eyes snap full open
>Her ears fall back then stand up, then fall back again, repeatedly
>Her face turns crimson red before she chokes on a laughing fit
>"You're really ubelievable, Twilight Sparkle. I- I... We spent so much time together and you're always like this. How do you pull it off? You always seem so sincere at this fake shock."
"I took acting classes."
>"No, you didn't. You're just an ass, mare."
>She shakes her head with a manic grin that doesn't fit her
>"I don't know what to tell you."
"How about your name?"
>"My name? You're serious? Were you hit in the head?"
"Hey, don'y ask about my bed-time activities without sharing yours first."
>Worked as planned
>The mare is grinning with her white tooth visinle
>No trace of anger in her voice
>"Name's Light Breeze."
"Light Breeze. Fits your coat."
>It is light blue, with an inch of gray, only now you find it relevant
>"Gah! You always say the same! I swear, each time we meet you seem even more brain damaged than before. As if someone wiped clear your memory or if you were many ponies in one template."
>You are Twilight Sparkle and your chuckle is not nervous
"I'm in danger."
>"What?"
"What?"
>"You said-"
"Yes."
>"You're an absolute ass."
"For you."
>The both of you finish your food
>"The truth is, I got used to meeting you unexpectantly and always telling you my name."
"How sweet of you."
>"Bully. No, you told me your job requires certain things to be wiped out due to the company policy. For the record, you never crossed me in any way, on the contrary, you always has been a great help to me."
>So much for a light conversation
>"So, how have you been?"
>You look at the mare 
"Good?"
>"No, for real?"
A - Good
B - Bad
Y - I don't know
X - What is your name again?
BB

"Light Breeze, I..."
>You take a deep breath
"I wasn't so good this time."
>She puckers her lips and frown in worry, you presume, but doesn't interrupt
"The memory wipes? They have been a bit more often than before, and they leave me dizzy for more time. I tried to acclimate. I really tried. I think about leaving."
>The mare moves closer
>Her voice barely above hearable volume
>"Then why won't you refuse?"
>Uh, work or what?
"What do you mean?"
>"To let the company order you to do so?"
"Ah, no. They are needed. The are..."
>You trail your voice dramatically
>Her compassion is almost physically visible
>One more dramatic exhale
"The company says so."
>You two sit like that as ponies around you move in chaos
>"Is there any possibility the company - and I won't pry who your current employer is - mess with your head in more than just memory?"
>She begins shy-ly at first
>"What I am trying to ask is, is there any way you would know if they fry something they are not supposed to?"
"Who are you and how are you oh so wise in the way of braindance?"
>You both share a chuckle
>She doesn't speak, though, clearly waiting for an answer
"I wouldn't know."
>"Part of the deal?"
"Yup."
>Another moment of silence
>This time, she is deep in throughts
>So should be you!
>You gathered so much intel and lied so much!
>Mommy Velvet would be so proud
>You will need some time alone to think of what to think of Light Breeze
"What is room?"
>"Room? 405. Does it mean you're not going to run after we meet?"
"No. Not yet."
>She should be known as the chuckling mare, because it's adorable
>"What if you get a different job offer?"
>Weird choice of words
"A... different?"
>"I doubt my boss can offer you a better offer, considering what you do - which I still don't know, but I have my suspiciouns - but a different job? I work for a takeover acquisition company and we always look for an experienced pair of hooves. I could talk to my boss. He's a total sucker for cute mares being bossy."
>She is right
>You're cute
>And bossy
>Hold on, Twilight Sparkle, no time for getting led on by a leash!
"It wouldn't hurt to get to know him, I guess?"
>"Sweet. I start soon and I end at 11 pm. How about we meet here?"
>She stands up, but then halts
>"What's your bunk's number?"
>So she fears you'll ditch her?
>Wrong, she fears 'Twilight Sparkle' will ditch her
>That's not you
>Remember it, Twilight Sparkle
"Three and fourteen. The one with air conditioning."
>"All of them have air-conditioning, silly."
"Lucky us."
>You exchange one last hug and she's on her way to- to where exactly?
>Your eyes follow her as she leave the building in no hurry
>They fall at the zifferblyat of a digital clock in the lower right side of a merchansiding screen
>It say's it's 2 pm
>So, you slept for almost 7 hours?
>Good enough
>You have a meeting set up after the mid-night, or was it the next day cycle, not this one?
>You can't remember
>Heh
>There's a chance to get money though
>...
>What to do in the meantime?
A - stay at the hotel and rest or explore
B - go to Spike's
Y - go to Rarity's
X - go to Twilight Sparkle's (YOURS) old place
BBXY

>You exit the market distict and hope for best at Spike's
>...
>No one followed you
>The miraculous meeting with Light Breeze leaves you in rather combersome mood
>That is, you don't want to become minced mare
>The Den apartments are as tall and proud as before
>Curiosity wins as you decide to take a look at the alley previously 'owned' by the Dong Gang
>It's oddly pristine for a narrow back-alley good
>All the smelly memorabilia are removed
>No sight of the dongs, either
>Maybe if you played it differently they would be there, but you'll never know
>...
>You avoid a casual approach and don both the hoodie and the glasses and sneak inside the building
>Search for any form of camera results in negative outcome - you find none, you find none, damnit
>What a way to monologue, Sparkle!
>After reaching the unlucky corridor you see nothing out of the ordinary
>Never too safe, though
>The magical energy gather in your horn and erupts in a short distance Twilight Sparkle scan
>There's no other Twilight Sparkle distance
>There may be other methods of setting an alarm, which you are not aware of, yet you decide to approach the door
>Three time knock echoes through the doors to Spike's unnamed apartment
>Aaaand
>He is not home
>Well, why would he be?
>It's not that you really need his help and he's being useless somewhere else
>You stomp in dignified anger
>...
>Could you barge in?
>You inspect the door and they look quite solid, for a piece of wood, that is
>Wait, what are you thinking?!
>You can't go in like that!
>To disrespect Spike like that- that's unthinkable!
>Even the citadel goonmares don't do that!
>...

>But it's a special situation
>You could wait at his place till he comes back whenever it is or find a clue as of his current position
>And the door have a hoof pannel next to it
>You did not notice it before
>You could hack it
>Or try to
>How hard Spike's password could be?
>Puh-lease, it probably is something about food, or gems, or marshmallows
>...>No... This wouldn't be right
>The situation is dire, but-... but he would understand...
>Your eyes snap open as if you used them for the first time and then the train of thoughts derail through your mental wall
>Why are you afraid of Spike?
>Because you don't want to lose an ally, simple
>Why is the citadel afraid of Spike?
>Well, maybe not afraid, maybe, hmm, rather respect his boundaries?
>Like... Like you do?
>Some doors creek open down the corridor!
>Unidentified steps audible on the concrete floor as they approach you from some side!
>Think fast!
A - Hide somewhere and wait till the creature goes by
B - Try to hack the doors (Type in the password in the format of "PASSWORD")
Y - Avoid contact and go to Rarity's
X - Avoid contact and go to your's old apartment
YAAAX

>You run behind the corner as the steps approach!
>The walls make it like an echo chambers once the figure enters the one where Spike's door are located
>You look around!
>There is a vending machine which you could pull a bit over and hide behind it
>Also, a potted plant which is oh so totally plastic it hurts to see
>The choice is important... not!
>You move the pot as quietly as possible and place it next to the vending machine
>Once next to it you commit an inhuman (what is a human) strengh and slowly move the giant metal box out of it's position
>It moves but catches a carpet and stand not-evenly
>It wobbles - but you don't have time to fix it as the person is nearby
>You mask the hole created this way with the plant and stick your thight and perfect butt in there
>Standing on hind legs and holding the wobbling machine with front hooves is not the safest, dangabit
>Yet it's very handy
>The voice approach and turns the last corner
>You can't see who is it
>You can only hear as it wheezles in your direction
>Your heart is pounding so loud against the warm instalation
>The thing misses you
>Then the sound stops!
>A halting screech
>Your ears hurt!
>Moment of silence
>It comes back!
>Sweet Celestia, no!
>Why did you decide to hide?!
>You would never do that if you knew this will be this terrible
>Since when are you afraid of sounds?!
>You close your eyes and in the silence if the refrigerating contant buzz is not taken into account, a feminine can be heard
>It's a sh-
>"I... aaa... laaa..." the elderly feminine voice comes from the other side of the machine
>"Beouf. Bingo," a giggle can be heard
>As much as the sound of crumping paper by repeatetive opening and closing and old, overused book can be used to describe a giggle
>You're Twilight Sparkle and you know your books
>A purchase is made and the wheezing-wheeling sound returns as the pony goes to the exit
>You stick your head out from the tight compartment to see a very wrinkled grey ass in a purple neon wig...

>... using an electic mobility device that pulls her forward
>...
>Well, it was close
>You had no idea donkeys lived here, but the Den is known for multi-species inhabitants
>Hmm
>Since when you, Twilight Sparkle, gets so jumpy  you don't know
>You're about to pull out the pack of antibiotics you take to see any possible bad symptoms but something catches your eye
>The venting machine
>It displays a picture of you on red background with one horisontal white sinus of a line
>No, it's not a picture of yours
>It's Twilight Sparkle
>On a Sparkle-Cola advertisiment
>You exhale the breath you didn't know you been holding
>Quickly realise the machine must show the last purchase
>It makes you nauseous
>This is the first time you see this since you left the citadel
>You have no idea when did it come to the market
>You only know the citadel reached the next phase in the conquest of this and other realms
>Never a sign of this beverage in the last half of a year and now...
>And you don't even like the taste of carrots that much!
A - get back to Spike's door and hack the door ("PASSWORD")
B - get back to Spike's door and try to break in brutally
Y - go to Rarity's Slut House
X - go to any shop and ask about the sparkle-cola
YAAN

>Still in mild shock you go back to the computer at Spike's door
>It wakes up to life and display's the company name in white letters on a black screen
>Locc-o-kok-o
>The is divided into two halves; the lower one displays a numer digital keyboard, the upper 4 free spaces
>You try number 1 four times and see that the screen turns red and cleans itself off the incorrect numbers
>No sound is made by the testing attempt
>You inspect the door closer to find nothing out of ordinary
>You poke the hoof panel and eventually find two holes for technical cables
>Without augementations or a mobile computer you won't be able to hack into these
>You can crush it and hope for the best, only
>Maybe looking around the building could help?
A - Crush the hoof-panel
B - Attack the door
Y - Look around the building
X - Go to Rarity's (1) or the Hotel (2) or the Bar (3)
YY

>With a curse untold (and stuck in your throat!) you get away from the door and-
>And what?
>The corridor leads to the exit from the floor minus one, by a ramp up, not stairs, and to the other side
>You realize you haven't been there last time
>You slowly trot where the old donkey female came from
>It's a corridor that bends couple of times, with doors on each side
>They are numbered with the apartments numbers, some with hoof-readers
>Overall the corridor ends far away with two elevators in a recess in the wall, right in the middle of the long part of the hall
>Also a stair case is located next to it
>Some air vents, but too small to comfortably get into
>And turned on - very hazardous
>You climb up the stairs and find a small storage room in the middle of them
>It's closed
>The first floor, or zero floor, layout is similar to the one where Spike's apartment is, yet somewhat different
>The doors to the apartments look similar
>The corridor looks similar, with more different colours, though
>Everything is the same, but the apartment just above Spike's
>There is no door in the wall at this place
>The corridor bends twice from the elevator-stairs element but the wall is empty
>You reach up the next floor and see the exact same pattern
>The door to apartment corresponding to Spike's are only at the underground level
>Why must it be so confusing?
A - Go back to Spike's door and... knock on the closest neighbouring apartment?
B - Go to Rarity's
Y - Go to the Hotel
X - Go to the storage room and try to break in
BBA

>You get back to Spike's door and look at them intently
>They stare back
>Your brows move up and down as if saying "Well, how about that, then?" and you find yourself walking to the closest apartment
>You raise your hoof to hit the door- and jump in surpise!
>Not in fear, surprise!
>A loud, clanking sound from the deeper part of the corridor startled you, a bit
>It's an elevator moving
>You put your hoof back to the floor and direct yourself to the exit doors
>That was enough of a bad sign for you
>Not that you, Twilight Sparkle, believe in superstitions
>No, sir
>Supersitions are scientifically proven to have a source, though
>Science!
>...
>You reach the Slut-House in no time
>The sun is still high and you still have couple of hours to meet with Light Breeze, if you still want to, that is
>The door aren't barricaded with the police force
>Yet, the place seems packed with a high number of clearing ponies that hault parts of equipments and furnite out and stash it into a trash cart with two earth pony stallions harnessed to it
>The entrance is open ajar, and many voices of (re)construction ponies can be heard
>One of them stands on a ladder and tries to remove the destroyed camera, which recording you still have safely secured, as a meaty protrusion between his legs dangle left and right in free fall
>You narrow your eyes and confirm it's his p-
>Paint cans are being hauled inside
>It seems Rarity is wasting no time and getting to rebuild her business from scrap
>She most likely won't have any money to borrow
>You get inside the entrance hole watching out with each step
>Still glad she came out of it unharmed
>She was the first you met after-
>"Ekhm!"
>You stop and look around
>Then up
>Close to your face you see the dangling-
"Can I help you?"
>A salty smell tingles your nose, so you take a step deeper inside
>The pony gratefullly, but not gracefully, gets off of the ladder and pokes a hoof at you
>"I don't know. Where are you going?"
"Inside."
>"It's closed."

"I can see that much."
>"Then why?"
>his eyes narrowed, his snake withdrawing
A - "Going to meet Rarity."
B - "I'm an old patron."
Y - "Curious about what happened."
X - "What were you doing with that camera?"
AAXXXXX

>"Then why?"
>his eyes narrowed, his snake withdrawing
"Hold on, before we continue this- what were you doing to that camera?"
>His eyes snap open
>"What? I was checking is it usable. Why do you ask?"
"Well, as you know, this place has been raided by unidentified bed-fillies, it's of upmost importance to find the ones responsible for this act of sexual depravation to make sure they won't do something like that ever again."
>You cock your head to a side as you speak
"Solid spanking should be enough, maybe a week long, up to the court, really, but if what's talked on the street is to be believed, and,most of the time there's at least some of truth in it, then the rape raid could have been orchestrated by somepony far more powerful than just a back-alley wanna-breed."
"And that's why a missing gem in that camera could forfeit all the endeavors to discover the ponies behind this.
>You take a step forward and puff out your chest
"So, could you kindly tell me is there a gem inside this camera? I hope you did not pocket it while pretending to be a work pony, that would be extremely... bad for you."
>His eyes flat on the head, as his hooves glued to the floor, yet the whole body tries to move as far away from you as possible without commiting an actual step back
>His will-power is almost admirable
>"N-no, I- I wouldn't do that. I'm paid to scrap anything possible! The boss told us to do so before we pain the place!"
"Is the gem inside the camera?"
>His gulp is audible
>"No. I checked for it, but it's empty. It must have been emptied before our group even came here. I'm the only one with recroding device license, so only I touched this AR-12 model. I must say, I hoped it will be in a better shape. I-I... collect small parts from them, that's a hobby of mine, but I wasn't able to get any part out of-"
>Another pony sneaks up at you two!
>No, not really
>It's a different earth pony, this time a mare in a yellow helmet, approaching you two

>"Hello," she interrupts the other pony, whose meaty friend unzips itself as he gets redder on face, "name's Sturdy Blocks. I'm the boss here. What is the issue?"
>The small part enthusiast turns to his, presumably, boss
"Well, I would like to know."
>She looks at you unimpressed
>"And you are?"
"A friend of the owner. I came to visit her, but your pony stopped me."
>She dismisses the stallion with a motion of her hoof
>"Just as somepony should. It's a construction site, you can't get in."
"Why?"
>"We have our paint cans counted. We can't really allow anypony to wander in and out as they please, besides, the owner's not here."
>Hmm
>The pony her side to you and helps the other pony to get back on the ladder, his stallionhood jingling like bells-
"When she left? Where is she?"
>The bossy pony looks at surpsised you're still there
>"Once we signed the contract. If you're her friend, as you say, then shouldn't you know her whereabouts?"
>The stallion on the ladder loses balance and wobbles! 
>The boss gasps and grabs the ladder harder
>No pony falls, but the top side of her bright yellow helmet gets hit with a pink meaty protrusion of the colt on the la-
>repeatedly
>couple of ponies laugh but quickly stop it as the boss mare's face is about to explode
>she begins to berate the colt for 'unprofessional behavior' and 'odd interest with camera equipment'
>a sad sight, indeed
>The colt stays on the ladder and the mare still secures it; the dangling dandelion does not shrink, nor stop pulsi-
>You don't know where Rarity lives
>you never really thought about that
>You never needed
>she always has been here
>but she must live somewhere
A - sneak in pretending you're somepony else
B - claim you are the ponice and order to be let in
Y - go to the Hotel 
X - go to the Barn
BXAA

>you decide to sneak into the place
>luckily for you, Sturdy Blocks still faces away from you, berating the unhealthily excited engineer
>you would stay and watch as his meaty trunk pulses ever more as her voice gets louder, but you have better things to do
>once you're inside one thing turns clear
>the whole club is going under a groun-revamp, save for the first floor wooden bar, who is being currently emptied by a couple of giggling workers
>where the moaning corpses of satisfied ponies laid before, now stands cans of high quality paint
>where the white stains of good fun could be visible on satin panties that no one wore at the moment used to be, now stacks of paper and rolls of wallpaper occupy spaces
>you come closer to the duo of giggling ponies who put away the last carton box full of half-opened bottles and begin to unwrap a protective foil
>you decide to not interact with them as no pony pays you any attention
>with a quick step, you reach the first floor and look down from the VIP-used-to-bee section
>nothing out of ordinary, it seems
>three or four ponies on the first floor tears down some wall pannels
>it sure looks supsicious enough, so you do what a true scientist always would
>you stare
>the team in question pull away a piece of wall and-
>-and safely places the tile on a stack of tiles
>not quite sure what you expected, Twilight Sparkle
>oh, shut up, Twilight Sparkle
>you roll your eyes at no pony in particular
>then you pass the team and reach the door to the manager room
>they look exactly like before, but the wall next to them changed colour from mahony to red, maybe cherry, and gold, at the top and bottom
>there is a num-lock on the wall, just currently covered in paint paper
>you try the door again as someone behind you coughs
>and coughs again
>Celestia! That's a really long coughing fit
>You turn back to help the struggling to breath pony but none of them seem on the verge of death
>two or three of them give you a long glare

>hmm
>they still kind of try to paint the wall, but one of them comes close enough you can;t ignore them!
"Hi?"
>"Hello. I and the boys were wondering who are you?" 
>You look to the now slyly listening group of mares, then back to the mare who seems to be the group leader
"Boys?"
>"Um, yes, any problem with that?"
"No, no problem with boys."
>"Good! Well, who are you? Why aren't you working? And what were you trying to do here? The office is off limits. You should know that."
A - The boss sent me to check on you (Younger Engineer Twilight Sparkle)
B - The camera pony sent me to check on the feedback (Younger Arcana Technician Twilight Sparkle)
Y - The duo at the bar sent me to ask you what you want to drink (Younger Friend For Hire Twilight Sparkle)
X - The ponice sent me to investigate (Younger Detective Twilight Sparkle)
YB

>You point back with your head
"The scavengers wanted to know would you like something to drink, or, as they said, what do you want to drink."
>You cough into your hoof to make it all look natural
"So, what to tell them, Boys?"
>The ears of all of the bunch raise in unisono at the mention of free drinks during work-hours
>Their backs straighten at their name
>Their leader mare really tries not to smile
>"Well, if it's like that, then tell them we want the usual."
>She turns her back to you and shakes her tail in - anticipation? you think?
>From the lower floor some commotion and yelling is heard
>A quick glance over the protective barrier reveals Sturdy Block is done yelling at the Meaty Whack, hue, and doing a walk-over
>You turn to the Boys (mares), giving you a curious look
>"What's the problem?" asks one of them
>"She shouldn't be here, most likely." another one, the older looking one answers
>You turn to look at them
>Ready to strike
>Ready to flee
>Ready to eee-
>"I mean, not working." the mare that answered continues
>"Oh, yeah," the younger one rubbed her head, "hey, mare, grab this!"
>She pulled out a leg with a big brush with something yellow and glue-ish on it
A - grab it and work
B - run down the stairs and out of the building
Y - hide on the first floor behind some revamp equipment
X - calmly go down and look for Sturdy Block
AA

>You grab the brush
>The pony raises an eyebrow in a questioning, expectant look
>The Boys one look at another with a varying degree of confusion turning quickly into a worry
>You think about storing the glasses in your floof but the boss is closer!
>No, she's here!
>You put the paiting brush into a nearby can of white, translucent paint and focus your effort on the closest tile on the wall
>"I see you Boys don't waste any time. Wait a minute..." Sturdy Block's voice trails off
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you don't dare to turn away from the very interesting, freshly painted wall
>Your ears are hot and very, very flat as she approaches you from behind
>"You're supposed to retrieve that. Why are you painting-"
>"Um, that's what we're trying to figure out," the Boy's leader mare speaks up, most-likely saving your skin
>You keep brushing the now somewhat whitened thin piece of stone
>"What do you mean?"
>"We were told to get them white and then to get them gone."
>"What? When? By who's order?"
>"Um," another of them speaks, "there was this, um, mare-"
>"-or stallion, hard to tell-"
>"-yeah, hard to tell. Anyways, they came and yelled at us and what not, that we been doing this wrong."
>A moment of silence, if not for the renovation sounds from the lower level
>The boss speaks again
>"In a black hoodie? Wearing glasses?"
>Boy, why is it so hot here, probably paint fumes
>"Yup."
>Heck!
>You quickly pull the glassess off of your nose and store it!
>The moment you return to facing the wall a hoof lands on your back!
>It pulls you to turn around!
>It's very strong!
>You don a neutral, bored look
>"You, are you not-"
>A look of anger quickly dissipates into one of confusion
"Not?"
>Her eyes narrows but she dissmisses the thought with a head shake
>"Take off your clothes. The owner is rich, but they won't pay for your personal belongings to get destroyed."
>You maintain the eyecontact till the hoodie restrict the vision
>"And the rest of you, please, stop doing that."

>"Why?"
>"We have a security issue, maybe a security breach. Follow only my orders. I will have you to report to me any suspicious activity."
>Various voices of confirmation, yours included, satisfy the boss enough to turn away and trot down in a quick pace
>You don't pick up the brush and look at the scene around you
>The Boys glance at you with raised eye-brows, till one of them begin to giggle
>Soon, all of them giggle
>"Why in the Celery's heck you pain the tile? It's not paint, it's glue removal, look at it."
>The can indeed stored paint removal substance, if the label can be trusted
>Protip: they can
>The tile you been furiously ruining is now in the hooves of one of the Boys
>"Well, we can't re-use it. I've never seen someone do that. I didn't even know it's possible to re-paint stone with this."
>"Either way, you should be going, girl."
>"Yeah. I'm thirsty."
>This confuses you
"Thirsty?"
>"Yeah? You came to ask us for- wait, what did the boss say?"
>The ponies look between the tile, you, and themselves
>Uh oh
A - Run for the run god
B - Collect the orders and go down to get the bottles, or try to
Y - Incapacitate the Boys and breach into the office
X - Ask for the orders and smoothly excuse yourself to go out of the club
A "AB"

>To get out is your goal
"So, what do you want to drink, again?"
>The Boys look at one another
>One of them speaks up before you can begin to worry (again!)
>"Anything, really, just not too strong."
>"Yeah, the boss may be onto something for real."
>You nod and salute with a hoof to your forehead
"Roger roger. Purple spy's out for drinks."
>As you said, you do, walking away slowly, bur with a purpose
>Yeah, to run away!
>Nervous chuckling behind you, and no yelling, proves you did well and not everything went to heck
>Descending the stairs you notice the boss talking with the pair of ponies that now have the Bar covered with foil of some sorts
>A sigh of relief escapes your lips
>You did not have to deal with the boss spotting you
>You sneak past through the middle of the place into the entrace corridor in no time
>With the still black hoodie still on your chest (it barely makes it up to your flanks!), you walk next to the ladder pony with sausage problem
>He's currently on the floor, sheathed, mumbling curses under his beath
>He doesn't notice you and you don't console him
>You're quite sure he will find a nice mare to console him if he only gets out of his workshop more often
>The sun is not going down, yet, and you still have some time, just not much enough to actually go somewhere, uhhh
>Oh, is that a gun shop?
>And is that a library? In the lower canterlot?
A - The Hotel
B - The Barn
Y - The gun-shop
X - The library
AX

>It's too early to meet with Light Breeze, and you don't feel tired
>Sore, a bit, as the antibiotics you take lose their pain-relief abilities after couple of hourse, but the hoof is in a stable state
>The neong sing of the gun shop's says "Colt and Colt">
>So happens you already have a perfectly funcional broken water gun
>The library, though... You can always come back to it, since you know it's nearby
>What you also didn't know is nearby is the lower canterlot's most known saloon, The Barn
>You knew its in the hood, but not exactly where
>Last time you chose to go somewhere else
>This time you dive in-
>There's no guard at the big-glass-revolving door
>Between entrance and exit is this third phase which locks you in a closet space
>With a beep it releases you into the enterprise-
>You expected brown and wood-y colours
>The place is in various shades of blue and steel and that's the first thing you notice
>The saloon's low-high ceiling is another peculiarity
>When you heard the name, which you don't remember when, you imagined a vast space of haphazardly tossed tables, chairs and mares, full of creacky, old equipment
>Not a well designed futuristic bar
>The place seems spacious, but limited upwards by various metalic rails and pointing down hoses
>The bar-counter finishes the look by having a digital banel on its full lenght up front, so the entering clientelle can stop the fat looking bar-stallion from a mile
>He is occupied with one pony at the bar, humming something confidently
>Not many other patrons are there, and those who are seems to sit alone and read the news-tablets
>They all look so bored
>You notice the tables are set in perfect lines
>When you take couple steps forward a protrusion on the ceiling moves in a fair distance and moves till it hangs above the client at the bar
>Then his glass of cider gets filled from the hose
>A quiet beep makes you look around and you spot a red dot of a camera, pointed at you
>Welp
>You don't know what to think

A - go ask the bar-colt for a 1 - cider, 2 - lemonade, 3 - juice, 4 - job
B - sit at any table alone
Y - sit at any table with somepony
X - exit the premises and choose from the C - the Hotel, D - The Colt and Colt gun shop, Z - the Library
BB

>You take a stroll as the camera focused on you lose the interest after seconds
>the vague thought of leaving and taking a nap at hotel before the meeting with Light Breeze escapes you, the moment another camera, just above you, turns on and follows you till you sit down at an empty table in the middle of the techno-saloon
>The chair made of some artificial steel, painted dark, with one narrow blue line on each edge, making it visible
>the table is enough for six ponies
>you look around and no one gives you any attention
>that's... a pleasant surprise?
>you put your front hooves on the cold, metal-blue table and lay your chin on them
>the climatisation above you turns on and it quickly becomes too chilly for you
>the hoodie gets back on your back, that is, you pull it through your head
>Hooligan Twilight Sparkle on the spot to get a glass of cider
>Well, not really
>You look around and at just that moment the strong-built bar-stallion erupts with laughter
>the client he talks with smiles very proudly of himself and taps the counter, while his haunches are positioned in the perfect line for your eyes to see the spot where his tail grows out from
>wew
>never mind
>you tap the table and in front a screen opens
>no, not really a screen, a hologram on the table
>"Welcome to the Barn," it says in a fancy futuristic cursive
>"What would you like to drink?"
>There's a list of prices and couple of names that make you double look, like 'hOh", "groan", and "p[i]e", and some more regular ones like cider, juice and nectar
>the prices are somewhat high, though
>not quite sure you feel thirsty for that much
>25 crebits for a glass of nectar?
>You're Twilight Sparkle and that's robbery
>You can tell from all the robberies you've read about
A - order something: 1 - fancy, 2 - simple
B - look at the clientelle
Y - go to the bar-colt
X - leave the premises and go to and of the positions from the last X
"AB" 2

>With giddy curiosity you can't localize the source of, you tap the glass next to the soft and simple "nectar"
>Kind of expect a choice of tastes, but nothing shows up - for now
>The mechanical things above your head moves in almost perfect silence, not breaking the yipp and yapp of the place
>One of them stops just above you and hits you with-
>No, not really
>It places down on the table, with a loud clinck, a thick, tall glass
>The protrusion holding it releases with an audible smooch
>It withdraws it's plunger like holder and disappears in the ceiling
>You look up, expecting another one to fall down and fill the cup, but nothing happens
>Huh
>The blue table turns green at one spot
>A small screen under couple of layers of glass says "put the card here"
>Uhh
>You do as instructed and another screen asking for 25 crebits pop up
>More curious than before you accept the transaction and another screen pops up
>Wait!
>Only 505 crebits left!
>Why did you buy this?!
>It cost as much as daily dose of proteins, and other stuff, too!
>The hose you expected earlier comes closer and with an indignant wiggle fillis the cup to the brim with some violet, foamy liquid
>Wait, again!
>Was that last screen to pick a taste?
>You weren't able to choose a taste!
>At least you did not order anything hard
>You can't stop being angry at yourself so you take a sip
>Mmm
>Real grapes
>Really tasty
>The table in front of you displays something what... is a newspaper?
>There are articles there
>How comes you never before came here?
>Ah, yes, the cameras above
A - read the netpaper till it's time to visit with Light Breeze and go there (1) or ditch her and go to the Mane to meet with Chalk deeper in the night (2) or ditch both of them (3)
B - finish the drink and leave on the street
Y - take the drink and go to the bar-stallion 
X - yawn and take a nap
AA11

>The headlines are quite interesting, so you stick with the netpaper
>Times goes by as you read about the recent events in the big world
>There was some fire in some warehouse in Baltimare, and the local mayor personaly blames his opponents - what's more interesting, the current mayor is the first sea pony attending the office
>Not because it's the first sea pony who won the elections, but because it's the first term of office when the Baltimare city hall is finally submerged
>And the scientists propheted it to happen 50 years ago!
>Take that, scientists!
>Uh
>You tap the corner and the article change to a discussion about moral standing saying that since chroming-up is legal, so should be cloning-
>Boring
>Tap tap
>A building failure in canterlot? Ponies evicted en masse?
>That's something for you
>You can relate
>The picture depicts a building under a weird angle and it's YOUR APARTMENT
>The sounds around you got quiet
>With almighty hardship you pull the eyes off the screen and look around
>Some other patrons give you a brief look
>The glass fell and slowly rolls to the edge for the table and you're standing with your hooves supported on the table
>You grab the glass and put it back on the table, in a safe distance form your hooves
>After you sit down and rub your brow you don't know do you want to read
>You read
>...
>Yada yada
>Lies lies lies
>Nerve gas leak caused the explosions and -what?
>Ah, earth gas, you misread - as if any gas!
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you were there!
>You know Twilight Sparkles got sent to retrieve you and-
>Hmm
>And something went terribly off of their plan?
>So once they met with mild resistance they gave up and left?
>No, no, no, they continued the pursuit
>Just, missed you - and then -
>Uhhh
>The mental block rings in your head like a chain
>You look around again and see a long time has passed
>The place gets more clientelle now, but they don't look casual, no, not with all those vinyl-plastic-parts in their manes and clothes

>Some even wear leather!
>They must be wanna-be harckermares
>It's soon time to meet with Light Breeze, though
A - meet Light Breeze
B -  stay and socialize
Y - [none]
X - [none]
AAXY +1

>Various herds and fag packs gather and break as you take your leave
>You quite ain't sure what to do witht he glass, so you just abandon it
>They won't know it's you
>Oh, right, the cameras
>You turn back in time to see a mechanical protrusion to pick up the glass and dispose it behind the bar
>Huh
>You leave and head to the hotel
>...
>The hotel lacks a sign
>It lacked one before
>It's clear there is a box-hotel, but not really
>In the lobby sits the same kirin as yesterday
>she looks at you above a screen from which kirin-pop can be heard, even if distorted
>at least you still have 50 crebits paid in advance
>that's two day worthy of a bed-sheet and a snack
>the kirin speaks up to you
>"Welcome to the Silent Hill. We don't really have a hill here. Previously knows as the Silent Village, but the new owner changed the name. Not that we had a village here, anyways."
>isn't the same one lines as she gave you yesterday?
>at least you think so
>you wave your cubit card as you pass her position
>she was clearly occupied with her music, as her hed bobs up and down in fast pace
>...
>the food stands on the parter looks as they looked when you left earlier today
>maybe the smell is even stronger
>or the air outside is clearer
>or your hoof is hurting for couple hours already
>oh, yes, we have a winner, that's it
>ow
>you sit down at the table and look at the clock
>10 pm
>you have an hour so you head to the cubit 314 and take a well deserved nap
>at 11 pm the clock in the wall calls you to go to heck
>how does it turn off?!
>oh, right, Light Breeze
>where were you supposed to meet her?
A - at your bulk (314)
B - at her bulk (405)
X - at the food stands 
Y - at the food market in front of the Silent Hill motel
Y

>with a well rested trot you decide to wait for her outside
>...
>the Silent Hill motel looks as crowded as ever
>as if ponies did not sleep at more regular hours
>such is the life
>the food market before you looks more populated than at yesterday's early morning
>they sell stuff that actually looks like food, and not overcooked garbage, for one difference
>as you stand at the roofed entrance, in the way of many pony-clientelle, you realize something
>Light Breeze ends her work at 11pm
>That is now
>You didn't ask when she will be here
>Or where
>damn
>...
>you hit a stroll through the closest stands
>eventually you notice pegasi ponies going up above the roof and coming back with groceries
>you find a make-shift stairs up the first and only floor
>the pegasi friendly stands are located just there, between tall buildings and under the dark, starry sky
>the view is great from that place - you can clearly see everypony heading towards and out of the hotel - but the smell is not so great
>one turn of your head and you localise the source of it
>one or two stands above the entrance below are a meat stands
>filled with fish and bugs and-
>the patrons sitting around are griffons
>bigger than average pony, rougher, too
>last detail you notice is that there are a couple of pegasi sitting among them
>nothing will suprise you in this city, now will it
>your attention returns to Light Breeze, which you eventually spot
>It's 11:30 pm when you get down the observation nest and chase her
>you catch her past the hotel lobby
>she looks happy to see you if that smile means anything
>"Well, hello there, Twilight Sparkle."
"Helll... ugghhh."
>A coughing fit which you don't have ends after you inhale and hold
>She cocks a brow at you
>"You... been running?"
>Yes
"Pshh, no. Have you?"
>A small blush creeps her cheecks
>"Well, yes. I'm just so excited! I have the good news - but first! I need a shower."
>A shower?
>You sniff yourself but spot nothing out of the ordinary

>"Do you mind to wait for me or do you want to hit the water? Or you could order us some snacks. We have to wake up early tomorrow- that is, if you want to try."
"To try?"
>You donned your coolest Twilight Sparkle voice a moment before, but only now it reached the deepest hue you can reach
>A wink is your reward
>Not really an answer, is it
>But, boy, was her smile this radiant this very morning you don't remember
"Mare, do I?"
A - shower with her
B - take a nap
Y - get snacks at the food stands
X - head out to the Mane club to meet Chalk
B

>A shower would be nice
>A nap would be nicer
>You are Twilight Sparkle
>The coolest mare alife
"Listen, mare, I will hit the hay. Poke me when you're ready."
>You shoot her your coolest pose
>She tilts her head to a side
>"What... are you doing?"
>Crap!
>The bluish mare in front of you resisted your coolness-ment
>And it was a pose with both hooves pointing and all
"Um-"
>Her smiler replaces confusion as she speaks, "Ok, so, I will be at your bulk in 30 minutes. Make sure to get some snacks!"
>She warms you huggily!
>Wait, no!
>She hugs you warmly!
>... and she's gone
>You couldn't hug her back
>Not that you wanted
>You miss Spike
>damnit
>...
>the soft cloping wakes you up from the short slumber
>you turn the light on and open the door
>or rather the gate, since it rolls into the wall far away form the head of the bed
>Light Breeze's coat looks shiny
>She has a towel-made turban on her head
>You tap the matress and the mare joins you in
>The door closes and only now you realize how tiny the space is
>Both of you sit side to side
>The only free space left is the tiny storage section 
>"Do you have any snacks? I don't see snacks."
>Damnit!
"I ate them."
>"All of it!?"
"This tummy can contain many rolls."
>You touch your chest to prove a point
>"You're just... incredible."
>Her cute little head shakes left and right
"You were quite giddy earlier. Care to tell?"
>Her ears perk up
>"Oh, yes. I talked with my boss, and he agreed."
"To what?"
>"To give you a chance."
>Your brow raise on its own
>"Don't give me that. You know it well we make a good team. At least we used to."
>Uh oh
>"So, I thought, why not get you in? I mean, not as a full time at first. A temp, if you want. I'm sure you have what it takes."
>Uhhh
>Money!
>Hold on, Twilight Sparkle!
>"You're monologuing, aren't you?"
>No
"N-no, you."
>She shooks her head back and hits the low ceiling with her snout
>That doesn't stop her laughter, she just hides her head in her hooves

>"Yeah, you didn't change one bit."
>She sighs and pauses
>"That's quite amazing, not that I think of it. Every pony I met here, back from the home, seems changed. Heck! Even I changed."
>You got this!
"Yes, you changed."
>"For the better?"
>Is it hope in her voice?
"Definitely."
>She huffs
>"I hope this is true. Sometimes I feel, like, as if I live a second life. As if the first ended when-, eh. I don't like to think of it."
>You pull the mare into a side-to-side hug
>She doesn't object
"You changed for the better. I can tell."
>You state matter-o-factly
>"What makes you so sure?"
"I couldn't recognize you."
>The mare stops nuzzling
>She dislodge you from her and look you right in the eye
>Her lips tight like a line
>She slaps your shoulder!
>Ow!
>Ow!
>What for?!
"Hey!"
>"You get your memory periodicaly wiped! How could you imply that! Jeez!"
>Oh yeah
>You forgot
>"You ass!"
>Her face is as red as your tongue
>The very same tongue you show her
"That's the pun."
>"I know! It's just! You're as bad as always."
>Oh?
"Am I a bad friend to you? Bad company?"
>"Well, no, not a bad friend, but definitely bad company."
"Then what are you doing?"
>"Offering you a job."
>You both share a gigle
"That speaks volumes."
>"A job you're going to give a try!"
"Oh, really?"
>"Ya, really!"
>"Can you two shut your yaps down?!"
>Both of you jump alert and meet the ceiling!
>OW!
>It was one of the neighbours trying to sleep
>The two of you share a look after your heads are sufficiently hugged-out-of-pain
>It's her the first to crack a giggle
>You feel allowed to join
>"So... I know it doesn't pay as much as yours, whatever it really is, but if you'll like it here you sure could make a living. It's a rather lucrative field."
>Oh, right
"And what do you do, exactly?"
>"We specialize in accquiring companies."
>...
>That doesn't mean much to you
"And what's in it for me?"
>"Except keeping your memories intact?"

"Hey, filly, there's nothing unhealthy with a little dose of microwaves right through your brain from time to time."
>You poke her side playfully
>"The fact you can say sentences this long proves you right, but the obvious wrongness of presented idea proves the opposite."
>...
>A sheepish smile creeps into her face
"Was making a joke."
>"Oh, ok, sorry."
>The air conditioning hums quietly
>"Either way, we wake up early. It's a tough case and I need your moral hoof support."
>She nuzzles you one more time and gets out of the box
>"Set the clock to 6 am. We will eat here and go to meet my boss."
>You grab her chest and pull her into one last hug
>Her chest is so floofy and fresh and blue!
>"I-I, well, yes, we can talk about it l-later. S-see you!"
>You wave her goodbye and have no idea what she talks about
>HMM
>What you notice, however, is taht you need a shower, and she was nice enough not to tell you this
>Probably due to her city town being such a garbage
>Ugh
>You really wish you did not feel bad for her
>Can't help
>You're very friendly
>And taht's why the citadel hates you
>You pop the medicine tab into your mouth and consider your actions
A - set the alarm at 6am and join Light Breeze
B - sneak out now and go meet Chalk, the informant pony
Y - get a well deserved rest and don't set an alarm
X - go get shower right now
BBX

>You are Twilight Sparkle and you close your eyes
>Ha!
>You wish!
>Places to be!
>One place to be exact - the Mane
>You don't plan to ditch Light Breeze, but a certain fixer pony had informations how to find Spike and Applejack
>Nothing else matters at the moment
>Your eyes snap open about ten minutes after Light Breeze is gone
>It takes you two minutes to be greeted by the still lively market
>The moon is high above when you disappear in the shadows
>...
>You reach the place with no further delay
>Mostly because the pain-killing property of the antibiotics works for a time after taking them
>You slow down before you pass the doors
>The Colta-Snoutra guard-waiters did not seem like tolerating gallop
>You take in the slow, almost ancient atmosphere of old business; it smells like somepony burning a straw of grass
>It hits you how this place is different than the cyber-saloon you saw earlier this day
>And the patrons, their style and average age
>Two different worlds in the same lower city
>You shake these thoughts out
>You nod to the closest staff pony and go straight to the farthest booth, the one with the aquarium inside the wall
>It's neatly tied and the table and the chairs are empty
>You check the old standing clock and it shows it's couple minutes past the midnight
>Sitting there is tight, very comfortable and all, but nothing comes out of it
>You abandon your post and move next to the bar
>No guards standing on... guard- eh - restricting your path, this time
>The colt behind the counter turns to you
>"What's your poison?"
>You blink in surprise
"You're not Open Tap."
>He chews his lips as a gum
>"Uh?"
A - ask him about Open Tap
B - ask him about Chalk
Y - ask him about a job
X - ask him for a drink
B

"Sorry. Have you seen Chalk?"
>His ears stand tall as he eyes you
>Not very subtle about it, is he?
>"You mean the bobby pin?"
>Boy, do you
"Yes, but he says he doesn't like the nickname."
>His eyes narrows
>Then his whole body snaps out from under the spell of being sneaky and vague
>"Yeah, not really."
"What do you mean?"
>"He wasn't here today, yet."
"Oh."
>You look around the place till your eyes refocus on the colt in front of you
>That works like some sort of a cue for him
>"You know, it's against the company policy to talk about our patrons and their habits..."
>Your hoof stops mere inches from your floof, as you wanted to show off your crebit cards
>Why? Because he dis-continues
"I'm sorry, what?"
>"What what?"
"I kind of expected you to ask for a bribe."
>His head shakes in laughter
>At your expense!
>Ponies are watching!
>Augh!
>"Sweetie, why?"
"You said it's bad to talk details about the patrons and then... trailed off your voice like that?"
>"Oh, sheesh. No, that's not what I meant. Sorry."
>He reaches the back of his head and give it a rub
>"Mighty sorry. I really meant that. We don't do that. Here, take this."
>He pours a half of a glass of a multivitamin and places it before you
>You take a swing and nod your burning head in gratitude
>Mmm, not too shabby
>Not too shabby at all
>You can even chow the multivitamin ripe pieces with your teeth
"Can you tell me when Chalk comes in?"
>"No, I don't think so. Tell you what, if he comes tonight I will tell him you were looking for him, miss...?"
1 - Twilight Sparkle
2 - Twinkle Sprinkle
3 - Twiggly Spriggly
4 - Tee eeS
A - ask him about Open Tap
B - ask him about Chalk
Y - ask him about a job
X - ask him for a drink
43 "1234" "ABCD" 1Y

"Miss? Puh-lease."
>You make a dismissing and totally not practiced in front of a mirror gesture with a hoof
"Tell him that Tee. Ees. asked about him."
>The stallion's face tenses, finaly noticing you're serious business, you mean something to be reckoned, alright
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you're the coolest mare alife
>He slowly, almost painfully, takes his off eyes off of you and turns them to the bottle of juice
>The one he offered you a drink with
>He checks the label at the back as you let him have this moment to regain the composture-
>The coolness
>You assume he's cool, too, even if it's a temporary assumption-
>He searches for something at the neck of the bottle
>"Oook..." his voice trails off.
>Yeah, all's good
>Suddenly!
>His eyes light up
>His voice is filled with renewed giddiness
>"I assume here that the stallion in question knows you by the name."
>You nod and take a sip
>Mmm
>Noticing you're almost done he asks
>"Do you want anything else, Tea Ease?"
>You look around to spot who's talking to
>No pony nearby
>He is looking at you
"Me?"
>His eyebrows furrow
>"Yes?"
"Tea Ease?"
>You pause
"That's not what I said."
>"You sure about that? That's what I heard."
>You blink at him
>"I'm not trying to be a goodie-smarty-twoo-hooves here, but it doesn't really suit you."
>He smirks
>HE SMIRKS
"What do you mean?"
>"It doesn't suit you? Not judging, just, to keep my eyes open and mouth shut it's literally a part of my job. Funnily enough, it's also the opposite of what our clients do."
>You cut him off by slamming a hoof atop the counter
>Not too hard, you hope
"Name's not Tea Ease."
>Both his eyebrows and ears are raised up
>"Then, what to tell him?"

>If you weren't Twilight Sparkle it would be embarassing
"Yes, I'm sure. Name's Twiggly Spriggly."
>H-he burst in laughter!
>"That's the dorkiest name I've ever heard!"
>Various patrons and waiters turn your way
>You can tell from all the hot glances piercing your back
>Ugh!
"What do you mean?"
>"What do I mean? I mean, c'mon, mare-"
>He stands on his hindlegs and put the weight on the counter
>"What are you, some kind of a pig enthusiast?"
>He laughs again
>"Or was it a pig fan?"
>At least somepony is having fun here
"Ok, shees, sorry. I'm trying to be sneaky here, ok?"
>He clears his eyes from the gathered tears
>Tears of remose!, you tell yourself
>"Then what to tell him, for real?"
"Twilight Sparkle. My name is Twilight Sparkle."
>"Whatever you say."
>He glances at the bottle of the juice again and refills your glass to a half, completely emptying
>It's left on the counter, so you pick it up and check for what he looked before
>The neck of the bottle has a label with a single item on it
>The expiration date
>And it's good
>No idea why he checked
>"Do you want anything else?"
>Your cheecks may be on fire but you meet the judging gase of the bar-ponedear
"Do you know any way to earn quick cash?"
>H-he laughs some more!
>"That's cute. Sorry, sweetheard, but we ain't that type of place."
>He doesn't stop eye-ing you!
"That's not the type of work I meant!"
>What's wrong with this pony!
>He either laughs at you, or smirks at you, and now he's oggling you!
>"You sure? You certainy are built for this-"
"No! I'm sure that's not a job I'm willing to take."
>The stallion stares at you as if something wasn't right
>He speaks slowly
>"What do you think I'm talking about?"
>You don't want to say it outloud, but what choice you have?
"And you?"
>Oh, yeah, that choice
>He takes a tint of applekoniak and cleans his lips
>"I meant action."
>So, not-
"So, you-"
>"I suspect you wanted to trade your... hide?"
>What!?
"No! Why?"
>Why is it so hot here?!
>Open the windows! Sheesh!

>"Either way, whatever you can take or give - we don't hire."
>Maybe that's for the better
A - ask him about Open Tap
B - ask him about Chalk
Y - ask him for a drink [Freeloader perk]
X - don't make a foal of yourself in front of him anymore
if X: 1 - wait for Chalk
if X: 2 - go back to the motel and sleep after a shower
Y

>You look at the translucent bootle and pick up the glass
>The stallion watches you as you watch him through the depth of the glass
"Well, thanks for everything, but my throat's sore."
>The call to duty makes him return to previous, less smirky-self
>"What do you need?"
>This this it clearly meant a poison
>You need to guide him well!
"I don't know. You're good at picking so far. Pick something."
>He nods and what it is a nod!
>As if he gathered all professionalism, his and borrowed from his ancestors, and poured it into one, shallow motion
>His hoof grabbed a bottle of Fire Cider, and-
>And he put it back!
>"You going to pay?"
>Oh no
"You going to make me pay?"
>He turns to you empty-hooved
>Empty-hooved!
>"Depends."
>Still hope!
"Let me guess-"
>"No, I won't. I won't let you guess."
"What? Why?"
>"You failed to guess your own name two times in a row, or three times."
>Oh for Celestia's sake!
>Your face is not the sun!
>It shouldn't burn!
>Maybe it should shine, but not burn!
"That's just rude to say."
>"Maybe, but I think you had enough of juice for tonight."
"That's me to decide, isn't it?"
>He ponders for a while
>"I guess you're right. I propably should't turn off a paying client."
>You bite your tongue to not affirm this!
"But I'm not paying? This did not stop you before, you know?"
>"That was a courtesy. Not everypony comes to look for a patron well known for not being looked for. Let's just say, you sated my curiosity and I sated your thirst for some juicy juice."
>Time to get back at him!
"Fine! But you own me one."
>"No, I don't."
>No, he doesn't
A - ask him about Open Tap
B - ask him about Chalk
Y - ask him for a drink [Freeloader perk - you don't have it anymore]
X - don't make a foal of yourself in front of him anymore
if X: 1 - wait for Chalk
if X: 2 - go back to the motel and sleep after a shower
"F" B1

>You are Twilight Sparkle and you got this
>The bar-pony did not tell you his name, which seems very rude, now that you think about it, but, hey
>Could be worse
>"I'm sorry to tell you, but... either buy something or go."
>Gah!
"Before I go I want you to tell me about Chalk."
>He shakes his head in shock
>"What? I told you we don't- what? We talked about this, already."
>Not what you expected
>"I'm not asking anymore. Go."
>Not at all
>What!
>As if on command, one of the bulky waiters walks past you!
>You look back to the stallion to see his back, as he actively ignores your very presence
>With a clip-clop of your hooves, you stand up
>A thought about asking him will he deliver the message crosses your mind you
>You swallow it without digesting and with a short "bye" you leave
>No pony stops you nor yells any obscenities at you
>So that's a progress
>You think
>...
>The way to the motel was uneventful
>And once again the place was as lively as always
>The kirin however was different and asleep
>The shower rooms, two per floor, one per sex, two rows of six in line - were in good condition
>You kind of feared what you may see here but ended up positively surprised
>Very white, filled with ties and with working and pullable, well, shower heads
>Even without a shampoo you can swear you look lighter than before
>And so you feel
>You're too tired to be cautioush, so you crash at your bulk without checking did someone break in
>And even if, then what?
>All your belongings are on you
>Which is kinda saddening
>Your eye close as a foal begin to cry
>The door doesn't mute it well, but you're just too tired
>...
>Someone's knocking on your door
>You open it and with the best speech skills ever, you groan at them
>"Whoa! You look like mince-meat."
>Mice-meat?
>What's that?
>You couldn't ask as Light Breeze - because it's her - pulls you up into a sitting position
>"Did you stay up late? Even after I asked you not to?"
>The annoyance in her voice isn't annoying you

>It's too much justified to do that
>Or to show any remorse
"Um, no?"
>She lets go of a powerful, eye-opening sigh
>Your vision is back
"So, what's the plan?"
>She tries to pull you out of the box, yet you manage to shake her hooves off
"I will do it alone, thanks for your concern."
>You scramble out and lock the door with unusual dignity for a mice-mint
>You look straight at her
>She's scanning you with clear nervousness and anger in her eyes
>This much you see
>What you don't see is an incoming wave of hurt which you feared
>No, her grimmace softens
>"You took a shower. Nice. Truth be told, your colour hides dust really well, but the smell betrays you."
"What the hay? What is that supposed to mean?"
>"It means we're late, mare."
>She waves her hoof to follow her
>Which you do
>Once at the bottom of the hotel, between the food stands, you begin to search for an empty table, but she doesn't stop
>She looks back and gestures you to go
>Tired and hungry and in pain, you match her trot
"Will we not eat??"
>"We don't have time. You slept over."
>She must have noticed something in your face as she continues
>"I didn't eat either. We'll get something on the road."
>You nod affirmatively, but she's not looking at you anymore
>You nod again
>The both of you leave the building and stay outside of the market on the other side of the road
>The streetlamps are still on, but first glimpses of sun begin to bath the concerete city
>You just follow the mare, yawning whenever she doesn't look

>...
>You are in a different part of town
>A better one, if more glass than concrete on the facades of the tall buildings around you indicate anything
>"Well, I expected us to be more behind the schedule. We could take a break."
>Sweet Celestia!
>Your legs come to a screeching halt
>Her doesn't
>"What are you doing?"
>She turns with a smile
>A smile!
>That's something you can work with
"Looking for food."
>You lie
>Her ears perk up and her back straighten
>"Oh, yeah! I forgot. Come."
>And she's trotting again
>...
>You two stand next to a food truck on a parking plot in the shadow of an office building
>Everything under the window's of the building is pure concrete
>Evertyhing except the food stand
>It's metal
>"Well, I would like a chicory salad, with extra tomatoes, parmezan, olives, peices of cabbage and dandelions, if you have fresh."
>She's talking to the pony inside the booth and now puts her crebit card to the reader in the counter
>It's kind of an awkward position as she has to stand on her hind legs to reach-
>"What's for you?"
>The other mare from inside asks you
A - a light salad
B - a smol sandwiches
Y - a greasy salad
X - a long-goof sandwich
1 - water
2 - tea
3 - energy drink
4 - coffee
3442B

>You look at the sammich mare
>She really looks like one
>Her coat light bready and her eyes olive
"I will take some 'smol sammiches' and..."
>You eye the list of drinks
"Everything."
>Her head adorably tilts to a side
>"Everything?"
"Maybe except water."
>"Okie."
>Once the goods are finished you and Light Breeze collects your orders
>Her's a plastic box of salad and a paper cup of tea
>Your's a paper wrap of a portion of munchies and a plastic palette with three cups of different sizes and content
>She doesn't comment on that, though it's visible that she want to
>And you just hope those 40 crebits are a good protein investment (465 left)
>...
>In no time, she leads you to the glass building on the other side of the street
>The lobby was big and with enough sitting space to eat
>That's what you do
>"You sure you know what you're doing?"
>Light Breeze finally says as you slowly put the tip of your tounge into the energy drink container
"I don't really know."
>You know she's looking, so once enough of the energy drink is missing you pour the remaining tea and coffee into it and give it a shake
>"I understand you had a heavy night, and I feel a bit worse that I jump at you for it earlier this day, and I'm not gonna say sorry for that, but that's no reason to poison yourself.
>You smile and silence her witha  raised hoof
"This baby?"
>You point at the drink extra-ordinare
"This is nothing."
>You chug it and instantly choke on the insufferable taste!
>Nothing persuades ponies as much as a good, honest coughing fit
>Once you're back among living you say
"Relax. I'm used to this."
>Her smile stops being of a concerned one
>"I can imagine."
>You take another slurp of the toxic concosion
"You don't have to."
>Note to never ever do that
>Yuck!
>...
>You did not finish the last sammich yet, and the energy pours back to you, filling you slowly to the brim
>The after taste is even worse, but the dandelion sandwiches really did it good to stop the terrible smell

>"Do you want to go up to the office? The boss is there."
"Yeah."
>The two of you go to the elevator and ride to the seventh floor
>...
>The boss isn't here
>"Seems like the boss is not here. Welp, we better get to the work."
>Something bothers you
>She says and adds, "oh, if you need to use a bathroom, it's outside, the second from the last door to the right down the corridor."
>That can be it
>...
>You find the way back to the office and now you look at it
>The entire enterprize is one big room cut into three or four or five smaller work-spaces by some thin carton walls
>That's weird
>Who would need anti-magic protection walls?
>You're about to ask, yet you bite your tongue
>"What? Are you saiing something?"
"Nah, Am Nat."
>The mewl leaves your mouth
>Because it's sure as heck you did not say that
>You come closer to your friend and look at the desk filled with papers, a computer screen and a phone
"So, what do we do?"
>"Oh?"
>Her face beams at you
>"I'm glad to see you're as good as ever."
>You indeed feel good
>She sighs, and shrugs, or sighs and shrughs
>"I tried to contact the owner, but he does not pick up the phone. He must be commuting. We better get going."
>She hands you a brown saddlebag
>A heavy saddlebag
>You take it anyways
"What's inside? Bricks?"
>She laughs at that
>"Worse. A purchase agreement."
"Oh, cool, cool."
>The two of you leave the office and you visit the bathroom again
>You're quick back to her side at before the elevator doors opens
>She must be happy you're so fast, because she keeps giggling
"Where are we going?"
>"The docks."
>That shocks you
>Should it shock you, you don't know
"Which ones?"
>You walk out the building and turn left
>Energetic trot, it is
>But she stops you and you turn the other direction after her
>It takes her oddly long to think about it
>"Not thelanding docks. The water docks."
>The shipyard?
>Here?
>In the middle of a continent?
>"Yeah, surprising, right?"
"That's little to say nothing."

>"I'm more surprised that you don't know about their existence."
"Well, I'm not here for long."
>You lie
>You have been here for the last six months, just after-
>"Aren't you living here for a year?"
>Uhh
"I just... forgot?"
>She put a hoof to her forehead as if hitting herself
>"Memory wipes, gotcha."
>That's very nice of her to be so gullible
>You follow her closely
>...
>Well
>The sun is higher and you both get really close to a side of the protectional dome of the the lower canterlot
>Indeed, there's water
>Not much
>Enough for metal pieces to corrode
>Not enough to be salty
>That's how it works, right?
>One pony would expect tall building at this place, but this used to be a natural flodding place down the canterlot waterfall river
>Now it's just a flooded place
>Various storehouses grows out in each free patch of land, that is, none anymore
>Before you can ask about the adress being good you spot an office building
>In the door of the four store high commerce center Light Breeze, now with a neutral expression, raises a hoof to stop you
>Ha!
>You do this before she can finish the gesture!
>So fast
>It makes her professional face to ease a bit
>"The boss should join us, but even if he's not there, let me do the talking."
"You took me in as an eyecandy?"
>"More like a security measures."
>You scoff
"If the negotiations go wrong? Can negotiations go wrong?"
>She shakes her head
>"No, no, no, no, no. Nothing like that. I know you're used to more... physicals means of negotiations, but-"
"Got it."
>She looks as you with a visible, you think it's a worry, but you're not going to call it that and the both of you gets inside
>The portier points you up to the second floor and you find the room in no time
>However, she been a bit staying back
>...
>Inside the room is a table
>Couple of comfortable chairs
>A coffee machine and trivalties
>And one pegasi mare, around your age
>"Oh! You're early. May I treat you to some coffee?"
A - yes
B - no
X - maybe
Y - I don't know
YAAA

>The pegasi mare pointed a hoof at the coffee machine in the corner
>You hesitate
>Should you?
>You see realization draws on her face as she puts a hoof on your floof-
>lewd!
>-and speaks
>"No, thank you. We just had one."
>"Let's take a seat."
>You find yourself already seated
>Silly mares
>They small talk about business
>Both of them giggle at mentions how both of their bosses always change their plans
>You pay them no mind
>The view from the window looks refreshing
>The canterlot harbour should be gray, like the rest of the town, but sun rays break on the water surface creating small shiny pools of different colours
>You bet on that
>If they were just waste water leaking into it, the smell would be terrible
>And it wasn't that bad
>The water is still undrinkable since one mare put its flanks into it couple decades ago
>At least it doesn't farts back anymore
>The door opens and a pony of reasonable size enters
>It's a stallion and he greets both mares, very professionally
>He's wearing a well fitted suit
>You nod
>Then turn away from the window, and nod again
>He looks at you with a small smile
>Wait, when did you stand up?
>Another pony enters
>A well matured voice of a mare that sends shivers down your spine!
>You try to turn to her but you're already facing her direction!
>She stops when she sees you, but proceeds to take a seat next to the pegasi mare who holds a paper cup of coffee
>"Coffee?"
>The pegasi mare in question asks everypony around the table
>You take a tentative step forward
>It gains her attention
"Yes, please."
>With a smile she gets up and gracefully goes to the coffee maker
>It whistles a happy tune which you kind of remember from somewhere
>The other ponies are silent till you get a cup of the brown beverage
>It tastes like fresh dirt
>Just what you need
>You take a seat as they talk
>Push papers one side, the other
>"Twilight Sparkle?"
>You snap out of this dirty delicacy
"Yez?"
>Light Breeze nudges you to a side
>"Let's go get them."

>You nod and follow her
>The three other ponies stay
>Once outside Light Breeze leads you at the end of a corridor and takes the saddlebag which you forgot you have
>Huh
>Something clearly worries her
>"What are you doing?"
"What do you mean, little filly?"
>"That's too much coffee. And what's with that humming? I mean, the bosses aren't here yet, but- no, what's up with the humming?"
"Humming? What-"
>She throws a hoof in the air
>It comes back to the ground
>Neat
>"You hummed a song while waited for the coffee. I don't know what you you're thinking, but please, please, don't do this."
>You shake your head
"You must be wrong, it must been the coffee maker."
>She only observes you
>"Are you feeling well? Are you intoxicated?"
>Now, that's silly
"No. Do you need me to be?"
>"What? No. Sweet Celestia. You're lucky our boss is late."
"Is she?"
>"He is, and these two are the guardsmare and the seller. Please, get a hold of yourself and stop doing that."
"Doing what?"
>"That."
>She points at something behind you
>And under you
>It's your leg and it's twitchy
"Can do that."
>It's hard, though
>"Great."
>A hoof of her own rubs the side of her head
>"I mean it. You sure made them believe you're a weirdo, so they may not notice..."
"Notice what?"
>"Uh, nothing. Just, tone it down, ok? The boss should be here very soon."
A - agree shortly
B - pry for more info
Y - excuse yourself to a restroom
X - disagree
BB

>Light Breezes begin to trot back to the room, now with a stack of paper in her hoof
>You catch up to her
"I would like to know more."
>She stops
>"More? About what exactly?"
>Uhh
"Why is the boss not here?"
>Her ears fall flat
>"I wish I knew it myself."
>She scopes you closes and whispers
>"He been behaving really weird past two days. I think something's up."
"Something like what?"
>"I... I don't know."
>You must ask -
"Did he begin to behave weird when you mentioned me?"
>Her eyes narrow
>"Uh? Why would he?"
>Maybe because he knows you're Twilight Sparkle
>Twilight Sparkle Extraordinaire
"Yeah, no..."
>Your voice waivers for a dramatic effect
"I don't know why I said that."
>She gives you a sympathetic smile
>You pull het into a short hug
>For a moment everything is perfect
>Your throat adequatly moistured as you speak
"I trust you."
>"And I trust you, you coffee addict, and yet, my guts is telling me something's wrong."
>Is it possible she knows you're not her Twilight Sparkle?
>Is it preferable?
>Heck no
"Maybe it is, but we have a job to do."
>She brushes your side with hers and you notice a brown saddlebag on you
>Was it always right there, or-
>Oh, right, the documents
>Welp
>You two get inside the room and meet the partner-trio
>The suit wearing, cheeky legal advice stallion
>The a tad older mare, with muscles toned under her coat as strong as pure steel
>The always friendly coffee dispener
>Er
>The always friendly coffee dispensing pegasi mare
>Hold on
>One of them is supposed to be the owner, or the boss, right?
>You must have coutned them wrong
>The pegasi pony's eyes shine as she speaks
>"Coffee?"
>Light Breeze shoots you a worried glance
>You got it
>You come closer to the pegasi mare and look into the cup she's holding your direction
>You look down into the cup and see the black gold
"Yes."
>An affirmative nod from you isn't what she excepted 
>Weird
>You're pretty sure it's coffee, in the end
>You sir down at the table

>The sultry motherly mare speaks to Light Breeze
>"It doesn't look like your patron is going to make it. How about we begin?"
>You listen to her vocal vibration
>A part of your spine jingles to it
>Light Breeze does her best to look not defeated
>But you notice it
>But you're pretty noticable
>Perceptive
>Maybe they didn't-
>Yeah, they did
>All of them are smirking
>Except the Pegasi and the Stallion
>They are preoccupied the coffee in their cups
>And the Older Mare
>She dons an understanding smile and pulls out an expensive looking feather-pen out of her floof
>So they know!
>Poor Light Breeze
>You just know what to do!
"Yes. Let's proceed."
>Light Breeze jerks and jumps up on her chair in almost flooding grattitude
>Her grattitude reminds you of shock
>"Are you sure, Twilight Sparkle?"
>She asks
>The confidence hidden behind a mask of confusion
>You nod and smile to the older mare, who seems to be in charge, except of the coffee, and-
>Oh, how she smiles back
>If you weren't sitting you would definitelly sat on her-
>Hold on
>Hold on a minute
>Cold sweat under your horn
>Light tickle in your sides
>Your leg kicking under the table
>And those thoughts...
>You look down at the table in front of you
>Your partner begins to sort the papers she got from her office as you look down at the table in this indefinite break room
>There's a cup of coffee in front of you
>You didn't leave anything in it last time, now, did you?
>"It really seems like my boss couldn't did it, but I beleive he has a genuine reason for that, in the meantime, I pass you the version of the agreement with the latest fixes and once you check if they are correct to what has been previously agreed upon, please, sign them. That will be it."
>All three ponies on the opposite site takes a copy of papers
>They check them very thoughtfully
>Light Breeze doesn't
>Something isn't right
>Something isn't ok
>You look down again and you see the coffee cup is empty again

A - get up and open the window
B - get out and to the rest room
X - get out and take a copy of the agreement and read it
Y - get Light Breeze out of the room
YXA

>Buck it
>Something's crawling under your skin
>You grab Light Breeze and pick her up
>No, not really
>You grab her and pull her up
>She dons a perfectly genuine surpised and embarassed look
>Oh, she's good
>"What are you doing?!"
>She laughs
>No, she yells
>No, she chuckles nervously
>She turns to the now worriedly looking trio
>Except the stallion, he looks annoyed
>And the older mare, she looks angry
>And the pegasi mare which looks scare
>Only the coffee machine looks worried
>You wink at it
>"I-I'm sincirely sorry, I don't know what came over her. She- she isn't like-"
"Shh. Out. Now."
>The stallion stands up demanding to know what's going on
>You drag Light Breeze outside the room
>"What. Are. You. Doing."
>Light Breeze's snout is as red as your flanks could be if she kissed you just now
>Her teeth clenched and nosetrils flaring
>She lowers her head in a defensive position
>Good idea
>You do the same, watching her backs
>For reasons unknown it only angers her more as she seethes
>"You are unbelievable! I can't believe you ust turned on me! You- You!"
"Shh. Something's wrong."
>"What do you mean?!"
>You look around the corridor
>It's empty
>It's empty and purple in the morning syntethic light
>You blink the purple away
"Something's wrong means something wrong."
>You sigh
"It's hard to explain but my spider-senses are telling me to run."
>The door to the room opens!
>Between the door frames stand the outraged stallion
>"What is the meaning of this!"
>He stomps his hooves
>"Is this a prank? Do you think you can prank me?!"
"Do you?"
>His eyes fixes on you
>"You-!"
>You sneak past him inside the room
>Ha ha!
>Inside greets you a defensive standing milfy-mare
>She holds a stack of paper which you gladly take and force down the saddlebag
>You sneak back next to the suited pony, but not before stopping and opening a window inside
>In fact, all of the windows inside
>You bid farewell to the pegasi mare with a salute and evacuate back to the corridor, again

>"I'm really, really sorry, sir! Please, I will call my boss and let it sort through!"
>"There won't be a need for that."
>The colt glares at her as he continues
>"We can sign the deal now and part our ways."
>He points at you
>"But she has to be gone! This instant!"
>Light Breeze stops short before patting the suited shoulder as he hurriedly gets inside the coffee break room
"We should be going."
>"No! You should be going. This entire thing," she waves a hoof between herself and you, "was a mistake. I didn't know you would turn to be such a nuinsance! You weren't like that! You didn't have this nasty addition! Just go away!"
>You tap the inner yiff and yaff to pull out the aura of smugness
>And you success
>She turns her back to you and walks off
>No!
>You block her path!
"Uwuuu- wait, what is this? Don't you find it suspicious? I may have made a foal of myself in my eyes, but let's not forget who is who here-"
>"Cut this off! This is none-sense! Let me go!"
>And then the black dots in the corner of your vision align into Ursa Minor and a plasible bullshit finds it was to your mouth
"You did not read the agreement."
>"What?!"
>You repeat
>"I prepared it!"
"So? You didn't read this version. You didn't print it, now did you; you only picked it up at the office this morning. Your boss printed it, right?"
>"Yes!"
"And he printed it when exactly?"
>"What? Today? What does it have to do with anything."
"You said he wasn't at the office today."
>"Then maybe yesterday!"
"You stayed yesterday up late and your boss went to home earlier."
>She grimaces
>"You don't know that. I didn't tell you any of this."
"You stayed up late to finish this paper."
>You pull it out of the saddlebag and give it to her
"And you said the printer was broke."
>"No, I didn't."
"But you didn't print it yesterday."
>"No... are you playing a game now?"
"I don't know, are you?"

