Dark Alleys, Bright Hearts

Mark lounges back on his couch, opening another bottle of cider, and tossing it to me. I catch it in my magic, and take a sip.

I look at him, reading his emotions, “You certainly are very happy.”

He smiles, “No shit, Love. I’ve just been given a great opportunity.”

I nod, “Well, what’s your plan?”

He grins, and takes a sip of cider, “I’m going to give her some technology, that’s for sure. But if she thinks for a second I’m going to give her a radio, car, or gun, then she can shove that idea right up her ass.”

I smile, “You’re going to waste her time, aren’t you?”

He nods, “Yep. But even better, I’m going to profit from it. Not only will she pay me for shit she has no use for, it I’ll get to use that shit.”

I grin, “Let me guess, thieves tools?”

He smiles, “Got it first try, Love. I left all my tools back home, and I really don’t like not having them. They would have been really useful in that library, as well. I had to use a rope to get down from the skylight, which I haven’t had to do in years.”

I nod, taking another sip, “Alright, let me hear what you’re going to make.”

He leans back, taking another sip as well, “I think I’m going to get my favorite tool first. A grappling gun. It’s very useful for running along rooftops and that shit. Then, I think I might get them to make a wingsuit for me. It makes for a good getaway in combination with the grappling gun.”

I grin, “Geez, how could your guild afford this?”

He laughs, “We’re very rich, surprisingly. And since I was a senior member who did a lot of thieving, I got these tools.”

I smile, “Well, continue on with your technology. It’s rather interesting.”

He nods, “Well, there also were some things I wanted to get, but never could afford back in the guild. There were these boots with ‘anchors’ in them, so to speak, that would allow you to walk on walls and roofs and that shit. There were also these gloves we stole from the government that used sonar or some shit. It would basically detect anybody around you, and make them appear as dots on the back of the glove.”

I take another sip of cider, “Your kind seem very advanced.”

He smiles, “We are, very advanced. We never had magic, and we needed a way to survive. So, we built shit to help us survive. And we never stopped building new things.”

I nod, “Interesting. Your race are survivors?”

He nods, “Yep, if I were to sum it up. We’re predators, stamina hunters, but with no natural weapons, and a lot of enemies. Back when we were yet to be civilized, there were these giant elephant things. Like, twenty feet tall, with thick fur and all that shit. We hunted them to extinction.”

I grin, “Your kind must have had some mighty weapons, then.”

He laughs, shaking his head, “Nah, because humans are idiots sometimes. We had shitty spears, and no fucks to give. Back then, you gave your life for the tribe. I assume, at least, it was a few thousand years ago. Now, we’re more advanced and more individualistic. Which is why people like me can thrive.”

I smile, “All without magic? I find it hard to imagine, as magic is abundant here.”

He grins, “Did I spark interest in my race, Love?”

I nod, “Well, they sound a lot like my family.”

He smiles, “Your family must be rather cool, then. Especially if you’re anything to go by.”

I laugh, “Alright, stop the flattery.”

He grins, and takes another sip of cider, “What? Don’t like the gentleman rogue archetype? I only use it on those I respect.”

I grin back, “And what, you respect me?”

He nods, “Well, yeah, of course I do. You’re the only interesting creature in this entire city. You’re a thief, you give good banter, you’re rather clever, and you shoot the shit better than most humans. Only downside is you drink all my cider.”

I laugh, taking another sip of cider, “You’re damn right I drink your cider. And I could say much the same about you. After all, a conversation includes two sides.”

He smiles, taking a sip of his own cider. He takes a deep breath, “Gotta say, it’s gonna suck saying goodbye to you once we get that artifact.”

I nod, “And it will suck saying goodbye to you as well. But, well, this isn’t your home.”

He nods, taking another sip, “Yeah, it isn’t. But you help make it feel like it is.” He pauses, and grins, “Tell you what, Love, I just had a wonderful idea. Once we have the artifact, let’s go on a crime spree throughout town. Anything you want to do, I’m down to help. You want to punch Celestia, I’ll be right alongside you, because I want to as well. Wanna kick Luna’s ass? I’ll definitely help there.”

I smile, “I’ll keep that offer in mind, Mark. I know there’s more than one pony I would like to get revenge on. Shining Armor, Cadenza, Sparkle, and the pink one. I think her name was Pie. Acted like a spastic toddler, and tried to throw a party like I was one.”

Mark chuckles, “To be honest, I think she had good reason. After all, most of these ponies act that way. Did you know that they have spontaneous musical numbers?”

I frown, “Ah yes, the accursed song magic. I’ve fallen victim to it once before.”

He grins, “Hey, I’m sure it sounded good when it was you. Probably some operatic aria or something like that instead of the upbeat polka shit they do.”

I smile, “Wow, how’d you guess that so perfectly?”

He smiles, “What can I say? I’m good at guessing. Plus, you strike me as an opera gal. Your voice is very suited for it. And trust me, I’m a big fan of opera, so I know this kind of shit.”

I shake my head, “Once more with the flattery.”

He shrugs, “Hey, we might not have long left, so I’m going to fit in all the niceties that I can. I like seeing my friends happy.”

I smile, “Well, now that you phrase it that way, go ahead with all the flattery. Not often I get much in the way of flattering comments.”

He grins, and takes a sip of cider, “So, Love, wanna stay the night here?”

I raise an eyebrow, “Really?”

He nods, “Yeah. You’re a friend, and we’re both going to the palace in the morning, so you might as well just stay here. Plus, I enjoy your company, so you might as well.”

I grin, “Alright, I suppose I’ll stay.”

He smiles, “But don’t steal any of my shit. Honor among thieves, Love, honor among thieves.”

I smile, and nod, taking a sip of cider, “Honor among thieves.”