Something Halloween

The day kept getting weirder for Twilight. When she came in the Pony Society reception there was another strangely dressed human. Was it the 'old-fashioned-suits-day' or something? She still made herself smile at the man, who was apparently ignoring her.

The receptionist wasn't paying the visitor any attention either. They had probably already arranged what they had to and now they were both waiting on something. It looked like everything was in hoof, so Twilight didn't waste time by getting involved. She was just used to a bit more of a reaction when new people saw her for the first time. Her diplomacy and publicity work, as well as her unique position in the company had made her somewhat recognizable. This person in a black and white suit ironed so sharply you could probably cut bread with his trousers didn't seem to even notice her. He kept standing and looking at a nearby wall.

Twilight surreptitiously glanced there, but it was just a poster about calling the Society if you see pony abuse. It wasn't all that interesting. She looked at the man's face. He had those round spectacles with an incredibly thin frame and, of all things, a bowler hat. Maybe people were trying out their costumes early? He looked so professional, though. Twilight wondered what he wanted, but not enough to ask him. She shrugged a little to herself and went to her office after giving the receptionist a friendly wave.

There was some paperwork to check and some things to go over with Clarissa. It would be a busy evening, but with luck she'd be done with all that at a normal hour and go home to spend some more time with Anon. She could finish the boring part of the work at night, when everything was quiet and her phone didn't bother her. Funny how indispensable and at the same time infuriating those little devices could be. It was just one of those Earth things, the mare guessed.

There was a knock at her door and she looked up from her screen. "Come in?"

It was the girl, waving and flashing her a smile. "Hi Twilight!"

The mare rolled her eyes a bit, but she was also grinning. "I already told you, Clarissa. You of all people don't need to knock. Just come in anytime, okay? It's gonna be your office soon enough anyway!"

The young lady shrugged and came to sit on the chair facing the mare. "I know, I know. It just feels polite, I guess."

"Well, that's very commendable," Twilight praised.

Clarissa had just barely sat down, but she tensed and gripped the armrest. "Want me to get you a coffee?" she offered, pausing before she stood.

"Oh, that would be lovely. Wait, I'll go with you."

The girl politely opened the door for Twilight, then they turned left. The pony saw that the weird man was now standing at the reception, apparently waiting for the young man to do something on the computer. Hopefully they would be able to handle it without her. More delay would mean less chance to catch Anon awake. She could gossip a little bit while Clarissa fiddled with the pot, but she didn't want to dally much longer than that. There was an espresso machine, which was technically faster, but Clarissa made the best Turkish coffee which was worth the extra minute or two.

"So, what's with that gentleman in the lobby? Do you know what he came in for?"

The girl frowned a bit. "What gentleman?"

"The one in the bowler hat," Twilight explained. Had they had more well-dressed men in there that day?

Again, Clarissa seemed confused. "I don't remember anyone with a bowler hat. Did he come in with you?"

Now it was starting to get weird, but maybe Clarissa had just been in her office and hadn't noticed the newcomer. For that matter, why should she? If her help had been needed, the receptionist knew to call her on the phone.

"No, but never mind. I guess they have it handled. It's just weird - this is the second guy I saw today with an old suit."

"Oh, now I'm curious. Keep an eye on the pot if it boils, okay?"

The girl ducked out and Twilight looked at the pot. It was starting to make some 'heating water' noises, but it didn't seem about to go critical. The mare went to the office fridge and opened it. The permanent employees each had part of a shelf with a small name tag. Twilight almost never put anything in there, except when she brought a yogurt or something like that in the morning and stored it until lunch. Despite that, other people sometimes left little somethings when they knew the mare would be coming in. This time there was a mango, which she took out and quickly washed in the sink. Most people peeled those, but Twilight kinda liked the taste of it whole. She bit into it, careful to avoid the pit, and chewed.

Not too long after that Clarissa returned. "He must have left," she explained. "I didn't see him."

That was curious, but not too important. It was just an unusual suit and hat when it came right down to it. "Oh well. I just noticed cause it was the second one today. Anyway, good work on those budget spreadsheets. I didn't have to correct a single thing!"

Twilight's praise was making the girl smile widely. "Thanks!"

"I think you're basically ready to run this place on your own! Good job!"

Despite that, they both knew that even when Clarissa was officially in charge, Twilight would stay around to supervise for a while. Even after she was satisfied that the girl could handle anything that got thrown her way, Twilight would still stay in close touch. After all, they both knew that the job wasn't for life. With luck, Clarissa would keep doing it long enough to train her successor, but Twilight still wanted to keep an oversight, given the importance of the work they did.

The water began to boil and her trainee had to deal with all that, so Twilight just went back to silently eating her mango. She thought back over the week she had. It was really weird staying awake just- constantly. It felt like this entire time had just been one incredibly long day. She wasn't tired, but it would still take some time to get used to. With her luck, she'd get accustomed to it just before she had to stop. Such was life.

"So, did you look at that report for that pony out on the East Coast? I've got an email drafted to send to the town's police department, do you think you could look it over?"

"Of course," Twilight said, swallowing quickly, "I'll be happy to." She remembered some of her own escapades in the earlier days of the Pony society and almost cringed. "It's a good idea to try the authorities first. Nine times out of ten they'll help."

The girl nodded, but didn't look around. Stirring in the powdered coffee took most of her concentration. "It's easier now that some laws have been passed. Back when you were just starting, there was nothing out there."

"Well, we still did some pretty stupid stuff. I'm just glad we never got arrested for harassment, or breaking and entering or stuff like that."

"Arrest you? Pfft, I'd like to see them try!" Clarissa laughed.

Twilight chuckled as well, but she knew better. "I didn't always have my magic, you know? It took some time before it was really reliable."

The girl waved her hand dismissively. "Pah, you don't need magic to mess some shit up!"

It was a bit flattering, but not the kind of thoughts Twilight wanted to encourage in what was essentially her replacement manager for the Pony Society. She accepted the cup Clarissa offered and led them both back to her office. "So, let's take a look at that email. Oh, did you get the pony's name?"

The girl shook her head. "Nah, I just know it's a stallion, earth pony, about twenty years old. I can't follow up since it was posted anonymously on the web page."

Twilight could probably get more information - the Internet couldn't keep many secrets from her. The only thing holding her back was knowing that doing it would be highly unethical. She'd only resort to hacking when other means failed and a pony life was at stake. Whoever sent them the information had also attached some photos and the case didn't look too urgent. Of course they'd get whoever it was out of that situation as quickly as possible, but if they could do so legally it would help her arguments for more pony rights.

It had all gotten so complicated and Twilight sighed. "Sometimes I miss back when it was just me and Anon, looking for our friends. Ugh, does that make me a horrible person? My friends were- still prisoners."

She didn't say 'captive and being abused', but Clarissa knew and her expression softened. "Well, it was a bad situation," the girl volunteered, reaching over to lay her hand on Twilight's withers. "That doesn't mean it was all bad. From what you told me, Anon is a sweet guy."

The mare was smiling now. "Yeah. Nearly blew it a few years back. We both did. Good thing Dash came to visit or I'd probably already be back in Equestria."

They spent a few moments in near silence, sipping coffee and occasionally reminiscing. Twilight about her early days on Earth and Clarissa about whatever it was she had been doing at the time. School, by the sound of it.

It was the trainee manager who spoke first. "So anyway, I don't wanna keep you too long. Let me send you that draft," she said and took her phone from a pocket.

"Yeah. Good idea."