The Nightmare King

The Nightmare King
:Chapter 8 - What's One More Mouth to Feed?:

“Hi, I’m Belle!” The turquoise filly said excitedly sticking out her hoof in greeting.

Lance followed closely behind her watching the greeting with interest. He began to think back to just how he came across her.

:Yesterday:

I woke up like I do any other day. I swung my legs out of bed and put my two feet on the ground. I stood up and stretched my arms above my head.

*Crack* *Crack* *fwoosh*

After I cracked my neck I removed the black stains from my skin. It makes me angry every time I think about it.

“*yawn* Shole?” I asked out loud

“Yes sir?” A reaver asked coming out of a shadow in the corner of the room.

“Anything to report about her?” I asked getting dressed.

“From what I can tell nopony has come looking for her as of yet.” He answered taking a bow.
To my surprise he didn't leave instead just stood up and asked me a question. “If you care so much for her safety why not take her in?”

“Shole?”

“Yes sir?”

“Did you just question me?”

“No sir. I was just making a suggestion.”

I smiled at him. “Good …you should do it more often; honestly talking to you guys is like talking to a damn
intercom sometimes.” I explained leaning back against my desk now fully dressed. Bowtie equipped: Swag +1

“Sir?”

“I would take her in in a heartbeat if she asked.”

“Do you expect her to?”

I took time to think about all I have seen of Scootaloo, both here and what I saw on the show. She was prideful and stubborn. So far I had seen her kick a fully grown stallion in the shin for calling her a runt and slam into the face of one of those institute boys when she was attacked. I smiled at the thought “…Not really.” I admitted

“Even with that knowledge you still don’t seek her out.” Shole pointed out.

“Okay maybe I’ll make her an offer tomorrow. Jesus …taking a lesson on morality from a reaver.” I grumbled.

“Not morality sir, logic.” He corrected.

I smiled. “Heh, that’s more like it then. For a second I thought you were turning into Grill.”

Shole cringed at the mention of his brother and backed up a few steps. “Understood sir.” He said walking back into the shadows.

I walked down the stairs to the bar to be greeted by an unusual sight. Molly and skies were sitting at the bar. Skies was sipping from a coffee cup and reading the newspaper while Molly had her head laid on the bartop holding her coffee with both hooves. I always expect Skies to be up at around nine, but Molly awake at this time was a shocker.

“Good morning you two.” I said taking a seat on the other side of the bar. “Well Molly you’re up early.”

“Good morning Lance.” Molly said still half asleep not bothering to raise her head for the reply..

“Dobroye utro comrade.” Red Skies commented respectively.

Molly raised her head now to look at Skies “Why can’t you just speak bloody Equestrian!” she asked annoyed by Skies inconsistency of language.

“Pochemu vy vsego suka!?” Red Skies heatedly replied to her.

“Oi! What did you just call me!?” Molly said Grabbing Skies by the neck causing him to drop his paper and cup of coffee.

“Heh. Nothing… nothing at all.” Skies said shakily.

“I’ll show you nothing, ya gowl!” Molly said raising a hoof to hit him.

*knock*
*knock*
*knock*

We all turned towards the door and Skies breathed a sigh of relief.

Who could be knocking on the door to the pub? Especially first thing in the morning.

I walked towards the door looking back at my employees. Molly had turned her attention back to Red Skies. “Will you two be quiet!? You can get back to maiming each other later. We have the image of a functional business to keep up here.”

I opened the door and instantly got a shot of pure confusion. The last pony I'd ever expect to see was standing at my door. Mainly because she wasn’t a pony.

“Oh, ello Zecora… you do know that this is a bar, right? You could just walk right in.” I told Zecora staring at her from behind my shades.

“Oh I must apologize; when it comes to the customs of ponies I am not that wise.” Zecora answered honestly looking into my pub.

“It’s okay come on in let’s talk.” I said waving her in.

“Ponyville I don’t frequently visit; it is not always so quiet is it?” She asked looking back outside.

Curious, I walked out to the door and instantly realized what the hell she was talking about.

“…aww shit.” I muttered aloud.

Ponyville was completely deserted. I could see the outlines of ponies hiding in their homes. And some ponies looking through curtains. “Well, there goes the neighborhood.”

“What is it boss?” Red Skies asked.

“It seems that pony racism is in full effect.” I explained

“Chto?”

“Nothing.” I said closing the door.

"*Sigh* …So what can I help you with?” I said turning my attention back to Zecora.

Zecora opened her mouth to reply only to get cut off by molly “I have never seen a pony like this.”

