I awoke. My lower back burning. My injury from the assault course yesterday was taking its toll on me, but I still managed to crawl out of my warm sheets onto the marble floor below. I made my way towards my bathroom and slid the glass door open. My eyes immediately gazing at my custom bathroom that was extremely overpriced for what it was, but it was still satisfying to see the shine of the chrome wallpaper every morning. I stepped into the shower and cleansed myself of any leftover feeling of fatigue that had overwhelmed me the night prior before putting on my usual outfit of a navy suit and black tie. I almost left the house before realizing I had left my signature shades on my dressing table. After I had sat through my routine twenty minute carriage ride the Equestrian Bureau of Investigations HQ I stepped inside the elevator and was elevated 18 floors before the lift stopped and the doors departed allowing me to walk through the hall down to "Office #467". This wasn't my office but I had been sent an email specifically requesting I report to this office instead of my usual office "Office #20".
This was the building I had spent most of my working and free time in for the last five or six years after I graduated (to say I was loyal to the investigative service was an understatement). The main reason I hung around the building while not on shifts was the simple fact that the Wonderbolts had their own little courtroom agreements to settle every day, yeah we were that professional we had a mini courtroom installed. Personally, I never saw the point of installing a courtroom, even though we were a law enforcement association. The main disputes that were debated in the courtroom were just petty things like let's say they get a raw brand deal, then they can settle that in our courtroom, of course it occurred to me that these were things that could be settled around a desk not in an EBI courtroom, but I kind of enjoyed the company especially because I had lost touch with the team ever since I graduated so it was always good to catch up. By now I had reached my assigned office. The blinds were closed but it looked like the silhouette of a figure was sitting in the chair behind the desk. I must admit, I opened the door with such caution that the creaks of the wooden door could be heard down the hall, so pretty much effectively defeating the purpose of my stealthy approach so much I decided to just waltz in. Inside was Detective Blackhoof spinning on chair until his gaze met mine and he quickly composed himself, sitting up straight and putting his hooves together. "Ah, Rainbow Dash. I've been waiting for you." He said.
"Waiting?" I replied in confusion. "You told me to meet you here at 10:30 and it's.....10:32 now." I continued suddenly envisioning Blackhoof spinning on that chair for hours on end.
"Well..I..never mind, time is of the essence." He said brushing off my statement.
"Of course sir, what do you need?" I asked.
"A latte would be nice." He said with a smirk.
"Right on it sir." I sighed before walking out and towards the coffee machine. Recently, I'd been trying to hide it, but I had been getting extremely bored and feeling incredibly worthless, because as of last fall I had been getting a considerably low amount of cases and was usually just being assigned to bring lattes, return paperwork and sit watching a limited seven channel TV in a blandly painted office eight hours a day. After the first few weeks of this I felt as if the agency had in a way put me on the shelf, like a toy a child had fallen out of favour with, except in this case. This toy wasn't given a valid reason.
I left the building with the swift turn of a turnstile and a push of a glass door, I was still annoyed with Blackhoof although I didn't really know who was to blame for my lack of cases but at the moment, plus the way I was being treated it seemed as if all fingers pointed at Blackhoof. He was at the peak of the EBI, and although I may have been their best detective Blackhoof still held a more prestigious position which he constantly teases me about even though the reason for that is because I've refused over fourteen promotions on the simple fact that I might not of been able to investigate as many cases as the position I hold now allows me to, or at least used to. I had decided to walk home as I came to the conclusion my physical fitness is not what is once was and doing the training courses were out of the question, and I told myself that I have to change that as I don't see how not getting a couple cases in a while is an excuse to not still do my high intensity cardio exercises. While on the way home I saw Twilight and greeted her formally which somehow suprised her as in these six years she still hadn't got used to the Rainbow Dash who doesn't say "Hey, what's up guys?!" with an overly beaming smile and shades fitted on. But in all fairness that might be the only thing that hasn't changed. My love for sunglasses. I had to change my personality to fit the job that I had. I thought most people would understand since people are bound to change when they spend most their time around corpses, psychopaths and crime scenes. "So, Rainbow Dash. Haven't seen you in a couple days." She said.
"Well, when duty calls I guess." I said seemingly to the suspicion of Twilight.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"Yeah. Just stressed from work you know." I replied with just seemed to feed Twilight's suspicions further.
