Trial and Error: Second Edition

Chapter the Seventeenth: Caring

"That's when he supplanted me and started giving me the jobs nopony else wanted."

Kai frowned at Usu's words. "Why didn't you leave? You could have left them all behind and formed a new group, became a freelancer or even become just a licensed locksmith."

"For the same reason you're not living in town and working as a farmer. We both have enough on our records to put us away for the rest of our lives, Kai."

"The difference is, I was framed. I'm not a criminal."

"You did kidnap me..." Fluttershy chimed in.

"Besides that, Stain has quite a vengeance. He felt that you wronged him when you hit him, and he tried to have you killed. If I were to turn him in, especially in return for a pardon, you can imagine what he'd do to me. Besides, I don't want to turn in the other two, especially Tundra. He saved me numerous times when we were on our early jobs."

"Tundra." Kai thought back to his encounter. "He's the big one, right? The unicorn?"

Usu nodded. "He's really nice once you know him."

"I might have guessed that. He stayed his blade and backed down when we encountered each other."

"Before Stain, he wouldn't have hurt a fly."

"What about the other one?"

"Frosty? He'd have kicked you in the face, at worst. He's a bit of a coward. Unless you make fun of him, he's more likely to run from a fight than follow through. If he ever draws a blade on you, just pull out your own and keep your mouth shut. He'll back off."

"Is that so?"

"We're thieves. Burglars, really. We used to break into ponies' homes and steal their belongings. They can't replace those for us to steal later if they're dead. I know that, Tundra knows that, and Frost knows that. We'd still be adhering to that code if Stain hadn't taken over."

"So, even if you were free from his reign, you'd still be robbing ponies?"

"Yeah, probably."

Kai chuckled and sat down. He had finished his analysis of Fluttershy's wings by now, discovering that there was a joint missing from his original interpretation, as well as several muscles. "I suppose there's not much I can do to change your mind, is there?"

"I'd ask you to join me if I wasn't supposed to kill you."

"I don't think I'll be joining you either way. I've taken several steps toward my life's goal in the last week, and I'm quite content to chase that dream until I reach it." He began sketching out ideas for how the wings might look.

"And just what is this dream of yours? You never told me what it was."

"Do you remember the day mom took us to see the Wonderbolts perform?"

"No."

"I was so entranced by them. They were so beautiful. I wanted to fly like they did."

"You're still chasing that dream? It's been twenty years! How can you have spent so long on this, and not realized that it's impossible?"

"You're wrong. It's not impossible. I've come so far along this path that I can see the end of the road. I'm so close I can taste it. I just need a real pegasus to show me how to cross the final chasm."

"And that's what she's for?"

"That's the reason I brought her out here, yes."

Fluttershy, while not glad to be out of the conversation entirely, was happy to listen to the two stallions' dialogue. It was her hope that Kai and Usu were growing closer, and that soon, they might even agree to refrain from violence toward each other altogether. With Kai no longer occupied with her wings, she excused herself and went downstairs to start dinner.

When she returned to the workshop, the room was silent. They both wore somber looks on their faces. "What's wrong?"

Kai turned to look at her. "My mother is injured mentally. Out of my entire family, she was the one I wanted to return to the most. But she'll never recognize me, much like she doesn't recognize him."

She placed a hoof on his shoulder. "I still think you should go and see her. She's your mother, after all."

"I guess..."

"No." Fluttershy stamped her hoof. "You need to see her. When we're finished with this, You need to go to Canterlot and talk to her. Even if she doesn't recognize you, you still need to talk to her. Even if she doesn't remember the conversation the next day. She wanted you to come home, didn't she? Even if it's just for a day, make her dream come true."

Kai looked at her. He could see the determination in her eyes. "Alright. I'll go."

The next day, after his chores were done, Kai made his way to the Ponyville spa. He had planned on bathing in the river as usual, but Fluttershy had insisted he go here instead. He had never been to a spa before, and had no idea what was in store for him. He walked in and was immediately greeted by a blue mare with pink hair.

"Welcome. How may we help you today?"

"I don't have an appointment, but I was told to ask for a standard treatment?"

The mare scanned the ledger in front of her. "We do have a room available today. Would you like to begin?"

Kai nodded and was lead into a room with a large tub.

"Have you ever been to this spa, sir?" the mare asked, filling the tub with a yellow-green liquid.

"I've never been to any spa," he replied. "I don't even know what the standard treatment is."

"Well, first we start with an herbal bath. If you like, we can send an attendant to help you scrub those hard to reach areas. Would you like an attendant?"

He shrugged. "Sure."

"Okay. After that, we'll give you some time in the sauna. When that's done, we'll give you an exfoliating wrap, and if desired, we can touch up your mane and tail. After that it's a quick shower to clean up anything that we missed or anything that came up after the bath. Then you get a hooficure, and we're done. You can also request other services for nominal fees."

"I think I'll be fine with just regular treatments. I usually just bathe in plain water. When the dirt's gone, I'm done."

"Not here, sir. We only provide the best bath services available. We hope you find it to your liking." She exited the room.

Kai took off his cloak and tossed it aside. As he shook off the dust, a muscular stallion entered the room. He had a very large brush which he held over his shoulder. "Into the tub with you."