Life's Left Hook

With that, the group makes its way out the hotel, across town, and to the train station yet again.

Finding the train isn't a hassle; the station is incredibly straight-forward and efficient.

Just two minutes before the train's scheduled departure, you're on board, in the cab, and ready to go.

Octavia and Trixie hop in a bunk together, and across from them, so do the doctor and Cadance.

Octavia and Trixie are quick to get under the covers and snuggle.

It's quite the contrary for the doctor and Cadance.

There's no contact at all.

That's to be expected, though.

You, meanwhile, hop into the third, middle bunk.

As you rest on your back, you scoot over to the edge of the bed, leaving room for Scootaloo.

The energetic filly hops up onto the bunk next to you, finding a place to lay right next to your side.

"All right, lights are going off. See you in a few hours," Cadance says, flicking off the lights.

The group says a choir of good nights, and then all is silent.

Scootaloo curls up next to your side, and you wrap your arm around her.

She's so tiny and adorable, you can't help but snuggle her, even a little.

With a filly in your arm and warming your heart, you rest your head and close your eyes.

"Anon?" Scoots says in a hushed whisper.

You cock an eyebrow, looking down at Scootaloo.

"Yeah?"

"Can I... Use you as a pillow?"

You're pretty sure your heart just imploded a little.

"Oh, sure. Go ahead, Scoots."

"Thanks."

She scoots up a little, and you can feel her neck in your armpit as she rests her chin on your shoulder.

You wrap your arm gently around her, and hold her close.

And, even though the bed is about as comfortable as a slab of concrete, you think you're going to sleep just fine.

"Anon?"

Given that Scootaloo stops whispering to you.

"Yeah?" you ask quietly, turning your head towards her.

"I uh... I just... Wanted to say something," she says, reluctant with her words.

After a short silence, you nod.

"Go right ahead. What's up?"

Another short pause comes, and then Scootaloo finally steels her nerves.

"I... I wanted to say thank you. Well, 'cause, you just... Kinda... I dunno..."

You're a little concerned, but you can feel your chest warming up.

"Yeah?"

"It's just that... You just took me in. You just came and helped me without any... I dunno, asking for anything, or, telling me to do something, or anything. It was just... Out of nowhere, almost. And it's even... Bigger, I guess, concerning everything you've already done. I thought I was gonna die in Windsoar, no joke. If the streets didn't get me, I think I woulda got myself. But then I got a big old slap in the face. And I really needed one. And then you go on to take me into your... Group of marefriends, not even caring that I wouldn't fit in at all. And then you buy me a scooter, feed me, and take me on an adventure, and I just... I... I just..."

You can feel your shoulder getting wet by now, and you can hear Scootaloo lightly sobbing.

"...I think you've done more for me in a few days than Rainbow Dash has ever done. And... You're... You're just a really, really cool guy, Anonymous... I just want you to know that."

You lie there for a moment, dumbfounded.

That came straight from Scootaloo's little heart.

A little unrefined, but the message was pure.

You wrap Scootaloo into a tight hug, patting her on the back.

She quietly sobs in your arms, and you do your best to comfort her.

"Scootaloo?" you ask, idly petting her.

"Y-Yeah?" comes the weak, strained reply.

"Are you okay?"

You can feel her head nodding.

"Y-Yeah, I'm... I'm great. Better than ever. I'm not lying, either."

"I'm just... Really sad about everything, but... I'm really happy at the same time, and... I don't know what to think, but I'm just really happy you're here."

You smile, and you brush your hand through her mane.

Her mane is incredibly greasy.

How long has it been since she's had a bath?

You'll have to give her one soon.

"Don't worry, Scoots. I'll always be here, if you need me," you say, trying to comfort her.

"I know, dude. You've always been."

After that, you both go silent.

You just lie there, thinking, and enjoying the moment.

After a while, you take a deep breath, and lighten up on the hug.

"Thank you..."

"Any time, Scootaloo."

With that, she rests her head on your shoulder again, and closes her eyes.

You rest your head, too, and drift off to sleep yet again.

Some time later, you wake up.

The train's horn is blaring, and you can feel the locomotive coming to a stop.

You glance out the window, revealing an early afternoon lighting up the rolling hills.

And, in the distance, you see some tall buildings.

Judging by the red, white, and blue flags flying on several of them, you can make a fair assumption that you've arrived at Guadeloope.

You would sit up, but you don't feel like disturbing the slumbering filly in your arms.

Instead, you wait.

Octavia gets up, stretching her back.

Trixie remains undisturbed in her sleep.

Cadance is out of bed, and nowhere to be seen.