Molly came strutting across the room getting unnecessarily close to Zecora. “If I had to describe her it would be…” She moved her eyes along her body taking extra time to admire Zecora’s flank. “exotic.”

“Molly, leave her alone.” I warned.

“No lance it is okay truly. It is rare I catch the eyes of such a beauty.” Zecora said smiling.

“…Goddammit” I said in disbelief.

“Oh come off it boyo. Hello there, Zecora was it?” Molly asked.

“Hello and well met Molly. Please forgive me first impressions are my folly.”

“Nonsense! You made a lovely and lasting impression bird.” Molly said sweetly.

I looked back and forth between Zecora and Molly for a moment. They had completely forgotten we were here. “Well I’m out of here. Let’s go before they take this conversation to the floor Skies.” I grabbed an equally shocked pegasus and turned him around.

Zecora snapped out of for a second and called after me. “No wait Lance please don’t go! There is something that you need to know. You once said that if I needed anything all I would need to do is ask. I am calling to see if you are up to the task.”

The serious look in her eyes made me take notice. This must be something serious for her to come all this way to ask a favor.

“He did, when?” Molly asked curiously.

“Fine, follow me.” I responded rolling my eyes.

“Where are we going, if you don’t mind me asking?” Zecora asked closing in behind me.

“To my office.” I answered curtly.

Suddenly the silence became palpable and Molly and Skies looked at her with a look of both, worry and amazement. My office was strictly off limits. Not even Red Skies was allowed in there.

As we walked up the stairs Skies and Molly both looked at each other in worry.

“What do you think they are going to be talking about?”

“Ya ne znayu.” Skies answered seriously

“There ya go again!” Molly complained throwing her hooves in the air.

Up in my room/office Zecora and I were sitting down discussing the favor she wanted.

“You want me to what?” I muttered in shock.

“Please Lance I cannot care for her! I know that with you she will be safer.” Zecora pleaded.

“Safer? When you first met me you tried to beat me with a stick! Now I’m ‘safer’?” I said with mock air quotes.

“That was a misunderstanding. In this case your dark strength could be a blessing.”

“I don’t know Z, why me?”

“You know a lot more about ponies than I. When caring for her it feels like I’m in a spider's web and I’m the fly.”

I took off my glasses and looked her dead in the face. “I don’t know if we’re on the same page here Z. I am not a pony.”

“No you are not like a pony in body but you are in mind. You don’t think in eternal rhyme!” Zecora exclaimed.

“Wait… you think in rhyme as well?”

“I see four rooms and I only count three heads. Surely you have some open beds.” She said heatedly.

“Goddammit Z... Is this where you appeal to my humanity?” I complained.

“She is but a child. On top of that her soul has been defiled. She is alone in this world, it seems that her life has unfurled.”

“ffffffuuuuuuUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKK! *Slam*” I yelled in defeat hitting my head against my desk.

“…You win this round, you manipulative equine. However she will need to pass a test. Send her my way and I’ll judge her for myself.” I said putting my glasses back on.

“Oh thank you Lance!” She stood up and hugged me from across my desk much to my surprise. “Thank you for taking this chance.”

“Can’t… breath.” I wheezed.

Zecora let me go and sat back in her chair she smiled at me embarrassed. *Squee*

“*cough* Okay… so tell me about her.”

:Later that day:

*knock*
*knock*
*knock*

Ah yes, the girl Z was telling me about.

I opened the door and didn’t see anypony right away. After sweeping my head left and right I looked down to see a filly standing on my doorstep. She appeared to be a young turquoise pegasus filly, her mane was a solid lavender that ended in curls. She looked no older than Scootaloo.

“A little young ain't we?” I asked slightly confused.

She took a step back from the door and looked at the ground beneath her hooves. “Well …yea about that. I’m older than I look.”

“Whatever you say, come on we can talk inside, names Lance by the way.”

She picked up her bag and I lead her inside, doing my best to ignore the two 'children' I had working for me sitting at one of the other tables. Come to think of it all the ponies I hire should be as big as this filly!

“Who are they?” she asked pointing to Skies and Molly.

“*sigh* …My current employees” I said under my breath.

She looked over at them curiously. Probably wondering what exactly they were doing. I had a similar thought but decided not to pursue it. Let those two do what they will.
I sat down at a table away from the two ponies and motioned for her to sit as well.

“Well Miss Belle how old are you?” I asked getting her attention.

“Well I’m…” She looked down and winced as she admitted her age. “…fourteen”

Ponies age a little differently than humans. An average pony will be fully developed at the age of eighteen which is why that is the legal drinking age of Equestria. Most ponies hit puberty at around thirteen and they are expected to have found their cutie marks by then.

