I heard a mare's voice yell from downstairs. Mom quickly ran out of my room with me not far behind her. When we made it downstairs I saw Melody getting what I assumed was supposed to be a hug but ended up being a crushing strangle from the way her eyes were bugging out. The one doing said strangling was a sobbing earth pony mare with a light brown coat and a deep red mane.

“I was so worried about you Lullubee when you ran off and we couldn’t find you.” She cried as Melody struggled for her life.

“Mom… need… oxygen!” Melody managed to wheeze out as her face started going blue. A calm voice got the mare’s attention.

“I know you were worried love but if you keep hugging her like that we won’t have a daughter to worry about anymore.” The voice had a slight British like accent and belonged to a pegasus stallion standing in our doorway. His fur was the same yellow as Melodies but his mane and tail were dark blues with some stripes of steel grey. I used Observe on him first and got some interesting info.

Level: 38
Name: Pay Day
Occupation: Merchant/Tradesman
Race: Pegasus
Title: The one with gilded pockets ( +25 to speech, intimidation, bargaining and persuasion. 15% better deals when buying or selling)

HP: 4800
MP: 8700
STR: 26
END: 48
DEX: 62
INT: 87
WIS: 46
LUK: 45

Pay Day is a very influential merchant whose wings stretch far and wide and his products wanted by many more. He is the Father of Melody Song and the husband of Golden Harvest both of whom he loves dearly. He tries to be the best father and husband he can but his work keeps him away and sometimes taints his choices and actions. He is a realist and carefully picks his choices, considering all possible outcomes to pick the best.

Current thoughts:

He is worried that his attempt to marry his daughter into a marriage that would set her up for life might have caused this to happen.

Hidden fact:

While he is in command during business and most outings, he enjoys being dominated by his wife in the bedroom

I felt my jaw fall open as I read his info. I felt like clawing my eyes out after I read the hidden fact. I didn’t need to know that! I was almost too scared to Observe Melody’s mother but my curiosity was burning strong. I just prayed the hidden fact wasn’t so… intimate this time.

Level: 39
Name Golden Harvest
Occupation: Potter
Title: Mother of all Mother Bears - Grants user +60 to STR and END when defending her loved ones, even if they aren’t in danger in the first place.

HP: 6400
MP: 4300
STR: 64
END: 79
DEX: 57
INT:43
WIS: 58
LUK: 50/50 - Rare - some are born with the odd case of having their luck flip flop.

Golden Harvest is the Mother of Melody Song and the wife of Pay Day. She is fiercely protective of her family, especially her only daughter, going so far as to blow situations far out of proportion if she even perceives a threat to Melody. She dotes on Melody and only wishes her the best, but what she wishes and what Melody wishes don’t always line up. Golden is extremely stubborn, once she sets her mind to something she won’t stop for much.

Current Thoughts:

Golden Harvest is relieved Melody is okay and wants to strangle whoever tried to harm her daughter till their head pops off.

Hidden Fact:

Chocolate, of any kind, consumed by Golden Harvest acts like a powerful truth serum mixed with alcohol, making her unable to keep any secrets safe, as well as her food down.

I tried to wrap my brain around how chocolate could be a truth serum but my brain started to hurt so I just gave up. Golden Harvest released Melody letting her daughter gulp in life-giving air but continued to fuss over her like here like a mother hen and pepper her with questions.

“Are you okay? Did they hurt you? If they harmed a single mane hair… Oh, look at your mane! It’s all messed up, and we had it so pretty this morning!” Golden was switching subjects faster than I could keep up with them making my head spin. Melody looked like she wanted to be anywhere else than at the mercy of her mother’s “tender” ministrations.

“Mom I’m fine, you don’t need to be such a worrywart,” Melody grumbled, completely ignored by her mother who continued to fuss away. I glanced at my mom and saw a small smirk of amusement on her face. Of course, she’d be enjoying this kind of torture. Can’t say I blame her though, as long as it’s not me, I’m enjoying it too. I froze stiff as that thought passed through my brain. I’d just tempted fate and knowing my track record of luck… I done goofed

“We were worried sick Melody until we got that Spell Note we didn’t know where you were or what had happened. How did you get all the way here, outside the city walls?” Payday asked. Melody quickly wiggled out of her mom’s grip, somehow, and told them about what had happened and how I’d saved her.

