The next spot on the list was the local pharmacy, why? Well it was quite simple really, they had some ingredients he needed. Once he entered the man was met with a bored looking young stallion, he appeared to pipe up at the man’s entrance. “Welcome to Remedy Pharmacy, how can I help you today?”

After Jhin walked to the counter before he spoke, “Do you sell medicinal ingredients in isolation? I have need of a few you may be in possession of.”

The stallion’s brow furrowed for a moment, “Well, depends, what did you have in mind?” the small amount of suspicion was understandable, many could create certain narcotics from some common materials.

“I have need of sulfur and saltpeter,” the brow of the pharmacist stayed the same but didn’t furrow further. The stallion shifted his feet and cleared his throat quietly.

“What might I ask do you need with those, if you don’t mind the question?” the stallion was not openly skeptical, however the marksman was glad this was not the first time he had to come up with excuses for needing these materials.

“The sulfur is for a skin medicine, as for the saltpeter, when I travel I sometimes find myself staying in one spot for a while. Usually somewhere with fruit bearing trees, I set up shop and fertilize the ground with it so as to make the trees produce better fruit.” plausible, the stallion could still refuse to give him anything but his grounds to do so wouldn’t be worth the loss of money. From there, there was some bartering on the amount of coinage to be exchanged for the amount of the ingredients the artist needed. The pair finally came to agreement, and Jhin left with two of the four items on his first list.

It was approaching mid morning now, it had been a couple hours since he had left his inn. Once the man finished his shopping he would return there. After a minute or two walking to his next destination he arrived, the black smith's forge. Entering the front the puppeteer heard the sound of a hammer, the man’s sharp eye caught a contraption attached to the door. It not only rang a small bell but also appeared to trigger another louder bell from behind a door near the counter. A voice called out from that door, “Be there in a moment!” the counter was empty of an employees and so the virtuoso concluded that the shop was run by only one.

The previously mentioned door near the counter opened to reveal a dirty yet familiar sight. ‘Of course the name was an indicator of his job title, how quaint’ Iron Forge seemed to pause when he saw who his costumer was.

“Oh, its you...” the surprise was quickly covered by annoyance. “Look about this morning I-“ Jhin held up his left hand. The man paused before he spoke to the stallion.

“If you want to apologize, then you can do so by giving me a fair price on what I need.” Iron sighed before nodding.

“What do you need, don’t take this the wrong way but you don’t strike me as the kind of pony to use anything I make.” the man tightened his jaw slightly at the use of the word pony as applying to him.

“I need a few things, thin brass sheets and charcoal. If that is available then I also need some copper, lead, and two different knifes.” a few steps and the man was stood at the counter awaiting a response.

An eyebrow raised at the list, "Well, I do have charcoal and some brass ingots. But I may need sometime to get that into sheets, as for the lead and copper I assume you want ingots. I'll also need you to specify what kind of knifes. The amount of each would also be appreciated." A sort conversation followed and the amount of coins was discussed, it was less than you would expect, and not just because of the light discount. No, the smith had the ability to melt down and use the coins for their materials. Not only that but Iron Forge was a craftsman, he saw the value of the coins engravings and prints. They were unique and complex by Equestrian standards. "Well, thanks for the business, if you don't mind my curiosity. What are you going to use all that material for?"

Jhin had expected the question but had a perfect and quite truthful answer, "Quite simple, I'm an artist, all of these materials can be used for various forms of sculptures and creations."

A small hum came from Iron's throat as he thought, "The brass and copper I get, hell even the charcoal could be used for drawing on paper or outlining something. But what do you need the lead for?"

Though he did not show it the puppeteer grew tired of this conversation, "Weights, lead is quite heavy for its size. Therefore, if I need to have a stable base for a work, the lead is excellent when it comes to making sure my craft doesn't fall over and break." 'The only things that will fall over, are my victims, from the lead of my bullet, piercing their hearts.'

"Hmm, well one of the knifes you requested was a carving knife so that makes sense. But the other one, what are you planning on using that larger one for?" the suspcion in his voice had been well quelled till now, a crack of the distrust was present as he spoke. But Jhin was an actor, and he knew how to speak words better than anyone.

The marksman nodded his head in an understanding gesture, "Protection, after all, wild animals don't care for words. And not every soul one meets on the road is a friend in waiting."

"Ahh, what makes you so sure you'll be in danger?"

"I'm not, however. It is better have it and not need it, then not have it, and have need for it." Iron perched his lips for a moment and nodded.

"It will take a couple of days for the knifes, and sheets of brass. Everything else you asked for is here." Iron forge handed over the plain materials and then moved to head into the back room.

Picking up the third item on his first list, and half of his second list the man spoke to the smith before he was out of sight, "If you would be kind enough, when the items are done, could you bring them with you to the inn the next time you visit Miss Heart?"

Iron paused at the door to his workshop, "Why do you think I visit Hearth often enough for that to be easier for me, than you coming here later?"

A reasonable question, but Jhin had an eye for many things, "I have seen enough of life to know if not what you two are, then at least what you could become."

