The Thief and the Dancerby Phoenix Heart 27ChaptersCh. 1: Highs and Lows of ManehattanCh. 2: Define..."illegal"Ch. 3: A Nightclub?!?Ch. 4: SearchCh. 5: Home (Gracie)Ch. 1: Highs and Lows of Manehattan“Crap! We’re gonna be late! Gracie move ya ass!”, a yellow and blue griffon yelled up a fire escape. At that a blur of white and cream came tumbling down the ladders of the stairwell. With a amazing landing on her hooves, the blur came to a stop to reveal a cream colored young earth mare wearing a white leotard. Her coffee colored mane in a (very) messy ballet bun. “*pant* Don’t remind me Gabe! Ooooh, Mrs. Shot is gonna have our flanks for breakfast if we don’t motor.”, Gracie responded as she got her keys out to her motorbike. “That’s what I was trying to tell ya! Girl I swear, sometimes I don't get how you’re a beautiful dancer yet a total klutz in everything else!”, Gabriel said as he launched up and followed his best friend to the studio/club where they both worked. When they got to “Shotglass's Night Club/Dance School”, they were met with the angry face of their employer Mrs. Gin Shot and the frazzled faces of their fellow coworkers, Cold Breeze and Serene Waters. “YOU’RE LATE!!!!”, Mrs. Shot screeched as the pair of friends walked through the front doors and clocked in. “We’re sorry Ma’am. Traffic was a monster on 12th and Oats. But at least we’re here now.”, Gracie apologized as she went to place her saddlebags by the entrance to the studio. As she set her bags down and went to grab her uniform, she heard frantic wing beats and before she could turn a blur of blue/grey fur and mane came barreling into her side. Effectively causing them both to crash onto the floor in a heap of hooves, tails and laughs. “Cold Breeze, what’s got you tripping worse than me this morning?”, Gracie asked after they got untangled and back on their hooves. Cold Breeze sighed as he fixed his sunglasses, “If Mrs. Shot being more frightening than usual today isn’t bad enough, last night my apartment was robbed!” Gracie gasped at this as Cold continued to explain how it happened after he left work the previous night to find his apartment trashed and some valuables stolen. “Do ya think it was that burglar that’s been all over the news?”, Gracie asked as he finished. “Possibly--anyways”, he started before slipping into his black leotard and sitting them both down “level with me Grace, why were you really late?”, he finished. Gracie sighed as she strapped on her slippers and snapped up her skirt. “Fine. While there was bad traffic on 12th and Oats, I overslept and almost didn’t hear Gabe break in my window or crawl into my room. He woke me up finally by screeching at the top of his lungs to and I quote: ‘Get the fuck up or he’d drop me off the East Manehattan bridge into the harbor.’ unquote.”, Gracie explained as she fixed her mane into a better bun. Cold Breeze simply laughed at this as he unlocked the sliding door that lead to the dance studio. They both grabbed their water bottles and towels as they headed into the dimly lit studio. Gracie dropped her bag in front of the mirror wall as Cold did the same before turning on the old boombox in the corner. “Let’s wait for Gabe and ‘Rena' to get here. Then we can start practicing the routine for tonight's dinner rush.”, Gracie said as she flipped through the CDs looking for their warm-up music. “M’kay….” Cold started but fell off into a daydreaming state. He was quickly snapped out of it by the sound of talons tapping against the smooth wood floor. “Okay! Before the ‘wicked witch of the west-end’ shows her ugly rear end and barks at us, I have a few announcements! Announcement 1.): A big thanks is in order to Serene for covering my shift this upcoming Saturday. Announcement 2.): We have a special guest coming tonight. A Mr. Perfect Pirouette from the North Manehattan Academy of Dance will be showing up tonight--” Gabe started before a loud scream broke his train of thought. “THE ‘Perfect Pirouette’?!?!?! As in the most famous dance instructor in all of Equestria?! The same pony who trained such dancers as Moondance, Swan Song and Cobalt LeFleur! And he’s coming to this run-down nightclub/bar! Tonight!?!?”, Serene interrupted with an excited scream. “The very same! I somehow managed to get our audition tape we did a month ago to his publicist. Who then showed Mr. Pirouette. Who thought it was amazing...I assume. Anyways, He’s supposed to be on a train from Ponyville coming today and he’s staying here for 3 days! He’ll be here at 8pm.”, Gabe finished to a uproar of excited chatter and squealing on the girl's part. The excitement was broken by a loud thump of a cane on the floor by Mrs. Shot. Thus was the signal to get ready to warm up. “Such is life in Manehattan. You work your flanks off to get here only to get struck back to square one. Waiting tables and dancing to make hardly minimum wage and a few good tips. I’ve been here almost half my life and feel like I’m barely making a name for myself aside from dancing and waiting tables. But don’t fret. Because I have a feeling things are gonna change for all of us real soon.”, Gracie whispered to her friends as they started to warm up in the hot dance studio. Ch. 2: Define..."illegal"In a run-down project portion of the city “Stop! Thief! Somepony catch him!”, an old stall keeper shouted as a cloaked figure dashed off with 2 loaves of bread, 6 necklaces, 2 jars of jam and a big basket. The shouting caught the attention of some of the local police officers who happened to be nearby on patrol of the marketplace. The cloaked figure sped up his pursuit at the mere idea of cops on his flanks. When he finally did hear said officers in pursuit, he decided to just buck up and using a smoke bomb he distracted the cops long enough for him to escape. “Where’ve you been? Your sister and I have been worried sick!”, a female voice shouted out from a kitchen of a terrible-looking, old, dirty shack as the figure entered through a torn curtain. “Just ‘grocery shopping’ Ma!”, He said as he removed his hooded cloak to reveal a young brown/black unicorn stallion. He then placed his saddlebags on an old card table and began to unload them of the goods. As he removed them, an older purple/pink mare with a harp cutie-mark and an old apron came into the makeshift dining area/living area. “Mmmmhmmm, yeah suuure you were. How many times I gotta tell ya Wolf Runner, just because we’re...low on bits as of late...doesn’t give you the excuse to go stealin’ shit! Besides, it's Illegal.”, his mother, Magnolia scolded. Wolf Runner just scoffed as he placed the bread in the breadbox and the jam in the cooler. “Oooohhh...not so much ‘illegal’...more like morally incorrect. Also...maybe I wouldn’t have to resort to ‘borrowing’ food if you’d actually go out and find a job so you could actually afford to feed you and Harmony. Now, if you’re done scolding me, I gotta head back to my place. I can only leave the gang alone with Garrett for so long.”, Wolf snapped back at his mother as he gathered up his saddlebags and the basket and left. An Hour Later... Wolf teleported back to his “house” (more like a warehouse) only to be pounced upon by a half-grown wolf. It growled menacingly before proceeding to lick him senseless. “Okay! Okay Garrett! I give! *sigh* You got me again you overgrown cub you!”, Wolf laughed as he stroked his pet wolf before pushing him off. He then heard the unmistakable sound-off of his partner and best friend, Cane. “Yo, Bro! What goes on?”, Cane asked as the two stallion hugged. “Nothing much Cane. Saw my moms today. Get this, she actually had the nerve to go off on me just because I did a little ‘grocery shopping’ for her.”, Wolf responded. “Man, your mama be gettin’ her mane in a bunch over some of the stupidest things! Hell, she better be lucky you went and got them somethin’ anyways! I mean, you ain’t had to go and get them some food. You did it out of the goodness of your own heart.”, Cane ranted to which Wolf agreed. “You right Cane! Yet...deep down, she’s secretly glad I do this stuff 2 days a month. Anyways, any of the rest of the gang show up ‘round here yet?”, He asked. “Nope--WHOA!!!”, Cane started before getting tackled by Garrett. Wolf just laughed as he gently pulled Garrett off of him and told him to go play. Picking himself up off the floor, Cane grumbled to himself before going over to his best friend and his pet. “I’ll never understand how it is that you’re cutie-mark is for canine training!?!”, He sighed as he sat on a nearby couch. “And I’ll never tell ya. All that