“You’re shitten me!” I yelled surprised “There is no way that can be true you don’t look a day over eight!”

“I know …I get that a lot” She whispered

“I bet. …You sure you’re not lying to me?” I questioned. I believed her, but you can’t be too sure.

“I’m pretty sure”

“…Ookaaaay then. Zecora said you were in a bind and needed some help. Is that true?”

“She said that?”

“Well yea, kind of. Had more rhymes when she said it though.”

“Well, I was living with these traveling performers and well …things didn’t exactly go as planned.”

“Ah, traveling performers, I know the type. This town was visited by one a while back a mare calling herself the Great and Powerful Trixy. Her boasting nearly destroyed the town.”

“Oh?”

“Yea thank goodness that Twilight Sparkle was there or else we would have been in a load of trouble.”

“…Yea” She didn't seem to know what I was talking about, but I was rambling anyway.

“Okay so if you are going to crash here you’re going to need to work as well!”

“Work?” She looked around the establishment again. “In a bar?”

“Yes and as the owner I am required to interview all new applicants.”

“Interview?”

Now I will give the most serious interview any employer will give a potential employee.

“Okay can I see your resume, references, and contact information.”

“But… but… what?”

“You mean to tell me you came to your interview unprepared?”

“Uhhhhhh”

“Tsk tsk tsk Belle, that’s not a very good first impression.”

“What!?”

“Okay whatever, I gueeesss we will get along without them”

“Huh?”

“Okay first question, you find yourself in a room slowly filling with water and you’re tied to a chair. You see a button in front of you labeled unknown. Besides the button is an old kitchen knife. You managed to free one hoof what do you do!”

“What!?”

“Choose Belle choose!”

“Umm I would…”

All of a sudden a Pink pony shot up from under the table in-between us and hit her hooves on the table. Pinkie Pie just had to greet her during my totally serious no nonsense interview.

“Well that’s easy! Obviously the button and the water pumps are hooked up to the same circuit! So all you would need to do is pry the button out with the knife and cut the wires!” She looked at Belle and whispered “But not the red wire!”

I didn’t even flinch, just looked at her annoyed and started to rub my temples.

“*groan* Pinkie Pie I am trying to conduct a serious interview with a potential employee here.”

“Really? Well you’re not doing a very good job of that Lancy boy.” She chirped turning to look me in the face.

“Grrrrr”

“Oh where are my manners!” She yelled turning her attention back to Belle. “Hi there, I’m Pinkie Pie! What’s your name?”

“Alexandria Belle” She responded slightly confused as to what was happening.

“OoOOoh that’s a fancy name!” Pinkie said excited.

Well now this little filly certainly is a rarity. With a name like that you would expect her to be nobility or something. Maybe she’s a runaway, or she could be just as desolated as Zecora thinks.

She turned her attention from pinkie and looked at me. For the first time I got a good look at her eyes. They were a nice cyan color but that wasn’t the problem. Every filly and colt that I had ever seen has had such bright eyes even Scootaloo’s. Belle’s eyes seemed… cold. Not cold as in hard they seemed jaded. It’s a look I saw once on a cousin of mine when he got back from Iraq. She has seen something, that’s for sure.

“Pinkie come talk with me for a sec, okay.” I said standing up from the table.

“Okie dokie lokie” Pinkie Pie said bouncing after me.

In the time I have spent in Ponyville I had gotten to know Pinkie Pie pretty well. We were friends but then again everypony in Ponyville was Pinkie’s friend. I saw a lot of her though. She was the Ponyville party planner and I owned the bar, we talked.

“Pinkie… did you see her eyes?”

Like a switch Pinkie stopped her bouncing and looked back at Belle. If there was one thing she took seriously it was the happiness of ponies. “Yea… What do you think happened?”

“I don’t know. She was found alone in the woods by a friend of mine. She said she had no more family.”

It was hard to notice but Pinkies smile faltered for about a fraction of a second. If there is one thing that upsets Pinkie it’s an unhappy pony.

“That’s horrible! Her Auntie Pinkie knows exactly what she needs to cheer her up!”

“I’m going to give her my spare room, so technically she is moving into Ponyville today.”

“*Gasp* I need to get started right away.”

“Now Pinks take it easy, just look at her.”

We both looked back at her. She had her attention focused on Skies and Molly. They were still glaring at each other but now there were two bottles on the table. I have no idea where those came from. To my knowledge neither of them had moved an inch since I sat Belle down.

“I don’t know what you-”

Belle turned back to us and looked at Pinkie. As soon as their eyes met Pinkie’s mane wobbled and her rear left hoof tapped the ground.

“-dammit. This calls for something… different.”

“Did Pinkie just swear?!” Before I could ask Pinkie what that was all about she had already made it to the table where Belle was sitting.

*Slam* Pinkie jumped straight onto the table and was staring Belle in the face less than an inch away. “Okay Belly Welly I’ll see you later!” and with that she was out the front door, leaving behind a trail of confetti and a deflating balloon. Poor girl wasn’t ready for it. She stared out the door after her until I took my seat back at the table.

“Umm …what did you two talk about?” Belle asked.

“Stuff” I answered.

“…Stuff?”

“Yes… stuff.”

“…What kind of stuff?” She asked

“Pinkie Pie stuff.” I deadpanned.

“Ahh-” she began.

“-Trust me; do not pursue an explanation when a pony explains something using the word Pinkie Pie. You’ll last longer.” I explained seriously.

“Oh …okay then” She said giving up on her question.

After an uncomfortable silence I decided to resume the interview now that the pink confetti laden distraction had gone.

“Okay Miss Belle last question!”

I straightened my bowtie and fixed my mane. Now I need to ask her the most important question of the interview.

“Do you now or have you ever had …a drinking problem?”

“A what?” she asked confused.

Suddenly I heard Skies and Molly shout. “Go!” We looked over to see what the commotion was about. They each picked up there bottle and began to chug them vigorously.

“No” She whispered a response shocked by the scene before her.

They each finished their bottles at the same time and slammed them on the table.

“Sweet Jesus…” I muttered in shock.

“Ya lost this time, wanker!” Molly yelled pointing her hoof across the table.

“Niet it is you who has lost dubiina!” Red Skies countered slamming his hoof down, knocking his empty bottle over.

After affirming their victories and insulting each other they both sat there staring at each other for a few seconds. They each blinked once and then promptly fell out of their chairs and onto their backs. Skies laid still on the ground it almost looked like he was dead. Molly was snoring comically.

*Double facehoof* I already have two children working for me might as well make it a complete set.

“You’re hired.” I said dryly.

“Umm… thanks?

“Don’t thank me yet Alex. I still need to settle you in.” I admitted putting my hooves back on the ground and looking at the sleeping ponies on my floor again. Shaking my head I walked towards the staircase against the back wall and motioned for Belle to follow. She picked up her bag and followed.

“Alexandria Belle you're now an employee of Molly’s Pub and as such are provided with on-sight accommodations. You will be paid twenty two bits an hour. You work five to whenever I feel like closing Wednesday through Saturday. You can have Sunday and Tuesday off.” I explained leading her to the spare room.

I directed Belle to the door across from mine and then led her inside. “And this is where you will be sleeping.” It was basically set up like our other rooms but had two beds instead of one. Molly insisted we keep spares because of reasons I don’t feel comfortable repeating.

“This is a …nice room.” Belle said looking it over.

“Something not to your liking Belle?” I asked questioning the hesitation in her voice.

“No it’s good, it’s… nice.” She said softly wandering into the room. She looked at one of the beds in the room and jumped up onto it.

“Well if you need anything… all you need to do is ask.” I assured her.

I’m no good with this therapy crap. …Well I’m managing to hold my head together but that’s because I have work to occupy my mind with.

After she settled herself in I decided to show her around and get her acquainted with the place. “Alright Belle now for the tour."

I walked out of her room and stood in front of my door across from hers. “Okay Belle do you see this door?” I asked motioning to the door behind me.

“Yes?” She asked tilting her head in confusion.

I got really close to her so that I could hammer in a message that she would not likely forget. “Never, ever, ever, EVER open this door… understand?”

“yes.” She squeaked

I smiled and turned to walk down the hallway towards the other rooms and the stairs. “Good girl, now these two doors lead to the rooms of the ponies downstairs, Molly O’Malley and Red Skies.” I stated pointing to the room of the respected owners as I called them out.

“And that’s it for the upstairs.” I said motioning for her to follow me downstairs.

I waited for her at the bottom of the stairs so that I could reintroduce her to the main floor. I swept my foreleg across the room as I introduced it to her. “Now this is the main floor where we have our tables and booths. This is where you will work, taking orders and cleaning tables.” She simply nodded and waited for me to continue.

I walked over to my favorite part of the establishment, the bar. “Over here we have the bar. It’s fully stocked with a generous assortment of liquors and high quality vodka. We of course sell a special brand of beer made on sight, it’s a house favorite.” I explained taking my place behind the bar smiling. I pointed behind me to the window that leads to the kitchen.

“And further back here we have the kitchen.” I started motioning for her to follow me to the door that led inside. “This is a newer addition to the pub. This is where Skies works and he may ask for your assistance from time to time.”

