Info Broken's perspective - Saturday

They sell me as a bad guy, they think I'm a villain, but I'm only doing my job, I don't always enjoy what I do, but I get to stay here because of it, it's almost time for another day, with little happening, a Saturday. My clients are usually fairly busy on Saturdays, and so am I today.

My alarm goes off as usual, '6:30AM' the screen reads, I'm up, first things first, time to check my phone, new message from a client, the one I nicknamed 'the party holder' - I don't care for real names, nor do I know most of my clients names, and they don't know mine, I prefer it this way. - the text reads 'Holding a party, I need some fireworks for the big event.' Hah, they cannot go a week without fireworks it seems, apparently, they're too young to buy them themselves, or something, so I do it for them, for a slightly increased price, but not noticeably more than anyone else would charge, and I never directly meet them.

I quickly unlock my phone and reply, still in bed. 'Alright, I'll transfer the money and leave them in the usual spot, and I'll text you when they're there, the same batch as usual?' I started smiling, this was one of my easier clients to please, and they never had bad intentions either, as far as I care to know.

Another message popped up, this one from a different person, the first one of the day to immediately remove my smile 'Hey, I need you to do something pretty big for me, someone's being a lying ass, and I want you to raid their locker and tell me what's in it and leave a note for them, which I've left outside the school, in the usual location. Thanks, and it's locker number 237.' The reason this makes me sad is because I know that locker, it belongs to 'the pet keeper,' she often asks me to leave her things in it, such as maths study guides and English papers, nothing wrong with that, it's just I can get them cheaper than the school can, and they don't entirely mind me bringing them in, because it means they don't need to buy as many. Then when I actually go to deliver them to her, she leaves a little envelope labelled 'for Info,' with a little extra money in it and a cute drawing, she's a nice girl, and the first time I had to text her to be sure that was for me.

Hopefully, that note isn't sealed, because then I am allowed to read it, and if I can find a reason, I can not drop it in, if it is sealed I get paid more, though, so it's not all bad. Right, time to start doing something, I manage to pull myself out of my bed, and quickly grab a shirt and some jeans, as well as my black pullover, it's just a hooded jacket really, with loads of pockets and a built-in face scarf, so even if someone is waiting at my spot they don't recognize me, as well as the fact that I don't normally wear it, but instead put it in my bag and change it over when necessary, there are a lot of things I do to retain my secrecy, even when I buy things I try to avoid eye contact. Quickly, I put on my clothed and grab my wallet and keys, before looking around my large white-walled living room, checking I had everything I needed, and quickly re-checking my phone, I saw someone apparently knowing my identity, as I was notified of a post containing my name, always interesting to see their theories.

Sitting down on my leather sofa I quickly unlocked my phone and checked the post, nothing too serious, some logical guesses, some evidence and then, at the bottom, an IP address, my IP. Crap, this isn't good, I've got to change that before anyone with a decent sense for computers checks it. I quickly run up my stairs, basically flying up them, and jump to my computer across the room, I've got to fix this, I quickly log in, in within ten seconds, this is why you only lock it, quickly control R, run IPSwapper, list of IP's, control F, search for them, got it, swap with the person who made the post, perfect, I now own their IP, I shall have to get that replaced later, get off the radar again, but for now, it'll do, crisis averted, and just in time it seems. A reply to the post was sent, it was from someone called Twilight Sparkle, don't recognise that name, maybe they aren't a client. 'Hey, might wanna check your IP before you go claiming you know who they are, that IP runs back to you, so, maybe check again?'

Brilliant, they don't know, right, I need an IP scrambler apparently, I didn't want to have to use one, it slows down my internet so much, but aww well. Alright, that'sone hectic scramble done, now to go buy the fireworks, I guess. I quickly run downstairs again, check my phone once more, it's blank, luckily, and I'm off, leaving my house, I have my bag on my back, with only a jacket inside, and I'm going to go but fireworks, so I'm going to put that on soon, just in case the party holder is around, or anyone for that matter, I know not what they look like, I don't drive or anything, so it's a half hour walk to the firework store.

