Restless in Hoofington

Quiet; it is the perfect word for night in some places. Though things are certainly livelier than earlier in history once the sun sets and Luna’s orb reigns, one cannot deny that some areas just aren’t meant for night life. The market area of Hoofington is one such example; the only sounds heard are the buzzing chatter of insects as they dart about, playing in the streetlights in the empty streets.

A quick blur of motion, however, reveals that the streets may not be so barren after all. A dark-clothed figure darts around the market, it’s movements quick, precise, and avoiding the light. After a moment, it freezes, as if waiting for something. Another moment of stillness passes before its head jerks forward and three more shapes come out of a nearby alley.

The smallest shape trails the others, its head swiveling around and trying to take in everything beneath its low hood that conceals its face. The other dark forms wait for it, one tapping a leg impatiently. Upon noticing this, the shape darts toward them, momentarily going just enough under a light to reveal the darkblue color of its ensemble and a small blue and red symbol on the forehead of the hood.

The initial figure nods, pointing them to a small store. Another of the shapes goes to the door, appearing to fiddle with it for a moment before it opens and they all slip inside. The interior really isn’t much to be spoken about, as it is a common enough sight: a produce store filled with any number of different foods.

The shape responsible for opening the door glances at its cohorts, making a few odd gestures with its leg. The second-smallest shape responds with a few of its own before looking to the apparent leader for confirmation.

It nods once, motioning them forward with a hoof as it whispers, at the very least identifying itself as a male, though with an odd quality to his voice. "Go ahead and get whatever you want. We're taking more than enough for all of us, but leave everything else intact."

Nodding, the second-smallest shape turns back to the other one that had signalled it, making a few motions with its hooves. They split up after that, heading to different corners of the store to fill their pockets.

The smallest shape peruses the shelves, taking a few odds and ends and stowing them in its loose clothing. As it comes to the fruits though, a smile can be seen just before it giggles, the tone revealing it to be female.

The leader looks around sharply as he suddenly hears muffled commotion. A sharp hiss comes from him as he faces the culprit. The smallest shape turns around, a dripping juicy apple unashamedly hanging from her mouth, half hidden by the hood. The cases of fruit next to her filled high with things like strawberries, peaches, and pineapples as if she were going to take them all cause him to sigh, placing a leg over his eyes in exasperation.

Hearing the sigh, the second-smallest of the group looks over, lifting its hood up to get a better look, revealing a distinctly female face. She takes a look at the piles of fruit and snickers quietly, shaking her head in amusement. The last shape doesn’t seem to react at all, choosing to continue checking the lower cupboards and cabinets behind the counter.

Looking between them all, the smallest shape chews her apple a little more, popping it fully into her mouth a moment later as a tongue flicks out and licks the juices off her lips. “What?”

The leader just sighs. “Nothing… try to avoid snacking anymore until we get back, though.”

“Aww…” She lets out a small whine as she looks over to some pears, eyeing them up as she adds a few to her haul.

They return to their gathering for a few more minutes before a word from their leader has them all gathering at the doorway, ready to leave. As smoothly as they came in, the group exits… well, three of them do. The smallest one runs into a few issues; namely, trying to fit herself through the doorway with boxes of fruit balanced on her back and even some hanging half off. She grunts as she backs up again to try and wriggle her way through.

The only one of the four to remain completely silent just stands beside the doorway, staring at her and waiting for her to get through. Lifting its hood, the form is revealed to be a stallion; more specifically, a stallion with a look of equal amusement and annoyance.

The female looks at him, her mouth in a frown as she whispers to him. “You know, you could help instead of standing there!” He continues to stare, now seeming confused in addition to his prior emotions. Huffing, she rustles her crates meaningfully, motioning her head between him and them. “Get it?”

Rolling his eyes, the stallion steps forward and motions for her to put the stack down, as the other mare walks over to see what’s taking so long. “Come on, Nightshade!”

As she sets the stack down and weaves around the stallion dealing with it, the smaller female looks at her. “Hey, I’m just… preventing scurvy. Yeah, that.”