I walked her out back to the main floor to end the tour.

“So what do you think of my pub Alexandria?” I asked concluding her tour.

“If you own it why is the unicorns name on the sign?” She asked.

*sigh*

“What?”

“Speaking of the worthless mare.”

I walked over and kicked molly in her side. “Hey Molly! Wake up and meet the new kid.” I yelled down at her.
She grumbled something about breaking Red's wings off and rolled over.

“Molly.” I warned.

She rolled back over and looked at me. “You’re not my da!” She yelled pointing up at me.

“No, but I’m your friend, and as your friend I’m telling you to get the hell off of my floor. Also meet Belle she’s going to be living with us.” I said turning her attention to Belle.
She looked at Belle seriously for the first time that day. Her face formed a sour expression and she folded her forelegs and huffed. “Just what we need, another pegasus.”

“Shut up, get up, and ready up. We still have a pub to run. I am going to meet the mayor while Skies watches the pub.”

“Why is he in charge of the pub?” She whined.

“Because he’s responsible.” I said matter of factly.

We all turned to look at him, he was still laying stiff as a door on the floor. “…and unconscious.” I concluded.

Red Skies began to mumble incoherently on the ground while Belle walked up and poked him multiple times on his face.

“Is he… dead?” She asked.

“Not as long as he works for me.” I said annoyed walking up to him.

I kicked him hard in the side and he shot up onto his haunches and gave me a salute “Comrade!?”

“You’re in charge of the pub until I return. Make sure Molly opens up.

“Da.” He responded with a quick nod.

I turned to leave when I caught sight of Belle sitting to the side watching us. “Oh, and Skies.”

“Da comrade?”

“You know a thing or two about children right?”

“Ahh… neit?” He said dropping the salute.

“Good you’re in charge of the girl.”

“Chto!?”

After leaving a confused and still very drunk pegasus to piece together his thoughts I took my leave.

I stood outside City Hall postponing the inevitable. When I told Scoots that I had connections to the local Ponyville government I wasn’t kidding. I just left out the part of why I had those connections. I steeled myself before I walked into the mayor’s office.

The first time I ever came to City Hall was the day after I acquired the pub. I had never really owned land before and I needed to talk to someone about my legal obligations. What I got instead was waaayyyy out in left field.

:Two months ago:

Lance stood in front of a receptionist in the main hall of Ponyville City Hall. “Umm… yea I would like to see someon-pony somepony about some land I recently acquired.”

The mare looked up apparently just noticing him for the first time. She blew a bubble with the gum she had been chewing and then frowned.

“Do you have an appointment?” She asked.

“No? I don’t really know who I should be talking to.” Lance answered a little off put by the receptionist's attitude.

“You need to come back when you have an appointment.” She answered turning her attention back to the whole lot of nothing she was doing before.

“Okay where do I make an appointment?” Lance asked trying to regain her attention.

“I dunno?” She answered without looking up.

The door on the receptionist’s right opened and low and behold Mayor Mare herself walked out apparently seeking some information from her receptionist.

“Excuse me Golden Notes but have you seen-” She stopped suddenly when she noticed Lance standing in front of the reception desk looking at her.

“…” Lance didn’t say anything just looked at her.

“Who’s this?” Mayor Mare asked her secretary.

“I dunno?” She answered with as much enthusiasm as when she said it to me.

“Hello Miss Mayor, my name is Lance I just moved to Ponyville and I just had a few questions.” Lance said introducing himself.

Mayor Mare looked him up and down, and after a while a slight smile formed on her face. “Well I guess I have time for a colt such as yourself. Please come with me into my office.”

“Thank you.” Lance nodded following her into her office.

Mayor Mare’s office was, to put it simply, modest. She had a desk that seemed to be buried in papers of different sizes and colors. She had one wall that seemed to be lined with filing cabinets while the other had a comfy looking couch resting against it. For mayoral power naps Lance guessed.

“So why did you come in here today? I’m guessing it wasn’t just to see me.” The Mayor guessed taking a seat behind her desk and motioning for Lance

“You would be correct, I recently acquired the drunken mare and I don’t really know what processes I should go through to get it up and running.” Lance answered taking a seat across from the mayor.

“It’s funny I was under the impression that, that… upstanding stallion Silver Poles bought the old tavern. How did you get it from him?” The Mayor questioned.

“He signed it over to me.” Lance explained

“I heard that he had to check himself into the mental ward at Ponyville General.”

“Yea, the poor sod.” Lance said with an obvious lack of sympathy.

“And right before he lost his marbles… he signed the land over to you.” The mayor pointed out raising an eyebrow.