The doctor is still out cold, and her jaw is hinged open.

There's drool everywhere.

Lovely.

You hear Octavia stand up out of bed, and look at you.

She smiles sweetly before turning to head to the bathroom.

Which, coincidentally, is where Cadance must have been.

As Octavia takes her leave, Cadance enters.

She sees the cute filly nestled under your arm, and smiles as well.

"Someone's tired..."

You wonder; how much of last night's conversation did they all hear?

You'll have to find out later.

"It looks like it," you say, scratching Scootaloo with your idle hand as the train comes to a complete stop.

You look outside, and yet again, you're met with the view of another magnificent city.

Or, at least, kinda magnificent.

The city looks a little filthy, even for your tastes.

But it's nothing that's too distracting.

Now, what's got your eye?

The architecture.

You look at the buildings, with all of the fancy decor, impressive models, and creative designs.

That shit is only rivaled by the Canterlot Castle.

What's Pearis like, you wonder?

As the Prench buildings give you an architectural stiffie, you decide now isn't the best time to gawk.

You have to get going.

You pick up the still sleeping Scootaloo, and hop out of bed.

She doesn't stir, spare some twitching in her adorable little wings.

Fuck that's cute.

A Prench ticketmaster shouts out some stuff, and you can only assume it's something akin to 'ALL ABOARD!'

Meanwhile, Trixie and the doctor lazily get out of their beds, and Octavia re-enters.

Octy, perky as can be for someone who just woke up, smiles brightly at everyone.

"Okay, we ready to go?"

Some disgruntled mumbles from the group are what she gets as a response.

"Perfect. Now, I'm pinched on time yet again. We'd best get going and check into the hotel."

Same old song and dance.

She turns to head out the door, and you follow, as does the rest of the group.

Once you step outside and start walking, again, you're incredibly impressed with the architecture.

You thought Ponyville was creative.

This is absolutely marvelous.

The cheapest material used is marble, it seems.

The streets are paved with cobblestone, a royalty that can be said for very few cities.

Not even Marelin had cobblestone throughout the city.

And this was some amazing stonework.

Not only that, but every last thing is absolutely astounding.

Hell, even the lamp posts are decorative.

With all of their interesting curls and twists, and the magic-powered bulbs...

You're going to like this place.

But, another thing catches your eye.

The locals?

They're equine, no doubt.

But they're much...

Taller.

And lankier.

Much like the fashion icon, Fleur de Lis, back in Canterlot.

Well, that makes a lot of sense.

Cadance doesn't stick out as much anymore, and the rest of the gang, spare you, now look like stubby little midgets.

Especially Scootaloo.

You're still an ape, though.

You get all of the locals' attention.

Fucking hell, you hate stares.

These were even more degrading than the ones in Germaneigh, too.

They were higher-up, no doubt.

It shows, in both their attire, self-care, and, well, everything, really.

Everything looks like it was made with no expense spared.

Well, what do you expect, with a GDP that's supposedly double that of Equestria's?

After a half an hour of walking, you make it to what you think is your hotel.

Again, the building is carved from decorative marble.

And something shiny catches your eye

The address number!

452, it reads.

Plated in what is either polished brass, or...

Is that gold?

Is this country that rich?

You step inside, looking around.

A very intricate chandelier hangs over the gigantic looby, illuminating the building with bright light.

There are decorative, flowered plants everywhere, as well as a fountain full of bits, detailed designs and carvings in the walls, and overcompensatingly decorative tings everywhere.

Shit's nice.

As Octavia handles the check-in process, you stand back, and wait.

After a long glance at the fountain, an idea comes to mind.

You look at the bits in the fountain, and think; isn't magic real?

Wishes might work.

But, then again, this was probably a different type of magic.

Eh, fuck it.

You have bits to spare.

What'll one coin do?

You dig, pulling one bit out of your pocket.

After looking it over, you walk over to the fountain.

And you take a long, hard moment to think.

What do you want to wish for, Anonymous?

Better not say it out loud.

You take the coin, and think.

'I wish...'

Why is this decision so hard to make?

Should it be big?

Small?

Let's start small.

If it works, you'll try again.

Actually, fuck it, there's something that's bugging you.

You need a prayer, and this is as good as any in this world of magical cartoon horses.

'I wish this whole ordeal with Spitfire finds a resolution soon.'

With that, you flick the coin into the fountain.

With a blurble, it sinks and clinks down onto the bottom of the stone-laid pond.

You stare at it for a moment, and then you hear Octavia yell.

"Anonymous! We're ready to go!"

You turn to face her.

"All right, I'm comin'."