It didn’t take long till Golden Harvest’s head looked my way, her eyes starting to glisten with tears of gratitude.

PING

+50 reputation with Golden Harvest

Normally that’d be a good thing but not this time. I felt Gamer Mind clamp down hard on my fast rising fear.

“Y-you saved m-my baby?” Her voice cracked with emotion and her lower lips quivered harshly, her tears threatening to spill over any second. I looked at mom, silently pleading with her to save me, but the smirk she wore told me I’d been betrayed.

“Well, answer her son, It’s rude to keep a mare waiting.” I heard dad say after a few seconds of silence. I looked at him leaning on the door frame of the kitchen.

“Et Tu dad?” I thought as I stared at his blank face, but his eyes sparkled with repressed humor. I sighed, they’d won this round.

“Yes ma’am, I was able to keep Melody safe,” I said bracing myself. I wasn’t disappointed when a brown and red blur slammed into me and I felt like I was in a trash compactor, while suffocating.

“THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!” She said as I did my best to escape her stranglehold and survive with all my bones intact.

PING

Physical Endurance had reached level 4

“Fuck you too Murphey!” I yelled in my head as I felt my bones bend to almost the breaking point. I was saved by Pay Day as it seemed mom was trying to hard not to laugh to help me.

“Don’t strangle our daughter's savior dear, how can we thank him properly if he’s unconscious?” He said it so calmly like that had happened many times before. Oh god, I hope not! But thankfully it did the trick as I was released from the clutches of the organic hydraulic press that was Melody’s mom. Golden blushed slightly in embarrassment.

“Sorry, sometimes I go a little overboard.” She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.

“A little?” was all I could think as my lungs somehow managed to re-inflate with air and allow me to breathe normally. Payday gently put a wing around Melody and nuzzled his cheek to hers. I could see she was still upset with him but she nuzzled back regardless.

“While I’m not so… Zealous in my thanking as my wife, I am deeply grateful to you for keeping my Melody safe. She means the world to us.” His voice was as sincere as any can get.

“If there is anything I can do to repay you for saving my little song, please, Money, land or objects just say the word and I’ll do it.” He said his face becoming serious, must be his business face. I glanced at Melody trying to gauge what she wanted and I almost facepalmed. I could just use Observe and learn her thoughts.

I did and made a point to ignore the new Hidden fact, with how it was being perverted. From what I read she wanted me to help her keep suitors at bay and me to be an actual friend and not one just to get close to her family. Not that hard to agree to in my opinion. I looked back to Pay Day and locked eyes with him before I spoke.

“I’m just glad that Melody is safe and didn’t get hurt sir, No need to go so far as that,” I said with a small smile. His shoulders relaxed somewhat. It seems while he was willing to do so he didn’t really want to. Made sense, he’s a businessman, he can’t just go around giving away money and such. He looked like he was about to speak but I cut him off.

“But, if it’s alright with you and Melody’s mom, I’d like to keep in contact with Melody. She’s the first friend I’ve ever made and I want to see her again.” I gave Melody a warm smile, making her blush slightly and shuffle on her hooves while her eyes kept flicking between the floor and mine. It was super adorable. Pay Day glanced between Melody and me a few times before locking eyes with Golden.

It was interesting to watch a couple have a completely silent conversation. After a few seconds, and it was so small I almost missed it, there was a tiny nod from Pay making Golden smile beam as she turned to me.

“That’s more than doable. Our little Lulubee has finally started making friends! Oh, I’m so proud of you baby girl.” Golden pulled Melody into another hug, only this one didn’t threaten to crack her spine in two.

“Mooooom, you’re embarrassing me,” Melody whined but made absolutely no effort to get away this time and actually snuggled into Golden's hug. I smiled at the sweetness of it.

“Damn, if this is normal for them, then I’m gonna need a dentist soon for all my future sweetness induced cavities.” I thought as I watched them. Pay Day cleared his throat getting their attention.

“We should get going love, While she appears fine I want Melody to see a doctor just to be sure.” He said. Golden’s face shifted to shocked at the thought.

“Your right dear!” She said squishing Melody’s cheeks between her forehooves as she rapidly looked her face over.

“What if she has internal bleeding that we can’t see? Or broken bone! If I find out that assassin hurt my Melody I’ll break him!” Golden and gone from sweet to terrifying in just under two seconds. While she was raging she had unknowingly started strangling Melody again. The way said daughter’s eyes were bulging out of her skull would have been funny if not for the ever closer creeping issue of a broken spine.

Pay Day just face hoofed, hard, before speaking.

“Please dear, stop strangling our daughter before she gets an actual injury.” His calm voice broke Golden out of her rage to see the limp form of Melody in her hooves. I swear I saw what could be classified as an anime ghost/spirit slowly rising from Melody’s mouth. Golden Harvest let out a cry of shock.

“MELODY NO! Don’t worry, mommy will get you to the doctor and make it all better!” She shouted as she flipped Melody onto her back and galloped out the front door at breakneck speeds. Pay Day just looked at the door with a completely blank face before turning to my dad and asking.

“Do you mind if I use the door frame for a few moments?” Dad was a bit confused but nodded his agreement. Pay Day walked over and started smashing his head into the door frame… hard… over and over again while saying ‘Stupid’ repeatedly. After a few seconds, he stopped and faced us again.

“Sorry about that, sometimes I forget that I have to be careful what I say around Golden as she takes some things far to seriously.” He explained. We all just nodded, to confused to speak. He faced me again and smiled.

“Thank you again for saving my daughter…” He blinked a few times in confusion before giving me an embarrassed smile.

“Forgive me but I haven’t learned your name young colt. what is your name?” He asked. I blinked… everything had frozen. There was not a single sound to be heard. I rapidly looked around and found my mom and dad had been frozen as well. Nothing was moving.

A familiar blue screen popped up, but what was odd was there was now a keyboard with it as well.

PING

Please name yourself

….
….
….
“What?” I felt my left eye start to twitch violently. It’s asking me to name myself? Now? Why didn’t it ask me that when at the beginning? I commanded Gamer Mind to lift and let all my pent up emotions explode.

“YOUR MOTHER WAS A $#@@%$$#@$$#@ ALUMINIUM ^%$^%&*^&^%$%##@$$# REPUBLICAN *^%$#$$#$^^&**^@$!!%*&^* WITH DONALD TRUMPS HAIR ^%$^%#^% IN A CASTLE FAR AWAY WHERE NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU *%^%#%$^)*&%%@$%&%$&^ SOUP ^&$@%^&*^& WITH A BUCKET OF ^^^&^%&**^$%#$#!$%$@ MICKEY MOUSE ^%$!#$#@#!@$%&$@%^&*%$ WITH BILL CLINTON’S *^$#$%@#!%^*&^$@$#!%%$#% SHOELACES^$#@@#$@!%%$##@$^&^%$ FARTKNOCKER!!!!!!!!” I screamed at the top of my lungs ranting and cursing. After a few minutes, I stood there panting hard all of my rage, annoyance, fear, confusion and any other emotion that had been held back had now been released.

After taking a few deep breaths I started to give some thought as to what my name would be. My old name was Conrad but I had a feeling in a world where names like Pay Day and Midnight Blaze where normal Conrad would be a bit weird. Besides that life was gone so I’d need a new name anyway.

What should my name be, I want to deviate from the norm but…” A blast of inspiration hit me and I typed it into the keyboard. I looked it over and smiled, a perfect mix, I hit enter. The screen blinked away and I watched as the world started up again. I locked eyes with Pay Day and gave him his answer with a smile.

“My name is Deviant Play, and you’re welcome sir.”

A unicorn quickly trotted through a dimly lit hall. He had a report to give, he only hoped he could catch his boss in a forgiving mood. The assassin his boss had paid failed to kill his target. The unicorn gulp as he came up to the large set of oak double doors leading to his boss's office.

“Boss won’t be too happy about this. I just pray it doesn't come out of my hide… literally.” He thought with a shudder. Steeling himself he knocked on the door.

