Inn

As Void continued her way down the street, she once again came upon The Snoring Drake. As she walked up to it, she made sure to keep an eye on her belongings and less on the strange creatures. Oh yeah, humans are what he called them.

Then she came to the door and walked inside to see that the Inn was almost full. "Ah, it's you again." Said the Innkeeper as polite as she remembered, and she came to a stop in front of the counter. "If you wish for a room, it will be fifteen storm bucks. So, do you have the money, or will I have to force you out again?"

Then, she reached into her scabbard's pocket and, much to her relief, found her money and pulled out the needed amount. "There you go." She said as she slipped it over the counter.

"Thank you." He said as he put it under the counter. "I'll be right back with your key, Miss?"

"Streak." She stated.

"Well, Miss Streak, I will only be a moment." He stated as he walked to the back and came back with a key in his mouth. "Here you are." He said as he dropped her room key on the counter, and she bit it using her teeth before placing it into her pocket. "Your room is number five. It is just up the stairs on the right. Now, will that be all, or would you like a drink?"

"Uh yeah, I would. What you got?"

"Well, we just had a fresh shipment of our signature ale. Would you be interested?" He asked as he grabbed a dirty shot glass and started to clean it with a cloth.

As he finished, she could do little else but stand there at the prospect of a nice cool shot of ale. "Uh yeah!" She yelled in excitement before realizing she had caught the attention of most of the patrons. And so her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, she cleared her throat. "What I meant to say was, that would be nice." As she gave an awkward chuckle, thankfully, most of the patrons went back to what they were doing previously. "How much?" She asked.

"I'd say, five storm bucks per shot." He said as she pulled out five storm bucks and slid them across the counter. "I'll be right back with your drink." Then he went over to the barrel and poured the ale into a shot glass before walking back to the counter and sliding the drink across the table.

"Thank you." She said as she gleefully placed it on her back and headed for the nearest unoccupied table. But before she sat down, she spotted a hippogriff and a human staring at her, but she ignored them as they weren't the only ones. Nevermind them, they don't matter. She placed it on the table before sitting down on a stool that was once again not made for ponies. Eh, I'm used to it. Then she cupped the glass in her fore-hooves and, in a single gulp, swallowed the contents, letting the bitter-sweet liquor roll around in her mouth before letting it pour down her throat. "Ahh, that hit the spot." She said as she wiped her muzzle with a hoof, but careful not to rub her scars or the hole in the side of her face. Welp, I think I should get to my room and pack all this stuff away, and then I'll see about getting a bath. Then she got up and headed up-stairs, took a right, and walked until she came to room number five. Here it is. Then, she took out her key and opened the door before heading inside. The room was small, sparse, with nothing but a bed, a cupboard, and a dresser with a bathroom door adjacent to it, but to her, it was what she needed.

About an hour later

After she had finished dumping her supplies by her bedside, hanging her scabbard in the cupboard, she went into the bathroom and straight into the tub. Then she turned on the water and just let it run the mud, blood, and gore from her body. When she was done showering, she shook the water from her fur before walking over to the mirror. Her mane and tail were still overgrown, but they did appear slightly less faded, and they were no longer caked with mud. Well, that looks better. Then she turned to look at one side, then the other. Again finding her sight resting on the stub where her other wing should be, then on the patch-like scar where her cutie mark should have been,and lastly, to the gaping hole in the side of her face. None of that was my fault. It was theirs! She growled slightly in themirror, before turning and she headed back into her room before going to the cupboard and grabbing the bag of food Skystride gave her. She then opened the bag and grabbed a bun. The overwhelming smell of freshly baked bread filled her nostrils, causing her mouth to water before she quickly stuffed it into her mouth. Then she took another, and another, and before she knew it, she had eaten half the bag. Oops, guess I should stop eating the buns. She pulled the draw-string tight before putting it back inside the cupboard. Maybe I should see what they have downstairs? Then, she strapped on her scabbard before heading out of her room, taking care to lock the door behind her. Then, she headed down to the bar finding that it was mostly empty now, and walked up to the counter.

"May I help you?" Asked the Innkeeper who was wiping a shot-glass with a cloth.

"Yeah, you serve any food?" Asked Void.

"Well, yes. What can I get you?"

"You guys have hayburgers and hay fries?"

"Yes, we do. That will be ten storm bucks."

"Alright," She searched her pocket before pulling out ten storm bucks. "Here," She passed them over the table.

"Thank you," Then, he went back behind the counter and shouted at someone, before walking over to her. "Your food should be ready in a few minutes." He stated.

"Thanks." She said as she walked over to one of the empty tables and waited for her food. Once again, finding that the human and the hippogriff from earlier were still watching her closely. What's their problem? Ever seen a mare before? Then, she decided to see for herself, so she dropped from the stool and made her way over. "Hey, why were you guys staring at me?" She asked gruffly. "Well?"

The gruff brown-haired man shuffled his collar and looked down at her. "I am terribly sorry it's just, how can I not stare at someone as beautiful as yourself." He stated simply in an accent similar to the bartenders. And while it was hidden under a mask, she noticed his eyes looked surprised and slightly nervous. There's something about his eyes...I think he's lying.

"Indeed," Said the hippogriff as he stepped down from his seat. "You are a thing of beauty. But from now on-" He looked at his partner for a moment before turning back to her. "We will respect your wishes." He once again turned to his partner. "Come on, let's go get some shut-eye."

"Agreed," Replied the human, as they both made their way downstairs.

Then Void started to back-track. "Okay..." Then, once they were out of sight, she turned and trotted back to her table. Something is off with those two. First, they stare at me, and when I tried to confront them, they just left? I thought- She was cut-off by the bartender coming with her food. Maybe I could ask and see if he knows anything?