“Yep.” Lance said simply.

“Isn’t that a little…”

“Convenient?” Lance asked

“Suspicious.” Mayor Mare answered

“Not really.” Lance replied.

“Oh?” Mayor asked expecting an explanation.

“Yea.” Lance answered instantly ending any line of questions in that direction.
They began to discuss boring things like property tax and construction permits. After a while the Mayor brought up a matter that caught Lance’s attention.

“So I take it you don’t have a liquor license?” The mayor asked whence we came up on the subject of my stock.

“No I don’t. Is it difficult to obtain?” I asked wondering if my business would be over before it even began.

“Not really you can get one now." She said waving her hoof to emphasize the easiness of the matter.

“Convenient, let’s do it.” Lance replied.

“I need to ask you a few questions and then I can just give you one.” The mayor said pulling out some forms from a drawer on her right.

“Okay then Mayor.”

“How old are you?” She asked.

“Eighteen.”

She raised an eyebrow but kept reading.

“Have you ever been convicted of any crimes by the crown?”

“No”

“Have you ever owned land in Equestria before?”

“No”

“Do you have a filly-friend?”

“What?” Lance asked surprised.

“Hmm?” The mayor asked in return.

“What was the question again?”

“Oh, do you have any next of kin?” she asked without missing a beat.

“…No.” Lance answered reluctantly

This caused the mayor to stop and press for information. “No family or anything?”

“…no.” Lance said an unreadable expression coming over his face.

“…oh.” The mayor said suddenly realizing what he was implying.

“Next question?” Lance asked shaking off the depressed expression.

“No we’re done.” Mayor mare said

“Good.” Lance nodded.

Mayor Mare took out some other forms and began to fill them out before turning back to Lance

“Okay, now I need to some identification.” The mayor stated holding out her hoof.

“Wha?” Lance said backing off a bit.

“Do you have any form of identification on you?” The mayor asked confused by his reaction.

“…no.” Lance said.

“Did you leave it at home.” She questioned.

“No.” He deadpanned.

Mayor Mare blinked “…What?”

“I don’t have any identification.” Lance explained.

“Uhh… you are an eighteen year old stallion right?” Mayor Mare asked

Lance looked down at himself and inspected his hoof before he replied. “…Yea it would appear so.”

“So… you should have an Equestrian ID” She explained.

“…Wait, Equestria has state ID’s?” Lance asked shocked.

“How long have you been in Equestria Lance?” The mayor asked staring at Lance.

“I dunno, a few days.” Lance explained.

“…” The mayor just stared at Lance confused not saying anything.

“…” Lance stared back his expression was unreadable from behind his glasses.

“…Well Lance I’m going to be honest and tell you that I have no idea where this leaves us.” The mayor explained.

“You could just give me the license anyway and we could both leave here happy.” Lance suggested.

“Well I could, but that would be illegal.” The mayor explained.

“And doesn’t that just sound like fun?” Lance said tilting his head and flashing Mayor Mare a toothy smile.

“…”

“…”

The two stared at each other again.

She looked Lance up and down again and started to chew her lip thinking to herself. Eventually she began filling out the forms. “So, Lance is your full name?”

Lance smiled an evil grin.

:Two months later:

After a very uncomfortable visit to the mayor, I was sitting in my office feeling accomplished.

Well I did my good deed for the day. I took a girl in when she really needed it. Now I can just sit back and relax. It’s not like I’m forgetting something or anyhing.

“*tap tap tap* Psst…” came a light noise from my window.

“…nooooo” I said denying that I heard anything.

“*TAP TAP* PSST!” Came a louder reply to my denial.

“What do you want!?” I yelled turning my attention to my window which had a pink pony hanging onto it. She was waving and grinning a Cheshire grin. With a sigh I walked over and opened my window if only to tell her to leave. As soon as I opened the window Pinkie put her hooves on the windowsill and sat down.

“So Lance I was just wondering? If I can’t throw a big party for Belly, if I could throw one for Scoots?”

My eyes widened and my jaw opened and refused to close. Not only did Pinkie somehow know about Scootaloo but…

“Goddammit… Scootaloo’s still on the street…” I need to take in two fillies!

“So does that mean we can have a big party after all!?

“*sigh* Pinks I really don’t want ponies looking into my sudden acquisition of children. A small private affair is all I ask. I am sure that Scootaloo doesn’t want anypony to know about her situation.

She smiled and opened her mouth ready to voice another idea.

“No.” I said sternly flicking her nose like she was a dog. She yelped and fell off my window. I didn’t hear a crash so I can only assume she never hit the ground. I shrugged and closed my window before turning around to sit at my desk..