The mare sighs. “You don’t need to make excuses. You just need to hurry. This is a snatch and grab, not a leisurely trip to the mall.” She looks over at the stallion, who has stacked about half the boxes on his back and begun carrying them out, able to fit through without much issue. “Think you can fit the rest through?”

“I’ll make it work.” She walks over, shifting the rest onto her back. “I am not leaving stuff this good.”

“Just try not to drop it and attract attention. That’s the last thing we need.” The larger of the two females starts trotting off after their two companions. “I’ll tell Snap you said thank you.”

“All done?” The leader watches all of them, keeping an eye on the streets for witnesses. “We need to get back. While we did get more than expected, we’re pushing it more than I’m comfortable with.”

“Coming, sir!” The smallest form hurries after him, all four soon melting into the shadows. Only a slightly less stocked store is the proof that they were ever around.

The next day, a street over, quite a different shop is bustling with a nice flow of customers, unaware of what happened so close by. The shop’s title, Rune’s Arcanium, gives away the shop’s nature with all the subtlety of a billboard. A collection of gems etched with strange symbols lay in the windows, enticing the shoppers to come inside.

One teenage unicorn walks in, but doesn’t seem to be interested in any of the gems. The young cobalt blue mare instead walks across the shop and makes her way behind the counter, her blonde-and-brown flowing mane the only thing visible of her from the other side. Noticing a familiar emerald green mare, she smiles and trots over. “I’m back, mom!”

As she floats a small bag over to a customer, taking the bits they offer in return, the tall unicorn turns her head, revealing a soft motherly smile. “Welcome back, Autumn.” With the last customer left browsing, she walks over and nuzzles the teen.

Smiling, the young unicorn nuzzles back. “Hope I’m not interrupting. I know you’re usually pretty busy around this time...”

“Well, no custom orders today, so it actually all went fairly quickly.” She spots her customer walking over and lifts her head up to face her. “Have you decided what you need, ma’am?”

The mare nods, adjusting her fancy saddle a moment. “Yes; your sign says you do enchantments on already existing items, correct Mrs. Rune?”

The owner nods. “Yes ma’am. Just tell me which ones you want, bring in the item, and I can have it done within a few days.”

“Excellent.” The mare nods again. “I’ll be back tomorrow then with a necklace I would like to have enchanted with your marking spell.”

As she turns to leave, Rune smiles. “Of course, ma’am. I look forward to your return.” As the door chime sounds, signaling her exit, the arcanist can only giggle as she turns to her daughter. “I’ll never understood why so many ponies need marking spells. You’d think they’d learn to just keep up with their things, but then I guess I’d lose a lot of business.”

The younger unicorn giggles as well. “I guess it’s a good thing they’re so forgetful.” She starts sliding off her saddlebags, depositing them in the corner. “Is it alright if Alloy comes over when we get back home? There’s a test tomorrow, so we’re comparing notes and studying together.”

“Of course, dear. You know your little friend is always welcome.” Rune stretches a little, standing behind her counter for hours sometimes leaving her stiff. “Anything interesting happen at school?”

“Not really.” She shrugs, glancing at the empty store for a moment. “Apparently we’re getting a new student in science class tomorrow...not sure what to think about that. They didn’t tell us much.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll make them very welcome.” The mare double checks her displays in anticipation of more customers. “I’m surprised they gave you warning anyway, Autumn. The few times they had new students when I was in school, they just dropped them on us the day of.”

Autumn shrugs again. “They did that for a while, but every now and again, they’ll tell us ahead of time.” She thinks for a moment. “I think they actually did that for Alloy when she first moved here, too...”

Nodding, Rune muses aloud. “That wasn’t long before you, and thusly I, met her, right? She was such a shy little thing then…”

“She’s still pretty shy around others...and quiet, too. I don’t think she even has hoofsteps when she walks.” The young mare snickers a bit. “Though I guess you can’t really blame her for being so...introverted.”

Nodding understandingly, her mother ducks down behind the counter, straightening a few of her blank jewels. “Poor dear… I knew things wouldn’t be easy for her, but I did hope. At least she’s got you, right?”

