The bar was quiet this time of day. Pale afternoon sunlight drifted into the building, to cast lazy shadows onto grimy floors. Bottles gleamed along the back wall and small bowls of salt glimmered along the bar. The room's still and hazy atmosphere was only occasionally punctuated with a clink of glass or the mumble of a pony, and the bartender only stood in the corner, wiping down glasses. A few other ponies gathered listlessly around their pool tables and cider glasses, but none that the bartender recognized.
"Hey, got any more?"
The bartender's eyes went briefly to the lone mare sitting at the bar. Her hat covered her eyes and her coat covered her flank, but more importantly, her hoof covered her glass. He nodded vaguely and turned to bring out more cider. She leaned back casually in her stool while he poured a new glass.
"Much obliged. Leave the bottle, though."
The bartender raised his eyebrows. "That'll be four extra bits, you know."
"Yeah, whatever. Just leave it." She grabbed her glass in both hooves and gulped it down.
"So, um. I don't think I've seen you 'round here before, miss...?"
"Yeah, you haven't." She set down the glass and wiped her mouth with her hoof. "My first time in town."
The bartender stood for a moment, unsure of what to say. His eyes drifted to her cap. "So, do you have business here or what?"
She smiled and took another swig. "Guess you could say I'm looking for work."
"That so?"
"Yep." She flipped her glass upside down and set it on the counter. She suddenly cocked her left ear and glanced at the bartender. "Looks like you've got some new clients."
The bartender looked past her and saw three colts, in slick suits and even slicker manes, sauntering inside. As they made their way to a corner table, one of them looked up and asked for a few drinks. The bartender smiled and reached for new glasses. The mare turned slightly towards the newcomers and adjusted her hat.
She downed another glass as she listened closely to the group. They spoke in whispers, but began losing their caution once their cider arrived. As they exchanged words, the mare began to get excited. She shivered and tried to scoot closer without them noticing. She felt like this one might just be it.
After twenty minutes, she decided she had heard enough. The mare downed her last drink and slipped off the stool. She approached the group with a grin on her face.
"Do you want something, miss?"
The mare just smiled wider and plopped into the table's empty chair. It creaked as she leaned back and propped up her hooves on the table. One of the colts gasped. The one who had ordered the drinks shot him a dirty look.
"The question is," said the mare, "What do you want, mister?"
They all stared at her.
"It seems you three are seeking quite the valuable artifact."
The colt across from her glanced around nervously.
"We could be of some use to each other, I'm sure. Perhaps you've heard of me?"
The mare flicked back her hat, revealing violet eyes, glinting in the sunlight.
"My name is Do, Daring-Do."
Daring-Do stood with her newfound companions in the sweltering jungle morning. She stifled a laugh at the ridiculous suits and sweaty faces they wore, even in this weather, feeling plenty comfortable herself in her thin shirt and cool hat. A grin crept onto her face.
"You guys don't do this much, do you?"
The one who had ordered the drinks dug into the dirt with his hoof a bit. His eyes went to the colt on his left and then leered at Daring.
"Just—can you do it?" he managed to say.
"Sure thing. No problem. I've run these kinda places a dozen times."
He pulled at his suit collar and frowned.
"It just looks so—ridiculous." He glanced at Daring, then the dilapidated wall behind her.
The wall was only the front of the temple, which loomed up from the surrounding green. Crumbling, dusty walls and once-beautiful spires seemed to dominate the upper portion, although Daring knew that the real treasures were to be found underground. This particular ruin was new to her, but she'd seen many like it before.
"Well, as long as you're sure. And our agreement?"
"Yeah, yeah. So how much longer are we going to stand around getting hot?"
He looked sheepishly at no one in particular.
"Alright then," Daring said, "See you in a bit."
With that, Daring trotted through the broken wall.
