Outfitting and Expectations

I’m not sure how long I was out, but judging from how I was clean and in a bed I had to guess that at least a little bit of time had passed. Maybe another hundred and fifty years! I let out a quiet sob at that thought. How could so much time have passed? What was I supposed to do now? Seriously, what the absolute fuck was I supposed to do now? It’s not like I could magically restore my Hive and Queen back to life. If there was magic out there that could do that I’m sure the world would look a lot better than it does now.

Okay, so maybe I was being a little overdramatic but I think with everything that had happened to me in such a short amount of time I should be allowed a few overly dramatic moments. I buried my face into the pillow, a few tears escaping as a gentle knock came from the door. Lifting my head up slightly I could just barely see Glitter’s head poking around the door. She gave me a smile when she noticed that I was up and walked fully into the room.

“Hey there, feeling any better?”

I almost nodded, but could I honestly say that after everything that had been dumped on me that I was feeling better?

No.
No I could not.

Shaking my head I shoved my face back down into the pillow. ~No, I’m not really feeling any better. What am I supposed to do now? Everything’s gone. The world is blown up. What’s the point? ~

Keeping my face firmly buried in the pillow, I could hear the soft clicks of her hooves as she crossed the room before the bed sagged down with the additional weight of the other pony climbing on. I felt her lay down next to me and a hoof gently begin rubbing circles on my back, a kind voice breaking the silence.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay. I know that it probably doesn’t look like it right now, but things can’t be all bad all the time. Well, except for up in the Hoof but we’re nowhere near that dreadful town, so it’ll get better.” I felt something being pushed softly but insistently into my shoulder. It persisted until I raised my head to see what it was. It was my chalkboard, outlined in a gentle blue glow. “So, you just write down anything you need on that there chalkboard and if it’s within reason I’ll give it to you. No charge.”

I was stunned; to say the least. This pony had already done so much for me and now she was offering to just give me whatever I needed? Judging from what she said next my face must have been quite a sight. “Don’t you be giving me those looks! Not all of us merchants in the Wastes are so heartless as to turn away a pony in need. Now, what do you need?”

Well, the list of what I needed was vast indeed. Most of which I’m pretty sure were beyond Glitter’s ability to give me. So I settled on the most valuable thing I could think of.

Information

“Okay, information on what?”

Everything. The world.
What I need to avoid.
What I need to survive.

As she read, Glitter’s smile grew bigger and bigger with each word. “Well well well, looks like you and I just might be able to help each other out immensely. You see, it just so happens that I’m writing a very special book. One that will answer all of your questions and more.”

Can I read it?!

Here she got a rather sheepish grin on her face; the overwhelming taste of butter filled the room while she rubbed her mane with a hoof.

“Well, you see the thing is I haven’t really written it yet.” At my flat look she was quick to explain further. “I’m just a merchant, and I’m not really suited for going about and researching all the stuff I would need to in order to properly write the book so ponies don’t get killed. But if I were to have a research assistant, one who knew how to handle themselves, well, I’d be willing to pay them and even outfit them for the trials they would face.” She was giving me a wide hopeful grin. I could see where this was going. I turned the chalk board so it was facing me and she couldn’t see what I was writing. After a few seconds, in which I played up the facial expressions pretending to be deeply pondering my response, I turned it to face her. I had no idea at the time that those four simple words would change my life so very very much. Even if I had, I still would have written them down. Probably.

When do I start?

If I was a sentimental Changeling, I would say that the brightness of her smile rivaled the most glorious sunrise. As I am not a sentimental Changeling, all I will say is that the burst of honey was enough to feed the entire Hive.

“That’s wonderful! I can’t tell you how many ponies have laughed right in my face when I ask them to help me. And I mean that literally, just yesterday a stallion was an inch away from my face and laughing at me. Can you believe that? Well, he wasn’t laughing when I charged him double for the goods he wanted.”

At my surprised look she simply laughed. “What? Just because I’m being nice to somepony who needs my help doesn’t mean I’m a pushover. I know how to take care of myself and I don’t let anypony walk over me.”

I had to admit, I was starting to like this pony.

“Now then, enough talking for one night. You need to get some sleep so you’re well rested for some researching in the morning. So you just lay that head of yours back down on the pillow and get some rest.”

I’m not tired.
I want to expl-

Even as I was writing, Glitter was shaking her head. I didn’t even finish before she put a hoof on my chalkboard and pressed it back down.“I know that you’d probably rather explore right now, but even though we’re in town it’s still not safe for you to wander around at night alone and unarmed. That’s just asking for trouble you don’t need. Plus, I’m no medical pony but even I can tell that you’ve taken a lot of stress and the best thing for you is to go and get some sleep. Recharge yourself and be ready to face whatever trials come at you tomorrow.”

I wanted to argue, to tell her that I was no weak and helpless target...but I didn’t. I knew that she said made sense; though I had slept for quite a while, my body still needed more rest to fully recover from the stress it had been through.

Still, I didn’t know how I would be able to sleep as I truly was not tired. I nodded and made a motion for her to relinquish my chalk board, not even bothering trying to talk anymore.

Okay. But I’m not tired.

