Life's Left Hook

Anonymous, after Octavia leaves.

You chuckle a bit at the poor mare, and shake your head.

“Damn. Wish I could watch.”

You idly lie there, twiddling your thumbs.

Nothing to do…

Nothing to read…

Fuck this was boring.

You try to preoccupy yourself by watching the hypnotic heart rate monitor, but it doesn’t help.

As if sent as a gift from Celestia, Aperta comes walking in.

”Ciao, Mr. Anonymous,” she says, strolling in.

You smile.

“Mornin’.”

”You ready to go under?”

Thank God, she’s finally going to— wait hold up

“Go under?”

”That’s correct,” she says, grabbing a blue vial and walking over to your IV.

You look up and gulp as she’s hooking it up.

But, suddenly, an idea comes to mind.

A very, very evil idea.

“Uh, do me a favor, after you’re done?”

”Yyyeeees?”

She looks at you, a wide smile on her face.

A little too wide for comfort, but you don’t press.

"Mind going in and telling Octy and Candy that I’m able to walk, when you’re done?”

She scratches her chin.

"Vell, you von’t be able to valk for a minute or tvo after you vake, but, I can tell them anyhow. Vhat for?”

You shrug.

“Mmm, just to comfort them a little. You know how touchy they both are.

She chuckles. “…Hmm, yes, I’m vell avare. Now, deep breath.”

You take a deep breath.

Or, you try, rather. You feel a weight on your chest as the sedative clicks into place and runs into your arm.

In an instant, you close your eyes, and the world fades to black.

What seems like a moment later, you wake up.

That godawful tube is out of your throat.

Thank Celestia.

Most of your hindrances are out, and the only thing left is your IV.

You sit up, still a little woozy.

You remember you told the doctor to talk to Cadance and Octy...

And, well, you remember that you expected her to see more than enough, but...

Did she get caught up in the mess?

It wouldn't surprise you, concerning Cadance.

But still, she should be back, you would think.

You can't help but wonder what exactly she saw.

And, as if on cue, the door to the cab swings open, revealing a wide-eyed violet pony.

You can't help it. You burst out laughing, clenching your sides and slapping a knee.

It hurts to laugh, but you don't care; the look on her face is hilarious.

"Y-You... Did you actually—HAAAHAHA!"

She keeps staring off into space, her jaw low.

"I could have gone a lifetime vithout trotting in on that."

She just keeps walking forward, her eyes distant.

And it's bloody hilarious.

You lie there, giggling like an idiot as she shuffles around in her cabinets.

Eventually, you manage to die down, catching your breath.

"Did you get an eyeful?"

"That's an understatement... Nnngh..."

You chuckle some more and shake your head.

"I'm sorry.

"No you aren't."

You smile wide.

She caught you red handed.

After your little giggle fit is over, you look at the doctor as she puts things away in what appears to be a big, wheeled suitcase the size of a pony.

Must be her to-go office, you figure.

Mare really takes her job seriously.

After an internal shrug, you get her attention.

"So am I gonna be able to walk?"

"Soon. I have to pull ze rest of ze needles out first," she responds, putting some of the last of her equipment in her bags.

Your curiosity gets the best of you.

"Why do you have to take all of that with you? What's wrong with a little vacation?"

She doesn't bother to look at you as she hastily packs up.

"I'm ze royal doctor," she says. "Vhat if Cadance gets injured?"

"Good point, but then who takes care of Celestia and Luna? And what about when Cadance is in the Crystal empire?"

"There is another doctor they can call in Canterlot as a backup, and I've already informed them all. There's also one in ze Crystal Empire for Shining and Cadance. Though, if vhat I heard is true, Shining might not get that luxury if he keeps doing vhat he's doing."

With a huff, she packs the last of her stuff in her bags and goes to take the IV.

You sigh a little.

"That's a damned shame, really. She doesn't deserve anything like that. But I am curious."

The doctor glances at you, her ears perked, as she takes out the needles and takes the IV.