After a moment of pregnant pause Iron blushed and spoke quietly, more to himself than anyone else, "I... don't think she sees me that way, unfortunately."

Jhin of course heard him and despite the young soul in front of him clearly wanting him to leave the subject continued his scheme, "A shame, I have an eye when it comes to love and romance. There is so much that plays and stories get right. Food for thought." The desired events had been set in motion, in coming months, the composition would be perfect. Then and only then would his work be warranted here. Jhin exited the shop with a small smile hidden under his cloth mask, he had only caught the smallest fragment of Iron’s blush. However even in that small look the blush seemed to have comparably become red from pink.

The man had finished his two lists, eight total items, new clothes, materials for bullets, and new knifes. Jhin had of course used traditional knifes of Ionia before he had gotten his hands on foreign weaponry. Infusing magic into his bullets had been just as easy as the knives, but since he was unlikely to find everything he needed for bullets where ever he went. Jhin now had to return to an older tool for his mediums, not that the artist couldn’t make his work as fresh and sublime as ever. However, carving did take longer than the explosive bangs he was now used to. After a several minute period the marksman was back at the inn. The door opened on a well oiled hinge that screamed of care and attention. Behind the front desk was miss Heart, the inn keeper’s smile was found in response to the assassin’s entrance. ‘I seem to have been a bit too friendly, no, it is not that I have been too friendly. They are, all for the best I suppose. It is easier to get an audience if they trust you.’

“Hello, uh, sir. You know, as rude as it sounds, I don’t think I have asked you for your name yet. If you don’t mind, could you tell me, I find just ‘sir’ to be too impersonal?” the cheery tone was a certain annoyance, however the puppeteer bit his lip as he began to act.

“Khada Jhin. Tell me,” this was a gamble but he had to at least try before he moved farther into his planning, “have you a map I could look at? I haven’t a proper one for this country, as I am sure you might have guessed from what you already know.” The inn keeper smacked her head.

“Of course you need a map, you didn’t meet anyone else on the way here and you didn’t even know about Equestria. How could you have a map if you don’t know any of that.” Hearth Heart turned around and rummaged through a drawer, “How was your shopping? Did you find everything you needed?” She finally found a map and placed it on the desk. The paper map spread out on the desk and Jhin set to work examining it. After a moment he responded to the question.

"Yes, I hope once he is finished with my items Mr. Iron will leave them with you. If it is not too much trouble please let me know so I can bring them to my room." in an almost absent minded manner, the man removed the bag from his person and began to search it. The result of the search was what appeared to be a small journal a Piltover style mechanical pen. After he placed the book on the desk he dug into his coin purse and produced less than a dozen coins, "This should enough for two more nights stay, I plan to be here for three nights including tonight. As for your map, would you mind talking about the general points of import?"

The inn keeper nodded slightly though she did give pause at the sight of the pen, unsure of what it was. "Of course, Mr. Jhin. Here we have our town of Dodge Junction," she pointed to the center bottom right of the map. Jhin noted the borders of this 'Equestria' and began to flawlessly copy the map in his journal. After she denoted where they were she continued by pointing out the capital, near by land marks of dodge junction, and general facts about Equestria that went mostly ignored. But some of the information was filed away, should the seeming fact that Canterlot had a rather corrupt noble class ever be needed. "By the way, I was hoping you could clarify on what you meant by Iron dropping off your items. I assume he didn't cause you any trouble?"

The artist continued to finish off the map he had draw for himself, the penmanship was remarkable to Hearth's untrained eye, though she mostly attributed it to the odd metal quill he used. "No he didn't, he is making me some items, he also sold me some materials. If you want yo know what, ask him, as to why, I am an artist, thus I need tools and materials." after a few moments he placed the journal into he bag and pulled down the hood of his grey cloak. The black clothe mask showed Hearth Heart a single eye, brown, deep, it showed both intelligence and observation. The cloak was disrobed after a moment and the man quickly and neatly folded it under his left arm before he began to carry the bag again. The red of his new outfit and his now shown golden boots created an odd and almost eloquently graceful pose. "Thank you, for your help, it is appreciated."

He moved up the stairs quickly but without being in a rush, "Oh, yes, your welcome Mr. Jhin." she then once again is left alone, her guest gone upstairs, 'I may have to talk to Iron soon, odd his profession was an artist, or at least self proclaimed.'

Upstairs in his room the assassin had set to work on making gun powder, now that he had all the ingredients he was eager to get them ready for when the material for his casings was finished. After he had completed a good batch of powder he set to work on storing it. The lead would have to wait until he had a suitable tool, but its purpose was just beneath the surface.

Author's Note

This is the final, confirmed chapter, I don't know if I'll write more. Just depends on how I feel, but it was too perfect to post the fourth chapter on the fourth of April, so I had to post chapters on the fourth of the month, ya know? Here is a map, cause ya know, it helps. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.equestriadaily.com%2F2016%2F12%2Fcool-fan-made-map-of-equestria.html&psig=AOvVaw2wpvMvHpUHDPaiQ9OltrKv&ust=1585366183200000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLCT5LbbuegCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD