Hunt and Be Hunted

How to go about explaining the mare known as Derpy? she always has criss crossed eyes and is loud when she talks; usually things that have only grazed her thoughts for a second or two. She is also a beautiful Pegasus with a cobalt coat and a blond mane as is her tail and a cutie mark that is five bubbles; I still haven't the slightest clue as to how she got them.

I liked not knowing though because it adds to the, mystery of things; I enjoy mysteries and haven't had a good one for a while aside from these Discord/Chrysalis creatures, the last mystery I had was during last years Winter Wrap Up.

"Let's go over there!" I quickly bit at Derpy's tail and just barely caught her to be dragged along through the crowd; it still surprised me that she was this strong and fast.

When I saw where she was dragging me I saw that we were headed for a Nightmare Night store that's open year round.

When Derpy had dragged me inside I scoffed at myself for mistaking an Antique shop for a Nightmare Night store and then I felt as giddy as when I read my first mystery novel; I love antiques they always hold some kind of mystery.

"Hello? Who's there?" an older mare was at the counter looking in our direction.

"Hi, we were just curious when walking by your shop today ma'am."

She gave me a curious look "your manner of speech is odd, where you from?" I cringed slightly at that sentence and told her I was born in Canterlot but live in Ponyville; she smiled softly at that name.

"I grew up there, a really nice place. How long you been there?" again I cringed.

"I believe that it has been two years-" she had interjected to see if I was moving to Manehatten, I told her that I was only here for a month or two while a friend was working at a club in downtown.

"DJ Pon-3?" - I was surprised but nodded; not many mares would dare go out after dark anywhere in Manehatten - "I knew her back when she was just Vinyl Scratch, always did what I could to help when she was younger" - another cringe - "she had a difficult childhood, if she hadn't been adopted…" her thoughts made her shrink.

"If she hadn't been adopted?" I was surprised to find that out.

"She'd have ended up like every orphan on the streets does, a whore or junkie…" I felt a shiver go through my spine on that one.

"How would that have changed things for Octavia?" she looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

"Did you just say Octavia? as in the famous Cellist?" it didn't surprise me that she had heard of Octavia; it did surprise me that I had spoke my mind though.

My attention was drawn to a necklace in a glass container while I spoke "yes, do you know her?"

Derpy was on my back nipping at my ear - "ooh pretty" - the mare at the counter laughed a little at Derpy's antics.

"Saw her at the Grand Galloping Galla, is it the one with the silver pendent?" Derpy said it was before I could even consider the word "how about you two take it?" I decided that I would and when I tried to pay her for it she just refused saying that it's one of those things that isn't sold but given.

I had thanked her and was on my way out but a book caught my attention "how much for this book?" I was marveling over the worn black leather binding.

"That old thing?" I could only nod taking it down from the shelf "it's been there for so long I don't even remember, let's say two bits" - I was eager to pay for it and put it away in my saddle bag - "if possible see if Vinyl Scratch can come by."

I agreed I would try to get her to come and then Derpy and myself were outside; I put the necklace around her neck and she hugged me suddenly "thank you!" I hugged her back after a moment of stunned silence.

We started to ask around about the creatures.