>She pushes past you but gets stuck in the doorframe, side to side with you
"All I'm asking you about is to read the paper. Something's wrong and I know it."
>Her swift body outmaneuver you as she gets into the room
>Her brows low, her snout wrinkled, her mane messy
>The last restort of yours is to nuzzle her neck!
>The moan of surprise!
>She leans in and then fights back with a push of her hoof, keeping you at distance
>Not before you whispered something
"If all is right, then why does he still want to talk with you?"
>Her ears flicks in confusion
>First time a different emotion that the will to spank you, you can tell
>You're Twilight Sparkle and you're quite and expert at telling when a spanking threat arises
>Uh oh
>Light Breeze was talking!
A - nod and get inside the room
B - salute and stay outside
Y - shake your head pull her out again
X - run outside into the docks while screaming
AA "AAAAAA" Y

>You know what to do
>You cock your head to a side and give her a dutiful nod full of purple confidence
"You can count on me."
>Your words work and bring back the smallest of smiles of grattitude to her face
>Her lips parts
>You dash forward
>Your faces miss each other by an inch or seven
>In other words, you barge into the room
>As nonchalantly as possible
>A weak whimper comes from behind you
>Did you snuggle past her?
>You don't remember
>The stallion is sitting down but the moment he sees you, he jumps up
>The guard mare positions herself between you two, while the pegasi's wings flares, obstructing the vision of the coffee machine
>You sit down at the desk and tap your hoof
>The stallion slowly raises a leg and points at you
>He yells
>"What is she doing here?!"
"She?"
>You look at now white at face Light Breeze
>She's visibly shaken by the sudden outburts
"She's taking care of your shabby business, whatever that is."
>The colt's eyes grow twice in size as if you grew another horn
>You quickly grab a copy of the documents and begin to read through them
>READ
>There's some more screaming
>"No! That's too much! I am not going to do any business with you ever again!"
>"Please, sir, this is... this is the top tier security-measures-"
>"Do you take me for a foal?!"
>He nickers
>"Fine! I will sign the papers right now."
>There's a small pause
>"But I didn't read them yet."
>"You brough them here! And you got her here, as well!"
>"I'm sorry, but I have to check if these are good."
>Silence
>You raise your head
>Light Breeze doesn't really sit next to you
>She's standing with her backs to you, while the stallion looks extremely red on face and...
>And looking at the guard mare who...
>Gives him almost imperceptible nod?
>The male's face burts into a fit of anger again and he demands
>"No! Either sign it or it's off!"
>But only after breaking the eye contact with...
>Wait, where's the pegasi mare?
>She's not there
>And the coffee machine?
>Why is it off?

>The tall mare turns (back?) to you
>Her eyes widen as she notices you observing her
>Your hearts beats a bit harder
A - grab a cup of coffee
B - engage the guardy milf into a stare battle
Y - be quiet and get back to reading
X - ask them what was that
BAA

>You stealthily look at the mare who's supposed to be the physical means of defence of this screaming colt
>She's quite a specimen, you will give her that
>Her mane simple, her muscles toned, her coat shining
>The image is finished by decorating her wrinkled snout and white as snow clenched teeth
>They must be fake, but that's not what you focus on
>You focus on the lack of snow during the winters
>Both in the canterlot and in the citadel
>There was not a single good winter in ages!
>Gib frosty pls
>The mare finally stops rippling her ripe and totally pettable snout
>That's when you attack!
>By that you mean lock your eyes with her
>Unless you have been doing that this whole time
>It's hard to say without coffee
>Coffee!
>Don't mind if you do!
>You stop whatever you're doing and head for the coffee machine
>The mare stands up as well
>Meanwhile, Light Breeze and mister suit yellscuss - it's a real word, Pinkie Pie told you - about some technical terminology
>You make coffee
>...
>You made coffee
>A cup for everypony in the room and one extra...
>Just in case?
>You place a paper cup in front of everypony's but only Light Breeze gives you a nervous but grateful nod
>Or is it a grimace?
>A grimace of not enough dirty drink
>Dirty drink!
>It's funny because it looks like- nevermind
>You return to reading the agreement papers
>It's the worst love story you've ever read
>Unless it's an adventure story
>Then it's even worse
>No plot
>Tons of contradicting terminology
>No plot twist-
>Ooo, what is this?
>In case of... of... something... the represantive of the... the side... is expected-
>Is expected!
>Aha!
>You hit the table and two empty cups in front of you fall down
>All eyes are on you
>This is your moment
"Mmm. Yeah."
>Ok, even you know it's not what you wanted to say, but your tongue feels like a carpet, and not the kind of a ponersian one, made of silk and only the strongest beans
>"As, I was saying-"
>Rude
>You push your paper to your partner and point the place

>Her mane falls in wet strands
>Weird, the windows are still open-
>Somepony closed them!
>Treasury!
>Treasury and treason!
>That's why it's so hot here
>Poor thing must be tired
>She did not touch her drink, too!
>You relieve her of the burden of luke-warm dirtiests of drinks
>You're Twilight Sparkle and you take burdens from friends
>Albeit, you enjoy them a tad too much?
>Nah
>Open the windows you must!
>And you do
>Once again you blink the purple peripheral vision again
>On you way back to the table you notice the pegasi mare is not there
>When did she leave?
>The stallion and your friend are now throwing their copies in the air
>The sight fills you to the brim with feeling proud
>You did it
>You landed this job
>Light Breeze stands up with tears of joy
>She opens the door causing a draft of air
>In the last moment she turns back and grabs you by a saddlebag with her teeth
>Your favourite cup falls down to the floor and shatters
>Whoa
>Hold on
>Since when you have such a cool saddle bag?
A - let her lead you out...
B - lead her out yourself! ha!
Y - congratulat her~
X - thank the ponies for a drink.
XXAY

>The door are left open behind you
>To leave like that would be really rude
>You put a hoof on Light Breeze's shoulder and stop walking
>She quickly reacts by doing alike, but not let go of the bag
>That's not a problem
>You masterfully maneuver around and face the door
>With a step forward your head gets into the purple room again
>You bow your head and thank them for a treat
"So long, and thanks for all the beans!"
>For reasons unknown your pony companion groans
>Probably because she did not think of this herself
>Yet again, she did not treat herself to the dirtiest of dirts as much as you
>You had, like, a really big cup of it
>Maybe two
>You're walking!
>Wow!
>Oh, right!
>She pulls you towards the elevators
>You quietly comply
>Didn't you help her enough?
>Must you lead her out?
>No, she's a friend
>Let her work for her crebits-worth
>You smile as the purple taste like purberrier
>Whatever their shapes are
>She lets go of you inside the elevator
>The ride down provides some good earie tune
>"What are you doing?"
>You boop her
"Good job, mare!"
>Her ears lay flat back
>Together with a shyly raised leg it does not add up to a picture of business confidence you had in your head
>But again, what do you really know about business studies?
"No, seriously. You did your best. It looked tough, that stallion, that cookie."
>"Are you aware we did not sign the agreement?"
>Agreement?
>Her eyes are very, very big, and very, very worried, as she gets in your face
>"Do you know where we are?"
"In a... lift?"
>She doesn't narrow her eyes, nor burts into flames
"I mean, the music's nice."
>"What. Music?"
>What music?
>What kind of a question is this-
>You raise a hoof above your head to point at the ceiling
>Something's wrong
>Not the purple vision, this time
>Only the elevator engine can be heard
>The music turned off
>"You were humming."
>What
>The door opens
>Were you really...
>Both of you exit the building as you ponder about the perfect cadence
>No! Not about that!

>"Listen."
>Uh oh
>"What you did here was... unprofessional. I was about to say unpardonable."
>A shiver runs up an down her lithe body
>When did you hug her?
>"But you were right."
>You were?
>"There was something wrong- no, not wrong- something not right with the agreement form we came with today. I don't know how did you sense that, or did you at all, you narkos, but I behave unprofessional, too. I should have read it before coming here. Anything that happened here is as much yours vault... as mine."
>She begins to tremble
>That ruins your chakras, mare
A - console her
B - agree with her
Y - ask what does she mean
X - stay silent
AYYB

>You fight the sudden urge to hug her
>She's a good pony, that's a fact, and the purple is mostly out of your vision, but you're hugging her already
>To hug her again to unhug her first is essentially required
>You are Twilight Sparkle
>And you won't unhug a pony
>So instead you speak, still holding her by the withers
"What do you mean?"
>It's super effective!
>The tears forming in the corners of her eyes get blinked away
>"What do you mean?"
>You give her a scrutinising look
"No, don't ask me that, what do you mean?"
>The hug breaks as she take a step to the side and walks alongside the dock line
>You stay there for a heartbeat, then catch up to her
>She doesn't look at you, focusing at the water, about six feet lower than her
>The artificial lake shines with lamp lights
>Not every place under the canterlot dome had access to the sun pattern
>This was a place like that, and only now you realzie this, when the upper parts of the city turns to post-morning yellow, and the harbour stays burnt-out orange
"Ok, listen."
>You break the silence before the purple comes back
>None of you stop the trek
>Her ears splay down on her scalp and her posture deepens
>Each of her step seems harder
"I know you bucked it up."
>She stops
"But maybe that's for the better?"
>So do you
>It's a good time to pull her for a hug, buy...
>Ok, well, this time she pulling her upper lip and baring he teeth
>You turn to the tile of water instead
>Avoiding touching an angry pony
>You're purple enough, thank you
"You said there was something wrong with the papers? Right?"
>She visibly relaxes
>The tension in her joints release
>You think
>You don't dare to look at her
>"Yes."
>Only the distant gust of wind moves some paper trash on the ground as you stay there in silence
"And?"
>You cough into your hoof
>She sighs and eventually turns from you to the lake
>"I am not sure, but this wasn't what I prepared. This isn't what was supposed to be printed. When I told this to that contractor... he exploded."

>Not sure what to say, you say nothing
>You're rewarded with her continuing
>"I don't know how could it happen. How the boss could print the wrong paper. That's not his style. This never happened before."
"Do you... um, know her a long time?"
>She chuckles
>"He."
>Or, right
"Do-"
>"Once again, it depends."
>She shifts and sits on the concrete road
>Her hooves dangle above the edge of water
>You make sure she sees you raining a hoof and gently placing it on her withers
>She does not shy away or tell you to buck yourself
>That's something
>Wait, why is that something?
>Lighy Breeze finally looks up at you, breaking the spell of, well, not looking at you
>Gloomy mare
>"How did you know something was up with the agreement?"
>You did?
>"You didn't read it."
>She traces a cirle in the air
>"I know you didn't read it, atop of, you know, being high on octaine."
"I..."
>You what, Twilight Sparkle?
"I don't know. I would call it intuition."
>"An intuition of a drunken mare."
"Hey! I didn't see purple in the last seven minutes! Five if we do count the last time, though."
>"Hah! That's you. That's just you."
>She places a leg on your withers
>Now you must look like some soon-to-be-wet pony spaghetti
>Ha ha
>No, but seriously, for a moment you feared she will throw you into water
>And you can't swim
>"I will have to report the failure."
>Oh, she's talking!
>"I may get some answers, too."
"Answers?"
>"Listen, I never before was tasked with such a big task. It was simply being a signature on it, but since the boss did not show up, all the liability would fall onto me."
>You're not sure the law works like that
>"At least that's what I understood from this version of text. Which I did not write, nor authorise to write anypony else. It smells like a fish."
>You sniffle
>Nothing stinks here
"You're aware there's not a single fish in this lake, right?"
>She punches you in the side!
>Ow!
>"But there can be a pony in it."
>GAh!
>Betrayal!
>She pushes you- and catches you!

>You scram to your legs!
>She's laughing, but follows
>"Relax, if I wanted to make you pay for that stunt you did I would just tell you."
"That's mighty fine, thank you."
>"Besides, if I were to throw you in, you would be already moistened."
"Yeah, there's no chance you would get me wet with that attitude."
>Her eyes snap open and she laughs
>That's a good sign, right?
>You laugh, too
>With closed eyes
>To avoid the purple mist creeping from between dock buildings
>The two of you go closer to the entrance to the district
"So... there's no chance we're paid for that?"
>"Oh, I am getting paid for that."
>What
>"Even if it's my last day at the job."
>How?
>She reads from your face
>"I'm salaried."
"Whaa. And I'm not?"
>"We didn't even sign a contract yet."
"But I'm your muscle!"
>"Yes, and a very flexing one."
>You plead with puppy eyes
>"Nope."
>Darnit
>It's before noon and you need a plan
A - go with her
B - stick around the docs
Y - go to the motel to take some rest
X - go to : 1 - the hive, 2 - the mane, 3 - the barn, 4 - gun shop, 5 - pharmacy store, 6 - tech-medic, 7 - library, 8 - spike's den, 9 - your last apartment
AAXX88

>You finally reach the big entrance to the docks
>And you don't even feel pain in your hoof!
>But, seriously, the entrance has a neon above it!
>How weird
>On the positive note, Light Breeze's step is faster now, more bounciful
>You hope she will get better
>Maybe you should go with her?
"Listen... where are you going to go?"
>"I told you I think about going to the office, but I guess, you have the grounds to think I changed my mind."
"Yeah, totally."
>She looks down at her hooves
>"Maybe I should take a day off. Maybe I am not fired. Maybe..."
"That's a lot of maybies."
>She stands up, puffing her chest out
>"And you? What would you do?"
"I would either go with you"
>Her face brightends up at that
>No chance for her to continue the thought
"Or make you go with me."
>"And where are you going?"
"To meet an old friend."
>It happens naturally
>You walk in the general direction of Spike's den
>She goes with you
>Oh!
>Somepony pulls a cart like crazy past you!
>You jumped off the street and onto pavement
>What were you doing on the street you don't know
>"So... how well do you know her?"
"Him."
>It causes her to giggle
"He's my second oldest friend."
>Her ears perk up
>"Who's the first?"
"My brother."
>"You have a brother?!"
>You sigh
"Yes, but... I didn't see him in quite a long time."
>"Why?"
>You put a hoof to your horn
>And stop walking
"I don't... know."
>Light Breeze rubs your side with her own
>S-soft!
"H-hey! Cut it out!"
>"Heh, sorry. I thought you liked to be a little softie, now that you're down, after the caffeine high. Seriously, though, I never seen anypony behave like that after so much coffee. Are you sure you feel better?"
"Better than before for sure. I wouldn't worry about it, though."
>She doesn't give up!
>"Alright, I give up."
>Oh
>"You should have it checked, though. I kind of suspected you of mixing substances."
"Hey!"
>With that you trot
>She tails

>"I know, I know. You were there, though. You made me fear the drink they offered was spiked and that you met me already oiled, or you mixed something with... some drugs, or something."
>After that you walk on for a moment
>The buildings gets taller and cleanier
>More glass than cement, it seems you will go through the office district
>"How comes you remember?"
"What?"
>"How comes you remember your brother and that other friend?"
>You look at her and she looks genuinely curious
"I don't understand?"
>"Huh. Each time we meet you don't seem to-"
>Oh!
"The memory wipes? They are..."
>buck!
"... selective."
>Her worried smile doesn't turn upside down
"Or they are not as deep as they are claimed to be."
>You're good
>She's nodding
>"Or maybe you build up natural resistance against them?
>You give her a snort
"Now, that's a sack of rusty horseshite."
>"I just hoped there's a chance you won't forget me next time."
"Ok, that was unexpected."
>"What?"
"What?"
>"You said it was unexpected?"
"I said that?"
>"Uhm."
>...
"Sorry, though aloud, and that's very sweet."
>Crisis averted
>"You saying that was unexpected."
>She gasps!
>"How about you tell me something that only your friend would know?"
>You're about to ask for what purpose but you're Twilight Sparkle
>But should you?
>You observe her
>Gleeful
>That's the word to describe her current state
>Other than other words capable of doing that
>Less lucky words in the grand scheme of your internal monologue
>"Hey! Stop doing that!"
"Oops."
>"Well, tell me your secrets!"
>Uh oh
A - tell her about the Twilight Sparkle Citadel
B - tell her about being seeked after
Y - tell her about that one time at the gay game looping gaia
X - tell her nothing
YYBB

>You won't lie
>Telling this makes you kinda nervous
>Oh, wait
>You stop and pull her into some unhabitated dark-alley between buildings
>They are very convinient and she yelped non commitable
"You want to know... I'm really seeked after."
>The sparkles in her eyes don't really dim as she cocks her head
>"What do you mean?"
>Well, perfect
>She's a dummy now
>She is a gasping dummy, now!
>"Do you mean-" her voice shushed "- the police is after you?"
"What? No!"
>You put a hoof on her withers
>She's all tense!
>"But you're not trying to tell me you're such a professionalist that big buck companies seek your help. I know you're a field operator-"
>No, you're not
>-but I also know where you live."
>Her ears fall down as she realizes what she says
>"That's not what I meant to say. I just... it feels as if you're joking. No offence."
"None taken."
>Your hoof traces circles on her perfectly soft coat
>Hmm, you don't know for whom the police force works here
>You never had any bad encounter with them
"Who's in the charge of the judicial system here?"
>Ok
>That earns you a look as if you got a pair of wings
>"The... state?"
>Nod, Twilight Sparkle, nod and smile
"What I'm trying to say, I have no problems with the law. I have a problem with a past employer. Probably like you."
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you mare-fully flipped the metaphorical cat
>Now she's worried about her own being more than to ask you for more!
>"More."
>Hwat?
>"I want to know more. Who's after you? Who you work for-"
"No."
>You can't tell her these
>You specifically chose not to mention the citadel and their twilight sparkle goons
>Whoa!
>She shakes your leg off of her and places hers on your back as she pulls close and-
>And exhale the hot air right into your nose!
>You can't help but take a lung-full of this sweet-smelly, oxygen-deprived, hormone-full breath of air of glim and glam!
>You push her back, but the damage's done
>She won
>You whine in pleasure
>Celestia damn her!

>"I want to help you, like you help me each time we meet!"
>Who's shaking
>You're shaking
"If ruining that business of yours can be considered helping."
>"It was my mistake I did not double checked! I almost signed it, too. I would be responsible finantially for any discrepancy between the legal and factual state-"
>Maybe...
"So you suspect your boss of setting you up?"
>"We're not talking about me right now! We're talking about you. About us, mare."
>You nicker
>Oh, why must your purple turn to red so willingly!
"What do you want from me?"
>"What?"
>She's next to you
>Did she not hear that?
"What do you want from me?"
>This time you speak out loud
>Her nosetrils flare
>No, not the air!
>"I want to know."
"Everything?"
>The fire in her eyes suddenly subdues
>She blinks and looks at you as if for the first time
>"That wouldn't hurt, but- whoa!"
>Your hind legs give up!
>Your pretty purple pony flank plops on the concrete with a loud pomf
>Light Breeze steps in
>You keep her at a full hoof distance
>You don't need help
>You need air
>"Hey, what are you going to do on the b-"
"Alright. I will tell you more."
>That stops her more effectively than your quivering leg
>She waits
>You stand up
>You can't look her in the eyes
>She feels it, and shifts her legs
"I... I didn't tell anypony, but I went once to..."
>The earth mare leans forward
>Now is not the time to re-evaluate her usefullness
"I went to the gay game looping gaia."
>She doesn't react
"Once."
>She gasps!
>And you can't help but notice how cute she's when her mouth opens so... roundly, and her eyes are also... round-
>Crabs!
>You turn to the side and take couple quick breathes
>It fills your head with dizziness
>"Hey! Hold on. That means nothing."
>You should get an uncle's oscard for the act you're pulling out
>"No, seriously. What's so shocking about it? Where's the secret?"
"There is no secret."
>Her eyes as narrow as your chances to not split the bills on a first date-

"I wasn't lying. I went only once."
>Even you feel as if this explanation lacked the logical conclusion
>And you're currently seeing the black swirling holes which run away whenever you locate them
>At least they are not purple
>Purple dots would run after you
>"What are you giggling at?"
>Uh oh
"I keep telling ponies that I've never been there."
>A raised eyebrow is all your reward
>Right now you would prefer to be paid in giggles
"The people I work with think I went to the gay game looping gaia countless times. I didn't. Not my kind of thing."
>The making of connection between your poorly drawn dots makes it worthwile to look her straight in the eye
>You don't neigh
>You don't beath
>That do the trick
>"I'm sorry about this."
>You laugh
>Sweet Luna, why do you laugh
"No biggie. I guess I owed you one. Ha, haha."
>Her smile may be troubled, but it's a genuine trouble, a good honest troubl-
>Light Breeze calls to you from the entrance to the backalley
>When did she get so quickly, so far?
>"Shall we?"
"Take me."
>...
>"What did you say? Sorry, didn't make it out."
>You gallop and halt with a screetch in front of her
>Your heart is racing, almost palpitating, but that's good
>You don't know why exactly, but this is the version you'll stick with
"Take me."
>What in the celestia's school for giften unicorns Sparkle?!
>"Oh, you mean, um, you want to come-"
>No!
>This is not you speaking!
>"- to visit my boss? Weren't we supposed to see your friend?"
>This can be saved!
>You can save your face!
>Yes, you can!
A - let her take you... to her boss
B - take her... to Spike's - or any on the list under
Y - part your ways... for now
X - FREESPACE  - go to : 1 - the hive, 2 - the mane, 3 - the barn, 4 - gun shop, 5 - pharmacy store, 6 - tech-medic, 7 - library, 8 - spike's den, 9 - your last apartment
AA8Z

"Yes, we were, we can de-tour. It's not that we're in any hurry."
>You pat her between the shoulder blades
"I mean, we're both unemployed."
>Her smile is small, but genuine
>Then her eyes snaps open
>"What do you mean both of us? Aren't you employed in that corpo?"
>Uh oh
"The one?"
>She confirms with a vague form of a nod
>You sigh and wave to go faster
"Let's just say, they decided to get under my flanks before I bucked them in the methaphorical corpo-teeth."
>You cross a street and stop under a sign
>It's middle of the day, and the streets of the neightto are filled with ponies looking as busy as poor
>Almost everypony's naked
>Not that it means anything
>"But why did tell me the secrets if you aren't going to get a braindance?"
"Well..."
>Let's not hurt her feelings Twilight Sparkle
>Let's not
"... You didn't ask."
>Ok
>Her face hoof was a loud one and ponies stared, but she's laughing now
>Unless mad cackling doesn't count
>She raises a hoof in a quiet question
>Your eyes trace the line of sight where she's pointing to
>It's a chariot road mark
>Left to the office district
>Forward to the apartments
>'apartments' your flanks
>Real life happens in the Upper Canterlot
>But there's more Twilight Sparkle Citadel agents
>It's safer to stay here
>Not that you have any choice without a Canterlot pass
>Eh
>You smile to your palpably uplifted friend and head left
>Your hind hoof begin to sting, but it's more managable
>...
>It took you only half an hour to get there, and two ponies who did walk on the wrong side on the pavement and got scared
>Not by you
>By some ethereal purple mist in your vision
>You get close to the glassy-office building where Light Breeze's office is located
>"What's up with your coffee addiction?"
"I am not addicted to coffee."
>That's true, you're not
>"Then why did you react like that?"
"I would like to know myself."
>She friendly bumps you with her barrel
>"Would be a good idea to get tested, or at least ask a doc."

>Not a bad idea
"I will, once I get enough money to pay one."
>You bump back and she snickers
>Finally, you stop before the entrance
>"Do you really want to come?"
>You toss a longing look to the parking lot, now filled with charriots and other devices, and one, metal cucumber of a food stand from before
A - go with her into the office
B - go with her but wait on the floor
Y - wait here
X - wait at the parking lot
AAAA

>You smile
>The two of you enter the building without any problem of sorts
>The elevator stops at the seventh floor with a jingle and only now you notice the building has 13 floors, not 8 as you previously thought
>You reach the office's door in no time
>In fact, you lead the way, as you remember where to go
>You're Twilight Sparkle, natural office crawler
>You let Light Breeze to enter first
>It would be otherwise odd
>You get into the small space and see...
>That nothing changed since this morning
>"That's weird."
>Your companion get's to looking for anypony, and then through her ponystation
>You opt to be satisfied with walkign aimlessly between three, currently unoccuptied work-tables, each with its own hoofputer, a phone, and at least two stacks of prints
>With a quick glance you judge them waste paper
>But you can't find-
"Hey, do you know where's the printer?"
>"What?"
>You trot between the tall cubit's walls made of material that, as if intently, tries to hide it's made of anti-magic carton
>Expensive stuff
>You poke it with your hoof
>Not sure what you expect but nothing happens
>Then you try with your horn-
>Oops
>A hole is left where you pushed
>It's a really thin wall, alright
>Better say it was in this state when you arrived
>"What did you want?"
>You realize you're not here alone and join her at her station
"I couldn't find the printer."
>Her ears flicker as she process this
>"It's in the boss's room. Only he can use it."
"Why?"
>"I don't know? It's probably expensive."
>You look back at the piles of agreements and disagreements.
"Sure. Where's his office?"
>"Oh, just behind this wall here."
>You maneuver around the last piece of carton-wall and meet snout-to-knob with a door
>The door are painted white, but they are not made of the enchanted carton, just wood
>They look solid and expensive
>There's a key hole, though
>Through which you can't see anything
>"Hey? You're not planning to break through, are you?"

>You turn to your friend
"I don't know, are you?"
>"What? No! Why would we?"
>She waves you to her computer screen and point at things too small to read
>"We have here everything I wanted."
>Her smile's a sad one, if you ever seen one
>Which you did
>"You were right. I wasn't sure, but the papers we carried to get signed today were not the last version of what I wrote."
>You hmm and uhum
>"The job took some time to prepare and I didn't remember each point of it by heart, and even if it were a fresh case, then for what purpose?"
"What are you trying to tell me? I sense some tension and opposite signals."
>She turns the machine off and faces you
>"It was a set-up job. I was supposed to be a co-signer, not a guarantor of payments. These are just tiny changes, but-"
"But they means a lot of a difference. I don't know detail, but I know the modus operandi."
>Her head lands on your neck as you get employed as a not-only-moral-support
"The seller was probably set up, too."
>She whinnies
>"Which would explain why was he so... forgiving to your antics."
>Light Breeze releases you and packs couple personal things into her brown saddlebag
"Don't you want to get more answers?"
>She looks at you briefly, but the question dies in her open mouth as you point your head towards the boss's door
>"Um, I..."
A - persuade her try to break in to get some dirt(in self-defence)
B - pry to break in to get revenge(or something)
Y - let her pack things up and leave
X - ask her waht she thinks
A

"I'm not gonna to persuade you into breaking in."
>You attempt to persuade her into breaking in
"But I don't see here any camera."
>Your companion shuffles her legs
>"I don't know. I've never... It's not my style. Not even in revenge."
>She looks to a wall of windows
>Completely obstructed from where you're standing
>Little rays of sunshine add a sparkling effect to her blue coat and already yellowish mane
>You're Twilight Sparkle
>And she's pretty
>Both things are not connected
>But you want to help her
"Listen, I've been doing this for a long, long time. Longer than I can remember."
>You point menacingly at the door
>Her ears raise and turn to you, but she's still looking away
>"Because you get your memory wiped."
"Because I get my- what? Ah. Right."
>Damnit
>Another Twilight Sparkle's excuse has run up to you
>The Citadel got you again
>Again!
"Again."
>The mare eventually comes closer to you and touches the hard wood the door's made of
>"You know what? It always surprises me that you forget about forgeting."
>This subject is not a pleasant one and she senses it
>"I'm really worried. You should get tested."
>For being awesomen?
>"No, for any lasting brain damage."
>You double take before you know it
"You what?"
>She pulls a bit closer
>In a quick inspection her eyes narrow
>"You're... not aware that..."
>This doesn't look good
"Not aware that what?"
>"That you said that?"
>Not good at all
"Said what?"
>"About testing yourself for-"
>for awesomeness
>Your head spins
>But doesn't fall
>Her legs grab you before you can fall
>"C'mon."
>She pulls you up and place one of your front apendages on her barrel
>"You need to rest. Let's get home."
>...
>You realize where you are outside of the office, on the way to the elevator
>And you remember what happened
>She doesn't say anything but the muscles under her skin feels arched
>You are not in need of being mare-handled, yet you doubt she will allow you to walk alone
"I'm fine."
>She tenses, but before she can grab you-

"Thanks."
>You don't take your leg away, allowing her to help
>That's the least you can do
>After lying to her about being her Twilight Sparkle
>Or one of hers Twilight Sparkles
>Heh
>Now you are one of her Twilight Sparkles
>And you really, really hope you're thinking this
>...
>At the elevator she calls it but it doesn't come
>You wait there for a moment
>Feeling a bit uneasy
>Not really ashamed
>You're Twilight Sparkle
>You had worse breakdowns than... a shutdown?
>Whatever
>"It's weird."
>Your ears perk up
>"The elevator doesn't work?"
>You look up and see the digital display being turned out
>A quicky search left and right through the corridor proves that no-pony's here
>The hairs on your back raise
"Was it always that quiet there?"
>"What? Yes, I guess."
>Something's fishy or else you're paranoid
>She must sense the edge in your voice and that pushes her to continue
>"Most of the companies here work at night, so it's not a big worry."
>And yet you worry
>"You fine?"
>Her blue eyes are wells of concern
>You decide hug her a bit closer
>She smells like sea foam
"Never better."
>Distant ringing in your ear heralds troubles
A - wait for the elevator to turn on
B - go down by the stairs
Y - go up by the stairs 
X - [none]
"X - chew hear ear" twice

>Troubles?
>Troubles are your middle name
>Twilight Middle Name Sparkle
>You notice Light Breeze is carefully observing you, which is a feat, considering you half-lay on her back half not
>She's about to ask about your well being
>You just know
>You must teach her to care about her own well being
>You move forward and your under-jaw snuggles the side of her head as her earlobe finds its way in between your teeth
>You nom the hostage
>The mare doesn;t seem to register it instantly
>Neither do you
>An intense shiver runs through her body
>She shakes you off, freezing the ear-hostage
>Light Breeze wobbles a step away from you
>Her eyes are wide open
>Her snout crimson red
>Her ear nommed
>You've won
>But what did you win?
>"W-what was that supposed to be?!"
>Ok
>You don't get it
>She clearly wanted that
"You looked like you needed that."
>Hot steam of exits her snout as she snorts and kicks the floor
>"Why would you think that?"
>Only now you notice her voice being pitched higher than before, and shaky
>You probably did something bad
>But what
>What would Rarity do?
"Darling, I got the signals wrong."
>You take a step forward and she tenses as you raise a leg to touch her side
>That's a clear indicator of fear...
>So you put your leg on your chest and lower your head in submission
"I don't know what overtook me. I just looked into your eyes and..."
>You break the eyecontact
>"Yes, yes you did."
>Bingo
>She isn't screaming
>You look back and her eye's are taxing your face
>Looking for something that's not there - you know it's not there wahtever it is, you took a good shower not so long ago
>Silly pony
>"Do you still feel sick?"
>Oh?
>What should you say?
"Only sick hot."
>A wave of cold sweat damps you as what you said sinks in
>Why did you say this?!
>What will she think of you?!
>Why did you thinkg nomming her ear was a good idea?!

>These and many more questions answered themselves as the elevator hummed back to live
>This small distraction was enough to stop kicking yourself over this
"I'm sorry."
>"I know."
>She doesn't look at you
>The elevator opens empty and she gets in first
>You go down
"I didn't want to-"
>"I get it."
>You're doomed
>She gets out of the building first, and to your surprise waits for you at the open door
>You keep a hoof distance
>"Don't..."
>Talk to me ever again?
>"... mope. What happened happened and I know you didn't mean this. I was just... shocked."
>You dare to look her shining, dreamy eyes
>"I should have known your training can kick in when you feel sick. It was just... collateral damage. I don't hold a grudge."
>She says so and pulls out of a hoof, which you gently shake
>Then she adds
>"You don't feel unable to walk, do you? I don't feel like risking more of that in pu-"
>A cart pulled by two stallions came to a screeching halt, and as quckly a mare jumped out of it
>The mare is of deep brown colour with lighter mane and she stands on the concrete pavement looking at you with a bewildered expression
>You ignore her, as she obviously want to get past you
"At least that ominous premotion from before is gone."
>You say as you get out of the door
>Light Breeze's hoof points at your mouth
>"Hey, don't try to prove me right, or else it will look as if you did... that, just to mess with me!"
>You chuckle and she joins you in the trek
"Once again, mea culpa."
>"You!"
>Your ears stand up and turn back faster than your head
>Light Breeze almost jumps out of her skin at that
>You look back at the browny mare and two surprised stallions
>"You!"
>She reapets herself and takes a step your way
>This cannot be good
>"But that's just impossible!"
"Scram!"
>You yell and gallop forward
>More screaming ensues
>Not long later Light Breeze catches up to you
>"What was that?!"
"I don't know!"
>"Then why are we running?!"
"I don't want to nom anypony today! You were enough!"

>Couple passer-bys heard your exchange and gasped
>A baby begins to cry as a troubled mother puts her hooves on her ears
>Maybe it's exhausion, but after couple of blocks and red-lights crossed you begin to laugh
>Light Breeze seems unfazed, her superior earth pony endurance barely kicking next gear
>Eventually the pace slows down and your breaths becomes shallow
>"Are you sure you don't know what she could want from you?"
>Should you tell her there is a small tiny littlest possibility that brown-brown mare had a history with a different Twilight Sparle or maybe just came back from a meeting with one, no matter how low the chance for that was in the lower canterlot?
>You doubt so
>In the answer you snap with your teeth at the air
>Your companion visibly tenses
>And laughs shortly
>Her eyes kind of unfocused and her breathing heavy
>The running must have took a toll on her, too
"You still good to come-"
>"Huh?"
>Her thought train derailed
"To come to my friend?"
>She blinks twice
>"Yeah. If you feel so."
"Great."
>You look around unsure where you are and how to go to Spike's Den from here
>It's a small business district with shops at the lowest level and at least six stores of living quarters
>You think the Hive's nearby
>You could visit a doc as she said, or it could wait until you are alone
>It would be a pickle rich if the doc revealed your memory's fine in front of Light Breeze
A - go the shortest way possible and through the Diamond Dong alley (to get there fast and furrious)
B - go through the official district entrance (to get there on your own pace and relaxed)
Y - go to visit the doctor-next-door to the Hive
X - [real free estate]
AAA

>You pick up a pace and your hind hoof reminded of itself
>It stings, just not much
>Thankfully, because that's what you want, Light Breeze follows you through the shortest path you know
>...
>You get into the infamous alley where you've met the Diamond Dongs before
>It's pristine, shit-less, with exception of paper loitered around the place
>The complex of tall buildings before you looks somewhat shorter in the tall sun
>It always made you wonder why, but never had any time to ponder this through
>The last half a hear was harsh and Spike couldn't explain this to you
>Not that he could
>You find the back entrance to the complex and enter the first building right from the bat
>"Is this friends of yours a one-team type pony?"
>Heh
"More like a duet-guy."
>"Oh. So he's a stallion? How comes you never before mentioned him?"
>HEH
"He's not a stallion."
>She cocks her head in confusion as you reach the vending machine with a perfect hiding spot behind it
>It stands not aligned with the floor tiles around it
>That's probably your doing
>"Your spirit seems lifted."
>You blink in surprised
>Indeed, after the gallop you feel slighty better
>Maybe some cardio does you good
>You will read on that
"That's because we're here together."
>"Aww!"
>The light blue mare bumps your side with hers
>No need to be a sherlock to notice her's a bit plumpier...
>"That's sweet."
>You give her a smile
>"But I don't buy that."
>Her audacity!
>You don't need to pursue this conversation any further as you enter the last corridor leading to Spike's lair
>You slow down and check the perimeter
>No pony in the underground corridor
>Only your hoof taps die in the carpet as you get closer
>"Why are we so quiet?"
>Oh, right, you didn't tell her, Twilight Sparkle
>Neither did you, Twilight Sparkle
>Thank you for a remin-
>"You, stop that."
>She pokes an accusing hoof at you
>"Stop overthinking."
>Her voice softens
>"Just tell me what's wrong."
>You show her the big wooden door without a hoof-reader.

>It doesn't feel like enough, considering the raised eyebrow you receive.
"I have been trying to contact Spike for about three days without any success."
>She blinks couple of times and looks between the door and you
>"Then why we come here?"
>Why did you come here?
>Hah!
>Such a stupid question!
>Hmm
>"You... hoped that if you come here with somepony then he will be home?"
>No
>"You still hope that?"
>NO
"Well, heh."
>Good job, Twilight Sparkle, a speech worth a diploma
"It's not a matter of hope, but of an expertise. Can you people take a look and tell me if there's something wrong with those doors?"
>Her ears perks up
"Ah, one more thing."
>You step forward and knock on the door three times.
>No one opens them and no voice comes through
>You give Light Breeze a free hoof to deal with this

>She starts with inpecting the door
>"There's no number, no hoof reader. Other apartments have them."
>You got yourself a detective
>You chuckle
"Not all, though."
>"Yeah."
>She says more like to herself and goes along the corridor, head high, looking at the walls.
>Quickly comes back.
>"Are you sure he lives here?"
"Yes."
>"Can we go upstairs?"
>You lead the way and in no time you are above your original position
>"That's weird."
>Light Breeze watches the place where Spike's apartment is on the lower level, but where a lobby of some sort is here
>She goes into that place and inspect the very same furniture you did last time, or the time before the last time
>It takes her less time than you to come to the wrong conclusion:
>"I don't think the room under this one's a living apartment."
>As you been thinking-
"I know, right? And yet I know he lives there, and I need to contact him asap."
>You scrunch your face in silent screem
"This is mind bogling. Mind boiling, even!"
>She boops-
>BOOPS
>your cute snout, making you squint and your scrunch permament
"Hey! What gives?"
>She snickers
>"Why don't you call him, then, silly?"
"Because I don't have his number, duh."
>You almost wish for her to say something more so you can deflect it
>She, however, raises a hoof to scratch her chin deep in thoughts
>"Are you sure you know him?"
>That shocks you
>So much that you reel back with your full heith pulled back as if you were some two dimentional vector
"What?"
>She hesitates
>"I don't want to sound rude, but, is there any chance your memories about him and you were changed?"
>...
>"Or implanted?"
>Well, ok, she isn't completely wrong
>A sufficient enough brain-dance technician pony can not only wipe out entire personality and 'download' a different one
>That's why there's no prison in Canterlot
>No need for that when you can just teach a meanie some manners
>In fact, all the manners
>But as much as you remember, you weren't under the procedure even once

>First and foremostly, because you are Twilight Sparkle and the Twilight Sparkle Citadel does not find any use for those Twilight Sparkles who 'betrayed' them
>A.ka, chose to live their own lives without the constant rule of the Twilight Sparkle Council
>They may be like you, but they are not better suited to choose your fate
>"I really don't want to derail your train of thoughts, but you look as if feeling weak again. Don't you want to sit?"
>She leads you to one of the sofas above Spike's place
>Only with your belly on the soft synthetic material you notice the cold sweat on your forehead
>You must been white on the face, too
>Her concern shouldn't go unnoticed
"Thank you."
>She pats your back and sits beside you
>"So, what's the plan? Did you fix it in your head?"
>There is a plan?
>"Easy, easy. Take more time if needed. We are not in a hurry."
>Not in a hurry?
>You look around and see no pony else
>Why does it make you funny
"You're right. We have no job to attend to."
>Her eyes narrows
>"You think that's funny?"
>Yes
"I don't know. Shouldn't I, officer?"
>Her hoof slaps your flank playfully
>"Do you have a fun license?"
"Oi."
>Laughter is good for everything
>Except for too much laugther, they say
>What comes next flows to your mouth naturally
">I don't want to agrue about is Spike real or not. You know him, not me. We are in in a pickle with money. What do we do, now?"
>It's around 1 pm, maybe past and you take a big exhale
A - let's break into Spike's place
B - let's go get an odd job
Y - let's go to the hotel and rest
X - let's go to your old habitat
AAA

"I sit here. You try to crack the door open. We need to get inside. I need to know."
>You don't clarify 'to know what'.
>Truth be told, you're Twilight Sparkle, and you are having a hard time.
>Light Breeze pulls you into a brief hug.
>She's very warm and fuzzy and departing right now.
>She goes down the stairs to, most likely, begin the search of how to get in.
>You will just sit there, at this old-school sofa.
>Ok, you can do that.
>No, you can't
>You need to do something
>That's who you are
>There is not even a booklet at a coffe table to your left
>Unacceptable
>You may as well go through all your belongings
>Your chest puffed out for easy access, as a hoof digs into it and pull out item after item
>They all land on the forementioned coffee table
>First is the bottle of anti-biotics, which still looks like a glazed candy container
>You count them and find out you missed at least one dose
>Next item you pull out is the pen gotten from a the statistic Twilight Sparkle
>Could she been trusted?
>Can any Twilight Sparkle be trusted at all?
>Can you?
>Speaking of that, the black frames with neutral correction glasses gets pulled out next
>You won't hide your surprise
>You lost the track of them and assumed they got lost or something
>Definitely not being right there in your floof
>Carrying glass shards right in the place where sun rays dont reach isn't really safe
>Heh
>That could be said about entire Lower Canterlot, now, couldn't it?
>Your Crebit card joins the collection
>You don't even bother how much you still have
>No, no, you do
>465, and only now you realize you have to pay for more nights at the Silent Hill
>That's the plan
>Once you reach the place, eventually.
>You look around the public corner you're sitting
>It would be possible to sleep here, except, this is where you met other Twilight Sparkles
>Hostile Twilight Sparkles
>Twilight Sparkles of the Citadel
>And there's no toilet there

>Ah, yes, the hotel cubit card and the last thing
>The broken water gun
>It's green plastic case composes ideally with blue trigger and red sight
>A weapon to suprass the metal bear
>Everything is disposed in front of you, because you moved the coffee table
>It was not very comfortable, ok?
>The only thing missing was the black hoodie
>It fitted you perfectly
>It was robbed off a Twilight Sparkle in the end
>So nice of her to have the same size as you
>You could wonder where it go, but... maybe it's at the hotel
>Maybe... Maybe Light Breeze found something
>Worth to meet her
>You reluctantly move off the sofa and pick each of the items up before stashing them safely in your chest floof
>Long ago, when it was still unaccessable for you, Pinkie Pie taught you that floofs can work like that
>She mastered the very same thing with her mane and tail but you never made any progress with these two
>That was, oh, so long ago
>Simplier times
>Your step is tentative
>Whatever she'll find you will accept it
>Except, she's not there
>This is worrisome
>You run down the corridor, far behind the vending machine behind the bend
>She isn't there either
>Did she leave?
>You run back through the entire lenght of this level
>Hey, there's a toilet there-
>Not what you are looking for right now!
>She's gone!
>She vanished!
>...
>She's right at the Spike's door.
>You come back with your heart grasped tighly, but she is just there
>The earth pony mare take a step forward and friendly waves to you
>You join her quickly, but not too quickly, nor too slowly
>Just enough to explain you being white
>In case you are white
>No need to be
>No reason
>"I have the news."
>She has your attention and she enjoys it
>"I talked with a neighbour. She even invited me in."
>Ha, ha ha
>She half-smiles and put a hoof to her mouth as if is telling you a secret
>"Why didn't you tell me your friend is a dragon? Do you know how dumb I felt when she says that?"
>You didn't?
"I think I forgot."

>"You forgot he's a dragon?"
"C'mon, only to mention that. That was supposed to be a big reveal when you see him."
>"Either way, he lives here. That's the good news."
>She winks at you
>You release a breath that you didn't know you were holding
"So, all this mean-"
>"That your memory's fine."
>Light Breeze isn't hiding happiness
>Which is heartwarming, but kinda weird
>Someone would suspect you should be the happy one that nopony burnt your neurons into horse steaks
>"But he wasn't here for quite a long time."
"He moved out?"
>She pokes a hoof at an apartment number 017.
>"The nice donkey living there told me Spike the dragon has left this place about six months ago, maybe less, but he still visits at least once a month. He always stops by her place to ask what's new. She asked do I want to leave him a message but I decided to wait for you."
>Ok, that's not the worst possible thing
>Why did you not think of talking to the neighbours you don't know
>Wait, donkey?
>The same from before?
"Does she move with some kind of a walking stool?"
>An adorable tilt of her head happens!
>"How did you know?"
>Crap
"Precognition."
>With eyes narrowed she leans forward
>"Uh huh."
>Inquiring pony is inquiring
"That's my version and I'm gonna stick to it."
>"If you say so."
"Did she say anything else?"
>"Other than that? No."
>You point at the door
"Do you think you could break through that?"
>"What? Into a dragon's lair? Are you crazy?"
>You chuckle
"Depends by definition."
>Sensing your good humor, she graces you with a giggle
"Good job."
>She smiles at you
>"Nothing that anypony else couldn't do."
>None of the citadel goons seemt to crack this case so far
>Neither did you
>Maybe Spike knew that?
>Maybe, just maybe, he comes by to ask did someone ask about him?
>You go to the door Light Breeze pointed you to previously and knock
>"Yeah, it will take a while."
>Your companion declares
>You knock some more
>It should works faster now
>That's how it works in the movies

>The door gets opened with an old fashioned creak
>It's peculiar, for the hingies doesn't look unoliled
>In the door stands an elder donkey jane
>Her coat brown and her mane silver
>"Yes? What is it?"
>And your throat's hoarse
>You cough in your hoof
>"Oh! It's you, and you brought a friend? Come in, come in. I just made some tea and the Pony Life is starting soon!"
>You enter as Light Breeze follows
>"No need to, we just came to ask for a favor."
>She pats your side
>The donkey giggles and disappears into, what you presume, is a kitchen
>"A different favor than some tea flavor?"
>A tv turns on somewhere deeper
>The apartment doesn't smell bad, but the walls were pained ages ago
>You try not to look at private pictures on the walls but it is very difficult
>They are everywhere in the hall!
>She comes back
>"Are you sure you don't want to watch today's episode? It will reveal the final mystery!"
"Um, thank you, but we must be going and we won't to ruin your experience."
>"Fine, then what do you want, my dears?"
>That's your cue, Twilight Sparkle
"I want to leave a message to Spike."
>"To mister Spike the dragon?"
"Myes. To Spike."
>You clear the throat
"Please, tell him that Twilight Sparkle looks for him."
>"Oh, I will, my dear. Twily Spaily."
"Twiligh Sparkle."
>"Twilii Sparcle. God it."
>You really don't want to argue, but-
>But the show's intro music begins to play!
>"Oh, my. Either one way or another, young ladies."
>She empathises the words with a wave of her leg.
>You find yourself on the outer side of the doors in no time
"Thanks again!"
>"Not a problem."
>The door closes and locks for good
>You stay there, biting your lip at that cursed song and pondering...
"Will she ever remember me?"
>Light Breeze nudges your side
>"Well, she remembered me, right?"
>She did.
>"Albeit she almost kept me hostage with a tea situation. Eh. Where now, sister?"
>Huh
>It's around 3 PM
A - the hotel
B - the market
Y - your previous house site
X - let her pick
BA

>You pull Light Breeze into one last hug before you leave the place the very same way you came in
>No sign of the Diamond Dongs on the horizon
>You quicken the pace to not think about it
>...
>The two of you reach the Market quare
>It's around 4PM and the sun prism begins to descent on a narrower arc
>It should set around 8PM, and yet, you're already tired
>Not dead beat, by any means, just, not as giddy as before
>Now that you think of it maybe it's not the worst of things
>"We going in?"
>Your companion asks, pointing an ear to the hotel
>You nod and go towards the market
>"Hey!"
>You imagine her ready to crash into the bed, er, into the cubit, but you have different plans
>No, not really, you don't
>But she doesn't know that!
>At least, yet
>"What was that?"
>Oh, she's frowning as she catches up to you
>Better sell some lie
"I changed my mind."
>...
>Note for later: don't mix coffee and whatever you had
>It makes you less yourself and more... more a tool
>"Rude."
>She says so, yet graces you with a deep giggle
"I just thought, 'hey, we don't have anywhere to be or anywhere to do and we don't know anypony so how about we grab a drink and merge in-' What's wrong?"
>Her radiant smile quickly turned sour at a mention of a 'drink'
>"You don't plan to get high, right?"
>Uh oh
"Have I ever?"
>She punches your leg in good sport!
>Ow!
>"The tartarus if a I know."
>Her posture falsters
>You pay her a lot of attention, bu manage to somehow muster even more
>A second passes before a heavy sighs fights its way out of her cure mouth
>"You know what? That's a good idea. It was a heck of a ride today. We deserve a nap."
>She nuzzles your cheek with hers
>You would say it's lewd, but it's lewd only when you say so
>The smells of the place assaults you relentlessly
>No matter the time, this place smells like fish, hay and o-hayo
>At least you think so
>You not well versed in the weeb speech
>All you know are couple words in Kirin
"Hold on, a nap?"

>You turn to her without breaking the pace
>The pace in a crown of ponies is everything, Mama Sparkle said
>Or was it face?
>She clearly didn't catch that
"You said a nap?"
>Her brows raise
>"I did? Wow. That's. I mean, yeah, not now, but eventually."
>Now you're not sure did she say that or did you misheard it
>Better play the upper hoof
"Ah, yes, so you're not wrong, at least not in the grand scheme of things."
>"In the grand-"
"And ethernal,"
>"-and ethereal scheme of getting a nap."
>You do your best Rarity impression
>That is, you whine
"And I hoped the Fate prerate something greater for us than a mere 'le grande nappioso'."
>Some ponies gives you a well disuised offended look
>Ok, no making fun of the Manexican
>Light Breeze continues
>"Something like what?"
>Oh, you can think of many things
>Where to even begin...
"To be fair, I don't know."
>You pass couple of a food stand with varying degrees of still raw hay
>And certain bars where food is preparred next to the outer-counter, next to which the shady looking, tired ponies stand or sit, if there is anything to sit on
>But there's no place to just sit and drink
>"Don't you think it's crowded down here?"
"What do you have in mind?"
>"There's an upper level. Less crowded. Some ponies say it's a secret level, but most don't just bother to go up on their way home."
>There were griffons sitting above the entrace the other day
"Good for me."
>She leads the way and in no time you reach the first floor of this once-upon-a-time card-parking-lot market of today
>The place is not as much crowded, but by no means not desolated
>You look around to pick your resting place
>Heh
>Resting
"Do you eat here?"
>She shakes her head and looks at the many colourful menus with unhidden curiosity
>Truth be told, even you salivate
>But you ate today already, didn't you?
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you won't grow a tummy
>As if on a cue, your stomach grumbles
>Betrayal!
>Inside job!
>You look for moral support to your friend

>But she's busy walking between stands
>You almost missed her!
>So you catch up to her and put a hoof on her withers
"How about we eat something, and hit the hay?"
>"I suppose you don't want to eat the hay."
"Where does it come from?"
>"Because you want to save it to hit it later!"
>Your eye-rolls should have a sound effect louder than her laughter
>The knowledge it is arrangable makes you shiver
>You look at ponies who work to feed the lower city and those who eat their first, or only dish of the day
>None seem to be augemented, except some minor trinkets
>Before any judgemental thought can be formed, however, Light Breeze pokes your side
>"Just pick something."
>Huh
"Why me?"
>"Because I feel like eating hay and I hate it."
"You hate hay?"
>"No, I hate o-hayo hay and that's all they serve."
>You focus on finding something more than highest quality artificial hay stands
>The options are:
A - a close to the main line noodle stand with tiny curtains and seats
B - a crowded pizza place with no seats
Y - a half-empty fish stand with stools taller than normal
X - [Free Space]
XA "AAA"
X > Ask LB if she wants to find something more romantic and waggle your eyebrows very suggestively.  Maybe carrot dogs.

>You look your companion right in her big eyes
>Your brows wiggling
>Your eye-lids fluttering
>You are Twilight Sparkle
>And you're secuding
>"Wha-Hahaha!"
>The mare burts in laughter!
>You try not to blink in surprise but some dust finds its way to your eye!
>Gah!
>You rub the particles of shame off your face
>More than that!
>You pay no mind to the other ponies giving you a stange look
>Light Breeve stops laughing, entually, and wipes off her tears of joy
>Of joy!
>Your secuction attempt can be still salvaged!
"What do you say we find some place more private?"
>It does sound a bit too... desperate?
>She looks at you again
>"That was hillarious! What did you do with your face? You were super serious and then, ooo, look at my mono-brow doing a worm dance!"
>If you weren't purple by default you would be red right now
>So much about trying to secude somepony
>At least your dignity is safe, as these other ponies won't remember you
>And yet the patrons of the noodle stand talks to you
>"Hey, what's so funny?"
>"Oh, oh! Can you do it again? I missed it."
>Great, just great.
>You plop your rear at one of the stools and hope for the night to fall so the burning cheeks can move to shadow
>...
>You spent 25 crebits on enough noodles and artificial flavor to get over your hurt feelings
>You ended with 440
>Not a good sign, if you ask yourself
>Of course you don't ask yourself
>You know it
>You're... you
>Mostly
>"What are you giggling at?"
>Light Breeze cheeks are full of spaghetti as she speaks
>"Either way, they did not tease you this much
>The other patrons get on their way but only after you shown them your 'seducing' attempt
>Their stomachs threatened to explode over the amount of 'good humor' you provided them with, as they said
>You reap what you sow, stupid
"Only after I got over the embarassment of performing with the public."
>As if that was the case!
>Ugh!
>"So, what now?"

>You mule over the rest of the noodle water in your bowl
"We need to get cash."
>It's hard to tell what for without telling her everything
>You sigh
"For food and stuff."
>Ok, it wasn't that hard
>"Yes, but I was asking for what do we do now. Like, I would totally like a hot shower and to crash. Something tells me we're gonna need to face my ex-boss earlier of later."
>Your ears perk up
>She said "We"
>That's nice to hear
"And we can do that together."
>"Yup! Really good to have someone to hold your back."
>You wearily nod into your post-noodle bath water and taste it
>There's so much artificial flavor it almost shines like a magical aura
>You look up to the tall, slender looking bar-pony
"What's kind of spices are these?"
>His lips pursued tight as he graces you with a unintentional shrug
>Light Breeze shakes her head in mild amuzement
"Right. It stays in the stomach if it stays a mystery."
>"I'm tired. If you don't mind I will go to the motel now."
>She stands up and pulls you with her forelegs into a hug
>You reciprocate the act
>"If you want a piece of it all you have to do is to ask."
>Somepony hushed tone makes to your ear
>You look around, but find only Light Breeze- with a smirk!
>A tiny one, but a undeniably a smirk!
>With a one cheek pulled up and a lips parted and everything!
>Wait, did she just-
>Her legs fall to the concrete floor and she turns her back to you, stepping away
>She put a lot of gait into her trot and her fla-
>You break the eye contact and gaze into the abyss of your previously noddle container
>There is so much to think of
>Other than this crazy mare, that is
>Not that you are any better!
>But you're, well, you
>At least most of the time!
>Focus! Focus!
>And focus you do

>At least until a bunch of meanies walk past the stand and push somepony's sticking saddlebag out of the way without a single word
>The unlucky mare tries to object, she begins to yell at the passer-bys, but her voice quickly dies in her throat at the sight of the perptrators
>You cant's see them, as the scene plays itself on the other side of the bar
>The mare quiets down and pick up her bag off the ground, making the way for the group to pass
>No luck to see, even with craning your neck
>Before you can reach your hooves the act ends as quickly as it began and live comes back to this piece of the bazaar
>The mare looks between the direction the group went and the unfinished noddle cake
>She quickly snatches it in her hooves and leaves
>Isn't this peculiar?
>A stray thought arises
>Maybe it's better you did not stand up
>You lick the rest of the noodll from the empty bowl and leave it on the counter
>To your great surprise, you don't feel tired yet
>Your leg is somewhat sore, but not numb, and your head is full of threads, but other than that, you feel fine
>You head to the stairs to get down, but stop in the middle of the crowded main alley
>A quick glance to the far end, where the entire floor terminates itself to give place the road under it and the hotel you reside on the other side of said road is, tells you who caused the previous mare to run for her bits
>Er, the mare from before
>Either way, griffons
>At least four, maybe five, sharp beaked and taloned creatures which you saw the other day reside at their sushi place just above the entrance to the market
>The half-eagles, half-minxes, whole trouble gangers of this new age
>Why are you talking like that?
>Who are you narrating this to?
>Maybe you are in worse condition that you thought
>You sigh
>The town's gigantic, and these do-no-good may need a pony contractor for some quick grab
>It's not that you're specieist!
>It's just... you've spent here half a year running from the Citadel
[20:56] Furittum: >And you're not discriminating against them, now are you?
>They may be dirty carnivores but you consider offering them your services
>Whatever they believe they can be
>Horsefeathers
>You're not sure you can pull it off
>But they look like cash money
>Both two things you need for Charcoal, a.ka. Bobby Pin, to find Spike
>Is it worth the trouble?
A - talk to the griffons (and try to gain trust)
B - go to the hotel (and take a well deserved rest)
Y - go to the Barn (techno-bar for mares and mareamigos)
X - go to the Hive (you could have asked somepony about that place! Gah!)
XXX

>It's too much to hang out with griffons
>Many reasons
>All of them feathered
>You head down and out of the market
>The loud laughter of the said perching pigeons is heard as you leave the premises
>You glance at the hotel, but it's only around 7 pm, and the sun in only in the third posion; between the center and hidden away
>You head to the Hive
>...
>The streets are as crowded as always at this hour, but the queue to the place isn't as long as during your last visit here, during a night
>The gun-smith and apothecary neons shine and buzz as you pass by them
>The club's music doesn't reach the street through sound-proofed doors
>A mare in black suit, with a neon green tie and black glasses which engulfs half her head, which cause her to look like an insect, stands and protects the door
>You look at her briefly and ponder your options
A - stand at the back of the queue
B - talk to the mare
Y - get to the back alley to the back doors
X - [free space]
BB

>You are Twilight Sparkle and you look sharp
>You cut in front of the line so swiftly no pony notices it
>"Hey! There's a line!"
>Some other poor pony is caught
>You don't look back
>No need for unhealthy curiosity
>"Seriously, what a nerve."
>Ponies talk behind you
>Their voices raise in volume
>You burry a hoof into your floof and pull out a pair of glasses
>The moment they land on your nose the guard mare waves a hoof for you to come closer
>"You cut in the line."
>Her voice is high pitched, but not unpleasant
>It's weird not to see her eyes while being so obviously glared at
>And yet, she stands there expectantly
>You think of what to say
"mYes."
>Can't see if the mare expression change, but her head cocks to a side
 >However, she's not ordering you to get at the end
>You pull out a leg
"Name's not really important. I'm looking for a job."
>For somepony without visible facial features you can feel her taxing gaze x-ray you through and through
>She flinches as she reaches to shake your hoof
>"Bold, but if you don't have a membership card I can't let you. Only those with the cards can get in at will. We're packed."
>It's not even night, yet!
>"Maybe try somewhere else."
>Once again, hard to tell, but her voice isn't rebuffing, on the contrary
>You click your tongue
"I am a mare of many talents."
>She slowly shakes her head
>"I'm not even sure do we look for any help at the moment."
"Can't you go in and ask?"
>"No, sorry. I must stay and keep the order in the queue."
>You stare at her
>She probably stares back at you
A - ask about the back door entrance
B - offer a reasonable bribe
Y - get back in front of the queue
X - ask about the ripper doc pony from the back alley
ALBitlipB

>So you stare back at her
>But your eyes shine with an idea!
>Or you think so
>You lean closer and wave a hoof for her to do the same
>Which she does not-reluctantly
"There's the backdoor in this alley. You, or some other pony, could let me in by there without causing any ruckus."
>The mare puts a hoof to her chin as to ponder
>"How do you know about the back-door?"
>Uh
"Each club have one?"
>She nods
>"Yes, but how do you know it's in that exact alley? You been there before?"
>What is she asking about exactly is lost on you
>But, somehow, you gotta soldier through it
"If I say I been, would it cause any unpleasantry?"
>"Not for you, no."
>Then for who...
>Maybe it's not the best idea to ask
>A smirk grows in the sides of her mouths, after a long consideration
>"A-ok. Go you know where and knock on the door. Somepony will let you in."
>Woohoo!
>You grab her be the withers and pull the surprised mare into a bried hug
>She huffs hot air as you leave her there with her mane not so pristine and pulled back anymore
>You reach the entrance to the back alley and get in
>During the sun-hours the place lives up to it's night-time visage of a dead-road filled with empty carton containers and trash cans
>There is even more than before, you think
>The walls on both side of the road have only three floors high and now you can see how close to the rim of the lower canterlot dome you are
>It's still couple of roads before the safety section, but now that you know, the air feels different
>On your left are the door to the ripper-doc pony; without a sign or anything
>On your right are the short stairs and your sweet goal
>Anything else worth noticing is a cart filled with trash under the dead-end wall
>You stand under the camera and prod the door
>To your surprise they open!
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you let yourself in
>It's not that somepony isn't going to invite you in any minute now

>You enter a rather bland looking corridor, clearly in the section not for the eyes of the club-goers
>It's spacious enough for two ponies to maneuver carrying bags of trash
>You know it, because that's what exactly is in front of you
>Two orange and green suited colts, only a bit taller than you, horn-excluded, come your way
>"Excuse me, miss."
>They say and you step out, letting them pass by and holding the door for them
>"Thanks, flanks."
"Hey!"
>You sound far more offended than you are
>Say what you want but you looked in a mirror at your own assets and-
>You liked what you see
>Not that is a good thing in a place filled with exact variants of you!
>They keep laughing from the trash cart to which they harness themselves to
>You close the door on the inside and turn-
>To get snout to snout with a pony in black vest and big black glasses
>What you don't notice before the pony speaks is that he's a stallion!
>"How can I help you, miss?"
>You inhanle
>You got this
"I was told by the entrance-mare to get here by the back-alley entrance, and, well, it was open, and those two gentlecolts were leaving and I got in."
>He looks at you over the rim of the glasses which only now you see as the exact same bug-like model the other mare had
>His eyes are blue, but that's not worth mentioning
>"Those two being gentlecolts? Mare, please."
>Are you in trouble?
>"Lucky you, I just got sent to fetch you. C'mon."
>No, you are the trouble!
>He begins to walk alongside an ugly yellow wall and you tail him
>"I don't want to pry, but..."
>Uh oh
>"...because of the usual state of intoxication of our patrons, don't get mad, or stir trouble, if anypony ask for bits first."
>Huh?
>His head bends to a side and he looks at you not breaking the rythm
>"You don't seem like the type. Doesn't hurt to inform."
"No, it doesn't."
>"It's a decent local, no matter what some ponies may think."
>You don't really know to react to that, but thankfully you don't have you, as he stops next to a door

>The door is not ugly yellow, but green and black, and looks rich, it doesn't fit the obscurity of the back-stage
>You look at the colt fixing his vest
>Behind him is more of the corridor leading up, and down
>"If you say you're new here to the bar-pony you'll get one for free. Just don't tell anypony I told you that."
>He lowers his head to look at you above the rim of the glasses and winks
>You wink back
>He opens the door for you and loud music almost knocks you off the hooves!
>But you're Twilight Sparkle
>The smoothest mare alife
>So you recoil forward and enter the Hive for good
>...
>The club's is a sprawling space, cut into smaller ones by sudden narrower spaces on the walking spaces
>The entirety is fillwed with deep black tiles of real rock, with celestial gold and toxic green elements here and there
>Even with those seemingly random narrowing places where only one pony can fit at the time the place isn't overpacked
>It's made this way so you always find a way from your sitting place to the dancing pool, or the bar, or the toilet
>Spend your crebits there and go back to your table
>You learnt about this
>It doesn't mean you know how to navigate this place
>You locate the bar next to the dancing floor, with patrons half laying on the counter
>There is main entrance in the distance, behind the dancing puddle of ponies, which you don't feel like going through
>You can imagine how thirsty they are
>Or the smell
>Aaah!
>As you wander around looking for ponies of interest you walk right under a ventilator which turns on and pumps a pony per second of fresh, cold air!
>You scuttle from under it with as much grace as you can muster and you find a pony going up the stairs which you did not notice before
A - there is two guards at the entrance door, go talk to them
B - there is the bar with three different bar-maids, go talk to them
Y - something must be on the next floor, go explore
X - wander the place to look for familiar faces
YY

>You choose to scramble up the stairs
>There is a middle section between two floors at wchich you turn right and right and here you ate
>At the first floor
>It's not very much different from the lower one
>Black, gold and toxic, but with more confined spaces for actual talk, with music rather echoing from the down than being played here
>Still a maze
>Whenever you walk without looking before you it's only a matter of time to touch somethign with your leg, something you're not supposed to
>A table, a chair, somepony else's leg
>The usual
>Reconnaissance ended with moderate success
>You did not find any known face, but you did not lost yourself in the crowd
>That's something
>Oh, there's a bar in the middle of the place
>You approach and a wall-tall shelf behind the countrer opens it's various contents to you
>This bar has stools on one of them you happily jump
>Instead of relyging on the water hole technique, like the one on the first floor, this is clearly operational in glasses
>The three bar-ponies serve the drinks as fast as they can, or they seem so
>It's hard to tell when they wear those silly compoud-like dark glasses
>Which in this neonic gold light look kind of intimidating
>You just sit there and wait for their attention
>Which works!
>One of them, clearly a mare of your size, with dark black mane and gray coat speaks:
>"Fancying anything?"
>Your eyebrows raise before you can prevent this
>With all your willpower you try not to sound frightened
"Um. I- ekhm. I was told the first drink is free."
>Smooth
>You can't tell what the mare is thinking and you don't really care
>"Cool."
>She pulls a glass of the size of a hoof from under the counter and turns her back to you
>Her neck cranes out as she looks left and right of the collection of various beverages in luxurious bottles
>Now, that's a service
>You pay and demand!
>"Here's a free for you, honey."
>The mare puts the half-full glass of- oooh- pretty
"What is it?"