"You're not getting any cases are you?" I sighed. Was it really that obvious. I thought I was keeping my feelings on the low down, I had no idea that even Twilight could detect that something was aput. When you work for the EBI you're well paid, nine times out of ten given the job you apply for, and tend to get along with most people so when someone is upset while working for the EBI it's either something outside of work or your being give no work and feeling out of place, funny enough that's exactly how I felt so now that I think about it maybe Twilight not such a master of deduction after all.
"No I'm not. I feel so out of place." I confessed.
"I told you there would be risks when joining law enforcement didn't I?" Twilight said
"Yes. Yes you did." I replied reluctantly.
"Listen, things will get better I promise." She assured me.
"Okay. Thanks, it was good catching up."
"Hey, no problem Dashie." I smirked at my childish nickname. I hadn't been called that in years. I waved goodbye and continued through Ponyville when about three hundred feet from Twilight's library I caught sight of a familiar orange pegasus scoot speedily towards me before she skidded at my hooves coming to a complete stop and latching her hooves around me in a tight embrace. "Where have YOU been?!" She shouted, demanding an answer.
"Woah, hold up Scoots. You know I've been working." I replied quickly before she crushed my ribcage with the bear hug that she was still locking me into.
"Oh yeah, I forgot. You're a big time crime fighter now right? Shooting bad guys!" Her enthusiasm rocking me.
"Not exactly. But yes I'm helping put the bad guys in jail, and that's about all I do." I paused before realising I should probably clarify something "By the way I haven't shot anyone. Just saying."
"It doesn't matter, you're still my hero. The same one you always have been." I gave her hug and felt a tear run down my cheek. Why was I crying? This was the same thing she'd been telling me for years, but for one strange reason it felt more meaningful, more. Real.
"Okay Scoots I got to get home and by the looks of the time so do you." Scootaloo looked at her watch.
"Crap!" She exclaimed before zooming off. I started walking as I heard a faint ""Bye Rainbow Dash!"I flew up to my house and opened the door. I strolled across the hallway before dropping my briefcase and laying on my bed in fatigue knowing better than to expect anything different tomorrow. I undressed and trotted to my bedside table where my sunglasses lay next to the framed photo of my friends. The caption read "The Elements Of Harmony" I must admit, deep down I miss those days where we would have fun, go on adventures, defeat Discord and party. Those were the days. Those were the days I left behind to be put on the shelf by Equestria's top law enforcement agency. I always felt I left for law school on rather bad terms, I just packed my bags, and few goodbyes later I was off, and how about it, six years later I'm thinking about it, how ridiculous. I layed in bed facing the ceiling until I finally dozed off into a deep sleep.
*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*
That clock was the bane of my life. It started and also somehow ruined my day all in the space of 20 seconds of beeping. After waking up to a burning in my back again I followed my routine. I showered, I dressed, I left for work but forgot my sunglasses so I went back and then realised I forgot to have breakfast today. And yesterday! No wonder why I was cranky. I took out a bowl and filled it to the brim with oats before pouring milk over the nutritious but very basic cereal snacks, when a loud bang on my door made me jump causing milk to spill on my wastecoat. I'd have to clean this and whoever was at the door would have to wait. CRASH! Or maybe not. The sound of my door bursting open caused me to run to the front room where on the floor lay Clipper. Clipper was an informant for the EBI. He usually handed out cases and got information through the digital world to help us with our cases. Think of him as a virtual egghead.
"R-R-R *huff* Rainbow Dash?!" Clipper said, seemingly exhausted.
"Yes Clipper. Would you mind telling me what is so important that you have to burst through my door and- Oh dammit! You've busted the lock!" I was clearly annoyed. And showing it.
"Listen Dash. You're gonna wanna hear this." I looked at him confused, a sense of worry had suddenly become presnt within me.
"What. What is it?" I demanded
"You know you wanted a case. An exciting one?" I looked at him intrigued.
"Yeah!" I said. Barely holding my excitement.
"Well, I've got one. A murder case."
"Great!" I shouted realising what I said could be taken out of context. "I mean not great. But I've got a case!"
"Um-D-Dash" He struggled, now I was concerned.
"What is it?" My statement cold and expressionless.
"I-It's the v-victim" It hit me like a bullet. A bullet straight through the heart. It couldn't be. Not one of her friends, the ones she had been pondering about last night. The timing was impeccable, the universe killed one of my friends just as I start to see how much they really mean to me. It was too scripted. Then I saw the files in his hand, the room went silent except for my single tear drop splashing on the marble floor. Clipper started to break down, I could tell he didn't want to be here as soon as I saw it the photo on the file. An orange pegasus with a purple mane and tail.