"Here you are, Miss Streak." He said as he placed her Hayburger and Hayfries on the table. "Now, if you will-"

"Wait. Who were those guys earlier?" She asked.

"Oh, you mean the two you were talking to previously?" He asked as he turned back to face her.

"Yeah, you know them?"

"No, I can't say I do. I just know they're not from around here."

"What do you mean?" She asked, curiosity taking over.

"Simple, I have never seen them before today. Actually, now that I think about it, they came in here just before you did." He stated as he put a claw to his chin. "Why do you ask?"

"Uh, just curious." She shrugged.

"I see..." He gave her a confused look before walking back to the counter.

Okay, after I'm finished I'm going to figure out what's up with these guys.

Once she was full, Void quietly made her way down the stairs where the man and hippogriff went. Okay, now, if I'm quiet, I should be able to see what those guys are up-to. Then, she came to the first door on the right in the hall and put her ear to it. "Oh, come on, lassie? Why not?" She heard a masculine voice say.

"Because I'm too good for ya!" Yelled back a feminine sounding voice, then Void ducked to the side as she heard footsteps, and the door opened to reveal one of those lizards wearing a torn and tattered dress. Walk straight past her without so much as a glance, as another one came running after her.

Phew, that was close. Then Void came to the first door on the left. "..." Hmmm, sounds empty.

Then, she came to the second door on the right. "Zzzzzzzzzz." Guess they're asleep. Then, she went to the second on the right, then the third on the right, then back to the left. Ugh, where are these-

"Tovarishch, ya dumayu, ona nas poymala." (Comrade, I think she caught us.) A masculine voice stated from the door on the other side of the hall. What? She followed the strange voice to the fourth door on the right and put her ear to it.

"Nu, eto ne to, chto nablyudat' za ney, kak yastreb, uslozhnyayet zadachu!" (Well, it's not like watching her like a hawk makes the task difficult!) Shouted another, seemingly pointed at the voice she heard first. What am I hearing?

"Shhhhh, ne tak gromko, idiot!" (Shhhhh, not so loud you idiot!) Shouted the first voice she heard. If only I knew who was speaking and what they were saying!? She wanted to scream. But then, she spotted the keyhole. Maybe I can answer at least one question. She carefully snuck up to it and peered through. Inside, she saw the human and hippogriff from before. Huh? Well, I guess there's my answer, can't say I'm surprised. She wanted to snort, but she held it back in case they heard her.

"Kha, vy nazyvayete menya idiotom? No vse zhe imenno vasha ideya privela nas syuda." (Ha, you call me an idiot? Yet it was your idea that brought us here.) Said the man disapprovingly as he stared down with a smug grin.

"Slushay, pogovorim ob etom pozzhe. Interesno, yesli-" (We'll talk about this later. I wonder if-) He stopped when they all heard a metallic ringing that was coming from the cupboard.

The man then turned and opened it before pulling out a strange device with a single wire attached, that he put to his ear. "Zdravstvuyte; Zhdet tovarishch general-polkovnik Leonid Volkov;" (Hello; Comrade Colonel-General Leonid Volkov is waiting;) He spoke into it, as a single bead of sweat ran down his forehead, and the hippogriff looked like he had seen a ghost. "Zdravstvuyte tovarishch general-polkovnik Volkov;" (Hello comrade Col. General Volkov;) His hand shook slightly, and he appeared to be nervous. But his voice did not show his discomfort. "Novyye zakazy;" (New orders;) He now had a hint of curiosity in his tone. "prem'yer prikazal nam smotret' Tovarishch 'Void Streak';" (The Premier told us to watch comrade Void Streak;) He stated- Wait, did he say my name!? How does he know my name!? She stopped looking through the door to collect her thoughts. Who are these guys? Then she went back to spying. "Chto zh, ya dumayu, chto ona podozritel'na, poetomu nam nuzhno deystvovat' bystro; Vozmozhno v blizhayshiye dni; ponyal, do svidaniya, tovarishch." (Well, I think she is suspicious, so we need to act quickly; Perhaps in the coming days; understood goodbye comrade.) Then, he put the device back in the cupboard.

"Chto sluchilos'? Pochemu zameshan general-polkovnik?" (What new orders? Why is the Colonel-General involved?) Asked the hippogriff fearfully as he looked up at the man, who then turned back to him.

"Nashi zakazy izmenilis'. Teper' my dolzhny ponablyudat' za ney izdaleka i opredelit' tochki vysadki dlya vtorzheniya." (Our orders have changed. Now we must observe her from afar and determine the landing points for the invasion.) He stated matter-of-factly.

At this, the hippogriff perked up significantly. "Ponyatno, tovarishch. Kogda eto vstupit v silu?" (I see, comrade. When will this take effect?)

"Vstupayet v silu nemedlenno. My uyezzhayem zavtra utrom." (Effective immediately. We're leaving tomorrow morning) Said the man. "Vy khotite napitok?" (Do you want a drink?)

"Da, vody, pozhaluysta." (Yes, water please.)

"Ponyal." (Got it?) Then the man headed for the door. Oh crap! I gotta' go! She ran as fast as she could, through the hallway, through the dining area, up the stairs, and straight into her room. "That was close." She said as she prostrated herself to the doorway to seel it and cold sweat poured down her face.

She remained in that position for a few minutes until she managed to control her breathing. "Breath-in, breath-out. Breath-in, Breath-out." She kept repeating to herself as she started to claim down. When she realized no-one was coming, she got down and walked over to her bed. Who are those guys? And what do they want with me? Ugh, all this stuff is too much. Maybe I should sleep on it? So she walked over and collapsed onto the bed.

Author's Note

Who are these strange characters? What do they want with Void Streak? And, most importantly of all, WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE!? Well, keep reading to find out.