>You take a sniff of the golden liquid and find it very sweet
>So sweet you put a tip of your tongue inside to make sure what is it even before you get your answers
>It's indeed very sweet, and very tasty.
>"Honey."
>You look at the bar-maid who clearly want something only to find her preoccupied with another client
>Then who...
>The mare on a stool next to the empty one your right side peeks at you and have the most sinister of snickers
>You turn to her with a smile and study her frame
"Excuse me?"
>She's a unicorn mare of green coat and scarlet, you think it's scarlet, mane
>Rarity would know better how to call it
>Maybe you should pay her a visit, or something
>She holds close a glass of same liquid
>"It's honey, honey."
>Huh
>You sip the nectar
>It's good
"If it's honey, honey-"
>You giggle like a filly to act gullible like a filly
>Not because you are, of course
"- then why does it do that?"
>To prove your words you wave the glass around, makign the content swirl
>"Probably apple milk."
>The what?
"You mean, apple juice?"
>The mare take a sip of her own drink
>"Apple milk. Totally apple milk."
"That's a thing?"
>"Uhuh."
>Nah, she's lying
"How do you milk an apple?"
>The green mare snorts into her own glass
>"I don't know. How one milk an almond?"
"I don't know. Good?"
>She neighs right between the bits of distant techhoof music
>"Yeah, right."
>She repositions herself to a seat next to you
>You pull up the hoof with a glas
>Once she notices, hers shoot out, too, and the loud clank of your glasses echoes through the chamber
"Name's Twilight Sparkle."
>"Kar. Nice to meet you."
"Cheers."
>Mmm, this honey mix is really good
>You already feel better than before
>You're not a fool to think this holds some magical unethical properties
>But it should!
>It's criminally good
>She looks into the drink
>"First time here?"
>Most likely overheard you
"Yup."
>She nods, more to herself than to you
"Do you know anypony here?" 

>Her eyes wide open, her ears perked up, as she enjoys the drink
>Not like those almost inhuman working ponies, with their weird occuli
>Inhuman? What is inhuman?
>Inponious!
>"No, can't really say I am, but humor me. What do you need?"
>You are Twilight Sparle
>And she looks honest
>Sippity sippity sip
"A job."
>"What kind of a job?"
"Fast."
>"Heh. Good one."
>Your glass is almost empty when she clops her hoof on the counter you both are sitteng next to
>"Bar-mare! Same thing. Twice."
>Ok, you need to do something with your ears doing what they want
>They clearly betrayed your hope to get more of this honey juice for free
>Generally, any Twilight Sparkle likes freebies
>Uh
>Maybe this knowledge will put end to the Twilight Sparkle Citadel!
>Yeah, right
>You were in the thoughts long enough for the same black mare to refill the glasses Kar has in front of her
>Your's disappeared
>"I allowed myself."
>One of the glasses has some more fluid
>She pushes that one the counter utill it's back, almost in front of you
"Thanks."
>Is it possible ponies at such place tend their patrons with exact same amount of substance per drink without trying to trick them?
>You don't know, but wouldn't that be just nice?
>"Ah, so you're a introspective one."
>She's holding her glass in air
>You quickly reciprocate the act and clanck is done
>"What can you do?"
"For real?"
>"For real. What have you been up to lately?"
"The list would be too long."
>"C'mon."
>She lays her head down on the counter and turns to face you
>"Give me something to work with."
>Frankly speaking you... 
>You can't think of things you're really good at
>Before the Citadel it was simple, but, after that?
>This is frustrating and you know it
>For the first time in long time you would prefer to omit that fact
>It makes you self-concious
>Who's breathing manualy
>You're breathing manually
>Gah!
>Think!
>Think, Twilight Sparkle!
"I'm good at getting out of places."

>She pulls up as you take a full swing this time and, oh, lordy, it's so tasty you don't swallow it at once, but coax the insides of your mouth with it for it to linger
>"Are you good at getting into those places, too?"
>You hold a hoof in the air to notify you heard her
>If this weirds her out she doesn't show it
>Just being blissful right now
"Depends."
>"On the day?"
"On payment."
>You let it sink
"So, do you have something for me?"
>She shakes her head
>"No, but I know somepony who might have. Will you wait here for me? I will go ask."
"Sure."
>You say as the mare slowly slips down the stool, rubbing her rump along the way before her hooves hit the black floor
>She disappears behind some randomly set particion wall
>You finish the drink in one quick gulp
A - wait here
B - go after her
Y - walk around the place
X - get lost as quickly as possible
AA

>You choose to disregard the possibility of your flank's safety being compromissed
>Not that you're drunk
>This honey is sparkling good, but it's sparkle-free, too
>Heh
>Sparkle, because you're Twilight Spa-
>Yeah, it's good
>You giggle to a nearby waiter mare
>She is full of professional distance and gives you only the smallest of smiles, but she acknowledges your sparkleness, before she serves some other curstomer
>A paying one, to that!
>Ha, ha!
>Oh, mare, the glass is empty.
"How much for a next one?"
>"Thirty."
>Whoa waht
>No, thanks
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you are good with your tongue
>Which currently licks the rest of the golden fluid out of the glass
>Somepony approaches you from behind
>It's a two tone orange mare in the same classy uniform seen all around the place: a black vest and ocelussii-hehe-glasses
>You turn to him, to her, to him
"Mmmhowdy?"
>The mare scoots over so no pony else can hear her
>"Miss Sparkle? You're being asked to meet the acting manager."
>She turns away and looks back at you
>"If you could follow me."
>If you could follow me?
>Duh
>If she could follow you!
>You don't stay ahead of her, of course, but you have a reasonable intention to, or an impulse?
>It's clear you would be good at leading ponies
>Oh, yeah
>In the meantime the orangerie the mare leds you down the stairs and to the very same facultry entrance you once visited
>The music is even louder and the air vent clearly aren't constructed to get all the pheromones out of the dancing floor, er, floor
>Maybe that's their game?
>The door closes and the ugly, old yellow, which now reminds you of old honeycomb yellow - if such thing exist - looks even worse
>She leads the way up to the intersection; forward leads to stairs up, and turn left contains couple of doors on each side and stairs down
"So, what's your name?"
>Her ear stands up and turns to you
>"My name?"
"Yeah. We gonna work together now. I would like to know you by your name-" cutie
>You don't say that

>Thank Celestia you didn't say that
>Ok, the honey was spiked
>Must be
>You're not like that
>Can you be really mad a night club serves spiked drinks?
>Probably not
>Be mad at yourself instead
>You're quite good at that
>She chuckles as she stops on the lower level with couple of rooms and something that looks like an open warehouse
>"I will tell you if we'll share a shift, sweetie."
>Her tail skims against one of your legs
>You can't look her in the eyes
>Smiling with closed eyes!
>You're a genious!
>She holds the door open for you and you barely avoid running into the door frame
>What can you say
>You're a natural
>...
>The room is an office, but not any office you've ever seen
>Mostly due to the artistic chaos that reings over all the paper slips
>It looks more like some sort of a study of a subject with very tricky learning curve
>And to speak about curves: The pony sitting behind a mahony desk
>A computer screen to her left, with a visual feedback from the upper levels
>She doesn't stand up at your arrival
>If not for her royal blue eyes and her light blue coat on a black armchair you would not notice her
>Well, you would, she's in the center of the room and she's glaring at you
>She doesn't say a thing
"Hello. I was told you need a specialist pony."
>No reaction
"So, here I am."
>Your voice as cheerful as it can be, given the circumstances
>The creature- the pony! why did you think that? - slowly blinks
>"You saying you can get into places undetected?"
>Her voice vibrates, rich in lower tones
"Well, I'm better at getting out of places, but yes."
>She takes her time with her taxing glancing
>That's ok
>You can glace, too
>Which you don't, because, you know, job
>You win the non-glancing contest
>With a flinch, she pulls herself off of the chair and lands on her hooves
>Oh, princess, she is a bit smaller than you but bigger in just the right pla-
>"So it happens that I may need a service of this kind."
>She walks around the table in your direction

>"It's a simple job, but you can't be seen. Can you assure that?"
>Considering you weren't seen at the unlucky apartment raid - yes
>You give her a nod
>"Good. It's tricky-"
"You mean dangerous."
>Oh, back to glaring we are
>Fine with you
>"Well, of course it is. Otherwise I would send one of my ponies, but considering you're who you are-"
>Wait, what
>"- I believe the job will be done by any means."
>What did she mean you are who you are?!
>Does she know about the Twilight Sparkle Citadel or she takes you for a special oops pony?
>And you can't ask her without blowing it off!
>This sucks!
>"I see, I suspected it won't be cheap, but that grimace doesn't really suit your pretty face."
>W-wha?
>"Ok, ok."
>She places her flanks back to the chair
>This time with a box of size of a leg on the table
>"I need this box to be delivered to the docks."
"That's it?"
>"The corporate docks."
>The what now?
>Or, right, probably shouldn't ask about it
>"We can stay in contact during the job, but if anypony even see as much as a single hair from your tail... you're on your own. That's all. I am willing to pay 1000 crebits, but only if nopony notices you.  It's paid fully after I get the confirmation of delivery."
>The box looks sturdy
>You don't know if it's heavy, but you can't store it in your floof
>Balancing on your back would be the best idea
>But the money?
>It's more like a robbery done on you!
"Can I have a question?"
>The mare shrugs
>"Make it quick."
"I want more."
>"That's not a question."
"That's not an answer."
>Oh! She spoke about not grimacing and she's almost snarling now
A - 2k
B - 3k
Y - 4k
X - 5k
XXY

>You instantly sober up
>A trained small smile finds its way to the corners of your lips
"I will take five thousands. Paid upfront."
>The mare takes her blue eyes off of you and focus at her own hooves
>As if they were more interesting than your newly found resolve
>"That's an interesting negiotations tactic, but I'm afraid it's not a very good one."
>You allow yourself to couch into a hoof
"Oh, I beg to differ."
>Her head is still hung low, but her eyes return to you
>"And why is that?"
>You move towards the center of the big boss desk and force her to face you fully
>Then you smirl
"Because we're still talking."
>Her ears shoot up to move left and right, but she pins them down and sports a really ugly grimmace
>You could say something about it, but enough self-confidency is enough
>The scrunch of hers relaxes, eventually
>But the time and silence it took to happen you spent looking as much relaxed as you can
>How one does look relaxed?
>You know, relaxed
>"Fine."
>Don't smile, damnit
>You smile!
>She can get angry!
>What to do with said smile?!
>You bow your head to a side as if saying "something something, business with you is fine"
"Fine."
>Poetic
>She takes a deep breath before grabbing the crate and putting it down on the floor
"Am I supposed to take it with me now, or-"
>She cuts you off with a raised hoof
>"You'll be told the details before the job."
"And when will that be?"
>You ask before you realize
>"We won't talk the details now. I will have a pony to tell you all you must know in short."
>She pulls out a cigar and bites off it's butt before spitting it to a trash can
>"Why won't you enjoy a drink at the cost of the bar?"
>Excellent question
>Why would you not
>You walk to the door, not too fast, not too slow, and turn your head back to see her watching you, motionlessy, while smoking the vile thing
>You nod to her and close them on the other side, and
>Oh, look! It's the double-orange mare waiting there
>You won't work with her, it seems

>She leads you out in silence
>This time, however, you notice the motion of her hips in front of you... draws bigger cirles
>It would be worrysome, if you weren't glad you just landed a gig
>A dangerous one, totally, but, please, you're Twilight Sparkle
>And your guide's lighter and darker orange meets in just the right pla-
>...
>Goodbye old yellow, welcome back black, gold and green
>You seat yourself at the upper bar, but the nameless orangina shakes her head and leads you to a nearby empty table with really, really comfy sofa to lay on
>Before you ever speak your mind or wave her farewell she brings you a glass full - full! - to the brim of that honey based drink from before
>Carefully, you put your tongue around the brim to make sure no drop of it can be wasted when - rather when than if - the bass from below will shake the entire builging
>That is to not waste their hospitality
>Of course
>To your defence, you drink slower this time
>Almost not at all
>Hmm, now that you think of it, how did the guide pony knew what to do?
>They did not pager any communication or, what?
>You're half through the glass when the mare of scarlet mane and greenish coat scoots into your booth
"Oh, hey, Kar. I'm waiting here for somepony."
>She giggles and points at your drink
>"You should slow down with that sweetie."
"What do you mean?"
>"I mean it makes you even sweeter than normally."
>Who's coughing
>You're coughing!
>No!
>You're coughing!
"If- cough- you say so."
>Cursed expensive imported goods!
>Are they imported?
>Sure good enough to be
>"I suppose you're waiting for me, Twilight Sparkle."
>Wait, how did she know your name
>Oh, you told her
>Totally told her
>"I will be your operator."
>She gives you a smile the best described as promissing
>Promissing what?!
"Oh, you will?"
>Her voice once again hits the lower notes and vibrations and-
>You need to cool yourself with the drink
>"Don't worry. I will let you in and extract you out."

>Extract you?
>But...
"I thought there's no extraction in case it's botchered."
>Her half-opened eye-lids slid up like a roll cover being treated by a foal
>"Call me surprised you would consider the possibility."
"Call me surprised you wouldn't. Operator."
>You better get used to the awkward silence
>Because that's what is happening right now
>The music from below echoes through chamber some more
>When she finally speaks she does so in a professional manner
>"Ok, you got me there. Just don't let be detected and I'll have you in and out in no time. I would like to stay in contact with you before job, but due to the exact risk to interested parties it's not something we can afford. We will have to meet at the docs."
>It doesn't really bring out her inner beauty
>"Just don't fluke it and all'be fine."
>You snort
"Am I taking the thing with me now?"
>"No. It must be prepared. It will be delived."
"When?"
>"Before you go in."
>She cocks her head to a side
>"It shouldn't really bother you, now, should it?"
>Two can play this game
"I must to know how much it weight."
>"Ok, that's reasonable."
>The gears turning in her head can be almost seen
>She shrugs
>"Not much."
"Very specific. When will I be paid?"
>"Before the job."
"And when's that?"
>"In two days. At the sun set. Be in the docs and take this with you."
>She holds an old school pager for you
"Are we going to be pen pals now?"
>"Ha, ha. No. It will turn on and lead you to the target once you're there. Be there before the 8pm to get ready."
>You take it and it seems turned off for good
"Are you sure it will work?"
>Why does she have such an ugly grimace!
>Jeez!
"Did you check the batteries?"
>Her frown is gone, replaced by genuine surprise
>As much as somepony can be surprised in a night club
>"I will leave you to your own devices now. Have a good evening."
A - stay at the place and enjoy the night
B - go to the hotel instantly (after finishing the drink!)
Y - go visit the doc nearby
X - [free space] 
YBX

>You are Twilight Sparkle and this honey is worth a crime
>A crime for which you won't be sentenced
>So let's not get carried away
>You finish the drink in the relative eerie atmosphere of the heavy wubbs from below
>As if the floor is vibrating, too
>Maybe it is
>The percent of drunk patrons easily topple over the percent of horse power in the drinks they sell
>No pony bothers you, but no pony avoids your eyes, either
>The pager-device in your hooves is turned off, or so it seems
>You run a quick spell to check for a decoy
>Those things are as complicated as magic itself, but who knew they could be compatible
>To some extent, of course
>The device sounds untracable, so you're safe to keep it, at least as long as it's not turned on
>You're not sure you can turn it on, anyways
>Fumbling with two buttons provide only the small screen to not shine up
>The dull pain in your horn forces you to finish the drink and get out
>You go to the lower level to see a sea of ponies in a prancing trance
>The party is wild
>It's worth to mention it to Rarity
>She could come and see
>They would probably let her in
>And speaking of that-
>You let yourself out by the employeer entrance
>What?
>You already know the way, and it's closer to the Doc's place
>Once again, the yellow ugly corridor remidns you of an old honeycomb, but maybe your drunk flank is speaking
>The hallway turns quiet when the door to the club closes
>You open the door to the back-alley and stumble out
>Fresh air!
>Wow! It's cold!
>A wild shiver runs down your spine
>You did not notice how hot was it inside!
>This normalized lower canterlot air almost hurt
>But it has it's brighter sides, too
>The horn pain is gone before you acclimate to the outside temperature
>A minute later you're on your way... to the other side of this road
>Literally on the other side are the door with glasses
>The light bulb inside the window flickers
>You put a hoof on the frame of the door and give it a push
>They don't budge

>You push them, then pull then, then push again
>It causes enough sound for anypony inside to realize there's somepony here
>This thought sets your mind on waiting a minute
>And a minute you wait, no Doc pony comes out to greet you, or to at least let you in
>Maybe he's busy
>Maybe he's not there
>You pull out the tube of the anti-biotics you had from him and move your hind hoof
>It was an intense day, but it doesn't hurt
>Maybe it's the honey
>Maybe you're Twilight Sparkle
>Either way, the doc doesn't seem interested in being here right now
>You could break in!
>It would take one kick to break the glass...
>But why would you do that?
>Too much to explain
>The naked lighbulb on a cable swings left and right
>You give up on the possibility of visitng him this evening, or night
>It's hard to say
>The sun is set, but the stars and moon under the canterlot diome, together with all the street lights of lower canterlot, makes the night almost as bright as the day is
>Except with longer, less lonely and darker shadows
>You give the door one last knock and turn away from it
>At least you did not leave the drink to get turned off faster
>A flicker of a tail is all you leave
>It must be past 10 PM
>Where do you go, next?
A - the motel "Silent Hill"
B - the nearby gun shop
Y - the nearby apothecary
X - the market nearby the motel
BB

>You exit the dead end alley with head hung low
>Not that it really mattered to meet the Doc, but who knows?
>The stash of candy looking, glazed medicine is still in your hoof, but not for long
>With it stashed in your chest floof you direct your legs towards the other side of dead road
>It's dead in the sense of no traffic, but pedestrians
>And a long queue to the Hive behind you
>You turn around to wave goodbye
>The guard that talked with you is replaced
>You can tell because this one's a stallion
>Oh, well
>Can't be too friendly
>You wave to him, anyways
>...
>You stand there for half a minute before deciding to go by the 'promenade' of night life
>Down the street
>Almost instantly you find a flickering, red neon, "Gunz R Uz"
>Charming, isn't it?
>You check the insides through a glassy door and can't see a thing
>The door opens to the outside as you wander in
>Wow
>Ok
>The entire show looks like one giantic kill zone
>At least what you see of it
>The glass and metal counters dividing the client-sphere from them attendee-zone is in shape of a horse-shoe, with the cut in part for the client to get into
>The shelves and cabinets stand tall beyond reach of any-pony who would wish to cause troubles
>The place is full in bright, and dark, and rainbow colored, and painted in polka dots - but why?! - weapons of mass destruction!
>You can clearly spot at least six wet towels of different sizes and colors
>Six!
>And a ton of different type of sweet treats - perfect for taking your enemies by dental expeditures in the long run!
>There is an entire side devoted to hoof-to-hoof combat
>Many camo clothes, perfect for sneaking upon Dragons and those less obvious ones
>Even a special ops gear with black spandex and cute, tiny, little light blue paw-like socks and fitting bunny ears!
>And all those knifes, swords, stillettos, maces, lances!
>They have lances!
>Of the highest grade foam!
>You take couple steps closer

>And look to the other side
>Under the wall, inside the securely locked containers, lay guns of highest quality and wildest imagination
>They have here hand-guns, for water AND ink!
>Pump-action orange juice throwers!
>Food coloration granades!
>Why are these legal?!
>Rarity would stutter at the mere mention of these!
>Especially after the attack at her club and...
>The two employees expectantly smile
>Both of them older and chubbier
>You look down at your hooves and notice white tiles on the floor, with some drains in small distances
>This really is a kill box
>They must sense the dread of your realization, because one of them speak
>"It's ok to come closer, friend."
>They called you friend, so they can't be evil
>"How can we help you?"
>You come to the counter pull yourself off the floor
>The glass under your head reflects your visage, under it exhibited are sturdy paddles and comically big tickling feathers
>Both with ergonomic handles from the same mare-o-facturer
>Can't help but shiver
>One of the shopkeepers return to return to work as the other faces you with a genuine smile
>"You have a good eyes. These are total new on the market, and already winning the hearts and flanks of not so few."
>Sweet Celestia
"I was just cutious and passing-by. Wanted to see this place before, but I never had time."
>He nods, still looking at you
>Oh, yeah, killbox
>"Just tell me what you're interested in."
>Truth be told, you don't know
A - evaluting my gun
B - getting a close combat gear
Y - getting a middle range weapon
X - just looking around (and leave to 1 - The Hotel, 2 - The Market, 3 - To walk around the place, 4 - To hit by Rarity's Place)
AA

>You pull a leg up, and push it into your chest floof
>It doesn't go unnoticed by both the selling ponies
>The one in front of you is still smiling, but the other freeze
>You suddenly feel very small, very observed, very to be dealt with
>But nothing happens
>It took him less than a second to return to wahtever he has been polishing, but the atmospehere of the kill zone won't leave you for a long time
"It's ok. I didn't want to scare you."
>"You didn't." say the closer one
"I'm gonna pull out a gun, and I want you to inspect this."
>He smiles and nod with permission
>You pull out the perfectly fine gun and gently lay it on the counter
>It's as green and glassy as before, but also blue as a decoration at places, with a red fly above the end of the barrel
>It has a big crack and opening around half the liquid storage
>The pony looks at pistol from different angles without moving it, then motions for you to turn it the other side before he continues the observation
>Eventaully, he speaks up, looking straight at you
>"My name is Colt and what is this uww, umm, Colt?"
>You wait for the verdict of this funny fellow
>Meanwhile, the other stallion approaches the first and they both tower above the weapon, almost side to side
>The newcome hums
>"I've never seen something like that, Colt. What is it?"
>"I... I don't know. It looks like one of things we have in the catalogue, but it's not quite as it. Mind if I try it?"
>He looked at you, his friend can't pull his eyes away
>You give him a small smile
>He, with almost reverent praise, takes the piece of plastic in his hooves and swirl
>"What it is?"
>"I don't know."
>"How does it feel like?"
>"Well, somewhat different."
>"What do you mean somewhat different? How can it feel somewhat different?"
>"Just take it and check for yourself."
>The one without it takes a step back
>"I don't want to, Colt."
>"Then stop asking me these question, Colt."
>He puts it to his eye, but doesn't pull the trigger

>He takes his time, and you allow it
>You want the gun to be throughouly evaluated
>The job, if fluked, which will be not, asks you to get out of the place by yourself
>Fine by you
>Both of the Colts talk in more hushed tone now
>The gun returns to the glass counter
"So? How good is it?"
>You look at the visible crack
"Or does it need repair?"
>They share one longing glance, and the 'pacifist' Colt shrugs his legs
>"Truth be said, we are in the business for tweny years and we've never seen anything like this."
>"That's true."
>What?
>The shop is literally filled, at least their part of the shop, with pistols like this
"But these have match event the color schematics."
>You point to an exactly looking one in a cabinet behind the pony
>He quickly opens the locks and pull out the thing
>It gets placed next to yours
>"See?"
>"Uhum, completely different."
>You stand on your hind legs and hover above two exact guns
>These syjam brothers after different mothers do the same and soon your almost butt heads with them
"All I see is they are different only by- no, they are not."
>Because they aren't
>It doesn't make sense
>They suck
>"No, no, you see," states the pacifistic one, you can tell because he push a leg to grab it but push it with a wince, "the insides, look inside."
>"Yes, inside."
>You pick up your gun, and this other and look at the Colts through their glassy-plastic-whatever exteriors
>The only difference is, yours cracked
"I don't think-"
>"Totally different."
>"Yes. How about we buy it from you?"
>"Oh, that would be so good."
>"We never saw a thing like this and we know all the mare-facturers."
>"We import everything."
>"We export everywhere."
>"And this thing?"
>"This is the newest hot thing."
>"Where did you get that?"
>"Who does sell it?"
>Sheesh!
>Only tapping the glass made their yuppers shut
"Too many questions."
>You place their gun back on the table and keep yours in the hoof
"What can you tell me about it?"
>"Are you not going to sell it to us?"

>"How about we give you the blue?"
>One of them produces a bit bigger, harder to conceal water gun which is, indeed, blue
>"How about yellow?"
>A yellow one joins the ever growing collection
>"How about blue and yellow?"
>"Yes, how about the blue and da yellow?"
>This is leading nowhere
"Guys, guys! No! Stop it. Tell me what you can, please."
>You add please, because you're a friendly pony
>"It seems like a gun too powerful for a simple unicorn to be holded, no offence."
>Simple unicorn!
>All the offence!
"Excuse me?"
>"Look inside, mare, look inside. Look at those shiny little cracks, at those pretty little gems inside. Oooh, so much power. Such great calliber. How about blue and yellow?"
>Sweet Celestia
>You pull the gun back to your eye-line and, indeed, inside the handle of the toy looking weapon of mare destruction are small, irregular shapes
>They must be the broken glass, stuck in it forever
>You exhale loudly and look at the offered replacements
>The blue one won't fit in your chest floof, and open carry isn't the best idea
>The yellow looks far better to you, but it's very shiny
>Imagine pulling it on someone in a dark alley only to make yourself visible before you practice to drop your one liner
>That's no good
>You feel like you wasted time with those two- but again, they are the specialists
>This gun was retrieved from a not-so-fellow Twilight Sparkle
>She wore a police mare uniform, but that's a disguise
>It's possible this thing came from the citadel's weaponry
>You perceive it in different light now
>It can be deadlier than any other hoof-gun
>And waht good would these two do with it?
>Reverse engineer this water gun, so they can monopolize the market and brutalize the herd wars?
>Can't really do that to the lower canterlot, now can you
>You hide your seemingly powerful gun and turn to their dissatisfied faces

"What do I owe you?"
>The Colts shake their heads
>"Nothing."
>"Yes, nothing, but if you ever think of getting rid of that piece let us know."
>"We will outbid everypony."
>"Anypony."
>"All the pony."
>"All the time."
>Will they shut up?
A - ask to see more stuff
B - go to the hotel
Y - go to the market
X - walk aimlessly around the district
Z

>You thank them
>You thank them very much for all the time they gave you and all the talking
>But you can't stand them anymore, and it's not that you're going to sell this curiosum gun, no matter in what state it is
>At least not now
>You leave the shop and close the door behind you
>The red neon of "Gunz R Uz" and a blue of "Colt & Colt" flickers as you walk towards...
>It's late
>You stop walking, after not making much of a distance
>The end of the queue to the Hive is still visible
>The moon shines together with stars high above
>Their silver light doesn't really reach under the turned on lamp-posts
>They may be more scare in the more center parts of the lower cantelot, but you're close the side of a diome, and that means the lamp posts are here every couple pony lenghts
>When you look skyward, only half the vission is filled with stars
>The other half,  the lower and closer to the end of the protective barrier is empty
>It's darkness is as clear as mud
>A dead sky above a dead part of city
>And yet, the ponies were as lively as always, as everywhere
>You trudge forward
>Wishing you never go to the Twilight Sparkle Citadel won't turn back time
>...
>You reach the hotel and the market place
>The surroundings are almost as well-lit as during the day, due to the many red, green, and blue reflectors pointed up
>Loud music echoes through the market
>You shake your head and direct towards the motel
>Once you enter through big, thick doors, silence befall you
>Only now, when the heavy dubbs and wubbs died, you notice how well the place is cut from outside sources of racket
>The place isn't by no means quiet, rather on the contrary; it's full of walking, talking, cooking, eating, living ponies
>So it can't be quiet
>But the volume and intensity of sound is no match for the outside world
>"Silent Hill", is the name, and you think of it for real for the first time
>Could it be your home?

>You get closer to the other side of the quiet lobby, in which some bunch are lingering
>The other pair of doors separate you from the food stands and cafeteria
>You pull out the key card to your cubit and put it to a card reader
>A small screen above it turns yellow and the door don't give up under your hoof
>You been doing it for couple last days (and nights!) but it always turned green, so you never focused on it
>You look around to ask the ponies who stay here what to do-
>But what for?
>On your left is the very kirin mare who served you the first time
>And only
>Does hotel service count as service?
>You approach the floofy chested mare with am arborescent horn
>She is watching something in a portable tv, but her ears are standing tall and she hears you approaching
>"Welcome to the Silent Hill."
>Her usual spiel sounds trained
"We don't really have a hill here. 
>You don't stop her
>Not that you're in hurry
>"Previously knows as the Silent Village, but the new owner changed the name. Not that we had a village here, anyways."
>You place the card at the counter and push it toward her
"It doesn't work."
>She picks it up and puts into some kind of reader you don't see
>"Are you going to leave now?"
>What?!
"No! No, I mean, I tried to get in, but the door doesn't open."
>She gives you a quizzical look
>"So, you're not leaving?"
>You scratch the scalp of your head
>Won't lie, it feels nice, so you keep doing it for a bit longer
"No. I want in."
>She nods her head and a tiny smile returns to her face, but she doesn't return your card
>"For how long would you like to stay?"
>What?
>You scratch your chin
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
>"That depends. Are they blue?"
"What? No. Three more days."
>"If it's me, then you can stay here as long as you want."
>She types something on the machine, a loud beep and boop heard at the end
>The key card finally returns on the table
>Before you can pick it up she continues
>"That will be 100 bits." 

>You produce your crebit card and put it to the screen built up into the counter
"I thought a room costs 20 a cycle."
>"It does. You just paid out the whole bail with the past two nights. The security deposit is 50. So it says on my screen."
>Craning your neck to see her screen proves futile
>Only 340 crebits left
"Well, thanks for help."
>"That's my job. Have a good stay."
>She returns to her tv show even before you leave
>This time the door opens and the smell of burnt apples hits you
>Why is the food stand closest to the entrance door the worst and still in business?
>With slumped back you decise where to go
A - Your cubit 314
B - Light Breeze's cubit 405
Y - Look around the place
X - Ask the Kirin about a gem reader
BBBB

>To the second floor, and section starting with Four, you go
>Once again it strickes you how much lively this place feels, compared to your previous living place
>Sure, you had a whole, even if not the biggest, apartment for yourself, but there is some charm in seeing ponies en-masse
>Just living their lives
>Laughing, bonding, taking care of their own or themselves
>It feels like pre-citadel ponyville, to some extent
>Oops
>A pair of ponies in one of the smaller corridors are currently busy getting one on another-
>You walk out of 470s and haste back to the main path, the one from which you can look down at the food stands, the view which you observe very intently
>With well concealed pink cheeks on your purple face you finally find the cubit row and collumn with 405
>The place looks just like yours, maybe with more artificial additions on the floor and under the ceiling
"What are these for?"
>You ask an elderly mare
>"These? They hold extra space. If you get two cubits facing each other you get a compairment like that."
>You thank her and find the 405
>The shutter door with a plastic window is closed when you knock
>A baby nearby cries out sharply
>You knock some more, until a single light bulb turn on and the door move to the side where the legs of the bed are
"Hi."
>It's all it takes for the door to open almost completely ajar
>Light Breeze, with her vivid light blue coat and fitting light yellow, hay like mane, smiles at you
>"Hi. Is it time already?"
>She looks for a built in the wall clock
"I just came to talk."
>She fails to stiffle a yawn
>"Are you sure it can't wait untill morning?"
>Well, are you?
"It won't take long."
>A scrunch on her snout and a welcoming gesture force you inside the small space of the rented cubit
>The door closes behind you, and you must not stand, but crouch, like in yours
>You sit side to side, you in the legs of the matress
>On the other side stands a metal box, probably with her personal stuff

>And atop of that, a collection of different electronic gadgets and tools
>A stray thought gets to your mouth before to your brain
"Do you happen to have a gem reader?"
>Why didn't you think of it earlier, you don't know
>She's rubbing the sleepness out of her eyes, but she affirm with a nod
>"Not at all."
>You cock your head in confusion
>"But I can borrow you a portable gem seer. They're basically the same, but you can't record anything on it. Let me just."
>She finishes rubbing her face and pulls a leg above your barrel, towards the pile of instruments
>It's one of the toppest
>Her hooves hover above yours, as if trying to place the item in front of you, but there's no space, as where the bed ends, the door begin
>You take it and thank her
>The item is a small tripod with one extra leg to the side and bent toward the hypothetical gem holder
>A short cable is connected to it
>For the time being you don't stuff it into your chestfloof
>"So? What you wanted to talk about? Unless it's all?"
>If you didn't know better you would say she seems sour
"What are you plans for tomorrow?"
>Her head falls on top of her legs
>"I don't know. The boss called me on my private hoofphone, but I didn't pick up."
>That's all she says
"Do you plan to call back?"
>"I don't know."
>She looks at you from down below
>"I thought, maybe we will look for something, together?"
>That's not a bad idea, but you already found something
>More over, should you ever mention it to her?
"Maybe."
>She freezes
>She trembles
>Her eyes widens as she observes you with an expression you can't begin to decipher decipher
>As quick as it appears it's gone
>One of your hoofs, acting absent-mindendly, found its way between her shoulder blades
>When? You don't know
>What does it do? Apply a massage
>It stops when you realize
>You breath in and...
>Continue the gentle strokes and kneeding of her tender fresh under the velvety skin
>It must feel nice
>She must be shocked
>Hey, it's weird only if you make it weird

>She keeps looking at you with eyes as wide and white as tea cups, for a second more
>Then settles back down, from the half-up position, accepting the word-less admiration
>No, no
>Not admiration, friendly caress
>You let out a breath you weren't holding, and you won't lie; it must feel good for her if this tiny moan is any indicator-
>Now it's your time to freeze
>Not only that, but your ears stick back to the skull and you can't face her
>She moves her head away from yours, too
>Your leg still lays on her back
>What happened with "it's only weird if you make it weird"?
>Did you make it weird?
>Only one way to test it
>You chough and renew the massage, digging the tip of your hoof deep into her muscles
>That distant moan from before is back
>Her side lingers into yours for easier access...
>Your leg stops the illegal bonding activity and slips down, not breaking a contact with her slender side
>Your courage is tested and wins!
>You steal a quick glance at her unsually beet red face
>You can't really judge it; you feel yourself as if after eating an entire horse raddish
"I should be going-"
>"You should be going-"
>Both of you speak the same time
>Both of you cut off when the other's voice gets registered
>And both of you, facing each other with uneasy eyes
>Her lips parts ever so slightly-
>This would be the perfect moment for somepony to interrupt you, but nothing like that takes a place
>Maybe it's the current hour with no baby crying nearby, or no argument piercing the thin wall of a cubit, no pony knocking on the door trying to sell you a grilled corn or baked spaghettinoddles
>She whimpers and closes the distance between your faces ever so slightly
>Her blue eyes glisten with holded tears
>Your chest stings at the sight
>What have you done to her?
>She whispers
>"I don't want you to go."
>Curse your analitycal nature
>Instead of enjoying this you can't help but think
>Does she mean she want you to stay with her tonight?
>Or forever?

>Is it even possible?
>Do you even want it?
>Could you even want it?
>Eh, why can't you enjoy it like any other mare would?
>When you look deep into her beautiful, attentative eyes, you can't help but wonder...
>Does she want you, or another Twilight Sparkle from her past
>You know about at least one
>This so called friend of yours has been used and left by a Twilight Sparkle before
>She may want this thing with you for wrong reasons
>Can you really risk it?
>But can you not risk it, either?
>What if you say not?
>What if she won't talk to you?
>Will you be once again alone?
>Alone versus the citadel?
>You can only hope she won't get angry
>And...
>You're always alone.
>In the end, only Rarity, Spike and Applejack knows about the citadel.
>And about meeting Spike and Applejack after you got out of that golden cage, you're not so sure anymore
>She helped you with figuring out Spike's not where you thought he was, where the citadel did think so
>Light Breeze thinks differently than, it's hard to say, but than a Twilight Sparkle like you
>Can you afford not going with her wishes, then?
>But can you endanger her?
>Pull her in not her war?
>Should you even invest in anypony who can turn on you the moment they learn about multiple Twilight Sparkles?
>You already lied to her about being 'her' Twilight Sparkle
>You didn't have to lie to Rarity
>She knew
>Oh, sweet Celestia
>Why must you be burdened with this magnificent brain of yours
A -                                          Give in and tend to Light Breeze wishes.
B -                                                  Play coy and get out of there ASAP.
Y -                                                     Tell her she doesn't really want it.
X - Promise her to think of it, as you're not ready for commitment.
B

>You did not turn away from Light Breeze
>She must have noticed the long train of thoghts hooting between your ears by now
>And even if not, then what?
>She lets out a painful whimper and scoots even close
>As if that were possile!
>Turns out, it kinda was
>Not was, is!
>She's about to go for the kiss!
>Let's not make it any weirder than it is
>You grab her by the withers and pull her close with one hoof
>The other one redirects her incoming face down, right into your chest
>You hug her violently
>Well, maybe more like, surprisingly
>But she's trashing, and you're not giving in
>She must be trying to hug you back, probably
>You stop smothering her and her eyes pops out from between her face and your chest
>Light Breeze glares up at you, and you breath heavily
>You're such a good friend
>You let your legs fall on matress and she gasps for air
>"What was that supposed to be?!"
>She tries to say something more, but a coughing fit gets a better of her
>You wait patiently, observing as her red shot eyes return to the normal white, and her nosetrils flaring
>If they had veins they would be threatening to pop them now
>Ok, well, that might not be what you wanted to accomplish, but it is what it is
>You better roll with it
"You were about to cry."
>She stops rubbing tears out of her eyes with the ankles of her forelegs
>"And you still made me cry!"
"Yes, but for a different reason."
>She pokes your side
>HARD
>You don't budge
>You can't show off weakness to having your ribs prodded so painfully
"Buck!"
>"Yea! You deserve it! You almost suffocated me there! And what do you pack in chest floof? It felt like crashing into a wall of bricks!"
>Now she's just making shit up
>And she doesn't beat you, so... mission accomplished, situation defused?
>"I have no problem with crying, no, thank you."
>You snicker
"Obviously."
>That earns you another playful jab
>BUCKING PRINCESS
>Earth pony strenght
>You would need to be a princess to be a match for it

>Time for a plan B
>Avoiding jabs
"I'm sorry, ok? Tried here to stop you from making a mistake."
>Her ears flicker to the sides before standing to full attention
>"What mistake?"
>Light Breeze's side still does touch yours and you are sure she knows exactly what you mean
"You know exactly what I mean."
>"N-no."
>Damn, you'll have to draw her a chart, or something
>"I mean-"
>AHA!
"It's not your fault. I don't think you really want it. Maybe the moment made you think it's a good idea, but it's not. Not in this life style. It's too risky to get... bonded."
>"But we're friends, Twilight Sparkle. Why can't we be something more?"

>A dry chuckle escapes your lips before you can stop it
"Oh, but we already are."
>Her eyes are confused, and a bit sad
>She deserves an explanation; an explanation you can't give
"Our friendship prevails over my memory lapses. If that's not something special, then what trully is?"
>You can't stop now, you must talk her over
"Besides, the very same reason proves it's just too dangerous to get this close to me. I wouldn't want to put you into danger."
>The blue-beige mare shakes her head
>She speaks with a hoof to her chest
>"I don't mind danger. You know me. We always, somehow, got out of the danger. If we survived Marehattan, we can survive anything!"
>Her genuine enthusiasm is infecting, but you really wish it were this simple
>On the other hoof
"It's complicated."
>You place your hoof at hers
"You're a special friend, and I don't say that to cloud the picture."
>Her eyes once again are glued to yours
>These amounts of hope make it unable to lie!
>Quickly! Produce truth!
"Let's put this subject down for some time. We have much to settle down. I have a lot to settle down with my past employers."
>Her free hoof joins yours, that's still on hers
>"There is no pony else?"
>Sweet Celestia
>She's really struck with you
>Nothing surprising, really
>Oh, who are you lying to
>Your second fore-hoof lands on the hoof pile
"No. There is nopony else."
>She giggles and pulls the most bottom hoof from the pile, then places at the top
>"So, you're not saying no?"
>Err
"I'm not either saying no, no."
>"That's-"
"And, before you say 'that's all I need to know", we should focus on problems at hoof."
>With that you withdraw your unstacked now legs under your form and lift yourself a bit
"It's late, and we're tired, at least I am. Sorry for waking you up, by the way, and... the other thing, too."
>She dismisses your concern with a hoof shake
>"No biggie. It's a pleasure."
>Good-
>"But could be bigger."
>-riddance
>You open the door to the cubit and step outside

>Turn around and bend down to nuzzle with her last one time
>The short of affection doesn't cause any unwanted moan
>Or wanted, for the record
>It's back to the friendly terms, good old friendly terms
>"Ok, see you at the morning routine."
"Yeah, about that. I have something do to tomorrow, so, we can eat breakfast together, but I may need some time alone."
>An uneasy grimace appears on her face
>Her voice is quieter than usual
>"Is it because I said something about something?"
"No."
>You say too quickly
>Damn
"It's just... I'm not sure yet will I need any backup, and you will be busy looking for a job, so, I think, why bother you?"
>She blinks at you, not completely buying the explanation, but willing to believe you
>"Alright. Fine. If I find something for two I will get you know instantly, but if you find something before me, let me know."
>One side of her mouth curls into a half-smile
>"We're a team."
>You nod
>Only when you walk away through never trully empty corridors of the Silent Hill motel, Light Breeze closes the side-door and turns off the light
>What?
>You might have promissed to let her know, but it's not a job for two!
>And it's dangerous!
>She would understand
>Probably
>...
>Ok, what now
A - shower, then bed
B - bed, then shower
Y - food, then bed
X - using the gem reading device
XA

>You take the shortest road to cubit 314, going back from completely clogged paths only twice
>Mare, this 4th section of is far more occupied by whole families, with more compairment for spare stuff than in any other of these
>At least you think so
>You're not sure, you've been to other section than the 3rd for the first time
>Your cubit looks the very same way as you left it
>In the corner and at the bottom
>The one above your's turns its light on as you approach, but the door doesn't open, and a curtain in the window blocks the sight
>You open the door and find black hoodie in the legs of the bed
>With a quick snuggle to it, the need for a wash is confirmed
>You're going to take a shower anyways, so why not do both?
>Before that, however, you search your your chest floof storage and leave all the electronics in it
>...
>Shower was short and steamy
>Some foal begin to cry, ruining the most relaxing moment!
>But you managed to clean both yoruself and the hoodie
>It's dripping, but a moment under an air vent dries it sufficiently to wear
>You head back to the cubit
>...
>A cold shiver runs down your spine as you are closing to theplace
>As if you were being observed
>You sense the presence of a perpetrator and-
>You are being observed, by a foal in another room-case
>You pass by it with a smile
>That causes it to babble furiously
>Inside your cubit, you plug the gem reader inside the fitting electricity socket in the wall above the bed head
>You sit on the bed, fold the hoodie, and put the gem into the device
>It gets on and throws black and white screen on your coat
>You turn it towards the empty wall in the legs of the matress
>It's only possible, because you have nothing stored there, in difference to the amount of trinkets Light Breeze have
>This through stops you in your tracks, but only for a moment
>You choose not to focus on all the bygones things in the old apartment
>Can't help but wonder did they begin to tear down the construction yet

>The gem-provided movie is the very same as the previously
>The camera faced the front door corridor and recorded the exact moment the door were kicked in
>Three androgynous looking mares or stallions ran into the building and... that's it
>You can't focus on their faces, nor cutie marks
>At the end, presumably one of them, a mare for sure, looked into the camera and shot something sticky to obscure the little vision this imperfect device provided
>Being comepletely frank you can't make out any specific feature to save your purple life, and a mane can be re-arranged fairly easily for such professional party-rapists
>You turn it off and sleep
>...
>And you don't sleep for long
>Or maybe you do, but your eyes still seems to be tired and somewhat sore
>You get out of the cubit and streatch your legs and back and neck
>Aah, instantly better
>The usual clatter of the place reaches you
>You go to grab Light Breeze
>Here she is!
>Right in the middle of the way to fetch you!
>Such an early bird
>But wait, she doesn't go your way
>She's going down the stairs
>What is she doing you don't know, but it smells fishy
>You follow her, not really hiding among ponies
>Once at the food stands (and cafeteria!) level you spot her talking to a vendor 
>They talk for a longer while
>Long enough for your citadel indugled paranoia to make you feel something's not right
>But that's silly
>Eventually, she gets, what you think is, two corns in artifcial honey
>You join her at the table
"What's up?"
>Her ears perks up and a slight rose creeps onto her cheeks
>Whatever her deal is you'll get down to it
>"Oh, hi, Twilight Sparle. I didn't know you woke up already."
>You take a chair and put it closer, but not sit yet
"I thought we're supposed to wake up each other and meet here."
>Her head cocks to a side
>"We were?"
>She shakes her head
>"I don't remember... but I was on my way to you and I got, um..."
>You glance at the amazing looking food
"Hungry."
>Her sheepish slime tells you all

>It tells you this food is good
>You order two corns of it for yourself, only 10 crebits each, that is 320 crebits left for now, and two more nights paid at this place
>Your order takes a minute to be processed, as the vendor heats up the artificial honey and only then bathes the corns in it
>Smells delicious and tastes delicious
>When you sit down at the table, Light Breeze's portion is already done
>You happily nom the food, as she looks at you
"I can see why you came here first. It's delicious."
>She sharply laughs
>"Yea. Yea."
>Her snout scrunches for a mere second
>You eat in silence
>The events of yesterday evening are still too fresh in your head to ask any question of private nature
>And she's giving you a stinky eye!
>What's going on?
"Um, is something wrong?"
>Her eyes unglues from the half of the second corn in your bowl and she dons an embarassed smile
>"No, nothing. Why?"
>You munch, trying to connect the dots
>She looks at your food
>And her's gone
>Is she...
>Is it possible that...
"Do you feel like I would judge you over quantity of food you require to process?"
>She freezes at your word, except for her pupils, which shrink to the size of needle heads and search around frantically
>"N-no."
>Ok, this is honseshite
>You're going to cut the crap right now
>You stand up and order four more corns
>You pay for them and provide a bowl with two to Light Breeze
>That makes you light to 280 Crebits, but not to have to deal with this makes it worth it
>She takes the food and eats in silence
>It doesn't mean the place is quiet, on the contrary, actually
>You almost can't hear your thoughts
>"Thank you."
"Make nothing of it. What is your plan?"
>She rubs her hooves together
>"I will contact old co-workers. They may know what did my old boss wanted to tell me without facing the unpleasant confrontation. They may also have some work contacts at hoof. If they have something I will let you know."
>Her eyes focus at you
"Cool."
>You finist he food

>"What will you do?"
>Uhh
"The very same."
>"Is it safe? I'm sorry, I don't know how you really worked, but- you get what I mean."
>Safe?
"I will check. If it isn't I won't engage."
>She slips down the chair and steps to your side
>"I will be going, then. See you at the evening?"
"Maybe. Listen, about the previous-"
>Her snout moves in and-
>She pecks your cheek!
>L-Lewd!
>Quckly! Don't blush!
"Hey!"
>"Licked, so you're mine."
>She giggles and runs toward the only entrance this place has, but stops at a certain distance and waves to you
>You didn't tell her about the tomorrow's job, and it doesn't make you feel guilty
>Nope, it doesn't
>It's still fairly early, though
A - run after her
B - go and take a long, well deserved nap
Y - go to Rarity's
X - go to old apartment
YXAA

>You are Twilight Sparkle, and you turn on the spot
>You don't know what makes you dash after Light Breeze
>But maybe you can tag along?
>The fact you're going to try to reach fro your own contacts doesn't bother you one a bit
>You can always say you changed your mind, especially after talking with her
>You pass the front door as quickly as it's possible and jump to the entrance corridor, with an obligatory kirin sitting there, minding its own business
>This time it's clearly a stallion you've never seen before, but you just gallop out
>The sun is still not on the sky, but the streets are covered in warm yellow light
>The stars above you looks extremely dim in the glow of the always loud marketplace on the other side of the street
>You stand on the tips of your hooves, but you can't stop Light Breeze
>Sudden burst of energy causes your head to threaten to spin
>It doesn't stop you from power walking towards where her office was
>She has no reason to run, so you should catch up to her
>...
>You did not catch up to her
>Currently hidden in a back-alley with a look at the tall glassy office building and the empty parking plot with one cucumber looking metal cart
>There's nothing fot you to do here
>Even if you managed to get inside the building and into her boss office... then what?
>You don't need any attention from the local police force
>Even if it's possible for them to try to detain another Twilight Sparkle, a goon of the Twilight Sparkle Citadel
>Though, you giggle at the thought
>Heh
>The Moon is still up, but lowering
>The brisk pace must have been faster than you assumed
>You head back towards the hotel and ponder what to do next
>...
>You were walking towards the hotel, but then redirected towards the Slut House
>And here you are
>The door's closed, but no repair pony in the peripheries, and no police ponies sweeping all the dust off one's hoof
>These door are red and looks far more sturdy
>In front of them stands a pony in a black tuxedo

>You approach him, and he moves in front of the door
"Hello. Is Rarity home?"
>His scrutinizing eye must be approving of you, because he nods and pulls the door open
>Oof, you almost feared he will refuse to get you in
>What would you do?
>Climb the outer side of the buildings to get to Rarity's window the same way you left this place before?
>You're not an earth mare!
>There is Rarity and, wow, the place looks different.
>You can't really remember what colors the previous arrangement was supposed to have, but this one is in white, and black, and purple, and blue
>Much like Rarity herself, except the black of course
>The layout stayed mostly the same, but old, cum dripping round chairs and tables took place for more square ones
>Each one of them divided in a smaller section with some eastern style standing walls with floral patterns, giving enough of privacy to talk about business
>Indeed, there are pairs of clients sitting at their tables, nicely visible and nicely looking next to the pristine white table cloths
>Rarity's frong legs restits on the, now, lowered bar-counter
>Only the wine rack behind the bar looks like before
>As you walk next to her she takes a notice, yet she does not outburts with your name as she has in custom
>She rushes to meet you in the middle of the room
>Her legs push you to a tight hug, but you don't let yours be idle
>After the initial greeting, she push you at her full leg distance and hugs you again
>None of you speak a word as she nods to the bar pony and leads you up the stairs to her office
>The second floor was renovated, and cleaned off all the stainins, too
>It was divided into even smaller compairments; those were made of solid wood and were too tight for two ponies
>They had no table, but a single sitting position and a... water hose?
>The floor led to newly built in outflows?
>...
>The door to her office has been replaces, and there were two code panels now
>Insides of the room were untouched by the makeover, but cleaned

>There were also far less items there, in general
>Shelves looks empty
>And the computer is replaced
>Hmm
>She still have a leg on your withers, but reaches for something laying on a cabinet-
>You grab her with both your front legs and pull away from where she tried to grab
"No. Don't grab the sharpie. It's me. It's Twilight."
>She's struggling against your grip!
>Thank Celestia you got her by surprise
>She was totally going to shiv you
>"You br-"
"Yes, yes, I'm a brute."
>She struggles some more
>"Let me go this inst-"
>You let her go before she can finish
>The voice dies in her throat
>Her eyes shocked, her mane perfect
>You pull out the gem you got from her and push it into her hoof
>She looks at it, at you, and visibly relax
"I see you have not been wasting time."
>The old Rarity sic! you know is back when her chest proudly sticks out forward
>"Oh, this little thing?"
>She giggles as she points at the outside view above the bar
>"Yes, I outdid myself, I presume."
"And you look good, too."
>"Good?"
"Very good."
>She graces you the tinies of smiles
>"Charming."
>She sits on a simple chair behind the desk, and offers you a guest chair
>Probably equally comfortable, just not visually... rare, heh
>"I managed to get all of this paid by the insurance. They did not even took a long time to get it finalized."
"That's good to hear, but isn't it kind of surprising they did it so quickly? And why is this place-"
>She shakes a hoof in disgust
>"Ah, yes, this room kind of burnt down, a bit?"
>What?!
>She taps the top of the desk in a very fast pace
>"They did not pay to remake this place as the doors seemed to be closed when the police arrived and, something something, the fire inside was unexplainable."
>Hey eyes narrows as she does air quotes with her hooves
>Does it mean she burnt this room to fraud insurance?
>Do you even want to ask?
>Sure, you do
"Rarity, does it mean that tiny little flame from the trash can kidna jumped between things here after I left?"

>Her eyes break the contact
>"Well, darling, that, um..."
>That tells you enough what you need to know
>And you laugh
"Really? Rarity?"
>She puffs her cheeks out in the dignified indignation only she is capable of taking seriously
"Ok. Ok. I'm not laughing anymore."
>She looks at the gem
>"Thank you for keeping it for me. The police swept the entire place. They would take it and I would never seen it again."
"I checked the content, as you asked, but I don't recognise any of these ponies."
>She sighs
>"I have a private investigator on the case. Maybe he will find it more useful."
>She hides it in a drawer
>You freeze as you see she touches a shiv inside it
>But she doesn't pick it up, only pushes away to make place for the gem
>Oof
>Why every visit to her must feels like dancing on edge of a blade?
"Can you borrow me money? I have my own investigation going."
>"I'm sorry, but whatever I had I re-invested in this place magnifique. It's no Slut House anymore. It's Slut Horse."
>She pulls each of her legs apart in a big, monumental pose
>You have no heart to tell her how silly it sound, nor how grotesque she looks like
>Just roll with it, Twilight Sparkle
>Yes, I will, Twilight Sparkle
>Cool, Twilight Sparkle
>"Twilight? What's wrong, my dear? Do you want a cup of water?"
"What? Yes, yes, please."
>Rarity stands up and goes through half the lengh of the small studio-office
>You join her near the water dispenser
>"Oh, a-ok."
>She hands you a cup
>"So, what does really bring you to me? Don't take it personaly, I just know you... too long not to suspect that, I guess."
>You try not to scrunch
>You really try
"I wanted to see you, how you do. I tried to reach you couple of times. No one could help me, and I don't know where you live."
>"You don't?!"
>She slaps her forehead with a hoof and walks to the office desk once again
>After a moment she produces a business card
>You read it to make sure you know where "Rarity Belle, professional professional" lives
>You keep it

>The adress doesn't tell you anything, though
>"I would really love to stay and talk with you, but I have errands to run. I help with the clients now."
>You sip the cold liquid
"You opened back really quickly."
>"Well, yes, indeed. That's where the extra funds went. A business like this cannot stay closed longer than the wave of interested onlookers wander and ask for 'that night special'."
>Your ears perk up at that strange name
"What do you mean?"
>She laughs, and sounds more hoarse than before
>"After they turned my temple into a pallet, a den of wyld stallions... the regulars came in and asked to relive that night. They weren't here to be a part of it, but these ponies wanted to be treated the same way. They not only requested it, they demanded it! The place was in shambles and smelled like a milk department and yet they wanted more!"
>What you hear scares you to the bones
"And that's why your second floor is-"
>She puts a hoof on your side with a threatening shine in her eyes
>"Exactly, darling. Ruining the entire place again would leave me in, from the lack of a better word, in ruin, but preparing a place for those unclean ponies who want to, who crave to-"
>You force your hoof into her face, making her stop
"I think I heard enough."
>She pushes your leg away
"I'm glad it turned out good for you, or at least it will turn out well in the long run."
>She kicks the floor
>"I wouldn't be able to do it without you giving me the prep talk. I was really in shambles. Thank you, Twilight Sparkle."
>She lunges forward and peppers your face with small kisses
>Resistence is futile
>Once she's satisfied with the effect, and you're overdozed on sugar, she hurries you up
>"I really have to get back to work. Not going to kick you out, though. I don't want to."
"And you wouldn't dare."
>"That, too. How about you stay with me down?"
"Do you want to use me for cheep labor?"
>"Cheep? Puh-lease, darling. Free labor. Or you can just drink at the bar. On the house."

>It's not that you have anything else to do
>Maybe chatting with her will give you any idea how to proceed with your crusading against the Citadel
>But maybe you want to go somewhere else today?
>You're not sure how will it work out, but spending time with Rarity...
>You miss your friends
>A glass of something good wouldn't hurt
>Even if it's before 10 am
A - stay with Rarity
B - go to your old apartment
Y - wander the lower canterlot
X - [Free Space]
AA

>It might been early, but it's late now
>You plan to spend an hour or two, maybe at Rarity's newly opened Slut Horse
>By all means, it is time well spent
>You two talk for hours, reministenting the old ponyville, reliving old memories of world-gone-by
>Time took it's toll, however, as you and her do not remember the same events identically
>That comes without saying, friends don't have to see things eye to eye, it's mostly about upholding similar values, mottos, and tails (especially high for friends!), nor you ever did, but memories waver with time
>It feels quite interesting to hear her opinion on the Parasprite invasion, or the Canterlot invasion, or how silly Apple family was to honor Apple Bloom's boasting to Flim and Flam
>Speaking of which, Flim and Flam, if they are still around, must feel like a fish in water in this new equestria
>You do not hog her all attention, though
>She tends to clients, greets them mostly, make sure they find their way to the upper floor 'benches' when their business meetings are about to turn into business meatings
>You help her in this losing battle of keeping the place milk-spill-free
>What don't you do for a friend
>Only once you refuse to give her your helping hoof - when she sends you to the most sanitary closet you've ever been to
>It took you only a glance to take in the modernized dish cleaning station and shelves full of weaponized d-
>Nope
>She can provide them to her clients by herself
>That slut momma
>'The plappery', as you named the upfloor closeted stalls, does not require a pony cleaning them - they are equipped in self-cleaning measurements
>And that's for the better, after couple pairs left the place the smell is pungent, it's almost toxic with musk-
>Rarity eventually pokes your side and waves her head to the exit
>"We should go, Darling."
"Where?"
>"The last patrons will be served and that's it."
>The time is around 8 pm, the sun should be shut down, soon
"Isn't your new club a night club?"

>"No, darling. That's the old Slut House. The new and better Slut Horse is a place of bussiness, where everypony can seal the deal of any kind."
>You don't tell her how little sense the new name makes, then
>She giggles and scratches her chin
>"Having a place for peaca talks between feuding groups was the original idea, but there are some desires no pony can run from. They are too warm, too hot to ignore. I bet you understand, Twilight."
>No, you don't!
>"Oh, please! Don't behave like a little filly."
>She rolls her eyes, and dons a a friendly smirk
>"Thank you for staying."
>She moves closer to nuzzle with you
>You accept the gesture
>She's as soft as you can imagine
"You would make through the day even without me."
>"Well, I suppose, yes, that is correct, but you being there for me made me less nervous. I really worried being contacted by some canterlot goons thinking they can cash in on my bad luck."
>Huh
>"If they did come and changed their plans after seeing you, we won't know, but intentions are what matter."
>That wasn't quite your plan, but it's believable, if you try really hard to believe in that
>Oh, cool
>More snuggling
>Seems Rarity has no problem with faith in you
>Such a rare feeling to be trusted
>"This is for you."
>She pulls out a crebit card, similar to yours, but not orange, rather gold
>It's a company card
>She's want to pay you
"Oh, you don't have to, Rarity. It's only the first day and we don't know how will it turn out. Maybe you should keep it for now."
>Rarity stops snuzzling to you and looks you straight in the face
>"Darling. Please. That's the least I can do."
>She grabs you by the chest floof!
>What?!
>No!
"Alright! Alright! Let me do it! You don't have to be so forceful, you know."
>You pull out your crebit card and hold it out for her
>She places her atop yours for just a moment, then hides her card
>You check your balance: it's 380 crebits
"Thank you, but you really didn't have to."
>"Everypony has to eat, my dear."

"Well, thank you, again."
>"I know it's not much, but as you said, everything's happening so quickly."
>You administer couple soofing pats to her back
>"What are you doing?"
"Um. Making you feel good?"
>The shark-eatning smirk is back
>Warning!
>"I know a better way you can make me feel 'good', Twilight. Why won't you try to do that, instead?"
>Nope nope nope
"Rarity!"
>You look around
>The tunnel vision you weren't aware of breaks, and you find yourself next to the bar inside the Slut House
>The room is almost empty and quiet, except for two or three wait-staff cleaning the place and meaty pitter-patter from above
>"How about you come to help, tomorrow, too?"
"It's not an innuendo?"
>She gives you a small smile
"I don't know yet. Even if I come, I won't stay this long. I have something planned."
>With a shake of her head, Rarity makes sure it's not a problem
>"My doors are always open for you, or as they say in Prench "Omelette du fromage"."
"That's... not what they say."
>Her brows jumps up and down in quick, threatening succession
>"Maybe not, but totally what they do."
>Celestia and Luna!
>She does not let you internally despair any moment, as she grabs you by the side and make you walk towards the exit through the corridor
>The door-pony in tuxedo opens the door for you
>Outside, the sun must have settled down and the moon replaces it's older sibling
>It doesn't change anything, anymore, as the yellow light streets are turned on both day and night
>You look at her white coat pull her closer, again
>"Oh, is somepony getting frisky? And I thought you don't want to-"
>You shut her up by hugging her
>You can tell she did not expect such a strong display of affection, but she's accepting this as gracefully as always
>"You will ruin my mane!"
>Heh
>With your snout right in her chest you take a whiff and wonder, why does she always feels so fresh
>How much time must she spend to not even break a sweat
>She's really something different
>Eventually, you let her go

>"Say, darling, do you have something to do at the evening?"
"What do offer?"
>"Straight to the business? I like that. How about you come to my place and we get a glass of wine? I could get you accquinted with my room-mare."
>A room-mare?
"You don't live alone?"
>"No, it's a friend from old times. Her name is Coco."
>Can't hide a smile
"I know Coco Pommel. How is she?"
>Rarity doesn't hide a surprise
>"You do? Small world. She's just fine. A little precious thing."
>By the back-entrance to your mind, a stray idea gets in
"Would you like a to hire a friend of mine?"
>"Oh, if you vouch for a pony - yes. Why? Yes. Bring her in tommorow."
>Hmm
"How do you know it's her?"
>Her hoof raises to hide her snicker as she gently laugh
>"I assumed that I know you, Twilight."
"Hey! I'm not a mare-lo-"
>You don't finish as the ponies crowning the street turn your way
>This makes Rarity laugh only more!
>"Just bring her in, or if you can't, tell her to tell somepony you sent her."
"Cool. Cool."
>"What?"
"What."
>"And where do you live?"
"Well, I-"
>Maybe you shouldn't tell her
>For her own safety
"Eh."
>"Anyways, Coco may not be home. She rarely is, these days. I will tell her you're fine, unless you want to tell her that personally?"
"Let me think of it."

A - go with Rarity to her place (to possibly meet Coco)
B - go to Light Breeze at the hotel (to tell Light Breeze about the job prospect)
Y - go to a e-hoof library (because you feel sentimental, and nothing's as good as book!)
X - go to your old apartment (under the cover of night!)
AAAA

>You pull Rarity for a quick hug
>Hard to blame
>She's so soft
"Let's go to your place."
>Clapping with her hooves she walks through the pony crowd, which part their semi-uncoordinated dance, so she, Rarity, can walk
>Or, you know, you tell yourself that's what is happening
>You follow in tow
>...
>It takes almost an hour to get ro her living district, but you spend it on pleasant chat about nothing
>Rarity treats you to some street-food, a hay-dog
>The streets are just as occupied, and the lamp post light is as yellow as everywhere else, but these high buildings reach up to thirty, forty floor
>They almost touch the sky!
>The entire complex is one big building, that's what you think
>It's the best one in the lower-canterlot, or at least the most expensive, due to the proximity to the center plaza
>The only place a regular pony like you can go to the upper canterlot
>But what for?
>Rarity leads you through a gate and ponies become scarcely noticable
>What you did expect, yet it took you by a surprise, is the green
>The lobby has its own park-square
"It's not what I expected."
>"Don't raise your hopes. The place may look like heaven, but the rent is hell."
>You two reach a lift and call it
"Then why won't you move somewhere more affordable?"
>"As much as I wish I could, I can't. Ah. Finally."
>The elevator doors open and you head in
>Rarity continues, as you rise to 17th floor
>"A mare of my position as an entertainment business owner must remind ponies of her status on every step."
"Don't you just like to show off?"
>"Twilight, darling, a lady doesn't show off."
>The elevator door's open, greeting you with a corridor covered with real wood and stone, not conrete
>"But yes. I do."
>Certain sharp shine in her eyes shuts you up.
>The door to her apartment does not have a number
>She holds them for you
>Huh
>You expected something extravaganza, not... this

>The place is nothing like the old Carousel Boutique
>It's rather small, and rather not stocked with dress making accessories
>You let yourself go on a small tour
>One small kitchen and one small bathroom
>Both finished with expensive materials and even more wanted designs
>You've never before seen a bathtube to look like a work of art
>One room for Coco, and one for Rarity, that's it
>Rarity's room is furtnitured with great taste, yet keeping the functionality of a living space and a workplace, as well
>A sed, couple closets, a desk, a chair, writing supplies, a computer, and books
>Books!
>You rush in to check the titles
>Some romances and tax textbooks
>"My, my. I should have known you will be interested in these more than in a conversation with me."
>Your eyes unwillingly unglue from the now opened 'Tax Reliefs For Relief Services, second edition'
"Not really, but you changed a lot."
>You point at the room
"I mean, I don't see any manequin."
>"And where would you fit them?"
>Fair point
>"Tea? Coffee?"
"Tea."
>You two move to the tiny kitchen
>Rarity produces some kind of crackers
>You're not going say no to such a generous host
>"Coco's not home, it seems. Goodness only knows when will she finish her shift."
"That's ok. You can always tell her I say hi."
>"Let's move to my room."
>You pick up the tray of snacks and do so
>Back in her not-as-tiny-as-kitchen-but-still-small room, the white unicorn opens one of the closets and pulls out a big tv screen
>She places the computer on the wooden floor (it's feels so nice under your hooves!), and pulls the desk in front of the bed, providing easy access to drinks and food
>You don't get on the bed yet
>Only now you notice framed pictures covering one whole wall
>"Would you mind if I go first?"
"Go where?"
>"To refresh myself, of course!"
"Shower?"
>"Why, yes. Do you want to join?"
>She giggles and disappears
>Running water is heard throughout the entire apartment as you begin to check the many pictures 

>There are many pictures of Rarity and Coco, mostly traveling
>Some places resemble ones from the past, some are alien to you
>Rarity hums under the shower
>You take a sip of your definitely real tea
>It's easy to say it's not artificially planted
>You haven't heard of a company that found a way to change the natural's tea bitterness into anything else
>And why would they try?
>Good Tea's used to be expensive, now any tea is
>You return to the pictures on the wall
>Seems like the two are together for a long time
>"You can go now."
>This does not startle you enough to jump, but you did not notice her
>Rarity's wearing a towel atop her head, and another on her back
"Just a moment."
>She hums and comes to your side
>"Do you like what you see?"
"Very pretty pictures."
>"I have some more in an album, if you're interested, but I hoped we will watch some movie after we refresh ourselves."
>Jeez, you get the hint
"Then I better do just that."
>The bathroom is steamy, and very, very warm
>If you were grasping for air here after a who knows how long gallop you could suffocate
>You carefully descend into the bathtube and-
>The water feels nice, but all those fancy looking bottles aren't there for a display
>After some testing with shampoos and mane conditioners you know some of them are for a display
>Or should be!
>Stingy, stingy things!
>You finish the shower and towel up yourself
>Rarity's on her bed, drinking tea, checking out a photo album
>You jump on the bed with a noticable pomf
>"You're back quick, and your eyes looks red."
"I am a quick mare, and yes."
>Her lips pucker down, as she clearly want to ask about this
>The battle is still going in her head, when you grab the album and flip to the beggining
>It shows you, and all your friends, back in Ponyville
>A different age
>Almost all of your adventures are here, with a mute photo-relation
>Making a dragon move out? Yup
>Saving the town from Flim and Flam? Yes
>The Grand Galloping Gala catastrophe? Yes, yes, and yeee

"Do you have any contact to Applejack?"
>You blurt that your before thinking
>Rarity raises a hoof to scratch her jaw-line
>"I don't think that I do. She contacts me whenever she want something."
"Not what I was hoping for, but can you let her know I am looking for her?"
>She gives you a wide smile and half-lidded stare
>"Of course, darling."
>She moves closes, so your towel covered sides touch
>Her's somewhat bigger than you
"What about Rainbow Dash? Fluttershy? Pinkie Pie?"
>Her smile, as quickly as comes, goes away
>"I'm sorry, Twilight, but I haven't talked with them in ages. I don't know any of their whereabouts or what they are up to these days."
>She turns on the tv and a mare-flicks's logo shows up
>"I do have a contact with Scootaloo, though, if you're interested in that."
>Your ears perk up at the unexpected revelation
"What? What is Scootaloo doing? Is she here? Tell me everything!"
>"Easy, easy."
>She turns her head back to you from a vast movie selection
>"I don't know did I tell you about a private investigator I have on a certain case, but, well, that's her."
>Scootaloo? A private eye?
>"And, yes, she's in lower canterlot as are we. I don't think I have her business card, but her office is nearby a techno-club, the Barn. If you know-"
"I know where it is!"
>"I'm glad your night-life exist, darling, but if you're hoping to get yourself a job at hers, you may get me offended in the process."
>She sings and smiles until you audibly swallow your saliva 
>"I'm joking. You know I'm joking."
>It's your time to laugh now
>If she's touched the wrong way with you getting back at her, she doesn't show it
>"Are we done with the pictures?"
>You look around the room from your comfy fort atop the bed for the last time and nod
>And then quickly add
"What's with Sweetie Belle? Is Scootaloo looking for Sweetie Belle?"
>Rarity sideway glances at you
>"Oh, she's fine, and no."
>That's odd
"C'mon. I did not see a single newer picture of her and you, only the older ones."

>Then it occurs
"Did... did something bad happen to her?"
>The white unicorn mare once again drops the remote to the bed and turns to you, disconnecting her towel-clad side from yours
>"No, why? And-"
>She doesn't finish
>You stay silent as some kind of mental battle happens in her head
"Rarity."
>You speak slowly
"Can you tell me why don't you want to talk about your sister?"
>Immediately, her eyes close and she faces forward, with her chin upheld as high as she can
>That's very high, is it possible that Rarity is taller than you?
>"It's a very difficult subject for me, Twilight, and I did not expect it to be touched."
>So she's safe, but they are not talking
>Typical marshmallow mare drama
>At least certain things doesn't change in the world
"I did not want to tear open an old wound, I won't ask if it causes any discomfort."
>You grab the remote and flip through movie posters
>Each next similar to the last
>She grabs your hoof, stopping you from doing that
>"It's ok. You didn't know, and it's no secret."
>Oh, ok then
>"She's ok. She's better than ok. I thought she's better than that but..."
>Her nosetrils flare up before they return to their normal side
>"Sweetie Belle always made me feel special. Really unique.  Yet, it happened two years ago. At the new equivalent of spring, as you call it. Long story short. She broke my heart, and left me for somepony else."
"Oh my gosh, I'm really sorry to hear that she-"
>...
"Wait a minute, what?"
>Rarity opens her eyes and faces you with small tears forming and drying in her eyes
>"She left me."
>You wave a hoof to stop her
"No, no. That part of leaving you for somepony else."
>Sweet Celestia
>"Well, if you're going to rub salt in my wounds then-"
>Anger and anguish gets into her voice, and there's only one remedy for that
>A hoof to her mouth
>It's super effective!
"Your sister."
>She pushes against you leg!
>Not effective anymore!
>"Can you please stop calling her that?"
"But she's your born sister, and you two-"

>Rarity stands up on the bed and looks down at you
>"Would you kindly stop calling that ungrateful brat my sister?"
>Her angry stopming on the bed makes you tip left and right, as if on some kind of waves
>"I get it, we used to be inseparable, and I enjoyed her attention maybe a little bit too much. I did not want to be frank with my own feelings, so I did not acknowledge her for whom she wanted to be, but yes, it was clear she crushed hard since the day we met."
>You listen with pure terror freezing the blood in your entire tiny body
>This is not what was supposed to be
>This is wrong
>Rarity sat down, and begin to shake, tears add themselves to the composition in no time
>You just sit there
>"And what was wrong with that? I was the adult, I had to be responsible. If she looked up to me I could be the best big sister a filly could have! Why couldn't I have something like Applejack or Rainbow Dash? And she went after me, we were inseparable!"
>The towel from her mane gets used to blow her nose in it
>"And then she grew up, and still held me in such high, such undeserved admination! Am I at fault that I felt loved?!"
>Her face flings almost into yours
>You pull back
>She hides her head in her hooves
>Only her crying echoes through the room
>Slowly, very slowly, you put one of your hooves on her back and pet her
>It doesn't change much, but-
>"It was just like in one of the romance stories, Twilight! Just like in the books! And then, then after a wonderful year, she... she disappeared! She left me a letter that she doesn't feel what she felt and- and all that! She had no courage to face me in person!"
>You administer more heavy patting, and even pull her into a hug
>As she cries, you finally accept the truth
>This is not your Rarity 


>This never was your Rarity, and you didn't notice for the last half a year, since you're on the run
>In fact, anything that happened after that police intervention couple of days ago caused so many changes in your life, you can't count on your hooves
>The Fluttershy Effect, they call it
>Is it even possible?
>And how to know what's real anymore?
>First Spike, now Rarity and Sweetie Belle
>If they are not who you think they are...
>The who are you
>How to know what's true?
>You absent-mindedly hug her tighter
>Tight enough, this Rarity taps the mattress
>"Please! Mercy!"
>You let her go right into a coughing fit
>She eventually stops, and excuses herself to the bathroom
>You stand there dumbfounded
>If the attack on her place wasn't caused by the Citadel, you're causing this... - Rarity, she's still Rarity, just not your's- you're pulling her into a dangerous gamble she cannot win
>With Light Breeze you at least knew from beggining
>But with Rarity? She was right to pull a shiv at you from the very beggining
>Her subconcious intuition was superior to the very, minimal in nature, but gigantic in effect, upbringing
>You need to get a hold of a Twilight Sparkle
>You need answers, not extra questions
A - leave to the hotel without saying goodbye
B - leave to the hotel but say goodbye
X - stay and pretend you're her Twilight
Y - stay and come out as a different Twilight 
Y

>And answers you will get
>Some explaining is due
>Rarity eventually comes back; she walks in almost painfully slowly, with her head sunk low,
>Her eyes express certain uncertaincy as they are locked at you
>She stands in the door frame, uncertain how to proceed
>You slip off the bed and face her from the floor level
>"You're still here."
>Her voice did not conceal the internal turmoil that still shakes her body
>At least it's not radiating outside anymore
>If you can reason in this state, so can she
>She's still Rarity, just not the one you thought
>"I half of expected you to be gone."
>You can see where it comes from
"I wouldn't leave you in such a state. You're my friend, Rarity. No matter what. And it's my fault. I shouldn't touch the subject. I just didn't know."
>Her back straightens and her head rises
>She flashes you a short, sad smile
>"I can't be mad at you. You didn't know. Do you want to watch a movie?"
>She doesn't sound as hurting as before, but she doesn't take a step towards you either
>A moment passes, as you keep the distance
>Her head drops almost to her hooves, again!
"Rarity, I have something to tell you."
>With a hoarsely chuckle she steps forward, but stops after the first step
>"I guess we won't be watching any movie tonight."
>You guess you won't
>You inhale slowly and put a hoof to your chest floof
>The tension in the room could be cut with a cake spatula
>Or a spoon
"Rarity, I-"
>She raises a hoof high above her head
>She knows
>She realized
>But you have to say this
"Rarity, I am not your Twilight Sparkle."
>The white mare, as quickly as it happens it ceases, grimaces in pain, as if you slapped her in the horn
>An impuls runs down your spine, making you shake, but you had to tell this
>You can't lbear to ook at her, but you don't dare you pull your eyes away either
>That's not everything
>Easy access to the water gun, under your hoof, turns your guts on the left side
>What it came to disgusts you
>Other Twilight Sparkles make you angry

"I'm sorry."
>That's all what you manage to say before swallowing a lump
>Her hooves are stlll the most interesting thing to her on this world
>This makes you even angrier
>You can't help what makes you angry
>But you can help not to act on your issues
>You're not the only one in a pickle
>"It's not your fault."
>She sounds weak, distant
"I know you realized. I'm not sorry for the misunderstanding. I'm sorry that I had to tell you."
>Rarity steals a glance at you and sharply laughs
>"And if you wouldn't tell me, then what? We could just sit down, watch a movie and, and joke about the old times as if we did not know this?"
"I guess not."
>"I was angry at you for bringing this up. I told you. You knew. Apparently you didn't. Some intuition flickered in the back of my mind but I tried to actively subdue it. To mute those unpleasant, unlikely thoughts."
>A sniff causes her to stop
>"I won't be lying if I say I'm quite surprised you did not leave while I was at the bathroom. That way it would be easier for both of us.
>You take a fast step forward
"No. It wouldn't. We may not be ourwordly coutner-parts, but our histories are close enough. I never noticed anything that would even imply we're not good old friends. Now, did you? Even if who we thought we are turned out incorrect, then does it change anything between us?"
>Her haunches meets the floor
>So does yours
"It doesn't have to end like this, Rarity. I'm still a fugitive from the citadel. You know that."
>You say that and stop
>Let it sink
>Her ears flicker one side and the other
>A marshmallow gunea pig in her brain runs so fast it can soon dimnish to the size of a hamster
>She would sure like that
>She's, in the end, Rarity
>"You are right, we don't have to end this. It's just... so hard."
>The pang in your chest aches as she pulls the same strings
"Yes, yes it is. We can face it together. If you want."
>You stop again
>Unsure what else to say

>She doesn't raise her head, craning it down, only occasionally looking up, as if you make sure you're still there
>At least she did not pull out a shiv at you
>This could turn completely different if you tried not to come out clean at first, that's for sure
>"How long have we been in contact?"
"Are you saying you might talk with more Twilight Sparkles than me in the last half a year?"
>"Half a year, then?"
>It's... hard to really estimate
"I have been on the run for that time, and I have memories of us meeting at least when I first stumbled upon you. What do you remember?"
>Before she sepaks, she lays down to her belly, still maintaining a distance
>And that's good
>At least you're still talking
>"I lost contact with Twilight around a year ago. She had less and less time to spend together, and then she moved out. Even in the cypher age, she refused to use electronic means of communication, but no letter reached her. When you shown up and keep telling those unbelievable stories about the citadel, that you're on the run from other you, I just... accepted it. I always knew deep down that something wasn't right, but the same thign wasn't right with you in the very same way."
>You think you know what happened next
"And we rarely seen each other, and when we did, we always had something to do at short notice. The difference is so tiny It just never surfaced.
>She gives you a weak smile and a nod
>You reciprocate the gesture
"At least now we know at what we stand."
>Nothing is said for a minute or two, but the silence doesn't feel so tense and unpleasant anymore
>You clear your throat and release the grip on the well concealed gun
>She most likely won't shiv you
>"How was your Rarity?"
>Can't hide the question takes you by a surprise
"Do you really want to know?"
>"Well, you accepted me as your friend from the first sight, too."
>Good point
"Much like you, except her Sweetie Belle was her sister. Or still is."
>"I... I see."

"Oh, and Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo? They weren't sisters. Great friends, though."
>This causes her to double take
>"Really? That's... weird to hear. It causes all my skin to crawl, Twilight. Is this how you feel about me and Sweetie Belle when you realized about our past?"
>You don't get what she's really onto with this until it clicks
>Your Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, together, the same w-
>She can easily see a deep shiver shaking your body
>"Yes. I can't imagine. Or rather, I don't want to."
>Then she adds
>"On the other hoof, that's quite funny."
"If by funny mean coincidental to pain and disgusting to the extreme, then yes. Fun."
>A giggle escapes her lips
>"See? That why it was so easy to ignore my sixth sense for so long. You're just like her."
"Except, I'm a fugitive."
>"Oh, she was always good at disappearing in the worst possible moment, too."
>Ok, that's funny, but that's not what you want to hear
"Heh. If you could change it, would you prefer not to face the now obvious truth?"
>"And what do you think, Twilight?"
>Ah, yes, making you do the talking
>How thoughtful
"I wouldn't. It sure felt as a falling anvil on my chest and a piano on my head, but look, we're talking. Both our intentions were true. Now we can begin anew."
>She doesn't say anything, only observing your face
>"Yes, I would like that."
"To make everything clear, what does Coco do for a living?"
>"Coco? She's a well known actress-"
"What?!"
>"Why, yes! You never heard about her? It were all over the e-papers."
>You had better things to do than to follow the local culture
>Street Creed helped you hide
>Still does
"Unbelievable. In my place, Coco was an aspiritng clothes designer and she was like a protege to you."
>She blinks in confusion
>"Pardon? I don't quite understand."
"My Rarity was a... buisness mare, like you, but in the field of beautiful garments. There was no other pony like her."
>Her mane shakes with her head

>"I... I always thought about trying that, but never really tried to pursue that career. It felt silly at the time, and then I got into taxes, and then, before I realized, I knew more about managing a local than my current boss, so I leaped into deep water and just resuffaced enough."
"And from what I saw today, you're doing great. Maybe your place is not where I would go on a romantic date, but you can't compain at the empty tables."
>She queenly rolls her eyes
>"Puh-lease. You and my Twilight are just prudes. It must be universal to each one of you."
>You bucking wish
>No need to tell her that, though
>"You know, now that I think of all of it, it's possible that this is why Applejack broke the contact."
>You sit back to your haunches
>Wait, when did you lay down?
>Eh, anyways
"Are you suggesting she isn't your Applejack and she felt if?"
>"Yes?"
"That's..."
>Indeed possible.
"Huh."
>You will need to make sure about this when or if you meet AJ
"When did she contact you the last time?"
>She sits up, too
>"About half a year ago. For a week."
"What did she want? Do you remember?"
>"I'm sorry, but she wasn't making much of sense, and I couldn't just drop everything and run after her when she got angry."
>You nod
>You understand the notion
>You give her a small reasuring smile
>She returns an equally shy one
"Does the job offer still stand?"
>"Why, yes, of course."
>...
>She and you stand up to your full heigh
>Your hind legs feel tensed
>"So, what do we do now?"
>Yes, what do you do?
>It's late
>Maybe early
>But you're glad you soldiered through this
>And you're glad you did not pull out the gun
>That would kill the mood
A - offer to watch a movie
B - offer to talk through the night
Y - offer to split and take a night 
X - let her decide
BYXXA

>You focus at Rarity's dyplomatical smile
>But something hides under that pleasant small expression of friendliness
"That depends."
>Her entire body almost imperceptibly shrinks, as if recoil
>It looks as if she was only cocking her head to a side, but your eyes have perfect vision
>Perfect vision and eyes focused on the prize
>On Rarity
"What I try to say is, what would you like to do?"
>Now, aren't you a born charmer, Twilight Sparkle
>The white mare blinks a few times in very quick, very schick, very now, succession
>"For a moment I thought-"
>She shakes a hoof
>"Nevermind. What I would like to do?"
>You positively beam at her
>"I don't know. Frankly speaking, there is so much to sink in. I still hardly believe we know each other for half a year and-"
>She helps herself by making a circle in the air with her hoof
>"- we reminiscented! And yet none of us mentioned anything that would stop the other in tracks. To think we didn't think of that. It's sickening."
>You share the sentiment
>But she probably doesn't know that
>That's why you giggle
"Hey, come on, now. You pulled a sharpie at me couple of times, so maybe you knew we tangled something. But, hey, at least we know what we stand on and did not fear to face the music. That should count."
>Her small hum of agreement reaches your ears
>"Yes. I'm glad we manage to solve this identity crisis without causing a ruckus, or worse, a scene."
>Now, that's very Rarity-like wording and naming of a possible crime scene
>Combat Snuggles were averted
"By the way, what's up with the shivs?"
>"How about I first make us some more tea? This one must be cold by now."
>You look back to the tv, the bed, and the tiny table with some snacks and two cups of not-steaming-anymore beverage
>Wha-
>You jerk yourself half-up from the floor, before you realize how quickly you're ascending
>You saw Rarity getting up, already, and sixth sense kicked in
>She doesn't hide a worried look
"Sorry. You startled me."
>Warm visible air exits her snout

>"That's fine. You startled me, too."
>Both of you eye each other, trying to read intentions
>This is ridiculous
>You already did that!
>Just no more fast moves
>Cutting the distance would work, too
>Or not
>You speak after clearing your throat
"Do we go to the kitchen?"
>Her ears perks back up, touching the scalp of her head no more
>"Y-Yes. Can you- Oh."
>You're already holding the tray with crackers
>They do look tasty
>And you're hungry
>The kitchen is small, but the two white small chairs and a table for the set looks comfortable
>And you're right, they are
>You place the tray in the middle, leaving not much rum for cups
>Rarity stands on her hind legs and lift her tail somewhat to balance herself as she sets up a traditional kettle on an induction cooker
>You don't stare
"How comes these are called crackers if they don't come cracked, eh?"
>This earns you a snort and a chuckle
>So rich
>Rarity joins you on the other side of the table
>The table is so small you can grab her
>You won't of course, just saying
>"Seriously, Twilight, I find it amuzing you of all the ponies try to small talk, but there's no need. I may feel out of my comfort zone, but I know you're equally shaken."
>Heh
"Are you saying we're in the same boat?"
>She slaps the table, and the tray clatters
>But an incredible smirk shines through her acting
>"Oh, stop it, you."
>Maybe she want to say something more, but she doesn't, because the whistle marks the water being ready
>She slips out of the chair, and pour water into two cups
>One for you
>You get to choose tea this time, as she produces a trial box of different teas
>It's more or less full of tea bags
>I mean, what else would there be?
>Horse weed?
>"Pick what you want."
>You grab the first one on the left and put it into the cup
>After all that, she gets back on the chair
"I don't feel like comparing about our memories."
>"Not even a bit?"
"Maybe, but- I mean, Rarity, what if we find out something equally mind boiling as that one case?"

>"Then it's good for us? Darling, we're talking, despite the circumstanced. It's hard to believe you of all the ponies aren't interested in discovering more of these anomalous similarities."
>Hmm
>You take a cracker and chomp it with your chompers
"Ok. But before that there are things I must ask about. When did your pack broke out? Because I know you were friends, once, for some time."
>"And you said you don't want to talk about it."
"Huh. Maybe I said it to make you offer to talk about it?"
>Rarity stops in the middle of a sip of her flavoured water
>Her eyes half close, glaring at you, scanning you
>Maybe you should not joke like that for some unforseen (but reasonable!) time
>She- she is laughing!
>At you!
>"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but, darling, if you could see your face."
>Alright, alright, you get what you sow
"Fine, but, can you answer my question?"
>She puts the cup down
>"The truth is, I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
>She sighs
>"We were all good friend and saw each other everyday, solve problems that could end the world if unsolved, and then, one day, we stopped meeting as often, stopped talking."
>You don't stop her, but she stops anyways
>It takes her a moment to continue
>"I guess that's how things sometimes turn out."
>You genrly place a hoof at hers
"I'm sorry to hear, Rarity."
>She pats your hoof with her free one
>"Now, now. I understand your herd of friends survived longer and the every day life wasn't as successful as mine."
>You nod
"More or less."
>He lips are pulled into a tender smile, but eyes are pools of sadness
>Which is kind of weird, because you don't feel sad
>Worried, yes, but not sad
"Are you from here?"
>"As far as I know. And you?"
"Definitely not. In my place we don't- you wouldn't believe."
>"Try me."
"Unicorns have magic, and pegasi can fly higher than you can see."
>Good thing she takes it very seriosuly and burst in laughter
>"You don't have to tell if you don't want to."
>Yeah, right

>You spend the rest of the evening or rather early night with Rarity
>Talking about what how your Rarity was a successful fashion designer
>And her was a true technological prodigy
>No wonder the citadel found her more interesting than you, and grabbed her first
>You tell Rarity the basic things about the Twilight Sparkle citadel, but she tells you, you already told her that
>That's why she's pulling the shivs on each Twilight that approaches her
>Only her Twilight Sparkle variant and you did not run away in fear the moment she did that
>As much as you hate it, it makes sense
>You get offered a job at the Slut Horse, again, before you two almost faint from tiredness
"Don't you need to wake up at morning?"
>"Dear goodness, you're right. It's comepletely dark outside."
>Both of you turns to the window - the insides of the most expensive living complex in the lower canterlot are in the night-mode, which doesn't mean much
"I shouldn't be going."
>You stand up and you notice, to your satisfaction, she doesn't cringe, or shrink, or cover
>Nothing of these; she joins you
>"Do you really want to go? Where do you live? Will you be safe?"
>Too many question for the yawning you
"Don't feel insulted, but the less you know about my whereabouts, the safer you are. The citadel may want to talk with you and if you don't know certain things, they can't get them out."
>You already learnt her neutral face is the first that comes in the succession of terror
>You quckly add
"I don't think they will be invasive against you. Heck, they did not realize where Spike is supposed to live is no apartment at all. It's against their core policies, no matter how stupid they are."
>She nods, steps forward, and brushes the side of your neck with hers while hugging you
>You cannot help but reciprocate the gesture
>"That's good to hear."
>She follows you to the door
>"Are you sure you want to go? We could share a bed. And I must ask one more thing."
"Yeah?"
>"Who's Spike?"
>You can only laugh

A - go to the motel
B - go to the hive
Y - go to the old apartment site
X - stay with Rarity
XXXYY

>Rarity's eyes perk straight up in confusion
>"What? Did I say something funney?"
>Must stop laughing to explain, but it's such a hard thing to do!
>And when you finally succed at this herculean task, your stomach hurts too much to talk
>The state your thoracic diaphragm is in indignates you're not a professional singer
>No shock, really
>"Very funny. Twilight, can you explain me what did I say? I would like to have a hearthy laugh, too, you know."
>You sit on your haunches in front of the closed apartment door
"You wouldn't believe."
>"It's worth a try, isn't it?"
>She cocks her head and shines at you with a prying smile
>Her eyes catch a time-display
>"Oh, goodness! It's this late. And I must wake up so early!"
>You observe as this Rarity quickly panics, with all Rarity's normal fashion, lower jaw let loose, eyes big as plates, tail angrily bouncing left and right on the floor
>"Well, not tonight. Next time. You will tell me who this Spike is and why did you at the mention of that mare. Must be hay of a story."
>It's past 1 am
>"Quickly, let's go."
>She grabs a card and gently pushes you out of the way
"Er, where are you going?"
>The stop in her tracks is audible with a squeak
>"To let you out."
"No need. I can find the exit myself."
>Rarity shakes her head as she disagrees
>"I disagree."
>Damn
>"The elevators works only with the door cards. I cannot give you mine, as I must exit at morning, and we didn't bother to get a visitor's card at the security booth."
>You stand there for a moment as this sink in
>"And before you asks, darling, the staircase opens only during emergiencies."
"Hmm."
>"Don't stand there, let's go. I must go to bed, and so must you."
>She stands next to the door, and you throw your head back to look at her bedroom
>There is a bed
>Even a big one
>Bigger than your entire cubit
>Nothing wrong with that, but if she's in a hurry
"How about we save up that time and hit the hay?"
>Once again a very confused Rarity warily eyes you

"Your bed looks good to fit both of us, and you will save up time."
>There's a flurry of emotions displaying on her beautiful visage
>From worry to acceptance, through understanding and marshmallowness
>You decide to gamble and walk away from her
>Her bed doesn't make a sound as you climb it
>Rarity joins you in her bedroom, but doesn't get on the bed, yet
>She ends with her chest pulled into the side of the bed, and her head hold high
>Just under where your is as you lay on the bed
>"It's not that I'm against the idea, but I was under the assumption you want to go."
>Her eyes focused at yours
>For a change, you can't read her thoughts
"Well, aren't we friends?"
>She dignifiently neighs - neighs! - and doesn't budge
>Maybe you over-gambled it
>Why do you always have the most problems when trying to help somepony else than you?
"You don't have to answer that question, Rares, but-"
>You cut it sigh as dramatically as only Celestia could
"Please?"
>Her forhead relaxes
>She climbs on the bed
>"Well, since you're so considerate, it would be rude of me to not accept this state of matter."
>Whatever you say, Rarity
>The both of you tuck yourself under the blanket and your head falls right into a velvety pillow
>It's so big and soft and big both of you use it, and none of you are even touching!
>All of it is done without a sound, maybe except for her giggle, that turned out to be not sneaky enough
>Rarity clops her hooves twice and the light turns out
>You lay there, in complete darkness
>The windows don't let in any light
>You know it's bright outside, the day-night cycle doesn't mean anything in the lower canterlot
>You briefly wonder does it matter anywhere else
>But it's too dark to focus on anythin gbut that unpiercable vail falling over your senses
>Seems like you are equally physically taxed
>You close your eyes and see no difference than when they were open
>It feels as the first moment in your cubit, before the light and air pump turned on

>They don't turn on here, and the sounds of other ponies having living their lives does not reach you either
>Only some small movement to your side and steady breathing of your friend
>How long has passed since you lay down in the bed you cannot tell
>Rarity moves during her sleep, no serious trashing, but moving closer and closer
>Her side eventually meets yours
>It's extremely warm and pleasant
>Only then she stops to occassionaly mewl
>Only then you manage to fall asleep
>...
>A loud alarm wakes you up!
"Wa!"
>Ah!
>You can't get on your hooves!
>Something heavy doesn't let god of you neck-
>Wait, hold on
>You clop twice and the light turns on, and then you stand on the bed
>Rarity's voice is filled with strong 'five more minues' vibes
>"Twiligjt. darling."
>The winter coated assailant lets go of you with a soft pomf
>"Check the time."
>She doesn't open the eyes, but covers them with hooves
"It's 6:20 am."
>She sighs and get up
>"Can you disactivate the second alarm, please?"
>It doesn't sounds like a question, more like a command, really
>The morning is particularly harsh for her, so you get off the bed to the traditional looking alarm clock
>As you try to figure out how to turn it off she goes out of the room
>The clock has three panels
>Why does it have any panel?!
>Water in the bathroom is being used when the bomb in your hooves explode to live with even louder ringing!
>You slap it right on the top and it shuts up with a metalic clank
>Aw, hay
>You go to the bathroom to find the door open and Rarity cleaning her teeth
>"Waan a kln erzelf?"
>You chuckle
"Yes, I too like to mewl."
>She stips out the rest of the foam and cleans her mouth
>"You can clean yourself now, we have to go out in 30 minutes."
>Rarity?
>Done withing 30 minutes?
>You trace after her as she goes past you
>She licks her teeth and looks at you with one eye
>Her butt bounces as she halts
>"What? Do I have something on the flanks or you want me to raise some ta-"
>You rush into the bathroom

>There is some laughing outside but you don't care
>Rarity isn't like that, she would spend endless hours inside before going out
>And she wouldn't tease you like that
>The view in the mirror displays a perfectly healthy looking Twilight Sparkle with perfectly looking case of embarassed snout
>You don't know what's in the head of this Rarity but she is teasing you once again
>Like before
>Like before!
>Does that mean you managed to save your friendship?
>Does that count as a success?
>She's not coy or shy or anxious around anymore
>She commands you and tries to raise her tail!
>So, she did get used to these odd events and what they hold
>You get out and receive an oatmeal toast, or two
>And a cup of warm powder milk
>Mmm, tastes almost real
>Rarity puts the glasses in the sink, fills them with water, and both of you exit through the front doors
>...
>Rarity leads the way
>She isn't going where you come from yesterday, but goes past the corridor that leads to the elevator
>Her pace is brisk and energetic
>It's kind of hipnotizing to look at her from this angle from behind-
>You notice her head turns your side and you avoid getting caught staring at the goods
>She gives you a big smile which you return
>When you're about to open your mouth and asks the corridor ends in an open gallery
>It's so bright and warm
>One of the walls gave up and made place for a railing at which you place your front legs
>On the other sides are still doors to the apartments, but you can look up and down all 40-stores
>Deep down is a garden!
>It must be, it's so green, with trees!
>You thought the side-entrance greenery was looking so delicious, but no
>Even from the distance of 17 stores your mouth begin to water
>And then you look up
>High, high above you sun rays made their way through the glass roof, creating a spectacle of lights, right in the middle of the complex
>As if the sun on the dome was nearer the top of the building
>Rarity hums as she shares the view

>"Yes, it's quite beautiful."
>You drop down and pull your jaw back to its place
"I see why you chose to live here."
>She leads you to an elevator which you spot from a distance
>It's on the empty side of the complex, descending right into the park or raising right into the sun
>It quickly opens and both of you enter
>She puts her door card to the panel and it moves
>"It's not like that. You see, I would not be able to pay for it."
"Is that why you have a roommate?"
>"Coco? No, no. She could actually afford a place like that on her own. I won this."
>You tilt your head and she catches the clue
>"I won a lottery and won to live there rent-free. All I need to pay are the commodities."
>You whistle
"Now, that's a heck of a lottery."
>You both exit the elevator
>You look for the green trees and all that, but it must have stayed up above you
>"I know you looked for a chance to get your hooves into a real grass, but that's a priviledge I don't have."
>She once again leads you, this time towards big portal with pony guards in matching uniforms
"Priviledge? What do you mean?"
>"Each pony living here can spend one day each three months at the gardens. Otherwise everypony would just crown the place and ruin it."
>You shake your head in disbelief
"That's crazy."
>"But necessary."
>The guard ponies scan Rarity's card and give you two warm smiles
>The main entrance to the complex is as grand as the views inside
>And you find yourself right at the Plate Plaza
>The Plate Plaza is a round area where ponies can meet and spend time, right in the center of the lower canterlot
>It also containt an elevator to the upper canterlor
>"What are you going to do now, darling?"
>You watch the elevator section of the Plaza being swarmed with ponies in expensive suits and angry brows getting out of the lift
>After it's empty the guards allow more humble lower canterlot ponies to get in, after being scanned
>"Are you going to show yoruself at the Slut House? We open at 10."
"I will..."

>You deploy a tactical yawn before you answer
A - run to the Silent Hill Motel to catch Light Breeze (if she's hasn't left yet!)
B - go with Rarity (to work at her place!)
Y - go take a stroll around this part of the city (you don't think you ever been here before)
X - go to the old apartment of yours (they must have do something with the collapsed bulding in the end!)
AA

"Do stuff."
>You close the gap betwen you two with the intention of kissing her cheek.
>She oblidge, without any trace of uncertaincy and without missing a beat she reprocicate the gesture
>Won't lie, it feels good
>"Then have a good day, darling."
>You begin to trot, only to stop and turn back
>Rarity notices it, as the is going through the same exit street from the spacious Plate Plaza
"I may send a pony your way."
>"To work?"
"Yes. Now bye, stuff."
>You flash her a mischevious smile, and the moment the realization sparks in her big blue eyes you're gone, running and giggling like a mad mare
>Manouvering between a sea of ponies, now more busy than ever, in the current state of infectious laughter is very dangerous
>Somepony may say a lame joke and others may think you're laughing at it
>You take it anyway
>...
>It must be a personal record time to get through such a distance in such short time for you
>Sadly, you are unwilling to confirm the said record by looking at the hotel lobby's clock
>You know you won, you don't need to make sure
>Your lungs may burn a little and your head may dizzle brizzle, but you won
>You just need a small pause, which you take at the parter floor cafeteria
>After two cups of lemonless lemonade, five crebits each (370 left), you go to Light Breeze's cubit
>This time you know the way to 405 and find no pony barricading the entire path by the measures of mounting one another
>And even if!
>You would kindly ask them to get a room
>They are in a hotel, for Celestia's sake!
>You knock on the closed door and wait
>And wait some more
>You put your snout to the glass, but the inside is obstructed by an ugly beige curtine
>Is it possible Light Breeze left for the day?
>Well, what else could happen?
>You wonder about asking the neighbours
>That exact moment the stallion from the cubit above the 405 snores
>Eh, what the heck
>You tap his door
>The light in the cubit turns on almost immediately

>The door open to the side and a dark brown, bushy-looking colt pushes his head thorugh the gape
>He spots you and furrows his brow
>"Ponies try to sleep here, you know!?"
>Heck
>You are getting ready to tell him it's not nice to yell at strangers, but you're good at friendship, and realize you're not nice either
>The initial disgust prevails, though
"Do you know where the pony living you went?"
>His brown snout raises to the ceiling as he looks at you with one eye
>"That mare? How would I even know?"
"Light Breeze. She your neighbour."
>He jabs a hoof at you from his perch
>"Do YOU know all whereabouts of your neighbours?"
>Oh, wow
>No need to be angry
"Listen, I-"
>"Not even going to pretend you're sorry?"
"I'm... sorry?"
>The stallion gasps in indignation and speak some more, but you don't listen to him anymore
>His behavior hits you like a train when it dawns on you:
>He could make Rarity run for her bits in a sassy-ness contest
>As this mules through your rather creative mind he drones on and on
>You really don't know what he's talking about right now, but you know what to do
>"Rude and barbaric and-"
"What-ya-DO-DA-DOO."
>His head recoils back
>Ponies from other rows and alleys get silent
>You must have gained unwanted attention
>It would be better if you just walked away
>But no
>Here you are
>You pick the sincere route
"I'm sorry, ok? I just worry about my friend. Life isn't easy and she's in a pretty dire situation and I wanted to give her the good news as soon as possible. I'm sorry I woke you up, but I must ask you to tell her something. Can you do this for a fellow pony?"
>His lips part but no sound comes out
"All I ask of you is to tell her to find me ASAP. Tell her the Purple-"
>Purple what?!
"-Princess found what she needs."
>He looks at you dubiously for more that would be pleasant
>The voices around you comes back to live
>Whatever they though would happen - didn't, and they did not find it interesting to listen anymore

>As for the colt, he breathes a stream of hot air and nods
"Thank you."
>You turn away and go towards 314 without looking back
>Diffucult to tell will that snobbity snob snob deliver the message,
>Maybe he will show good will
>In the end, he stopped to yell when you yelled back
>Stopped to talk, even
>Eh
>Your cubit looks the same way you left it
>When the door opens a small piece of paper falls to the ground
>You hesitate to pick up the litter, but curiosity wins
>It always wins!
>It's a message!
>"Dear Twilight"
>Oh!
>You enter the cubit, and close the door, 
>It's very hot there
>The light and the air vent turn on faster than ever
>You send warm praise to the air vent goddess that raises air vents on the sky each day
>And giggle
>You read the message
>"Dear Twilight, I think I will visit my cousin, she works at the kirintown in lower canterlot, she may have a job for both of us, if anything, see you at the evening, with warm hugs, xoxo"
>The air is pleasantly cold now, but you feel warm inside
>Somepony cares about you
>Well, somepony more than an old friend Rarity
>Even if she's not your variant of the very same friend
>It just feels nice and you think the day just got better
>But who the heck is "xoxo"?
A - take a day off to relax before the job at the docks (be well rested)
B - a quick nap at best, but do something in the meanwhile (but what?)
Y - nothing really to come up with
X - no, srsly, is there anything else to do?
AA

>The mistery of "xoxo" is left unsolved as you go down to get some light second breakfast
>Hwat-a-borgar, a cup of Soap soda and a hoofful of Prench Fries later, you head back to your cubit
>With 350 bits on your digital card, the vision of 5000 crebs to be earnt is undoubtedly a pleasurable one
>On the way to your cubit you get to know one of your neighbours
>A mother of two, with said two, yelling as if Luna came down from the Moon again
>What's the worst is, their high voices pierce through the thin walls of your cage, only minimally duffling them
>Those are no conditions to rest, or prepare for unprerable
>The place feels even smaller than before
>Such is the unexpected effect of the visit to Rarity's place
>She at least has a flat to herself
>And Coco
>Whoever this Coco might be
>A thought of Coco being the bulkiest version of a pony, and a stallion to this no less, briefly amuzes
>But you saw the pictures, it's not true
>The foals are still crying
>It's unberable to the point of semi-promising yourself you will buy them something sweet to shut them up once you're done with this job
>Not faster than you think this, the air vent inside the cubit stops working
>You turn to the small screen above the bed's head and poke the code pannel with the tip of your hoof
>The screen comes to life and turns blue
>The letters are blue, not the whole screen
>Aha!
>The air filter system turns off from time to time, to make sure it's not turned on for the whole day
>That, and it's a state mandated practice
>If the explanation can be trusted
>To be frank, you weren't inside a cubit at such time of a day before
>The code pannel doesn't provide much more, as it's very unpleasant to tap multiple times to get a letter
>Turns out, the connection with the PoneNet is extra paid at the reception
>The children finally cease their cacophony
>You close your eyes and doze off almost instantly
>...

>Gah!
>You wake up and trash at the tiny mattress, hitting yourself in the knee in the effect
>Rubbing the pain out help a bit, but you forgot to set a timer!
>What if it's already too late?!
>You open the door and get out
>There is no pony in your part of corridor
>You rush to the common zone on your floor, two floors above the marketplace
>Crowded as always
>As before, you can see heads of ponies and tops of the stands, but you're interested in an old, round clock, high above
>It's only 4 pm!
>Oof
>You still have time to get to the docks, and maybe eat something on the way
>Shit!
>You forgot to close your cubit!
>Galloping back, you find everything in check and, as if on cue, door number 305 opens!
>You kick the ground, ready for anything, observing the pinkish pegasi mare to get out of it and close it
>Only then she spots you, and you notice she's kind of smaller than you
>Her eyes widen and a hoof of hers lands on her chin
>"Did- did something happen?"
>You blink
"No."
>The pony want to say something more, yet doesn't
>She checks is her place locked up, without taking her eyes off of you
>Then she proceed to back track out of the alley
>Damnit, Twilight Sparkle! No need to scare good decent ponies like that!
>How could we know this, Twilight Sparkle? We had to be ready for-
>No, this is stupid
>And to talk about stupid
>You grab both the glasses and the black hoodie and put them on
>That will work miracles!
>You hope
>With everything in check, you depart from the Silent Hill motel without any further delay
>...
>The docks did not look orange at this time of day
>They looked gray, and brown, and ugly
>And they smelled bad
>You don't remember did they smell like urine before but now they do
>And they are full of ponies in werehouse's clothes
>You must congratulate yourself on the disguise
>You fit there perfectly
>Smaller and bigger magazine ponies roll out bales and palettes of various goods and products and put them on carts, each with two ponies at least

>It's past 6 pm, because you took your time to walk here, and it must be the time when the night-time deliveries to shops are being prepared
>You did not know that, and you've never seen it before
>But what other explanation this collective behaviour can be?
>You slowly stroll past and between the working spaces watching as the city lives
>Sometimes, in between tall buildings, you have to backtrack and find another way, as the carts are stored there
>These ponies don't care about you in the slightest
>At least as long as you keep some distance
>The don't wear much, just a yellow or orange jacket with their company's name on a small badge
>You fit in, but more like a pony going to or from work
>...
>You spend the rest of the time walking in circles, trying to locate the corporate docks
>You ask one pony at a time to direct you there, but he only laughed that this is the corporate dock everywhere
>With that in mind, you return to walk next to the water canal, which smells even worse now
>The deeper into the docks you go, the less ponies you see, untill you eventually reach the trade association builing that you have been at before
>You're tempted to get in and ask for some coffee, but you're not supposed to be seen
>Maybe on the way out
>After that place, the ponies are almost unseen
>Nopony packs anything or pull anything
>The warehouses close to the cart routs give up place to closed space barns
>And closed spaces they are
>With tall brick walls and sturdy metal gates, with fence mesh and cameras facing many directions
>There are some trash cans and wood crates in dead ends of some alleys, but you keep to the water
>It's hard not to wonder how far the water canal really goes
>Especially after the place where the canal is not a lake anymore, and the dome cuts it from freely spilling outside the lower canterlor
>Something in your chest floof tingle
>You retrieve the pager and pull it close to your face to read the tiny screen
>It says "Behind BlackMare" 

>More poking the device produces the exact same message
>You look around and, indeed, the very next gate leads to the "BlackMare" properties
>As you close to the wall, behind which is a big open site, filled with ship containers, and with a towering guard post in the middle of it, the pager tries to jump out of your hoof
>That means you're at the place, right?
>Even if so, you still need to locate the "behind" of it
>You don't go near the main entrance
>There's a camera there, it must be
>You go in the opposite direction and find yourself walking past couple of corners, in an arrow path between two walls
>One of the walls give up, and soon you find yourself hoof to face with a pile of construction trash
>They are located next to unsecure (still closed!) entrance to some other warehouse
>So it won't be much of use
>You poke the pager, but it doesn't turn on or budge or anything
>Here goes nothing
>You open the first trash can
>...
>You open the last trash can and, finally, you find something!
>Of course it had to be the last!
>It's a neatly foiled package
>You untie it and place the contents on the conrete grounds
>In front of you lays a hoof size small box, and, presumably, the thing from before
>It's packed in brown box, similar to the black one, but with difference with neat hoof-writing on top of it
>"Don't shake" and "it's in paper inside"
>You try to pick it up under one of your legs, and while uncomfortable, it doesn't feel like much of a burden
>If you're not going to run or roll, it should be safe
>You focus on the luxury looking smaller box and see no instruction
>You pop it open
>Inside is a crebit card and a piece of plastic which seems to be an earpiece
>You try it and it fits your ear
>The card turns yellow when you touch it
>It has no less than 5000 crebits
>And because it's yellow, it allows you to suck it dry by putting your orange one to it
>Or try 

>The earpiece comes to life
>"Hello."
>The voice is distorted, but you assume it's aimed at you
>You nod your head in a greeting
>It's not as dumb as it sounds!
>You're checking is the operator capable of seeing you somewhere on a screen
>She doesn't say anything more
>"Hello?"
>if you remembered Kar any better, you would recognize her quicker
"I'm on the position."
>"I know. I see you on the map."
"The money card doesn't work."
>You can only imagine a hypothetical sultry pony giving you a stinky eye
>As if you were trying to rob them!
"Money before work was a part of the deal. Important part."
>"I am aware. The card you got has the full sum. We, however, had to make sure you won't try to rob us. It would be extremely painful."
>You are Twilight Sparkle
>And you're well versed in the language of the young
"For you."
>She is about to say something but she pauses
>"What?"
>The surprise in her voice is clear even after the deformation
>Shit
"What?"
>"What?"
>The sun, far to the side, give up the place for the lunar body to raise above the canterlot dome
>But no lamp post turns on nearby, except for the one under the locked entrance to some magazine next to you
>You sigh as if it were not you who caused this silliness
>"I'm sorry, we had some connection issues. "
"When will I be able to transfer the money?"
>"The card will be good to take the money from in four hours."
"Where can I check it myself?"
>"Place the card to yours and try to transfer."
>You do as you're told, and the orange screen of your card, after the second failed attempt informs you the banking depot you're trying to reach will open at midnight
"Cool."
>"Now, your task is simple, don't let anypony see you and deliver the package to the guard house."
>Right to the nest?
"Now, wait a minute, how am I supposed to do that?"
>As if on cue, at the top of the said construction a reflector shines up and swings through the sea of darkness belowe
>"You're the expert of sneaky stuff."

>It's indeed dark and sneaky, but-
>No, no butts, you need these money
>But do you need it this much?
>You look around and find three ways to get there
>Two are purely hypothetical
A - put the parcel through the bars in the wall section, make a ladder of the trash cans and jump over the fence
B - go along the wall untill you find a fence net that's good enough to go under or tear apart or... hope for best!
Y - get down into the canal, not in the water, mind you, but on the level where you have your hooves in the water and look for a pipe big enough for a pony leading to this facility
X - screaw this and tell Kar you're not going to do it
Y

>You back out towards the street and the canal
>The place seens empty
>Once again, you sweep the area to make sure no pony sees you
>Eventually, content with this, you stand near the canal
>The water is two ponies height under you
>Jumping into it, with a package of unknown content is a big no-no
>And where to mention your black hoodie!
>Oh, and with an earplug, no less
>You walk until you find a ladder
>It leads towards the water, of course, and ends around half-a-hoof in it, hiding in concrete
>Your hind legs gets wet, and instantly feels solid ground under it
>All of your hooves are in the water, but you're standing on some kind of a window sill
>Just as you suspected
>The parapet is narrow, and you can't turn back without falling into water
>It's not a problem, you don't plan to back-walk
>From the view on the water level, the canal looks impregnated with darkness
>But it doesn't smell bad
>You feared you would need to puke, but the bad smell of the docks which you encountered in the more populated area must be gone for now, or never reached here
>With that final thought you step forward, one leg at a time, with your stomach just above the mirror of water, without making your hoodie wet
>You walk, and walk,
>And approach a place where the canal gets covered with a roof
>There are visible holes in a wall on your side in the distance, lit dimly with old lightbulbs, which only need to start to flicker to make the place looks haunted and unwelcome 
>And you almost fall to the water
"Damnit."
>The curse leaves your mouth as you take a step back
>A distant, distorted voice resounds in your ear
>"What happened? I'm losing your signal."
>Oh, yea, you forgot you're not alone
"Do you have the plans of the site?"
>"Yes, but only the building. No info about the whereabouts of the containers. What do you need?"
"I'm going by the canal. I need to know which pipe leads to the site."
>It takes your operator a bit of time, but she responds sounding almost proud of herself

>It's the second big pipe you'll encounter, but I'm not sure it's the most sanitary way to enter."
>You get into the tunnel and her voice dies out completely
>Only irregualr clicks of the piece turning on and off cling randomly in the device
>It's really quiet there
>And clean, considering the walls have no sign of graffiti
>No hoofigan gang sits here
>There's nowhere to sit, to begin
>You reach the first big hole in the wall, clearly bigger than the ones following it
>They all are on your hoof level, barely filled with standing water
>The second pipe big enough for you must be it
>It's too, filled with a hoof of water, but that's not a problem
>The darkness in it, is
>Crap
>You didn't think of that, now, did you?
>But wait!
>You push the hoodie down, exposing your vulnerable chest floof and wipe the hoof into the hoodie!
>Sacrafices must be made!
>With a not-so-wet leg, you can grab the pager!
>It doesn't work
>But!
>It displays "Connection Time Ran Out"!
>So it provides a tiny bit of light, right?
>It's sure not the best idea ever, but still a best idea for now
>You enter the pipe, wearing a hoodie and a pair of glasses
>You can't stand on your full height
>Must bend your legs just a tiny bit so you don't scrap the metal with your horn
>And you don't want to, it's rusty
>It's almost brown inside, but at least doesn't smell nasty
>The water looks normal, but feels dirty
>The device in your hoof does suffice
>It doesn't provide as much light as a light stick would, but hey
>At least you can see something in front of you
>And speaking of your senses - it's very quiet
>Each of your steps outside of the water, unwillingly echoes, making it come and go through the entire lenght
>You look under your legs and sneak forward, with the package under your other leg
>...
>It must be around half an hour before you find the end of the pipe
>There's nowhere else to go
>You look around
>There's a hatch above you
>It must have had a hold to open from the inside, but it's gone

>Only two bits of metal stick out where the handle must have been
>You turn off the pager and secure it in your floof, then you proceed to prod the hatch in one way or another
>And it gives up-
>And falls down!
>The noise is almost unbearable!
>But there's light!
>The exit light above doors shines enough for your head, sticking out of the now hatchless pipe to notice a small storage room
>The pipe and the machinery connected to it takes up almost one third of the room
>There are shelves filled with bottles and carts with mops
>There's a single crate in one of the corners, away from you
>And a ladder, positioned in the way the machine blocks the vision from the doors, leading under the ceiling, right to a closed marehole
>That's hay a lot of to take in instantly, but you're Twilight Sparkle
>And you're in trouble
>From the other side of the door come raised voices of ponies, at least two
>The door gets pulled, but they don't open
>They must be looking for a key
>You don't have time to lose
A - Get inside the pipe and hide really deep in it!
B - Grab a mop cart and hide behind the big crate!
Y - Get on the ladder behind the machine and stay under the ceiling!
X - Hide in the open, by the door, and assault the first pony that gets in!
AA

>You sneak back into the hole!
>And you manage to take one quick step back, before your hoof hits the metal too strong, and it groan in almost inhumane effort!
>A curse dies in your throat
>One of the guards yell at the other
>You don't hear what
>At least the tube is wide enough to manouver inside
>You turn back and trudge, slowly, making sure you make a bee-line with your hooves
>The small amount of the water is present even so away from the canal, and it still muffles your steps
>The door opens!
>You freeze
>Oh no, you did not get to the first corner!
>There's no chance for hiding deeper
>You'll be demasked
>Thinking this won't make you any good
>Hooves on conrete
>They talk
>It's hard to hear when your heartbeat in chest and blood pressure in ears is louder than that
>Not daring to move, you await
>Two stallions, that's sure
>If any of them flashes light at you-
>Can't have that
>This unimmobilizes you
>You place the brown parcel across the pipe width, securing it won't fall into the water
>With both hooves free, you quickly disrobe the hoodie
>You push it into the rusty roof
>Hard to tell will it block the vision but isn't that better than nothing?
>It's dark
>This time you don't hold a dim light of the pager in front of you
>The only thing visible is the end of the pipe, with the open hatch
>You can hear them talking
>Yell?
>Argue?
>You cannot tell
>Then one of them sticks their head inside the pipe and looks right at you!
>You hold breath
>Not even blink
>His eyebrows raise in mute question
>"Do you think we should report it as suspicious activity?"
>His voice is high, cracking
>The other one answers him, but it doesn't reach you
>"I don't know, but we should at least report it. Worst case scenario, we'll get yelled at for filling the wrong paper."
>He disappears
>They talk some more
>Your legs begin to tremble from exhaution
>It's not heavy, but the pose is far from comfortable
>Now only bits of conversation go your way, but they sound more like white noise

>For a good moment you don't hear anything
>You lower the hoodie and stick an eye and an ear out
>Due to being light-challenged nothing changes in this department, but you can hear more
>"I didn't know the janitors had this much of a closet."
>"Trust me, you don't want to change the rooms with them."
>The other's stallion voice is deeper, he sounds older
>"Because of the dust?"
>"Because of this."
>You don't know what he points at, but there's a distinct sound of a hoof meeting with metal
>"It's loud. Like, really loud."
>The deeper voice finishes
>"Isn't it a water recycler?"
>The higher voice inquires
>You use this moment to go a little bit deeper into the pipe
>A slow hum from in front of you sends the pipeline into small, slow vibrations!
>You can't tell what is happening
>Wrong, you can, you just refuse to acknowledge it
>Wet half of your hoof turns into whole wet hoof
>The water level is rising!
>They turned the thing on!
>Why would they do that?!
>You can't tell what else are they doing!
>And you must do something!
>And-
>Oh, Luna on the Moon!
>The smell!
>The water under you smell like a rotten fish!
>You can't breath!
>You will reach!
>Puke!
>Screw this!
>You take one step back, and no sound is made by the old pipe, but- 
>But you can't go back!
>You will suffocate on the way out!
>You must go forward with the only hope none of them will stick their head into this stinky hole
>You make four or five steps and the light is gone!
>They must have heaved the hatch and placed it back!
>What- what if they locked it?!
>Could it even be blocked?
>Oh, no, no, no
>No time to think
>The water level reaches half way to your knee!
>And you not puke a little into your mouth
>Nope
>You run forward, with the hoodie and package on your back
>At least you don't need to crawl like at the hotel!
>You think you're close- and hit snout first into the metal grill!
>You greab your nose and rub your eyes
>The glasses get int the way!

>You let go of the hoodie and the glasses fall down
>You can't see, you can't breath, and you wish you couldn't smell as well
>Frack!
>You don't care!
>You push the heavy piece of metal and, you your heart's content,  it gives up instantly, the very same way it did the first time
>And the room is filled with noise
>You traded the ability to see, for the ability to hear your own thoughts
>But that doesn't matter
>You can't think about anything anyways!
>One lightbulb is enough to show that the room is pony-free
>No wonder!
>The doors are closed
>You scramble out of the pipe and land on the floor
>You're shaking
>The vibrations left your legs sore
>You try to grab the hoodie, but it's compeltely damp
>Lucky enough, the glasses landed just on it
>You snatch them and- yes, they are as smelly as everyting else
>You are smelly
>Will it even get off after a shower?
>You look at the package
>Your brows travel right under your bangs
>It doesn't look even moistened at all
>Out of all of this trouble and lost wardrobe, this thing is present in perfect condition
>If you were superstitious, you would believe it's a sign, but you're not
>What you are is Twilight Sparkle
>And that means you inspect all your chest floof items
>Did something get wash away?
>No, the water got only to your knees, but it smells like an unwashed ox, not that you smelled one!
>They left, but what if they stay just outside the room?
>You look back at where the ladder behind the machinery is
>Could you go out by there?
>Won't they hear someone opening the mare-hole even for a bit?
>You can't stay here
>You will certainly faint
>You are Twilight Sparkle
>And you're fucked
A - Open the door and try to sneak out
B - Climb the ladder and sneak out through the hole
Y - Get the biggest, the meaniest mop cart and trash the door
X - Try to hide and try not to zone off
Y

>The smell!
>Oh, the rancid smell!
>It seeps through your nose and mouth and legs!
>You swallow that last bile and look around
>Desperate times take desperate measures
>You don't know where these two guards went
>Probably as far away from here as possible
>You're going to do exactly the same
>But on wheels!
>You run around the room and look for the meaniest looking cart
>One of them has place for, like, five different full size mops!
>It's very wide, and you don't think you can speed without crashing into the doorframe
>The sound of your hooves may be drown in the low humming, but it would be impossible for them not to notice the door to budge
>Unless they are gone by now
>But again, why would they be gone?
>What do guards have to do?
>The next cart looked like one big bucket
>It would be perfect for sitting in it, but it's empty and not sturdy enough
>The last one fits your needs just perfectly
>Heavy, but not too wide
>If not for the empty water container and the lack of a sitting place you could take it for a micro sweeper machine
>And most importantly
>It's paint yellow
>Everypony knows yellow is the color doing the best during cart crash tests
>With newdly found hope for the impromptu formulated plan, you push the cart to the door
>Only from them, you pull it back in a straight line
>Making sure the concrete under the tiny wheels don't make the construction to jump
>You have seen the safety measures clips about not testing the ground and losing all your teeth, your job, your wife, house ,and custody over children because you don't bother to check the basics
>And you almost faint taking this take-up run!
>Heave Ho!
>The cart gets into motion with less effort than you spent to haul it
>You don't know is it you giving your everything, or is it happy to be used as a ram
>Both of you conquer the small distance in no time
>The yellowness meets the doorframe
>No sound of breaking is louder than the slow, deep hum of the smelly machinery behind you

>The door gives up!
>Something grazes one of your ears the very same moment!
>The cart, and you still holding to it, hit the wall on the other side!
>You let go of it the moment one of the wheels give up and the contraption bends under a weird, ugly angle
>You pony up in your battle ready battle pose!
>Look left - the corridor is guard-less, white and gray
>Look right - equally empty, gray and white
>Hmm
>It looks secure enough to drop from your silly pose stance
>With all your hooves back on the ground you listen
>And all you hear is the machine behind you
>Growning, producing the puke trigger
>Clean water your ass!
>You pick the cart up and push it back into the room
>When you're about to close the door you notice something
>The doorknob is bent and hangs by a thin metal piece
>That's not only thing
>The lock-hole is empty
>You completely devastated the poor door
>If there was a pony standing here you-
>Not think about that, now
>You push the doorknob back in the place and hope for the best, and the knob on the other side falls out
>At least this one looks presentable
>You also pick up the broken wheel and toss it into the cart
>Maybe you should place the cart where it was, but if somepony notices the lock on sick-leave, it won't matter
>The more you do, the more your ear does sting
>You touch it and you feel a sickening warmth
>There's no way for you to see how much, but your ear is bleeding
>Something must have caught it when you were storming the door!
>You return for the brown box last one time, and find nothing that you could tear yourself open at touch
>At the moment like this, you would really like your old hoodie
>How much an ear bleed?
>Will it make a trail?
>Doesn't matter, you don't have a way out
>You rub the other ear with a hoof and find the earpiece still in
>Out of pure luck, the device seems perfectly unscathed
>If it were this ear, it would be-
>You don't think of it and look for some rags, anthing that can help with it

>You find some white material and with an improptu bandage, get out of the cursed room
>To your content the corridor is still devoid of any life
>Both sides look identical, with similar doors on one side, and nothing on the other
>You pick to go left, because you want to be left alone
>If you picked to go right, that would mean, because you think you're right
>And right now, you don't feel right
>And the fact you're making up those ridiculous explanations proves your point
>Ha, take that Twilight Sparkle!
>It's not a long corridor
>You check the doors, but all seem locked
>Most importantly, there's not a single camera here
>The door on the end are slightly open
>And have a window!
>You rear up to spy
>It shows a small room, a connector, really
>Two doors, both with windows, lead out!
>One forward and one to the right
>Vision is kinda obscured, but you collect what you notice
>The door forward leads to some gray-only area, with shuttle doors on left and right
>A storage, most likely
>The other is in more white and gray
>Wha!
>There was a tiny red hue on the glass from there!
>Up the ceiling, too!
>It can be a camera!
>In that exact moment you jump out of your skin
>The ear-piece turns to life!
>"---ee you. Poner."
>You pull it to a whisper distance
"I'm in. Can you see me?"
>"Goo---. ---eak con--- ---ctio---. ---ust go hig---. ---You're not that f---."
>You would love to decipher the message but you don't have time for it!
>You've spent here enough time!
"Listen. Listen."
>You don't like how nervous you sound."
"Through the storage or that other room?"
>"---"
"Where am I supposed to go?"
>"---p. Go up. Any way. B--- ---th good."
>Both good?
>You shake your head and instantly regret it
>The pain!
A - go thought the possibly a storage
B - go through the other, similar looking room, and risk getting seen by a camera
Y - run back to the opposite side and try your luck there
X - [Free Space]
BXX
X - "Let's go up.  If nothing else, it might give us a better signal."