Author's Note
Thought I'd try my hand at a Crime/Thriller type story and those are what I enjoy reading the most so the idea of writing one was sure to come up at some point and well. Comment for more and I hope it pleases the great minds of this fandom. (This is NOT the final edit, little to no editing has been done to get this out as quickly as possible and try and get early feedback to know if I need to write more.)
Murder. Murders nearly never happened in Equestria, especially in Ponyville. By now tears were streaking down my cheeks, my eyes were wide open and my entire body was numb. It couldn't be true, it must be some kind of sick joke, but deep down I knew from Clipper's reaction what was happening right now was one-hundred percent real. I darted out through the now door-less doorway onto the street where I jumped into my notably annoyed carriage driver's vehicle and screamed at him to go as fast as he could. I had realized that the pony's expression had changed from annoyed to clearly scared for his own well-being. After a ten minute carriage ride, we came to a sudden and complete stop as I stepped out onto the sidewalk below. I pushed open the door and hopped the turnstile before sprinting to my usual elevator and ascending to the same floor I had been assigned to yesterday. I burst through Blackhoof's door looking like an absolute mess, tears soaked my face, my shirt had been creased and my tie had been flipped over my shoulder. Blackhoof stared in disbelief before making some stuttering noises, no words came out his mouth. We both glared at each other for a solid minute before Blackhoof, finally finding his words, broke the silence. "Rainbow? You-you look horrible." He said.
"No sh-shit." I muttered
"Something the matter?" He asked.
"You know what? Yeah. Something is the matter." I replied.
"Would you mind telling me what?" Something told me he knew exactly what was the matter.
"The...case file."
"What case file?" He said with a chuckle.
"The one you sent Clipper to give me you stupid fuck!" I couldn't control myself and grabbed Blackhoof by his tie pulling him in close.
"Hey! Calm your ass down. I have no idea what you're talking about." He pushed me off him. At this point I had no idea if he was playing dumb or was being honest with me.
"The...murder case?" I calmed myself. "Sc-Scootaloo." I barely held back tears.
"That son of a bitch! I told him to put that case on hold. We don't have time to be running around trying to find a crazed killer. We're already up to our necks in paperwork, we simply don't have the manpower. Listen, I know you knew the kid and you had a bond but I..I just.." He struggled to find his words once again.
"You honestly weren't going to tell me were you?"
"It's not like that okay. I knew of you were told you would react like this."
"Answer the question dipshit! Were you going to tell me my sister had been fucking killed? Were you!?" I began to sob again.
"No. Under these circumstances I guess not." I knew it. The thought of not being told Scootaloo was involved in a murder case for days, simply just noticing she wasn't around for a couple days before being told the horrific truth sickened me. "We have work to do, try and think positive she wasn't actually your sister anyway." My fiery anger that had been building up finally released as I clenched my hoof and gave Blackhoof a punch round the mouth sending him flying over his desk.
"Say it! Say that bullshit again you fucking prick!" People had begun to crowd the room preventing me from lunging once again, tugging me back and forth before finally calming me. After I had been held back and placed out the office I walked out the door and stepped inside the elevator once again. During the descent from floor eighteen to one was one it really hit me, all at once everything overwhelmed me. I started to cry again, I couldn't keep a hold of myself. I wiped the tears from my face and stepped out onto not floor one, but floor eight. Case Distribution. I walked into Clipper's office, and realised I probably owed him an apology for just leaving him in such a rush earlier. He caught sight of me and lowered his head. "I-I'm sorry." He said softly. I could tell he meant it.
"It's okay. I'm sorry too but I need something."
"Anything."
"The case file for Scootaloo's..." I still couldn't get it out. "M..murder."
"This isn't wise you know." He advised.
"I know. But it's necessary, for my own sake."
"You sure?" I gave him a glare. "Okay. Do what you need to do."
"Trust me, I will."
2 days later....