“Oh well… what’s one more mouth to feed?” I reassured myself wondering how I was going to find Scootaloo tomorrow. Maybe she will be outside the bakery again…

:Present:

“Sup… names Scootaloo.” Scootaloo answered the odd little pegasus.

“This is odd… she was all so distant with me yesterday but put her next to a child…”

I smiled in thought as the two girls began to get acquainted.

“So where did Lance get you from?” Scootaloo asked looking Belle over.

“My friend Zecora brought me here.” She answered gesturing to the pub.

“Who?” Scootaloo asked raising a brow.

“She’s a zebra that lives in the forest.” Belle explained.

“Ah that’s neat. I never met a zebra before.” Scootaloo said eating some some of her toast.

“It’s actually really soothing to hear them talk. Like one long poem.” Belle explained digging into her own breakfast.

“Eh, I’ll take your word for it I’m not into poetry.” Scootaloo responded waving her hoof dismissively.

They continued talking and eating as Lance walked away towards the door.

I turned my attention to Red Skies who was watching the girls eat from behind the bar. Belle’s change in attitude was not lost on him as well. “Skies don’t let the orange one leave alright.”

“Da comrade.” He nodded

I looked back at the girls and then to him. “I will return shortly.” I assured him walking out of the door.

I stood in front of city hall again like I had many times before in the last two months. After a sigh I walked in to be greeted by the receptionist who was busy filing her hoof.

“Hello Golden Notes is the mayor in.”

She didn’t even look up to respond. “Yea”

“Alright” I said walking through the Mayor’s office door.

“Hey wait you can’t just …walk …in.” She finished telling the space where I was standing earlier.

I walked through the door to see Mayor Mare actually was hard at work on something. “Hello Mayor Mare.”
Her head shot up in surprise and as soon as she saw it was me her surprised expression turned into a happy one. “Lance! Back so soon? As always it is a pleasure to see you.” She said jumping out of her chair.

She walked up to me to get a better look. She always did this when I came to visit. Wait… no… this is different… I don’t like it.

“What the bleeding hell do you think you’re doing?” I asked suddenly.

“Oh why do you sound so off put?” The Mayor said defensively.

“Because… you’re rubbing… against my leg… like a cat in heat.” I said obviously uncomfortable.
She suddenly stopped and blushed. “Oh… excuse me Lance I was… just looking at your lovely vest! Yes it looks wonderful on you today!”

“Whatever Mayor Mare”

“Oh please Lance you can just call me Mayor.”

Something’s different… she’s being more forward than usual.

“Mayor Mare I have come across another desolated filly.

“…*Sigh* It’s always business with you Lance.” She gave me a sultry smile and a wink. “I like that.”

*facehoof*

“Yes I need your help to make this blow over… again.”

“Sure sure… who is this filly, anypony I know?” She asked picking up a quill and writing something down on a notepad.

“Her name’s Scootaloo.”

She looked up at me in surprise and dropped her quill. “Scootaloo!? The pegasus filly who runs around town causing trouble?” She asked raising an eyebrow.

“No, the homeless pegasus filly who runs around town trying to survive on her own.” I responded.

“…” The Mayor seemed to be at a loss for words.

“Puts a few things into perspective don’t it?” I chuckled at her shocked expression.

“Why are you taking in this filly as well? Are you running some kind of home for wayward foals in the pub?” Mayor mare asked.

“May, you know I have the necessary funds to care for them. The first filly I took in as a favor to a friend, I’m taking in this one for personal reasons.” I explained correcting my bowtie.

“Did you just call me May?”

“Pay attention Mayor Mare. I need the all the proper paperwork done without anypony from Canterlot looking into this.”

“Is she some sort of run away?”

“Now I didn’t think it was my place to ask …May.” I said putting a small emphasis on the nickname I had given her.

“Ohhh, you may be right. I’ll just see if I can’t smooth over that paperwork for you.”

“Thank you.”

“But you owe me Lance” She said working a smile onto her features.

“Of course I do. What do you require?”

“Dinner, this Friday at the Prench Fountain.”

…What? Did she really just…

“Uhh… what?” Was all I could really get out.

She smiled a smug smile and motioned at the different types of forms on her desk. “I will get all this paperwork done in that brilliant way that I do and all I want is for you to take me out to dinner.”

“*sigh*…no” I answered.

Her smile was replaced by a desperate frown and I was hit with a pang of guilt.

"Oh god, damn you adorable equine bastards!"

“Oh… I see-” She said starting to shrink away from me

“-Rhubarbs Dinner down on Hale Street. I can’t stand the waiters at the Prench Fountain.” I grumbled.