>You still lurk in the corridor, snout connected to the door window
>The budges, and you lose balance
>All your hooves make it to the ground without any other accident
>There is something good about this, though
>When the door moved, the light behind the door turned on, and for a few seconds, stays on
>It must be a camera, for sure
>You can't risk bad timing and getting taped
>This sends you back to the pipe-room
>On your way, it's not as loud as you feared it would be
>The small hole in the door somehow doesn't make much a difference, except for the reeking smell
>You take a step back and inhale the last lung-ful of stale air
>Anything's better than this
>You rush in!
>And stop at the door on the other side
>The doorknob left in your hoof
>Your ears begin to tear up already
>Slow exhale which you draw on and draw on helps you, but you can't just go thought the room
>You must hide the marks of your presence as long as it's possible
>Preferably to the very end, even longer
>Thinkering with the knob goes relatively well, considering you're suffocating
>It's done, but it took too long
>You must breath!
>And you do, right behind the working machinery!
>You halt and crouch down
>Your belly meets the ground
>Couldn't make it to the ladder in one go
>Not after fixing the door
>When the little stars in your eyes finish dying one by one, you reach the ladder and slowly ascend
>Your eyes cry no more, but your stomach rebels
>You are Twilight Sparkle
>And this is nothing
>You push the metal lid above you
>It's heavy
>Not at the first, or second try, but you do it, it moves
>You can't tell does it make any noise
>The machine dulls your senses
>Some more and you won't be able to think!
>To think!
>You don't look where you're scrambling up
>You only try to get away from this place
>The lid returns to the hole
>You take two or three steps away before-
>Sweet Celestia!
>Air!
>Fresh air!
>...
>It takes you several crucial minutes to get back to yourself

>You're at the storage platz
>Three and a half pony tall storage containers on your left and right
>Raw concrete under you
>Dark sky above
>Really pretty sight
>For somepony who isn't caught with a hoof in the toilet
>You're not nervous shaking yet, but the time spent to return to some operational level of your sparklenessment doesn't make you feel easy, either
>On the list of positive things are only two positions
>The alarm is not on, and the air is fresh
>One more important than other
>Figure it out yourself, Twilight Sparkle
>While you're hiding, you see outside guards
>Not many, but each of them with a flashlight
>And they walk everywhere, not only to the areas covered by post lamps
>It's only a matter of time before one of them enter your alley
>Maybe you still have some time
>You poke your good ear and whisper
"Can you hear me?"
>The familiar distorted voice comes back
>"Sweet. I thought we lost you for a minute. Or five."
>You wait, promting her to speak
>"No need for giving me the cold shoulder, now."
>You don't say anything harder
>"I can see you on the upper platz. Didn't you enter by the severs? Why are you outside?"
"To contact you."
>Somepony in far distance laugh
>Your ears stand tall and turn in that direction
>And one of them hurts!
>You can't control it like that!
>"Do you still have the package?"
>You pick it up and heave it at your back
"Stupid question."
>"Then go to that central guard house and I will give you next instructions when you're in."
>There's a small click in your ear
>You don't care is she still online
>The earpiece gets unplugged and secured inside your chest floof
>It would be for the best if it had vibrations
>With one working ear and none lungs collapsed, you stand up sneak into the shadows
>...
>You make half a way around the building, but not much of a progress towards it
>There's a sweeping light that shines around it
>You will have to somehow miss both it, and the guards

>And you almost walk on one of them!
>It's more luck than skill, that he turns around and trots away
>You look closer
>He's wearing a hat
>At his side is a small walkie-talkie
>Whatever they do hold in this cargo bay, they protect it well
>Another thing gets added to the list of positive stuff
>You don't do it for half-free!
>Speaking of which, you pull the temporary cart out and try to send the money, but it's not midnight yet
>...
>Further observation provides you with the knowledge of the patters they are moving along
>What does it mean is, you had to change your hiding spot twice already
>Making around 90 degrees to one side from your original position
>It's like playing a cat and a mouse, with you as the only mouse and a ton of a cats per you
>Would it be so hard to get closer if you stayed underground, you don't know
>No chance of going back
>You can't find another marehole
>Ducking between containers is easy, but doesn't provide any advantage at all
>Some of them are opened
>You don't find anything valuable in them, but they could work as a hideout
>If you don't get closed in them, that is
>What if you were to climb one?
>Would you be able to jump between them without causing sound?
>Or should you lure some poor guard out and incapacitate him?
>Could you best him in combat without making him even yelp?
>You pull out your gun just in case
>It's empty
>You pull it close to your eye
>Or should you move to the opposite side in hope to find another entrance down?
>You really don't know
>The guard tower itself has only two floors, both accessible from the ground level
>But that light above!
>It's hard to see is it automatic or operated by a pony
>One is sure, you must give your best
A - get on top of the cargo containers
B - lure a pony into a shadow and befriend him
Y - follow the guard pattern until you reach the other side of the plot
X - sneak from shadow to shadow and between guards
XBBBB

>The light of the central reflector graze in the dark alley between two containers where you're hiding
>You spent one full cycle watching the trajectory of the beam and you don't have good news
>If you could play it off, sneaking between the guards could be possible
>Nothing guarantees the success, but the distance to conquer is doable if you run
>But if you run, they will spot you
>You just know it
>And if you walk, the light will come back to you again
>The bad news is the nearest area around the building in the middle is not having anywhere to hide
>It's devoid of vehicles or ship containers
>Couple of trash cans is all
>You know what?
>The worst news is you missed the sneak-away window
>A guard will walk right onto any moment now, if previous patrol pattern is of any indicator
>Which it is
>That's ok
>You can deal with one pony
>You are Twilight Sparkle
>You could deal with two!
>A pair of hooves approaches you from the front!
>You push your side to the cold metal of a container wall to avoid instantaneous detection
>The pony that is comming stops just before entering your hiding spot
>You don't dare to look out
>He grunts and-
>Patting sounds reach you
>Even more discontent grunting
>Any moment now-
>Another pair of hooves approach
>"Need a fire?"
>There are two of them!
>The pony just around the corner must do some visual sign, because you can't hear an answer
>You can't hear much with blood pulsing in one ear and blood oozing out of the other anyways
>And then the pony without a cigarette stands next to his partner
>He looks right at you and your heart misses a beat
>Your thought process halts with an imaginary screech
>You blink and see his back!
>He turned away!
>Blood surges to your face
>Instinct tells you to run, but you couldn't even if you wanted
>"Here."
>He says to the other pony and pulls out a lighter from his utility belt
>Didn't he see you?
>Is it some sort of a trick?

>You look down at your hooves
>And see nothing
>Complete darkness
>It never has been such a soothing site, but now you begin to understand
>At least as much as possible given the circumstances
>"So, anything suspicious tonight?"
>Yet he receives no audible answer, which only prompts him to speak again
>"C'mon. Don't be like that, Stoic."
>The newcomer pokes the other pony side
>The guard apparently named Stoic click's his tongue before speaking in a slow, prolonged manner.
>"Blaze, what are you doing here?"
>"Not even thanks for the fire? I will have you know, I'm on a break, and so, I decided to come and talk with the biggest thinker we have. That's you, if you wonder."
>The cheerful voice doesn't fit the hour or place, nevertheless sounds genuine
>More grunting commence
>"We're not allowed to talk at work, Blaze."
>The guard in front of you throws a leg in the air
>"But I'm on a break!"
>"But I'm not. I'm done with smoking."
>Ahoof hits the floor
>"You always says so, and yet, you still carry some hay on you, but no fire. How can I not consider it a shy invitation to hang out?"
>Heavy, existentially pained sigh escapes Stoic's lips
>He says nothing
>"Well, I'm going back to patrol."
>Says Blaze and adds
>"How about you go on the break and I take your spot?"
>Nothing else is said
>You observe as the pony you're watching trails his eyes after the other guard
>He then fixes his small hat, so both of his ears go through the ear holes and turn your way
>This time you're prepared and cower not in fear
>Not in fear!
>It's tactical coverage!
>You read about it!
>The pony walks into your darkness and past you, as he fumbles with something on the belt
>You crawl behind him
>He doesn't pay you any attention
>Finally, he finds what he looked for and pulls one the legs forward
>Bright light washes over the rest of the path way
>You briefly ponder at how lucky you are and then you speed up!
>He takes a sharp turn and his eyes open wide
>But it's too late

>You befriend him
>Your friendly right hoof makes it way to the side of Blaze's head before he can do as much as yelp
>He falls to the ground and shakes his legs
>You quickly pounce at him and grab his mouth
>He's fighting back!
>Pushing you off him!
>And he's winning!
>You gently boink his forehead with your lovely left hoof and that concludes the act of friendship
>You make sure he's cold out and turn off the small flashlight
>He lays there, with his tongue out, sleeping peacefully
>You make sure he's sleeping and not just napping or not planning to wake up at all due to your best abilities
>Your good ear sweeps the area in search for any imminent movement
>It did not go as smooth as you planned
>Maybe somepony got alarmed
>Seems like not
>That is, you check his pulse
>Can't tell what for
>An earth pony like him will most likely wake up and be totally fine
>Not that you have actual strenght to do any lasting harm!
>Then why are you thinking about it now?!
>You should have thought about the consequences of it before, not after, Twilight Sparkle!
>Gah!
>You can't bear those thoughts at the moment, so you do what a Twilight Sparkle does best
>You research the contents of his utility belt
>A lighter, an ID card, and a small but sturdy looking flashlight on a self-coiling link
>You leave the pony naked
>Even his belt and hat aren't safe around you
>You have a little problem with pulling the wounded ear though the hat, but you manage
>You make sure the radio is turned on receiving only
>You can't read the ID card in darkness and not want to turn on the light
>When the brown block is secured under one of your legs, you think what to do next
>Last thing you check is your temporary crebit card
>It's past midnight
>You touch both cards with the screens and soon enough your budget goes up to 5370 crebits
>Between this and the unconcious pony you feel pretty ruthless
>You keep both of them
>The operator probably knows about you doing it, but wasn't that the plan to begin with

>The earpiece in your chest floof doesn't vibrate
>You would love to hear the operator's opinion, but you need the ear to listen to the surroundings
>You promise yourself you will contact her when it's necessary
>What now
1 - leave the pony in a shadow
2 - carry the pony someplace far away
3 - find an open container and place him in
4 - carry him on your back to other guards
and
A - casually approach the tower and let be seen
B - continue the route first, then try to sneak to the tower
Y - use radio and report something suspicious in a far away sector 
X - look for something which you can trip and then run away once that have guard's attention
33BY

>You grab the pony by the waist and pick him up 
>If you could leave the package on the ground and come back for it later, it would be perfect
>Well, It's not
>Another guard, a more focused on job at hoof and not relations with co-workers will be here any moment
>You try and try to secure the colt from falling, but it just won't do
>You place him gently on the cold concrete and proceed to pull him by a leg
>It's a hind leg, mind you
>His coat looks rather thick, but you don't want to cause him any more harm
>You travel in almost complete silence and equally blindening darkness
>...
>First, to scout behind the corner
>Then, to pick up the guy and transport him
>Finally, to go back for the package
>This is not going as planned at all
>You expected at least one container out of the closes ones to be accessable
>Well, they are
>When they are open
>None is
>You're sweating
>...
>Ok
>You find an open container filled with pony sized boxes
>Ha ha!
>Who are you trying to lie to, Twilight Sparkle?
>Yourself?
>It took you far too long!
>You would gritt your teeth, but in the silence like this, a fear that a nearby guard can hear you is real
>At least you imagine so!
>And you're rarely wrong
>You enter the hideout and grab the utility flashlight from the belt
>It works just right
>You leave the parcel in the open door and carry the stallion deeper
>Only when you're around halp the lengh of it you snuck him there
>A huff and puff later and the sweat forming on your forehead dries
>You give the guy one last look
>He's sleeping so peaceful
>In fact, it's your first look of him
>His coat is brown and his short mane even brownier
>However, his eyes are green
>At least one
>The one he's observing you
>With a blink of this one, his other eye lazily opens
>As if they weren't synchronized at all
>He's currently on his back, with hooves curples up in the air and his head facing you
>If you didn't know any better you would call his expression between amuzed and uninterested

>You raise a hoof to your mouth
"Shush. Not a word."
>But his eyes is quickly closed
>Was it even open?
>What?!
>You're pretty sure he just nodded
>Or is he moving in a dream?
>His mouth closes and open and- 
>He does that little silly act of zipping his mouth
>The said hoof falls limp to the metal floor!
>It's not exactly quiet!
>You give the stallion one last glance and due to his lack of any further reaction you hastily withdraw from the container with your precious cargo!
>Just in time!
>Your superior unicorn anxiety of being taken alive allows you make it to a corner basked in darkness, even if barely!
>Two guards appears running from two different directions, flashing light in every directions, effectively trapping you
>None of them is looking at you directly, but it's only a matter of time before they find you or simply raise the alarm
>They stop just in front of you!
>"Have you heard that?"
>"What do you think it was?"
>"Raccoons."
>One of them states matter-o-factly
>What
>The other guard vocalizes your thoughts
>"What?"
>"You heard me. They must have gotten into one of the capsules and-"
>He clearly want to continue, but his colleague finds it rather funny
>"Oh, yeah! Raccoons!"
>His laughter echoes through the place
>Then he pulls his radio up to an ear
>"Yes. It's nothing. Nothing at all. No. Raccoons! Can you believe it? Ghost Raccoons!"
>His laughter is sincere, but the 'raccoon' pony's face turns bright red
>"I didn't say it were ghosts!"
>"But you were going to!"
>An accusatory jab to his chest successfully stops any argument in a bud
>You watch in awe as the 'raccoon' guard stomps in anger and gallops in the direction he came from
>The other one looks around, while still talking on the radio
>"No, no. Other than those imaginary raccoons, nothing to report. I head back to my position. No, dunno when he went."
>He lazily stroll away
>Only when he disappear from your vision you dare to slowly exhale
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you're shaking
>A bit

>It was close
>Too close
>You are far more lucky than skilled tonight
>Maybe taking this job was a mistake
>No time to kick yourself over it, though
>You have a delivery to, well, deliver
>You sneak back to the center
>...
>You avoid detection by a wide margin
>No other encounter with guard raises your morale enough to steady your breath
>The central building presents itself to you from a different angle than before
>This time you're facing the door on the ground floor and the staircase to the first one
>That's just convinient
>You fix the cap and straighten your back
>There's no real way to make sure you look like a local without a mirror
>The searching light makes its way past you
>It's your signal to get out of the darkness and walk towards the tower
>You walk, but not too slow, nor too fast
>The same pace you noticed earlier on the guard
>It's surprisingly easy to pace like that, even on three legs
>Now that you're conquering the open space, it seems far bigger than from the observation posts between far away containers
>There are lights on your left and lights on your right
>Other guards patroling
>Only one working ear is all you use to look for any sign of interest of your person
>Half way in and no interruption
>Is it going to well?
>Gah!
>The reflector makes a full circle before you manage to close to the building!
>You can't outrun it without going out of your role
>You will have to soldier through it
>The light blinds you
>The silence is defeaning
>No alarms gets set off
>The beam slips off as quick as fell on you
>You reach the building and notice a pony in front of it
>He's not hiding that he is chewing a gum
>You close on him, trying to go past by him to the parter door
>"Hey, what are you doing here?"
>Apparently, you ran out of lucky juice
>He has the most uninterested expression ever performed on stage
>You pull your head away and try to copy it before you stop and turn to him
>"Want a gum?"
>Or maybe you're ok

A - "I'm having a break."
B -  "I need to go to the little fillie's room."
Y - "My flashlight doesn't work."
X - "I was told to bring this."
Y

>The stallion is holding in front of you a small tube of gums
>You consider the option but a better idea shows up
>To act some more!
"No, thanks. I don't eat on duty."
>His brow furrows and he looks away from you
>The offer gets withdrawn together with his attention
>That solves the problem perfectly
>You take a single step to the side he speaks again
>"So, what's the issue?"
>Right
>Shouldn't just leave without answering his question first
>You point at your utility belt
"My flashlight doesn't work. I need to get a new one."
>Even in the dim light of far away lights, the sincere worry on pony's face would be unmistakable as a caustion-free expression
>"Can I see it?"
>You place the package down and calmly pull on the flashlight
>The link reel gives up and you present the instrument to him
>"Can I?"
>Crap
"Sure."
>Surprisingly you stay to sound stiff like a stick in a guard's mane.
>He takes it into his own hooves, turns towards the wall, effectively pulling you a step closer, and turn it on
>The bright light forces you to squint and raise a leg to hide from blindening rays
>"Huh. It seems to work."
>Uh oh
"Yes, but it will suddenly turn off for no reason."
>The stallion plays with it a bit more before turning it off and turning back to you
>"Are you sure?"
>You will call to common professionalism
>And hope they know what that is
"Yea. Would I bother to get out of my position to slack off?"
>"I don't know. I don't recognize you."
>Don't panick!
>That's because you're new!
"That's because you're dumb."
>His ears stand tall
>The flashlight gets released and the link connecting it with your midsection reels
"Ow!"
>He doesn't say anything.
"I'm sorry! Ok? You don't have to torture me. I will talk."
>Oh, Twilight Sparkle
>You sly pony
>The colt snickers and shakes his head as if in disbelief
>"Well, go ahead. I will join you shortly."
>Do guards salute?
>"Wait, what is that?"
>Curses
>You don't need to look to know what is he asking about

>And you thought it will get easier now
>Can you boink him right here, right now?
>You steal a glimpse at him
>He's bigger than you
>Without the advantage of surprise you won't be quick enough
>Wait
>He's eyeing you warily and you're deep in thoughts
>That's no good
"Food."
>"Food?"
>He raises a hoof to scratch his chin
>"Food, really?"
"Why, yes?"
>The pony snorts
>"Your lovely-dovely wife makes you sandwich?"
>He continues, with a growing snicker
>"So that's why your sides are so round?
"Excuse me?"
>You're not round!
>You're compact!
>He is laughing!
"Oh, shut up!"
>He's laughing harder!
>You just leave him there
>All you care he can choke on the gum or something
>That could probably help you
>You reach the doors and-
>And there's a card reader
>You don't really know what to expect
>Maybe the robbed ID card fit it>
>You retrieve it from the belt and swipe
>The door opens and you let yourself in
>You don't really know what to expect
>There is one big room and two smaller ones
"Is anypony home?"
>No one answer, so push your hat deeper on your head and spy for any camera
>There is one, focused at one of three unsigned doors
>You don't get close to this one
>The other leads to a restroom
>There's a small kitchen, a low table, and couple of sofas in the main room
>The last room is filled with cabinets and shelves filled with small boxes
>They have numbers, but no text
>Ok, what now?
A - go to the bathroom to tale off the bandage of your ear
B - connect the earpiece to get instructions
Y - wait on the pony guard and pretend to be asleep
X - search through the cabinets and boxes
BXX

>To connect the ear piece can wait
>And your ear? 
>Pfft, not important right now
>Maybe you will find something important in the equipment crates?
>You head to the small property room and grab the first medium sized crate you can
>It's pretty heavy
>Once it's secured on the floor you look for a tool of sorts to open it
>Aha!
>A crowbar!
>You place it between the planks and pop one
>It heaves up with a creak and a pop
>To your eyes show up a collection of- fried hay cans
>You pick one up
>The best fried hay on this side of the great hay-nyon!
>Whatever
>Once it's stashed back you place the box back on its place and grab for another one
>You remember what are you here for, so you make a small pause to retrieve the earpeace and plug in
>It fires up instantly
>Gah!
>The static sound fills your only intact ear!
>It hurts!
>As quickly as it comes, it's gone, but ringing in your head prevails
>Somepony is saying something, but you can't see no pony in the room
>"-I repeat. I lost you."
>Oh, right
"I'm here. I'm inside."
>The ringing get weaker every second
>Tears of pain pool in your eyes
>You blink them away
>"Do you have the package on you?"
>It's on the floor right on your left
>You open another medium crate and find it full with small silver cans
>These cans are really tiny!
>You almost squint to read their equally tiny text!
>Ein Coof
>What is that?
>"I repeat, do you have the cargo?"
>Uh
>Right
>It's only embarassing if you feel embarassed
>Which you not!
"I said yes. Must be connection issues."
>Smooth
>"Makes sense. You come in distorted all the time, even before the insertion. You have to-"
>The rest of the message gets zoned out
>You turn to face the door as they open
>The guard from outside joins you
>His face is shocked
>He points a hoof at you
>"What are you doing?!"
>You wouldn't notice him entering if not for observing the door
>Quick!
>Think!
"Um, I'm looking for the flashlight replacement."
>His face darkens with suspicion 

>Silence grows thick with each passing second
>The shorter mane strands at the end of your skulp stands up
>You're in danger, Twilight Sparkle
>For real
>"Well, it's not here."
>He stomps the floor!
>His nosetrils flare!
>Oh, well
>You can't possibly win against him in clear hoof fight
>Unless you stab him with your horn where sunrays don't shine
>...
>Which you won't
>And why do you even think of that?
>What to do?
>Wait!
>You got this!
>You slowly raise a hoof holding the small can of Coof beverage while not taking your eyes off the angry pony
>Once it's on your face level, you pop it open and, still with the blankest stare you can muster, take a sip of it
>The sweet liquir tastes good
>Chocolate flavored
>He doesn't budge
>You lip your lips
>One would think it's impossible to narrow his eyes even more, but the stallion in front of you successfully pulls it
>His legs paws on the floor
>His voice dangerously neutral
>"What happened to your ear, private? Did somepony bit it off?"
>W-what?
>Down your spine runs a single shiver
>Is he teliing the truth?
>Or is he prompting you to lose the footing
>And what is a foot?
>Doesn't matter
>Either way, can't trust him now
"Well, are you going to show me where the fleshlights are or?"
>He shakes his head
>"F-Fleshlight!?"
>That little moment was enough for you to pull out a gun
>You aim it at him
>He hides his head behind a hoof, breaking eye contact
>Only then you blink
>You wave the gun at him to get inside the room
>He promptly obeyes
>His eyes jumping between you and the gun
>"Whatever you want, you will regret this."
>Somethign wet seeps through your mane
>It probably have to been leaking for some time
>Heh
>You laugh and this visibly disturbs him
"Oh, I already do."
>You force him into a corner and without taking your eyes off him poke the good ear
"I'm back."
>A moment passes without any answer.
>To say waiting is unnerving is to say nothing
>The room is uncomfortably warm
"This is no time to joke."

>The voice in your ear comes clear now, without a single trace of metalic grind
>"I had to recalibrate the device. One second."
>Two seconds later
>"I don't see your exact position. Good. Are you inside the guard building, still?"
"Yes."
>"Are you alone?"
>You look at the angry pony
>You sigh
"No."
>"Get past the door down."
>The guards has been scratching one leg with another for couple of seconds now, but he does not lower it to the floor even when he's done with that
>Nore than that, his ears are swirling in all directions!
"Wait."
>You tell to your operator, and raise the gun up to your eye
"I wouldn't do it if I were you. Just a friendly advice."
>He freeze and very slowly gives up on his plan to reach the belt
>Most likely to click on the radio
>There's a chance he already managed it, if so, however, why is he not mocking you yet?
>He looks like the type of a bully
>"And what will you do, shoot me?"
"Wouldn't you want it, you slut?"
>What are you saying?!
>His eyes widen and so does yours!
>Your sick ear tries to flare up, but all it does is to hurt!
>You wince, and the pony attacks!
>He rams you!
>The gun gets out of your hoof and fries Celestia knows where!
>Both of you crash into the shellf full of crates
>Your chest hurts
>You must get to your hooves
>You do
>He is still rising when you're ready to attack
>It's not easy to muster enough strenght for a meaningful hit against a bigger opponent, but maybe, just maybe-
>You slap his ass with all your might
>The poor stallion jumps to hiss full height not without a whine
>"Oh, you, piece of trash!"
>He jumps and grabs you be the sides!
>You lower your head and aim the horn at his chest
>It's enough for opponent to jump back in recoil
>You see, ramming an unicorn twice is not the best of ideas, but an interesting one, no doubt about that
>When you talk with yourself he is grabbing for the radio, Twilight Sparkle
>Very observant of you, Twilight Sparkle-
>Gah!
>You leap and smash the item in his hoof

>The radio hits the floor and turns into a pile of electronic trash
>That leaves you exposed
>At the moment it felt like acceptable risk
>Now your back collides with the cold floor
>Your bad ear is burning with the power of thousands suns and you can't open left eye without having everything spin!
>That was a bad blow
>Fear resurfaces in your mind
>The stallion falls on you with his superior weight!
>You're effectively pinned under him
>You can't move!
>"Now I got you, punk!"
>You can't buck him off!
>Somepony get his off of you!
>His legs grabs yours and splay you open
>His soft stomach rubs yours
>No
>This cannot be happening
>His sweat gets rubbed into you
>As you struggle under him something pokes you in the stomach
>He is pinning both your forelegs with one of his as his other leg seaches somethign around his utility belt
>You open your mouth to screem, but no sound comes out
>"Now you aren't going to be so difficult, will you?"
>He looks at you with a sickening grin
>You stop struggling
>It yields no result
>Let's just roll with it
>You look deeply into his eyes, still with your lips parted
>"Ye, I thought so."
>You're tired and the vision on your left and right gets shaded
>It's tunnel vission
>You're aware of your current sitution
>Having a hundred thoughts a second
>One of them you find particularly fond of when his lower legs pulls apart yours even wider
>You bend forward
>He pulls back out of the horn area
>You can't bent your neck like that
>But waht you can do-
>You bite his jaw!
>A surprised yelp leaves his lips and he pushes your head back to the ground!
>But that means your forehooves gets free!
>You hit him repeatedily from left and right!
>That's when he goes for your limbs again!
>This time he does not duck your head and you-
>Miss the stab completely!
>But you grab his snout with your teeth!
>And munch!
>As a hay sandwich
>He screams bloody murder and falls off of you
>Trashing on the foor
>It's hard to move, look, and listen for you
>Heh

>But it doesn't bother you
>If anything, you're rather impressed by the gray in front of you turning some shade of purple
>It can't mean anygood
>You pick up another can of Ein Coof and clean your mouth with it
>The taste of blood gets replaced with dark chocolate and you regain the ability to swallo
>Now, how long did this farse take?
"When you will a new guard come for a break?"
>The pony doesn't hear you, focused on whimpering and hodling his bleeding nose
>You poke his side
>He freezes and refocuses with teary eyes
"Don't make me repeat myself, colt."
>"W-what?"
>You repeat yourself
>"They won't! The procedure is to wait for a replacement on the road!"
>Doesn't that sound just too convinient?
"Are you lying to me?"
>"N-no-"
>You poke his side harder
>"Please, no, don't."
>"What's the status?"
>You turn to the door!
>Nopony entered- it must been the earpiece!
>You're surprised it survived your little struggle
"Alive?"
>You don't like how weak you sound.
>"You had me worried for a while. You have to get to the lower level."
"How much deeper?"
>"Anywhere. The door it the guard doors are spell protected. You can't force them open."
"Roger."
>You look down at the guard just in time to see him shift and kick a hind hoof from under you!
>Oof!
>Once again on the ground
>If somepony asks you about a good security company you will have to reference the BlackMare
>Unfortunately, you fall this way, so your neck gets right between his hind legs!
>He grabs your hindlegs and keep them to his chest so you can't buck!
>He chokes the breath out of you
>What can you do?!
>You try to push a hoof under your throat so you can breath!
>No!
>He's still too strong!
>You opt to vandalize his seat! 

>You hit and hit and hit his bony end but it doesn't make and difference!
>Your other hoof still has a hold on the tiny can and you part his ass cheek and deploy the tactical can the worst way possible
>It gets right in
>The colt doesn't yell, but whimper in shock, in disgust, in silent agony
>Then you slap it for good measure and he dashes away
>He lays there, almost paralized, as you strumble to your legs
>It's not your proudest moment, but if it works, it works
>You want it to stop
>He still doesn;t move
>Processing the new experience
>Maybe even enyoing it
>Now, that's something what Rarity would think
>It's weird
>There is a lot of those small cans tossed on the floor
>And some hay, too
>Ah, the entire crate of them is on a side
>Must got hit during the struggling
>Hmm
>A dumb snicker crawls onto your face
>Rarity could tell this is the first time you have rolled in a hay so many times during one night, and with a stranger stallion, no less
>Or would it be Applejack?
>You don't know
>That's saddeding
>Wait, why is that black dot running away from your peripheral?
>You...
>You look down at the cans
>Ein Coof
>Turn itin your hoof
>Coof Ein
>...
>Shut
>Your left eye opens a little without causing the ringing pain
>You open the storageroom door and stick your head out
>Maximum sneaky
>No pony in there
>Perfect
>The only closed door werethe one with a camera pointed at them
>They look sturdy, but if they are, then why the camera?
>Or are you missing something important, because you indulged in chocolate flavored personal doom instrument of yours?
>Are these your throught, or-
>You shake your head and go back to the guard who is still contemplaging the newest jewelery addition in his rump
>He is shakign when you pick him up
>His eyes are full of heart shattering tear
>His plot is full of aluminium
>You give him a small reasurring smile-
>Heave Ho!
>And swing in the him toward the secured door in one swing motion
>Your legs hurt but doesn't that mean you're alive?

>The pony curls into a ball as he flies, and hits the door with his side-
>He flies right through them!
>The solid wood turns into pieces of carton
>You grab the package and run after him and stop in awe!
>The guard is levitating in a purple aura!
>The corridor down is full of stairs but he doesn't hit any of them!
>Maybe for the better-
>No, focus, Twilight Sparkle!
>The poor pony looks positively terrified and trapped in that purple glow
>He levitates above the grond!
>Magic!
>Magic as you know!
>As before the citadel came and-
>You look back to the camera
>It lacks lens
>Instead, inside it, shines a small orb of purple energy
>You instinctively take a step towards it, but stop dead in your tracks
>Why do they have it here?
>How does it even work?
>Then you realize, it must have turned on a silent alarm
>You don't have time to spare
>You run down past the levitating pony and find yourself in another well lit storage room
>This one is full of paper boxes?
>You poke your earpiece
>"You good there? I think somepony turned on a silent alarm."
"Shush. I'm in."
>"Are you inside a storage room?"
">Cartons full of cartons, yes."
>"Open the box."
>You do just that and from the brown box falls out a longitudinal device
>It has a lot of small lamps and four buttons and a small numerical display
"Ok, what now?"
>"Well, turn it on!"
>You give the thing a second look and find nothing about the name "CoaBalT"
>You push the green button and-
>00:10
>What
>00:09
>No
>00:08
>Crap
>You grab the levitating pony's tail in your teeth
>The field gets penetrated with a quiet pop he lands on his legs
>You just run
>Run and don't look back
>And you never ran that fast before
>...
>You don't look back when the ground shakes, nor when everything around gets covered in blue hue of an explosion
>When you look back you do it only because the shockwave sends you flying 

>The arcane waves connect with your horn and your central nervous systems gets set ablaze
>You wish somepony would borrow it for a year or you would die
>You land side first into a container
>Many ponies are running around, screaming orders, trying to get rid of the post arcanum bomb
>If you were in any better shape you could wonder how do you feel to become a terrorist
>Or what benefits a career of a ponobomber can hold for a pony a humble like you
>But you're not in any better condition
>Every cell in your body got zapped
>Not as fun as they portait it in the old stories
>Not at all
>A pony runs up to you and checks your pulse
>How nice of them
>"Here, here is another!"
>No, not nice!
>You're lucky he leaves you and runs somewhere else!
>You can't stand, but you can crawl
>Your stomach lays on the floor as you begin to move without a clear direction
>Just away from here
>Though, is't that a clear direction
>You look around and it's almost as light as during a day
>Can you make it to the wall?
>And even if, can you force it?
>You can't even stand!
>There is an open container to your side
>But won't they search everything?
>Maybe you should get to the main entrance and sneak up when they open it for back up?
>Ugh!
>And you thought being pinned down by that creep was bad!
A - crawl to the site's side and try to find a way to go past the wall
B - roll around inside a container and play a loaf of dead pony
Y - drag yourself to the main gate
X - look for a marehole and get underground
XX

>You slowly inch forward, not sure where to
>Your muscles threaten to explode at any movement, but you must hide
>Your tender underside is the only part of your body that doesn't hurt yet, but brushing it against the uneven concrete promise tin your and change that rather quickly
>Still can't stand on your legs, and without this thin layed of much provided protection you can receive an ugly cut right where's a lot of blood
>With your senses dulled you could work something out,
>You did surprisingly well with only one working
>But the overstimuli leaves you almost blind
>You make it to the containers
>It's hard to see anything along the wall of solid, corrugated sheet of steel
>You're still not sure the general direction you're pulling yourself towards
>Just away from here sounds good enough in the world filled with voices of screaming orders
>The worst thing is yet to happen if you get captured!
>Straining your remnaining strenght to the brimb of pony possible endurance you search for any place you could crawl in and rest, even if just a minute
>You don't give up
>Not yet
>Not now
>...
>While you slip closer to a half-open container to which you plan to get into and hibernate-
>Do ponies hibernate?
>- a sound of distant fire cart grabs your attention
>Your head turns towards the sound, your jaw still connected to the ground
>Of course, there's nothing to be seen yet, the card is away, and in that moment the whole area just got brighter
>Which is odd, because you don't remember the entire Blackmare yard to be so well lit
>It's so bright it's getting hard to watch
>If they could make it so before, why wouldn't they?
>Still looking to the side and contemplating the thought, you notice something on the ground
>Hard to say for sure, but the outline seems to be-
>It's a marehole!
>Like the one you used to get up
>Something wet drips on your back
>You put a hoof to your left ear and recoil in pain
>It hurts so much!
>You cry and crawl towards the savety of a hole in beton

>It gives up almost instantly, taking mercy on your tired self
>Won't lie, this is good news, because if it was stuck, you would be fu-
>The hole is completely dark, silent, and welcomingly round
>You slowly lower one of your hindlegs in the dark, until its tip reaches the ladder
>With both legs half way in, you go a step lower
>It takes almost herculean strenght from you to not only balance on trembling legs, but also to grab the cover and disappear without a trace
>The moment before you do so, you are forced to look up, right into a descending source of light
>You stay in complete darkness
>Your steer yourself to reach a lower step
>Only when both your lower legs stand stable, one of your frontlegs gets moved
>And all of them are shaking
>You're descening for a long time
>Or so you think
>Being devoid of any outside point of reference creates nightmares in a pony's mind
>But being tossed in air by a bomb does too
>After the longest time, a change stratles you!
>You almost fall when a hoof collides with the solid ground
>Takes you a second to register
>You gently let go and land on a- carpet?
>Brushing the hairy material rises even more question than answers
>It's a welcome change, for once
>In hope of resting for a little, your eyes close, but it doesn't make any difference
>...
>You sit there, Luna knows how long
>At some time, your legs don't tremble, and your breath relaxes
>The dull pain in your head gives up a place for almost pleasant tingling
>From time to time a water drops echoes in some distant pipe
>Still far from perfectly Twilight Sparkle conditions, but you're not made of jello anymore
>As if on a cue, your stomach convulses
>You think of pulling your cash card out to use it as a source of light, but don't you have a flashlight at the belt?
>It's right there
>The discovery reveals itself in front of you
>You're in a small room, sitting on a carpet, next to a rolled bag!
>Even more!
>There's a tiny fridge and a pile of magazines of Vanity Mare!

>Two pony sized pipes lead out, one to left and one to right
>Whoever occupies this place is not here
>You carefully stand up and reach towards the fridge in a corner
>It opens and it's turned on!
>Inside you find couple cans of some Pisswater beer you've never head about
>It's pleasantly cold in your hoof and you put it to the side of your head
>It hurts, just not as much as before
>You inspect the rolled piece of material and it seems to be a sleeping bag
>When you grab to pull it out, your intuition stops you
>You look at the magazines showing off bold pictures of clothed mares and at back at the thing in your hoof
>It's too fluffly, too pleasant-
>Nope
>You may need a beer
>...
>You come to the conclusion, this is some guard's hideout
>There are clear markings of this place being some sort of a machinery maintenance entry, but there is no machine fix
>And now, that you can, you think of possible repercurssions for your actions
>For sure the lights coming from above were flying chariots
>And the only flying chariots in use in Canterlot belong to the Canterlot Board
>If somepony got a good glance at you, each purple unicorn may be looked for
>Unless the Blackmare guards won't disclose this information
>But if they do, won't the Canterlot Board get a hold on each Twilight Sparkle in the lower city?
>You never thought about it before, but is the Canterlot Board aware of the Twilight Sparkle Council?
>It would be easy to think they been working since you got here, but you don't ever had a proof of that
>Seems like the future days or weeks will give a suitable answer to that concept
>Even if they were collaborating, wouldn't one rogue Twilight Sparkle be enough to undermine their glorious co-operation?
>Get a hold of yourself, Twilight Sparkle, you're just one little pony, in a city full of groups of interests, a pony on a run, no less
>You pop another beer and familiar warmness engulfs you tighter than darkness before
>Then you pull your the two digital money cards

>Yours shines in small orange letters turning to gold
>Yes! There's 5370 crebits on it!
>The other is... dead, not even turning on
>You hit it with your hoof and it bents, the screen cracks, leaking couple drops at the carpet, as if tears in the rain
>The arcanum bomb did not affect the electronic circuits...
>And why would they?
>They are Citadel's product, you worked with them for a short period of time
>Each magical properties gets positively nullified, maybe not for good, but the process of getting the item functional is usually more expensive than infusing a new one from a scratch
>This raises a question you don't want to be raised
>The entire storage of magical carton got wasted on the job from the Hive... but why?
>Was that the true purpose?
>Is it in their interest or were they paid to make it happen by an unknown third party?
>Can you even go and ask them? Won't they be hostile the moment you give them a friendly wave?
>It's hard to say
>You understand their logic with sending a unicorn and not telling they about the bomb's true potent
>A poor soul would be captured and blamed for it
>The short fuze time totally deserves to be raised if you ever go to face them again, but the money's there
>They did not try to trick you on the money, and you said you're rather good with running away
>Should you feel at least a little proud you made it out in one piece?
>And most imprortantly, where did the Hive got that bomb?
>You saw it only for a moment, but there was something about a CoalBalls marefacturer, or close so
>The warm beer gets replaced with a cold one
>As you do that your hoof touches the hat still on your head
>You gently take it off
>It seems comically small now
>You check the crebit card again
>It's around 8 am, the sun must be pulled out
>Dear Celestia, jow long have you spent in this hole, and no pony found you?
>Two hours, max! Max!
>You can't get out the same way you got in
>And you can't stay here
>The lazy guard made your stay here better

>Your eyes wander towards the fluffly matterial bunde
>Yuck
>"Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?"
>You freeze
>The source of the voice must be behind one of these pipes
>"Are you here?"
>It gets changed as it travels the pipes, but you really can't forget this voice
>Your voice
>It's a Twilight Sparkle!
>"I'm Twilight Sparkle."
>You knew it!
>They found you!
>"And we come to help."
>We?
>Help?
>How could a citadel goonmare help you?
>"We don't have much time. If you are here, then come. We can help you. Twilight Sparkle, are you there? Where are you?"
>It sounds... sincere
>You are capable of lying this convincingly to yourself
>Yet, it's so weird to heard you begging you
>Don't Twilight Sparkles usually boss around?
>"I promise we won't hurt you. We're like you. We're many. We can help."
>The voice gets 
>What does it even mean?
>You can't process it
>Her voice gets carried away, as if she passed by the right pipe entrance
>We are like you?
>Does it mean, they are stray Twilight Sparkles out there, other than you?
>The mere thought excites you
>Wouldn't that be just perfect?
>Wouldn't that be the best thing to tell to get you out of your hideout?
>The words aren't recognisible anymore, but the tone gets more desperate as times go on
>Should you?
A - answer the other Twilight Sparkle's and get ready for anything
B - sneak out through the pipe leading where the other Twilight Sparkle came from
Y - get out through the other pipe and run
X -  use the ladder to climb out through the marehole
XABY

>Twilight Sparkle's voice mish-mash into incoherent echo as you still ponder what to do
>You can hear her acting being top notch, nothing short of the most genune tone you could muster
>Wouldn't it be nice to be able to trust a Twilight Sparkle other than yourself?
>Your ability to do that wasn't really tested in the last six months
>The flashlight turns off when you let go of it
>It zips to the belt, as you stand in complete darkness, trying to think
>You can't go up, blackmare facility after a terrorist attack must be really closely observed
>The more you think about it the more it seems It's a miracle you haven't yet been found!
>And now this Twilight Sparkle, saying that she's just like you
>Asking you to let her help you
>You don't really remember any encounter with the citadel's most precious when they weren't trying to intimidate you into submission
>Of course, it means nothing; you're a rouge Twilight Sparkle, and you cannot, simply can't trust a Twilight Sparkle
>And yet the smallest part of you want to give this purple pony behind a pipe the benefit of the doubt
>She came alone, that's for sure
>A scout capable to overpower you, but not good enough to find you doesn't sound most likely
>What would happen to the minimum two buddy-buddy system?
>Her partner or entrie group could be waiting for you, but then again, you don't feel the air getting filled with electrostatic particles
>She could detect you with a short range radar spell only by betraying her postion, and yet, she gives her whereabouts for free
>Or she can't, because the bomb above interfered with the already weak magic field-
>Ugh!
>Her voice is as loud as distant murmur now
>You inhale and exhale before putting your head next to the pipe entrance
"I'm here!"
>Now, that was loud!
>Your hair stand up in fear someone else could have heard you
>Seconds pass by, and you still echo and echo and echo
>Your good ear lays flat to your skulp
>What have you done, Twilight Sparkle, what have you done?

>Before long a new sound can be heard from somewhere on the other side of said pipe
>Hooves running
>Twilight Sparkle's relieved voice accompanying them
>"Oh, thank goodness! I began to think I had chosen the wrong side!"
>She stops nearby and doesn't talk to your direction
>"Where are you? How to reach you? Which pipe?"
>Hmm
>You can use this to your advantage
"Stay where you are. Before I show myself, I want answers."
>Doesn't that sound reasonable on your part?
>Her breathing is fast
>"We really have to go. Quickly."
>Hah
"I'm not going anywhere unless you-"
>"Fine! Ask your dumb question!"
>You waste no time
"Who are you?"
>Your voice slips along the edges of old metal
>"I'm Twilight Sparkle!"
"I know that. What kind of Twilight Sparkle are you?"
>The answer doesn't come instantly
>"The free kind."
>Your heart skips a beat
>You blink once, then twice more for good measure
>Free Twilight Sparkle?
>Is it even possible?
"Is it why you meant by saying you're jusr like me?"
>Her tone grows more and more in desperation
>"And what else would I mean by that? C'mon, we shouldn't been here this long!"
>Her hooves stomp, presumably in place
>"Are you stuck? Do you need me to pull you through one of these? Can you crawl through to me?"
>This is not what you would expect in a thousand years
>A million thought push itself into your brain but only one remain
>Can you trust her?
"You said 'we'. Is there more of us?"
>It feels weird to think of yourself back in plural
>And you catch the thought - 'us'
>Why didn't you say 'you'?
>"Only a few, and it will be a few less if we stay here any longer!"
>This is incomphensible to you, maybe due to the shock or tiredness
>You want to trust her
>You want to believe, but you're Celestia's star pupil, and you're not as gullible as a filly in sugar rush!
>Then why do you want to go with her?
"Where will you take me?"
>"I can't tell you. You will see, if you come! I must go, pick!"

>You turn ont he flashlight to find yourself standing with a hoof already at the brim of the pipe
>Are you really going to do it? To risk all?
>Your guts is not giving you any advice, which doesn't worry you, considering you may be a little bit tipsy
"I need a minute."
>She sighs, but doesn't relax
>"Do you need any help?"
>You crawl into the pipe and turn off the light
>Better for her not to know where you're going to exit, in case of any ambush
>You may not be in shape to win a hoof-to-hoof combat, but you're sure as hay not going down without a good, old, unfair fight
"I'm fine."
>"Ok, but come quickly! They can be here any moment!"
>Your hooves aren't exactly quiet on the old corroded metal surface
>In no time, you reach some bigger corridor branching
>It is in shape of letter T, with a pony-and-hoof-deep canal in the middle, which seems to be empty when you look past the branching, and a path wide enough for two ponies on each side of the tunnel
>You slow down your uncomfortable crawl before making your position known
>"What now? Why did you stop?"
>She doesn't try to hide being annoyed
>For some reason your slightly intoxicated brain reads it as a benefiting factor
>You pop your head out of the pipe, half expecting a stunning blow to your horn
"It me, Twily!"
>The perfect copy of you, turns towards you couple meters away
>Her face express a wide pallete of emotions
>From fear through anger to relief
>You get out of the hole and stand tall
>"Thank goodness!"
>She gallows thouse couple meters towards you-
>You brace for the impact
>And she halts in a respectable distance
>"Good to see you, Twilight Sparkle. You look-"
>Her big, violet eyes scan you from the top of your horn, but stops at your left ear with baring her teeth in disgust
>Maybe you should be sharing this feeling, if not for taking in a sight of a Twilight Sparkle who doesn't instantly turns hostile to you
>Nor you to her
>You double take at the thought

>She must taken it as a sign of fainting, because she moves in and supports you by the right shoulder
>"Hey, it's ok now, it's ok. We're getting out, before they find out about this secret entrance."
>To your surprise you don't push her back, and let her guide you somewhere along the empty canal
"Who?"
>Is all you muster
>She answers with a short, tired laughter
>"You know exactly who."
>After a moment she adds
>"The citadel goons."
>A long forgotten warmness in your chest wakes up
>Your steps sometimes kick the ground instead of step on it, but that's ok
>Twilight Sparkle is supporting your side and you don't feel so tired anymore
"Are you sure is it not some kind of a dream? I wouldn't want to wake up from it."
>Only to be again alone
>Her purpleness gives you a reasurring smile
>"I can assure you, it's not a dream."
>And you want to believe her
"If it were a dream, I would not want to wake up."
>She pulls your side closer to her
>One of you shiver
>You can't put a hoof at which one
>...
>Against your expectations you did not exit the tunnels
>You been walking for a better half an hour
>More to an hour, really
"Is it here, yet?"
>Your purple rescuer clicks her tongue before flicking her tail
>"I told you, we are taking the long way so we are sure we aren't being tailed."
>Then her voice softens
>"I know it's an inconvenience and I understand you're tired, but we cannot put a risk to the whole cell because of our individual needs."
>You sigh
"Whole cell? No, don't tell. In the hideout."
>...
>The hideout is located under the lower canterlot
>Inside some abandoned cart storage, if the straight white lines on the floor are any indicator
>There was an entrance from the canals which you took, which led through a short, dark tunnel starting with pulled apart bars
>No other pony welcomes you at the lowest level of this cart storage
>Twilight Sparkle, not you, the other Twilight Sparkle leads the way to a side
>"Come on, we gonna get you cleaned."
>You turn after her

>She opens a door leading to what you presume is the living quarter
>You aren't completely right
>There are three rooms
>Two of them looking like barracks of some sort
>With two bulk-beds, and piles of books laying on the ground under them
>You count at least 6 double beds in total, but not all of them seem to be used
>There's no pony there but you and Twilight Sparkle which pokes at the third room
>"There's the bathroom you can fix yourself there."
>You nod, but withdraw your hoof from the doorknob, and turn to her
A - "What will you do now?"
B - "Can you first answer some of my questions?"
Y - "Where are others?"
X - "Can you help me with my ear?"
XB

"Can you help me with my ear?"
>Her eyes widen in surprise
>"Yes, of course. I just..."
>Her blush is somewhere in between crimson red and rose-ish pink
>Is this how you look when flustered?
>Then you can't blame Rarity for teasing you
>Your laughter comes out dry
"Twilight Sparkle, please, you have seen everything there is to hide looking at yourself in a mirror a thousand times."
>She pulls a hoof to her chest in an apologetic manner before she joins your side
>"I thought you would prefer some privacy."
>Her side touches yours, effectively exchanging dust and filth
>Under any other circumstances, your sixth sense would tingle like crazy
>It doesn't
>You already chose to trust this mare with your life once and she did not incapacitate you when she could
>Or lead you on with warm promises only to lead you into a trap for her own convinience or sick pleasure
>You do trust her, for now
>She opens the door and gives you a shy reassuring smile, which quickly quiver when her eyes raise to the top of your head
>Both of you enter the room
>It's a small bathroom, with an actual bath, a sink, and couple cabinets
>The tiles on the floor and walls are pink, creating a warm atmosphere of a house
>A house in the old cart parking lot?
"So, what is this place?"
>She prods you until you make it into the tube
>The water from the showerhead is ice cold for a moment
>You neigh in surprise
>Her lips part, but before she even vocalizes an apology or an answer the water turns pleasantly warm
>With her free hoof she gives you a bottle of shampoo, the other aims the stream at your hooves
>You eagerly open the bottle and take small amount, before gingerly taking a whiff
>It smells like lavender
>Shaking your head, you begin to clean yourself
>First your lower legs, then upper
>You focus on the task
>Only when you reach your chest floof you pull out every times, laying it on a shelf at your eye level
>"You asked what it is. A hideout. A base. A home."

>Some foam flies up into your eyes, obstructing vision
>"Depending on who you ask."
>You constinue to scrub the ton of dust out of your coat
"And for you?"
>She doesn't answer instantly
>"That depends."
>Now, if that isn't a diplomatic response to a personal question
>You must accept this for a moment, as you are done with washing all your body, but for the still bandaged part of your head
>Some small bruises on your stomach get discovered, but to your luck, no cuts at the tender flesh
>And bigger bruises on your back and legs, where you got kicked or fell at during your little terrorist escapade
>Twilight Sparkle turns off the shower and gives you a soft towel as you get out of the tube
>After getting yourself at least a bit presentable, you look into a mirror on the wall
>Your coat looks as purple as always, but you hardly recognize the pony looking back at you
>Without mentioning the yellow and red piece of material that used to be white half a day ago, you have pits under the eyes, visible enough to think you didn't sleep for a week
>And that's how you begin to feel
>As you slightly wobble to collect your things off of the shelf, Twilight Sparkle measures you with her sight
>Her eyebrows furrows in deep thought
>She tenses when you turn toward her
"I appriciate your worry, but you don't look well. How about you jump in and take a shower?"
>Her ears stands up
"Don't worry. I'm not going to faint."
>Why would she worry about that?
>Why did you say that?
>"I can refresh myself later."
>To prove the point she glances at where your two were touching and she snorts
>"Are you sure it's ok?"
>You smile
>She pops into the bathtube and wet herself from the top to the bottom before applying the coat and mane shampoo
"How many of you is there?"
>Her jaw tightens as she scrunches
>"Don't take it's personal, Twilight Sparkle, but I don't feel comfortable talking about details of out little place with you, yet."
"What does it mean?"
>She removes the mane out of her eyes

>"I have couple of questions myself. I'm sorry, but I'm sure you understand."
>You do
>It would be extremely unline you to tell a newcome every secret of your little operation without making sure she's not a purple spy
>Well, onviously you aren't, with what you did and all
>Or are you?
"Yes. I guess, I do. Conspiracy and all."
>She hums and rinse herself last one time before coming out on the naked tiles
>You turn towards the towel rack and count six other towels
"Which one?"
>"The one signed Twilight Sparkle."
>Each of them has the same tag
>You grab the first one from left and after it does not meet with disapproval you hand it her
>"Thanks."
>...
>"This may hurt. Are you sure you want to see it?"
>You nod, sitting in front of a wall mirror
>Twilight Sparkle collected a fresh roll of bandages and a bottle of strong alcohol
>It only grounds you in the belief the yellow and dark red splotches over the protective material around your ear is worse than you allow yourself to think
>Which now you do
>Your stomach heaves when she gently grabs the corner of material and removes it from your ear
>You yelp and she stops
"No, no. It doesn't hurt. It's just."
>You see her reflection in the mirror, her brow furrowed and her eyes sad
>She gives you a small nod and return to unpacking the sanitary bomb
>You really try not to whimper as the pain returns, burning through your scalp
>"It would be easier if you didn't look."
>You shake your head
"I want to see it."
>She sighs
>"Then think of something else. It helps me at times."
>Totally not where your wound gets opened!
>But you do as you're told
>You don't remember using so much rags, yet you can't blame yourself for it
>At the memory of that unholy smell the last dinner gets known about itself
>And your last dinner was two cans of stolen beer
"There's six of you, right?"
>You babble absendmindedly
>Twilight Sparkle jerks and looks at you in the mirror
>"How do you know?"
>You point a hoof at the towel rack
>She nods to herself

>"Well, of course you would figure it out."
>It's a weird sight to see a pony like you to face-hoof herself
>You giggle
"So, what do you do? An open rebelion or- what?"
>The mighty scrunch from before takes a come back, making her cheeks fatter than they are
"Easy, you don't have to answer, but I have to keep asking. It makes it easier for me to chatter."
>"We try to live."
"Well, when you invited me to join your witch coven it sounded more like an underground resistance cell, and..."
>You raise a hoof to point to the room
"We are underground. So I'm curious about the resistance part- Ow!"
>The tip of her hoof slipped and touched the open wound
>A blood clot falls off on the floor with a sickening sploch
>Your teeth grit as the last piece of material gets removed by the remoseful looking unicorn- and you can't see
>A push of a hoof at your shoulder turns you away from the mirror
>She inspects the side of your head and it almost doesn't hurt
>You don't dare to move it
"A-and?"
>Her pupils narrows to pinpricks as she shows her teeth in a weak smile
>"G-good, really good. No, wait!"
>You turn to the mirror
>Hard to say what you see, due to the purple coat being completely red
>How much blood did you lose?
>At least now can you blame certain backfiring decision at it
>Not that you're going to admint anything to anypony
>You brace yourself for another wave of pain as yourisk moving it, and to your surprise it doesn't come
>Sure, it hurts when your head is pulsing, but what's sore is the skin around the ear
>The sight is bizzare
>The lowest part of the ear rises on command, with only the smallest sting, causing burning of the nearby skin by changing the underskin tention, but...
>Around two-third of the ear lobe faces straight downward
>You move it left and right, and that big part just dangles
>The pony beside you whimpers, but you're too hipnotized to listen to her
>You pick up the wrongly directioned part of your ear and with utmost care unroll it to the side

>It becomes as clear as it's red, that part hangs on a thin strip of meat
>You can't unglue your eyes from it
>Gulping your saliva becomes the most interesting thing on the world
>The words of consolation fly your way but you stay deaf to the outer world
>You place the previously an ear to the side of your head and let the blood slowly drip down the crippled stump
>Your sight falls to your front hooves, placed in front of toy
>Twilight Sparkle gets quiet when you turn toward her
>You hope your expression is neutral, but what you saw and the look of gruesome terror must take a toll on you
"I'm fine."
>You like through closed teeth
>The purple pony that isn't you places a hoof at your withers and offer you a small paper towel
>You daintly take it and notice it's wet
>The quiestion you ask with your eyes don't stay unanswered
>"Put it your ear to prevent the infection."
>It smells like alcohol
>You close your eyes and pick up the ear the same way as before
>It doesn't hurt until you don't begin to rub it with the gauze
>This time you whimper
>This time you scream
>...
>You don't know how long you spent on the floor, but you aren't alone
>When you can move and look around, you feel stable enough to stand up
>Twilight Sparkle stands up with you
>"Don't force yourself. You need to rest."
"No, I don't."
>The adrenaline speaks through you and you don't hear whatever she says next, but her intelligent eyes shine with understanding
>You want to walk it off
>To prove it you exit the bathroom with her at your tail
>You enter the main barracks and notice a different pony slipping in just that very moment
>Another purple unicorn of your shape and posture
>Her eyes open in surprise and suspiction
>She lets the bags she was carrying to fall and take a defensive stand
>You lower your head, more tired of contant fighting than looking for more, but beggars ain't choosers
>"It's ok. She's had a rough day."
>Says the mare behind you

>You eye the other Twilight as she drops the position and picks up the bags
>"Ah, mare, you could have warned me we have a guest."
>She doesn't even as much as glance your way
>"I didn't really have time, you know."
>Twilight Sparkle turns to you and pushes you towards an empty lower bunk
>"You can rest there. We will make food."
>The other Twilight Sparkle takes a step forward and pulls out her leg
>She has a crooked smile and hold her head to a side
>"Nice to meet you, eh? Name's Twilight Sparkle."
>It's not that you don't appriciate the pun, but that's the lamest one you ever heard
>Anyways, you clop her hoof and return a tiny smile
"Same."
>"As always."
>She laughs at her own joke and cuts it short when she notices the state your ear is in
>"Whoa, what happened to you, sister?"
>You're about to answer, but a hoof to your side stops you
>"She already agreed to tell us everything what happened, but she needs to rest first."
>"Ah, come on! I want to hear it! It must be intense!"
>Yes, intense
>As intense as the thread of deploying a tactical bile in the middle of the room
>"Give it a rest, Twilight Sparkle, and, besides, she won't have need to repeat herself twice. Let's just let the poor mare sleep while we wait for mares to gather."
>The argument makes the new Twilight Sparkle to close her mouth in defeat
>Content with the outcome, the first Twilight Sparkle picks up a pillow and pushes it your way
>You grab it and return it to where she took it from, depositing yourself at the mattress
>It's not Rarity's but not the Silent Hill's either
>You would say, medium soft
>The more motherly Twilight returns to the bathroom
>The more rash Twilight opens some cabinets and fills a pot with water
>She looks your way
>"Do you like onion soup?"
>Do they have real onion
>Or the synthetic one
>You click your tongue, dealing with saliva
"Do you have onions?"
>Her smug aura mocks you
>"No. Just asking."
>You snort
>Her laughter is nothing if not good-natured

>"Maybe just a little bit. For special occasions."
>The door to the bathroom opens
>"Twilight Sparkle, let the poor mare sleep."
>"Ok, mom."
>You smile at the little display of everyday-life of... Twilight Sparkles
>Rogue Twilight Sparkles
>You have questions
"How long are you here?"
>The mare side-glances at you with uncertancy as clear on her face as her color of the coat
>"I don't think I should give you an answer yet."
>You try to stay neutral, but she must read you as confused
>Because of the ear laying down, isn't it?
>"You remain our guest, but we don't trust you."
"Harsh, but accurate."
>"Yeah."
>Her moves around the electric stove are quick and natural
>She's the group's cook, that much is sure
A - try to get rest when they let you
B - engage in conversation with Rash Twilight about yourself
Y - ask Rash Twilight about the group again
X - ask Rash Twilight about herself
Z "Ask if she knows of other Sparkle-adjacent friends. I'm curious if we can find "our" M6 gang or Spike."

>Your head lays on top of your crossed and splayed frontlegs
>If rash Twilight were more talkative, you would opt to talk about the group, or at least her
>She hums a little song while shuffling around the small kitchenette in the far corner of the room
>You watch her graceful movements a pegasi would not be ashamed of, as she works her magic through what looks like potatoes and onions
>Saliva gathers in your mouth at the thought of real, not already pre-produced vegetables, but being on the run does not really make these best things affordable
>Soon enough, she finishes and puts a pan on fire
>The motherly Twilight doesn't return from the bathroom, but running water is heard
>By now, you could be asleep, that wouldn't hurt
>These two mares don't mean any harm
>Or so they want you to think that
>This uncertaincy gnaws at you, but once again you commit to the leap of faith you took earlier
>The idea of Twilight Sparkle other than you rebeling and freeing herself is preposterous at it's hoof value
>To have six of them and you seven meet?
>That's far more of an absurd than Rarity and Sweetie Belle having a teacher-student relationship which got set ablaze
>Onion happily sizzle
>The atmosphere is almost homey
>Even the song the cooking mare is humming sound familiar
>You can work with that
"Sorry. I can't really sleep."
>Her ears perks up as her hoof is rising and stop at her lips
>She shakes her head with a playful smile, and nods towards the bathroom
>You get it and lower the volume
>Her hoof doesn't joint the other on the floor, but grabs and then flings the content of the pan inside the pot
>The pan gets rinsed and the last pieces of food land into the soup
>With it on fire, she quietly makes it to your side
>From upclose, she looks as identical to you as each other Twilight Sparkle
>Her eyes stop at your ear, or rather what's left of it
>She ask the silent question
>You raise both of your ears, she pulls back at the sight, eyes buldging out

>Moving it hurts, but far less than before, and the flapping sound it makes only a little causes your stomach to convulse
>You'll live
>She gasps
>"What happened to you?"
"Some janitor doors."
>She quietly chuckles before sitting on the lower bunk of the bed on your left
>"Must have been heck of a janitor's closet."
"You speak as you been there."
>Sitting in silence is awkward only if you make it
>Maybe you should begin with an apology?
>"I'm sorry I can't tell you anything-"
"I'm sorry I'm bothering you with-"
>Her smile doesn't lack the sparkle of genuity while remaining not the happiest
>A Twilight Sparkle you just met must feel bad for you
>Is this how bitter-sweetness tastes like?
>Or it's just confusion?
>"Sorry, and no, you're not bothering me, but maybe you should take a rest?"
>You shrug and she stands up
>As she stirs the soup with a long spoon, she steals sneaky glances your way
>There is something irritating in them, but from your position it's the best to ignore it
>Whe she starts to hum that song again you wave for her to come close, which she does, even if not instantly
"What is this song?"
>Her eyes widen
>"What this? I heard it at the radio and it stuck with me as an earworm. I can stop."
"No, no. I never said it's a bad song."
>Her head cocks to a side
>"Are you trying to tell me I can't sing?"
>Her lips are tight, but her eyes are shining
"Excuse me, are you trying to tell me I can't sign either?"
>Your polite smile meets her toothy grin
"I find it rather pleasant, but I believe I heard it before."
>"Probably. Radio signal doesn't reach this deep into rubbles. You must be from the higher grounds, aren't you?"
>Higher grounds?
>It's the first time you heard someone call Lower Canterlot like that
"You could say that, Depends on how deep underground we really are, but I guess you can't tell me that just yet."
>She gives you her half-smile
"I wanted to ask you something. Maybe personal. I don't know." 

>"As long as it's not about our security, our defences, our modus operandi or statutory goals."
"Wait, what? You have statutory goals?"
>She giggles
>"No, that's why I ask you not to ask about them. I have a delicious mushroom soup to tend for, so I don't have time to come up with some weak excuse of a game plan."
>You try to focus on her incredulous explanation, but something at your face makes her laugh, louder than it's safe
>The bathroom doors open and the other Twilight Sparkle enters the small barracks
>"I told you to let the poor mare to sleep, not to poke her every five minutes to make fun of her."
>Rash Twilight opens her mouth to scowl while going back to the kitchen, but you silence her with a raised hoof
"That's not her fault. It's me who want to talk."
>Motherly Twilight takes a step forward and looks down at you, locking her eyes with yours
>There is something scary about her
>If it's a staring contest then you may even lose it!
>Assert dominance!
>Flap the ear!
>Your adversary's eyes almost pop out at the sight which you only can imagine is both hypnotizing an disgusting
>This is what you did not have to care about in last half a year - anything bad happening to one of Twilight Sparkle shocks the others
>There's something very unsettling in seeing a perfect copy of yours getting... imperfect
>Oh, great
>Now your mood is as low as you are compared to the ground level
>"Fine."
>She hmpfs at you!
>The two of them exchange a glance, and the motherly one does the talking
>"What do you want to know?"
>It's probably still not the best time to ask about technicalities of their existence
"Who are we waiting for?"
>Her lips make a perfect letter O, when it's the rash that answer
>"For Twilight Sparkle, duh."
>"What she said. They should get home soon enough. Then you can tell us everything you been through so you don't have to repeat yourself."
"That's very considerate of you, but, I want to ask you about your... how to put it... previous lifes?"

>Motherly Twilight raises her eye suspociously at you, pondering about something darker than before
>The sight in front of you is so intense you briefly consider flapping the stump of your ear again
>Thankfully you don't have to, because her face relaxes
>"And why is that, if I can ask?"
>Should you tell them?
"I thought about getting the gang back."
>Rash Twilight really loves to cock her head back in the most neck breaking ways
>"The gang? As if, what?"
"Do you happen to know what happened with your friends from back before you joined the citadel?"
>They look at you as if you grew a second head
>Which you might have, considering all you went through recently
"What?"
>"Why would we try to?"
>"Yeah, they sucked."
"What?!"
>You struggle to your legs!
>"Easy. Easy. It's just..."
>They share a look which you can't decypher
>"Seems like we are from places where we never reached the ponyville arc."
>The ponyville arc!?
>They must spot your shock
>Doesn't matter!
>Your life is not some sort of an arc!
>"How long have you been in the citadel?"
>You shake your head and return to the laying position
"I don't know. Around two years?"
>"Years or cycles?"
>The third voice joins and all of you turn toward the new comer mare
>It's a purple unicorn, if your decduction skills are as sharp as usual, called Twilight Sparkle!
>She disrobes her saddle bags and gives a friendly wave in your direction, as she turns towards the pot
>"Ohh, the nail soup. My favourite!"
>You watch in silence as rash Twilight's nosetrils flares
>"It's not a nail soup, Twilight Sparkle! It's a mushroom soup!"
>Motherly Twilight pipes in turning to her
>"I thought you used onions."
>"Because I did, but I found we have one last daffodil bag so I fried it and dumped it in!"
>"But they are not mushrooms."
>"Where I am from they are considered mushrooms."
>The scene looks as familiar and serene as anything can get
>It also answers your question about similar growing conditions
>Seems totally different, alright

>The new Twilight picks up rash Twilight's long spoon and takes a sip of the mixture
>"Hey, it's good."
>It cuts the talking
>Motherly Twilight turns towards you, as rash Twilight rushes to protect the content of the pot
>"Sorry about that display."
"Don't be sorry. That was... refreshing."
>She giggles
>"At least that answers your question. We are from different backgrounds, but you're saying you got to the Ponyville arc?"
"I am not quite sure I do understand what do you mean by that, but-"
>The new Twilight Sparkle gets hit with the spoon and shoo-shed away, that is, close to you
>"Oh, you started the princesshood quest? I don't see your wings so you must have been recruited rather early."
>The what now?
>You don't hide confusion
>"Oh, sorry, where are my manners. I'm Twilight Sparkle."
>You sake her hoof and she continues
>"I left the citadel around a cycle ago, and was there for at least four."
>"Twilight Spakrle!" the motherly Twilight hisses, "Maybe next thing you tell her will be the way to find this place and the size of our horse shoes!"
>New Twilight raises a hoof and pokes yours
>"The size's 12, by the way."
>The pout of the mare that rescued you misses her goal completely, looking too adorable to take her serious
>"Ah, ha, ha, very mature."
>"What can I say?"
>"The soup's ready."
>It works like a spell and both mare gets up to get a bowl of the concoction, forgetting about their quarrel
>You get your bowl first, and it smells amazing
>The aroma is rich, and the water is fat
>The onion got fried before-hoof and tastes like heaven
>Yes, this is the good stuff
>It gets devoured in no time
"How much is a cycle?"
>The new mare stops cleaning her teeth
>"Around 30 moons. More or less."
>Thirty moons!
>By Luna!
"And you worked there for 4 cycles?"
>She snorts
>"More or less. I worked around the princesses, but one day decided to pursue the life of a free mare and ditched all the glory of an above collective slave."
"What?"
>"Political wind changed. Had to run."