It was Thursday morning, I woke up and began to read over the final details of the case before I set off to that ever familiar building. The first thing on my to-do list was to see Clipper and hand back the files I'd illegally borrowed. The next was to visit the local police station and see if they had anything linked to the case in their evidence locker and finally I would visit Twilight. She had already agreed to accompany me to the orphanage and inspect Scootaloo's room for any evidence, the reason being she said if I went alone I might lose it. She was probably right. I Approached the door to Clipper's office to see a note pinned to it, it read:
CLIENT REASSIGNED - OFFICE:VACANT
I huffed. He hadn't told me where he was being reassigned to, let alone the fact he was being reassigned. I trotted over to my co-worker and asked. She told me she had no idea and to check with Blackhoof, which I really couldn't be bothered to do. Reluctantly, I dragged myself to Blackhoof's floor and knocked on his office door only to be met with silence. I peeked through the blinds and saw this time, there was no figure. Then I saw something, there was a figure, not in the chair but on the ground laying there lifelessly. It seemed somewhat smaller than Blackhoof, maybe even smaller than a full grown pony. It's shape was mangled and broken, like some kind of toy left in the hands of a foal. The lights were off as always so nothing was for certain but it looked somewhat reminiscent of a corp- "Rainbow! What can I do you for?" Blackhoof said appearing suddenly.
"I..um...where's Clipper ?" I asked.
"He was involved in some illegal case distribution so he's been suspended for a while. Why?" This was what I feared. Coming up with an excuse for why I was looking for him. You see Clipper didn't hand out many cases though being in the distribution service, the reason being he sometimes...Okay most times messed up details. Badly. We're talking victim names, the type of crime itself and even the masterminds behind the whole thing got away with it. Why? Because of Clipper. So most people got cases from Applebutton or Rancher, because they seemed a lot more consistent. The fact Clipper keeps his job, kept his job, was a miracle.
"I need to see him about some personal issues." My answer was very vague and easily seen as suspicious but it was the first thing that came to mind .
"Going past me to get a case from Clipper? Really Rainbow? I thought you knew better." He said in a soft tone "And I think you owe me an apology?"
"I'm sorry sir I couldn't control myself it won't happen again ." I said.
"It better not, Anyway aren't you on suspension for two weeks?" Crap. I'd forgot I'd been given a suspension the day after the incident.
"Yes I am. I'll see myself out. Goodbye sir." I hated calling him that. I hated making him feel like he's better than me, because deep down we both knew he wasn't. After accepting my punishment I scanned my notepad until I found the page listing today's tasks and circled: Visit Police Station
I stepped inside the carriage I'd called and made myself comfortable as I slid my hoof into my pocket and pulled out my phone which I then proceeded to use to try and get a hold of Clipper. No answer. I called again. No answer. Every time I called it went straight to voicemail, like his phone had just been cancelled which might seem logical and not strange for someone to do, but when your contract is with the EBI that's when things get suspicious. I just assumed Blackhoof had put a temporary ban on his contract or something. He was suspended after all. I arrived at the police station and was greeted by a large black stallion wearing a navy uniform with the same logo I had imprinted on my waistcoat on the two forelegs of his uniform. "Excuse me, my name is Rainbow Dash. I work for the EBI and have some questions about the...incident that occurred earlier this week."
"Ah yes. The murder right? Little filly bout' this big. Yeah I know which one you're on about." He said somehow cheerfully. I managed to keep my self from swinging at the mention of the murder this time though.
"Yes. Do you have any extra details or evidence that hasn't already been printed into the official case file. Anything new? Anything at all?" My voice filled with desperation.
"Well not that I'm aware of. Why? The EBI struggling to find a lead?" He asked.
"Yeah we are so uh can I please just see your files. I think I could find something."
"Missy I assure there ain't nothing on-"
"Please!" I interrupted.
"I guess so." He said giving in to my pestering. We walked over to the police terminal, I say that because that's what it looked like. This was no computer, this was a giant clump of data storage. Ignoring the "computer's" strange look I continued to scroll down until I found the files I was looking for. To my disappointment the file was just a text only version of the case Clipper had given me.
"Dammit!" I shouted.
"Now calm down miss. It's only a case."
"The thing is it isn't."
"Okay, missy you seem very into this particular case. What gives? You know the victim?" He asked.
"Yeah. We were..sisters." I said
"Oh. Well I'm awful sorry for your loss. We'll..um..do whatever we can to help."
"Thank you. And if you really do want to help, would you mind showing me your evidence locker?" .
We walked down the narrow hallway of doors and labels until we found ourselves at the evidence locker. The black stallion pressed his hoof on the digits 5-7-8-2 and the towering metal door slowly opened until what looked like a near enough empty janitors closer was in view. Nothing but paperwork and a couple of brooms populated the closet like room to my utter devastation.