needs to be known is that Garrett is not only a skilled hunter and accomplice, but also a loyal companion.”, Wolf stated proudly as he watched his pet play with a chew rope. Ch. 3: A Nightclub?!?That Night… Cain barely managed to convince a very tired Wolf to go through with his plans to go out with him that night (“It’ll be fun! There’ll be booze, chicks and prime targets everywhere!” was his reasoning to get him moving). So the two unicorns found themselves on the town on a Friday night. They stepped out of the taxi onto Horseshoe Blvd. in front of a little lively club that one look just screamed “Dazzling”! “Dude, I don’t think this is a good idea. I mean...well, for one thing this place looks packed!”, Wolf remarked as they approached the back entrance of the club. Using his magic, Cane picked the lock before they actually got in. “Does it matter? More saps to hustle! Get with it Wolf. Besides, what’re the odds that cops will be there?!?”, Cane reassured him as they made their way past the throngs of half-drunk ponies and griffons. With the night already in full swing, Gracie and Serene were backstage getting ready for their regular routine. They were getting into their regular costumes which consisted of loose crop tops and flowing skirts with bells tied in their manes. “Did you see him out there ‘Rena'?”, Gracie asked as she adjusted her skirt. “Not yet. Gabe will let us know when he comes. Then we break into our best routines! Just like we rehearsed.”, Serene replied as she tied her mane into a pony tail with the bells dangling. Gracie couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous about performing. It wasn’t like the regular ‘show's about to start and you’re unprepared’ nervous. No. This was a completely different level of nervous. One that made her nearly have a panic attack until Serene got her to calm down. “Girl. Believe me, I’m just as nervous as you, but we can’t let it show now! This is mass crunch time Gracie. We can do it! We’ve been working our flanks off since we were 10 to be where we are now. This could be our big break! We just gotta buck up and take it with grace and swagger. You hear me?!?”, Serene said. Grace let Serene’s pep talk sink in for a moment before she shook her head ‘yes'. “Yeah-Yeah we’ve got this!”, Gracie exclaimed. Just then a stage manager popped in to tell them it’s almost curtain. “Alright. Let’s do this!”, both mares’ shouted in unison before heading out to the stage with the boys following suit. The two thieves made their way through at least half of the club. Pickpocketing and the likes in a stealthy way. That is...until Wolf noticed the stage at the front of the club. ‘Hey. What's goin’ on up there?’, Wolf wondered to himself as the curtain rose to reveal two mares, a stallion and a griffon in exotic clothing. The four performers started to move in an almost hypnotic form. The males started moving in almost imposible motions for a pegasus and griffon. While the females instantly got everypony's attention. Doing flips, twists, bends and turns that would put a standard ballerina to shame. While they were all distracted, Cane decided to continue with the robberies. “Dude! C’mon, let's keep at it.”, Cane shouted over the music to his companion who couldn't remove his eyes from the stage...or in specifics, from the lone earth mare in a ruby red outfit dancing. Wolf simply couldn't stop himself from staring! It was like he was being placed under a beautiful hypnotic spell when he watched her dance. He eventually snapped out of it long enough to comprehend what his friend said and he regretfully turned away from the stage to continue their spree. In the back of his head he was still thinking about that mare in the red. Gabe finally spotted the dance coach and waved a wing to signal his friends that now was the time to pull out the big guns. He cued up a saucy, exotic sounding party song. Then, grabbing Gracie while Cold grabbed Serene, they began to dance a lively latin groove. Every dip, every twist, every step was carefully planned as mostly making it up as ya go. Some stallion threw a rose to the girls and Serene caught it mid air twirl and placed it in her mane. When the song finally came to a close, the 4 friends struck a dazzling finishing pose as the music faded and the uproar of applause occurred. When the crowd cheered Gracie looked for Mr. Pirouette. While she couldn't see through the crowd too well she did lock eyes with a handsome unicorn stallion. In her almost hypnotic state, she inadvertently sent him a wink and a smile before taking her bows with her friends.They made their way backstage with excitement in their veins and smiles on their faces. “Gabe! Did you hear the way that crowd cheered?!? I tell ya I think that was the best performance we’ve ever done!”, Cold Breeze said excitedly. “I know! And I hope that Perfect Pirouette thought so too. I noticed him leave not long after we stopped dancing.”, Gabe replied. Gracie, while she was happy, was still in a euphoric state of calm after simply looking at that stallion in the audience. She didn't know why, but there was something about him that almost called to her. Beckoning to her to study further. So, with a determined gait she set off to the main floor in search of the stallion she couldn't seem to stop thinking about. Ch. 4: SearchGracie hit the main floor just in time to hear a loud shout. She recognized the voice as another co worker and mutual friend of hers, Dandelion Fluff. Gracie instantly knew that noise was one of shocked annoyance and went to investigate, momentarily dismissing her original pursuit of the mystery stallion. When she got there, she saw Dandelion trying to wrestle her bit pouch away from a white/red unicorn and losing bad. “Hey! Leave the girl and her bits alone before I kick ya sorry tail outta here!!”, she yelled in an attempt to throw off the thief. The thief took one look at her and laughed. “Oooh! And what, pray tell, is you gonna do about it if I don’t?”, the smart alec thief replied as he shoved her away. Unfortunately for him, he made two mistakes in that moment. The first: refusal to follow club rules and regulations (robbery of another patron). The second, and most important: He inappropriately touched a staff member (shoving her). So it came to no surprise when Gracie picked him up by his horn and mane and dragged him to the back entrance. “Any final remarks before your ugly muzzle kisses pavement?”, Gracie asked and threatened. “Just two. Firstly, you’re a dangerous bitch. Secondly--” he paused for a second before making an animal call. While she was initially confused she held her ground until she was rushed at from behind and thrown to a wall by a huge earth pony colt. Her guess was he couldn’t be no more than 14-15 years old, but she couldn’t dwell on that thought for long due to the now throbbing pain in her skull and tightness of her throat. Due to the pain, she hardly registered another pony come up near her, throwing the colt off of her and helping her to her hooves before rushing back into beating the colt senseless. Wolf Runner saw a scene that only meant “busted” in his eyes as he saw Cane being dragged off towards where they came in at by a mare. While he raced off in the direction they were heading into, he also saw his other friend, Orange Julius trailing them. Before he could call out to them he was not only surprised to hear Cain’s distress call, but to also see Julius rush at and pin the mare by the throat to a wall. Anger soon flooded his veins as he barreled into Julius’ side, effectively freeing the mare. He then proceeded to pick her up off the floor before looking at her. It was the same mare from the stage! The one wearing red! Pure rage filled him then as he turned back to a stumbling Julius and proceeded to pummel him into the floor. “GET OUTTA HERE!!”, Wolf roared to Cain and Julius after finishing up. His friends, knowing that when he’s this pissed off it’s best to do as he says, quickly and sloppily dart for the exit. Cane dropping quite a few bit pouches as he scrambled out of Wolf’s line of sight. When Wolf finally calmed down enough to actually think, he went over to the mare and helped her settle onto her hooves. “Eh...sorry about that miss...Those idiots really don’t know when to quit.”, he apologised. The mare simply shrugged it off as nothing as she finally got her sight back in working order. She turned around as she was about to walk away but stopped once she saw who it was that saved her. She couldn’t believe it! The stallion she saw while on