Dark Alleys, Bright Hearts

I sit down at a table in the bar, smiling as I watch the room.

Every other table is full, and emotions swirl the room.

I grin, and take a sip from my cider as I feel a pang of anger come from the door.

Immediately after the pang, in enters the creature. Seven o’clock, exactly the same as yesterday.

He walks up to the bar, ordering a drink. Once the drink is given to him, and he pays back, he looks around the room.

Disgust radiates from the ponies as they avoid his gaze, pretending to be absorbed in each other. Then, a pang of annoyance and anger from the creature.

I slowly place my drink down, and smile at him. I motion him to a free chair at my table.

A spike of uncertainty, and the rage melts away, as he moves closer.

He puts his drink down, and takes a seat. He looks at me, “So, let me guess, another spy for the Princesses?”

I snort, “Quite the assumption.”

He nods, “Well, the last pony who talked to me willingly was. All these around are a bunch of assholes. Something to do with this town, or your kind in general?”

I grin, “Oh, sadly it’s the kind in general, but this town is the worst. Us ponies may not like to hear it, but we’re, as you phrased it, xenophobic assholes.”

He takes a sip of his drink, “Ah, so you saw that yesterday?”

I nod, “Oh yes, and I’m better for seeing it. I don’t know what a garbage disposal is, but I can certainly imagine it isn’t pleasant. So, which bitch did the thestral work for?”

He grins, “Bitch, eh?”

I grin back, “Well, yeah. It’s an unpopular opinion, but it doesn’t take a genius to see that those two bitches are bitches.”

He nods, “It was Luna. Apparently she wanted to keep an eye on me.”

I smile, “Keep an eye on you? Why, I’d say you’re quite hard to miss.”

He takes another sip of drink, “I know, which is why it’s odd.”

I nod, “Well, how’d you get here anyway?”

He smirks, “Well, I walked.”

I smile, “You know what I meant. How’d you get to Canterlot? You certainly don’t look like any creature I’ve seen before.”

He nods, and scowls, “Twilight Sparkle, the bitch of the bitches. She summoned me to this world, and now she isn’t sending me back.”

I raise an eyebrow, “Not sending you back?”

He takes another sip, “Yep, she’s keeping me here. Said it would possibly cause a rupture in space if she was to send me back.”

I frown, “What a bitch.”

He nods, “Yep.”

I pause, “So, do you still keep in contact with her?”

He nods again, “I do. She’s paying for where I’m staying, so I gotta put up with her bullshit.”

I grin, “Must be painful, truthfully. I know what she can be like.”

He raises an eyebrow, “You know her?”

I nod, “Yes, but she doesn’t know me. To her, I’m simply another face she saw when she went to school. To me, she’s a teachers pet.”

He leans back, “God, I know what that feels like. There was this fucker named Melvin in my school. He would report every little thing to the teacher. You say a ‘mean’ word, he’s gonna report you. You don’t return his pencil? He’s gonna report you. You’re a second late? He’s gonna report you. Wish I coulda seen him the first time he got in trouble.”

I laugh a tiny bit, “Sounds like a bitch.” I smile, “So, what’s your name?”

He grins, “Mark. And you?”

I nod, “I am Love.”

He smiles, “Love, eh?”

I smirk, “Well, I’m very good at giving it out.”

He laughs, taking a sip of his drink, “So, that’s your pickup line?”

I nod, “It usually works.”

He grins, “Actually not that bad, not gonna lie. I’ve heard some shit pickup lines in my time.”

I lean closer, “Really? Well, I am a master of the pickup line, so I might find some enjoyment out of hearing those.”

He smiles, “Ah, let me think of the worst. Oh yes, an old classic. Are you corn, because I’m stalking you.”

I snort, “Wow, that’s worse than I thought possible.”

He nods, “Well, that’s humans in general. Sometimes, we come up with shit ideas because we think it’s funny.”

I smile, “Ah, so you’re a human?”

He grins, “Yep.” He takes another sip of his drink, “Well, Love, I thank you for the talk. But, it’s about time for me to leave.”

I nod, “Well, perhaps you’d like to talk again sometime?”

He raises an eyebrow, “What are you looking for here?”

I smile, “Somepony to have a good conversation with.”

He shakes his head, “Well, I am not a pony, and I’m definitely not good conversation. But, if you really want to talk again, I’m at this place every night.” He stands from the table, “Have a good night.”

I nod, “And you have a good night as well.”

He exits, and I smile.

A strange creature with a connection to Sparkle and the Princesses? He’ll make for a wonderful ally.

I stand from the table as well, and head for the market.