"This..is it?" I said in disappointment .
"Oh...ha..no. This is maintenance, there's a secret door behind this filing cabinet so nopony can ever try to steal anything dangerous." He said. But honestly what could a county Police station have that could be seen as dangerous. The most dangerous things I'd seen so far were the janitor 's brooms. The stallion started to push the filing cabinet to the side revealing a wooden door with no handle , and with a weak push swung open. Inside to my absolute disbelief were a multitude of firearms and explosives. Oh and a whole lot more paperwork. "Beautiful isn't it." He said to my confusion. By beautiful did he mean gazing upon a variety of murder weapons because if so, no. No it wasn't .
"Anything to do with this case in particular. A murder weapon?" I
"No. Actually nothing was found at the crime scene but the body. " I gagged but I had no idea why. Just the thought of someone hurting Scootaloo made me angry and sick. I didn't want to imagine it, but I could. "Help me! Help me Rainbow Dash! Was all I heard before I felt my consciousness slip.
A bright light was shining in my eyes as I awoke and a pain in my head was present, I was clearly concussed. I wasn't in a hospital but it looked like a kind of local clinic. It was then I saw the police officer from the station approach me. "Hey there. You alright? That was a nasty fall." My mind flashed back to when I passed out . We were in the evidence locker and Scootaloo! No Scootaloo! I can't I'm not there! Please hold on! hold on. I woke up again, this time screaming only to be comforted by a familiar purple unicorn. "Dash. Are you okay?" She asked gently.
"No. No I'm not Twi. She's there. She's always there in my head. I can't get her out. Twilight. I need help." I hadn't realized I was tearing up, so many thoughts filling my head at once and that image of Scootaloo. It was just always there. It was too much.
"Dash. I can help you."
"How Twilight? How?"
"I can help you accept it" She said.
"Accept what?" I said .
"Reality."
I had been given back my uniform and put it on before taking some painkillers and following Twilight to wherever she saw necessary. After a thirty minute trot we had reached Ponville. More specifically, Ponyville orphanage. "I don't know if I'm ready Twilight." I told her.
"If you think like that you'll never be." She said, boosting my confidence ever so slightly.
"Okay but you're coming with me right?" I asked
"Not just me." She said before the four other ponies that made life still worth living appeared behind Twilight. They were all there. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and even Fluttershy.
"Dash we know you've been through some tough times recently so we thought you could do with some moral support ain't that right y'all?" The three other ponies giving the country pony a simultaneous "Yep!"
"Darling I want you to know we all feel your pain. Me especially. It kills me having to comfort Sweetie Bell's cries every day after school."
" Dashie. I'm so so so sorry about Scootaloo. I-I never even for to throw her a first flight party. " Pinkie began to break down, which annoyed me since it seemed she was being sarcastic, but it was then when I realized that was Pinkie Pie's element, to see the fun and laughter that's been lost instead of the person's characteristics and personality, so my anger quickly faded. Fluttershy's comment was barely audible but still sincere as she was already tearing up when she first saw me. "Rainbow. I'm so sorry about your loss, Scootaloo really saw you as a sister and idol figure. And to think she was k-k-k." She struggled "" Killed, well that's simply awful. " I think her quiet remark was more because of her fear to anger me than her usual personality.
"Thank you all. I love you all so much, and I loved her too." I said as all six of us passionately embraced tightly. This was special, the five most important ponies in the world to me were here but the sixth was missing. A part of ME was missing. I looked up at the sky and shed a single tear before looking back down to be met with the compassionate eyes of those five mares locked on me.
"Shall we go in?" Twilight asked.
"Yes. " I said.
"What are we looking for exactly?" Applejack asked.
"Evidence. Any leads or motives that could lead us to Scootaloo's killer. " I replied, and with that we trotted to the huge wooden door and I laid a hoof on the handle. "I'll get him Scoots. I'll shoot the bad guy."