stage! Suddenly forgetting about how bad her head hurt, she replied. “I-It’s okay. Though I must say, those ‘friends’ of yours really know how to put up a good fight.”, she replied with a slight chuckle. “O-ohh! Pardon my idiot friends. They seem to always have a way with bouncers or security. I apologize again if they caused you any serious injury.”, Wolf replied shakily. The mare simply chuckled at his shyness. “Anyways, I-I happened to see the show tonight and let me just say miss that you were fantastic! I’ve never seen a mare move with such gracefulness. It were almost as if you were gliding on air across that stage.”, he complimented. She smiled and replied, “Why thank you mister…” she fell off after realizing she never got his name. “The name’s Wolf Runner ma'am.” Wolf replied then continued “And what might your’s be?”, he finished. Suddenly aware that she’s staring, she clears her throat before answering. “My name is Graceful Sonata, but everypony who knows me just calls me Gracie and please don’t "ma’am"me. That makes me sound like some old mare!”, Gracie responded. She then dashed off into the throng of partygoers at the sound of a familiar call. Gabe, in a mad, frenzied mode, started searching the entire club for his M.I.A friend. Eventually realizing that simply looking for her was pointless considering the place was packed and went straight for the “emergency cry” that they made up if one went M.I.A. while on duty. “Hold on! Imma comin’!”, Gracie shouted over the music once she saw exactly where he was. When she finally made it over to the bar where Gabe was, she was instantly scooped up in a spine-breaking hug by said griffon. “Oh thank Faust! I thought something bad happened after you just disappeared like that!” He started before slapping her upside the head “What the hell is wrong with you!?! You know better than to take off without lettin’ me or Cold Breeze know!”, he finished angrily. “Okay first: OW! Damn Gabe I’m already sore there! Second: It wasn’t my fault…” She stopped briefly to think of an excuse as to why she left originally “Dandelion Fluff was having trouble with a patron trying to steal her bit pouch. So I stepped in and tried to ‘escort’ him out when the dude had a buddy of his pin me against a wall by my throat! Thankfully another patron showed up at the right time to throw the two colts offa me and they was so scared, they took off!”, she finished. Purposefully omitting her rescuer's name. “Well then, that makes the situation different now don’t it. Nonetheless don’t do it again! This is an incredibly important night and Mrs. Shot is already rippin’ into all of us as we speak! I had to cover ya ass with an excuse because she wanted you to…’service’ a special customer as she put it which you and I both know would NOT have been good.” He stopped briefly to utter a cruel chuckle “We ain’t that kinda nightclub. Yet she still insists that...certain mares “take care” of the rich patrons in the private booths.” He finished with a slight growl in his voice. “I know...c’mon, I’m tired. Think Imma clock out early tonight. Mind takin’ me home?”, Gracie asked sounding tired. “Yeah. Just gotta let Serene and Cold know we out and clock out.”, Gabe replied as they proceeded to clock out. Him texting their friends that they left. Then they hopped onto Gracie’s motorbike and took off into the night. Author's Note Ooooohhhhh!!! Okay they've at least met. That's only the beginning! I have SO much more planned for this fic! Til next chapter, -Grey. Ch. 5: Home (Gracie)One Year Later... The warm sun’s rays roused a very exhausted feeling Gracie as she turned over and covered her head with a quilt. All was well until she felt a medium sized presence hop onto her bed and approach her face, to which it proceeded to lick repeatedly. “Urrgghh!...Wha?...C-Cooper?!?”, A confused Gracie groaned. To which the 3 year old beagle just nosed his way closer and was pretty soon under the covers with his mistress with a pretty self-satisfied doggy grin on his face as he kept licking her as if to say ‘it's time to get up Grace’. Grace wanted to just push him off the bed but couldn't do it. He was being to puppyish so she just let him lay there a bit longer. That is until a thought occurred to her. “Wait. If you’re up...then that means...oh no--”, Grace stopped herself before feeling the large bump as another creature, much larger than the first plopped down onto the bed and crawled over to the slightly annoyed mare. It too started to lick her repeatedly. “...Daisy’s up too!”, Grace finished her thought as she got a muzzle full of Germane Shepherd fur on her face. Knowing that they like to wake her up like this on her off days, she instantly got out of bed with her dogs following suit.After managing to maneuver over various clothes and dog toys, she managed to get to the kitchen to fix up some breakfast for the three of them. As she reached the pantry door, Cooper circled her hooves twice with his leash in mouth. “Okay buddy, After breakfast then we’ll go to the park. But remember, we still have our errands to do since I have the day off.”, Gracie spoke to her old, but excited beagle whilst pulling out a large bag of dog food and a smaller bag of food. At the sight of the bags, Cooper patiently sat by his bowl. Daisy on the other hoof decided to make things a bit more challenging by placing her front paws on the counter in an attempt to get to her food. This earned her a gentle but necessary shove back to the floor by her mistress. “Now Daisy, You need to practice patience. Be like Cooper! See? He doesn’t jump up on the counter in an impatient attempt to get his food.”, Gracie said as she finished pouring the ‘Large Breed’ mix in the bowl and started pouring the ‘Small Breed’ mix into Cooper’s bowl. After getting her dogs fed and water bowls filled she began on her own breakfast of toast and an omelet with hay bacon (which the 2 dogs instantly drooled over.) as well as a mango/banana smoothie. Soon enough breakfast was over and cleaned up. Next was the cleaning of dishes (on Gracie’s part) and shower. (10 minutes later) A freshly showered and now dressed in cool clothes Grace trotted into the living room to see both dogs sat by the door with their leashes in their jaws. Grace just chuckled as she went over to a nearby window and opened it. Sticking her head out, she called out to her neighbor. “Yo, Red Wine! Open ya window n’ lemme hear some tunes before I leave out!”, Grace called out to her neighbor in the next building across. A window opened up and a cherry red stallion with a bandana around his head popped his head out. “Heya Gracie! Some tunes coming your way! What you wanna hear today? Some blues?” he pauses and plays a blues-y melody on a violin “ or something spicy?” he again pauses to play a lively little melody “Or….knowing you, you’ll request just about anything! Lemme here.”, Red finished as he took a sip of his coffee. “Hmmm….think you can play ‘la marcia del torero’? Especially since my dogs want to be such bulls today!”, Grace asked. “No problem ‘il mio piccolo grazioso’. Coming up!”, Red said as he played the requested song at a generous speed. Gracie moved around her apartment. Cleaning up a bit, whilst dancing at the same time. Her movements were in time with the music as she found her own instrument case under a pile of dirty laundry. Piling the laundry into a basket and placing it along with the instrument case into a deep purple wagon, she adjusted her bun before doing a dramatic bow as the music concluded. “Bravo! Bravo, mio amico! Very fluent this time!”, Gracie joined in the applause from her window as many other neighbors had opened theirs to hear Red play his violin. “Grazie! Grazie everypony! Your applause fills my heart with joy!”, Red called out as he dramatically wiped away an invisible tear. "*laughs* Alright Mr. Pagliaccio, You gotta get ready for work! I’ll see ya later!”, Gracie shouted across the way. “Alright. Hey! Don’ forget to stop by my place later, Mama’s making spaghetti e polpette, you’re favorite!”, Red said as the sound of banging and crashing as well as a few choice swears in Bitalian waived from his apartment. “I’d ask why, but I can see you’ve got some hooves to help out. Anyways I’ll stop by later. Ciao!”, Grace said as she shut her window. Once she made sure the dogs’ leashes were on and after getting the wagon and themselves down to the main lobbyway, Gracie and her dogs were finally out the door for the day. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ (Some time later on the busy streets of Manehattan…) Dragging the long, red wagon down the street would have been an easy feat had Gracie not had her two energized dogs pulling in every other direction as they made their way towards the laundromat. Every step she took either Daisy would try to pull ahead or Cooper would stop to sniff something or bark at another dog nearby. This would seem frustrating to some ponies, but to Gracie this was simply another weekly laundry day. “*sigh* Alright. Daisy! Vieni qui piccola, time to ‘guard' the wagon!”, Gracie called to her excited ‘puppy’ (if you consider a 5 month old dog a puppy). Daisy came back to her mistress’s side as soon as she heard the command. She...semi-skilfully climbed into the wagon and sat quietly. Her tongue lolled out in a pant as she watched the world roll by while riding in the wagon pulled by her mistress. Eventually they made it to the nearest laundromat and the two dogs were tied up outside as Grace walked in. Once inside with her basket of clothes, she was greeted with the familiar sight of two of her friends that were also cleaning clothes. “Hiya Fasthoof. Hey Gia.”, Grace called out as she found a machine and started her load. “Hey! It’s Ace! How are ya this morning lass?”, Gia asked in her thick Eponan accent as she hugged her friend. “I’m good. My dogs gave me such a time this morning, but they were otherwise alright. Plus I finally got around to cleaning up a bit.”, Grace replied while she got out her bit pouch and put 2 bits in the automatic washer. “Good to hear. You know, you’ll eventually really clean up your apartment instead of what you call ‘cleaning up’! And you can bet Myself and the rest of the crew’ll be over to help ya super clean your place!”, Fasthoof laughed as he dodged an empty basket to the head. Grace swore under her breath and picked up her basket as she continued talking with her friends and ultimately the other patrons of the laundromat who just happened to look tired and bored. After a while, she had to switch her load to the dryer and once done she had to fold them up and pack them back in the basket. Once done, she said a quick goodbye to her friends and continued about her day by heading back to her apartment and grabbing a basket of toys for the dogs as she simultaneously dropped off her laundry. Swearing to herself that she’d put it up later. After dropping it off, she quickly took the basket and her dogs over to the nearest “doggy day care” (which was a large warehouse, converted into a daycare/day camp for pets of all kinds). “Hi Ms. Whistle, Sorry we’re late. Had a bit of an...interesting morning to say the least. Nevertheless We have been working on those commands from last week! Wanna see?”, Gracie explained. “Of course! Let’s see how far little Daisy’s gotten!”, Ms. Whistle said enthusiastically. “Alright” Grace started before unlatching Daisy from her leash “Daisy. Sit!”, she continued as she moved her hoof in a down motion. Daisy saw this and sat. “Good girl” Grace praised before producing a treat from her saddle bag “Now. Daisy. Spin!”, Grace spun her hoof around as Daisy turned around on command. “Wow! I’m impressed. She picked up on that one fast!”, Ms. Whistle said as she produced a treat of her own from a treat bag around her neck and gave it to the young Germane Shepherd. “Yeah. Well, I’ve got to be heading out--Oh! Watch out for Cooper today. He’s been acting rather...well…’driven’ these past few days. I think it may be the ‘h-e-a-t’ season. Thankfully he’s been fixed.”, Gracie finished as she waved goodbye and left. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 (1 hour later…) After dropping off the dogs and remembering to pick up her dry cleaning, Gracie headed to a nearby park. Affectionately called ‘Performers’ Plaza’, the park area was relatively large for being in a city such as Manehattan. With various walkways and beautiful scenery, one could easily spend hours here simply walking and observing. From the waterfront pathway Which lead to a decent sized water park. To the bustling food/shopping mini-plaza near the center. Even stopping by the designated woodland area brings ponies joy by letting them trot down a old, hoof beaten dirt path through the woods. It is here, in the heart of the plaza, where all the performers congregate and show off their stuff to varying sizes crowds throughout the day (and often night). This is where Gracie is found at her usual busking station near a fountain with her guitar. Setting her station up and making sure her license was visible in her guitar case, she bagan tuning her guitar before beginning to play a simple melody. The ponies who stopped to listen, were pleased to hear the instantly recognizable tune. Some even hummed along as she played on. When Gracie stopped, she received a small spattering of applause and bits being tossed in her case. Thanking the dispersing crowd, she set up her mic stand and made sure her speakers were working (which was a painful endeavors due to static crackling from both made her ears hurt). Once that was taken care of, she began to sing a song she’d heard in one of her favorite musicals (with the help of a passing by choir who looked like they were from Zebrica, judging by their clothing and the fact that there were quite a few zebras in said choir. Gracie only had to ask and they agreed happily). Choir: Fatshe leso lea halalela Fatshe leso lea halalela Gracie: Shadowland The leaves have fallen This shadowed land This was our home The river's dry The ground has broken So I must go Now I must go And where the journey may lead me Let your prayers be my guide I cannot stay here, my family But I'll remember my pride Choir: Pridelands Gracie: I have no choice Choir: My land Gracie: I will find my way Lea halalela Choir: Tear-stained Dry land Take this Gracie: Take this prayer Choir: With you Gracie: What lies out there Choir: Fatshe leso Gracie: Lea halalela Choir: And where the journey may lead you Let this prayer be your guide Though it may take you so far away Always remember your pride (A Zebra comes and prays in Zebrican over Gracie) ALL: Fatshe leso lea halalela Fatshe leso lea halalela Choir: And where the journey may lead you Gracie: And where the journey may lead me Choir: Let this prayer be your guide Gracie: Let their prayers be my guide Choir: Though it may take you Gracie: Though it may take me so far away Choir: So far away Always remember your pride Gracie: I'll remember my pride Choir: And where the journey may lead you Quickly remembering some Zebrican, Gracie belted out the next part. Gracie: Ngiza buya bo, ngiza buya bo Choir: Let this prayer be your guide Gracie: I will return, I will return Choir: Though it may Take you so far away Gracie: Beso bo Ngiza buya bo I will return Choir: Always remember your pride Gracie: Ngiza buya bo Gracie: Oh, ngiza buya bo Beso bo, my people Beso bo When the song finished, the incredibly large crowd that had congregated towards this small busking spot burst into a cheer like no other. Some young colts were even recording the performance. Many praises were given and Gracie was astonished that her case had been filled with more bits than she would've had after 6 weeks of solo busking. Taking this with a grin, she humbly thanked the choir and asked them if they would want to accompany her to lunch. They all agreed with smiles and thanks. The small gathering of ponies then helped Gracie put away her busking station and they all headed out to the food plaza for a delicious lunch. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 (3 hours later…) After a fitful lunch and a heartfelt goodbye (as well as a promise to see their show on Bridleway that following night via a pair of tickets she was generously gifted), Gracie was once again on her way around the city. Stopping briefly at a pet safe bakery to pick-up some biscuits she ordered, she went on about dragging her wagon along as she went to pick-up her dogs. She got back to the daycare at her regular time, however she didn't immediately get her dogs. “Gracie! Glad your back. Just hold on a bit and we'll go and get Cooper and Daisy.”, Ms. Whistle said as she went in the back to retrieve the dogs. Gracie was whistling a random tune when she saw it. Okay maybe not it but more like him. While she noted that her dogs were fine and on their leashes obediently waiting for her (or at least Cooper was), that wasn't her focus point. Who was in her line of vision, to her complete shock was him. That stallion that saved her that night at the club! Holding onto her dogs’ leashes. “Faust’s mane….Wolf Runner?”, Gracie askedin complete awe at the stallion in front of her.