“Hmm, well I suppose I could use some help in closing everything up for the night.” She said, rubbing a hoof on her chin in thought.

I can help with that.

“Alright, we’ll get everything locked up tight and then it’s off to bed for both of us. We’ve got a lot of work to do in the morning. Getting you outfitted and ready to go is going to take some time.”

Climbing out of the bed, I picked up my chalk board in case I needed to talk to her while we were doing whatever locking up for the night entailed. Glitter waited patiently for me to get ready before turning and leading the way back into her store, which turned out to be downstairs. A brief walk down a flight of stairs had us back on the ground floor, and soon we were locking up for the night. It wasn’t all that complicated;I realized that the dark blue unicorn had simply been humoring me when she said she could use some help.

She had me move some stuff from one of the lower shelves to behind the counter and close it while she locked the door and typed a few things into a computer sitting by her cash register. I was tempted to go see what she was doing but before I got the chance she nodded and stepped away from the keyboard. “Ok, that’ll do it. Now, back to bed with you and I’ll see you in the morning.” She said, shooing me away and back up the stairs.

Where will you sleep?

“I’ve got a comfortable bed down here that I use sometimes when I’m feeling too lazy to walk upstairs.” She said, and though I had my doubts her smile was enough to convince me that she was being genuine, so with a Good night I retreated back to the comfy bed. Laying down, my mind felt like it was going a million miles an hour. Thoughts furiously racing through my head lightning quick, one after another. I was sure that sleep was going to elude me this night.

“Good afternoon sleepy head! I figured that it was about time to wake you and get started on the preparations that we need to get you going!” A way to bright Glitter shouted at me.

~Ugh, how can you be this cheerful? It’s way too early for you to be so happy. ~ I grumbled, rolling over and tossing a hoof over my eyes. I had never been much of a morning changeling and I wasn’t going to start being one now.

“Up up up! Come on, I’ve got lunch ready and then we’ll start on getting you outfitted for your journey.” She said, nudging me in the hips and shoulders to try and get me up and moving. Letting out another groan I knew that resistance was futile and so I allowed myself to be nudged up and onto my hooves. “See? Was that so hard? Now then, the bathroom is down the hall and second door on your left and when you’re ready just come on downstairs.”

~Bluh~ was all I said as I slowly made my way to the indicated room, eyes still half lidded and only half listening to what she was saying. I got the pertinent info, bathroom second left, food downstairs. That’s all I really needed to know. So it was that ten minutes later found me sitting back at the table from last night eating a Fancy Lad Buck Cake and drinking a Sparkle Cola.

“Okay, so first things first. What sort of fighter are you? Do you use weapons? Firearms? Melee? Just your hooves?”

I looked up from my meal, staring at her a bit. She sure could talk fast. What kind of weapons did I use? Well, mostly just my own four hooves and my powerful jaws. I lifted up my right hoof and pointed at my left. I didn’t feel like grabbing the chalk in my mouth while I was eating so that option was out.
“Unarmed then, I’ve got a few things that I think you could use. What about armor? Heavy? Light? Medium? None?” She asked, making a note in computer as she talked.

Armor? Well, I’d worn what I’d guess was light armor before. Back before the Long Sleep, (Oh, I’ve decided to call what happened to me the Long Sleep so I don’t have to think so hard on what it means.) I’d impersonated a Guard and worn her armor for a good long while. Unfortunately, I knew of no way to tell her this without picking up the chalk and writing. So, it was with a grimace that I picked up the chalk and quickly wrote out Light before spitting the nasty tasting chalk back out.

Another note was added and there were even a few Hmms thrown in as well. Looking at her, I was suddenly curious about something. Picking up my chalk I wiped away my previous answer and quickly wrote out my question.

Glitter? Do you know what
a Changeling is?

I had to hit my hoof on the table to catch her attention as she was busy going through a pile of what looked like armor, or what I assumed was armor. It didn’t look anything like the stuff I had worn so many years ago.

“Hmm? A Changeling? Can’t say that I do. Why?” She asked, stopping her search and turning to face me so she could follow the conversation.

Do you know if anyling else
knows?

“Anyling?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow at me. I hadn’t even realized that I used it until she’d pointed it out. Giving her a shrug and smile I simply nodded and acted like it wasn’t weird. “Ok then, as far as I know nopony else knows what one is either. Again, why?”

When I first came to this town, I had been worried about being recognized and run out before I even got the chance to eat. Instead, I learned that the world had changed drastically and that noling really even knew about what I was anymore. So what was the point in hiding what I was?

I heard about them and
wanted to know what they
were.

I decided at the last minute to not reveal what I was. Just cause she had been nice to me so far was no reason to risk her turning against me. She gave me a look that clearly said she didn’t believe me but after a few seconds shrugged and let it go.

“Well, regardless of that little interlude I think it’s time we started getting you ready.”

The next couple of hours passed in a blur of fittings, refitting, and storytelling, both on her part and mine though my stories were very short and made up, and finding weapons for me. Thankfully, the pony form I was using was the same size as my normal body and I would be able to wear all the armor and weapons she found for me without a problem. Before I knew it we were sitting back at the table, eating dinner and she was regaling me with a tale that involved jam, radroaches and an overly inquisitive radscorpion.