Finally, a minute or so away, ducking through a back alley, I decide it's time to put my jacket on, and quickly pull it over my head, before flipping the bag inside out, making it look like a completely different bag, hanging the strap around one shoulder with it lying on my side, rather than being a backpack, and I start to walk out to the store.

Then entering I hear the doorbell, and ignore it, walking to the counter of the recently opened shop, placing the list the party holder sent me on my way here on the table and just pointing to it, the people in this store know me, and accept that I'm a man of few words, when I don't have a good reason to talk.

They quickly grabbed all of the fireworks on the list and placed them on the table, and I handed over the money I owed, having already taken my pay this was coming from that, as it should. They placed all the fireworks on the table, and I placed them into my bag one by one, checking they were all there, before nodding across the table and turning to leave the store.

I walked out of the store and turned to face the school, my usual collection point was just behind that, assuming nobody else was standing about there, occasionally the one with the loud music and the dance step walk would stand around there waiting for the classical cellist, and they would go somewhere together or something, I've never heard much from them other than their music, so either they're just friends or that relationship is going extremely well.

Approaching the Canterlot High building it always seems larger than it should, it's a massive building, but it just feels, gigantic, however, that's not my course today, today I'm going to my drop off spot, at least for now, I remember my client who wants me to raid a locker, later, and stop having emotions, I shouldn't care about clients, I don't care.

Now, to the drop off location, I slowly walk around the school building, noticing the one with headphones and her cellist girlfriend were just leaving, I should really find out if they're dating. Walking into the drop off spot I quickly look around, before placing all of the fireworks on the floor in the corner, leaving the note I had as well, and leaving, quickly unlocking my phone and texting the party holder 'Fireworks, at the back of the school.' Nothing too detailed, just enough for them to know to come collect them.

Next things next then, on to the client I don't want to have to raid, well, I suppose though, whatever pays the bills, can't be unreliable can I. I walk quickly to the other side of the building, to my collection point, and grab the letter that was sitting there, it is sealed, so I guess I can't check it, aww well, suppose I'm just breaking into her locker, alright...

I walk slowly to the front of the school, it's usually unlocked in case any students want to study, so I can walk right in, but then, I need to go quickly and sneakily. Luckily that's not difficult, I push the doors open and start my quick dash through the building until I get to locker 237, the butterfly covered one.

Quickly I start spinning the combination into the lock, I should still know it from last time, 2, 8, 4, 9, and... It's still locked, did I remember it wrong, quickly, I spin through the combinations I can remember, hoping one will open it, 1234, 9482, 0000, 4567. Crap, I don't know it, and someone's coming, you know what, note. I stand up, acting casually, and carefully slot the note into the grates in the locker, before turning away to leave, as casually as I can. Luckily, I am accepted around here, especially at this locker because I give her papers and study guides, so as long as I'm not breaking in it's ok. And they didn't see me trying to break in. Right, I need to leave, "Hey, Info, passing Fluttershy more papers are we?"

I remained silent, as usual around here, Sun Principal knows that I'm quiet so she should be alright with it, I started walking away fairly slowly, casually, like usual.

"Hey, look at me when I'm talking to you," she said, her voice more stern than usual.

Huh, what does she know about me, what did I do? "Principal, what's the matter?" I asked, putting on a bit of a fake voice, as I normally do when I have to talk.

"I've been told by some students that you've been harassing them, and their friends, so I just wanted to hear your side of it," she said, her voice already calmer than before.

"Which students?" I replied, I wasn't willing to answer without this answer, and would be very strong about it.

"None of your business, just a particular group," Alright, so it was probably that Sunset looking one, the only one who I can think of who would have even known my name, everyone else I hit is left in the dark, usually something lesser than a phone hack and a bump key. "However, you should know that you will be banned from school property if I find these claims to be true, and if you leave now without answering, then you shall not return."

"Trust me Principal, I would never personally attack any of your students, that's very unprofessional, and I could, for a price, help you find out who it actually was," I replied, knowing I couldn't tell her their name, but I could tell her what I call the client, which would probably help. "Good luck on that ban, I'll be on my way."

"Don't return," she said, as I turned and left the school, she now most likely knew my eye colour, but I have lenses, I'll just change them tonight, I don't think she saw my hair, but I'm getting it cut and dyed tonight anyway, it's getting a bit long and I'm starting to despise the brown colour.