Chapter 3: Investigative Minds
The tall wooden doors to the orphange swung open revealing a brightly painted hall filled with tables, chairs and filing cabinets. As I stepped inside I felt a sudden breeze somehow colder than the natural one outside pass through me with swiftness and subtly , before I was graced by a short lasting warmth of a fireplace that had been strangely placed against the wall a couple feet from the entrance. We made our way through the hall to the seemingly empty registration desk. I peered over the desk and into the slightly open door to see a silhouette galloping rapidly towards the gap in the door before it swung open slamming against the wall behind it. A pony who looked extremely tired but also energetic gave me an uneasy stare before introducing herself. "Hi hi hi. I mean hello or goodbye? Hello, that's the one. Anyway, my name is Blue Tinker or Tinker Blue or just Blue or just Tin-" She paused realizing we had all started to give her a look of confusion."You know what. Just call me what you want." She gave a forced smile. Another pony came through the entrance gesturing to Blue Tinker to go back wherever she sprinted from originally.
"Sorry about that, she does get excited sometimes. It's not all the time she sees people, because as you know Ponyville isn't known for it's massive adoption rates." He chuckled to himself.
"Sir, my name is Rainbow Dash I'm with the EBI and I'm here on business concerning the murder that took place a few days ago."
"Rainbow. You don't need to explain your business here. We all remember your visits to Scootaloo and how you made her so happy. As soon as she didn't come back to the orphanage, I called the police to search for her, and that's when I got the news. I knew you'd come here Rainbow, she always did drive you, give you determination and never let you give up. I don't think anyone noticed Rainbow, but I think Scootaloo helped you as much as you helped her." He gave me a smile. I knew what he was saying was true. Scootaloo really was a filly worth fighting for and she kept me around. She kept me....happy.
"Thanks Twister." I said.
"No problem. Here's the keys to her room. Everything's been left as it was."
"You did a good job taking care of her Twist."
"Thanks Dash. I hope you find what you're looking for."
We came to the door of the filly's bedroom, and I hesitantly opened the door to reveal dozens of Wonderbolt posters, and posters of me! When I first walked in that familiar wave of emotion hit me again, I was still struggling to come to terms with what had happened to that poor, defenceless filly. I trotted towards her bedside table to see a photo of me and her at the beach with Applejack and Apple Bloom in the background eating ice-cream, when the tears grew in my eyes. I was on the verge of tears but held back, although not containing my quite obvious sadness this whole experience was causing. Reluctantly, I carried on searching for ANYTHING that could give me a lead on Scootaloo's killer....killer....killer....kill-"Rainbow, are you alright?" I nodded and continued observing and inspecting when it hit me everything seemed so tidy and organised, and from knowing Scootaloo as well as I did, this was unordinary. I was starting to doubt that Twister was telling the truth about the room being untouched. I opened her closet and find barely any apparel which didn't surprise me as most ponies chose to walk around unclothed on the daily, but even if she didn't wear anything most of the time her closet was still, similar to the rest of the room, very tidy. I was ready to go talk to Twister about the spotless condition of the room when I saw a black hair. No. Black fur, sitting on the windowsill. It was a collection of fur seemingly torn from a pony not viciously, but perhaps was caught on something, but why was it here? I made my way downstairs and found myself awaiting assistance at the registration desk. I saw Twister rush to the desk and began to explain my confusion.
"Um, Twist?"
"Yes Rainbow." He said.
"I seemed to notice something about the state Scootaloo's room was in. Would you perhaps know what it was I noticed?" I asked.
He looked slightly concerned. "N-no. What was it you saw?"
"We both know Scootaloo isn't...wasn't." I stopped myself."The tidiest ponyn in the world don't we?"
"I mean yes. I guess. Is this a trick question?"
"No, but it has a simple answer. Did you or any other pony tamper with Scootaloo's room and perhaps any evidence that could have been found within it?" He froze and muttered some inaudible sounds. "Weeell?"
"N-n-not that I know of." He gave me a disturbing forced smile.
"Alright. I believe you."
"You do?" He asked.
"No. But if I do find out you're lying." I pulled him in close "You're in some deep shit buster." Twilight looked at me as to tell me to stop it. I didn't want to upset my friends, so we left the orphanage after me and Twist aggressive conversation. Twist was a nice guy, but I knew I couldn't always trust him. Guy ran the registration office after he got busted for some business he used to do in casinos. He used to set up games so the guy he bet on wins and then behind the scenes
he would take winnings, and in return he would give what his mindless puppets would think was a bigger payout when what they really got was a rip-off and some blackmail so they didn't say anything, but on the occasion that the guy got caught, his proxy (that's what he called his gamblers) got more than a raw deal. He also managed to get himself a bullet to the head, but thankfully Twist some jail time too.
