The Thief and the Dancer

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.

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(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.
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(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.
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(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.