As I walk out the front doors of the school, watched all the way by the Principal, I pull out my phone and quickly sent a reply to the person who ordered the hit, 'Hey, I managed to pass the letter in, but the locker has a new combination and the Principal was there, I can return tomorrow and try again, better prepared, or I can just leave it and refund you, your call.' I typed, before flicking through to my conversation with the pet keeper student, 'Hey, someone ordered a full shakedown on your locker, however, as I am unable to get in as you changed your pin number and I did not have the essential tools, you are able to deny this shakedown, meaning that they learn nothing, for a fairly low price of $10.'

'Oh, I don't have any money right now...' she replied.

'I'm sure I can block this and overlook the money, considering how cute those little notes you leave me are, besides, if I was counting you'd have definitely given me way more than $10.'

'Oh, are you sure, I mean, it's losing you money.' She isn't wrong, this loses me money, but, to be honest, I think that she has out paid it anyways. Damn, I swore to myself I would never get any attachment to a client, but I've done just that, and look where that got me.

I approach a park bench just off school property, and just end up sitting on it, well, more lying across it, and opening my phone again, 'Listen, don't give me a reason not to do this for you, I hate this client, she always complains, whether I do what she wants or not. Let me go tell her that you blocked her advance and we'll move on and forget this.' I send to the pet keeper, before flicking through to that strange, argumentative one, who types like I expect a freshman would, she's posh and rich, so she brings in money, but I hate her. 'Hey, client, your little raid was blocked, go do it yourself or up the price.' I sent, I understood I was being bitchy, and that I shouldn't be rude to clients, but to be completely honest, fuck this one.

'Raise the price to $85.' Maybe I can make some money from this.

I quickly send a message to the pet keeper, 'What do you say to a trade, I get your locker pin and send an incomplete list of items to my other client, in return, you can have half of what she pays for the raid.'

The pet keeping one replied quickly with 'Yeah, sure, give them a full list if you want, the pin is 8456, go for it.' A bit too trusting of you ask me, I wouldn't have just been like that, but I guess she doesn't know the negative side of me, what I'm known for among most other students, and resented for.

'My other client raised further, to $100.' I'm pushing it now, she can't want to know that badly, surely.

'Right. Take $250 and don't tell her. Okay.'

'Fine. An itemised list by tomorrow night, without a doubt. Please confirm you wish to pay $250 to me.' I am basically laughing now, that's an obscene payment for anything that doesn't physically involve the other client. Well, might as well tell the pet keeper about the money inflow, but not where it's from, as I was paid for silence, '$125 paid into your account in approximately 5 minutes.'

Another message from the posh client, 'Yes, take the money, raid her locker, report back.'

'Done, money is taken, expect the itemised report within 36 hours.' I said, quickly hoping into my bank app, and withdrawing the money from her account. Right so, what's next? I kind of want to meet this pet keeper girl, I mean, I'm getting a haircut and replacing my lenses tonight anyway, so it'd be a throwaway meeting, plus maybe she's got some valuable reason to be targeted. I quickly flicked open my conversation with her, 'Hey, completely non-business and random proposal, would you like to meet over dinner tonight? I'll pay and everything. Just you're my nicest client and I'd like to meet you.' for what seemed like an eternity after that, the message 'the other person is typing...' popped up and disappeared several times, and I was starting to think she was going to try and reject me lightly or come up with an excuse when a message came through.

'I mean, I'm really shy, but yes, dinner would be lovely, my name is Fluttershy by the way, in case you were wondering.'

'Alright then, can you make it to that super fancy place on the same road as Sugarcube Corner in about 30 minutes?' I asked, getting up and starting to walk towards my house, if I'm putting in any effort, better go all in and full fancy.

'Sure, I'll see you there, should I wear a dress or just casual?' she replied, I was planning on just putting a decent looking shirt on as it's comfortable, so I guess that.

'Whatever you feel comfortable in.' I replied, hopefully, this goes well, I'm actually, for once, kind of nervous about a situation.

'Okay, I'll see you there in about half an hour then.'

I quickly sped up when I saw that, realising that I didn't actually have that long before I had to be there. Alright, Saturday is usually quiet, so hopefully it stays that way all night.

