Warriors of the Deep

“So, what's your occupation? I hear that you’re working for the Princesses, but I try not to believe every rumor I hear” Lyra Heartstrings says with a flirtatious giggle. Her golden irises locked on mine, not sure if it's infatuation or exotic curiosity driving her during our little dinner at Marino’s Haytable in the roundabout shopping plaza.

I’m still trying to comprehend our impromptu date forced upon by her brother Bash Heartstrings, the inmate I happen to share a cozy two cot cell with three days ago. In that time we became pretty good friends. Him showing me all the ins and outs of PonyVille and me bailing his ass out of bar fights. But it seemed that he and his sister got into an argument over his drunken charges so to make up for it he was supposed to set up a date between me and her.

“In a way, yes. There are some dangerous creatures lurking about in various towns. So I’m hired by the crown to hunt them down before they can hurt anyone.” I answer as honestly as I can while not telling her the bare details. The Princesses and Twilight urged me not to discuss too much of what's going on before the press conference between the Species Govern Alliances meeting in two months. But I can guarantee that something is going to happen before then if Murphy’s Law is any indication. “So, Lyra, Tell me about yourself. A mare such as yourself has to have some eccentric taste to date the “resident alien” on his third night here.”

“Well,” She stalls, looking up in thought as if her horn would bestow her with knowledge abound. “I’m pretty average when it comes to occupation. Do you know of our cutie marks?”

“Those magical symbols on the sides? Yeah, I understand enough.”

“Mines stands for my musical gifts with the lyre. I manage to write music scores in a way that, if played by me, magically influences ponies emotions. Helped back when I did paid concert work. But saving each concert paycheck managed to give me enough spare bits to splurge a little so I decided to move down here to live with my brother and his marefriend BonBon.” Hmm, so far every pony I’ve seen has a cutie mark… So why doesn’t Bash. No matter, I’ll just ask him later on. We probably aren’t that close anyway. Focusing back to Lyra, I try to at least be open minded to the dinner regardless of the lack of physical attraction.

“So,” Lyra starts. “What was the meaning behind that gesture you did in the Town Police station?”

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“Darling, you Must tell me how your date with Lyra went last night” Rarity chimed for the third time in the thirty minutes she’s been measuring me for some casual battle garb. After mentioning me needing some casual light armor so I can get my original repaired she was ecstatic. Especially after seeing that my sketches were legibly recorded, managing to inspired her to make a set for the town guard in PonyVille. “I heard through the grapevine you ate at Marino’s? There spaghetti is delightful!” Measuring tape re-wrapping as she placed my measurements on her work space whiteboard across from the measuring mirror station. I sit on the platform and idly observe the seamstress designer shop as she went to work.

“To be honest, I don't quite see this working out in the long run. I mainly did it as a favor to Bash. But she is definitely an interesting pony.” I word carefully, hoping to drop the conversation right there. Sadly this doesn’t translate well to Rarity who gasps in shock and dramatically faints in her work chair.

“Oh Darling, of whatever reason would you decide that?! Lyra’s a wonderful and talented pony! As well as a spitting image of a classic Canterlot model!”

“No offense, but that is “Pony standards” that you’re measuring by. I could get along with her personally as a friend. I’m just not quite to the point of “cross-species relations” if you will.” This manages to make a interesting shade of crimson fade on her cheeks, though no doubt still listening to the juicy gossip. “You can thank living on a planet with only one Sapient race as the cause.”

“Ahh, well I can understand your choices in your unique situation. But judging on your apparent ties to a problem that seems international, You may be here for some time,” Levitating the ensemble to me, I take off my clothes and try them on behind the dressing blinds. “Surely long enough to become lonely and wanting for companionship, correct?”

Buckling on the combat vest, I mull over her words. What do I truly know about my situation? I came from one world to this one. This world is suffering from something that is connected to my new form and abilities. Also I have questionable combat abilities with no recollection of their origin. I’m pretty much starting from a blank slate with useless info from my past holding me back. Maybe I should try to be more flexible? Fastening the last buckle on my boots I observe the attire: Black pleather armor vest with a ‘V’ formation of chainmail on the front and back weaved in with pleather cording. The Arm gauntlets and legging boots being made of a magic conductive metal called Iron(Hex), looking like silver but being as strong as steel and acting as a grounder for basic attack spells. I'm astounded at the resources Twilight and Rarity have access to.

“Superb craftsmanship! Honestly I’m liking this better than my former attire.  As for Lyra,” a sigh escapes as I mentally confirm. “I could try at least one more date to test the waters...” Smiling at the spark in her eye, I wave and walk out the boutique. Knowing that she wouldn't accept payment I used  steady and precise levitation on a coin bag to move it upstairs while I was waiting earlier. The mare’s being too generous for her own good.

Walking straight down Shopper Court road, I absentmindedly make my way to the Main Plaza, personal merchant stands all around ranging from fresh produce and dairy to spare lumber and craft-centered materials. Though after perusing the third stand I jump as I feel a familiar aura appear to my side, revealing Twilight teleporting in with a slightly dazed  pegasus at her side. The navy blue vest loosely fitted on his tan coated body. Shaking his head free whips his shortly cut, silver-grey mane back and forth. Finally stable he takes stock of his surroundings before noticing me and nodding.

“Morning Twilight, and Sheriff Slammer was it? What brings you to my specific location?” I have a good idea though. The Princesses and I decided that high ranking officers of different enforcement teams throughout Equestria should notify me of any unique disturbances within their respective towns. “Not that company is unwarranted… Just gave me a shock. Still getting used to auras and such. That was Aural Tracking Teleportation right?”

A beaming smile, “Correct! And to think you just starting learning Equestrian Magic two days ago! This mean by next week we can probably tackle Volume II for adept Unicorns!” My smirking and the Sheriff's eye-roll gets her to blush and reassert herself. “But getting back on topic, it seems that the Cutie Map discovered an anomaly on Canterlot Trotway 2 heading toward Canterlot.”

“Yeah, some citizen have described a circle of flames in the middle of the road. Officer Sparkle could barely breach the flames but could pinpoint this at the center.” Slammer chimed in, handing me a parchment with a detailed sketching. A coiled sword with an ever-burning flame through the body of the blade impaled in the ground with bones of an unidentifiable creature acting as the kindling. Unmistakably a bonfire, though this is definitely not how they worked in game.

“Wait, Officer Sparkle? Being a princess getting boring nowadays?”

“Oh ha ha, no its my younger brother.” she dryly responds before looking up in thought. “Must have slipped my mind that he was out of town on the reconnaissance operation. By the way, I think you two will become best of friends.” She smirks knowingly. Before I can ask for details she slowly trots away as I’m being pushed to the other side of the market by the sheriff.

“Well, Sir Artorias,” emphasis on my name showing his impatience. “You can meet and drink a cold one with Officer Sparkle after this mission seeing as he will be your primary contact from here on regarding PonyVille County Department’s involvement with the so named ‘Pandora’s Box’ cases.” So to make his time a bit harder I decided to try and access my ‘Inventory’ as he pushed us toward our destination. God, sometimes I love being an ass.