Well that wasn't too hard. Ha, the suckers. They have no idea how much a place like this could be worth. And they led me right to it, Daring thought, grinning in the dusty light of the temple's interior. As she trotted through ancient doorways and down staircases, she began to get bored. This temple wasn't particularly interesting. The hallways, already-sprung traps and empty rooms all began to lose their luster after a while, and she couldn't help but feel that the temple designers, whoever they were, had run out of ideas after the first floor.
"Is it too much to ask for a little excitement? Like some lava or spikes or something?" Her words echoed on empty walls.
Groaning, she pressed on. Despite her confident attitude in front of the businessponies, she didn't feel very bold or adventurous at the moment.
Her mind began to drift. Had she ever had a truly exciting treasure hunt? She thought back to her first time...
"You sure this is safe, bro?"
Daring stole a glance at her brother before staring back down into the yawning mouth of the ruin. He just smiled.
"'course it is! Trust me. I've been here a dozen times. It's time you got a chance to see it. Isn't it awesome?"
She looked doubtfully at the opening.
"It's just a hole in the ground..."
"Yes, but a hole full of treasure!"
"You really believe those tales Dad tells, don't you?"
"Don't you?"
She just frowned.
"Come on, I'll show you the way."
Daring looked up at her brother's wide grin. His eyes shone, reflecting the oppressive desert sun.
He gave her a sidelong glance.
"Hey, it'll be cooler in there."
Daring watched his fluttering mane, then suddenly smiled.
"You know, bro, I love you."
"Love you too, sis. Come on, let's go in." His eyes were smiling.
"Alright then."
And together they trotted through the entrance.
By now Daring had navigated her way into the depths of the temple. Only one more staircase stood between her and her prize. Sitting casually on the corner of the room's gigantic stone throne was a gleaming silver crown. Her employers had told her it was simply an ornament of a long-dead zebra prince, and had offered to sell it to her for only a few thousand bits. Her own research, however, had placed the crown as an artifact of the Equestrian royal family itself. Grinning as she climbed the staircase, she wondered how much she could get for it at the museum. A million bits? Two? She could see the fortunes now.
While always on the alert for dangers, Daring hadn't really expected the crown to be guarded in any way, and her final ascent confirmed her suspicions. Like the rest of the temple, everything dangerous in this room was long gone.
The crown was even more beautiful up close. As she admired its bright curves and points, she wondered whose head had last been under it. After a moment, she grabbed the crown with her mouth and reached for her saddlebag. But before she could stow it away, a thought came to her...
"Well, I just don't know. Do you think the west is really as rich as they say?"
"I certainly hope so. I just sent my people over there last week."
"That's a risky move, don't you think?"
"Well, when you consider—"
"Wait, look!"
The colt raised his hoof, pointing behind his friend.
"She's back, what do you know?"
He turned to watch Daring-Do climb through the wall. He nodded briskly and trotted towards her. As she emerged, he noticed there was a bright gleam glancing off her forehead. He gasped.
"What do you think you're doing? That's an incredibly valuable ancient artifact!"
Daring grinned and tapped the crown with her hoof.
"Yep, and I got it all by myself. No hassle at all. How much did you say you wanted?"
“I, um,” the colt began looking official, “We’re willing to let you keep the item for three-thousand bits. Is that fair?”
“Perfect,” said Daring, trying to keep up her smile after hearing such a price. She had known it would be about this much, but now that she was confronting it, it seemed much larger. “Perfect.”
A few minutes later and a few thousand bits poorer, Daring gave a final thanks to the businessponies and headed for home.
Daring-Do stomped angrily at the floor.
"Augh, you said--"
"I know what I said, Miss Do, but the fact is that this is not the genuine artifact."
"But, it was right where it should be!"
The other pony raised his eyebrows and considered her through half-lidded eyes.
"Where exactly did you say you found it?"
"Um, I uh," Daring looked away, "in, um, my attic."
"That's what I thought you said. You know museum policy—and Equestrian policy for that matter—on recovering artifacts, Miss Do. And I suggest you keep a closer eye on—"
Daring interrupted him.
"Just, how much will you take it for?"
He glared at her. Leaning back slightly and glancing at the wall clock, he sighed.
"Two-fifty. That's the best I can do."
Daring suddenly had an image of three businessponies around a table, laughing uncontrollably. She clenched her teeth and stomped the floor again.
"Dammit! I paid good money for that!"
"I thought you found it in your attic?"
"Yeah, sure I did. Whatever. I don't want your money anyway." She turned away. "Hmph."
The colt shrugged and trotted away, leaving Daring alone. She began pacing the room furiously, cursing under her breath. After a few minutes, she forced herself to sit down and stare at her useless crown.
A light blue mare she hadn't seen before approached her quietly from a doorway.
"Daring-Do, is it?"
"Yeah, what?"
The mare smiled.
"I see you've met the curator."
Daring looked up at her. She was wearing a museum hat and uniform. Her nametag said AIRHEART.
"Yeah, I guess. What's his problem?"
The mare shrugged. "He's always like that."
"Most be great to work with him everyday."
"You could say that."
They were both quiet for a moment.
"So you're a treasure hunter, then?"
Daring-Do's eyes widened. She glanced around the room.
"Not so loud. How the hell did you know that?"
Airheart giggled. "No one cares, Daring. ‘cept maybe him. Lighten up. Sounds exciting! How's the job?"
Daring looked at Airheart, searching for some motivation in her eyes.
"It's okay. Pretty dusty."
"I think it sounds amazing. Going on grand adventures all the time. I bet there's never a dull day."
"Uh, sure."
"So how does one become a treasure-hunting mare?"
Daring stiffened. She looked away.
"What's the matter?"
"'s nothing." Daring sniffed. "My, um, my family's always kind of been into it and, um..."
Airheart giggled again. Daring felt her cheeks reddening.
"That's okay. You don't have to tell me right now."
Daring frowned.
"So can I take that crown off your hooves or what?"
Blinking in surprise, she looked at Airheart, then at the crown.
"You mean it? But the curator said—"
"Just because the museum doesn't want it doesn't mean nopony else does." Airheart glanced at the crown. "Besides, it's, um, really pretty."
"Thanks. Um. How about, uh." The image of the businessponies came to her mind again and she grimaced. "How about three-hundred bits?"
Airheart chuckled.
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing. You keep it for now."
Daring paused, then returned the crown to her bag. There was a moment's silence.
"Well, then," Airheart said, "Got to get back to work. Glad to meet you, Daring-Do!"
"Uh, likewise."
Daring watched in confusion as the blue pony gave a final smile before turning to leave. By the time she had thought to smile back, Airheart was already gone.
Now completely alone, Daring was at a loss. She looked around the room. Suddenly feeling conspicuous, she quickly picked up her bag turned towards the door. She sighed.
"Well," she said, not really expecting a response, "I guess today's adventure is over, Daring."
It was later that night. Daring tossed and turned, unable to feel comfortable. She couldn't seem to get the days events out of her mind. Images of laughing businessponies and of silver crowns kept intruding on her sleep. But most of all, she kept thinking about that mare. She had kept laughing; why? Why did she act like she wanted the crown, but then didn't? And what did she care about Daring's personal life? 'Grand adventures', ha!
"Ugh! What was her problem?!" she said with a start, sitting up roughly.
The room was only silent. Daring suddenly realized nopony was listening. She sniffed.
She felt cool night air playing with her mane and glanced out the window. The moon shone bright as ever behind the remaining haze of the day. Crawling across the bed, she propped her head up on the sill, staring at the night.
All was quiet. Not even any late-night ruckuses, like she'd heard in many towns before. Daring glanced left and right down the street; no lights or open doors to be found. She wondered where everypony was.
The moon again. It peeked out from behind a cloud, beaming onto Daring's face.
Feeling calmer, Daring slowly pulled herself away from the window and slid back under her covers. She angled her head towards the moon and gave a little sigh.
Eyes half-shut, Daring lay quietly and waited for sleep.