>Her head lowers as she licks the bown empty
>You do the same
>Motherly Twilight moves aside, letting the one lacking a nickname to plop her flanks on her bed, while the cooking one takes away your bowl and put them in the sink
>She comes back and joins you as you scoot to the pillow
>So many Twilight Sparkles
>So little time for it to sink in
>"You can start to talk now."
>They all look at you a little expectantly."
"Talk... about what?"
>Rash Twilight lands a gentle hoof at your withers
>"About everything, Twilight Sparkle."
>Motherly Twilight closes eyes and open her lips
>"About anything you have to share with us. You have seen something already. We musthear you out before we decided what to do with you."
>The newest Twilight chimes in
>"Yes, no pressure."
"I thought there's more of you."
>The three mares share a shiver
>"There is, they just not come here very often."
>"Regularly, you meant regularly."
>They speak no more
"Ok."
A - tell them about what happened since you ran away until everything fell apart (to the apartment)
B - tell them about what happened this month (since a police twilight sparkle assaulted you)
Y - tell them about the recently event (1 - with Rarity, 2 - with Light Breeze, 3 - with mentioning both, 4 - without mentioning any of them)
X - tell them about the last job 
X

>You feel welcomed among these Twilight Sparkles
>But can you really trust them?
>Sure, they didn't cause you any harm, yet, but how long will they remain friendly?
>Oh!
>They shuffle around, sensing your growing anxiety
>Best to try to hide it - the last thing you need is to make them think you're the citadel agent, as you fear of them
>You close your eyes and speak after taking a deep breath and holding it until your cheeks threaten to explode
"I needed money. I took a job. Didn't know the details. Still don't know them. To grab a thing and put it somewhere, while remaining undetected."
>The memory of how it started flush through your head
"Long story short, I got into the marked position. Received an ear piece. I put it into the other ear, so that's why it survived until the job got finalized, but that's beside the point. I got into the-"
>Should you tell them the exact location?
>Motherly Twilight found you around... so it doesn't really matter.
>A slight cought masks the short break
"The Blackmare site through the dock's canal. I did not have much of contact with the pony operator. After some perturbations under the facility this happened."
>The wounded ear continue to sting as you flap it into the air, capturing their eyes by the movement
>Each of them turn away after it falls freely to the side of your head
>"I almost fainted due to some terrible smell. I am quite suprised it did not stick to me.  Long story short, I got into the central building that worked as a searching tower and a room for guards. It was tought, but hey, I'm Twilight Sparkle."
>Your playful tone elicit the smallest giggle out of Rash and Princess Twilight
>"And then you planted the arcanum bomb and obliterated whatever artifacts there were stored."
>You nod at Motherly Twilight who finishes it for you
"More or less, and after a small disagreement with one the guards. I got hit really bad. My legs still spasm from time to time, but I'm getting better."
>You don a small smile

"And then I got into some nearby marehole and found a place really deep, which some guard must have furnished and where he spent his shifts as dutiful as you can imagine."
>"How do you know it's a he?"
>The mental image of the sleeping bag being used that way makes you shiver
"I... I just know. Twilght Sparkle's sense."
>It's so weird to hear a collective giggle of other you
>It was weird back when you were a novice at the citadel, but after the run begun it feels otherwordly
>Rash Twilight is the first to talk
>"So, you got set up to blow something up, without knowing what, and left to be captured."
"The operator promissed to pull me out but the earpiece broke when I landed face first into the asphalt. It wasn't as durable as the gun."
>"What gun?"
"The gun-"
>The citadel's gun
>You lost it
>In all those emotions and being short of time you did forget to pick it up
>It's gone
"The one I broke when shwing the guard what a unicorn mare can do to him."
>Doesn't sound so confident anymore
>They all stay silent, watching you very closely
>You look at Motherly Twilight
"In the end, hours later, I heard you calling out and I, from the lack of better comparison, took the gamble you were not a trap set by the Citadel. No offense."
>"None taken."
>Princess Twilight, or maybe servant Twilight, turns to each one of you one after another, giving the collective a stinky eye
>"So they betrayed you and didn't pay. Who were they? You don't have to protect them."
>Her eyes gets quickly clouded with anger, and as quickly the mist vanishes, defused by your giggle 
"Oh, no, no. They tried to underpay me, but they paid as much as I wanted upfront."
>Unexpected silence takes you by surprise
>"So you have a crebit card?"
>Their faces neutral
"Yes. I'm sorry. I don't think I understand?"
>They don't speak for a little more
>You rub a knee to not begin to worry, at least until Motherly Twilight shakes her head
>"It's not money what we are after, but the crebit cards."

>Are they gonna assault you know?
>Better to give them the benefit of the doubt, before they mug you
>It's not that you can win
"What?"
>Rash Twilight notices the change in your demeanor and puts a hoof at your knee, gently grazing your fur up and down whole lengh of a leg
>"Don't worry. We won't jump you."
>Nervous laughter escapes your lips
>The Servant Twilight pulls a leg over Motherly Twilight's withers and pulls her for a short hug
>"Yes, Twilight Sparkle, we all have been there and had the exact same thought. We might be different ponies, but in the end we are Twilight Sparkle."
>"And there's no running away from who we are."
>"There's only running towards who want to be."
>Wow, ok
>Quite hard to be sure wasn't this staged act before lowering your defense, but they would not need to do that
>That must is clear
"So why are you after the cards?"
>"They are bio-assigned, and cannot be falsified."
>Says Servant Twilight and Motherly Twilight softly continues
>"We have one, but I can't use it."
"Why not?"
>"I am not compatibile. These two," she points at other mares, "can use it, hence they get to do the purchases and collect the money, but, well, I can't."
"Don't we have the same DNA?"
>Rash butts in, scooting a bit closer
>"We don't have the same upbringing, Twilight. No pony knows how it really works and we don't really have the mare power necessary to penetrate the Ministry of Finance."
>You let it all sink
>"Yes, it's a lot to take in. I find it surprising you didn't know this. How long are you free, again?"
>"Not again, I think she didn't tell us."
>Didn't you?
>"Maybe you just didn't listen close enough."
"Half a year, around half a year."
>"And you don't know how these cards work?"
>What?! Yes, you know!
"I never had any problem with them other than the number digits on it. Even more, I-, I-"
>Huh, you never thought of that
"That's weird."
>Rach face around you is just like you, and confusion gives place for compassion, you think
>"Oh, well."

>"What were you up to before that?"
>The Twilight Sparkle petting your leg asks with a sly smile
>You shift on the bed to get a better look of her
"Laying with low profile. Being on the run is still pretty new to me. You all were lonely for a time. You know how it's like. Only recently the citadel got on my tail-"
>They gasp!
"Relax! I get rid of them."
>"How did you do so?"
>Uhh
>Should you tell them?
"Well, that's a funny story. They invided my apartment-"
>"You have an apartment?!"
"I had an appartment, you see, the citadel sent a kill team and they kind of... killed the building?"
>The emotions on their faces vary from bewilderment to worry
"I hid too well for them to find me and they somehow made the building collapse as a parting gift."
>And we're back at awkward silence
>You play with your hooves
>It's the servant Twilight that breaks the spell
>"I think I heard about it at work."
>Your ears perk, ow!
>"Somewhere in the living district?"
>Those names of older parts of lower canterlot were picked with quite literal meaning behind them
>She smiles as you confirm with a nod
>Motherly Twilight raises a hoof before somepony else can speak
>"Twilight Sparkle, what are you going to do with your new life?"
>To say the quiestion takes you by a surprise is to tell nothing
>You reel back, almost making Rash Twilight's to fall from your back in the process
>Wait, since when is she hugging you?
>Doesn't matter, it feels nice
>Three sets of identical eyes as yours observe your internal monologue with piqued interest, which they don't even try to conceal
>What are you even supposed to say?
>That you want to run away and have a life?
>You're doing that right now
>That the citadel must burn?
>You couldn't do it alone
>That you want back to your Equestria?
>Don't you all?
>You opt to tell the truth
"I have no idea."
>No reaction from any of them breaks a sweat on your brow, but you don't dare to wipe it and betray your nervousness
>Which Rash Twilight probably can feel! Gaah!

>Motherly Twilight is the one to speak, as she was for the most time
>"Don't fret. You're alright, Twilight Sparkle."
>Both Rash and Servant grin, showing off their teeth, leaving only Motherly's lips not to part
>Her smile deepens, though
"You too, girls. I would never expect to see a bunch of, well, me, free."
>"As free as we can be with the constant threat of the citadel finding us out."
>"Yee, but we make a decent living and keep eyes around our heads."
>"Listen, do you have somewhere to sleep? You could stay here, you know."
>The offer makes you feel warmer inside
"I do have a place to stay and I may have some errands to run."
>Her ears lowers a bit, piercing through your purple heart
"But a nap wouldn't hurt."
>"You will need your ear fixed, too."
>...
>They left you be and you indeed managed to get some sleep
>You wake up and only two of them are there
>One of them is the rash Twilight, you can tell because she's doing something which looks like cooking and whistling, even if barely
>The other mare remains a mystery
>Your legs and chest hurts less, at least where you're not bruised
>Ok, what now
A - ask them to let you go visit a medic pony
B - ask them for some method of contact with them
Y - ask them what do they do for a living
X - ask them where is the rest of them
XAA

>The more you talk the more atmosphere becomes almost serene
>As you four sit and talk about nothing in particular the two you identify as Rash Twilight and Servant Twilight indulge in friendly bickering under the Motherly's Twilight eye
>She came off as a leader, but now it feels more as if she just did not find much fun in banter, and that put her in the role of the arbitrator whenever the discussion gets too heated
>You mostly keep to yourself, taking only when asked directly
>They don't ask you personal questions anymore, clearly not willing to interrogate you, or make you feel uncomfortable
>And comfortable you feel, but all good things come to an end
>One thing cannot let you enjoy this for long
>At the sound of your voice the three unicorns turn shaprly
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I must ask."
>Equipped with a sheepish smile and raised a hoof you proceed to count the beds qualifying as occupied
"It seems like there's six of you. I find it quite confusing you wanted me to talk in front of you three. I hope you don't mind me asking, but where is the rest of you?"
>A faint nicker escapes your lips
>Mothrly Twilight find her hoof the most interesting, thus you turn to the other two
>Their faces don't hide the very same sour expression
>"That's not a pleasant subject."
"Oh, I'm sorry-"
>"No, no. We will tell."
>Just how much - that is left unspoken
>They exchange glances, like many times before
>You understand them; you didn't lie to them, but neither said much
>Why would they reveal their secrets to you?
>After a longer moment Motherly speaks
>"We are the regulars here. The others are more..."
>"Free spirited."
>Butts in Rash
>"Yes, that's well said. One Twilight Sparkle pays us a visit at least once at week, but her job, whatever it is currently, require her to be more mobile. Our hideout and style of life doesn't really support that kind of volatility."

>Serving continues
>"And there's Twilight Sparkle, too. She wasn't happy here. Last we heard from her she found her special somepony and because that pony hold a position of influence they could get away together. We don't know the details."
>Motherly's sad smile catches your attention, but she doesn't talk
>"We wished her the best and offered to be here for her, but she just doesn't contact us. Must be going well for her. That's good, but Twilight Sparkle and Twilight Sparkle did not break the discussion on very friendly terms."
>You get a feeling which one of them feels grudge, or is it remorse
>"We all hope she's happy whatever she's doing. Right, Girls?"
>"Yup."
"That's two, what with the last one?"
>The mattriarch of the herd finally looks you in the eye
>"She chose a path of extinction."
"The what now?"
>"She swore to get rid of every citadel Twilight Sparkle and became an infamous terrorist."
>The blood gets sucked away from your face
"What?!"
>The mares explode in laughter!
>You wish you could join, but embarassment is too big to handle
>They know what you did and they con't care, which is nice, however, they care to make fun of you!
"C'mon, I didn't want to do it. Girls, please."
>It takes them a full minute if not longer to wipe their eyes
>"I'm sorry, Twilight Sparkle, your face was too intense not pull your leg."
>"That was awesome. Truth is, she's at work, so we know when will she come home. You can tell her everything when she comes back."
"Yes, well, about that. Can you show me the way out?"
>Any trace of previous merriness is gone
>Good job, Twilight Sparkle, you just killed the mood
>Oh, well, it's the best to roll with it
"It's not that I don't want to stay."
>You point at your torn ear
"I want to find a doctor who can fix it and I don't think I can find the way out. At least not a way out that's so obvious it's observed. Endangering your little resistance group is the last thing I would think of, so don't worry."

>...
>They trusts you enough to promise to get you out after the sun settles
>It doesn't come out of them easily, but what else could they do?
>Imprison you and still boast how great their community of Twilight Sparkles is?
>Maybe, but how different would it be from the citadel's behaviour?
>So you have nothing to worry and spend the rest of the evening in their company
>Twilight Sparkles's credibility is almost as sacred as her intellect, and these three understand it well
>No surprise here; it's really hard to unincorporate values being the core of your person no matter the world
>Turned out, it's the one Twilight Sparkle you did not meet inform Motherly about the call she was answering to
>It was obviously a job of a Twilight Sparkle, so she jumped to see if there is any sole survivor
>That was you this time
>All of them lead you out through the dusted passways up the empty cart parking lot
>It takes three asimetrical floors for Rash and Princess to finally say goodbye and exchange hugs
>A promise to visit them is made
>Is it empty you can't tell; it's enough to satisfy all of you for now
>Won't lie if you say the idea does lure you
>It's still a weird sight to see non-hostile purple unicorns after the long time of running away
>Motherly leads the way through a ruined factory, and you don't use any stairs anymore, therefore  you must be on the ground level
>She point to the far away door and stops in the middle of abandoned production hall
>"You can always come back. You're one of us now."
>Her warm words spread through your body like a blanket, and soon enough, Motherly Twilight waves and turns her back, disappearing deeper between the rubbles of old world
>You yell after her
"What if I won't be able to find you?"
>Her small laughter due to the distance and accoustic, and for the first time since you met her not a day ago, sounds as a different pony
>A more mature and sadder pony than you
>"Oh, I'm sure you will find us just fine. If not... use a bomb."

>Heh
>You exit the building and recognise the place instantly
>Even in the moon-light the old horse shoe factory complex stands proud and refuse to collapse
>Clearly abandoned, streets filled with empty trash cans and paper slips on the ground
>Defective street lapms and low, three stored houses
>You try to remember the way back to civilization
>After a street or two, your mental map is as good as it can ever be, and you reach the first habitet buildings
>Only from here you notice how close the old horse shoe factory is to the side of canterlot dome
>Where now?
A - the motel and Light Breeze
B - the living complex and Rarity
Y - the hive and Kar
X - the ripper doc nearby the Hive 
AX

>You make a quick stroll through the ugly streets, sometimes getting off the roads and sneaking through open courtyard of old construction style
>The passageways lack the distinc yellow glow of the lamp posts, which either were removed from the forgotten passageways by scavengers, or never were properly installed
>The shadows there have a peculiar blue hue, imitating the shining lights of night time, high up on the canterlot dome
>You hurry up to get out of this forgotten by princesses area
>...
>It doesn't take long for you to reach more livable neighbourhood
>Streets filled with ponies bring to your heart unsolicited joy
>Griffons perked in a bar above the entrance sign of the market, squawk loadly, scarring ponies not used to their presence
>The motel doors give up and open, and as you enter a familair kirin from the first night turns off a portable tv to look at you from her small booth, divided from the wide corridor ended with another door and screens on each side by a mere counter
>Her eyes catch yours and her usual spiel plays out
>"Welcome to the Silent Hill."
"You don't really a hill here, I know."
>Her eyes narrow at you, her snout scrunch, and if her horn could split, it would grow another branch from the raw puzzlement of her expression
>You move closer to go past the connector
"I already have a room, but thanks for the introduction."
>Her eyes trail after you, but one of her legs is blindly looking for something under the counter...
>Whatever it is you don't slow down, but your gait grows more ready for anything with each step
>The cart locked door opens with a quiet slide, and that's when the Kirin's interest in you dies
>Her tv turns back to life, and you leave her behind as you enter the always boiling pot of Silent Hill motel
>The rows of street food vendors and their multitude of clients remind cause enough noise to wake up an Ursa Major
>You can't help, but gallop to the cubit 405 with a smile
>... 

>You knock on the door for a good minute before someone inside stirs up
>The door move not much to a side, just enough for an yellow eye to pop in it and, after fighting the sleepiness out of it, to focus on you
>"Who izz id?"
>A gasp can be heard, and the door slides into a nearby wall with a loud clanck
>Light Breeze, as bluish as before, jumps at you, almost tackling you down in the process
>It really takes a lot of borrowed power to stay on your legs with the extra weight of an earth mare
>"Where have you been?! What been you up to?! Two days, Twilight Sparkle! I thought you were gone for good!"
>More questions in high pitched voice follows, each one similar to the previous one
>The very same moment her questions stop, the doors of the cubit above hers open
>And elderly looking mare pulling her head out to look for the commotion
>Her face is full of dignified disgust as her eyes scan your face
>Then they fall to the top of your head, and her gaze freeze
>Shit
>The last thing you need is to get remembered
>You bend towards Light Breeze and push her back a little without breaking a hug
"C'mon. We'll talk at my place."
>"Oh, ok!"
>As she secures her property you turn away and slowly trot
>Light Breeze joins your side in no time
>...
>Your cubit looks untouched, both from outside and inside
>The fan wakes up to life with a familair lag, after the door gets closed behind the two of you
>You tactically position your left side facing her, to avoid your stump of an ear to be detected
>It works only before you two settle onto the hard mattress
>The sight elicits a deep gasp out of her, much like her last one, but with no question attached
>Her side slowly trembles as her pupils shrink into tiny pin pricks
>It's only a matter of time before she will start yelling
>Better talk
A - tell her about the job for the Hive
B - tell her abour Rarity's offer
Y - tell her about meeting Twilight Sparkles
X - ask her about that job at the kirin-town
YXAB

>Her scrutinizing gaze doesn't soften at all, hurrying you to tell her everything
>One last deep breath before the tale sets your thoughts straight ahead
"I met a group of friends, whom I hadn't know I had. They are not really friends, but more a sort of potential friends, as we all have the common interest of laying low. They come from the very same-"
>No, you can't tell her about who they actually are
>Now, can you?
"- we worked together. Not per se, but in the same corporation."
>Light Breeze's gasp is barely above the threshold of audibility, but usable as an excuse to plan ahead
>"And they did that to you?!"
>Ow, your ears!
>Maybe it was a mistake to let her talk
"No, that happened earlier. If anything, they helped me out when I was in a pickle."
>"How did they help you?"
"That's even a longer story."
>You continue before she choose to berate you for even implying you won't tell!
"Listen. What's important is-"
>"I get it. You're not the only one who freed herself from the smothering grasp of your corpo-mater-"
>Corpo-mater? Like alma-mater?
>That's the first time you heard this word
>Kinda fitting
>"- and that's important, and all, but all I care about is you being safe, and goodness help me if you don't tell me how did your ear turn into griffon kibble!"
>She puts a hoof frog-upwards under your snout, implying it can be used on your face like a hammer
>Ha, little does she know!
>You would probably prefer than from dancing around the subject of multiple Twilight Sparkles
>Hey, she just gave you a way to drop it!
"Alright, alright."
>You look in her golden eyes and you notice the unusual tint of her irises
"Wait, since when do you wear contacts?"
>You regret instantly regret it
>The teeth-revealing snarl overflows her features like water overflows a river
>"This. Can. Wait."
>She barks in throaty tremble tone
>It gives you a silent double take at where you are in your life
>You don't show it, but, goose, this mare can be scary

"Sorry."
>Her watching softens ever so slightly as your explanation continues, melting her combativeness
"Long story short, I took a job, and the job went well until the very last moment. I don't want to burden you with the details, because the less you know the safer you are-"
>"Excuse me?"
>You raise a hoof to stop her before she picks the fight
>It's miraculous and it works
"It was like during the old times. That's why I don't want you to know about it. There's a chance you will hear about it in the media today or tomorrow. Maybe never. Depends how big it was."
>The anger fueled by your lack of visible will to explain changes into confusion as you talk, prompting you to explain even more
"Depending on how big a no-no happened in the process of me simply fulfilling the contract, you may be contacted. It's in our best interest for you to say you don't know about anything and you don't know me neither. I know, I know. It's not what you wanted to hear, but this is the most important thing. Now that I think of it, I don't know why did I not start with that. Can you promise me you will not talk about it to anypony ever?"
>The tears filled eyes close, and soon a nod mimics the movement of falling eye lids
>She trusts you
>To keep her in the dark is a must, just in case
>Then why does it make you feel bad?
"Ok, great. Thanks. You have no idea how afraid I was to ask."
>Light Breeze dries tears into her leg
>"As if I was going to do something to you."
"Oh, I don't know. You clearly wanted to beat somepony, and I was just in your reach, so…"
>Her side collides with yours, sending you jiggle like a jello and losing the balance
>"Sorry!"
"Let me continue. The job was simple. The pay was good. They did not try to screw me on the money. I went to a place undetected and I left whatever they gave me to right where they wanted. That's when the heck let loose."
>You place a leg at her withers and push her closer
"That's when I met the ex-coworkers of mine, but I didn't lose-"

>Lose the ear
>That's what really happened
>Isn't it weird you only know accept it?
>Why is this bile so hard to swallow?
>Her hoof, previously threatening you with an up-ward slap, now, starts to draw circles on your other fore leg
>It feels nice
"-damage the ear. It was just after I got in. Silly situation. Who could have known the janitor's closet  doors can fight back?"
>She stops the petting and gives you a weird look
>"What do you mean, fight back? You fought the doors?"
"Light Breeze, please, do you think I would leave them in a shape better than I am, after it all?"
>A deep giggle escapes her mouth, making itself perceptible by your skin contact
>"Twilight Sparkle, the conqueror of the Doors."
"Hey, it was an even fight."
>Now she's laughing, but it's not any kind of laughter
>Whoever was in emotional distress that dissolved in a blink of an eye share the very same specific type of laughter that expels accumulated worries and clear your heart
>You're patting her back all this time, not daring to focus on how terrified she was for you
>If you thought of it, it would make you feel bad
>And you're not thinking of it
>You're not
"A-anyways... I got some crebits, so if you want, you can-"
>"No. I'm good. When you're busy getting yourself butchered I visited an old friend in the Kirin Town. So it happened, she was in dire need of hiring a manager for her restaurant, and I do have experience with taxes and-"
>Wow!
"That's great to hear!"
>You explain so enthusiastically the small cubit echoes and makes your ears burn!
>Good job, Twilight Sparkle
>No problem, Twilight Sparkle
>"You said you have money, but if you want, I could talk with my cousin and maybe offer you a job at the bar? Only... you would have to do something with that ear of yours."
>She looks at the weak meat strap of previously a very purple ear
>Not caring about the slight stinging, you raise it

>As back at Twilight Sparkle's place, around two third of it is hanging loose, straight down
>You realize you didn't think of how much of a hearing impairment will it do outside the cubit, and you walked here, but you don't begin to wonder about it, no, no
>Light Breeze's pupils never leave your crippled protrusion, and keep growing until they are size of saucers
>Huh
>You move the stump to left and right and her eyes follow
>The hoof she been trailing circles on top of your leg digs deeper into your coat
>That's an interesting effect
>You grab her attention by pulling the ear down, causing her to snap out of hypnosis by throwing a fit of rapid blinking
>"Wuh? Wa?"
"You know, I met a different friend before all of this hustle took place. She owns a bar in the area. Quite understaffed, she seemed, and offered me a job, too. I asked her could I bring a friend and she was positive about the whole idea."
>Her ears perks up higher than before during this converstation
 It's almost as if the universe wants me to stick in a bar."
>"Maybe that job would suit you."
"Your idea sounds plausible, but I thought the world wants me rather to get a drink. How about that?"
>You accent the offer with a pulled out leg
>Light Breeze takes it and places it back on the floor
>Her sour smile gives you a vague idea of an answer you're about to hear
>"I work tomorrow morning, and it's getting late. I would love to, but how about after I finish tomorrow's shift? I'm the boss, you know. I can't get late. Tomorrow, maybe?"
"Maybe."
>She pulls you into a strong hug, which you deeply appreciate
>Was she always this warm?
>"I should be going, but I want you to know I'm happy you told me all of this. Even since it's a lot to take in. Especially because of it. I know I can trust you. Like in the Baltimare."
"But with less water."
>"And less ears."

>You were going to say something, but her comment scrunch you
>There's the usual giddiness in her eyes, so it's a win, right?
>She opens the door and turns her face to you, now from a standing position outside
>It got considerably louder with the door open
>Light Breeze points her bluish-grayish leg at your general direction with a sheepish, uneasy grin
>"And do something with that ear, ok? It looks kind of creepy… And it cannot be healthy for it to stay in that state, however the fancy name of the state it is in now sounds in ancient ponish!"
>She waves you goodbye and quickly turns you, shuffling her legs slowly
>You look after her for a moment, but not until she disappears behind a turn, because a stallion from the same corridor gets a notice of you and, well, his eyes gets locked with your you-know-what in the you-know-how way
>You close the door and as if on a command, the air vent and the light turns off
>Damn it!
>It takes around half a minute in complete darkness for the system to turn on, again, even after you started to play with the small built-in-wall control panel above the head of the bed
>You will pay a visit to Chalk, or Bobby, or whatever his name is at the late evening, so you can't tire yourself too much during the day
>Even if that, it doesn't mean you have nothing to do or nowhere to be
>But you must pick
>Your eyes close without you knowing as you dream of the new day
A - go visit the ripperdoc nearby Hive, or 1 - go to the closest Red Hoof Apothecary Office
B - go visit Rarity at work (if she will be there), or 2 - go to work with Light Breeze (if she will allow you), or 3 - go to the Hive (if they aren't hostile), or 4 - go to the Barn (if you have any business there), or 5 - go to the Mane (this is where Chalk resides at night)
Y - go to a public h-library to search for all the stuff you want to know
X - go to purchase a new outfit capable of hiding your Twilight Sparkli-ness from the curious spying eye
Z - go to find Scootaloo's office
BBAZ

>After a long shower your crebit cart gets lighter
>Two giga-hayburgers, a big bag of fried hay, and an apple
>You know, to stay healthy
>With your social credit score around 5335, you leave the always lively hub of Silent Hill motel, which is not a Hill, not Silent, waving a hoof to the kirin stallion in the reception booth
>He sees you and raises his brows, but doesn't wave, as he's explaining something to most probably new clients
>You didn't go to see Light Breeze, she told you she gonna run fast, and come back around-
>OK, the small detail may be a tiny bit lost on you right now, but that's nothing that won't clear itself out soon enough
>The market in front of your eyes shines as much as the sun that's being raised at this very moment
>Morning's new rays fall on the tops of buildings and slide down as if orange threads unrolling from the hank
>You take in the sight and all the weird smells and loud sounds until the towering street lamps turn off and the dark Canterlot Dome turns into sky blue
>With no wish to be wasting any-time, but with equal no need to rush, you settle for a trot
>A small visit to Rarity won't hurt
>…
>The tuxedo wearing stallion in front of the doors recognizes you from last time
>He pulls the door open for you
>As you pass him you nod at him
>The small corridor leading to the main part of the Slut Horse bar is richer of a red neon on a white wall
>It's turned off, making it positively unreadable, but what could it be if not some artistic piece?
>Fart decor, or something equally Bon Appetit
>The first clients are already seated next to round tables under the walls
>All of them looking similar, with their fat briefcases or stylish backpacks next to their dangling hind legs, and laptops placed in front of them
>Each one of them with a glass of something stronger to start the day, some already on the second
>If this is the clientele Rarity aimed for then she had no business into making the Plappery on the first floor

>They are invisible from where you stand at the bar, nor they throw any shadow, but the knowledge of their existence causes you to clamp your hind legs a little more than you're comfortable with
>The bartender pony looks at you with a mild-curious glance
>You nod to her, but you never seen her before
>She quickly returns to whatever professional bar-ponies do when it's too early for regulars to get drunk at the bar
>You walk up the stairs unbothered by anypony, and reach the Plappery and Rarity's office
>No matter how hard you pull on the door, they won't budge
>Looking at the numpad and the card-reader protecting the entrance brings dire intentions, but you can't break them, now can you?
>Like, why would you do that, filly?
>You resort to knock on the door and wait a minute, or two
>Yelling Rarity's name is as fruitful as all this endeavor
>Soon enough you go south, er, down, back to the bar
>You could ask the bar-mare about Rarity's whereabouts, but she doesn't know you
>The colt that stands the door does!
>When your hoof scratches the handle of the door, he, as a good door-pony he is, opens them, letting you out in the process
>You try your best smile and fix your eyes at his dark brown bangs ending a hair above where his eyes begin
"Hello. I have a question. Did Rarity show up yet?"
>The stallion's deep voice have a warm note to it
>"Nu-uh, Ma'am. Miss Rarity did not come yet."
"Do you know if she's going to be here today? I had the presumption of her not missing a day since the unfortunate events of- Did you work here when the raid happened?"
>His ears fall flat, and his hooves shuffle, as he tries to come up with an answer
>"Um, I wasn't scheduled that day, miss, and even if I were, I would not enjoy it at all!"
>His flaring nostrils put negation to his words
"That's... nice of you."
>What are you even saying, Twilight Sparkle
>Oh, shut up, Twilight Sparkle
>The colt breaks your crawling monologue, probably thinking you're not satisfied with the answer

>"B-but you're correct, miss. The boss comes and helps us at the first floor each day since the re-opening. We are somewhat understaffed. She won't get mad I tell you this, it's no secret. Some ponies don't want to work in places like this, and most of those who want... have weird ideas of what do we serve to our patrons."
>He ends with a grump look on his otherwise handsome face
>When he mentions those 'service' freaks a shiver runs up your spine
>What is going on with you today?
>Your mouth open to talk, however his eyes shines with a new idea
>"Wait a seconds... I think I remember. The boss mentioned an important business meeting coming this week. I don't know where or what for exactly."
>The deep brown eyes catch a glimpse of something behind you, making him freeze
>You head turns to notice what transfixed the stallion, but you find nothing out of the ordinary in the fully packed streets of lower canterlot
>His eyes doesn't leave your left side-
>Oh, crap
>It's your ear's magical properties
>Your heart drops a little for reasons unclear
>You could probably venture into the depths of your Twilight Sparkliness to find the out why, alas you have to cut it short
>You're quick enough to stifle an involuntary whine, giving out only a sad hum which can pass as a sign of acknowledgment
>Your leg reaches out and slings along his soft coat covering his shoulder
"Thanks."
>You leave him in hope his eyes trail rather after your supple hips and swishing tail, and not your, you know, the problem you're going to fix right now
>…
>You reach your destination in higher spirit than you left the Slut Horse
>The hour is still young, and to your surprise, no queue to the Hive is made
>No guard is visible at the front doors either
>You stay in the shadows of the shorter buildings until you confirm it must be too early for them to run a party
>Even those bug-looking helmet-wearing backstabbing ponies need their rest

>With renewed vigor you get next to the club, and walk into the dead end road leading to the ripper's doc clinic
>All the trashy cartons from before are gone, and no sign of anypony
>You lurk from behind a wall to see are the club's backdoor open, but there's not, and no sign of ponies, either
>It feels sort of weird to be in the partying district of lower canterlot at this time of day
>You glare at the red brick wall at the end of the street
>Reminds you of the abandoned hoof factory
>Must been built around the same time
>When the thought is digested, you face the office's door
>The flickering light bulb and no sign in the door
>You push the door and they open with an archaic door-bell ring hanged above, almost pushing you into memories of visiting Ponyville's shops
>So much about your not-so-sneaky entrance
>Letting yourself into the small room, you notice no change in the furniture
>"I'm coming!"
>The male's voice comes from the insides of the next room, to which you wander off
>This is ripper's doc sacred temple, and it looks different than before
>The lamps above giving everything an uneasy red hue
>The metal operating table is moved to aside; where it stood before now stands a hybrid of a bastard child between a chair and a couch
>Both with a full sets of monitors and various prodding instruments
>The wooden crates under the walls seems to be more sorted and overall more exposed to a potential client, giving the place a more professional look
>The stallion that helped you with the sprained ankle comes out from a backroom
>A bit of hay sticking out of his snout
>"Ah, how can I help you? And how's the leg?"
>You give him a small smile for recognizing you
"I want to tell thanks for fixing my leg."
>"Already? That's pretty damn fast. Get on the table, we will see what's going on."
>You take a step towards it, but stop
>With standing side-wise to the medic pony, your hind hoof raises as high as you can dare to, without revealing your more sensitive bits

>Rarity would probably laugh at you
>The colt gives you a curious look
>You follow to move the hoof up and down without causing any pain or feeling any thickening of your muscles that would imply you're not fine
>His voice full of amusement
>"Well, what do you know."
>He shortens the distance and finishes his breakfast
>"So, what do you think of this place? Does it look better?"
"It does. Last time it didn't look like it, but now you can give a medical center a run for their money."
>His laughter makes you smile
>"Thanks!"
>As much as you like to ignore it, you came here for a reason
>You point a leg at your wounded ear
"Can you see what can you do about this?"
>His whole body tenses when his eyes meets your one third of a raised ear
>He blinks and cocks his head to a side, then waves for you to get on the chair in the middle of the room
>You exhale the breath you didn't know you were holding
>The weird sitting place is made in the way so your legs are pulled to your sides and your belly gets exposed
>Certain unpleasant slickness wakes up in your nether region
>This is the worst time to think of that, Twilight Sparkle
>No inner Twilight Sparkle answers your berating
>Probably too busy making you be miserable
>Many of the screens turns on, and almost all of them is white and black
>The colt whose colors you can't name due to the red hue pulls out medical instrument and starts to touch your ear
>It doesn't even tingle when he touches the meat-heap
>A sting of pain and a sharply inhale accompany the place where your ear connects the head
>He puts the tool down, and pick ups another one
>Exact same procedure generates exact same effects
>After a while, he faces you with a grim smile
>"It's completely blown off."
"I tore it."
>"Which explains why you still have hearing on your left side, but if an infection settles in you may lose not only what's left. When did it happen?"
>Can you tell him?
>Won't he connect the dots?

>Now that you think of it, you did not hear about the events in the docks in any form of media
>Nor did you look for it
>You let out a helpless sigh
>"No, don't tell me."
>Your good ear perks up
>"The less I know the safer we are."
>Huh
>It only confirms what you supposed about the business this pony is running
>You would be lying if you did not say it's both relaxing and unnerving at the same time
>Didn't you play this card with Light Breeze recently?
>It makes sense
>"Listen to me very carefully. If this kind of wound happened recently, and I mean, in a day, and it looks like that, then it's out of my expertise."
>You look at his face scrunches ever so slightly
>"We met, like, when?"
>The silence prompts you to speak
"Around a week ago?"
>"Right. Let's say a week. What I'm trying to say is - this doesn't look like any wound I have dealt with. The auricle is broken and won't hold it's own weight. You probably noticed that already."
>You nod
>"The thing is, the brim of the wounds is clear. You said you torn it, but all I see is a clear cut and maybe some burnt coat."
>You nod, understanding even less than before
>"I would love to reconstruct it, but I think I'm not good enough of a prop maker to tie the tissue effectively. Does it hurt when you move it?"
"It doesn't."
>To prove it, you raise the caricature of an ear
>Your doctor grimaces in disgust
>"Yeah, there is something wrong with it I can't put my hoof on what. If it happened just after we met, it should be burning with infection with how much blood gathered just under the skin. If it happened this morning, it should be bleeding like a pig. You know what's a pig, right?"
>He continues
>"What does hurt?"
"The moment when you touch the scalp of my head. That's when it stings, as if you were putting something sharp through my skull."
>"Does it burn when I take my hoof away?"
>You jerk to stop him
"No need. It doesn't. It hurts only on contact."
>"Does it bleed?"
"Not anymore."

>Isn't it a bit weird he asked that?
>His eyes close as gets deeper into his zone
>With a head full of ideas he clicks his tongue and eyes you suspiciously
>"It's either you got some hidden head trauma and the ear issue has no connection to it, or- no, there is nothing else, really."
>You think of it for a moment and dare to ask
"No other possible explanation, no matter how stretched it would be?"
>The half grin on his face makes him look old and unattractive
>Which is good, considering the wetting circumstances
>You don't even let the thought of getting physically incapacitated to be considered as a foreplay
>Nu-uh
>"Well, if I could fantasize, then I say there is a chance of pain being caused by the open wound, but it should cease the moment you cauterized it, which looks like it. Hold on, did you?"
>As if you knew
"Maybe. I had somepony else to tend to me, but she is no medic."
>"The pain should be unbelievable. Then I would like to meet that pony, because I've never seen a clear burning like this. Do you know what method or tools she used to clean it?"
"Not at all."
>"Shame. Knowledge like that could be worth enough to migrate to Upper Canterlot. I'm be back in a minute."
>The colt disappears on the back-room
>You sling down from the comfiness of the medic chair and drop to your hooves
>Having time to let your mind wander around is a god sent
>He mentioned the wounded ear should be either rotting off or bleeding like crazy
>None of these is happening, that's sure
>And you can move it, just not the way you used to
>He mentioned some burn marks, but did not think of your wound being cleaned with fire
>At the mention your legs shivered, it's no different now
>Did Motherly Twilight Sparkle tend to your wound with that?
>No, it didn't hurt that much, yet you were still bleeding, according to her
>That's weird
>Is it possible the arcane bomb cleaned the wound for you?
>That's... you won't know for sure, and there's no pony else to ask

>Maybe fellow Twilight Sparkle's would know, but to contact them just to ask this sounds like a stretch of goodwill
>You rub the head where it hurts
>A certain node is distinguishable under the frog of your hoof
>If you didn't know any better you would say, you earn a bruise, but when?
>And then you begin to laugh
>"What? What's happening?"
>The worried look on his face causing you to laugh even harder
>How could you forget you fought in hoof-to-hoof, and that you were losing at least once?
>Or that the bomb sent you flying, and maybe whole your body burnt at the moment, but you had to land at some place
>Whatever the issue is, you should be totally fine
>Spare for the missing pieces of the ear, which you could just keep under a hat until the moment you need to transfix somepony in the future
>At least as long as no infection gets place
>The worst is, you can't explain it to the poor medic pony
>He wouldn't get it
>Or maybe he will?
"Nothing, sorry. I'm just surprised by my silliness. You see, I forgot that I fell down the stairs. I must have hurt myself in the head and forget about it."
>His worry quickly turns into a scrutinizing gaze
>"Well, that would explain some things, but to forget something like that, you would have to get hit really hard. I would like to run a concussion test on you to make sure you're fine. It gonna cost, though, as you don't have a doctor's note."
>You decided to play along
"How much?"
>…
>With 55 crebits less on your card (and 5280 on it! woohoo!), you learn that your skull is not cracked, and your brain never was better
>The former is a fact, the latter is up for discussion
"Am I good to go?"
>You say slipping down the chair, again
>"That depends. You may be fine in the mental department, but... Don't you want to have your ear fixed?"
"What do you mean?"
>He fetches a catalog from one of the crates
>"You see, it's only a matter of time before your flappy ear will begin to cause you problems of many natures."

>He points at the booklet displaying three brand new cybernetic ears
>One of them with customable coat color, one of them dull metallic, and the last covered with chrome
>"-and they have the ability to improve your hearing from certain distances-"
>The pony that you took for a medic now is mid inside his sale-pony spiel
>"-you could go to a medic center and get your ear cloned, but where's fun with that? Where's progress?"
>He just goes, and goes
>"and don't get me even started on the second hand transplantation. A used ear will never serve you as good as those babies. And frankly speaking, it's just disgusting to reuse somepony's organs, won't you agree? That's your decision, though. If I were you I would go with the chrome one. It's the most bad-arse looking."
>Your stupid smile matches his, and his ears perk up in well sold deal
"I will need time to think of it."
>His expression falls for a fraction of a second
>"Yes, o-of course. That's not an easy decision. You should take your time."
>You don't let yourself be stopped any time more
>The time read off your crebit card says it's just after eleven am
>You grab the smallest brochure titled "Ear gone? What now?" from the heart-broken pony's grip on your way out
>What?
>You really need time to think about what to do with this stump, and he seemed too much set on selling you one product over other options
>You're a smart filly
>Not smart enough to not lose an ear to a janitor's closet, though
>Gaah
A - go to the Hive to confront Kar and the boss whatever her name is
B - go to a library to dig the information you may be missing about this city
Y - go to a clothes shop to get something to hide your purpleness
X - go to a medical center to compare prices
Z - go to Gun&Run or whatever the shop's name was, the one where you can buy a small pistol
:AAAAAA~1:  - to speed up time for all the picked options 
:AAAAAA~1: YB

>Equipped in a gray hoodie, and a fitting bean hat, you feel far more secure
>Not that clothes magically hide the color of your coat, at least not from Twilight Sparkles and not for you, but…
>You are aware of this odd thing when other ponies that are complete strangers can't instantly recognize a pony when they're wearing something
>Like the glasses gotten from the self-called statistic worker of the citadel
>They were enough for most ponies to never suspect you are not who they think you are
>Isn't that kinda weird?
>Are all ponies this gullible?
>You know they are not innocent
>The story of the sunken city another Twilight Sparkle and Light Breeze came from, which name you can't place a hoof on right now, clearly states of the world-ending scenarios happening on the streets as the sea level was rising
>Now, that you think of it, being aware of this property and not asking the rebellious cell of Twilight Sparkles about noticing the same... resurfaces with embarrassment
>The reflection of yours in the mirror presents undoubtedly you, albeit rose-cheeked
>The simple, zipper-less, gray hoodie lays surprisingly well on your coat, and the color is just right; not too dark, not too light
>Very soft on the inside, and if the tag can be trusted very durable on the outside
>Albeit the lack of washing information is odd
>The hat keeping your bangs under it isn't your first choice; having something less boyish in mind you tried many of them
>Or at least tried
>Each one either not allowed your ear to be tucked under it, or, if it did, it was too loose to keep it hidden, and when it did both, rubbed the bruise next to the ear
>The mare in the mirror blinks in surprise
>She- that is you! - is missing only glasses to look like a Canter U student
>Happy with the set you leave the Hoof-Mart Mart lighter for couple of bits
>Around 5100 still on your soul
>...

>You find the closest Hoof-brary to be placed just outside your living district
>The seven floors towering above the entrance are living space, while the street level is doubled in height and must have been some sort of bar or shop before the Canterlot Dome was finished
>Before entering, as usual, you long in the door for a bit to remember the surrounding terrain
>As much as the new outfit puts your poor nerves on ease, you won't let yourself be unprepared
>...
>The place is different from what you imagined
>Back in Ponyville, different Ponyville that the one you could visit here, you used to live in the treebrary
>That's common knowledge for Twilight Sparkles
>Around half or less of you did
>What you see in front of you is an open space, with no book-shelf in sight, with a front desk and automatic doors that open when the librarian decides so
>You steps are light yet still marks your coming in the empty lobby
>A mare sitting behind a desk looks up to meet your eyes through a glass screen
>"Hello. Welcome to the Canterlot Library number 42. How can I help you?"
"I want to get access to the history section."
>She looks back down to whatever she was doing before
>After you not moving, as you probably were supposed to, her gaze returns with brows raised
>"Well, why won't you get in through the doors, then?"
>The machine she points at looks like a rotating gate with some sort of a metal detector
>You look back at her
"It's my first time in a library like this. Where are the books?"
>"The books-"
>The mare's shocked face freezes before her eyelids flutter
>"We don't have books. This is not a book shop. This is a library. Is it some kind of a joke? Wait a minute... Are you new in the town?"
>You shrug, causing the mare to shake her head in what you think is professional amusement of sorts
>"Do you have a name? I need to type you into the terminal. Get into the gate so we can proceed."
>Shit

>Now, should you tell her or fake it?
"My name is Twilight Sparkle."
>A light on the metal detector with bars with stadium-like round entrance turn on just as you steal a glance
>You take a cautious step and push it so you can enter
>A keyboard getting is getting typed on
>Her brows knit as she focuses on the screen you cannot see
>The machine beeps and bars closes you on each side
>A second later, another beep, and the bars open letting you enter a bigger room, with couple colorful ponies standing or sitting on chair next to tables which filled the place
>The light is dimmed
>A small tree grows out of the floor in the center of the place; its branches unnaturally thin, unusually long and facing upwards as if summoned to grab the high ceiling
>It drags itself along it, and only then allowed to grow patches of small unhealthy colored leaves
>The sight is otherworldly; it's easy to forget what you came here for
>As far as the libraries go, you are lost
>You turn to the booth and the mare is patiently waiting for you
>"Are you sure you have never been registered in the Canterlot Library System?"
>Of course!
>A different Twilight Sparkle must used their services in the past!
"I am positive. Why?"
>You end with a light smile
>Her natural librarian instinct warns her about something fishy, that much is visible
>"I have a record of a pony of this name and her bio-data matches yours, but you can't be her."
>Uh oh
>"Unless you are at least Forty-Two years old, plus all the years before registering."
>She must mean the first encounter a Twilight Sparkle walked into Canterlot Library!
>That means you would have to be at least Fifty-Eight years old to get a book borrowed on your responsibility!
>You're not even twenty!
>Thoughts are swirling in your head, but you're not the only one trying to crack this mystery
>The mare's voice have had the tingle of irritated animal to it since the begging, but now it gets covered in deep curiosity, as if a sour hard candy bathed in chocolate

"I'm not sure, but I was named after a great grand Aunt. Maybe the record belongs to her."
>Her judging gaze relaxes
>She returns to shuffling things around her working space
>"The machines back then weren't as precise as today's, but our bio-processor got transported here from the Upper Canterlot. It takes the discrepancies into account, yet it's positive you and your Great Grand Aunt is the very same pony. Which can mean only one thing…"
"... That there is something wrong with that processing-unit."
>She clicks her tongue, offering you a half-smile
>"I would rather fancy the idea you are a time traveler, but we both know which one is more probable."
>Once again, back to shuffling things around
"What am I supposed to do now? As I said, I'm from a backwater village. Not quite grasping the concept of book-less library."
>"I will have you to accept the Terms of Service at any terminal. Were you here half a year ago, you would get a bio-metric card, but since the change you can access the system at will. Just put the your crebit card next to the screen and type question into it."
>Well, if isn't this futuristic
"And what if I want to get a book or news out with me?"
>"That's where the cost comes into play. Each article has a small fee if you want to copy it. If you choose so, we can lend you a library's hoof-reader, except we are out of them. Do you have any other question?"

>You bow and leave the old mare to whatever else she does in free time
>If your job experience is still relevant, and you're sure it is, she is going back to reading!
>And so do you
>The terminal you pick is in a corner, in a place with great visibility of all what's happening in the room
>Not that much is, just to be sure
>Before you place the crebit card into the red rectangle you confirm the sum you have and notice the orange letters on black thin piece of metal shines, making them most readable than ever before
>The screen turns on and basic information is displayed
>It does ask you to not ruin the work-station for future users, to stay quiet while searching, and to be wary that the search history may be used for statistical and scientific purposes
>A white page in with a blinking black line in the middle of the screen shows up
>The conveniently placed screen, just under your head, allows the user to crane it's neck in a position well accustomed to by real scholars
>Then a thought hits you
>You don't know how much will it take to find something useful
>Better prioritize things before you run out of time and have to go to meet Bobby, Pin, or Chalk, whatever
>You look down and begin your quest
A - search for Canterlot's past around the age the first Twilight Sparkle came to the Libraries
B - search for the latest news about explosions in docks and buildings collapsing
Y - search for what happened to Baltimare to get to know what Light Breeze and her other Twilight Sparkle went through
X - search for... library's user repository and, in it, for Twilight Sparkle
Z - [free space]
BYYZ
z- wtf is up with magic?

>Your hooves dance on the keyboard, typing in couple easy, testing phrases
>It's not your first time with a Get-machine
>You know it's the best practice to know how the system handles sorting and filtering, even in a rough approximation
>"Lower Canterlot" presents you with a white screen with lines
>Each of them representing one position in the general database, according to the Fetch-timer in the top right corner
>You quickly figure out arrows works to jump between pick-able volumes or words, and Enter and Back to get in and out
>Well, that was easy, but why wouldn't it be?
>You pull your head up from the screen and look around the dimmed room
>All of the few ponies at their own terminals stand proudly
>They must have experience in this kind of forced pose, so you adapt it now, that you aren't tired
>As you think nopony is going to move, one of the stallions proves them not being marble statues
>He yawns and uses on of his forelegs to rub his face, before returning to scanning the screen before him
>His eyes scan the room, noticing you staring
>The corners of his lips raise into a shy smile
>Good manners orders you to at least bow in response
>He shuffles his legs in place and quickly returns to his lecture
>Once again the room rests covered in silence so thick you can hear your heartbeat
>The tree in the middle could make you forget what are you supposed to do here, but the flickering screen reminds you by keeping your progress, or the lack of it
>You try with different catch-phrases
>They work, until you type in question
>No longer sentence really work the way you could hope for
>The system still tries to look for the most fitting books
>It doesn't answer questions, it suggests at least three hundred page long volumes that dissect the subject into more academic dispute
>Sounds lovely, but you don't now have time for it
>Or ever, no matter how interesting "Steamed Clams and Baltimare's Cuisine Destruction" can be
>"What Happened to Baltimare's Hoof Ball Team?"

>"Happened in Baltimare: The Tales of Mare Noir."
>You try some more historical sounding titles, but they talk about ages-long-gone instead!
>Why is this place filled with fiction so much?
>And why is there no encyclopedia?!
>Encyclopedia! That's it!
>You find the newest edition at the top of the catalog and it allows you to get some basic information without spending hours of reading through garbage!
>…
>You spent hours reading through garbage
>The basic information were an immense help to get the right words to get the right positions, they did not hold much value for you by themselves
>You already knew Baltimare was submerged in the ocean
>Why?
>Not due to the rising sea-level which was propagated by all the news-corporations, but to the fact the city was built on a small tectonic plate which somehow slid under the water level faster than expected
>The Baltimare Council, before got disbanded and put in chains by Equestrian Federal Government, blamed on the gangs for thwarting their attempts to save the city
>The said ganger-ponies responded with a law-suit in the highest Equine Court and provided proves of the Council being as corrupt as cheese, and won
>You would think these 'gang members' were concerned families and protesters
>Nope, the pictures attacked shows ponies born under a dark moon, that is, if you aimed to insult Princess Luna's domain
>This is not the story you expected
>Not at all
>At least you learn some random facts about the non-existing town, in case Light Breeze decide to interrogate you
>Not that she would
>Unless?
>Checking the 'Equestrian Federal Government' comes with no small fear in your heart
>Princess Celestia and Princess Luna established a central organ of administration before closing themselves in the Sky Palace for an eternity
>A religion could be made out of it
>It's not the worst possibility of all, but why did you never before reach to get those basic data?

>This bothered you for some time already, but facing the answers to rather simple questions forces those unpleasant to cloud your head
>You briefly check the time on your crebit card and it's not that late
>The cute stallion from before catches your eye when you look up
>…
>You could have begin with looking for a news article search tool, for there is one atop the book positions
>The white screen turns into washed out green, and letters receive an 'upgrade' to italics, but the 'search an article by words' at the top is what you sought for
>The yesterday's paper issues gets summoned and-
>Yup, there they are
>"An explosion of unknown materials in the Lower Canterlot storage. Full scale investigation announced by the Canterlot Chancellor. Inaccuracies in quantity documentation. Black Mare refuses to comment."
>Re-reading the articles is a must
>There's no mention of any copy of what the cameras recorded
>You didn't think of it before, because even if you got recorded, then what?
>A Twilight Sparkle like you have no characteristic
>The thought of causing problems to a random Citadel's Twilight Sparkle by similarity amuses you >Alas, no chance for that; unless the recording wasn't deleted
>But again, only if it exists, and even if, then you kept the guard's hat on, keeping your ear, your only recognition mark, safe
>So, the Canterlot has a Chancellor
>Is it possible to meet that pony?
>What interest could you have with them?
>Are they aware of the Citadel?
>No idea
>You check for "Twilight Sparkle Citadel", but the only book or news article is about a best seller "Still: Better Love Story Than Twilight"
>There's no "Twilight" book, though
>Maybe that's for the better
>Since you're here, you can as well check what happened to previous apartment
>"A construction failure leading to the building partially collapsing and being terminated for deconstructions. Miraculously nopony got hurt. Homeless ponies herded to the Canterlot Stadium for now."

>Because don't know it was an attack of a Spec Ops team
>Can't really blame them, now can you, Twilight Sparkle?
>Shut up
>...
>You search for "Magic"
>There are many theory books from the past
>You skim through them to find what you remember from your foal-time lectures, but these are written in highly academical language which no filly would trudge through
>It seems like magic never really got big in this Equestria, and the recent scientific breakthrough in developing and popularizing the simplest spells possible is a recent history
>Only a few positions in the last fifty years or so
>All of them written and published by a think tank named "Purple"
>Yea, no wonder who's behind it
>Which is weird
>Why is the Citadel sharing it's knowledge with these ponies?
>Is it some social-test?
>You could using your magic until you were forced to join the Twilight Sparkle's Citadel
>After that... poof, magic's gone
>And now you're here
>You ran away, but how exactly?
>Half a year ago isn't that far
>You remember fighting against somepony trying to stop you, and then using the teleport chamber
>Without knowing where exactly would you land it was highly suicidal
>Yet it was attuned to this place; a place with its own Rarity, and Applejack, and Scootaloo
>And you
>What happened to the original Twilight Sparkle of this place?
>You don't know, and why would you know?
>There's no way to learn that
>Not without getting in touch with the Citadel itself!
>How could you even to that?
>And what for?
>To get back into the Citadel to- what?
>Tell them they are mean?
>That's ridiculous!
>You, Twilight Sparkle, you are a mare of good laughter
>Why, thank you, Twilight Sparkle, the best possible audience
>Somepony's hoof musters your side!
>You crouch and turn ready to push back the assailant-
>Only to find it's the old lady librarian, with a troubled expression
>"It's OK. All's alright."
>Her soothing tone takes you by surprise
>"Whatever happened it's gone now. You're safe."

>A quick glance around and the place is completely empty if not for you and the librarian
>"I'm sorry I bother you, but you started to talk to yourself, and then…"
>She holds a hoof out
>Your leg raises out of instinct
>It freezes when the elderly mare places a piece of material in your hoof and proceeds to mimic using an invisible tissue to wipe her eyes
>"So I thought I will come and ask."
>You only observe the mare with your heard emptied out of everything
>When she lets her hoof fall to the floor the other legs cease to tremble
>Only now it becomes clear the mare is afraid; either of you, or for you
"No, I... I'm fine, now. Thank you. I meant it."
>She reacts to your small smile with a sage nod and turns her back to you, returning to her position at the booth
>When she's half the way to it, she stop and turns back to tell you
>"We are closing in half an hour. You can stay, but you were here for couple hours without a break. Learning can be taxing, I know. We are open each day of the working week."
>The last words are spoken as she nears her semi-office
>You look at the screen, then at the empty room, finally at the tall tree
>It's long branches reach up to where you are
>The bushes of leafs on the roof are only above the terminals
>The time shows half to eight pm
>Something clicks in your head and you suddenly know what to do
>Or so you hope you do

A - Go to Mane to meet Chalk
B - Go to Silent Hill to visit Light Breeze
Y - Go to the abandoned horse-shoe factory to grab Twilight Sparkles
X - Go to the Barn to look for Scoolatoo
Z - Go to the Hive to confront Kar the Operator
BZ

>Your bristle pace leads you back to the Silent Hill motel, but not before you say goodbye to the older librarian that was so helpful to you
>It feels almost sacrilegious to go leave the temple of knowledge, which the Canterlot Library number 42 undoubtedly is
>Not due to finally being able to use the system more efficiently than a new-born filly, but entering the yellow and white streets lamps lit streets assaults your eyes after spending a better portion of a day in a dimly-lit room
>The firmament of sky is not long since veiled in deep blue, starred with shining dots in the exact spots as every night, as you reach the sea of ponies which the early night market becomes
>Before the door to the motel can close after you a loud noise crossed between laughter and clucking raise your awareness
>Nothing comes to attack you
>Through the glass in the doors the usual griffons sitting in the bar atop the main entrance to the market are spilling their drinks over something
>You would stall a minute longer if not for the door to open again when you press the snout to it
>The Kirin sitting in the kirin-booth is a constant for this place, but this one you've never seen before
>His light green eyes abandon whatever show he has been watching and find yours
>"Welcome to the- Ah."
>He cuts shortly as he notices your 314 cubit card is placed it at the screen built into the counter
>"Do you wish to move out?"
>Why would you?
"No. I want to know how much bits is still no the card."
>The answers pops up before you get to finish
"Does it mean I won't be able to enter today with sixty crebits on the device?"
>The blue kirin shakes his head
>"Only if you try to enter after the midnight. At least fifty bits must be on the card to be allowed in, but you already know that. Don't you?"
>You do
>As you're safely securing the motel card into your impenetrable chest fluff he tries to convince you to paying extra for faster pony-net access
>Good luck with that

>"You know, we're going to open the third floor sometime soon, if you want to grab a fresh cubit out of factory you can sign in on the waiting list."
>You wave him a goodbye and close to the second pair of doors
>Then you stop and turn back to him
"Can I sign for two?"
>…
>Is it you or the place seems more crowded than usual?
>By the general rule, anyplace seems more crowded than a library
>You find your bulk unmolested by any unwanted pone-sona
>Only after making sure you're not trailed you head towards Light Breeze's cubit
>She doesn't open
>Maybe you came too early for her to return from work?
>Or something else stopped her?
>Before any panic can dawn upon your purple (at the moment!) mind, a mare opening the cubit few numbers down to your left speaks up
>"Ah, you're looking for Light Breeze? I passed her on my way from under the shower. Not more than two minutes ago."
>Her smile disappears into a towel as she is wiping the droplets off her face
>You toss her a spare 'thanks' and, with newfound knowledge, go to take a bath
>But first... you have to disrobe in your own cubit!
>…
>After tuning from A to B, from B to A, you finally reach the vast showers
>Only the crebit and the motel cards hang loose in a plastic pendant around your neck
>The mare's shower-room (or a hall!) once again reminds you more of a military solution, but regular ponies don't need much privacy in this aspect
>The lack of even symbolic partition walls doesn't weird you out as much as it should, and you're fair aware of it
>The unlimited amount of warm water is a perk too great to be bothered by showing your sensitive parts to other mares around you
>It's not that anypony is actually paying attention to others - not outright impossible or lacking in purpose, but, hey, the fog is so thick!
>On the other hoof, it doesn't stops you from instantly spotting the mare in question
>Blue fur and beige mane isn't that much common among the mares in the room
>Purple isn't, too
>No time for that!

>You approach the mare without making a sound
>She's scrubbing the top of her head and begins to coat her mane in the freely provided "Your average marre conditioner", aka, soap
"Do you need a hoof?"
>A yelp leaves her throat as she jerks in place and takes in a full sight of you
>Her smile broadens
>You find yourself covered in water in no time, as she prance to hug you
>The two chests hitting each other
"Oof."
>"Sorry."
>Her embarrassed cheeks shine as she kicks the tiled floor
>When she raises her eyes they fall the side of your head and an involuntary grimace disappears an eye-blink too late to be unnoticeable
>Her brows furrow
"I know, I know."
>You didn't do anything with your ruined ear
>Why would you decide on anything yet?
>There's still time
>Uh oh
>She's probably expecting an answer
"Move aside. I will help you."
>You don't wait for an answer, grab a hoof-full of lotion and covering her mane in it
>Light Breeze shrugs to herself and allows you to pamper you for a little while
>You touch her soft sides with her bath-brush, tenderizing the flesh under it to her satisfaction
>Once she's properly rinsed she puts a hoof at your shoulder
>"Now it's my turn."
>You don't object
>Why would you
>Her hooves gently rub and tug at your mane, knead your sides, massage your back and eventually leaves only the underside to be cleaned by yourself
>All of it still under the warm shower
>Isn't it nice to have a buddy?
>…
>Both of you find yourself at your tight cubit, as it's the one closer to the showers
>Side to side with her, you relation the day to until you finish
"So, in a summary, I spent the day at the library."
>She cocks her cute head to a side
>"And it took you so long to read about the basic knowledge of this city?"
>Er, when she talks about it like that
>Horseapples!
>You almost forgot she doesn't know about multiple Twilight Sparkles!

"Yeeaaa, no. I tried to find something useful about getting to my previous employer's back. It's so hard to find any mention of them."
>She nods and nudges her head to yours
>"Well, now it makes more sense."
>Then she tells you about her day as a manager of a kirin restaurant in the kirin-town
"Wait, are you a manager? I thought you're a waiter."
>She shares a giggle with you
>"Oh, stop it, you."
"No, seriously, who are you?"
>Her eyes widens, her jaw hangs open
>You drape her leg with your hoof, giving her a grin
>"Not funny!"
>Her voice echos through the metal box
>"Sorry."
>You're still grinning
>"Maybe a bit funny."
>…
"Did you hear at work anything about the docks?"
>"No, I didn't, unless you mean the explosion at the noodle pit."
"Noodle pit?"
>"Are you trying to tell me it was your doing?!"
"... No?"
>"Oh, ok, then."
>…
"You know, the kirin staff said they are going to open the third floor as a brand new section. I asked to get us two cubits next to another."
>She burts in laughter
>"You did? So did I!"
>…
>"So, what are you going to do now?"
"With what?"
>"With everything. Your past employer, and tonight."
>Didn't you have to meet Chalk at the Mane?
>You have money
>Maybe he will have a way to…
>To what?
>To find a Twilight Sparkle?
>Scootaloo is a detective, right?
>She could be hired to do the same... 
>Are you really going to go after the citadel?
>It won't hurt to ask!
>Light Breeze nuzzles to you a bit more, humming a song
>Was she always this affectionate?
>"Tomorrow's a day off, so I could go with you."

A - Go to the Mane to find Chalk, and maybe Open Tab
B - Go to the Barn to find Scootaloo
Y - Go to the Hive to confront Kar
X - [Free space/Lack of other things to do]
1 - Take Light Breeze with you
2 - Leave Light Breeze at the motel
A2

>You find an excuse to leave Light Breeze at the motel
"Do I really need an excuse?"
>"An excuse?"
"To go to a place alone."
>Her pout is a weapon to surpass metal beads
>That's the price that must be paid
>"Ok, but if you believe I won't go and party on myself then you're wrong, mare!"
>After this you sneak out to the Mane at a young hour into the night
>...
>An incredibly buffed stallion, wearing a waiter's suit, opens to the door to the Mane for you
>You try not to linger there, but isn't it nice to be somewhere welcomed?
>No matter you're just another client to these mafia ponies
>Even worse; with the bean hat and hoodie on your back you do remind more of a Hench-pony than a business-mare, which you undoubtedly are!
>To some extend
>The place doesn't look different from when you were here the last time
>Still filled with open spaces and half-walls
>No chance to conceal any weapon, be it cute pills, or estrogen injectors
>However, the few patrons at the place give it rather a grave atmosphere
>Almost as many staff as the clients, and the bar is empty
>Something tells you that compared to Rarity's Slut House this establishment doesn't have to rely only on the official income
>You take a place on a bar stool
>The mare behind the counter quickly notices you and her smile grows to an ear-to-ear grin
>His pupils dilate even before she speaks
>"Well, hello there~ What can I do for you?"
>You're Twilight Sparkle and you aren't easily fluttered
"Or maybe, what can I do to you~"
>Her eyes widen in surprise, and for a moment a tint of pink shows up on her cheeks
>The bar-mare doesn't break eye contact as her hooves work with intense precision to pour her a glass of tap water
>Neither of you blink as she chugs it down
>Her throat exposed and moving up and down along each gulp
"Remember to breath."
>The mare chokes on the liquid and breaks the eye contact in a coughing fit
>You feel sorry for the poor mare, yet opt to scan the surroundings

>The little tug of war display did not gain you any unwanted attention from the staff or the patrons
>Your offer of a shy sorry smile meets Open Tap wiggling eyebrows 
>"You improved your game, sister. Here, on the house~"
>You don't even buckle as she places a tall glass of yellow liquid in front of you
>A straw comes with it, and you take a quick sip to confirm it's the same juice you got the first time
>"Freshly milked."
>It's delicious, but also bothersome
>Open Tap did recognize you
>As nice as it may seem, this should not happen
>You're wearing clothes, she shouldn't know it's you, not that quickly!
>Even Light Breeze would have an issue, that's what you think
>That's of what you are certain!
>Your thinking process takes to a screeching halt as the mare's warm hoof lands on yours
>A watchful gaze she's giving you is as intense as if she tried to read your mind
>As if that was possible
>"What's wrong?"
"How did you recognize me?"
>Before you can stop, words are spoken
>Even more, a hoof of yours points to the hat, to add this as a factor to question
>Maybe it's for the best you ditched Light Breeze
>You would never admit Open Tap's smirk sends a shiver down your spine, and it's as sure as a title in a book she would notice and tease you about it
>A nervous chuckle escapes her lips, which she licks with the tip of her tongue before speaking
>"How could I forget that unicorn trot of yours~."
>What?
>You... don't have any peculiar pattern of walking
>Do you?
>No, that's impossible
>"Do you want another one?"
>The glass in front of you is empty
>You nod, and a new glass joins
>"That will be 15 bits, darling."
>It's not that you're unwilling to pay, you have the money
>There's something peculiar with the way she used the word 'darling'
>How to express it does sound warm, yet not fully genuine?
>It's hard to put your hoof on, but…
>Is it possible she doesn't remember you?
>Didn't Chalk tell you that you're her type?
>That you're 'Purple'?