Finally, I can see the restaurant, it's been about 25 minutes, so she likely isn't here yet, so I have time to get in the right mindset, quickly, remembering what I was potentially known for I unlocked my phone and put it on silent. Before quickly messaging the pet keeper. 'Hey, do me a favour, for today, can you not call me Info, just like, I dunno take, Ken, from broken, I suppose I'll be Ken, I just don't want people to know me for my work.'

Entering in the front doors of the large building, I quickly walked up to the front desk, and, looking around to see if Fluttershy was already here, realized I actually don't know what she looks like, which is rare for me, I've probably got a picture filed away somewhere on my computer, but it's there in case someone asks what she looks like, for business.

"Hello there sir," I heard from a waitress looking person, "are you looking for someone?" she asked, presumably seeing me looking around the tables.

"Uhh, yeah," I said, "A miss Fluttershy."

"Hang on," she said, looking down a list on her desk, presumably people who had arrived, "I don't think she is here yet, would you like to get seated and I'll send her your way when she arrives?"

"Please," I replied, she pointed down to the list on her desk, "my name's Ken."

"Alright," she said, writing on the paper, before walking towards a table, "right this way." She leads me to a table just outside, in the courtyard, before turning and asking me, "for two, correct?"

I just nodded and sat down, she placed some menus on the table, "would you like a drink while you wait?"

"No thanks," I replied, and she turned around and walked away.

"I'll be back when Fluttershy arrives."

"Thanks," I replied, quickly pulling my phone out of my pocket and opening my texts. 1 message, from someone asking for something, 'Hey, I was wondering, is it possible you can drop some papers for chemistry in my locker, please?', it was the captain of the sports teams at Canterlot. Does she care about her grades? Huh, maybe that's why she's asking for me to do it now, so nobody else knows, well, I can.

'Sure, I'll have them in there by tomorrow, but it'll cost you $1, for printing, which is less than the schools $2.' I replied, I am glad this is an easy request.

'Yeah, that's fine by me, take the money using what ever magic it is you use, thanks.'

'Confirm, $1 payment from your bank.' I replied, I know she said yes, but I always double check, I may be willing to do fairly evil things, but I won't scam my own clients.

'That's what I said, go right ahead.' Alright, there we go, I quickly flip the notes app up on my phone and write a reminder to give her notes and take the money.

Just after I replied I saw another new message arrive. A not so nice one, 'Hello, Info, I hope you know what I learned today, I learned your name, and face, now, send me the pictures you retrieved from Sunsets USB, or I will reveal them both. I don't really care which you choose, it's an equal trade.

Fuck, how did she, the, she what, when? It was the same girl who was picking on Sunset, and on a couple of other girls. I can't tell her I didn't get any, she knows the truth. I was about to have a minor panic attack when a girl sat down across from me.

I looked up from my phone, locking it and placing it down, before looking down again. "Fluttershy, was it?" I asked.

"Yeah, hello Ken, you look younger than I expected."

"Hah, you know, most everyone I meet tells me that I look younger than they expected, not that there are many who meet me, I'm actually just a year older than you are," I said, come on brain, you're gonna creep her out, knowing things she's never told you. What should I say, I don't want to be awkward, but I need to start a conversation.

"Hello, lovebirds, would you two like some drinks," one of the waitresses said, standing over the table.

I heard Fluttershy squeak a little when she said lovebirds and could see her blushing. "We're not lovers, just acquaintances," I said, hoping my wording was alright.

"Oh, my apologies, I shouldn't have assumed, anyway, would you like any drinks?" she asked.

"Yeah just a cola please," I said.

"Same here please," Fluttershy said, the embarrassment obvious in her voice. The waitress walked away and Fluttershy quickly smiled, "that was so awkward, can't believe she thought we were dating, so we really look like that."

"I'm just as surprised as you are," I replied, my focus half on her, half on what I should do about Sunset's images. "Maybe it's because you look so pretty," I said, being honest, but joking a little bit too.

"Okay," she said, shrinking down into her chair a little. "Sorry, I'm just really nervous." She pushed herself back up, "I've never been alone with a guy before."

