The Vice of Littlepip

Chapter 9: The Moral of the Story

"Nah, pshaw. I'll be fine. But, uh, just between you and me, I gotta give priority to the... paying customers."

Clouds.

When I had first set hoof upon this new world, the world was impossibly big, the sky terrifyingly high. The clouds stirred and darkened further, promising to release a storm. Before, I had thought the ever present clouds were just another ceiling.  Now, I felt that reaching it was my destiny, and I wanted to reach it one day. They were more than just grey. Sometimes, like that first fateful night, small fissures would open in the cloud cover, like gaping wounds that would slowly heal. I desperately wanted, desired, to know. The sky tempted and teased me for a chance to get a glimpse of the bright, wondrous blue above.

"Littlepip," Velvet asked, her thoughts not far from my own, "Does the sky seem unnatural to you? Like its not meant to have always been this way. The day is so warm and bright, and yet the air is . . . sickly. I feel so eager and yet hesitant to be enwrapped by it."

"Like it's holding on too tight," I agreed. Calamity said nothing. I knew that to him the air was just the air and had always been so.

Before us lay many a fallen sky chariots. Ahead was the worn and faded image of a giant Sparkle~Cola bottle held by a yellow pegasus with a pink mane. I look about the carriages for things that could possibly be of value. Most of these carriages had already been looted by various raiders and raiders before those raiders. Now here I am taking another good look at what they have left behind. Velvet Remedy was gave me a look that could easily melt my heart. Concern was drawn across her face as if what I was doing hurt her. I decide to speak up- until I see a twinkle in the corner of my eye.

My magic seized the object from inside the toppled, sunken carriage, but my magic strains to pull it. I gallop towards it in a rush, eager to get a better look at it.  I check my Pipbuck to see how many bobby pins I have left. The Pipbuck's automap had identified the area: Wreckage of Ditzy Doo Deliveries. The carriage had the same bewildering logo of seven circles that I had seen in The Wasteland Survival Guide.

I look to Calamity, clutching his hat in his hoof. I take a step back to take a good look. Velvet Remedy , left in the dark, stared between us in confusion. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing. Just reminiscing." I left Calamity and Velvet to discuss the matter further.

As it turns out, what I was pulling was a safe. Next to it was a strange footlocker with familiar markings. It was emblazoned with the crest and colors of the Ministry of Peace. I almost open it without hesitation, but quickly break bobby pin on the first attempt. I try again and break it. I furiously pull another out of my bag. I hear the clop of hooves on metal. Calamity tilted his hat up to get a better look.

"Ain't that a piece a work." I was so focused on my work that I didn't even bother to keep aware of my surroundings. Li'lpip, maybe ya should try the other one first. Go back t' the other one when ya feelin' it." There was wisdom in his words, and I heeded his words. Besides, I wanted to see what was in the other safe. I canter with heavy hooffalls that reverberate throughout the entire carriage. A little pony inside my head shook its head in disappointment. Fuck that little pony. There's nothing wrong with being excited about getting new things.

So I left Monterey Jack with nothing. He deserved what he got. I get angry when I don't get the answers that I want. Doesn't everypony. Why does Velvet always give me that fucking motherly stare as if I can't keep myself under control? What about those real monsters we're fighting, the raiders, slavers, and violent mutants of the Wasteland? They are the real monsters out there.

You make it sound like that's what you want. A friend that follows you without question and bows to your every whim. What really want is real friendship. Want want want. You always want something Pip.

The safe opens and a drop of sweat drips from my snout.