>Now, wouldn't that be rude, and made her a she-beast for one colored flanks, like yours?
>So many question, so little answers
>The mare is closing the distance, lining on the bar counter, resting on elbows with her head atop the fetlocks, looking dreamily into your eyes
"How about we play a game?"
>Her fogged eyes regain some of the previous clarity
"If I win I won't have to pay for this."
>"And if I do?"
"You won't have to pay for this."
>Both your front-legs point at your head and trace down on the sides your body
>You can't get more blunt about it
>To say that gets her attention is to say nothing
>Her throat dries up as she takes a refill of the water, again, without breaking eye contact
>"What are the rules?"
"Simple. Tell me my name."
>She cocks her head to the side and chuckles
>"Ok, you win. Is there still a chance for a pay-back?"
>Her hoof gently massaging you along
>Heh
"Listen, slut. Is Chalk here yet?"
>What
>What did you do?
>The intimate atmosphere breaks like glass cut with a knife
>Or a stone, for that matter
>Your throat relaxes only to stiffen again, giving your confused whimper a timbre of angry growl
>She recoils and fall to all her hooves, almost tripping
>A shock on her face is unmistakable
>Why did you do that?!
>You turn to look around to spot any incoming waiter of the size of a bull
>It's hard to feel ashamed for not being ever-so happy about hoofing a pony half bigger than you >No pony seems concerned, though
>No pony other than Open Tap, whose face is beet red from the neck the tips of her now straight standing ears
>She raises a leg and point to the direction where, you guess, Chalk is
>Your face is burning as you give her last glance, which causes your side to tremble
>Could swear she's biting a lip
>Her eyes burn into the back of your skull as you approach the round table in a corner
>The aquarium full of small rays of light built into the wall behind marks the same place you met Chalk before

>The occupant of the booth lazily sips a wheat colored drink from a wide glass, not paying you any attention
>That is, until you take a seat
>The tiny stallion raises an eyebrow as dark as the rest of his coat in a silent question
>If not for the light from the aquarium and two white dots of his eyes he would be near invisible
>Well, this is it
>You slowly pull your beanie hat off your head and place it at the table
>His energetic eyes meet yours, then trace to your falling mane, only to stop at the ear
>Giggling internally, you humor yourself and raise the scrap of an ear 
>His pupils narrows to pinpricks
>What if you wave it forward and backwards?
>The colt doesn't even pretend he's untouched by the sight, following the movement for a moment
>Before you're done he jerks his head away in a well
>"So that's what got you busy. Twilight Sparkle was it?"
>There is something dangerous in his voice
"More or less. Do you have what I asked you for?"
>"Depends. Do you know how much trouble I had to get to this information?"
>Does it mean he knows where Spike or Applejack is? Or both?
>Best not to anger him
"Are you trying to tell me it's going to cost more, bragging about your connections, or have you been met with a dead end for real?"
>"Let's say I have nothing to tell you. What would you do?"
>Is this some sort of a test?
>Are you going to answer that?
"Can you please not waste our time? We are busy."
>Good job, Twilight Sparkle!
>That deep exhale was surely a mark of deep appreciation of your friendliness
>And then Chalk snores and sips his drink
>He raises a leg and a waiter pony, almost twice Chalk's size approach the table with a tray with a carafe and spare glasses
>The waiter-bodyguard refills his glass and is about to leave before Chalk stops him and gets a second glass of the stuff
>He pushes it to you on the table and picks up his in the air
>"Our luck is, that's not the case."
>Both of you clink and drink 

>Whatever it is, tastes well, bread-y, almost like pure sourdough
>You lips taste funny
"No dead ends. Any real problems?"
>"Nothing I couldn't get past. I only wonder who are you and what do you plan."
"I don't understand."
>"Listen, I don't do business with ponies deemed untrustworthy. Quick cash is bad for long term game. I had to know don't you work for some agency."
>You sip the Baker's Wit."
"And? Do I?"
>"I don't know. You tell me."
>There is nopony around you two and yet you feel cornered
>Not because you can't answer
>It's just hard to play poker when you don't have any cards
"I may, if you will be more precise."
>If he's irritated with you, he doesn't show it
>Probably a smart move, considering you haven't paid him yet
>"You see, Twilight Sparkle. When I tried to pull out the papers on you, turned out my hoof-tablet didn't have enough memory. And it's a new model."
"Have you tried to turn it off and on?"
>"Very funny. Ha. Ha."
>Shit
"Is your source reliable?"
>"You have nerve to ask me such a question- of course it is. What kind of a question is this?"
>Should you ask?
"Mind to disclose it?"
>"No."
"Of course. Silly of me asking."
>He looks at you some more before turning to the bottom the glass
>You too taste the rich taste pallet of bitter-sweet Bread-y goodie
"I too wonder can you be trusted."
>"Understandable."
>Somepony burts into laughter on the other side of the place
>"I still don't know can I do business with you."
>You could try to persuade him that he already went through some troubles
>That's not what you're going to do
"Oh noes. Anyways, what do you have for me?"
>Chalk has a serious case of expressing amusement by snorting and smirking or rolling his eyes, this much you figured
>And right now, he snorts and smirks 

>"Look. All I got away with are some basic recent activity logs and their addresses. One of Spike the dragon and one of Applejack the earth pony mare. Spike's is not even a real address, as far as I'm concerned, unless it's somewhere in the upper canterlot. My contacts don't reach that far. I'm more of a head to ground pony."
>It's a moment of relief for you
>He found them, and you were worried he may come up with Dragon's Den location
"How much for them?"
>"Considering the troubles I had to go through, I say twenty hundreds per contact."
>Four thousands?
>"I would really like to be able to lower the price, but the only other thing you can offer me is to sate my... curiosity. Who you really are."
>You working ear falls back, your broken ear was already there
>"Of course, that would be unprofessional of me to pry into something that a client doesn't want to share, but how can I help it? Not everyday you get to lose a tail."
>Wait, what?
"Were you followed?"
>His smile is small, because his head is small
>"Somepony sure tried."
>He pats your leg
>"Don't worry. I can make myself invisible."
>Shit
>What to do?

A - Pay for information on both
B - Pay for Spike's
Y - Pay for Applejack's
X - Ask him about something else [what]
XX
[X: literally respond "what"]
[He's interested in information about who we are and why we're everywhere. (I'm assuming he has a glut of information and not a dearth since he said he ran out of memory.)  We could throw him and the citadel both off by setting him down the path of a TSC agent instead of ours. And use that as payment.]

>Even without well trained paranoia, your innate curiosity gets better of you
"What?"
>Chalk tilts his head to a side
>"What?"
"Can you disappear? Like-"
>With magic?
>You stop yourself from asking that
>In this world, wizardry never came out of theoretical speculations, and if it did, not wide enough to make an impact on anypony
>Mentioning it would draw you a crazy pony, and you have yet to explain the concept of more than one Twilight Sparkle in the same time and place
>Because that's what you're going to do
>An incoming uphill battle to save you some money
>What's the worst that will happen?
>He refuse to sell the info?
>Better not
"Never mind. I see you can take care of yourself."
>Your damage control should be taught in the canterlot university
>You're not sure in which class or course
>Maybe in each one
>"What will it be?"
>Money, or intel; he doesn't have to finish
>You wave a hoof in an attempt to look nonchalantly
"Let me collect my thoughts. The story is quite... I just don't know where to start."
>As if on a cue, the gigantic waiter approaches you and refill your glass
>It gives you enough time to come up with a viable strategy
"I must warn you, before-hoof, that the things I'm going to say will certainly come off as incredulous and unbelievable. You may tend to think I am making jokes of you with these deliberate lies, but I assure you, none of what I say is in any degree farther from truth than us both sitting here in this bar."
>His eyes focus on yours, and his ears slowly rise as you speak until they reach their tallest point
>He motions you with a hoof
"But first things first. How high a discount is on the table?"
>Chalk's forehead dons a deepening frown, which, due to his black coating in a dim place, is almost imperceptible
>His ears doesn't fall to his head, thought, betraying curiosity or something else what you can't name
>"That depends."
>Words seeps past his lips
"On what?"
>Dramatic pause 

"If on the believability of my words then we can already do the payment in full the price and not bother with talking about it."
>You bait with a bare bone and turn towards your glass
>The drink does taste exquisite
>Hold on, how much will it cost?
>It's not the best time to come off as nervous, but you can't help your thoughts!
>A hoof clops the table
>"Fine. You're going to tell the full story of what in tarnation is going on with your personal files, and if it feels plausible, you will pay half the price, but for both."
>That's a good deal, but it's not the best you can get
>What makes you think that?
>He is still talking with you
"No. I am going to tell exactly what is going on, and whether you can accept it as true, or not, the price gets halved. I won't waste my time trying to prove the truth if you refuse to think out of the box, because, oh, stallion, you will not want to believe me."
>The black stallion's eyes pierce through your skull and find nothing that could justify to break the negotiations
>He speaks, albeit reluctantly
>"Only if it makes sense."
>Not completely happy with the promise, you motion him to scoot closer
"You said something about my personal files. I get you have contacts to some police or administrative system. Definitely with an archive functionalities. Am I right?"
>A tiny scrunch on a tiny snout
>This mare should have been a mare with how adorably dangerous he is
"You don't have to answer, Chalk. The details doesn't matter. Do you know the concept of an impersonation account?"
>"Of course. However, it raises additional questions. How would a pony like you be so influential to change the data-banks, but not being able to find somepony in a whim? That's what it is?"
"No. Well, maybe in some regards. As you said, to change the city records is improbable task. Heck, even the library system is well protected, and that one seems ancient."
>"Because it is."

>The colt chews on his lower lip
"Two words. Dummy entries."
>"What do you mean?"
>The confusion in his voice is almost tangible
"What if I tell you that there is a way to drop all types of official actions into somepony else's account? Like a non-existing one that will be created and kept alive only to have access to the canterlot services, or the crebit cards?"
>His ears flickers, but his eyes doesn't waves
>"Then I would call you crazy. The crebit cards are tied to the user by the genetics and they cannot be over-written by any known power in the ever expanding universe. That's how they work. That's why they work."
"I agree. It would be impossible to interfere with that."
>He breaks the eye-contact for long enough to roll eyes
>"We're back at the entry point."
>Or so he thinks
"Not really. I got you to agree the city council's system, whatever it is, is impenetrable with fake inputs. Only legitimate, automatized information gets into it."
>That's where you order another round of the drinks
>None of you say a word until the pony exit the ear-shot distance
>You notice the place begins to feel with more patrons and the tables on your left and right may eventually get filled
>That would make you unable to continue
>Better hurry up
"Since the entries cannot be fake, they must be legitimate, right?"
>He doesn't answer, scanning your face for any sign of telling lies
>Woe is him, he won't find anything; you're already purple!
"Once again, whatever, wherever you found - it doesn't belong to me."
>"Are you not Twilight Sparkle?"
"I am. You can check my identity on my crebit card."
>He raises a leg to wave off the idea
>"No need to do it now."
>Which mean, to do it at all
>Surely, the data he searched through had a physical appearance description or a photo
 >"Then you're at least 60 years old. You don't look."

>At this moment the same waiter as before comes to the table to offer you a refill
>Hmm, must been lured by Chalk's waving
>You give both of them your best shy smile
>More of a grin, really
"Why, thank you."
>Once again you wait to stay alone, except this time you giggle like a little filly
>The constant intoxication finally reaching your head
>"Cut the crap."
>Uh oh
>"What are you trying to tell me?"
>Isn't it obvious?
>Wait, that's not how to speak
"And what do you think?"
>Finally, he breaks the eye contact
>"This doesn't make sense."
>Except it does
"Except, it does"
>Thank you, Twilight Sparkle
>No problem, Twilight Sparkle
>"That would mean there's an entire family named like one pony, and a quite big one, maybe far too wide for natural causes, or you're a time-traveler."
>You don't have time to wonder will he feel insulted if you burst out with laugh
>Rubbing your face helps to stop, but the damage is done
>Damage?
>You mean the atmosphere at the table become lighter
>Is that a bad thing?
>"Sweet princesses. You're completely wasted."
>A proud smile plastered on your face a sufficient proof
"At least."
>"At least, what?"
"Completely wasted."
>The stallion shakes his head
>"You're not a time-traveler, now, are you?"
>The giggling fit is what you need right now
>Oh, there it is
"Depends."
>"Yeah, I don't really believe that."
"That's the thing. Let's be real. Time travel? Puh-lease. Outruling the impossible leaves us with the possible, am I tight or am I tight?"
>Something makes him look at you funny for the first time of your short acquaintance
>"I don't want to believe your family is this big, nor every one of you bears the same name. That's impossible."
>He understands whatever he got must be real!
>You got him right where you want!
>At the table that gets free refills of this top plush stuff!
"Of course not, silly. What if- what if, I tell you, there's more Twilight Sparkles than me. Not family. Same looks and same cutie mark."

>Oh, back at the scoffing are we
>"Impossible."
"Butts would make it sense?"
>He doesn't answer
>You raise both your legs above the head in the gesture of victory
>Oh, cool, another dose of the wheat delicious
>"I will have to check it."
"Don't let them check you first."
>You wink at him, or so you think
>It's hard to see his reaction
>Black on black is maximum sneaky, not maximum readability
>Damn, you feel good
>You sit there and enjoy the smooth music that's now being played
>It's a good night for jazz
>And you finished just in the right moment; both tables around you gets filled with small parties of mob-like looking ponies
>No pony is paying you any attention
>That's nice
>No pony but the dark coated pony next to you and occasionally glimpsing bar pony
>Maybe you should later go and say hi

A - remind about the 50% discount
B - demand free data in exchange
Y - tell him more about Twilight Sparkles [what]
X - ask him about something [what]
BBbee

>The slow, rhythmic jazz swings now through the establishment for a drink or two
>Can't see the pony playing the viola from where you sit, but it doesn't bother
>You allow yourself to speak only after Chalk's black eyes make contact with yours
>That happens after another refill of this hopefully not as expensive as rich in taste drink
>Some more and you may need to visit the little fillies room
"Let's get back to business. To defeat the-"
>"Alright."
>He puts his glass back on the table and pull himself upright
>The posture he takes make you expect him to continue
>But he doesn't
>You only got interrupted
>Maybe for the better
>Nah
"Listen, you-"
>"Yes?"
>He snorts
>SNORTS
>Is he doing it to piss you off?
"I may be a little drink, but at least I'm not drunk, capisce? You promised me half the price. I promise you, you will give me all the data for free."
>The confusion on his features marks your soon-to-be victory!
"What I told you is worth far more than what you want in exchange."
>"What do you mean you will 'promise' me?"
>What?
"What?"
>"What?"
>Oh, he's really good at this
"Just give me the data, please."
>"Didn't we agree on half the price if the story is good?"
>That's not how you remember it
>What a jerk
>That gives you an idea!
"And is it good?"
>His forelegs rest on the table and his head hovers above it
>"Depends. I've never heard anything more dark and fantastical same time than this, and I read the entire Neuromare Trilogy."
"Life is more unbelievable than any three books, don't you know?"
>"Actually, the said trilogy has four books, but that's beside the point-"
>What?!
>Calling a book series a trilogy and making it four books?
>What a devil could come up with that?
>"- why do you think it's acceptable for you to ask me for my hard labor fruits for free?"
>The nerve of this colt!

"First off, not for free. I told you what's going on with the biggest mystery you've been presented with during your life. What you do with it and how you earn your bag of gold off it is your thing, mister fixer pony, not mine. For all I care, you can go right to the canterlot council or the counselor themselves and report that to them. You would be rich, as long as they do not co-operate with my name-ponies. If that's the case, you're as good as griffon kibble. Dry with extra salt."
>Ok, that's a bit wide of assumption, but the point is clear
>You're drunk
>Wait, no- he can make money, that's your point
"Second thing, who in Equestria calls four books the only word describing three books? Who does that? That's pure chaos!"
>Your not-silly question hangs in the air without an immediate answer
>His lips part, revealing a tiny grin, until his eyes fall on your hack and slash of an ear
>"Well, well, well. Call me surprised."
>You don't say anything and you don't feel embarrassed
>No, you don't
>"So you're suspecting the council to know?"
>His smirk gets replaced with a neutral expression, which is a welcoming change
>You nod
"How else would they be allowed to lurk around with so many account cards?"
>To prove it, you rustle your chest fluff to retrieve your own one
>You place it on the edge of the table
>His eyes perk up at the sight
>"Whatever is the case, ruling this out could bring doom to the poor pony reporting it. Frankly speaking, the first moment I noticed the logs were at least twice the size of an average pony I got mad at you. I'm not mad anymore, just speaking so you know."
>Is your small smile charming?
>Sure is
"Why?"
>However, you don't wait for an answer
"You felt you got set up?"
>Chalk raises a hoof to trace a circle in the air before pointing it you
>"More or less. My source is secure, but to look into files of this size without any warning felt like picking a war against an entire agency."

>You raise a brow
"And that's by fault I didn't warn you not to check me?"
>To your great surprise, in difference to a regular surprise, Chalk's black face is capable of an apologetic smile
>"Silly me."
>The local suited guard-waiter comes to refill your glasses again, but this time you put a hoof at the top of your glass
>He gets the clue
>Chalk shakes his head and the bulky pony goes his way
>You look into your empty glass
"I need the money."
>"Don't we all?"
"I need the money to get to the upper canterlot."
>"Ah."
>He sits back
>"Because I said the dragon's address is there? Can't you ask your other... yous? If what you say is true."
>He wanted to say friends
>Do you have friends you could ask about help?
>Maybe, but he said 'yous'
>Your mind is too clogged to be sure, but he probably, most-likely, certainly, meant other Twilight Sparkles
>Didn't you tell him you're a fugitive?
>Isn't it obvious?
"No, I can't."
>"Mind to tell me, why?"
>Shouldn't it be easy for an organization like that?
>That's what he meant, this time for sure
>His lips are curled into a gentle smile, but his eyes are cold
>It may be the aquarium behind his back... yet you shouldn't trust him without a limit
>Heck!
>You didn't say everything even to Light Breeze!
>Or did you?
>Hard to tell
>Definitely not so easy!
>Is money really worth it?
"It's a private matter."
>"So, nopony to help you with getting to the upper canterlot?"
"Are you offering a service?"
>"What is your relation with your sisters, from the lack of a better word?"
>What is it?
"An interrogating?"
>Did you say that?
>His small black face turns unreadable
>Oh, sweet Celestia, you said that
>Good job, Twilight Sparkle
>Fu-
>"No, I'm sorry. Old habits die hard and all that junk."
>He pulls out a leg to scratch the back of his head
>This is accompanies by a sharp chuckle and softer laughter
>You better grab the addresses and get lost
>Before he realize he can snitch you out 

>Would the Citadel even pay a third party to get their hooves dirty?
>Not unlikely!
>The music stops
>Your back straighten and you ears shot towards the lack of soothing sound
>The one still working turns towards the commotion deeper in the room
>It's the musician that packs their things and gets applauded
>There's no screaming, it's not that type of establishment, but some younger looking clientele, which is far too old for you, clops their hooves against hard surface
>Even when they do it, the sounds come muffled and not-bothering
>The crebit card screen betrays its little secret to you in small orange letters
>It's past 3 am
>How long have you spent here?
>You turn towards Chalk
>His nostrils flare at your sudden movement, but you do yourself nothing out of it
"Listen, colt, it's all nice and dandy around here, but if you don't value my intel as much as you should, let's deal and get going."
>You may be drunk, yet you hear your voice cut sharp through the silence
>His eyes narrows as he speak
>"I'm sorry, filly," he accents this word. "As much as touched me your story, this isn't a charity. I agreed to half the price and that's the best you'll get."
>Eh, whatever
>Tried your best
>You pick up your crebit card and ready for a transaction
>He produces his and the deal is done
>"I will pay for our drinks tonight, so don't worry about that."
>3280 crebits left on your card
>You hope it will be enough to find these two
>It must plaster an involuntary sour grimace on your face
>You know it does
>"It's nothing personal, mare."
>Nodding, you hold out a hoof for a small piece of paper he produced in front of you
>You quickly check the raw scribble and memorize both addresses
>One of them doesn't look legitimate; it must be from the upper canterlot
>No chance you will forget that, no matter how intoxicated you are
>That makes you think "what if these are fakes?"
>Twilight Sparkle always pays her debts
>Or something
"Are you sure these are legitimate?"

>His face blank, and very, very dark
>"Would I stay in business if I sold fake data?"
"Would you?"
>He pulls his head backwards to the wall and laugh
>It's genuine, you can tell
>"I probably would."
>Chalk, Bobby, Pin, or whatever his real name is looks pleased for the first time this night
>"Not in this bar, though, nor near around a place half as well-known as this."
>You stand away from the table and put your beacon strip of an ear under the beanie hat
>"If you'll need anything come find me. I may have a job for somepony like you. Though, it's nothing sure. Who knows what the future brings, since we don't even know how these... those ponies managed to get past the council security."
"You do manage."
>His head dismissed the thought
>"I wish. Either way, good luck with your friends, and... I don't know did I tell you, but watch out at the bar pony. She's a mare-eater."
>You leave him there and with slow, tired walk, exit the building
>Once you make sure no-pony is following you through the well lit, still crowded streets, you think of ponies who can help you to collect your thoughts
>But first: go to bed
>…
>Morning routine got you a lighter vegetable salad
>The wheat beer turned out to be pretty caloric
>3250 on the count and... probably will have to pay for more nights at the motel, soon enough

A - go find Light Breeze; she's probably at her bulk
B - go find Rarity; she's probably at work
Y - go to find Scootaloo's office
X - go to visit Twilight Sparkle's hideout
Z - go to the supposed Applejack's place
AA

>You direct your steadfast gait towards bulk number…
>Alright, can't remember right now
>Seems like yesterday's, or today's, bread beer still has a hold on you, befuddling your calm and well calculated mind
>However, that's not much of a problem
>You're Twilight Sparkle
>You remember the way
>…
>The place is packed, what isn't unusual at this hour of early... before-noon, which is a fancy way to think of waking up a tad later than usual, but not too late to be called a productive member of the society
>Not that you care
>It's neither a crime they would stay a bit quieter, no matter how impossible a wish it is
>Knocking on the cubit's door with number 405 proves fruit-less
>Even waiting a minute doesn't change the final outcome
>You knock again, in the rhythm of your head pulsing
>Nothing is left to do but to look for your friend in a different place when the cubit's door budges from inside and one red eye pops out through a thin crevice
>"What?"
>The voice coming from the hole does belong to Light Breeze, yet is cracked in the most tired way imaginable
>The eye and the ghastly voice, eventually, finds you standing in front of it, and a deep gasp, bordering with a grunt, can be heard
>Not sure what to do of it, you put the tip of a hoof in the hole and pull it to a side to reveal the mess of a pony inside
>It doesn't happen without a loud hiss on her part
>Light Breeze, because it's her, and she doesn't look bad by any means, covers her eyes with her hooves
>You don't know what to do of it, unless you realize - she suffers the common fate of late night party-goers
>From all this and covering from the light it's clear to deduct she must have drunk far more than you, or slept far shorter a time span

>Not waiting for an invitation that won't ever come, you rear yourself into her tiny cubit, between her and the bottom-bulk container filled with stuff
>The door closes behind you, or rather, in front of you, and a sigh of release from oppression is made the same moment darkness envelopes you two
>She doesn't say anything, with her breath heavy
>Her side makes way to your side, and her fore-leg makes side atop one of yours
>Does that count as nuzzling?
>You have things to do and places to be, but doesn't bother you; it's obvious one of these place-things is right here and right now
>It may be true you woke her up from her drunken agony, yet, you won't lie to yourself, she seems far beyond the capacity of being angry about anything but existence
>To prove this point, your snout scrunches involuntarily at her hot breath reaching you
>Twilight Sparkle, the intoxication inspector
>Yup, still intoxicated
>"Do you bring water?"
>That's a rhetoric question, with a raspy voice that could give Rainbow Dash a run for her bits
"No. Do you want me to get you some?"
>Her leg grabbed stronger on yours
>"Not yet. Can't stand light."
>You stifle a giggle in your throat
>Oh, wow, more snuggling, ok
"Fun night?"
>Light Breeze grunts and the thin walls carries it forward;
>"Can we just sit here?"
>In silence, she means?
>You would rather talk your recent discovery, and discuss a way to get to the upper canterlot, but, hey
>What don't you do for your friends
"Sure."
>…
>It's already half past after-noon, closing on the time the 8 pm, when the sun goes down, when your companion gets back to the living
>By the time, you have traveled for something to drink and eat for you two twice
>That makes you around 3200 crebits on the card, but you're Twilight Sparkle
>The non-whinny
>More nuzzling ensues
>"Thank you for staying with me."
"No biggie."
>Her cheek pushes into your chest, snout close to the fluff
>Grazing you with each exhale
>"You probably had plans."

>She isn't wrong, but does 'plans to make' really count as plans?
>This is where you really miss Spike the dragon the most
>Talking to yourself about semantics is fine, but talking to yourself under the pretense of talking to somepony else really connect the dots
"What are friends for?"
>A sour giggle which tone you can't really place catches you off guard
>"I don't know. Maybe leaving in the heat of action and not contacting friends for half a year least?"
>Your muscles tense
>It's not difficult to proceed what she meant
>The other Twilight Sparkles
>Plural or Singular you will never know
>You have no reason to feel the pang of guilt you do
>It's heavy in your chest, heavier than lead, or iron, of really, really heavy flanks
>This poor mare
>She senses she said something wrong, and pushes her face deeper under your leg
>"I'm sorry."
>There's nothing to be sorry about
>Not in the dark confines of this tomb called home
>Possibly not at all
>You administer well practiced head pats and hope for better
>…
>It works better than anticipated
>Soon enough, you two head under a warm shower
>The difference in her walk and posture pre-and-post this medication of hot water dripping down her frame would be easily noticeable by a blind pony
>If you're any good at estimation of a post-party state, she reached when you were, when you were when you woke up today
>That's a bit convulsed; thus, it's true!
>All badly worded wisdom are correct, the same way all good prophecies rhyme
>So says Zecora-thustra
>You offer to get crash at the bulks until all's good, but she dismisses you with a wave of a hoof
>That's how you two walk into the first-floor, as full of food and ponies as ever, and get a table
>She pays for the food, so it tastes better
>That's a scientific fact!
>"I have tomorrow off. What's the plan?"
>You cock the head to a side
"The plan is, I don't have a plan."
>She munch on a hay-burger before speaking with a mouthful
>"Didn't you go somewhere to get something?"

>What did you tell her?
>Can't recall
>Heck, you can't even remember how much you told her about the whole ordeal with the citadel
>That's worrisome to say the least
>Your memory is playing fiddles on you
"I got a lead or two. The plan is to get rid of the company, or at least to make them realize going after me is against their statutory declaration."
>"What do you mean?"
"They promised to be profitable. Going after me isn't."
>Her ears now lay down on her skull
>Uh oh
>Did she take it personal?
"At least for them."
>They perk up again, albeit in a shy manner betraying some deeper thought-work happening in her earth pony head
>Better not give her too much time to mule over it else she comes up with another idea to stab herself with over the Twilight Sparkles of day by-gone
>Heh
>Bye-gone
>What is wrong with you?
"I wanted an advice from you."
>That gets her attention
"How to get to the upper canterlot?"
>The blue-beige mare blinks at you as if you grew a second horn
>"Why would you ever want to go there?"
>That's not a question you were expecting
>"Everything there is so pointlessly expensive. You can get everything you may think of here. Even on the market outside."
"I don't want to go shopping, I have an address to visit, but the thing is, I don't want to be noticed."
>Her body shuffled forward, bending over the table in a manner over-comically conspiratorial
>She waves for you to do the same and speaks only when you reluctantly reciprocate the gesture
>"Is it about your previous employer?"
"What? Yes. Of course. What else?"
>Her back meets the support of the chair as she whistles
>"Do you want me to go with you?"
>Did you even think of it?
"I'm not going there yet. There's another pony I want to visit before going there. A pony or two. I'm not sure. All I wanted to ask you is how to get there without being noticed. The question stands."
>Light Breeze's chin meets her chest
>She gets really deep in thoughts, with eyes closed, and tail waggling, and what-not

>One of her eyes pops open for a moment, to see are you watching her, only for it to close and her to shake violently
>"Nope. Sorry. No idea how to get there. If I were to go there I would just pick the Central Pan Lift, but since you worry about being visible and, thus, not wanting to be registered, I don't really know what you could do."
>Ah, well
>As much you could have expected
>"I can ask round the Kirin Town when I'm at the work at Monday. I can't promise anything, but maybe they know some way of getting your purple flanks up there. Oh, and since we are about your colors. I really love this creation of yours. That hoodie and beanie? It fits you so well. The moment I saw you I wasn't sure is that you or somepony twenty percent cooler."
>Jeez, mare, thanks
>At least your disguise works
>"Maybe you could show me where you got them today? I know it's late, but why not?"
"Didn't you have enough attractions for today already?"
>"C'mon, Twilight, it will be a quick trip to-and-fro!"
>Getting fresh air doesn't sound like a bad idea
>You may even get to drag her along to visit Applejack or other ponies…
>Do you want to risk her being tangled into this mess?
>Can you take this responsibility?
>Sure you can!
>You're Twilight Sparkle
>The intangible
>Should you, though?

1 - agree to the shopping and take her with you
2 - agree to the shopping and send her home
3 - disagree to the shopping and find a good excuse
4 - disagree to the shopping and find a better excuse
A - go to Rarity's home, nearby the Central Pan
B - go to rebellious Twilight Sparkle's old horse shoe factory
Y - go to Scootaloo's office nearby the Barn
X - go to Applejack's address
1XA

>A simple nod is all it takes for Light Breeze to pounce at you
>The hug and contact with her legs and chest is warm and soft, but what really matters to you is how energetic she gets
>It's a clear sign she's feeling far better than before
>You grab a small supply of things that somehow found their way out of your chest fluff and both of you make out... out of the hotel!
>But not before you send her to runs to her cubit
>It's totally on you
>You forgot you still have her gem reader tripod device
>She gasps at the sight
>"For me? Really?"
>You cock a brow
>It elicits a giggle from her
>"I know you had it, I just, kinda, signed it off as missing."
"Rude."
>More giggling follows as she run away to her stash
>She makes you wait for herself a little
>Totally deserved
>…
>The market outside is packed, yet seems less crowded than the motel
>Your attention is hogged by the lack of familiar bunch of loud griffons
>The bar above the entrance looks small and abused
>You don't get to think of it much more as Light Breeze joins you and you two trot off to where you got your outfit
>…
>Frankly speaking, you kinda feared she will take hours to find something that would fit her size and taste - Even though you're very similar in shape!
>As it turns out, for no reason
>Maybe it's the past experience of shopping with Rarity back a life time ago, in Ponyville
>It always took so long!
>Light Breeze takes like, what, twenty minutes in-and-out?
>Now, that's some speedster-magic
>Every-mare could learn from it
>The old you would get an aneurysm from the disbelieve of any mare being able to do that!
>What she picked is a thick, white shirt (that looks more like a sweater to you)  and a dark hoofball hat
>It's a rather cute combo
>You give her a small smile and she reciprocates with a gleeful one
>Her leg hooks around your withers, pulling you out to the streets in the process
>The sun is going to be soon set down, what means the street lamps are about to fill the visible area with bright yellow light, in difference to the warm orange one
>This won't change how filled the streets are, but will replace the hard working ponies with hard partying ones
>They are mostly the same, with few exceptions
>"So, what do you think?"
"Didn't I tell you already it looks good on you?"
>Her cheek finds yours
>"I know, right? Purple is really my color!"
>Purple?
>But her clothes-
>She must planned it!
>You look at her in inquisitiveness, and her face gets serious-
>Only for her brows to wiggle, the very next moment, like some sort of naughty, naughty worms!
>Hearty laughter follows which you proudly tolerate
>Because you're a good friend with distance to yourself
>Not because you're too red on face after this uncalled for display of affection to even stomp a hoof in disagreement!
>As you ponder how to get back at her, it becomes clear she's still leading you in circles around the same block of front-end pubs
"Not that I mind our little adventure, but you don't know the address."
>This prompts her to stop
>Her lips make a perfect "o" before she elaborates:
>"Oh," she says and- that's all what she says
>The one ear which you can see from under her hat lay flat against her skull
"What's up?"
>She kicks the ground
>Her eyes reluctantly swing around the welcoming drinking-places
>There is some water-work gathering in the corners of her eyes
>Should you begin to worry?
"Light Breeze, don't you want to go with me tonight?"
>Once again, a perfect "O", this time a silent one
>The smile is back with tenfold the strength and hugs
>Oof!
>The hugs!
>Can they feel 'elevated'?
>They do!
>How much of it is her natural charm and how much is light-work?
>"I thought you're going to ditch me here."
"Why?"
>"Because you're always so... I felt like you considered it."
>Well, you did
>She stops shortly, as if keeping a tab on what she says
>Whatever is the reason of it, you can't just stand there and stare at her
>Ponies are walking this sidewalk and it will take only couple of seconds for them to bump into you!
"Well, I don't plan on leaving. You want to come with me, then come on. We have a city to burn, samu-mare."
>Last time check the address given by Chalk and-
>She catches up to your left side
>Her voice worried
>"Did you really mean it about burning the city?"
>You glance at her
"No."
>Barely audible exhale of air is followed by a whisper
>"So cool!"
>Damn, she's right
>You're the coolest Twilight Sparkle alive
>Oh, the merriment!
>…
>It took some asking around for the "Old Orchard" street, but some elderly pony wearing heavy make-up and spiked collar explained to them, the club they look for doesn't exist
>"The club?" Light Breeze asked first
>"Yes, fillies. That's a place from my youth." the gentle-colt sits on his haunches and uses front-legs to pull his mane upward
>It stay in that position and he begins to form a spike out of it
"Can you tell us where it was?"
>"Sure."
>You find the place not far away from the Central Pan Plaza
>Rarity's living complex is left behind you, as the roads gets suddenly narrower and more reminding of an old labyrinth than a living city space
>"Huh."
"What's up?"
>"We're almost in the Kirin Town, you know."
>You don't
"This is where you work?"
>"Not in this part. "White Shrooms" Bar is far closer our motel. I never approached this district this way."
>You look up the tall constructions of stone and steel
>Not much different from other parts of the town, except for different posters with letters unknown to you
>The ponies are as many as everywhere else, except more kirins where there, and even more exotic looking creatures
>Your sense of smell gets approached with a varying palette of sour and salty with each street-stand passed-by
"Can you tell me more about this place?"
>"The Kirin Town didn't really make a good impression on lower canterlot in the past. Constant fires and tight constructions led to prejudice and violence and more fires."
"Aren't buildings here just as tall and concrete as everywhere else?"
>"Yeah. I don't get it myself. I read that on some pamphlet some time ago."
>…
>The place is behind a corner
>You learn it, by entering the wrong door and ending in an old school washing-machine place
>Rows and rows of items belonging in a technical-museum by canterlot standards, still in use
>It's an interesting sight, now that you have clothes to wash
>The entrance from the street leads you into the "Pizza Time"
>The entire floor and walls are filled with ugly white tiles, so different from the ones used in Rarity's Slut House
>Light Breeze finds her way to an unoccupied table with two crude chairs
>They dare to creak when your flanks get secured in sitting position!
>There is three black chalk-boards with mixed Kirinise and Equestrian
>Under it a single counter with a kirin female sitting there with the most bored look ever
>It looks like nothing can break through the mask of boredom, not even the scarce clientele approaching her and returning their dishes or placing orders
>Oh, right
>There's not a single server in the place, and nothing to really look at
>The most of the patrons are old ponies, anyways
>You look at Light Breeze
>She returns your sentiment
>This time it's a smile
>They are the most common when you look at her
>Her hat is tipped to a side, making her eyes somehow even more radiant than before the longer you observe these deep wells full of soul
>It's as good a moment to think about your relationship as any other
>Expect when somepony is actively chasing you
>Or her
>Do you put her in danger?
>Even by being nearby
>Would she allow you to cut yourself from her life?
>Only if she had something to say in the manner
>So far you impersonated a pony she used to know
>Or more than one, but you never meant her any harm
>Lost a job because of you, but…
>That doesn't have to be a bad thing
>Did she not land instantly on her hooves?
>And she sticked to you; to a Twilight Sparkle of hers, that is
>There are thoughts going through her head right now
>Not pleasant ones
>"I know what you're thinking."
>W-What?
"You do?"
>She nods her head slowly
>"I can assure you, this place is nothing like my new job."
>Oh
"Yeah, I bet a kidney they are nothing alike."
>"A kidney?"
"'Cos I kid you not."
>A well earnt snort and shake of head
>You can sit there all the night and nopony is going to pay you any mind
>That's not exactly how the plan goes, now is it
"Should we order something?"
>"I don't really feel hungry- oh, you mean, to get their attention. Yes, sure."
"I can't really read what's on the menu. Care to read it for me?"
>Light Breeze's eyes opens wider in surprise
>"You don't read Kirinise? How comes?"
>Uh oh
>Talk about the devil herself
"Haven't used in the longest time."
>Your companion smirks, but complies with your plea
>It's really a pizza place
>If not for her guidance through the offer, then by a mare using a mobility scooter picking up her pizza and driving out into the packed street
>She finishes
"It's odd."
>"What is?"
"There's no apple on the menu."
>"Apples on a pizza? Do you mean pineapples?"
"No, I don't mean the ananas."
>You bend forward like some pink pie-ter
"My friend's name is Applejack. As you can jump to the funny conclusion she puts apples into everything."
>"Into everything?" A fat gulp moves down earth pony mare's throat. "Are you sure she's not some kind of a villain? She may work for your ex-company with such tendencies…"
>What?
"What? No. It's delicious."
>"If you say so."
>Mentioning that Applejack could work for the citadel is base-less
>That's what you think
>Then why your heartbeat got higher
>The next consecutive thought should be about the possibility of Light Breeze being a citadel out-sourced goon
>Now, now, no need to be paranoid now, Twilight Sparkle
>You're correct, Twilight Sparkle, we're past this moment
>Gah!
>Light Breeze might be right in blind, but…
"This business must be a cover. I'm sure of it."
>Because…
>You want it to be
>Maybe Chalk got something wrong
>No way to tell before at least trying to talk with the workers here
>You focus your gaze at the counter kirin
>The orange and green tries to ignore you harder
>So that's how it gonna be, huh?
A - order an Apple Pizza
B - ask about Applejack
Y - tell you have a business to the owner
X - [Free Space]
BBAA

>You walk for good half an hour, yet it doesn't seem you are any closer than you've been before
>The ponies led you through the back of the building
>That's what you assume, since you're sure you didn't go through the main entrance, and if reached the outside world then only in obscure and tiny corridors of Kirin Town, half forgotten or half collapsed
>One of the ponies kept a hoof on your side, guiding your every step in a pace far brighter than one would expect to go
>Which only raises even more concerns about the length of the path you're going
>Light Breeze following behind you, sometimes asks her escort a question or two in a hushed tone
>The said escort made a mistake of answering to one of them, causing them to be relentless until she walked into a puddle of water, not wasting any time to warn you about it
>Your one good ear isn't suffice to know where you are, but the sounds of the city are left long ago
>The floor sometimes goes under a falling angle, most likely stepping deeper into the maze of constructions
>The last time you heard something vaguely resembling a street full of ponies was before you were told to crouch down and walk with curled legs for short distances, as if going through a hole
>The mob ponies scarcely talk, and you're getting bored
"If we're going to the canals, can't we just climb in?"
>A dissatisfied grunt from your guardian tells you enough
"This is the long route. To avoid the ladders. Am I right?"
>You're left without an answer to your... are you really dissatisfied with that?
>No, not really
>You're about to meet Applejack
>Most likely not your Applejack, but an Applejack none-the-less
>Better if the lass is in the mood of getting you your answers, or if not, you will make her talk
>As quickly as these overgrown earth ponies leave you alone, that is
>No need for them to see their venerable leader being bent to her power
>You're not allowed to power trip in your fantasy any longer as you're told to stop and to take off the paper bag, which was the reason your vision was obscured
>You fold it neatly before handing to one of your captors
>Only when your civil duty is done, you fix your beanie hat and only then look around the quiet room, which reminds you of a living space
>It's vast, but doesn't look so, thanks to all the different looking wooden cabinets positively filled to the brim with various examples of tableware; the older, the better position it holds among other plates
>A thick red carpet under your hoof, equally expensive, made of material you don't recognize
>Everything is finished with a view of the central part of the room, where a table and a writing-desk stand with a tall, throne-like, armchair made for nobility
>Light Breeze comes closer until her side touches yours
>The two of the mob ponies are missing
>Somepony knocks on the door and on this cue the remaining two get out through the door you came from
>At the same time another pair of doors opened on the opposite side of the door
>Two big earth ponies in fedoras enter and stop only when they reach each side of you and Light Breeze
>She smiles to you, to them, to herself, but instinctively pushes her warm side into yours
>"Howdy."
>She says, but the bucks don't pay her any mind
>That's when another pony almost sneaks through the still open door
>Your eyes narrow in anticipation of seeing a familiar face-
>One more earth pony, almost as big as these colts, not wearing a hat-wear of any sort
>She closes the door behind her
>The good ear of yours fall down, the bad ear already there
>This is not Applejack, even if her color palette fits; her mane is different
"This is not going as planned."
>You tell to Light Breeze whose eyes widen, betraying a growing concern
>"What do you mean?"
>"Yesh, what da ya mean?"
>Both of you nearly snap your necks and all three working ears raise to full attention in search of the source of the voice of a mare you don't see that came from-
>From the big armchair behind the writing-desk
>You take a sudden step forward
>The guards prove to be attentive as they cross your path, each of them keeping a spanking paddle in their mouths
>"Nah, no need far dat." Is all it takes for them to leave their battle stances without dropping their readiness
>They let you pass closer to the desk, and you use this liberty
>Light Breeze follows close behind you
>The first person you see is the orange and blonde mare standing next to the royal chair
>She's holding a hoof to her left, helping somepony with getting on the-
"Applejack!"
>You nicker in shock
>The criminal mare-ster mind herself looks you square in the eye
>The mare sports a warm, motherly smile, which isn't changed by the fact she's at least, and you mean it, at least five decades older than you remember
>The wrinkles on her cheeks could have their own wrinkles, the same about the bags under her eyes
>Her widely open mouth reveal her teeth taken away by time
>The small shape only barely remind her previous glory of an apple bucking machine
>She allows you to take in the sight as long as you need to
>Your purple eye finally meets her green again
>"Iz dat haw ya meet an old friend? Come here!"
>This time you don't rush, but round the desk and slowly put your front legs on each cushion of the chair
>You gently place them around the husk that overstayed its welcome to this world and even with more care let her grab your back in a hug
>Her legs aren't nearly as strong as they used to be; how would they stay that way?
>To your hearts content the mare in front of you does not turn into a pile of dust at the touch
>You hug her to your chest and not let go
>Not until she stops patting your back
>"It's ok. It's alright."
>Your eyes are past stinging at this point
>You are Twilight Sparkle, and you're crying
>The elderly mare eventually stops soothing you, and let you cling to her until you can risk letting her go
>You don't know how long it take, nor you notice or care she's giving the other ponies in the room a  warm smile and nods her head as if trying to say "Let her have this"
>This you are going to learn from Light Breeze after you leave, but it's important so you mention it now
>Applejack's embrace tightens for a moment
>Her wet face mashes with yours
>You gasp, letting her hot breath to penetrate your lungs
>Her lips close on yours
>The shock once again rocks your entire body to the point of fearing you may hurt her
>Lucky enough, Applejack lets go and observe you, by skipping from one eye to another, with visible content of herself
>You don't know what to say, or think, but-
>"But naw yer not cryin' anymore. Heh."
>Her deep chuckling proves her voice strong, even if her distorted vocabulary is thicker than Granny Smith's
"How?"
>You manage to ask
>She raises a hoof and place it on your cheek before turning to the mare on her right
>No word is spoken, but a pleading look given
>The mare, so far with features made of stone, visibly deflates before turning towards two stallions
>They try not to sport a look of utter disbelief
>Their eyes jump between you and their venerable god-mother - that's the term, right?
>The more perceptive of them catch a glimpse of the other orange mare and does some sort of a hard to describe sound with his lips, what catches the other's attention
>They leave the room and take with them the spanking devices
>As previously you didn't dare to touch the drying mare, now you didn't want to let her go
>"Ahm happy to see ya, too. Coffee?"
>"No!"
>It's Light Breeze that yells, a look of terror replaces the one which until now was positively radiating, what makes the mare next to Applejack cough and Applejack-
>Applejack, the elder matriarch of a mob, is *giggling* like a filly!
>"I'm sorry. It's just. Caffeine works bad on her."
>"Ah know! Dat's the whole point!"
>You can't believe your eyes for a second time this day
>Your legs slide down along the sides of the chair and land on the floor with a muffled thud
>"Who is yer friend, Twilight Sparkle?"
>What?
>Oh, yeah
"This is Light Breeze. We are working together for some time."
>"Noice to meet you, filly," she turns back to you, "fer some time, eh?"
>Oh no
>If you or Light Breeze go into details of your history, especially the one shared with a different Twilight Sparkle, the element of Honesty will smell the bull-shit
>Her eyes are already drilling into your skull
>Thankfully, to your aid comes the younger apple off-spring
>"Then, how about a cup of tea?"
>Applejack, as if on a cue, looks to her helper and offers her guests, that is you, an apologetic smile
>"Ah, haw could Ah forget. This is Pear-" Pear?! "-Bosom, an' she's helpin' meh with business. Please, if ya need anything, tell her."
>Apple-Pear Bosom nods her head
>You open your mouth to ask but Pear stops you
>"How about I take one of our honorable guests and-"
>Her voice holds no particular accent
>Applejack shakes her head so sharp you involuntarily hold breath in case her skull dislodge from nearly visible spine
>No such thing happen
>"Nay, filly. Ah need ya here. Call da kitchen. Order pies and compote."
>The mare listens to her senior with calm manner and small smile; once the disposition is fully received she looks up to you two and her eyes lose part of the warmth, replaced by a neutral look of mild interest, but not deep enough to do more than pull her lips in some sort of a mechanical smile
>Without any more word she leaves the room
>This gives Light Breeze a cue to talk
>"Oh, not really a need for food, ma'am. We just ate."
>"What a terrible host Ah would be? Please, do meh dis pleasure and sit and dig in."
>She ends with pointing at the table
>You don't get to say a word, still taking in the sight of the Apple Granny in front of you, when the door opens and Pear themed pony enters
>After her goes two smaller ponies who bring glasses, plates, and two big apple pies; you can tell by smell
>This old pony really is Applejack
>Some sort of Applejack
>Definitely not yours
>And yet, not merely familiar, but close to the core
>Your fixed stare at her doesn't get to be unnoticed, and find her looking at you with knowing, almost playful shine in the green eye
>She chuckles softly and slides down the chair, reaching the carpeted floor with one hind leg
>Once it reaches it, the rest of the body quickly joins them
>Now you can compare your sizes with justice
>She's not smaller than you when it comes to height, but her head is bent lower by the weight of time which puts its mark on her neck and back
>"Whadda ya lookin' at?"
"You."
>Another chuckle out of her puffy lips
>"Ya can do it while munching."
>She isn't wrong
>Being full with pizza quickly proves to be wrong
>All it takes is the first bite of the delicious apple-filled delicacy
>The smell, the shape, the taste, oh the taste, if reminds you of Ponyville
>Can food do that?
>You would need to read about that, because it does
>No chat is stirred when the four of you consume
>When it comes to refilling her drink with the sweetest apple juice you ever had, the task turns out to be overgrow Applejack's capabilities
>Pear Bosom is quick to the job
>When the dishes gets collected by an another filly in a hat, and another jug of juice makes its way to crown the table, the host supports her skinny legs on the chair, making herself look like a bigger, more apple-themed skeleton
>"As nice as a friendly visits come, dis is a nice one."
>Her hooves clops, marking the dinner officialy finished
>"Ya ar' a Twilight Sparkle."
>The atmosphere changes
>Light Breeze cocks her head to a side, probably confused at stating the obvious, a gesture which Pear Bosom quickly reciprocates
>Your eyebrows raise as you steal a glance towards your companion in hope the orange mare will understand the implication
>She stay silent until it become a bit uncomfortable
"Yes. That is correct, and you are Applejack. My good friend."
>Now, the two mares unfamiliar with the concept of multiple hues of the same purple shoot their heads towards you, as if it were a buck-ball match
>"Da ya need money?"
>What?
"No, thank you. I'm not looking for a job. We're having our hooves full with a personal project, of sorts."
>"Persohnal? Interesting. And ya, Light Breeze, was it?"
>"Oh, no, no. I work at a cute little kirin restaurant in-"
>You don't get to listen to their conversation
>Your only working ear moves to the source of the tapping sound
>It's Pear Bosom
>"I'm sorry to interrupt, but, how did you know where to look for Granny Applejack?"
>Granny Applejack
>It feels more real when somepony else uses that name
>Wait, what?
>She asked you a question!
>Should you tell?
>Of course she's concerned with AJ's safety, but...
"I got a contact in the relax district. It took them some time. They didn't really mention were they met with any difficulty with obtaining it."
>Pear's eyes squint in absolute focus
>"I assume it's a pony who has many connection. Even in the mare-ID system. Only from there could be pulled some pre-dome archaic archive data. Am I right?"
>Old data?
>More importantly - can you even tell her about Chalk?
>Sure, you can, but should you?
>You think it over
>Applejack is a mob pony, as weird as it sound, the structure of an organization like that must look like a family, and family is all she know...
>No, betraying your informant won't yield even short term relationship improvements 
>As you ponder the possible implications of giving away your fixer's personal information, your conversant nods to herself and a small smile grows on her lips
>"I won't pry into your sources anymore. If I'm even half right this source of your poses us no real threat, no nothing. However, I must point out you're very lucky."
>You choose to indulge her
"Why?"
>"The pizza place you visited was the very first and very only business registered at Granny Applejack's name. Not for long, even."
>A quick glance to your left reveals Light Breeze and Applejack laughing about something
>You... you didn't hear them laughing until your ear moved
>Is it how being one-eared will be like, that is, if you won't pick a solution?
>Normally, it would be a 'to find a solution', but in your case it's more of picking between a transplantation a cloned organ or installing a completely new cybernetic ear
>The former require time for it to grow, the latter won't work without a cortex enhancer
>Why did you not think of it when visiting the Ripper Doc?
>Of course that ear must be re-connected to your brain!
>Was he ly-
>No, it's not time nor place now
>You turn back to Pear Bosom who patiently waits and observes your struggle
"What do you do for Applejack?"
>She's coy in her expression
>"I go where the god-mare doesn't want to go. Most often to discuss legal details."
>A lawyer?
"Does it mean she values your advice?"
>"Gosh, I like to think that."
>That's all you need to know
>Personal assistant, organizes, in one word, a consligiere
>The keeper of secrets and books
>A god-mare in production
>"I suspect I know what you're thinking, but I can assure you," her voice hushed and she waits for another burst of laughter " I have no ambitions in taking over. That would be disrespectful to her children. They would be here if you didn't visit us at such short notice."
"Good to know."
>A sip of the perfectly sweet apple juice is your escape to think for a moment
>AJ is not only a gangster, and an old one to that
>She had kids
>What a crazy time-line is it
>"Twilight, Twilight!"
>Light Breeze grabs your attention
"Hm-yes?"
>"Lady Applejack"- lady -"agreed to help us to get to the upper canterlot!"
>Your eyes lock with Light Breeze's, then with Applejack's
"Really?"
>Her smiling creates even more gorge-like wrinkles
>The meeting comes to a quick conclusion and you didn't even get to talk to this Applejack in private-
>"Oh, poor ol' meh. Twilight, muh dear, why won't you help meh to de toilet?"
>Speak about the devil
>Applejack holds a leg out for you to grab once she slips down her chair
>Light Breeze doesn't pay you any more mind, happily talking with Pear Bosom about something business related
>As you lead out the Apple-god-mother out of the room the consligiere nods her head 
>The corridor is long, with multiple doors, each next more grand than the last one
>"Ya can let me go now."
>Her freed leg hits the floor, and she leads the way, stopping and turning towards you each time she  speaks
"You know I'm not your Twilight Sparkle."
>"And ya knows Ah'm not yers Applejack."
"Obviously."
>Step, step, step
"Why do you decide to help me?"
>"Ain'tch ya be wrong with the citadel?"
>If you had any suspicion of the mother-apple not being aware of your secret, then you would be a cretin
>Which you are not!
"How can you tell? Is it the Honesty speaking or…"
>That elicits a short laugh from her
>"Nah. Just experience."
>You open the door in front of which she stops
>She quickly for her age scramble to close herself in one of the stalls
"I would never suspect Applejack being capable of becoming a god-mother."
>"Does'id really surprise ya?"
>Does it?
"No, not really."
>A stream of definitely not water nor cider gets leaked
>It prompts you to turn on the water tap
>Applejack's stall flushes the water and she wobbles out
>"Woowee, bucking good."
>It's your time to laugh!
>"Wha? Whaddid Ah say?"
"More like how!"
>Your voice echoes in the small tiled room until it completely subsides
>None of you go to the door yet
>"She doesn't knaw."
>You confirm it with a head shake
>AJ's voice suddenly sounds as weak as she looks like
>"Haw much she travels with'ya?"
>What she's really asking is how much of her experience with Twilight Sparkles were made with you
>You yourself can't be sure
>"Doesn't really matter. It will still hurt the same," she sighs before she continues. "Ya knaw, ya could leave her with us."
>And let Light Breeze become a mafioso-pony?
>No, that anger doesn't suit you and it doesn't do this old Applejack any justice
>Er, maybe just some justice
>"Ah can read it off yer face. No need to speak."
>The pause feels pregnant
>"What'z yer goal?"
>That you know
"To make myself free from the citadel's grasp."
>The orange head nods, or bends under it's weight, hard to tell
>"Dhat's nice and all... And what dhen?"
>What then?
>You will think of it when it will be in hoof's reach
"Are you trying to invite me into your ranks, ma'am?"
>You speak with voice as indignant as you can muster
>"And what if Ah do, filly?"
>Her response is an ugly sly smile of a disgusting buisness-mare
>This exchange makes you two share a chuckle
"Seems like I found you by a mistake."
>"Ah prefer to think of it as a miracle."
"I was pretty sure, when I came here half a year ago, I met with Applejack."
>This confuses her
>"Dhat's rather impossible. Ah'm de only Apple here. Or Ah was."
>She pats her belly
>You shift the subject
"Do you know Spike?"
>"Who, now?"
"Doesn't matter, then."
>"Are ya sure?"
"Yes."
>She pauses for a brief moment
>"Honestly speaking," - heh - "dhat's not what Ah wanted to'ask."
>Another long pause
>"Haw was she?"
"Who?"
>"Yer Applejack."
>This orange mare must appointed it a point of her honor to get you surprised each half an hour
>What can you say?
"Orange."
>"Ah know dat."
"The warmest workaholic I even knew. In working her bones to dust second to none. Always caring for her family first. For that short time I spent with her and the girls we all felt like true apples. She called everypony a sugarcube."
>You tell her what she want to hear
>More than certain she knows it, too
>This one time in eternity, Applejack lets it slide
>"Sugarcube, eh?"
"I'm not lying, you know. It's just, we didn't spend much time together before this happened."
>"Ah get id. It's good t'hear. Ah hope ya don't judge meh too harshly."
>And why would she care about your opinion?
>That leads to another question
"How was your Twilight Sparkle?"
>Sadness wells in her eyes until the shining from before return with tenfold the radiance
>"Much like you."
>You let it sink in with all the implications and implyings
>Then a loose end of what she said hits you right between the eyes
"Wait, 'you'?"
>The mare jerks her neck and with her head draws a circle in the air
>"Ah meanh, uh, 'ya', alrighty?"
>She makes a motion with her leg as if she was bribing a police officer for speeding ticket
>Both of you laugh and exit the restroom
>...
>You're back in the apple office
>Four of you stand next to another and you inspect the thing in your hoof
>It's an upper canterlot pass for the bearer
>The name is kinda misleading
>To be valid, these still require a blank form to be filled with your personal data, but no bio-metrics are used with it
>It's usable in any elevator and Light Breeze got her own pass
>These things aren't distributed anymore, subsequently lifting their price to a small fortune
>How Applejack's crime regime got two blank forms of these is unclear and must reach back into the times when the canterlot dome was still unfinished
>You're not going to ask
>Why is she giving you these is equally an enigma
>You won't turn a gifted horse in their teeth, or something, and she doesn't seem to accept if you tried, if anything, she would feel insulted
>The small chat is pleasant and much juice is being drank, but Applejack, being an old mare as she is, speaks too loud and keep her head high
>You're painfully aware it's just an act, and other ponies notice it, too
>Her legs sling and eye-lids fall
>In fact, Pear Bosom is the first to notice, in retrospection, and her answers got shorter, less in detail, more general, until she looked at the clock in one of the cabinets
>She is tired and must rest, and even if she's not your childhood friend, she still possess the defining qualities of hers
>She's in good hooves
>You better go finish your journey
A - go to the upper canterlot under Spike's address
B - stay in lower canterlot to finish any business [which one?]
Y - ditch Light Breeze
X - ask for a weapon
AAX

>On the way out only two ponies in fedoras accompany you, most likely to make sure you don't get lost in the maze-like undergrounds than to prevent you from memorizing the way
>You're taking what you suspect is a short route, or the same one, can't be sure and they don't want to tell
>Still, it's nice to being able to walk faster than galactic snails
>No climbing up ladders nor any mare-holes on the roof in sight
>No points of interest in the corridors of the underground either
>At some point the canals turn into rooms, some with ponies doing something, some used as warehouses
>None of them is paying you any mind
>This time the hench-ponies are more talkative, especially with Light Breeze who's happily yapping with them about, last you listened, best bars and restaurants in this part of the city
>You find it a little out of character for her, not really knowing why - she always seemed talkative
>Maybe it's not what but how - how easy it come for her to treat these gangsta apples to her, some sort of, culinary secrets, which you're pretty sure she didn't share with you
>Whatever it is at the moment, you tune it out with a good reason in mind
>You're too busy to be bothered with practicing swinging your new telescopic riding crop
>It's short, but long enough to smack a pony that would be facing you in a kissing distance in the butt, and a tad on the lighter side
>Perfectly lays in hoof and guides your leg along each swing
>Up and down, left and right, and then quick draw
>You hit the wall, or the floor, or drop it completely during this impromptu training montage, but only once, er, per each thing mentioned
>Pear Bosom agreed to supply you with a weapon of flank destruction that you could sneak past the security of upper canterlot city
>Even if the guards don't check for illegal items or substances, open carry was off limits unless you deploy a pair of police bridles or at least some uniforms
>As if that were even possible, filly!
>You wanted a spanker, but it proved to be too long
>Regular riding crop can deliver a heavier blow with a lasting mark, but no avail
>Only this telescopic one fitted in your chest fluff
>Good thing is, you're perfectly happy with the way you swing and not stumble on your own legs, even before you reach the dead end where the apple bandits decide to drop you off
>The sounds of the street hit you like a wave blast just after the last doors gets opened
>You're still somewhere in the Kirin Town, that's clear
>Poking your head out of the corner reveals it's the very same place you came to except couple steps away
>You are in a narrow, empty alley behind the pizza place and the washing machines... what is this place called?
>Eh, who cares, you can always find this place again and go through the entire ordeal if needed
>Point is, when you reconnoitered the surroundings of the bar you missed this place completely
>No wonder; it's hidden behind a mobile wall with a ton of posters on it
>You turn towards Light Breeze who's saying goodbyes with the ponies, a sunshine in her voice and uncertain smiles on theirs
>They tip their hats and bow their heads, and as quick as her mouth closes, they are gone
>She turns to you with a look of disgruntled grimace
>It doesn't fit her voice from just a second ago
>"Crap."
>What
"What?"
>Her head shakes as she violently rubs the top of her head, making her mane slightly deform
>"I tried to get something out of them, but they just said 'Eyup' and 'Nope' all the time. As if they were mutes."
>A small smile creeps upon your lips
"Yes, some apples are just like that, also I doubt these are unadulterated ones. If you ask me, it's a lost cause. You would learn more by talking to a wall instead."
>A kick to the knee of an imaginary pony makes her deflate enough to fix her hair and not to sound iritated
>"You know what? I think it would."
>She ends with a chuckle
"C'mon, we have to go. What did you want them to tell you?"
>Both of exit the place of hiding and join the always swiveling river of walking ponies
>"Does the bar where I'm the manager belong to the a-" she cuts sharply, "- to them, or not. I heard the owner is advanced in age and that mare seemed to know alot about kirin cousine."
>This... makes far more sense than you expected it to or even dared
>Can't help but look at your friend in a different light now
>If she's capable of scheming, the same office-bug that you saved from the fate of the insurance industry, how is it possible she did not see past the multiple Twilight Sparkles?
>Because that's not a thign any sane pony will jump to, that's how
>…
>The central pan is iluminated with the moon and thousands of stars, not counting for a ring of streets lamps
>The place is packed even though the hour is rather early, or is it still late?
>It's past 2am, so it's today, not yesterday, er, it's always today, isn't it?
>As previously, the central place of it takes an elevator to which now you had an entry tickets
>Your eyes frivolously gets attached to the towering living complex on the other side of the pan, where Rarity lives with her Coco, whoever that Coco might be
>"Come on, now. As you said yourself, places to be, butts to kick!"
>She pulls you by a shoulder towards the rainbow painted floor zero of the lift
>The couple yards just before the opening is the least occupied place on the entire pan
>Whenever the doors opens, a small, hardly called a wave, number of ponies get out and mix with the more partying occupants before totally dispersing into the crowd
>At the same time an equally small party gets inside the vault and it closes behind them, long before you could reach it; if there are any elevator guard at the premises of the establishment they are not in plain sight
"Do you see any police pony?"
>"Why would there be any?
>You roll your eyes that you have to explain it
"Shouldn't there be ponies that checks our papers as we get in?"
>"Oh, no, no, no. Just do what I do and we'll be fine."
>You are Twilight Sparkle and scrunch a little, what makes her giggle
>The elevator looks like a gigantic tube of glass beyond the before-mentioned first floor which serves like a door
>Almost four sides of translucent materials so users can watch the city's panorama, with about forty five degrees less than a full scope, filled with metallic propeller that makes the lift, well, lift - ascent and descent is more proper a way to call it
>The ponies that entered it are visible as the plate they are standing on moves slowly upwards until they lose their distinctness and create a pulp of colorful dots and quickly after that disappear completely
>...
>It take approximately ten minutes for it to return
>The door opens with a quiet whistle and clothes-wearing ponies gets out into the naked crowd
>Light Breeze is first to step in, you follow in tow
>The doors closes behind you, making the place dim
>A bunch of ponies inside, maybe a dozen
>Your friend pokes your side
>She holds something in her leg and motions you to do the same
>The elevator doesn't move, so you take the time to check what it is
>It's her upper canterlot pass
>Other ponies seems to hold it in the air, too
>You comply, but only after a brute behind you cough into a hoof while giving you a stinky eye
>Or squinting
>You never know with gray pegasi
>The device wakes to life
>With a persistent swoosh and an initial plap it drives you above the floor level barrier, allowing you to see the lower canterlot in all it's glory
>Not at first, as the buildings around the central plate are taller than the ones at the sides of the canterlot dome
>Quickly enough the sea of ponies under you becomes a wild picture of splotches that fell off of a painter's brush, and then it becomes hard to look straight down
>Around the tenth store the street lights give place the moon shining, turning the always yellow into light blue
>The twentieth floor and some of the buildings gets replaced with a cascade of constructions from where you are to the very end of the dome
>At the fortieth, only Rarity's complex still stands, but you don't care about it
>The sight of the far away districts grabs your attention
>Even at the night, you can weakly make out the shape of the market-place next to your motel, and from there it's easy to find a bent street with immense number of neon signs
>It must be where all the bars are located, each one of them in some distance
>You never before notice they are all on the very same street, just in different corners of it
>In front of you the lower canterlot in it's full size and might, and yet it feels so small
>Light Breeze touches your side and points at something in a far away distance
>At first it's hard to tell what it is, due to the poor light, but the lack of the stars where they are obstructed by these things draw a visible outline of...
>Couple towers twice as tall than the others around
>Nothing special about them, yet she's looking at them, with still raised leg
"What's about them?"
>Her face turns towards you with her eyes don't break the contact with the towers
>"One of them seems to be standing crooked."
>That bit of information piques your interest
>Strain your eyes as you may, Twilight Sparkle, you just can't see them right
>Maybe at the day-time ride down
>Soon, the entire town under you becomes one big bowl of soup and the star constellations become closer
>The entire tube turns white, at first just a bit, later far more
>Your eyes narrow as you look straight up
>A part of the moon is currently displayed at the brim of to the tube, and shines straight into the elevator
>From so close it doesn't look believable, with it's pixels so big and gradient so odd
>It's nothing like the real thing
>And then you ride above the moon and disappear into nearly total darkness
>A new, tiny. red light takes power over the situation, at the other side of the wall
>Light Breeze nickers, and couple other ponies shift from leg to leg, everypony facing the light
>The device finally comes to a halt with an audible clog and pog, and a second diode turns on, this one green
>Then the third, blue, turns on, and the door swing open to the sides
>The few ponies that rode with you step out into the floor of yellow and white marble
>Your tentative steps leads you into a hall in same colors, and made of stone
>It's not a tall building, nor spacious, yet impressive
>"Is this... is this real sandstone?"
>You don't know
>It feels different than anything you have touched in your past half-a-year or longer
>Polished it may be, still coarse at places
>You near a window which has a traditional six pieces of glass in it, divided by three thin strips of presumably wood, one vertical, two horizontal
"Come and see this."
>She joins you, albeit reluctantly
>"What is it?"
>Your turn to point a leg at the sky
>It's dark, and clouded, with no star nor no moon visible
>The light on the outside comes from old looking nearby lamp-post in sets of three on each post
>It's warm, pleasant light aura, is so different from lower canterlot invasive and irksome light of street lamps
>Sound breaks in her mouth, making her voice crack
>"I forgot how it's like under the open skies."
"Me too, filly, me too."
>…
>At the exit of the transit station stand two guards
>They chit chat and pay no mind to you letting a machine scan your upper canterlot permit or pass, whatever
>Light Breeze is close when you go under the open sky
>…
>Ponies that walk here are many, but each one with a purpose, and yet, never breaking more than a slow gait
>The buildings of the upper city come in all shapes and sizes as the ones of the lower city, but all them are more grand, more detailed and more pleasant to be around them
>The urban nightmare of mazes of kirin town, fish smell of the market platz, and abandonment of the old industrial district bend their non-existent knees in front of the clean and disciplined roads that always fall one into another under 90 degree angle, no smell coming out of late night restaurants even through opened doors, and – grass
>They have grass here!
>Your mouth waters at the sight and you're not alone in this predicament 
>When no one is watching you take a bite- nope, it's fake
>...
>You wave for her to stop and sit down
>A nearby tea shop has a comfortable bench outside, made of actual young oak wood!
>It's so weird- one hundred percent amazing, just so weird to place your haunches on wood that's not at least fifty years old!
>"What's the address we're looking for?"
>Thankfully, you remember it just fine, you still have the piece of paper, though
>It doesn't hurt to share it now, does it?
"Eleventh's street, cl, ten-ten-ten, nine-two-six, op."
>The mare scratches her chin
>"You mentioned it has a weird format, but this is almost wizardry."
"Maybe witchcraft, even."
>Her hoof collides with your ribs
"Oof!"
>"Stop it. You're adorable, but even your purpleness have boarders that are better left uncrossed."
>W-what does she mean?
>Was your joke lame?
>Nah
>Better get super serious for no reason
"The thing is, we are on the eleventh's street. There's no building named 'cl' or number three times ten."
>You point between numbers eight and twelve on this side of the road
>Her head jumps between the places until it comes back to your
>You begin to think the lass fell asleep when her eyes flutter open
>"What if this is not an address, but a, I don't know, a box?"
>What
"A box?"
>She squirms under your scrutinizing gaze and the king of scrunches
>"Like, a contact box? A post office box. You know, a box type of box."
>Her ears flap, rise and fall, finally agreeing at being half risen half pointed downwards
"A box type of box?"
>Is it possible that Chalk bucked up?
>Of course
>Will you give up easily?
>You think not
>"You're smiling," the yellow-blue mare chimes in anew. "Do we have a plan?"
>Now, do you?
A - check the tea shop and ask for directions
B - look for some public information office
Y - go back to the two police mares at the transport station
X - [Free Space]
YA