Ch. 1: Highs and Lows of Manehattan“Crap! We’re gonna be late! Gracie move ya ass!”, a yellow and blue griffon yelled up a fire escape. At that a blur of white and cream came tumbling down the ladders of the stairwell. With a amazing landing on her hooves, the blur came to a stop to reveal a cream colored young earth mare wearing a white leotard. Her coffee colored mane in a (very) messy ballet bun. “*pant* Don’t remind me Gabe! Ooooh, Mrs. Shot is gonna have our flanks for breakfast if we don’t motor.”, Gracie responded as she got her keys out to her motorbike. “That’s what I was trying to tell ya! Girl I swear, sometimes I don't get how you’re a beautiful dancer yet a total klutz in everything else!”, Gabriel said as he launched up and followed his best friend to the studio/club where they both worked. When they got to “Shotglass's Night Club/Dance School”, they were met with the angry face of their employer Mrs. Gin Shot and the frazzled faces of their fellow coworkers, Cold Breeze and Serene Waters. “YOU’RE LATE!!!!”, Mrs. Shot screeched as the pair of friends walked through the front doors and clocked in. “We’re sorry Ma’am. Traffic was a monster on 12th and Oats. But at least we’re here now.”, Gracie apologized as she went to place her saddlebags by the entrance to the studio. As she set her bags down and went to grab her uniform, she heard frantic wing beats and before she could turn a blur of blue/grey fur and mane came barreling into her side. Effectively causing them both to crash onto the floor in a heap of hooves, tails and laughs. “Cold Breeze, what’s got you tripping worse than me this morning?”, Gracie asked after they got untangled and back on their hooves. Cold Breeze sighed as he fixed his sunglasses, “If Mrs. Shot being more frightening than usual today isn’t bad enough, last night my apartment was robbed!” Gracie gasped at this as Cold continued to explain how it happened after he left work the previous night to find his apartment trashed and some valuables stolen. “Do ya think it was that burglar that’s been all over the news?”, Gracie asked as he finished. “Possibly--anyways”, he started before slipping into his black leotard and sitting them both down “level with me Grace, why were you really late?”, he finished. Gracie sighed as she strapped on her slippers and snapped up her skirt. “Fine. While there was bad traffic on 12th and Oats, I overslept and almost didn’t hear Gabe break in my window or crawl into my room. He woke me up finally by screeching at the top of his lungs to and I quote: ‘Get the fuck up or he’d drop me off the East Manehattan bridge into the harbor.’ unquote.”, Gracie explained as she fixed her mane into a better bun. Cold Breeze simply laughed at this as he unlocked the sliding door that lead to the dance studio. They both grabbed their water bottles and towels as they headed into the dimly lit studio. Gracie dropped her bag in front of the mirror wall as Cold did the same before turning on the old boombox in the corner. “Let’s wait for Gabe and ‘Rena' to get here. Then we can start practicing the routine for tonight's dinner rush.”, Gracie said as she flipped through the CDs looking for their warm-up music. “M’kay….” Cold started but fell off into a daydreaming state. He was quickly snapped out of it by the sound of talons tapping against the smooth wood floor. “Okay! Before the ‘wicked witch of the west-end’ shows her ugly rear end and barks at us, I have a few announcements! Announcement 1.): A big thanks is in order to Serene for covering my shift this upcoming Saturday. Announcement 2.): We have a special guest coming tonight. A Mr. Perfect Pirouette from the North Manehattan Academy of Dance will be showing up tonight--” Gabe started before a loud scream broke his train of thought. “THE ‘Perfect Pirouette’?!?!?! As in the most famous dance instructor in all of Equestria?! The same pony who trained such dancers as Moondance, Swan Song and Cobalt LeFleur! And he’s coming to this run-down nightclub/bar! Tonight!?!?”, Serene interrupted with an excited scream. “The very same! I somehow managed to get our audition tape we did a month ago to his publicist. Who then showed Mr. Pirouette. Who thought it was amazing...I assume. Anyways, He’s supposed to be on a train from Ponyville coming today and he’s staying here for 3 days! He’ll be here at 8pm.”, Gabe finished to a uproar of excited chatter and squealing on the girl's part. The excitement was broken by a loud thump of a cane on the floor by Mrs. Shot. Thus was the signal to get ready to warm up. “Such is life in Manehattan. You work your flanks off to get here only to get struck back to square one. Waiting tables and dancing to make hardly minimum wage and a few good tips. I’ve been here almost half my life and feel like I’m barely making a name for myself aside from dancing and waiting tables. But don’t fret. Because I have a feeling things are gonna change for all of us real soon.”, Gracie whispered to her friends as they started to warm up in the hot dance studio.
Ch. 2: Define..."illegal"In a run-down project portion of the city “Stop! Thief! Somepony catch him!”, an old stall keeper shouted as a cloaked figure dashed off with 2 loaves of bread, 6 necklaces, 2 jars of jam and a big basket. The shouting caught the attention of some of the local police officers who happened to be nearby on patrol of the marketplace. The cloaked figure sped up his pursuit at the mere idea of cops on his flanks. When he finally did hear said officers in pursuit, he decided to just buck up and using a smoke bomb he distracted the cops long enough for him to escape. “Where’ve you been? Your sister and I have been worried sick!”, a female voice shouted out from a kitchen of a terrible-looking, old, dirty shack as the figure entered through a torn curtain. “Just ‘grocery shopping’ Ma!”, He said as he removed his hooded cloak to reveal a young brown/black unicorn stallion. He then placed his saddlebags on an old card table and began to unload them of the goods. As he removed them, an older purple/pink mare with a harp cutie-mark and an old apron came into the makeshift dining area/living area. “Mmmmhmmm, yeah suuure you were. How many times I gotta tell ya Wolf Runner, just because we’re...low on bits as of late...doesn’t give you the excuse to go stealin’ shit! Besides, it's Illegal.”, his mother, Magnolia scolded. Wolf Runner just scoffed as he placed the bread in the breadbox and the jam in the cooler. “Oooohhh...not so much ‘illegal’...more like morally incorrect. Also...maybe I wouldn’t have to resort to ‘borrowing’ food if you’d actually go out and find a job so you could actually afford to feed you and Harmony. Now, if you’re done scolding me, I gotta head back to my place. I can only leave the gang alone with Garrett for so long.”, Wolf snapped back at his mother as he gathered up his saddlebags and the basket and left. An Hour Later... Wolf teleported back to his “house” (more like a warehouse) only to be pounced upon by a half-grown wolf. It growled menacingly before proceeding to lick him senseless. “Okay! Okay Garrett! I give! *sigh* You got me again you overgrown cub you!”, Wolf laughed as he stroked his pet wolf before pushing him off. He then heard the unmistakable sound-off of his partner and best friend, Cane. “Yo, Bro! What goes on?”, Cane asked as the two stallion hugged. “Nothing much Cane. Saw my moms today. Get this, she actually had the nerve to go off on me just because I did a little ‘grocery shopping’ for her.”, Wolf responded. “Man, your mama be gettin’ her mane in a bunch over some of the stupidest things! Hell, she better be lucky you went and got them somethin’ anyways! I mean, you ain’t had to go and get them some food. You did it out of the goodness of your own heart.”, Cane ranted to which Wolf agreed. “You right Cane! Yet...deep down, she’s secretly glad I do this stuff 2 days a month. Anyways, any of the rest of the gang show up ‘round here yet?”, He asked. “Nope--WHOA!!!”, Cane started before getting tackled by Garrett. Wolf just laughed as he gently pulled Garrett off of him and told him to go play. Picking himself up off the floor, Cane grumbled to himself before going over to his best friend and his pet. “I’ll never understand how it is that you’re cutie-mark is for canine training!?!”, He sighed as he sat on a nearby couch. “And I’ll never tell ya. All that needs to be known is that Garrett is not only a skilled hunter and accomplice, but also a loyal companion.”, Wolf stated proudly as he watched his pet play with a chew rope.
