*Note: Unfinished. Published for NaPoWriMo* Chapter Fifteen - Angels of the Night

Chapter Fifteen – Angels of the Night

“Let him curse my name, On these blood stained pages of misery...-Blind Guardian“

“So now that I’m an ‘Angel of the Night’ what am I supposed to do?” I asked.

“Well, first off, I want you to tell me why you’ve had another pony following you and neglected to tell me about that,”  said the pony who still hadn’t told me his name.

“Dead Eye?” I asked.  “He was the pony that suggested that I come here in the first place and learn the ways of your creed.  He was staying behind me just in case you guys tried ambushing me back at the meeting place.”

“So why haven’t you told me about him?”  repeated the pony.

“Because I was trusting in his judgment,” I said, beginning to get a little bit irritated.  “He’s my mentor and I’m sure that he would agree to join this group just like I did.”

“I’m glad you answered honestly because we managed to get a story out of him while I was leading you down and he told our questioner much the same,” said the pony.  “I guess you two actually do have some interest in our cause.  Well then, I guess we should release him and get him to join.”

The pony directed me to some of the tables that I had seen other ponies lounging at earlier.  He had told me that I would be able to talk to Dead Eye after he had passed the same test I had gone through.  “More of a tradition than anything.” He had told me after I asked about the crystal initiation.  “Some believe that it’s some sort of binding contract with the Angels of the Night.  Me?  I think that it’s just some superficial magic trick made to scare newcomers into submission.  Either way, we stick to it and everypony stays happy.”  Good enough reason for me.

The pony told me he would talk to me and more formally introduce me to the group after Dead Eyes initiation.  He handed me a thick cloak for me to obscure my body from sight during the initiation.  A good looking pegasus came up to me once I was seated and waiting for Dead Eye to be released.

"Can I take your order?" she asked.

"I don't have any way to pay," I said. "I just passed the initiation anyway and I'm not really sure what I should be doing."

"Oh so you’re the newcomer from Bastion.  I've heard quite a bit about you," she said. “Tell you what. My shift ends in five minutes.  I'll pay for the drinks and you can pay me back by telling me your story.  I'll even give you a rundown of the place if we have some time before ol' Scaly comes back with your friend."

"Scaly?" I asked.

"That's just what we call that pony that lead you over here earlier.  He's always so melodramatic with the newcomers.  The entire silent act thing is just a bit too serious for my taste.  Anyway, I'll be back in ten with some drinks." She trotted off and returned ten minutes later, true to her word.

"Here you go," she said putting a margarita in front of me.  She had changed out of her workers uniform and now I could see that her cutie mark was slender knife.   She had a sky blue coat and a white mane.

"Thank you," I said.  "So I take it that you aren't just a waiter down here." I said indicating her cutie mark.

"Actually I mostly just do work the cafe down here.  I get enough fighting in my day job.  I like talking so working as a waiter is a pretty good job for me to get some extra money and get filled in with the gossip," she said.  Seeing my confused expression she explained.  "I work in the king's guard."

"That makes sense," I said. "I never did catch your name."

"Oh yeah, I'm Blade.  And your name is?" she asked me back.

"I'm Surefire," I replied.

"Well, Surefire, it seems you owe me a story for that drink," she said, obviously eager to be filled in on my story.  She scooted a bit closer to me so that she could better hear the tale I was about to tell.

I took a quick glance over in the direction of the crystal and saw that Dead Eye was still getting into the boat before the crystal.  I guess I would have enough time to give a decent recount of my past.  I started my story the day I found Pearl and continued at my own pace unless Blade interrupted me to ask a specific question.  She seemed to want to know a lot about how the city of Bastion was laid out and how our thieves guild was run.  Other than that, she was an attentive listener and she seemed to be engrossed in my story.  After I reached the part of the initiation, she scooted a bit closer to me.

"It's not often I get to spend dinner with a stallion so brave and handsome as you," she said.  I could feel my face grow hot as I began to blush but luckily my black coat didn't give me away too badly.  She pulled me over to some benches overlooking a small garden and pulled me close as she began to talk.

"Most of the other guys here are too serious for my liking and this place is just business for them," she said.  "Unlike them, you chose this path for the reasons the guild condones murder.  Most of them will just do whatever the guild tells them for the pay-offs.  What I wouldn't do to be that Pearl girl you have a thing for." She wrapped one of her blue wings around me.  "If you ever are interested in another mare, I'll probably be here.  Nopony round these parts is ever interested in a relationship."

"You're a beautiful mare," I said.  "Why would anypony not want to be in a relationship with you?" 'What is she talking about between me and Pearl?  I mean I definitely care for her and I guess I really like her... I guess I've just never thought of Pearl in that way.'

"Everypony is worried that if they get on my bad side during a relationship I'll tell the king how bad they have been and get them in trouble.  I don't really have that kind of power but I guess it scares people off," she said.  She pulled herself upright again and took on a more serious air.  "I guess I owe you an overview of the Angels of the Night then don't I.  Well a promise is a promise.  Get comfortable because this isn't an interesting story like yours."