"Trust me, I'm just as nervous, just a little more accustomed to being anxious after my work."

"Really, but you seem so calm," she said, "I don't think I could ever be that calm, especially in front of a stranger," she continued.

I took my jacket off, just now realising I had left it on, "oh, sorry, how rude of me," I apologised, as a bird flew down and landed on the table in front of me.

Fluttershy's confidence seemed to spike massively upon seeing it, "Hello Mr Bird," she said.

"Evening Fluttershy," the bird said... Wait, what, birds can't talk, or, I suppose they can, but not English. "Just dropping by, am I interrupting something?" it continued.

"No, no," I replied quickly, "don't worry about it."

"Oh, hello, I didn't know others could hear us, I should probably be going, I was just dropping in to check Fluttershy was still okay, and that's all, I'll be off now," the bird said, taking off.

So that just happened. "You can speak bird?" Fluttershy asked excitedly. I guess I heard what it was saying, and understood it, and replied, I guess that's speaking bird.

"Apparently so, I assume it's something you can do, if I can do it too?" knowing that it was most likely magic.

"Oh, um, yes," she said nervously, "I've been able to do it ever since I got this necklace," she said, pulling a gem necklace out from under her shirt, as far as I knew that was the source of her magic, which makes that one of the four natural magic items ever, the other three belonging to that band, the Dazzlings, I believe. As I began to question just how powerful that gem was, the waitress came and placed soup in front of us. "Thank you," Fluttershy said, her voice dropping to a very low volume.

"Thanks," I said, picking up my spoon, the waitress placed our drinks in front of us aswell and left. "You alright? You seem really nervous," I said, noticing just how shy she actually was, which was strange, she was usually quite open.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just, really nervous, I don't want to say anything stupid or embarrassing, it's taking all my strength to not freak out," she said, "like, just not knowing who you are very much, like, at all."

I sighed, knowing I would have to explain myself now, which means telling her what I do, she only ever ordered text books from me, so she really didn't know much about my work.

Over the course of the meal, I told Fluttershy about my work, and about what I did, she told me about hers, and we discussed all sorts of other random things, like my,l other friends, our families, and the like, I ended up telling her that I only lived here and did this job because my family disowned me, and this was the thing I was best at. Then, having just finished our desserts, we were just finishing our paying and leaving the restaurant, the night was dark, and sky clouded when the last few questions really messed up my plans.

"Who are your friends then? I told you about mine earlier, but you never mentioned yours," I said, just realising what I had missed.

"Well, I'm friends with Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer."

Most of those names meant nothing to me, except the last two. Twilight was the one who almost traces my IP, and Sunset was the one who's images I had earlier stolen. I sighed quietly, "of course they are. Why wouldn't they be, shit," I said, lowering my voice towards the end.

"What, is there something wrong with them?" Fluttershy asked.

"Nope, nothing at all, just, well, some person doesn't particularly like Sunset, and well, it's kind of my safety against hers, and this makes that decision so much harder. Originally, I'd be selfish, but..."

"Oh," she said quietly, talking under her breath, "I see, well, it is your job, so it is your choice."

"Listen, Fluttershy, I know I seem like a nice guy, but coming to meet you was the hardest thing I've ever done, and someone was threatening my identity being revealed I was nervous it was, I don't want to have to make this decision, but if I make it against her, it's nothing against anyone else, it's my safety, my whole livelihood," I said, ashamed that I had to choose this.

"Yeah, I understand, can I ask you one last question?" she said, stopping and turning to face me.

"Ask right away," I said, I have no idea what she's going to ask at this point, it could be anything.

"This is my house here, by the way. Anyway, what's your name, like your real name?"

Ok, I knew this was coming, just, I didn't think I'd answer it honestly. Well, things have changed. "My name, it's... Discord."

"Well then it was nice meeting you, Discord," she said, wrapping her arms around me, hugging my tightly.

Author's Note

A slightly shorter chapter this time, I'm sort of thinking whether each in-universe Sunday should be a bunch of shorter stories, or just one large one like the others, so, expect one of those in a couple days, then I'll start getting ahead of the deadline after that.

Until next time, I hope you liked it, or if not, tell me why, I'm always looking to improve.