Before Autumn can answer, the door opens with a familiar chime, in walking a bright magenta pegasus pony about Autumn’s age; however, her age is not the first thing most would notice about her. Her long mane and short tail are both a dark green, contrasting with her coat; one of her eyes is light blue, while the other is silver; and most obviously, she is missing both her left wing and her right hindleg, a prosthetic replacement taking the spot of the latter. The feathers on her remaining wing are all entirely different colours from one another, and her cutie mark is an unsolved Rubik’s cube that seems to have different patterns on either flank.

“Speak of the devil,” Autumn says with a giggle as she puts her front hooves on the counter to see over it. “Hi Alloy!”

The mare perks up at the familiar face and trots over. “Hi, Autumn!” She turns to the other mare as well. “Hello, Mrs. Rune!”

“Hello, dear!” With magic and hooves, Rune brings both fillies in for a hug, giggling as she does so. While surprised, they don’t hesitate to hug back, laughing as well.

“I know it’s earlier than I asked, but it got boring just walking around,” Alloy said apologetically. “I hope you don’t mind...”

“Like I told Autumn, you’re always welcome, Alloy.” The mare lets them go, smiling at her two favorite fillies. “Anytime, day or night.”

The pegasus smiles even more at that. “Thank you, Mrs. Rune.”

“Tell you what…” The mare brings out a small pouch of bits, levitating it over to the teens. “Why don’t you two go ahead and head over to the house, maybe grab a snack on the way. I wouldn’t want Autumn home alone, but with the two of you it should be fine. I’ll close up in a bit and be home in time to start dinner.”

Autumn grins happily, taking the pouch in her own magic. “Thank you, mom!” She trots over and gives the mare a hug once more. “We’ll be careful, promise!”

“That’s my girl…” Rune hugs and nuzzles the blue filly as she points a hoof to the pegasus. “Same goes for you too. If I have to punctuate it with hugs as well, I will.”

Alloy giggles. “I understand, but I don’t mind taking a hug.”

Breaking away from Autumn, the mare walks over and delivers on her promise. “Hug for you too then. Both of you be safe.”

“We will!” Alloy promises, hugging back. Once she’s released, both young teens head outside, Autumn keeping the pouch in her magic hold.

As they walk along the roads and pathways, glancing into any shops that catch their eye, they spend the time chatting about school and recent events like most friends do. They wonder about the new student coming in later; worry about the test they’ll have to take; and complain about any other students or teachers they don’t like for any variety of reasons. However, all conversation comes to a halt as they walk by a certain produce shop and hear the owner within yelling.

"I don't care that not much was taken! The fact that I was robbed at all is the issue!" The voice pauses a moment. "If they can just walk into my store when it's locked down, what happens next?! What if-"

A stern voice cuts him off. "Sir, I understand you're angry, but I need you to calm down."

Concerned, Autumn walks to the door and lightly pushes it open, poking her head inside. The owner of the shop, a tan earth pony stallion with a fruit basket cutie mark, is pacing around the store as he rants to another male earth pony; this one is light blue in colour, and judging by his outfit, Autumn recognizes him as one of the city’s officers. She steps inside fully, catching the attention of both stallions. “Is something wrong?”

The officer looks at her, stating simply, "Just a small break-in last night, Miss. Nothing to be worried about." The store owner huffs at this assessment.

“Break-in?” Autumn asks quietly, glancing around the shop. “Nothing looks missing to me...” She looks back at Alloy for her opinion, only to realize that her pegasus friend is still several feet away from her, looking more than a little nervous. She tilts her head in confusion.

"Oh sure, it wasn't much," the tan stallion says, "but still, the fact is that this is more than some teenager nicking an apple from the stand. I don't like it."

“Um...right,” the young unicorn replies absently. “Well...I hope you find them soon.” With that, she walks back outside, leaving the owner and officer to return to their loud conversation. She turns to Alloy. “Who would go to the effort of breaking into a produce shop at night if they’re barely going to take anything?”

Alloy just shrugs quietly, and the two continue their trek along the road, putting the entire event behind them for now.