“Enter.” He heard. Bracing himself he pushed the doors open. The inside of his bosses office was a large circular room with a decent-sized fireplace on the left with the boss’s desk on the far right. He never understood why it was like that sense usually you would want to be closer to the warmth. But then again his boss was nowhere near normal.

"I don’t have all day Chrome.” He heard his boss soft voice. A shiver of fear ran down his spine and he quickly made his way to the center of the room and faced his boss's desk. Keeping his eyes to the floor, as per his boss's rules, he spoke.

“I have the report from Kol Boss.” He said. The only noise he heard was the crackle of the fire and it was nerve-wracking.

“And?” The boss's voice sounded bored and a bored boss meant a dead messenger so he quickly continued.

“I’m sorry to report that the assassin you hired, one Silent Night, failed to kill his target.” The seconds that passed felt like an eternity. He felt sweat start to bead up on his fur. He could feel the boss's eyes boring into him like he was nothing more than an insect under a magnifying glass.

“Good.” it was the last thing he expected to hear from his boss and in his shock, his head snapped up.

“What?” He asked before he could stop himself. He panicked as he saw a pair of cold, glowing, golden eyes just staring at him from the deep shadows cast by the flickering light of the fire. Praying for mercy he slammed his face into the floor and begged.

“Please forgive me! I didn't mean to break your rules, I was just shocked that you weren’t angry, please spare me!” he begged, tears falling onto the floor. His quiet sobs echoed in the room.

“I understand. Some of my rules are hard to follow so don’t worry, you will be spared.” He was amazed that his boss would show a simple stallion like him mercy.

“Thank you, Thank you” He praised, his soul feeling light from relief.

“And to answer your question, I had intended for the assassination to fail. My plans are still on schedule. Though it is true, with the girl dead it would be easier to push my plans forward but I always look for a challenge. So nothing has failed in the slightest” His boss said calmly

“Was there anything else of note about the report?” his boss asked quickly making him answer.

“Yes, the watcher stated that while the assassination failed, it wasn’t due to him being captured or driven off by guards. The watcher said Silent Night seemed to be running out of fear without any kind of pursuit.” He explained. His boss hummed, the only sign that the boss was listening so he continued.

“After Silent Night left, The watcher also so said he saw the target in the company of a hybrid, Minotaur and Unicorn mix if the description is true, no older than 9 years. The watcher eavesdropped on a conversation the two had with what was deduced to be the Hybrid's father and heard it was this hybrids actions that drove the assassin off.” He waited with bated breath hoping beyond hope this info would put him back in his boss’s good graces.

“Interesting… Very interesting indeed… Thank you for delivering the report Chrome Caster, you are dismissed.” Chrome let out the breath he’d been holding. Standing to his hooves and making sure to keep his eyes down he turned to leave. A massive, searing pain erupted in his side and he crumpled to the floor.

He looked and there was a gaping hole, going through his entire body, spilling his guts out all over the stone floor. Gurgling as blood poured from his mouth he saw his bosses golden eyes watching him like one would watch a spider catch a fly.

“B-b-but… Spa-spare…”Was all he said before his sight turned black and his heart stopped beating.

“And I did.” The boss said cooly like it was basic knowledge.

“I spared you from ever breaking the rules again. It’s quite generous of me if I do say so myself, after all, to run an empire one must make sure the rules are followed rigorously.” The fireplace sputtered slightly as a river of blood hit the hot coles and the boss sighed.

“Now look what you’ve done. Not only have you broken the rules you’ve gone and made a mess of my office. Sigh Sometimes I’m just too nice for my subordinates own good. Poor Gwen will have her work cut out for her when she comes to clean but that’s what I pay her for.” The pair of eyes turned and left the room, leaving a still-warm corpse of his subordinates to cool before this maid came to clean

Author's Note

Well... That escalated quickly. Who is this new character? Is he as big a threat as he seems? What do you guys think about, The now named Deviant Play, name? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Hope you all enjoyed this new chapter. It was a bit longer than I had intended but I need to put all this in. Let me know what you think is happening. I always enjoy reading you guys theories and ideas. and don't forget...

Evil... Always finds a way.