"What about?"

You flinch a little as the needles are pulled, but you're a man, so it doesn't hurt.

Paying it no mind, you continue.

"Who's he with? I mean, honestly, giving up a princess? Cadance, especially..."

She lets out a pitiful huff, moving over to her bags.

"Think, Anonymous. He's a manly man. A military man. Cadance is as feminine as you can get, and vants nothing to do vith fighting."

That narrows it down a bit...

"But, who, exactly? I'm... Well, I'm new here."

"I know that. But, vone vord; Vonderbolts."

That makes a lot of sense, actually.

But at the same time it makes no sense.

"Spitfire? Seriously?"

"Mmm, not just her."

"Huh?"

"Soarin' and Shining have a lot more in common than Spitfire, but I know he and Spitfire have relations as vell..."

"But, I don't know details. I only put dots together vhen I read news. And they are very, very easy dots to put together."

You let out a huff.

"That's unbelievable," you say, shaking your head.

You stand up off the bed, and since the doctor doesn't object, you figure you're in the clear.

"Leaving Cadance after all of this time? Who would do that?"

"A stallion as low as Shining," she responds, finishing up with her packing and turning back to you.

"Damned shame. I'll be sure to—"

"And don't. Tell. Cadance," she says, half-glaring at you.

You're a little perplexed by that, and you raise an eyebrow.

"Why not?"

She sighs.

"Cadance isn't... Ze brightest of mares," she says, rolling her eyes.

"She DID tell you who vas filling in for her at ze Crystal Empire, right?"

"Nnnnope. Never told me."

"Hmm. Odd. Vell, if you read ze paper, you could find out."

"Who?"

She chuckles. "None other than ze mare bedding her husband."

Your jaw drops.

"As vell as her sidekicks, Fleetfoot and Soarin'. Oh, and ze Rainbow addition as vell. They're taking her place for her in her absence, as of recent."

Your jaw is almost touching the floor.

"That's ridiculous," you mutter, looking down at her.

"It is. But don't tell her; Celestia knows vhat could happen if she figures out vhat's truly happening," she says, trotting to grab her bags.

She hoists it on her back with her horn, and looks at you.

"She'll go crazy vith jealousy. And you don't vant to know vhat happens then."

You gulp, tugging at your collar.

You already do.

An idle thought of Trixie hovers past your mind, at the thought of the rape, but you knock it away.

"I have a feeling I don't want to."

"You don't," she says, trotting to the door.

"Come. Let's go talk to ze two before ze train stops. Hopefully they're done pleasuring eac hother by ze time ve arrive."

After a short walk, you both arrive in the cab.

Each mare is in a different bed, faces still red.

You suppress a chuckle, and carry on.

"Vell, you two, ze train is about to stop. Do you have your bags packed?"

They both nod, still incredibly embarrassed.

You grab what little stuff you have.

Just as you do, you hear the breaks squeal, and you hear the rumbling of the train slow.

You were here.

Finally.

After the longest train ride of your life, you're finally here.

Cadance is ready to go; she's packed nothing.

Octavia, however, looks frantic.

"Wh-Where's my cello?!"

Everyone holds their breath for a moment as she searches in a panic.

And then you burst out laughing.

The three almost glare at you, and you slow your little fit.

"Don't you remember, Octy?"

The bewildered and angered look on her face says 'no' in bold, red letters.

"Remember, we had to dart out of the hotel to get me to the hospital? You said you called some guy?"

"That's right."

There's a collective facehoof from everyone in the room.

Octavia smiles sheepishly, grabbing her small bag of toiletries and such before nodding.

With that, the lot of you go through the train and hop out, a blast of nice, semi-fresh air hitting your faces.

What more could you expect of Detrot...

The mares follow behind you in a short convoy.

The doctor clears her throat, and you all turn to look.

"I've rented a hotel room," she says quaintly, "in the same building you are all in. I shall go there. I'm certain you all have plans. Pizza, if I remember correctly," she says, nodding.

