It's Not That Fabulous After All.

Chapter 2: Her.

Solo gasped and gasped for minutes.

“Are you okay?” a mare asked, standing at the opening of the alleyway with concern imprinted on her face. She trotted over to Solo, wrapping her hooves around his upper body to help him up. Solo kept his head down; his breathe becoming more stable within moments.

“Sir, are you okay?” she asked again.

“Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me,” he whispered and looked up the purple pony. Her pink eyes reflected the image of Solo's fright stricken face. He shook his head and the fear disappeared like an image on an etch-and-sketch . He stood on his own and the purple mare backed up a foot. She wore a purple bow, a lighter shade than her hide. A darker shade of purple stained her long, flowing mane with pink highlights. She turned to her side to get a better look at Solo's body for any marks; revealing her three-star cutie mark just behind her wings.

“Let me get some help,” she said and turned away quickly.

“Wait, please. Don't.” he said with a cough.

She turned back with confusion. “But, why?”

“Just trust me,” He said.

“Okay, then at least let me take you home,” she offered.

“No, No. I'm fine,”

He finally caught his breathe and took a good look at her. He then realized in the darkest part of his mind, that this innocent looking mare could be the mare he could sell. He just had to become friends with her and the plan would come together all by itself.

She gave up on trying to help him all together. “What happened?”

“Ah, I got into a little scrap with some colts. Showed 'em who's boss until one of them got a cheap shot to my stomach,” he said, raising his hooves to punch at the air in front of him.

“Oh, that's good, I suppose,” she whispered.

Solo slid his goggles up from his eyes to his forehead and whipped his head so his mane would come back into place the way he liked it. The mare watched and blushed a bit. To her, Solo was the perfect stallion and she had been lucky enough to help him out.

“Hey, no worries. How about we go get a drink or something?” Solo asked.

“I'm only eighteen,” she said, lowering her head.

“Don't you worry about that. I have my ways,” he said and winked.

They roamed the streets of Las Pegasus boulevard for any small-business bar. When they finally found one, they mad their way in. The mare sat at a table, too nervous to sit at the bar because of her age. Solo bought two drinks, paid the bartender, sat down across from her, and slid the drink to her.

“So, what's your name?” the mare asked, shyly taking a sip from her first drink.

“Solo, Solo Wing,” he raised his chin in pride.

“I like that name. I'm Shimmer Starlight,” she said, taking another sip.

“Do you live here or are you visiting?” Solo asked, placing his drink down on the table.

“I'm visiting. I just graduated High School and I decided to take a trip here. Then when I return home, I'll attend college in Cloudsdale,” Shimmer explained.

“When are you leaving? I mean, not to sound rude,” he said and smiled slightly.

“Next Friday. I'm only staying for a week,” she said.

Solo bit his lip then relaxed. He figured he had plenty of time to coax her into staying.

“Have you done anything in Pegasus yet?” He asked.

“Nope. I got here when the sun set. Then I spent the night unpacking and decided to walk the streets and look around,” she said, then took another sip.

Solo picked up his glass and took a long, slow drink, taking this opportunity as an excuse to think without causing unnecessary silence between them. He then decided his next move and lowered the glass.

“Do you need someone to show you around town?” He asked.

“Well, that would be nice. I've never been here before, nor do I know where anything is,” she inquired, looking down at her hooves as they came together.

“I can show you around,” he said as he crossed his hooves over his chest, raised his chin, and looked away, as if to pose for an important picture. “I know this city like the back of my hoof.” Solo was right, he did know the city like the back of his hoof. He could tell you anything about the city and the exact location of every casino and attraction to see.

Shimmer blushed lightly and nodded. “I'd like that actually.”

Solo pounded his fists on the table with a loud thud. “Then it's decided. I'll show you around town each day while your here.”

“Okay,” she whispered and smiled.

“We shall start tomorrow. What do you want to see first?” He asked.

She looked out the window, then focused on the reflection and looked at her bow. “I think I wanna buy some clothing. Maybe a new bow.”

“Then tomorrow we'll go to the malls. There are plenty in Las Pegasus.”

Shimmer's ears perked and she looked up, her eyes glistening. “Really??”

Solo nodded and smiled. “What time do you want me to get you?”

“Ummmm. . .” Shimmer looked at him and thought for a moment, “noon sounds fine to me. I'm staying at New York New York. Room 325 in the Empire tower.”

“Got it,” Solo smiled and knocked his noggin gently with his hoof.

The lights flickered over head, marking the spark that started the friendship between the two, but Solo knew he couldn't let himself become attached to her. Shimmer sipped her drink up until the last drop entered her lips. She then looked at the clock on the wall and decided that it was late and she best get back to the room.

“I'm so tired right now. I think I'm gonna go back to my hotel room and rest,” Shimmer announced.

“Want me to walk you there?” Solo offered.

“Yeah, sure,” she smiled lightly.

Solo dropped some bits upon the table and scooted off from his chair. Shimmer did the same and they both made their way for the exit. Solo held the door open for Shimmer, at which she nodded in gratitude. The streets were less packed then earlier. All that were left were the lost and the wasted. At this time of the night, it was dangerous.

Solo walked Shimmer down the street to New York New York, keeping himself on guard the whole time. Some strange looks here and there from the weirdos that come out during the time, but nothing else.

Inside the elevator that would bring them to her floor, Solo stood to one side of the elevator, away from Shimmer. Shimmer noticed this and slowly stepped closer to him. Closer and closer, but Solo pretended not to care. Shimmer whistled to herself, casually stepping an inch closer every second, until finally her wing was touching his. Solo looked away and rolled his eyes, and just before Shimmer could make any further advances, the door to the elevator opened, and Solo couldn't get out of there any faster than he did.

Shimmer sighed and followed Solo to her room. Solo stood off to the side while Shimmer inserted her key into the door and unlocked it. She looked at Solo and smiled.

“Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow,” She said and opened the door.

“You bet. Get yourself some sleep and be ready by noon.”

“Of course.”

Shimmer went inside and closed the door gently behind her. Solo sighed and rubbed his cheeks. He walked half way down the hall way before starting his rant.

“Ugh. This is gonna be the longest week of my life! But, It's worth it. I'll have my debts repaid by next week and I'll be living free once again.”

He spent the next ten minutes exiting the hotel and grumbling about his situation. Solo made his way home, his home in the shadows. He wasn't exactly homeless, but he didn't have a house. He slept in an abandoned building that had been left to waste away years ago. He was happy there. No bills to pay, no visitors to please, he could even go and leave to his choice. He felt free, but never happy.

Steel girders held the skeleton of the building, while the bottom floor and the ceiling of it were plastered in. Every opening and window was sealed, except for one in the back that Solo could easily slip through. A crack within the wall had appeared before Solo made it his home. He kicked the crack until it opened up just enough for him to fit.

He slipped onto his mattress that was surprisingly clean, with a blanket that was surprisingly comfortable, and a pillow that was surprisingly soft. He set his goggles on the cold stone floor and thought about his plans until he dozed off.