Ch. 3: A Nightclub?!?That Night… Cain barely managed to convince a very tired Wolf to go through with his plans to go out with him that night (“It’ll be fun! There’ll be booze, chicks and prime targets everywhere!” was his reasoning to get him moving). So the two unicorns found themselves on the town on a Friday night. They stepped out of the taxi onto Horseshoe Blvd. in front of a little lively club that one look just screamed “Dazzling”! “Dude, I don’t think this is a good idea. I mean...well, for one thing this place looks packed!”, Wolf remarked as they approached the back entrance of the club. Using his magic, Cane picked the lock before they actually got in. “Does it matter? More saps to hustle! Get with it Wolf. Besides, what’re the odds that cops will be there?!?”, Cane reassured him as they made their way past the throngs of half-drunk ponies and griffons. With the night already in full swing, Gracie and Serene were backstage getting ready for their regular routine. They were getting into their regular costumes which consisted of loose crop tops and flowing skirts with bells tied in their manes. “Did you see him out there ‘Rena'?”, Gracie asked as she adjusted her skirt. “Not yet. Gabe will let us know when he comes. Then we break into our best routines! Just like we rehearsed.”, Serene replied as she tied her mane into a pony tail with the bells dangling. Gracie couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous about performing. It wasn’t like the regular ‘show's about to start and you’re unprepared’ nervous. No. This was a completely different level of nervous. One that made her nearly have a panic attack until Serene got her to calm down. “Girl. Believe me, I’m just as nervous as you, but we can’t let it show now! This is mass crunch time Gracie. We can do it! We’ve been working our flanks off since we were 10 to be where we are now. This could be our big break! We just gotta buck up and take it with grace and swagger. You hear me?!?”, Serene said. Grace let Serene’s pep talk sink in for a moment before she shook her head ‘yes'. “Yeah-Yeah we’ve got this!”, Gracie exclaimed. Just then a stage manager popped in to tell them it’s almost curtain. “Alright. Let’s do this!”, both mares’ shouted in unison before heading out to the stage with the boys following suit. The two thieves made their way through at least half of the club. Pickpocketing and the likes in a stealthy way. That is...until Wolf noticed the stage at the front of the club. ‘Hey. What's goin’ on up there?’, Wolf wondered to himself as the curtain rose to reveal two mares, a stallion and a griffon in exotic clothing. The four performers started to move in an almost hypnotic form. The males started moving in almost imposible motions for a pegasus and griffon. While the females instantly got everypony's attention. Doing flips, twists, bends and turns that would put a standard ballerina to shame. While they were all distracted, Cane decided to continue with the robberies. “Dude! C’mon, let's keep at it.”, Cane shouted over the music to his companion who couldn't remove his eyes from the stage...or in specifics, from the lone earth mare in a ruby red outfit dancing. Wolf simply couldn't stop himself from staring! It was like he was being placed under a beautiful hypnotic spell when he watched her dance. He eventually snapped out of it long enough to comprehend what his friend said and he regretfully turned away from the stage to continue their spree. In the back of his head he was still thinking about that mare in the red. Gabe finally spotted the dance coach and waved a wing to signal his friends that now was the time to pull out the big guns. He cued up a saucy, exotic sounding party song. Then, grabbing Gracie while Cold grabbed Serene, they began to dance a lively latin groove. Every dip, every twist, every step was carefully planned as mostly making it up as ya go. Some stallion threw a rose to the girls and Serene caught it mid air twirl and placed it in her mane. When the song finally came to a close, the 4 friends struck a dazzling finishing pose as the music faded and the uproar of applause occurred. When the crowd cheered Gracie looked for Mr. Pirouette. While she couldn't see through the crowd too well she did lock eyes with a handsome unicorn stallion. In her almost hypnotic state, she inadvertently sent him a wink and a smile before taking her bows with her friends.They made their way backstage with excitement in their veins and smiles on their faces. “Gabe! Did you hear the way that crowd cheered?!? I tell ya I think that was the best performance we’ve ever done!”, Cold Breeze said excitedly. “I know! And I hope that Perfect Pirouette thought so too. I noticed him leave not long after we stopped dancing.”, Gabe replied. Gracie, while she was happy, was still in a euphoric state of calm after simply looking at that stallion in the audience. She didn't know why, but there was something about him that almost called to her. Beckoning to her to study further. So, with a determined gait she set off to the main floor in search of the stallion she couldn't seem to stop thinking about.
Ch. 4: SearchGracie hit the main floor just in time to hear a loud shout. She recognized the voice as another co worker and mutual friend of hers, Dandelion Fluff. Gracie instantly knew that noise was one of shocked annoyance and went to investigate, momentarily dismissing her original pursuit of the mystery stallion. When she got there, she saw Dandelion trying to wrestle her bit pouch away from a white/red unicorn and losing bad. “Hey! Leave the girl and her bits alone before I kick ya sorry tail outta here!!”, she yelled in an attempt to throw off the thief. The thief took one look at her and laughed. “Oooh! And what, pray tell, is you gonna do about it if I don’t?”, the smart alec thief replied as he shoved her away. Unfortunately for him, he made two mistakes in that moment. The first: refusal to follow club rules and regulations (robbery of another patron). The second, and most important: He inappropriately touched a staff member (shoving her). So it came to no surprise when Gracie picked him up by his horn and mane and dragged him to the back entrance. “Any final remarks before your ugly muzzle kisses pavement?”, Gracie asked and threatened. “Just two. Firstly, you’re a dangerous bitch. Secondly--” he paused for a second before making an animal call. While she was initially confused she held her ground until she was rushed at from behind and thrown to a wall by a huge earth pony colt. Her guess was he couldn’t be no more than 14-15 years old, but she couldn’t dwell on that thought for long due to the now throbbing pain in her skull and tightness of her throat. Due to the pain, she hardly registered another pony come up near her, throwing the colt off of her and helping her to her hooves before rushing back into beating the colt senseless. Wolf Runner saw a scene that only meant “busted” in his eyes as he saw Cane being dragged off towards where they came in at by a mare. While he raced off in the direction they were heading into, he also saw his other friend, Orange Julius trailing them. Before he could call out to them he was not only surprised to hear Cain’s distress call, but to also see Julius rush at and pin the mare by the throat to a wall. Anger soon flooded his veins as he barreled into Julius’ side, effectively freeing the mare. He then proceeded to pick her up off the floor before looking at her. It was the same mare from the stage! The one wearing red! Pure rage filled him then as he turned back to a stumbling Julius and proceeded to pummel him into the floor. “GET OUTTA HERE!!”, Wolf roared to Cain and Julius after finishing up. His friends, knowing that when he’s this pissed off it’s best to do as he says, quickly and sloppily dart for the exit. Cane dropping quite a few bit pouches as he scrambled out of Wolf’s line of sight. When Wolf finally calmed down enough to actually think, he went over to the mare and helped her settle onto her hooves. “Eh...sorry about that miss...Those idiots really don’t know when to quit.”, he apologised. The mare simply shrugged it off as nothing as she finally got her sight back in working order. She turned around as she was about to walk away but stopped once she saw who it was that saved her. She couldn’t believe it! The stallion she saw while on stage! Suddenly forgetting about how bad her head hurt, she replied. “I-It’s okay. Though