The Mayor’s joyful expression returned to her face

“It’s a date.”

“Whatever makes you happy Mayor Mare. I expect Scootaloo’s paperwork to be finalized by this evening.

“And I expect to see you Friday at seven.”

“*sigh* Whatever.”

I walked back into the pub to find that one of the tables had been flipped over and Scootaloo and Red Skies both sitting on the floor staring at each other. Scootaloo looked visibly pissed off and Red Skies stared at her stoically his only movements were the subtle twitches coming from his open wings. Alexandria was nowhere to be seen.

"Okay… what did I miss?” I asked trying to relieve the obvious tension in the room.

They both turned to look at me and then glanced back at each other.

“Nothing”
“Nothing”
They spoke in unison.

I looked around the room and then back to the pair of pegasi on the floor. “Belle?”

“She went up to her room for something.” Scootaloo answered.

“Ah okay.”

We all sat there in silence for another minute or so before I spoke up again.

“Scootaloo.”

“Yea Lance?”

I thought back to the whole uncomfortable ordeal at the mayor’s office and cringed before updating Scoots on her situation. “I just …spoke with the Mayor. You are going to be staying here for a while.”

“Oh… where?” She asked looking around.

“You’re gonna be sharing a room with Belle. Better get acquainted with her. She’s your new roommate.”

“Uhh… I don’t know about this dude.”

“Until that problem of yours is taken care of, I’m not giving you a choice.” I said changing my tone to one that left no room for argument.

“Okay I’ll stick around, I guess.” She said backing off a bit.

Eventually we were all sitting at a table on the main floor listening to one of Red Skies’ traveling stories, but at around one in the afternoon Molly made her way downstairs and sat at the table with the rest of us. She then raised her head and looked at everypony at the table. At first she seemed confused as her eyes went from one pony sitting at the table to the next. After her third time taking count of the bodies sitting at the table she turned to me with a frustrated frown.

“Lance! Why in the name of her highnesses glorious alabaster arse do I wake up to be surrounded by bleeding pegasususus!”

“Pegasi.” I corrected.

Red Skies got up and walked back towards the kitchen.

“Whatever! …So you took in the little dote from the Zebra sure, but now you’re picking up orphans from the street, are you knackered!? I ain't running a foal’s home!”

“You don’t run anything Molly you work for me.”

“Me names on the sign!”

*sigh*

I walked over to the bar and yelled through the kitchen window “Skies fry her some food.”

“Don’t ya go ignoring me now!”

“You’ll feel better when we get you over that hangover O’Mally.”

“I’ll feel better whence I drink some damn coffee.” She answered.

:Six cups of Irish coffee later:

“Ello lassie! I’m Molly O’Mally of Delibolin! If you ever need anything please, ask Red Skies first.”

Molly sat and talked to Scootaloo as me and Skies sat at the bar to discuss business. (Someone needs to keep this place running.)

“Should we be concerned about her?” Skies asked pouring each of us a much needed drink.

I picked up my glass looking closely at it’s clear contents before taking a sip. “*sip* …Not at all.”

“I have to admit comrade, she raises a good point I didn’t think you the one to take in children.”

“They didn’t get here for free Red. They each paid in their own way.”

“Chto, how?

“Anyhow, Scootaloo is too young to work”

“And this Belle isn’t?”

“According to her, she’s fourteen.”

“Strannyy…” Skies said rubbing his chin.

Molly finished talking with Scootaloo and Belle and came over to sit with Skies and me.

“So Lance how did you smooth over getting these girls settled in here in the first place. I might not know much about legal crap and whatnot but I fer damn sure know you can’t just scoop kids off the street.”

“Me and the mayor came to an agreement and she is smoothing over the process.” I explained.

“What kind of an agreement?” Molly asked.

“I hardly see why it matters.”

“Well you didn’t give away our pay didja?” she questioned closing the distance between us.

“No I just-”

“You didn’t say we would give her free liquor didja?” She asked holding her hoof to her face in shock

“No I-”

“Well what did you do?” She yelled shaking him.

“…”

“…”

“Well you see-” I started

“Spit it out!” Molly interrupted

“I am taking the Mayor out for a meal!” I yelled in frustration.

Molly just looked at me for a few seconds and then smiled. “You mean *snicker* …like a date!” Molly fell back off of her chair laughing.

“No. Buying the mare dinner is the least I could do for having her commit multiple felonies on my behalf.”

“Aww that’s so sweet!” Molly said holding her sides, rolling on the floor laughing.

Even Skies was struggling to hold back his laughter at my expense.

“Children, all of you!”