“And that’s how you trick a radscorpion into wiping out a hyper intelligent colony of radroaches for you.”

She finished her tale, wiping a hoof across her muzzle and removing the few crumbs that had managed to find a spot on it. I on the other hoof, sat with my food untouched, staring at her with wide eyes and my jaw hanging open just a bit. That had to be one of the cleverest and devious plans that I had ever heard. The ingenuity, the careful planning and manipulation required. I felt my admiration of this pony rising even more.

“You going to finish that?” She asked, pointing a hoof at my untouched Fancy Cake. Slowly shaking my head I pushed it to her, the poor thing never stood a chance. Within seconds it had been gripped in a magical bond and messily devoured. Her table manners left something to be desired, but it was her house and she was allowed to eat however she liked inside of it.

“So, let’s get down to business, specifically the business of writing my book.” I sat up straight; I was rather eager to get started on this project. Not only would it allow me to pay back Glitter’s overwhelming generosity, and kindness but would also get me valuable experience and knowledge about the world. “It’s not going to be easy, the kind of stuff I want to write about is the stuff that’ll save ponies lives. You still up for this?”

Yes.

“Alright, here’s what I need you to do first. There’s a pack of shadow wolves that have been attacking caravans. I need you to bring me back at least four corpses so I can study them and figure out where their weak spots are. I’ll pay you a bonus if you can bring me back their Alpha. With him out of the way they should move on or disperse and make them easy to mop up. Can you do that?”

What’s a shadow wolf?

She looked at me for awhile and I was starting to worry that I had somehow offended her or something. “Well, I suppose if you’re new to the area you wouldn’t know about them.” She said, taking a swig of her own Sparkle Cola and setting it back down. “A shadow wolf is what happens when a timber wolf is exposed to magical radiation and balefire. They’ve got bodies; it’s just that they blend in real well with the shadows. They’ve all got dark; almost see-through coats that allow them to fade into shadows, hence, shadow wolves.”

I stared at her, my eyebrow raised and even though I thought I had a neutral look on my face I was clearly wrong because Glitter was quick to continue. “Look, I know it sounds crazy and all but magic is as magic does okay? It’s no stranger than half the things in this world now.” She said, and from the look she was giving me I decided to take her word for it. “Now then, since we’ve got you all outfitted I think it’s time we talked about a contract.” My ears perked up at this new revelation, this being the first time such a thing was mentioned.

Oh?

“Yes. As much as I like you I’m not just going to let you run off with my equipment and only your word that you’ll do as you say. I’m not that trusting. So what we’re going to do is write up a contract which will spell out everything that I expect you to do in exchange for goods and equipment. It’ll be a fair agreement, I find it’s bad for business if you screw over your business partner.”

So I get food and such for
helping you write the book?

“Yes. You help me research and, in exchange, I’ll give you a discount on my wares and throw in a few special items I’ve accumulated over my career that are just sitting around gathering dust. If you break the contract, I’ll hire a bounty hunter to find you and take back my stuff. Oh, and they’ll probably also kill you as well.”

I blinked, a bit nonplussed at the casual mention that she’d have me killed if I broke the contract. I suppose it made sense, what with her outfitting me in exchange for only my promise that I would help her write her book. A little death threat to make sure I didn’t just scarper off was justified.

So it was that the next several hours were taken up by contract negotiations in which there was much verbal maneuvering and furious chalk scribbling but eventually we came to an agreement that would benefit both of us.

“Okay, I do believe that is everything settled than.”

Indeed.

“I’ll just put this in the safe and it’ll be official.”

She got up from the table and took the signed contract back behind the counter. I could hear the turning of a lock before a door opened and shut and she was walking back to rejoin me. Giving her a smile I reached out for my Sparkle Cola, only for the smile to morph into a frown when I noticed it was empty.

“Sorry, that’s the last of’em. I’ll have to go restock in the morning, need to get some other stuff as well.” She said, mostly to herself I’m sure because she didn’t elaborate on anything else that she needed and I didn’t press her on it. “Well, that’s a task for the morning which is going to be a busy one for the both of us. You need to start on the research and I’ve got shopping to do with Rosedust.” She said, standing and clearing away the trash from our meal and tossing it into the garbage can. “Off to bed, let’s go.” Before I knew it I was once more being herded to the bedroom though this time she refrained from nudging me along.

Good night Glitter.

“Good night Andariel.”

As we said our good nights, I closed the door and collapsed back down onto the bed. It was rather comfy, even if it lacked the comforting closeness of my pod. As I lay there, I pondered on my actions during the day. It had turned out rather well, all things considered. I had made a friend, which I was to later learn was rather hard in this world. I’d gotten my first paying work and equipment. All in all not bad for my second day out in the Equestrian Wasteland.

I let out a yawn, letting my tongue play over my dull pony teeth, missing the sharpness of my fangs as I tried to push the thoughts of what I would be doing in the morning away. So it was that my last conscious thought before the blackness claimed me was a happy curious one.

I wonder what Glitter’s love tastes like?