Side (semi-canon) story to Starlight over Detrot: a noir tale

Hard Boiled's life has taken a really rough turn of events since the demise of Ruby Blue. Dying is actually quite far from the top of that list. But everyone needs a break once in a while, be they an undead detective with a colt's soul in his transplant heart or a partially transformed biomagical killing machine.

Thing is, long vacations are such a hassle to organize, so a night out is the best he can do on short notice. With that, he's decided to make good on a deal he's made with his partner: Swift Cuddles will go on a date with the Warden of Tartarus, the constantly burning mare on fire, if he goes on the date with her best friend, the prissy secretary of the Vivarium with a huge crush on Hardy himself, Scarlet Petals.

Special thanks to Chessie and crew for making the story that's gotten me hooked enough to write my first fanfic for this site.