>"Are you sure we want to ask them? We could try the shop, first."
>Light Breeze treks next to you through…
>Empty streets
>Well, they are not completely empty, but are not even a third as crowded as the lower canterlot's counter-parts
>Why did the observation as simple as this sink in just a moment ago, very hard to tell
>It's a rather big difference in environment, in the end
>Under the moonless, dark sky, everything on the street level is visible thanks to those old-styled lamp posts
>That means your mare-friend notice your only good ear to fall back and cling to the skull
>Her concerned voice only adds to the flooding embarrassment
>"What's wrong, Twilight?"
>You try to speak, but fail; a sudden gag giving you a cough
>It doesn't stop you from walking towards the main elevator station
>Light Breeze's hoof prods your side
>Repeatedly
"What?"
>"You didn't answer."
>Better tell her the truth
"Nothing's wrong, it's just that I did not realize how devoid of ponies this place is."
>The mare looks back, without breaking the gait
>Her eyes scan the surroundings in an overly obvious fashion
>"Oh, yeah. Now that you mention it, this place really looks like a ghost town."
>You walk in silence for a moment
>"It reminds me of the times before Fillydelphia got bathed in chaos and lubricant."
>Something doesn't sit well with you
>You better ask
"Don't you mean Baltimare?"
>She shakes her head
>"No. I'm pretty sure Baltimare got basked in chaos and fire. Not bathed."
>A smile that reeks of confidence cannot be wrong
>Unless it is
>Can't really say
>Wait
>You don't even remember where did the other Twilight Sparkle met her!
>Was it Baltimare or Fillydelphia?!
>She's still watching you under the all-revealing lights of the street
>You're faster this time
"So, you're saying no lube for the city? Must have been rough."
>Her lips part as an explosion of laughter gets out
>Won't lie, it startles you initially
>It also overpowers her so much you two have to take a short break
"Ha. Ha, ha-ha."
>You fake the laughter with skills of an aspiring actress-mare
>What started as something that was supposed to die quickly, it prolongs, causing the few ponies that trek to and fro to pay you attention
>Some even hushing between them
"What are we laughing at?"
>She stops, looks you right in the eye, and hollers with double the strength than before
>Did you sound funny?
>You didn't sound funny, did you?
>No, that's highly improbable
>You're Twilight Sparkle, the serious
>Once the outburst eventually subsides enough for her to not gasp for air only to start howling again, you pull her forward with one leg placed by the withers
>Unfortunately, you get stopped by the fun police
>A blue and mint looking stallion disengage from his party of three and approaches you
>He eyes your friend warily, but with a certain dose of interest, or is it excitement
>You don't get to analyze it
>His eyes shy away as a leg waves for you to lend him an ear
>Light Breeze is still having a giggling fit fueled by... whatever
>Some of the other ponies returned to their walk, but these three stallions decided to bother you
>Seems like you don't have much of a choice
>"Psst. Psst. What was so funny?"
>Your eyebrows first fall down in confusion, then shoot up, almost dislodging themselves off of your countenance
"Excuse me?"
>The poor stallion shuffles his legs
>He doesn't get to answer another question, for in this very moment another friend of his, previously staying quiet and back, now yells clearly a demand
>"Just tell us the joke, jeez!"
>You blink, and blink, and can't blink the surreal situation away
>The blue and mint colt have at least enough grace for himself and his friends; his cheeks burn beet red, his head held down, the mane obstructing the view
>"We're waiting!"
>Once again, the attention of passerby ponies gets piqued
>Their eyes dart between your two groups
>Light Breeze's reaction is easy to predict, the easiest of all so far, if you keep in mind her current state of being the Pinkie Pie-est of mares
>Ah, yes she erupts in another fit of snorting so much her sides tremble
>You grab her once again and pull away
>The group of the three stallions regroup, but that one ruffian keeps yelling all the way until you're too far away to anymore hear
>This was enough of randomness for you for years to come, and all of it happened in the span of, what, five minutes?
>As you reach the white and yellow building that works as the terminal between both parts of the city, or maybe between two cities suits it better, Light Breeze is in almost a conversational state
>What you carry for more is the sight of two police mares that stand in the exact same place they stood previously
>You close towards them and they took quickly took a notice
>With natural swiftness of pegasi, both of them turn your way, and both don a friendly smile of a well fed governmental official who doesn't have to do anything because the automatized system does it for them
>Enough to said they don't feel bothered at first look, but what do you know
>The answer to that is "a lot", but that's beside the point
>A snicker and a nicker from your left side proofs you're the one doing talking
>That's the only good thing about it
"Hello. Can I ask you for assistance?"
>One of them is two toned brown, lighter in the coat, the other white with orange, and very spike-looking mane
>The latter speaks
>"Of course, citizen. How can be of use?"
>Her voice hits lower notes, with a warm tremble which you heard long ago in some far away place
"My friend and me are looking for an address. We already been on the eleventh street-"
>The brownie interrupts
>"That's right there."
>She points the way with a hoof
"Yes. We know. We been there."
>"They just said that."
>"Oh, right. So, what's the problem?"
>The police officer beams at you, as if that short exchange never happened.
>The other sighs and clear her throat
>"The buildings are numbered from the central station, that's here," she points at the big building that begins above them, "towards the outskirts of the town. One side is odd, the other even." She scratches her chin for a moment, then adds. "The only discrepancy of this rule is around the council castle due to some historic laws or events."
>The less bright one chimes in with a luscious grin
>"Tax fraud. I was just telling officer Fire Top about-"
>"That's enough!"
>Officer Fire Top hoof stomps on the sandstone tile, her eyes burning a hole in her partners head
>Finally, the everlasting giggling or snorting on your left dies down
>You look there and reveal no Light Breeze!
>She's gone!
>Before a little pony in your brain can gallop all the way down your spine to enable panic to settle down you do a full scope turn
>Here she is!
>On your right side!
>How could you miss her!?
>Ah, right, one ear
>Dang it
>She catches your eye and takes it as a cue for her to speak!
>"What if the address we have don't have numbers but letters?"
>The less competent turns to her with eyes fully open, filled with magic stars
>Her voice oozing with giddiness
>"Are you one of these tax-avoiding criminal scums? No, don't tell. Now, now, you don't have to incriminate your family, but if it's friends that commit these disgusting crimes then you better fess up now, and save the city of canterlot a ton of court-room expenses."
>She drones on about the duty of being a citizen over being a criminal, oblivious to the difference of her tone and message of her words, or of anything, really
>You look up for help to officer Fire Top to no avail
>She and Light Breeze together seem to be completely transfixed by the unexpected rant of-
>You dare to lean forward and Fire Top's ears turn to you, hopefully catching your whisper
"Is she a newbie or what?"
>"Diversity hire."
>She blinks twice before jerking her head and transfixing her eyes on you
>A second later, deep regret of telling you that is self-evident in a weak crimson creeping on her cheeks
>What are you supposed to do?
>"-so, are you going to fill a report against yourself, or will you first think it over?"
>The brown mare is now chirping happily with a pen and a small rectangular tool in a hoof, as if ready to write something down
>"I like pancakes."
>The excited smile that so far was on the mare's face breaks like a pane of glass, a flurry of emotions tumults on her face
>You would be lying you said it isn't a satisfying look
>Light Breeze, on the other hoof, holds her usual light smile
"Anyways. Is there any way you two-,"
>You include the now looking away officer from the need of your good heart
"- can help us figure out which one of these plots is 'cee-el'? We would greatly appreciate your help."
>"That does depend," starts the older copper," do you have time to wait?"
"For how long?"
>"I can't tell you."
"You can't tell me on what does it depend?"
>"No, I can't tell you how long will it take."
"To depend?"
>"To depend- It depends all the time."
"Well, then it depends."
>"On what?"
"On how long will it take."
>"Take to what? To depend?"
"No, to wait. So, how long will it take?"
>"I told you can't tell you."
"No, you told me you couldn't tell me on what it depends. Can you tell us now?"
>"That's not what I told you."
"I know, that's what you didn't tell me yet."
>"Didn't tell you yet?"
"It depends."
>"On what?"
"Did you?"
>"Didn't yet."
"Ah, see. You didn't. Can you tell us now?"
>"It depends. Can you wait?"
"For how long?
>"I can't tell you."
"That's what you told me already. Celestia damn it, mare, I thought we have it going closer now."
>"That depends."
"On what?"
>"Do you have time to wait?"
>"MARES. Please."
>The time has come for Light Breeze to ruin your negotiations
>Her eyes are as wide as tea-cups and her jaw hangs loose, yet, she doesn't let herself to falter
>"Yes, we can wait," She barks to you. "As long as it takes," she barks again, this time to the officer. "If you can help us, then please do."
>The mare grabbed her uniform's utility belt and pulled something out of it
>It's a small black rectangle
>It wakes to life when she taps the password into it with her hooves
>"I will need to see your id cards. Permits are ok, or crebit cards."
>Uh oh
>You forgot yourself
>These are police mares
>You really are a strong willed purple pony and only that provides enough self-control not to face-hoof yourself in the snout
>Pro tip about will power: it takes a lot
>The pegasi pony starts tapping some more information into her device in a faster pace, as she employs tips of her wings to do so 
>"What for?" an inquire from Light Breeze
>"We need to queue the question to the archives section and that means it's an administrative task."
>She states matter-o-factly, as if it contain all the meaning everypony understood
>The following silence is used by the brown officer who so far stayed quiet after the accusatory rant against the rich and aristocratic, or however a TV show of such a subject about this would be named
>"Every administrative action must be registered in the Central Civil Query system. It must be known who asked for our help, what was the issue, and all that. Basic procedure."
>She seems far more head to ground now, with a still visible post hype-crash 
>Is this how you look like after burning all caffeine?
>The older officer nods her head and give the newbie the first look of approval since ever
>"Yes. Officer Brownie is right."
>Brownie!
>"We are going to need the full address, citizens."
>Fire Top's encouraging smile makes the gears in your head come to a screeching halt
>F-full address?
>Can you share it with police?
>That doesn't sound good.
>"All you said seems like you got an old address before the reforms. Buildings on the eleventh street may look as new, but they are quite old. It wouldn't surprise anypony if construction of some of them was started more than fifty years ago, and the newer parts got built over the old ones. "
>Was this supposed to make you feel better about this whole ordeal?
>It doesn't
>Officer Fire Top, once again, takes a nod too deep, but this time her tiny, police issued hat falls down her head, or rather gets sent up in the air
>It doesn't reach the street on the route back - her wings shoot out and grab it in air, as quick as it never happened
>Oh, sweet Celestia
>You don't want these two to be on a pursuit of you
>No chance to run away if they are half as fast as they seem dexterous
>Light Breeze must come to the same conclusion, as you hear her clear her throat and turns to you
>"Why don't you give them yours?"
>Wait, what?
>What is the trying to do?
>To abandon you?
>Right now?
>The police officers look at one another and that's when she winks at you!
>Ooh
>She doesn't want to leave you on ice; no, no
>Her idea is to let you choose what to do
>Pretty clever if you ask... yourself
A - give them your crebit card (and give them your best smile)
B - give them your upper canterlot permit (and hope for best)
Y - tell them you forgot a wallet and will go to home for it (retreat to ask in the tea shop)
X - retreat and roam the street and ask ponies walking there (somepony must knows something)
AA

>Leaded by a fair presumption of not risking showing off your newly filled upper canterlot pass you produce your crebit card out of your chest fluff
>Officer Fire Top takes it from your hoof and tips her tiny hat as she does so
>This time it's not a bow deep enough to send it flying
>She is quick to turn it on and to deftly type into her police device operating with only one wing, as she holds it in another
>It takes less than ten seconds flat before she returns you the card, which you proceed to store back in the fluffy prison of yours
>Light Breeze pulls out her own, but the officer shakes her head
>"No need. One will suffice."
>She nods, and steps to the guard's side with a curious glance.
>"All it needs is one mare's identification numbers?"
>The younger guard, Officer Brownie, chuckles heartily before speaking up, "or stallion's. It doesn't really matter."
>Fire Top's lips turn into a thin line at the joke so crunchy it could feed ducks for month to come
>This is probably how Light Breeze must have felt for you when you got high on rich octane caffeine back in the docs
>Her voice deep, softly compelling to focus on
>Hard to not notice it's a pretty great trait for a public authority
>It better not fool you, however, nor Light Breeze
>You don't find a way to warn her about that
>"Officer Brownie is right, although it's a pun so weak..." her voice trails off before she coughs into a leg. "Point is, the system needs somepony to claim the query to. If it's anonymous it can be a joke."
>You motion her to continue the thought, which she complies but not without shifting from one leg to another
>"The city avoids wasting tax-payers money. That it, really. I feel like I already explained it once."
>Brownie's ears shot straight up as her whole posture does at the mention of, you suspect, 'tax-payers'
>Her eyes catches yours; a recently subsided wild fire gets to renew in them again
>Then her gaze falls at Light Breeze and the growing of her wicked smile cease
>You're sure she's scowling at your friend, but, remaining as little professionalism as the mare can, she turns her face away and look into the building in whose entrance your little party takes place
>There is couple of clothes wearing ponies inside, usually each by themselves, waiting in the building's round parlor, in front of the currently closed elevator doors
>Light Breeze looks the same way
>She searches for you in her peripheral vision, you can see so, and sends you a small smile
>As if trying to reassure you all is going good
>You raise a leg and slowly graze her shoulder with it on the downward motion
>Yeah, take that, and nicker as much as you want, you sly encouraging pony!
>A beep and a buzz from the police mare's now colorful device grabs yours and Light Breeze's attention
>"Ok, so," she sweeps you two with a brief glance, "the automatized archive says that indeed, the eleventh's street, used to have a different nomenclature. Buildings were named after the owner, but that was half an age ago."
>You exchange short glances with Light Breeze
>The mare continues, "Huh, that's funny." 
>Only to take a pause.
>"Alright, so. There is no archaic address of 'CL', was it?"
>What?!
"How comes?"
>"All of them were named from A to Z, in that order. That's the surprising part. The ancient ponies must have thought it funny to divide the street of at the time capitol that way."
>Is fifty years really a time span enough to call your grandparents ancient?
>That is, if you had them
>And that is not what you say, though
"That gives twenty six buildings. The street is far longer."
>She simply shrugs
>"Sorry. The automatic response did not attach even a map, so I can't tell you which plots belonged to which family. Maybe if you had more than just the building number it would work out smoother. Or at least faster."
>Your lips zip up
>No way you're going to tell them anything else more specific
>That just can't end well
>Light Breeze pulls out a leg to touch the older officer, but changes her mind in the last moment, and opts to scratch her chin instead
>"Miss officer, you said an automatic response again. What does it mean?"
>Once again, Brownie cuts into the discussion in a somber tone, releasing her superior from the burden of explaining what seems to be the most basic information of the upper canterlot
>"That's why you've been asked do you have time to wait."
"That depen-"
>Crap!
"Wait for what?"
>"For the non-automatic response. Who knows when it be once the question grinds through the administrative system and finds a pony responsible for that field of knowledge."
>"Or until that pony finds an expert on that field, if they are unable to shoot the answer right back," adds Fire Top.
>"Which can take really a long time."
>"Considering it's a night it will be long enough to get a cup of tea while we wait."
>"Oh," Light Breeze exclaims on your left, "we were just at the tea shop on this way."
>The last thing you need is them having a friendly cup of tea!
"I'm pretty sure these police mares don't have time to go anywhere with us-"
>"Acktu-," the senior mare coughs, "excuse me, actually, we kind of have time for a short break. We missed the previous one."
>Ok, you will do the justice to the mare of... justice
>Her eyes are captivating
>That's not a reason to risk, now is it
>"And we could wait until we get some answer."
>Et tu, Light Breeze?
>Saving from oppression comes from the site you were expecting the least
>Office Brownie's face contorted in pure disgust
>"Tea's terrible."
>Yes!
>This can be worked with
>Since she refuses to partake in activities like that with a lowly citizen you can take your exit without raining any suspicion
>Completely naturally
>You raise your head and grab attention of your friend
>Your lips part-
>"Coffee, now that's more like it."
>Only to get ignored by brown mare Brownie
>It's Light Breeze's turn to look at you with a worry
>...
>And that's how you four ends in the very same tea drinking establishment from which you have detoured to meet these police mares
>You would be lying if you say the chat is unpleasant
>It's because there is barely any talking at all
>You may sit in company, but after making brief curious inquiry of how did it happen to be the plot owners in old canterlot segregated and ordered themselves by names no other subject is really touched
>The difference in interests is obvious and more visible than tonight's moon
>Yup, the clouds never revealed it, not even partially
>Light Breeze tried to hold the conversation, which was a vain task to begin with
>She just didn't know it, nor did you
>Now both of you focus on your cups of warm tea
>Your is hibiscus; very red and energizing
>That's what they say
>For you, the best part thing about it is you didn't pay for it
>Who knew the workers of a shop would not ask the police to pay for refreshments?
>Well, ok, that would be possible to predict, but they must have mixed something up, because nor you, nor Light Breeze ended up paying
>Isn't that what makes things the best?
>Still, your mind can't run for long from the nervous atmosphere of waiting Celestia knows how long, in the proximity of not one but two physically more capable than you officers, that makes you a susceptible subject of itself
>You came here for a reason, damn it, and now you're facing two officers of law, both of whom would undoubtedly overpower and capture you
>Even you know that you're repeating yourself, but...
>That kind of a stressful condition, and the taste of the weird fruity flower thing, takes its toll and makes your bladder to remind of the need for more mundane activities
>Thankfully, they have a restroom for paying customers
>Heh
>Paying
>…
>Once relieved, you wipe your hooves and look in the restroom's mirror
>Your face eyes begin to betray signs of tiredness, but you don't feel it yet
>It may stay at bay as long as you are still in the vicinity of police, and then, crash you down without a warning
>Wouldn't be the first time
>Albeit, you are perfectly fine, except that something tells you you are wasting time
>With a final approving look of Twilight Sparkle's approving reflection, you feel approved enough to go out of the seclusion of-
>Why are you so melodramatic?
>Was it something in the tea?
>…
>You don't go back to the table of three, directing your legs towards the staff of the place
>A stallion higher than you intercepts your intent and stops you
>He wears a traditional hat of a tea-maker, so you already know he's who you were look for, and not get perplexed at his equally troubled and fearful look
>"Was there any problem in the restroom?"
>What
"Like what?"
>He cast a cautious, longing glance on you, then at the door to the toilet, then back at you-
>You don't have time for this
"Can I ask you for help?"
>His snout and forehead gains a single wrinkle each
>They remind look ugly on his otherwise perfect features
>"Sure?" he says, and then goes back behind the counter!
>You follow him, definitely not rolling your eyes because it may be a good thing to gain more a distance from the merry company full of police mares per a war crime fugitive
>And by that you mean Light Breeze
>The colt raises a brow at your unexpected giggle and asks you a silent question
>'what's so funny' - no, not this one, although it would not surprise you after witnessing the behavior of upper canterlot entitled brats
>'what can I do for you' - yes, that's the one
>Well, what can he?
>Should you ask him?
>He won't probably know, but would more specific details not lead the police officers after you in case they receive an order to tie your flanks?
>It's clearly paranoiac thinking on your part, you know this, but did your guts betray you trust yet?
>So far so good
>The younger police mare, officer Brownie, leave her cup on the table and gets off of the place
>She straightens her legs and take a stroll to the restroom
>It would be the best idea to ask him about something similar, that's for sure, but not too similar
>As if summoned by a magic spell, Light Breeze joins you at the counter
>"Oi, What's up?"
>Her conspiratorial whisper, just above the level of ambient sounds of glasses clattering and water being boiled have an equally magical effect on as of her being summoned
>It makes you feel better
"I would like to get lost. Something tells me there will be problems."
>"I feel the same. That's not how I imagined hanging out with them to be like."
>What makes you feel even better than better,- the bettest? The bestest? Good, - is you don't have to explain it to her
>She knows!
"Speaking of it; should we ask them about the address?"
>You don't move your head towards the now fully scrunching stallion, with his brows furrowed and his time wasted
>A toss of eyes is enough for Light Breeze to return a scutining gaze upon him, which in turns takes him back, his eyes big as the cups they serve their drinks in
>Soon enough, and with a mumbling under his breath, he turns away
>"Should we?"
"Dunno."
>"And then we cram?"
"The word's scram."
>"I'm sure the word is scream."
"That's..." 
>What is the even talking about-, oh, more snickering full of herself, alright
>That mare loves to confuse the soul out of you, but you could swear it wasn't like that when you first met, when she was happy her Twilight Sparkle was there for her to do whatever she been doing with her
>And now look at her
>Almost oozing with smugness, and a smugness of density of the sun, or the moon, or-
>"Anyways. Your call."
>Dang it! You were about to make her choose!
A - Ask the workers, and fake most the address
B - Return to the table to wait for the response from the system
Y - Thank the police for help and go on your search alone
X - Find an excuse to leave the premises for 'a moment' and never come back 
AY

>When the stallion comes back he wears an apron
>You dare to whisper to the him, as still one of the police mares went missing in the restroom, and can appear behind you any second now
"Can you tell us is there any building on this street that's called... 'EX'?"
>He holds a curious look in the eye, yet his voice copies your manner of quiet talking, and he speaks only after stealing a sneaky glance at Light Breeze and Fire Top, who is still drinking her tea at a distant table
>"Is this some sort of an unofficial investigation? I don't really want to get into any trouble."
>Nopony would want to
>Light Breeze uses this time to-
>"It depends."
>-to mock you!
>You try your best to stop an eye-roll and succeed only after it have already traveled half the way
"No, it's not. Don't worry. We're just looking for some basic directions. We are looking for a building or some other place, but the address we have got is, apparently, an ancient one. We don't really know what to expect, so we ask who we can."
>His eyes narrow, as if still suspicious of an unpleasant surprise
>"So, you're not cops?"
"Last time I checked I wasn't. Listen, we got bored with waiting the police mares."
>"You know, the police must tell you the truth if you ask them directly. So you know it's true," your friend adds
>"Great," his voice even quieter than before, "first, that doesn't work like this. Not anymore, anyways. Second, what are you waiting for?" 
>"For an inquiry being passed to some central and they can answer us."
>"The what?"
"The something something administrative system? You know, passing your question to a bunch of ponies who do that for a living, getting a generic answer, then waiting for a more detailed data on the subject whatever it may be..."
>Your voice trails off at the end
>There is something sincere about his confusion, something very sincere and equally worrying for you
>"I'm sorry, I've never heard of it," he says and cocks his head to a side
>Deep down in your stomach a maw that's usually lays docile, opens and gnaws at the back of your head
>Light Breeze betrays a similar feeling of dismay, if her nervous glance everywhere but at the direction of the police mare is any trustworthy indicator
>And it is more than enough
"Did we pay for our drinks?"
>"What?"
>You repeat through your teeth, this time slower
"Did. We. Pay?"
>He blinks twice, and even Light Breeze raises an eye brow
>"Of course you did."
>Oh no
"Hahaha! That's a good one!"
>Er, fake laughter sounds only fake if you fake it too much
>That's why you think of how funny it would be to pass the stallion your credit card when you pat his shoulder after he told you a really good joke which you can't repeat due to the lack of the latter
>You even turn to look at everypony in the tea-cafe
>Indeed, the few pairs of ears perk up and focus on your voice even before the faces follow to turn towards you
>Only Fire Top's head doesn't budge
>Not good
>However, no pony would suspect you of such sneakiness
>You're Twilight Sparkle, the sneaky bastardo
>The colt looks at the item in his hoof
>That's when Light Breeze burst into-
>To call it hysteric would give it justice
>So you won't do that
>She howls in registers higher than you ever witnessed
>"Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi," her choking fills the cozy place
>It sounds absolutely unpleasant
>Quickly gaining even more attention than you
>You don't get to consider what or why is she doing it, as she gently pushes the stallion towards the other side of the counter
>It works
>He wobbles back, his eyes opens wider and you can see an idea dawning on him
>Thank Celestia, the stallion gets close to the card reader and passes it through
>As for your friend, she approaches the few other patrons and overplay the game of pretend 
>In this case, the "Let me try to tell the joke I just heard while still laughing"
>Honestly speaking, her attempts to come up with a hundred beginnings make a mare or two to giggle in advance
>Too bad they are destined to never hear the full story of the joke that doesn't exist
>As the ungodly distraction of Light Breeze continues, the tea-working pony gets back to your side
>The maw in your stomach opens wider even before he speaks up
>You ponder briefly whether should you ask him
>He uses this time to hand you the card
>His mouth close to your good ear as he leans in
>"It's blocked."
>That's all what you need to know
>You fucked up
>…
>Gaah!
>Five thousand crebits lost!
>It's no time to mope about anything
>No amount of assessing the place paints it in any better paint
>With your crebit card out of use, you are sure it's the work of the police mares
>What a coincidence it would have to be for some system error to happen just now?
>Even if that's the case, you can't take the risk
>You turn to Light Breeze and find her missing
>Of course, she left your side and joined Officer Fire Top to hide your actions under a soft and heavy blanket of au-
>Officer Brownie enters through the door
>Wasn't she in the restroom?
>She sports a neutral expression and bee lines straight for her partner
>A small nod gets exchanged
>You look again at their long, slender wings
>Do you have any chance to outrun them?
>No, as far as your physique training expertise goes, you're dead in horse shoes
>You close on them on full display
>Both of them sitting in front of Light Breeze, who as the only one turns her head towards you
>You don't look at her
>Your eyes fixed on two officers
>The tiny hats still on their heads
>Weapons at their utility belts, just under the place where their blue police shirts end
>You can rush one of them now
>Take them by surprise and hope for Light Breeze to act fast
>Yet you don't
>It's hard to put a hoof on it, but the same maw that's leaking warm liquids all over your lower stomach renders the impromptu plan barren
>They must be observing you, that's why you slowly slide your flanks back on the chair
>It got cold in the meantime, but you don't mind
>You discover your decision as a good one; they both exhale simultaneously
>Can't call it relaxing, but take your hooves away if they weren't expecting you to pull something out of your mane
>That's when they ask you a question
>You don't register words, just the tone
>Setting on a smile and a nod it is
>Another question follows and this time Light Breeze answers for you, although her voice got harsher
>The small chat continues for a short time
>You don't listen, only watch as their lips meet and separate
>A distinct buzzing in your hear grows
>It's makes all the sounds turn into one, pulsing mass
>And the very next second it's gone
>That's when your Twilight Sparkle training kicks in
>You know, the one which you never fully finished, because you ran away?
>That one
>Without actively thinking of it, you kick Light Breeze under the table
>She yelps and both the police mares focus on her for long enough that you can grab your beanie hat
>Your friend gazes at you in bewilderment for long enough that you exchange a glance and understanding shines in her eyes like two rubies
>Which is completely out of place, for her eyes aren't red, but light blue, just like her coat
>She turns away just in time for your beanie hat to hit the table
>The eyes of everypony gets transfixed on your bad stump of an ear and time slows down to extremely lazy crawl
>You move it up and down to strengthen the effect
>It still does as you command, even though two-thirds of it flaps around wildly on a thin string of meat
>That's what you think they see
>Your good ear gets very hot very quick, it prompts you to stand up and to pull a thing out of your chest fluff
>The telescopic riding crop falls perfectly into your right hoof, ready to swing at any-pony not wise enough to try to stop you
>However, not a single one does even as much as budge
>Light Breeze makes it to the door without look at you
>She holds them open for you, but you hesitate
>It's bad manners to not say goodbye, now isn't it
>So you turn around and bow your head deep down, never stopping to move your ear, no matter how stinky the skin around its base gets
"Thank you for your co-operation."
>Silence gets broken by a glass that meets the floor
>Both the police mares blink the hypnosis away and jump to their hooves!
>You turn your head to them and wave the stump
>None of them fall for the same trick twice, not completely anyway
>"Memetic attack!"
>They cover their eyes and lay flat on the ground
>You deftly help yourself out of the building!
>Light Breeze stands there, waiting for you, and handing you something
>It's your hat!
>She grabbed it for you
>You don't waste time and place it atop your head, covering the 'memetic' device
>Truly, a pony ex machina tool
>As you finish your task, once again Light Breeze surprises you
>She stands next to the wooden bench, pacing nervously in place
>"Come on!"
>You jump into gallop- but she doesn't join you
>So you stop
>Her fore legs awkwardly hug the bench as her hind legs kick into the concrete
>Oh!
"No, no, don't hug it, just push-"
>She heaves and the thing finally moves
>Is it even worth to mention you jump in to help?
>Hnng!
>Why is real wood so heavy!
>You think so after moving it to the door and effectively blocking them from being opened
>"Because it's wood!"
>Wait, did you say that?
>You double take while already on the run, and in no time you find yourself alone on the scarcely populated street
>Were this the lower canterlot you would disappear by barging through the crowd
>Here, though, in the desolated area so alien to you, you're visible as on a surface of a hoof
>Except Light Breeze and you, there must be less than thirty ponies on this whole street, and it's a long one
>The more fabulous streets of upper canterlot doesn't look as welcoming and secure as they used to
>The maw in your stomach finally closes, as you two gallop down the street, or is it up?
>Still, it doesn't change you may be pursued
"They blocked my card."
>Unbelievably, saying this much is enough to make you gasp for air
>"I know."
>How many numbers you ran past?
>Ten, twenty?
>Ponies which you leave behind stop to watch you
>Somehow it did not occur to you that these upper canterlot entitled pricks never saw a mare galloping
>This makes you feel angry
>And extremely tired
"We need to hide, can't run much longer."
>You say around ten seconds after your lungs begun to burn
>"But where."
>You stop and look around
>Previously you were too focused on not tripping over your own legs, but now the street looks different
>All buildings look bigger and grander than before
>There is also another little, tiny thing that reopens the stomach pit
>Cameras on lamp posts on every intersection
>You let out a small nicker
>The smallest one, you swear
>The hunt is back on
A - a gray, simple, and tall business office building on this side of the road
B - a bright, shopping mall an entire block back
Y - an older, red, smaller, and decorated with flags office on the other side of the road
X - a spacious parking lot with an equally spacious terminal a bit farther down
YY

>You cross the street in hurry
>Light Breeze follows you a step behind
>A worried look down the street proves futile to determine are your due seen by the mares in pursuit
>That give birth to a question - what about the pedestrian ponies?
>Only few per a mass present on each street at each time in the lower canterlot, but they sure took a notice of two of you running to your rags
>And what if other police forces are put on their legs and just waiting behind the corner?
>Then you're done for
>You and Light Breeze
>The only positive thing is you can ditch clothes and become ungovernable, er, unrecognizable
>Gritting your teeth in frustration is not what you do best, and that means you bite yourself in the tongue!
>Good riddance!
"Fack!"
>Elaborate of you
>You two close on the building
>A weak gust of wind moves the two stores high flag closest to you
>It has patterns you've seen elsewhere, but not really a word
>You open and hold the tall door for your fellow criminal scum
>That's where she notices your jaw being loose
>"What happened?"
>Can you really dare to try to explain the damage done to your tongue and pride in a time of trial vocally?
>Nah, can't
>So you roll your eyes and clop a hoof against the smooth concrete
>The one of her ears that you can see, that isn't under her beanie hat in your manner, hugs the back of her scalp
>She pounces to air in place before prancing forward into the room, as if spooked by snake or police
>Heh
>Still got it
>You don't waste any more time and close the door behind you
>…
>It looks like an a utility area, if such things exist in the dark foreseeable future
>Or was it, back when canterlot was only on the top of a mountain, not on a dome
>It must have served as a way station, now these different flags outside and inside begin to make sense
>A monument to a bygone era
>These days it's pretty much a postal office, if the brown uniforms with wide white cuffs and big slogan saying "Postal Office" is an indicator
>However, not the only service takes place here
>Here's the twist; there are rows upon rows of two pony high metal shelves to your left and right, each closed with an old-school round lock
>The pony attendants are not many, but there is a bunch of ponies waiting in the lines or occupied with the lockers
>Is it a good time to allow yourself to take a breath?
>Hard to tell, but if you were there alone it would be a bad idea to stay
>Either way, only after hiding between the furniture
>Let's hope they will obstruct the field of vision in case the police gets up to you
>Of course, if that is going to be an entire platoon then no plan will work out, now will it?
>You spend too much in thoughts, it prompts Light Breeze to poke your side and point her head to the far away wall
>Don't run, you remind yourself, that would cause echo and raise easily avoidable interest
>Light Breeze leads the way, this time and you do your best not to cross your eyes with anypony
>The old, black and white floor tiles which could have been used in a kitchen of sorts in their previous lives still makes each step of yours audible
>Oh well, can't have it all
>…
>Time passes and no pursuit comes after you
>And, hey, you can talk!
>Little victories, they say
>You're boring yourself to death by waiting and looking interested in the ceiling and wall corners
>"I can't spot a single camera."
>For her defense, the same chat for the third time doesn't bother you in the slightest, and it really seems like the building was never updated in the newest tech, maybe except for the worker stations
>At least the only one that is still open
>Or is it already open?
>Can't help but notice the hoodie got a bit too sweaty for your liking, and it's only a matter of time it starts like you
>What won't you endure for your quest for revenge!
>Revenge?
>You stop in tracks - you have been walking between the shelves and sneaking your head past the corner, half-expecting the police mares from before to block your path and call you bad names
>As if that could make any impression on you!
>Anyhow, revenge?
>Is this what you seek?
>"Hey, Twilight, look."
>Thank Celestia Light Breeze pulls you out from the train called thoughts before you could depart to the station self-doubt and remorse
>She's closely examining something on the metal door of a shelf, then moves to another, and another
>They... have numbers!
>And letters, too!
>The closest one reads 'O555'
>Tiredness gives place excitement in her eyes as she speaks
>"Do you think what I'm thinking?"
>Why does she thing the puppy eyes can win you over?
"Fine. Let's split."
>Ah, that's why
>…
>The round lockers are fake and hanging there as a decoration at best
>The entirety of the units you have checked have a panel that is in energy saving mode, and turns on only at the touch
>It allows to type four digits in three tries
>You certainly didn't lock one or two for an hour testing that out
>No need to mention that
>"Couldn't find a two letter number."
>Truth be told, neither could you
"Letters start at 'O', and ends at 'Z', but-"
>"-But there aren't always in order, right?"
>That's what you were going to say
>Instead you opt for a nod
>"I swear I saw a couple of 'A's and 'B's."
>So did you
>"So!" She takes a moment to rub her front hooves together in a gesture too vulgar and uncivilized to describe. "What do we do now?"
>In the bask of such a sign of certain tendencies that you are rather sure she doesn't possess if she's not being chased by the police you still recoil back
>She has the audacity to ask you 'what do we do now'?
>As if this entire flawless escapade was your sole idea-
>Ok, yeah, right, that's totally your fault, but still
>You're Twilight Sparkle, that must count for something, right?
"I don't know, we ask?"
>Due to lack of any better prospect she graces you with a shrug far too cute for the dire circumstances
"Should we butt in?"
>"I don't think that's good for keeping a low profile."
>Now it's your time shrug
>…
>The queue to the only open window takes easily half an hour to disperse
>You are finally in front of the counter
>Behind it resides a gray stallion, with bright yellow mane, and a running eye
>He is there supposedly to serve the customers, and not munch on his delicious looking sandwich
>Two ponies in thirty minutes!
>What a rampage
>"Hello, welcome in the canterlot postal office. What can I do for you?"
>Her voice definitely doesn't sound bored, and yours definitely doesn't sound hoarse
>Because, you know, you're a pony
"Let's say I want to use a stash to leave my stuff, but these numbers are rather inconsequential. 314 followed by 420? Can you tell me what is going on?"
>The stallion puts down the sandwich and grabs a pair of glasses
>They are not what you expected to see
>The ear-pieces looks normal, but the glasses are replaced with pieces of carton
>Should you begin to worry?
>Can't, you already do that
>You feel Light Breeze next to you, nervously shuffling her legs until your sides meet
>Impossible to feel her body warmth through two layers of hoodies; at least none is wet
>Colt's mouth open, his tongue flicker, his sandwich back in a hoof
>Luna damn it
>He speaks with food in mouth
>So much about good manners, or any manners
>"These don't really belong to the office."
>"Then to who?" Light Breeze says
>"To the locomotion station."
"You mean the hub a street farther?"
>"Yup. That's theirs. They just stand there, so I guess you can use them."
>Another bite
>He chews slowly and pulls the carton glasses off his face
>You speak, before he can put the ear-piece into his mouth
"How to find the one I would be looking for?"
>It startles him and he rushes the glasses back, putting them up-side down
>Seems it's not a problem for such a work pony
>You can't see his eyes, but judging by his voice he's quite surprised you're still here
>"Oh, sorry. I thought you went your way."
>Great service, everypony
>He swallows the bite, but doesn't take another
>You like to think that he learnt to take his dead shift a bit more serious, but...
>The merit lays mostly in that nothing of the sandwich is left
"Well?"
>"Oh, what do you want to know?"
>Light Breeze must sense your nostrils flaring
>She says, "Where to find one particular locker?"
>"Probably by the numbers."
>And he raises a leg to grab the gla-
>How much power it takes not to face-hoof?
>Too much
"Listen, we understand, these are not a part of your duties, but they stay there, and-"
>His growing smile tell you all that you want to know
>Except nothing
"What can you do for us?"
>He cocks a head to a side before focusing really hard, so hard he forgets to look at you through the carton lenses of the carton-tech glasses
>"I can get take your letter."
>You're almost miss the police mares or the citadel goons on your tail
>Almost
>"Hold on, don't you take parcels?"
>"Nu-uh, miss. We don't do that."
"What kind of a postal service don't take packages?"
>"The best, ma'am."
>This is leading nowhere
>At least nopony is behind you in the queue
>If there were you could stomp and walk away in anger
>How would that profit you?
>Light Breeze places a leg on your back
>What for?
>To ease you?
>You're not angry!
>"Then who does the parcels?"
>"The ups, duh."
>"U.P.S.?"
>"More like 'OOPS'."
>Oh, great, even his laughter is crazy
>Turning to your friend you pull her closer, so close you look each other eye-to-eye
"What do we do?"
>"I don't know? We send a letter?"
>Send a letter!
>To where!
>Send a-
>Wait
>That may be it!
>…
>You can't pay for an envelope with your card blocked, but Light Breeze can!
>Same with the stamp, really
>And a pen
>She says she doesn't mind
>How comes they don't have free pens to use at such a place!
>"There! Can you take it?"
>It's the second attempt, this time you write entire address, except the last two letters 'op'
>Attendant's keyboard happily dhak-dhaks until he's done with retyping
>"Nope, sorry."
"Is it because something is missing?"
>"No."
>You scribble the last two letters
"And now?"
>He proceed to delete everything and type it again
>At least it's short!
>"Oh, it works, but…"
"But what?"
>Visible beads of sweat forms on his brows
>What the heck
>"It's a room in the canterlot castle?"
>There is a castle?!
>No royal sisters but they build a castle?
>How comes?
>Light Breeze once again takes your silence as her cue to speak
>"What is this castle?"
>"It's a... prison, ma'am."
>Yes it does sound more like it
>PRISON?!
>Is Spike in a dungeon?
>Nothing new for a dragon, but, not like that!
>How are you going to get inside a prison?
>Why do you already jump to 'how'?!
>Your friend's prying voice once again saves you from the embrace of never stopping train of dark thoughts
>You should buy her a dinner, or something, if you, you know, could pay for it right now
>The idea goes on the mental list of 'to do' things
>You don't have such a list
>Well, you should; what kind of Twilight Sparkle are you to not have a list of-
>Doing it again, ain't you?
>"Are you sure it's a prison?"
>"Yes, ma'am."
"Can you read out what you typed?"
>You speak without thinking or feeling anything but spreading numbness in your heart
>"Ceel, teen-teen-teen, naine-tvo-sigx, oop."
"What the hay?"
>At least your friend is laughing her flanks off
>…
>With this episode done you kind of still don't know what to do with yourself
>At this point you may as well contact the police or commit another act of terrorism
>Hey, it's only terrorism if you don't get paid, Twilight Sparkle!
>Shut up, Twilight Sparkle!
>"I think we should go to the parking lot."
>…
>As said, is done
>It feels rather creepy to be in such a big city with almost no pony on the street
>Sure, still a moon-less night
>As if that changes anything!
"Do you feel observed?"
>You stop and wait for your pal to reach your side, as being sneaky makes no sense without even a scarcely crowd to sink in
>"I feel weird. This place is weird."
"What exactly?"
>"Everything."
>She raises a leg and point at the sky
>"Where's the moon?"
>She doesn't let you point out the dark clouds, as she continue to throw her leg up in a wide arc, and keeps it there for a dramatic effect
>"Look, all these tall office buildings, and some living ones, too, and…"
>She doesn't have to finish
>If anything, it's rather sad you notice it only now
"The lights are off." 
>"Everywhere."
"That's the literal opposite of life in the lower canterlot."
>"It feels fake."
>You understand what she means
>Not as a trap, as a movie set
>"Let's get inside and scram."
>You follow her through the big and empty parking lot
>…
>The inside of the building is smaller than it looked from the outside
>The first thing that grabs attention is a wide, tall, and split-flap display table with arrivals and departures of what you can only presume are trains or chariots
>There's more red letters on it than whites, and all the rides are either canceled, delayed, or departed
>Instead of a ticket booth, here stands a ticket machine
>Completely useless to you
>"Well, if it isn't just creepy."
>She says so, but nudges your side and makes you look at a similar looking metal lockers filling the rest of the place
>On the way to the closest you spot a refreshment stand with a bored looking pony
>There is max two other ponies that your duo and that one merchandiser here
"Why?"
>"Why what?"
"I haven't noticed it before, but everything here is as you say. Fake. Odd. Alien."
>No further comment is needed as you get your best to search
>…
>Numbers were equally mixed, but after some time you can finally say -
"Here!"
>Your voice makes through the entire hall, grabbing the attention of as many ponies as many legs you have
>Four, that's four
>Light Breeze joins you in a jiffy
>The locker looks like every one other, except maybe a bit smaller, with a number plate
>The label reads 'clop'
>Celestia knows what it means
>"Oh! It's three times ten. Good thinking!"
>You double take
>She double takes
>Does that mean everypony double take?
>Hold on, she's not facing the same locker than you, but one to the left
>It reads 'cl30'
>Oh
>Ok
>You prod the screen and it wakes up to life
>Six digits
>So happens you have three times ten
>The small door opens revealing a small box inside
>Your more focused on any silent alarm that can be turned on,
>Light Breeze eyes locked on the prize
>"Come on, take it."
>The place doesn't get swarmed by inter-dimentional purpleness so you allow yourself the leisure to retrieve the item
>That's a success, without rolling
>You gently pull it and sit down on your flanks
>A brief inspection close to your clever eye proves it to be some sort of a brick in a tin foil?
>You take a bite in your mouth
>Yes, definitely a tinfoil
>No, you're not red on face because your so called friend dons an incredulous smirk
>Then the door opens and everypony turns to see the newcomer
>Your heart stops for a moment
>Panic open its gates to flood your mind faster than you can read!
>The pony's tall, classy, and purple
>She wears a business suit and well fitting fedora and she's Twilight Sparkle
>Her eyes scan the spacious space and stop at you
>…
>Then she proceed to slowly approach the lockers and look for something
>What is going on?!
>Wait, no!
>You turn to Light Breeze!
>She's observing the other Twilight Sparkle with squinting eyes
>Shit!
A - grab Light Breeze and the brick and run to the lower canterlot
B - order Light Breeze to wait and approach the other you
Y - do that, but together
X - talk to the vendor pony
Z - stay in the upper canterlot [do what, go where] 
CBY

>You choose to approach the mare alone
>Light Breeze is already eyeing the newly came Twilight Sparkle
>No realization shines on her face, yet
>You can't have that, and opt to operationally distract her
>A wave of your leg in front of her face might been too close, as her head pulls back
>It works, though
"I don't know how to tell you, but it seems like this pony here may know something important. She reminds me of some old co-worker of mine. I want to talk to her."
>"From that corporation job?"
"Yup, that one."
>Not to your surprise she takes a step forward only to realize you block her path
>A confused glare doesn't hide a tint of worry
>"Hey, what gives?"
"Alone."
>"But- 
>Her shoulders sink and her tail whips the air
>She looks on the ground for a moment
>Then slowly pokes one of a rim of a big tile the entire floor is made of
>It's not a pretty sight, but you are Twilight Sparkle, and you know what she's trying to do
>To guilt trip you!
>Ha ha!
>Not this time, pony!
>It takes her about ten seconds flat to realize you're not going to bent
>She makes clear it was her plan with a short laugh!
>"Ok. What do you want me to do? Watch the thing? And-", she pauses, "Is it even safe?"
>Didn't really think of that, now, did you?
>You wave a hoof to dispel her question
"If this pony worked for my ex-boss we would be already fresh bread."
>Your words reach its goal - your friend's cheeks turn light red, her lips part, a gasp is not withheld
>No pony will ever defend against the vision of being freshly bread
>No pony
>Except you and other Twilight Sparkles
>The bread is never fresh
>You're not a cruel pony, the situation makes you one
"Yes, you can hold to it. It's probably safer on you than on me, anyways."
>The brick in tin foil quickly exchanges the owner
>You don't really suspect to fight this other Twilight Sparkle, but to not have it on you may provide an additional risk
>"Why do you think it's a good idea? If it's her she may just give us up to your company. What then?"
>Ok, well, that's a good question so you proceed to completely ignore it, so you look her square in the eye, open your mouth so the tip of your tongue is visible and wiggling up and down, pull in closer to her ear and whisper
"I don't."
>With that you wink a 'see you soon', and start to walk towards where this new Twilight Sparkle disappeared between between the walls of lockers
>…
>You find her spying behind a corner
>Not on you, but on Light Breeze, who is talking with the drink stand pony
>Why did you not think of that?
>Eh, who cares
>The Twilight Sparkle in front of you jump in place, visibly startled by your silent approach
>"Sweet Celestia, you really had to?" 
>She wears a rather fitting green vest with gold buttons
>That's weird
>You were sure she was as purple as mama Sparkle made you
>"Who is that? Your friend?"
>Her voice hushed, her chest fluff enormous and similar to yours
>"What? You're one of these dumb ones or what?"
>She suspiciously eyes you, or gives you a stinky eye
>It's hard to tell
>What's easy to decide on is - this is not at all what you expected
"Uh, sorry. I was just shocked."
>Twilight Sparkle narrows her eyes even more and pokes your chest
>"You're shocked? Then how am I? How comes you're here? Now, don't even think of lying to me, you," she fails to find a suitable word and settles on a grunt. "You new here and lost your way, or got drunk on caffeine and have no regard for personal safety?"
>She pokes you again, this time it pushes you back!
>What is going on?!
>Why is she interrogating you?!
>That's not how things are supposed to be
>And she's waiting for an answer!
>Think. Think!
>The best to tell the truth
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what are you exactly asking me about."
>Not the whole truth
>She stomps on the floor and a tile cracks
>The sound echoes through the building
>Light Breeze is most likely going to worry about you now
>Great
"Hey, don't demolish this place. You want to know who I am, so I will tell you. My name is Twilight Sparkle."
>If her horn could kill-
>So could yours!
>Twilight Sparkle in green vest lowers herself to haunches, not without a groan
>"I know that, you idiot-"
>R-rude!
>"-what I want to know is who sent you here, or rather, how did you end up in this part of town. I doubt anypony was dumb enough to mix something so crucial, so it must be your fault, newbie."
>Is she-
>Is it-
>Can you believe your luck?
>Scientifically speaking, no
>You are Twilight Sparkle and you're amazing, luck has nothing to do with it
>Slowly, you raise a hoof and place it at back of your neck
"Yeah, well. I kind of bucked up and ended up here."
>With a nod of head you motion to now obstructed view of Light Breeze
"I found great help in that pony. She took me in-"
>Something what you said make her eyes double its size
>It's not really that much of change, considering the narrowness of her eyes up to now
>You'll most likely learn what was so unusual-
>"She took you in? Like, what? How long are you here?"
>Uh oh
>Long or short?
>She works for the Twilight Sparkle citadel, that's sure
>A field agent
>And she's already suspicious of you
>Why wouldn't she?
>You literally walked on her turf; that sounds like a big no-no between Twilight Sparkles
>"Are you telling me it took you more than a day to get to your post? What the hay? How is that even possible?"
>You don a sheepish smile, but stay silent
>The less you talk, the more likely she will fill the gaps for you, and then you'll be able to…
>To what?
>Call her a bad name?
>"No. Don't even say a word. It's a miracle you're still in one piece, but don't hope you'll stay that way once I'm done with the report about all of this."
>To signify the importance of it she draws a circle in the air
>Best if she doesn't notice the stump of your ear
>You want her information, not her to die of heart attack
>"Seriously, to think somepony up there would allow such thing to happen."
>Her eyes fix once again on your forehead
>"Were you the one the police ponies ran after?"
>Your shoulders involuntarily tense
>Is it too much to assume she notices it?
"No?"
>A single eye brow ends up lifted
>Crap!
>Better lie so more to hide the initial blunder!
"I mean, I bucking wish that were me. I would tie them up and deliver to the police station. Just give me a sign. Ha. Ha."
>Her necks crane forward with each word you speak until her entire body is crumpled in a position as uncomfortable for a non-giraffe as defensive against your bullshit
>A shudder runs down her back and she shakes it off
>"Why in the princesses goodness would you do such a thing? You know what? I don't doubt you would try to do that, nor that your skull is so tight there's little space for blood to flow. Who the heck approved a mare like you to come here?"
>Why is she still interrogating you?!
>She shakes her head
>"How would you know. Where are you supposed to be, and what is your purpose here? No, don't tell me. The less I know the better for both of us. Will you- can you stop looking at me as if I crucified your smarty-pants?"
>Sweet Celestia!
>What are you going to tell her?
>Hold on, is it possible she's one of the Twilight Sparkles family from the canals of lower canterlot?
"I'm sorry-"
>"You should be."
>Not quite sure on it, but did they not mention one of them had special somepony?
>Or did you read it on some public barn advertisement?
"Are you married?"
>You swear her eye twitches
"To a stallion, I clarify that."
>And an ear flap, too
>She snorts in disbelief, "I'll pretend I didn't hear that, but on which part of it's better not to know training did you sleep through and why all of it? 
"You asked me about my assignment yourself, you know."
>"Oh, no, you won't play brazen with me, Twilight Sparkle. Right now we need to disappear and contact the citadel, and then, if they won't call you back for your upmost incompetence, we will get you into your position. Did you understand?"
>Nope, you can't go with that plan
>That's where quiet steps forces both of you to look at the source
>Light Breeze joins you without a word
>She comes to your side, stealing only a peek at the other purple mare
>Her face undisturbed and neutral, and she holds something out for you
>It's a bottle of water and you accept it
>Aah, you didn't know how dehydrated you were!
>The other Twilight Sparkle slowly smiles and pulls a hoof out to Light Breeze who imperceptibly looks up to you as if to ask a silent question
>Too bad you're emptying the bottle
>"Hello. We haven't met yet. My name is-"
>The rest of the water which you didn't manage to swallow ends up on a wall of lockers in front of you
>A quick slap to her stretched hoof is all it takes for to get into a defensive position
>Her head low, the horn pointed at your throat, legs straight and spread
>"Now you've done it. I will make sure to write everything in detail. Everything."
>She growls and threatens you with what, it seems, would make her shake her flanks in fear
>Unless, she means she will write about Light Breeze helping you
>Pfft!
>Didn't you already accept this risk?
>Sure, your buddy, your pal, your amigo doesn't know exactly what you two are against, but she herself understand she may lose a hoof and a mane
>Speaking of which, Light Breeze stands closer to your side and leans in to look down at the purple unicorn, before she speaks. "Then write it too in your report. Bitch."
>Oof
>Your wide eyes serve enough of a cue for her to rose her cheeks, again
>It becomes a pattern
>She looks down between her legs, and fixes her beanie hat
>"Because, you know," this time her voice half the volume than before, "that's a female diamond dog, and you're barking right now."
>Both of your purple pair of flanks stay silent
>You manage not to do as much as snicker
>What will the other mare do?
>You prepare your hind legs to pounce, but the field agent Twilight Sparkle coughs and pull up her head, dropping from the battle stance
>Her snout is as high as neck allows
>"We are going, Twilight Sparkle."
>She takes couple steps away towards the door, is all
>Still visible and in ear-shot, she turns away and scowls
>"Say your thanks to your friend and we're on our way. Alone."
>Light Breeze's worried leg shuffling becomes distinct for you
>You look between two mares and think what to do
A - ditch Light Breeze and go with Twilight Sparkle
B - stay with Light Breeze and say goodbye to Twilight Sparkle
and/or
Y - pantomime to Light Breeze to follow you two / follow Twilight Sparkle, the field agent, from the shadows
X - go to the central elevator and return to the lower canterlot
Z - find a place in upper canterlot to discuss the newest information with Light Breeze before doing anything else
YXX

"Yeah... no. Change of plans. We gotta go."
>You state matter-o-factly and clash your flank with Light Breeze's own one
>It prompts her to drop the air of uncertainty and to follow you which only proves she gets your intention
>Because you step forward and close to the now stunned field agent Twilight Sparkle
>The non-understanding in her eyes quickly dims and makes place for fires of anger
>Can you just withdraw and leave that purple disaster in making alone?
>Probably not, but the real question is will she do the same to you?
>Her lips pucker; other than that, the face becomes void of any expression
>The only betraying act is done by her ears; they stand up tall and focused on you and only you
>Or not
>Hooves of your friend echoes through the hall
>She is doing it on purpose
>The flickering of Twilight Sparkle's ears indicates something you did not quite expect
>Her sense of danger kicked in
>Which to you does make some sense
>To think she was unlucky to met a 'rookie' agent of the citadel that required her assistance was enough to make her field agent mad, but to witness said 'rookie' to act on her own must  have activated her anti-trap card
>The hair on your neck raise the nearer to her you get
>The feeling is clearly shared by Light Breeze who as if on a command joins your side
>This sight, by all means of literature old and new,  can't be reassuring to the field agent
>You're not in Citadel's shared quarters, though, and the last you need is to get stabbed with a horn
>Not that it would be any different back in that time when the new batch of girls, including you, found out they all share exact same interests in-
>The memory brings in the smell and a shudder runs down your spine
>Twilight Sparkle, with well practiced movement, imperceptibly lowers her position into a defensive stance
>And then ducks her head an entire hoof down to double the measures, throwing away any signs of hidden purpose
>Light Breeze step quickens
>You push her to the side and-
>That's when you finally reach her, or rather, make a pretty letter "C", avoiding her completely in a safe distance of one Twilight Sparkle stab-pounce
>She blinks in surprise
>You're, too, a Twilight Sparkle, and, although you don't have rich field experience, you can tell the distance by your body parameters
>In the end, it's one of the most first things a pretty purple pony learns at the purple keep in the Twilight Sparkle citadel
 >Your friend quietly gasp at the sudden contact
>"What? Aren't we going to trample her?"
>You shake your head, and she goes through the exit door
>One last glance passed into the insides provide you with a view of four or so ponies, all of them looking at you in silent awe, and one very confused you, uneasy about what the future brings
>A report about the event
>And a quick one
>You leave the building and make sure no pony follows you
>…
>The sky is even darker now, and with how close the clouds get to the higher floors of the sky scrappers, it threatens to consume them and never give back
>Even less ponies are on the unnaturally spacious streets of upper canterlot
>Maybe this city looks different at day, but at night, calling it anything but a ghost town is blunder
>The few inhabitants leisurely walk to the scarce open businesses and then munch on way to the elevators or take a sit on benches next to multiple, small, delicious looking grass patches
>You touch them and stones laying here and there with a hoof
>Of course, they are made of fiber-plastic
>It doesn't make them look any less edible
>Although, the stones feel real
>"Come on. We better go. Before your friend turn out send ponies after us."
>These are her first words since you left the malfunctioning transport station ten minutes ago
>Is she angry with you?
>You don't get to indulge in your monologue as she prevents you with "So, what did you learn?"
>She deserves the truth
"That co-worker returned to work for the company."
>Her consternation forces you to quickly add
"No biggie, she didn't recognize me, nor she knew I left."
>Her cheeks puffs
>"I figured as much. From what I've seen she wouldn't let us go without a fuss. Even with that, she was expectant of us charging her without any provocation."
"And you tried to take a unicorn in lowered stance by frontal tackle. That doesn't sound a pleasuring experience."
>She exhales with an uncontrollable whinny
>"Yeah, well, sorry about that. I kind of panicked."
>That could easily end her up in horse-spital
"I may not show it, but I'm relieved you did not turn yourself in a mare-skewer."
>"Oh, stop it, you."
>She boops your chest
>Due to all the stuff packed here and superior unicorn fluff you feel nothing
"Like, I see myself coming to visit you in the hospital, and I don't doubt you would want me to come as often as possible, but-"
>"I wouldn't mind you to come to me…"
>Aaand that concludes the poking fun at her expense
>Burning in your face doesn't stop you to look at her
>Her mouth tightly shut, eyes widely open, cheeks blue, with extremely noticeable tint of rose hue
>If it were not a real life, but a fantasy, you could say the same status applies to you, except you're purple, hence not so easy to spot embarrassment
>Which you're not
>No sir
>A couching fit is your solution to the awkward silence
>At least it's dark, so no one can tell how fake it sounds like
>"Ah, yes, I, too, have had have had had something in my throat," she says, then snorts.
>What
"What."
>She stays silent
>Oh, that was an attempt of hers to defuse the saucy situation
>Cool, cool
>She almost made the spaghetti untangle
>Almost
>After a while, you continue
"Other than her returning to the company, we learnt nothing."
>Your voice isn't heavy with hoarse, throaty groan
>Nope, it is not
>"At least we retrieved the item. Maybe somepony will have any idea what to do with it. Speaking of which. I still have the foiled brick. Do you want it back now, or what?"
"It seems to be safe with you at the moment. I would not exchange it in such an open space, in case somepony really follows us."
>"I think no pony does."
>Indeed, you deployed best Twilight Sparkle counter measures invented by the purplest of brains
>You suddenly turns your head back, jabbed a hoof in the air in and exclaimed "Aha!"
>One hundred percent of sneaking ponies fall for this classic move
>"Did she know what it is?"
>Uh
>Ah, the brick
"No. Didn't even mention it once she started to berate me for being in the wrong field area."
>"Oh, she did?"
"Yes, she feared being exposed as a-"
>As a what
"-as a one of them."
>Light Breeze shakes her head and fix her beige beanie hat
>Wait, was it beige all the time?
>Yours gray, so…
>Uhhh
>"Why do you think she fears her identity being known? What does your ex-company really do it's so dangerous?"
>If you could tell her, you would
>No, no, you can, just, not now
>In due time
>Or whatever
>You sigh
"They do meddle with many industries to get them to do what they want."
>"That doesn't sound much like a crime activity, unless they do it by illegal methods."
>Is using superior carton-tech illegal?
"No, you don't understand. They corrupt the politics."
>That sinks in as you finally see the central elevator rotund
>"Ok, and?"
>She motion for you to speak, but nothing comes to your mind, so you shrug
>"Every big enough company tries to purchase politicians if they can't raise their own. That's how things always been."
"Not on such a scale."
>"I can't tell how big your ex-stable is, and I believe you it's gigantic, but things are not that easy in canterlot, well, at least the lower canterlot. Up here is not enough ponies to get swing by one politician campaign. Which is weird for its own reasons."
>"But the lower canterlot would explode in a perpetual state of chaos, a full fledged turf war, if it was proven the canterlot council or the major major major mare sit in the pocket of a company."
>The ma-
>What in the heck
>"Don't get weirded out. You know they do, but there's a difference between being bribed by many lobbies, often contradicting one another in goals, and doing what one party says."
"Are you saying it wouldn't be about the truth, justice, social health ideal, but-"
>"Other corporations would wreck havoc on the flanks of the legislature monopolist, yes. That would cause many casualties among common ponies, especially "
>You stop
>That's…
>You did not have to come here to get to know this!
>All it took was to talk to Light Breeze about stuff a bit more sincere
>A hoof-face is not enough
>A double hoof-face seems to be just it
>"Oi."
"I know, I know. It's just. Eh."
>You groan one of the fattest ones ever witnessed by pony kind of royal purple coloration
>Raising eyes to the sky proves it being as much an unpiercable cover as before
>No blessing of sudden revelation other than the current
>You can compromise the citadel by disclosing the very existence of yourself to the public opinion
>Would it not be enough to make ponies of canterlot realize they are being played like a fiddle?
>Hard to say
>According to Light Breeze, probably
>How would she react?
>Right now she dons a warm, if not worried, smile, and patting your back in a comforting manner
>Well, if it isn't nice
>You will have to reveal the truth to her sooner or later
>She deserves it for all what she did
>No, she deserves it by the matter of principle
>How she helped you only proves you being a rather poor friend and a pony in general
>On the other hoof, ff you show the truth about the citadel the common lower canterlot folk riot to get all the purple agents out of commission you could have your revenge
>And revenge only
>No chance to get back to your simple life at Ponyville
>Frankly speaking, you're not sure you are capable of it
>Ignorance is a bliss...
>Saving the lives of innocent ponies is a big plus, but is that your goal?
>Is that who you are? Who you want to be?
>And saving lives? Won't the ponies go on a witch hunt?
>They will, they always do
>Ponies are riot
>You have a triumph card in your mane
>You can contact the citadel and blackmail them!
>They could take you back to your Equestria!
>However... no, they won't
>Sure, they could say they will and then lure you into the citadel defenseless, and do with you as they please
>Turning you into a bre-
>Bread mare, bread!
>For sure!
>You're too young and smart to be a baker!
>The heavy patting assault somewhat slows down the train of thoughts before it can derail in the platform
>Because of them you are where you are
>The citadel cannot be trusted, not now, not ever
"You know, I wasn't sure was this visit a total waste of time, but now I can tell with a leg on my heart, it wasn't."
>"What made you think it was?"
"The always helpful police, for one."
>Oh, look, you two remember how to laugh
>The ponies being countable on a pony's of legs cast their tired glances at you
>These are wearing more work-clothes than any party-like
>You both return to walk, you place a leg on the withers and pulls her close, eliciting a sweet giggle out of her
>That sound is a honey for your ears
>"Come on, I thought you're not a fan of horsing around."
"Filly please. You're on any mention of so called 'fun' just as red as me."
>More adorable nickering follows
>You two sneak inside the elevator premises, being wary for possible police patrols
>None is in the perimeter
>The wait for the elevator is short
>Only two exit, and around two dozens enter
>Most of them alone, with ears splayed flat
>The big door closes from left and right, until they meet in the middle
>Air gush rustles your hat
>A quick hoof to your head proves the ear on its own isn't getting any better
>You grab for your upper canterlot passport, but no pony else is doing it
>No doubt, the state of your ear will have to be dealt with if you plan to not wear a hat in any foreseeable future
>Light Breeze sees your commotion and pantomimes grabbing your ear and bitting it off
>Your jaw hangs low and she rolls her eyes filled with amusement
>You're pretty fortunate the light turns off
>No pony can see how red on face you are
>Soon, the gigantic plate slides down the glass tube
>After the initial pitch of blackness, the panorama of the lower canterlot shows up before your eyes
>Once again, the sight knocks air out of your breast
>From up there, the city doesn't look that big, an ant nest at best, but you know, back up close, it will be a gigantic monument to these ponies will to live
>It's so different from the upper canterlot, and no expectation about the place above turned out to be true
>The first sky scrappers gets in the way to spot the farthest parts of the city, near the canterlot dome radius and the safety zone next to it
>You spot a few different elevators, now that you know what to look for, but none of them as grand as the one delivering you back to your city
>"What are we going to do?"
>Light Breeze asks to your left, once the sight gets completely tunneled out and the mass of colors on the lower canterlot 'plate' becomes recognizable as equine beings, and not sinuous serpents of colors
>What do you want from this life?
>For yourself and others?
>And what is achievable?
>You look one last time at the sea of ponies before the elevator reaches the only destination
>Before the door opens you wait in dark
>It's a bit early to say what do you want to do with newfound knowledge, but it's just the perfect time to decide your next step
>Who are you going to for help?
A - meet Chalk at the Mafia Mane Cafe
B - meet Kar at the Hive Dungeon
Y - meet no one in particular at the Cyber Barn
X - meet Scootaloo around the Cyber Barn
Z - meet Rarity and maybe Coco at their place
C - meet Applejack and Pear Bottom... no, Pear Bosom, at the Magical Mango Grove
D - meet the free Twilight Sparkle society under the old Hoof Factory
E - [what else?]
F - tell Light Breeze the truth