Equestria Underground-Book I: Hope Is Magic

Mullet flipped the cot over and patted down the mattress, which was almost big enough to accomodate Tirek’s unique physiology. Removing a bit of dust from the top, the parrot turned to face Tirek, who’d been standing by impassively. “Right, so we don’t have any rooms save for the captain’s cabin so you’ll have to sleep in here with the rest of us. I’ll be heading back up on deck for the cast-off. Let me know if you need anything else, sir.”

“I will be sure to do that,” Tirek said as he let Mullet leave. He then went and sat down on the bed, the rusted springs creaking from the strain. “It’s better than the dirt, that’s for sure,” he mumbled.

A soft crunching sound snatched his attention and he sat up suddenly to investigate. In a dark corner of the room, he came across a barrel and put his head up against it, hearing the crunching intensify. He lifted off the lid to discover the filly from before, stopping mid-bite on an apple as she gazed up at him with saucer-like eyes.

“Hello,” Tirek said as he raised an eyebrow.

With a loud gulp, the filly continued to stare at Tirek for a solid minute. Then, she leapt at him and knocked him in the snout, giving her enough room to flutter towards the other side of the room. If only Tirek had magic. Oh wait, he did. An orange glow surrounded the filly and brought her over to him but just out of her reach.

“That’s quite rude to punch a old man, you know.” He had a unamused look on his face.

The lack of a good reach did little to dissuade the filly, who wildly thrashed around in an attempt to punch him again. “Let me go! Let me go right now!”

“But if I do that you’ll just punch me again and I don’t want to be punched.” Tirek had switched from using magic to grabbing her by the scruff of her neck, the effect was still being the same but requiring less energy to maintain.

The filly stopped squirming to let out some heavy pants as she glared at him. Crossing her forelegs, she mumbled, “I don’t care. Just...get the captain or whatever and toss me out already. It’s not like it’d be any different from the other times.”

“Now why would I do that when you are already struggling to survive? Plus,“ He held her up to a window showing nothing but desert. “I don’t think you brought any water with you.”

Sighing heavily, the filly went completely slack in Tirek’s grip. “So what now?”

“Well, you can join me on my journey. I’m heading north maybe northeast to hopefully find a nice place to relax for awhile.” Triek stated as he placed the filly on his bed.

“You...actually want me around?” She stared at him as if he had two heads. “Really?”

“Some company would be nice.” He admitted. “Plus I’ve always had a soft spot for children.”

The filly hesitantly took a seat and eyed him suspiciously. “Okay but no funny business. The other street kids told me to be wary of nice old guys. They sometimes touch fillies like me.”

“And that is generally good advice but I don’t care for those types. Quite frankly, I should just drain their magic as punishment for harming ones so young but that would just attract unwanted attention to me.” Tirek then yawned a little. After all, he’d had quite the busy day.

“Well, you didn’t rat me out so you’re okay. I’m Cozy Glow.”

“Tirek and just try and stick by me if you don’t want to be tossed out to the endless sands.” Smacking his lips, he got comfortable on the bed and closed his eyes for a little nap. Reluctantly, Cozy Glow slid up next to him and stared up at the centaur, silently assessing him before going to sleep, content in the knowledge of maybe finding something that she desired even more than a home or even a steady supply of food. A friend.

*******************

Swearing in Abyssian, Capper threw open the door of the supply closet and stretched himself, several joints popping and cracking as he massaged his neck. Why, oh why, did I come back here again? Trudging up on deck, he caught a glimpse of Captain Celaeno and stopped in midstride. Oh yeah. That’s why. Giving himself a minute, he gathered his wits about him and made his way over to the captain. “Hey Celly. Everything ship-shape?”

When she ignored him, he tried again. “So, erm, the peg leg’s new. How did that happen?”

The captain turned so quickly, Capper was afraid that she was going to hit him again. Instead, she crossed her arms and gave him a steely-eyed glare. “Back in Anugypt. When you left in the middle of a job, leaving me and my boys high and dry.”

“Oh. Right.” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “Well...look on the bright side! At least you get half off on shoes.” He shrank beneath her scowl. “Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood. Seriously, would it kill you to smile? You have the most amazing smile!”

Celaeno turned back around and stared out at the desert. “Give me something to smile about and maybe I’ll consider it, Dapperclaws.”

Rather than her icy tone, it was her refusal to use his first name that hurt Capper the most. “Remember how we first met under the moonlight and we were both running from the guards?”

From her position, an unseen smirk lit up her face. “From what I remember, you were trying to rob the same place that I was. It was your idea to hide behind that stall selling snacks. We ended up back here reeking of stale peanuts and day-old pretzels.”

“Well it was certainly a improvement for me. The desert is not a fun place for sand and fur.” Capper joked, knowing full-well that feathers were not much better.

Celaeno’s smile vanished and she turned once more to meet his gaze. “Look, this little trip is just a business deal. This doesn’t change anything between us. You still left. Six months later, you just waltz up from out of the blue. No letters, no nothing!” She let out an aggravated groan. “Then again, what can I expect from a guy that can’t even say those three little words?”

“That’s a low blow. I said them right before that final mission and you know it.” Capper angrily responded at her accusation.

“That’s not the point!” Celaeno looked like she was ready to strangle him. “You said them as though you were ordering dessert or-or-or grabbing a nice necklace! You may’ve said them but you sure as hell didn’t mean them!”

“Do I regret the tone I used back then? I do but you can be right but wrong at the top of your voice, Captain. You told me that and I never forgot it.” Capper then turned to leave, feeling his point had been successfully made.

Celaeno watched Capper go but half-wished that she’d stopped him. From what he told her in the past about his slave days, he had justifiable reason to be hesitant about being close to anyone but she’d hoped that she’d be the one to change that. Apparently, I just wasn’t enough. Or I made it worse for him. She reached into her coat’s breast pocket and pulled out a simple ring made of old bottle caps amateurishly soldered together. An honest-to-goodness smile spread across her beak as she held it to her chest. And yet despite everything, I still love that furball. Gods, I’m messed up.

*********************

Trudging back to the supply closed, Capper slammed the door shut and collapsed onto his rear end, angry and hurt from his recent spat with the captain. He sighed and began sharpening his claws on a broken broomstick. He’d told her about his sordid past, let her get closer than anyone ever has and he still wasn’t enough for her! She knew that he loved her so why did he have to say it! Maybe being told helps her. Every creature is different after all...Maybe I just need some courage or something.

Capper gripped the broomstick as memories of Redwood House flashed before his eyes. All of those “noble” ladies (and the occasional gentlemen) all leering at him, all wishing for a piece of the exotic feline. And some of them did. After all, that was the point of “house entertainment.” He'd heard the Three Words used time and again, usually during or after the nobles were done using him and it made him feel cheap and filthy every single time.

Celaeno...she was different. The first time they'd made love was anything but a casual fling and the moments that'd built up to it were clear indicators that the pirate cared for Capper for more than just his body. She was everything that he desired in a companion: strong, confident, bold and drop-dead gorgeous. So why did he leave?

Lying on his side, Capper hugged himself tightly and curled into a ball. He was afraid and he let his fear drive away the only women that he'd ever loved and for that, he was certain that he'd never be forgiven. Not that he deserved forgiveness after abandoning her and leaving her minus a limb. He sighed and stared at the door before whispering:

“I love you.”