I must say, those ‘friends’ of yours really know how to put up a good fight.”, she replied with a slight chuckle. “O-ohh! Pardon my idiot friends. They seem to always have a way with bouncers or security. I apologize again if they caused you any serious injury.”, Wolf replied shakily. The mare simply chuckled at his shyness. “Anyways, I-I happened to see the show tonight and let me just say miss that you were fantastic! I’ve never seen a mare move with such gracefulness. It were almost as if you were gliding on air across that stage.”, he complimented. She smiled and replied, “Why thank you mister…” she fell off after realizing she never got his name. “The name’s Wolf Runner ma'am.” Wolf replied then continued “And what might your’s be?”, he finished. Suddenly aware that she’s staring, she clears her throat before answering. “My name is Graceful Sonata, but everypony who knows me just calls me Gracie and please don’t "ma’am"me. That makes me sound like some old mare!”, Gracie responded. She then dashed off into the throng of partygoers at the sound of a familiar call. Gabe, in a mad, frenzied mode, started searching the entire club for his M.I.A friend. Eventually realizing that simply looking for her was pointless considering the place was packed and went straight for the “emergency cry” that they made up if one went M.I.A. while on duty. “Hold on! Imma comin’!”, Gracie shouted over the music once she saw exactly where he was. When she finally made it over to the bar where Gabe was, she was instantly scooped up in a spine-breaking hug by said griffon. “Oh thank Faust! I thought something bad happened after you just disappeared like that!” He started before slapping her upside the head “What the hell is wrong with you!?! You know better than to take off without lettin’ me or Cold Breeze know!”, he finished angrily. “Okay first: OW! Damn Gabe I’m already sore there! Second: It wasn’t my fault…” She stopped briefly to think of an excuse as to why she left originally “Dandelion Fluff was having trouble with a patron trying to steal her bit pouch. So I stepped in and tried to ‘escort’ him out when the dude had a buddy of his pin me against a wall by my throat! Thankfully another patron showed up at the right time to throw the two colts offa me and they was so scared, they took off!”, she finished. Purposefully omitting her rescuer's name. “Well then, that makes the situation different now don’t it. Nonetheless don’t do it again! This is an incredibly important night and Mrs. Shot is already rippin’ into all of us as we speak! I had to cover ya ass with an excuse because she wanted you to…’service’ a special customer as she put it which you and I both know would NOT have been good.” He stopped briefly to utter a cruel chuckle “We ain’t that kinda nightclub. Yet she still insists that...certain mares “take care” of the rich patrons in the private booths.” He finished with a slight growl in his voice. “I know...c’mon, I’m tired. Think Imma clock out early tonight. Mind takin’ me home?”, Gracie asked sounding tired. “Yeah. Just gotta let Serene and Cold know we out and clock out.”, Gabe replied as they proceeded to clock out. Him texting their friends that they left. Then they hopped onto Gracie’s motorbike and took off into the night. Author's Note Ooooohhhhh!!! Okay they've at least met. That's only the beginning! I have SO much more planned for this fic! Til next chapter, -Grey.
Ch. 5: Home (Gracie)One Year Later... The warm sun’s rays roused a very exhausted feeling Gracie as she turned over and covered her head with a quilt. All was well until she felt a medium sized presence hop onto her bed and approach her face, to which it proceeded to lick repeatedly. “Urrgghh!...Wha?...C-Cooper?!?”, A confused Gracie groaned. To which the 3 year old beagle just nosed his way closer and was pretty soon under the covers with his mistress with a pretty self-satisfied doggy grin on his face as he kept licking her as if to say ‘it's time to get up Grace’. Grace wanted to just push him off the bed but couldn't do it. He was being to puppyish so she just let him lay there a bit longer. That is until a thought occurred to her. “Wait. If you’re up...then that means...oh no--”, Grace stopped herself before feeling the large bump as another creature, much larger than the first plopped down onto the bed and crawled over to the slightly annoyed mare. It too started to lick her repeatedly. “...Daisy’s up too!”, Grace finished her thought as she got a muzzle full of Germane Shepherd fur on her face. Knowing that they like to wake her up like this on her off days, she instantly got out of bed with her dogs following suit.After managing to maneuver over various clothes and dog toys, she managed to get to the kitchen to fix up some breakfast for the three of them. As she reached the pantry door, Cooper circled her hooves twice with his leash in mouth. “Okay buddy, After breakfast then we’ll go to the park. But remember, we still have our errands to do since I have the day off.”, Gracie spoke to her old, but excited beagle whilst pulling out a large bag of dog food and a smaller bag of food. At the sight of the bags, Cooper patiently sat by his bowl. Daisy on the other hoof decided to make things a bit more challenging by placing her front paws on the counter in an attempt to get to her food. This earned her a gentle but necessary shove back to the floor by her mistress. “Now Daisy, You need to practice patience. Be like Cooper! See? He doesn’t jump up on the counter in an impatient attempt to get his food.”, Gracie said as she finished pouring the ‘Large Breed’ mix in the bowl and started pouring the ‘Small Breed’ mix into Cooper’s bowl. After getting her dogs fed and water bowls filled she began on her own breakfast of toast and an omelet with hay bacon (which the 2 dogs instantly drooled over.) as well as a mango/banana smoothie. Soon enough breakfast was over and cleaned up. Next was the cleaning of dishes (on Gracie’s part) and shower. (10 minutes later) A freshly showered and now dressed in cool clothes Grace trotted into the living room to see both dogs sat by the door with their leashes in their jaws. Grace just chuckled as she went over to a nearby window and opened it. Sticking her head out, she called out to her neighbor. “Yo, Red Wine! Open ya window n’ lemme hear some tunes before I leave out!”, Grace called out to her neighbor in the next building across. A window opened up and a cherry red stallion with a bandana around his head popped his head out. “Heya Gracie! Some tunes coming your way! What you wanna hear today? Some blues?” he pauses and plays a blues-y melody on a violin “ or something spicy?” he again pauses to play a lively little melody “Or….knowing you, you’ll request just about anything! Lemme here.”, Red finished as he took a sip of his coffee. “Hmmm….think you can play ‘la marcia del torero’? Especially since my dogs want to be such bulls today!”, Grace asked. “No problem ‘il mio piccolo grazioso’. Coming up!”, Red said as he played the requested song at a generous speed. Gracie moved around her apartment. Cleaning up a bit, whilst dancing at the same time. Her movements were in time with the music as she found her own instrument case under a pile of dirty laundry. Piling the laundry into a basket and placing it along with the instrument case into a deep purple wagon, she adjusted her bun before doing a dramatic bow as the music concluded. “Bravo! Bravo, mio amico! Very fluent this time!”, Gracie joined in the applause from her window as many other neighbors had opened theirs to hear Red play his violin. “Grazie! Grazie everypony! Your applause fills my heart with joy!”, Red called out as he dramatically wiped away an invisible tear. "*laughs* Alright Mr. Pagliaccio, You gotta get ready for work! I’ll see ya later!”, Gracie shouted across the way. “Alright. Hey! Don’ forget to stop by my place later, Mama’s making spaghetti e polpette, you’re favorite!”, Red said as the sound of banging and crashing as well as a few choice swears in Bitalian waived from his apartment. “I’d ask why, but I can see you’ve got some hooves to help out. Anyways I’ll stop by later. Ciao!”, Grace said as she shut her window. Once she made sure the dogs’ leashes were on and after getting the wagon and themselves down to the main lobbyway, Gracie and her dogs were finally out the door for the day. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ (Some time later on the busy streets of Manehattan…) Dragging the long, red wagon down the street would have been an easy feat had Gracie not had her two energized dogs pulling in every other direction as they made their way towards the laundromat. Every step she took either Daisy would try to pull ahead or Cooper would stop to sniff something or bark at another dog nearby. This would seem frustrating to some ponies, but to Gracie this was simply another weekly laundry day. “*sigh* Alright. Daisy! Vieni qui piccola, time to ‘guard' the wagon!”, Gracie called to her excited ‘puppy’ (if you consider a 5 month old dog a puppy). Daisy came back to her mistress’s side as soon as she heard the command. She...semi-skilfully climbed into the wagon and sat quietly. Her tongue lolled out in a pant as she watched the world roll by while riding in the wagon pulled by her mistress. Eventually they made it to the nearest laundromat and the two dogs were tied up outside as Grace walked in. Once inside with her basket of clothes, she was greeted with the familiar sight of two of her friends that were also cleaning clothes. “Hiya Fasthoof. Hey Gia.”, Grace called out as she found a machine and started her load. “Hey! It’s Ace! How are ya this morning lass?”, Gia asked in her thick Eponan accent as she hugged her friend. “I’m good. My dogs gave me such a time this morning, but they were otherwise alright. Plus I finally got around to cleaning up a bit.”, Grace replied while she got out her bit pouch and put 2 bits in the automatic washer. “Good to hear. You know, you’ll eventually really clean up your apartment instead of what you call ‘cleaning up’! And you can bet Myself and the rest of the crew’ll be over to help ya super clean your place!”, Fasthoof laughed as he dodged an empty basket to the head. Grace swore under her breath and picked up her basket as she continued talking with her friends and ultimately the other patrons of the laundromat who just happened to look tired and bored. After a while, she had to switch her load to the dryer and once done she had to fold them up and pack them back in the basket. Once done, she said a quick goodbye to her friends and continued about her day by heading back to her apartment and grabbing a basket of toys for the dogs as she simultaneously dropped off her laundry. Swearing to herself that she’d put it up later. After dropping it off, she quickly took the basket and her dogs over to the nearest “doggy day care” (which was a large warehouse, converted into a daycare/day camp for pets of all kinds). “Hi Ms. Whistle, Sorry we’re late. Had a bit of an...interesting morning to say the least. Nevertheless We have been working on those commands from last week! Wanna see?”, Gracie explained. “Of course! Let’s see how far little Daisy’s gotten!”, Ms. Whistle said enthusiastically. “Alright” Grace started before unlatching Daisy from her leash “Daisy. Sit!”, she continued as she moved her hoof in a down motion. Daisy saw this and sat. “Good girl” Grace praised before producing a treat from her saddle bag “Now. Daisy. Spin!”, Grace spun her hoof around as Daisy turned around on command. “Wow! I’m impressed. She picked up on that one fast!”, Ms. Whistle said as she produced a treat of her own from a treat bag around her neck and gave it to the young Germane Shepherd. “Yeah. Well, I’ve got to be heading out--Oh! Watch out for Cooper today. He’s been acting rather...well…’driven’ these past few days. I think it may be the ‘h-e-a-t’ season. Thankfully he’s been fixed.”, Gracie finished as she waved goodbye and left. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 (1 hour later…) After dropping off the dogs and remembering to pick up her dry cleaning, Gracie headed to a nearby park. Affectionately called ‘Performers’ Plaza’, the park area was relatively large for being in a city such as Manehattan. With various walkways and beautiful scenery, one could easily spend hours here simply walking and observing. From the waterfront pathway Which lead to a decent sized water park. To the bustling food/shopping mini-plaza near the center. Even stopping by the designated woodland area brings ponies joy by letting them trot down a old, hoof beaten dirt path through the woods. It is here, in the heart of the plaza, where all the performers congregate and show off their stuff to varying sizes crowds throughout the day (and often night). This is where Gracie is found at her usual busking station near a fountain with her guitar. Setting her station up and making sure her license was visible in her guitar case, she bagan tuning her guitar before beginning to play a simple melody. The ponies who stopped to listen, were pleased to hear the instantly recognizable tune. Some even hummed along as she played on. When Gracie stopped, she received a small spattering of applause and bits being tossed in her case. Thanking the dispersing crowd, she set up her mic stand and made sure her speakers were working (which was a painful endeavors due to static crackling from both made her ears hurt). Once that was taken care of, she began to sing a song she’d heard in one of her favorite musicals (with the help of a passing by choir who looked like they were from Zebrica, judging by their clothing and the fact that there were quite a few zebras in said choir. Gracie only had to ask and they agreed happily). Choir: Fatshe leso lea halalela Fatshe leso lea halalela Gracie: Shadowland The leaves have fallen This shadowed land This was our home The river's dry The ground has broken So I must go Now I must go And where the journey may lead me Let your prayers be my guide I cannot stay here, my family But I'll remember my pride Choir: Pridelands Gracie: I have no choice Choir: My land Gracie: I will find my way Lea halalela Choir: Tear-stained Dry land Take this Gracie: Take this prayer Choir: With you Gracie: What lies out there Choir: Fatshe leso Gracie: Lea halalela Choir: And where the journey may lead you Let this prayer be your guide Though it may take you so far away Always remember your pride (A Zebra comes and prays in Zebrican over Gracie) ALL: Fatshe leso lea halalela Fatshe leso lea halalela Choir: And where the journey may lead you Gracie: And where the journey may lead me Choir: Let this prayer be your guide Gracie: Let their prayers be my guide Choir: Though it may take you Gracie: Though it may take me so far away Choir: So far away Always remember your pride Gracie: I'll remember my pride Choir: And where the journey may lead you Quickly remembering some Zebrican, Gracie belted out the next part. Gracie: Ngiza buya bo, ngiza buya bo Choir: Let this prayer be your guide Gracie: I will return, I will return Choir: Though it may Take you so far away Gracie: Beso bo Ngiza buya bo I will return Choir: Always remember your pride Gracie: Ngiza buya bo Gracie: Oh, ngiza buya bo Beso bo, my people Beso bo When the song finished, the incredibly large crowd that had congregated towards this small busking spot burst into a cheer like no other. Some young colts were even recording the performance. Many praises were given and Gracie was astonished that her case had been filled with more bits than she would've had after 6 weeks of solo busking. Taking this with a grin, she humbly thanked the choir and asked them if they would want to accompany her to lunch. They all agreed with smiles and thanks. The small gathering of ponies then helped Gracie put away her busking station and they all headed out to the food plaza for a delicious lunch. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 (3 hours later…) After a fitful lunch and a heartfelt goodbye (as well as a promise to see their show on Bridleway that following night via a pair of tickets she was generously gifted), Gracie was once again on her way around the city. Stopping briefly at a pet safe bakery to pick-up some biscuits she ordered, she went on about dragging her wagon along as she went to pick-up her dogs. She got back to the daycare at her regular time, however she didn't immediately get her dogs. “Gracie! Glad your back. Just hold on a bit and we'll go and get Cooper and Daisy.”, Ms. Whistle said as she went in the back to retrieve the dogs. Gracie was whistling a random tune when she saw it. Okay maybe not it but more like him. While she noted that her dogs were fine and on their leashes obediently waiting for her (or at least Cooper was), that wasn't her focus point. Who was in her line of vision, to her complete shock was him. That stallion that saved her that night at the club! Holding onto her dogs’ leashes. “Faust’s mane….Wolf Runner?”, Gracie askedin complete awe at the stallion in front of her.