"I won't be accompanying you; I'd rather not impede on your private time."

"Many thanks," Cadance says. "I appreciate you coming with us. I hope the pay will be enough."

Aperta merely chuckles in response. "It's more than enough. Trust me."

After a glance and a rather suggestive smirk at you, the doctor gleefully trots off, soon lost in the hustle and bustle of the train station.

Octavia watches her as she prances off gaily.

"I can't believe you did that," she says, shaking her head. "Anonymous, I've half a mind to slap you."

"Me too," Cadance adds, turning to you.

"That was downright embarrassing," she says. "If we weren't in public, I'd smack you across the face."

You just chuckle, walking forward to find your way out of the train station.

"Totally worth it anyway."

You all finally shuffle your way out of the train station.

Stepping out into the streets, it's not different at all.

The sidewalks are hustling and bustling still, and you three still don't have any breathing room.

Canterlot was bad, but this place was a lot worse.

Cadance, being so tall, so pink, and so damned royal, sticks out like a sore thumb among the crowds of Detrot, meriting a few awed stares wherever you go.

People also tend to step out of the way for royalty.

The only people who don't are the homeless, who tend to do the exact opposite – jump in front of her and beg for coins.

They're ignored, as much as it bugs you.

However, Cadance isn't the one meriting half the stares.

You get at least thrice as many, being tall and... Bipedal.

You're unheard of, and you're pulled over multiple times by curious tourists, civilians, and even an ambitious little colt.

After ruffling his mane, you move on.

As you make your way past what appears to be some sort high-end mall, Octavia speaks up.

"We've... Three blocks to go. Then, we'll find ourselves at Don Rovente's Pizza, supposedly the best in the city, if not Equestria. I'm inclined to agree with the latter," she says, already licking her lips.

"Try to keep a somewhat low profile, however. I know with a princess, a monkey, and... You," she says, nodding at your legs, "it won't be easy, but please, don't make a scene. It might backfire, concerning some of the 'problems' Detrot has."

"Problems?"

"Impolite people," Cadance says bluntly. "Not -quite- as bad as other cities, but still. The only ones in Equestria that are worse are Manehattan, where there are a couple of bad 'cliques', and, Celestia forbid, Salt Lick City. Ugh..."

You decide not to press and move on.

"Thankfully, Equestria is almost -saintly- when it comes to crime," Cadance continues. "Go to the Griffin Kingdoms? The Hooviet Union? Or, even worse, Itailia? Better watch your saddle bags. ...Or, well, in your case, your pockets. And don't ever, ever turn your back on someone in a hoodie."

Oh, how peachy.

You knew you were stopping at all three of those places on your tour.

Well, you have to take the good with the bad, you suppose...

Eventually, the three of you make your way to the esteemed pizza place, and a door guard in a nice suit greets the three of you without so much as batting an eyelash at any of you.

Rather insulting and surprising, given the situation, but you don't say anything.

You three are escorted to a booth by a mint-colored mare that smells strongly of gin, and you take a seat in the luxurious booth.

Octavia sits next to you, and Cadance sits across from you.

Octavia grabs the only menu, and gives it a look over.

"Cadance, you and I will split something. Nonnie, I'll let you look at the Gryphon section of the menu," she says, looking over all of the options.

Cadance sits back, looking at Octavia. "Let me know when you see something you think we'll like. All I know is that I'm getting something nice to drink."

"As am I."

"Same here."

With all three of you agreeing to get something nice, you sit back.

Until your heart skips a beat.

You see a mare, at the bar.

A very light blue, bouncy mane, light blue coat, and an undeniably unique cutie mark.

Immediately, you slunch down, hoping to hell she doesn't find you.

Your hopes are shattered upon a sideways glance, and you catch her blue eyes glaring at you for a moment.

She smirks, lets out an evil little chuckle you can't hear, and turns back to the bar.