The most important biscuit.
You know, I really only look forward to one thing these days. Breakfast. Sweet delicious yummy breakfast. If I get to Hayseed Diner early enough there aren't really any ponies there which is always a plus. And I gotta say, I was really looking forward to it today too. Penne Al Dente had a special running on biscuits with hay-gravy, my favorite. I almost made it too.
My alarm clock rang and I desperately bashed it for the snooze button, just five more minutes. No pony ever gets up this early anyways it's not like it would be packed I could sleep a little more. It was still dark after all. Is it weird being the only thestral I've heard of to sleep during the night? Yeah, but I have a daytime job so I have to. I yawned loudly, stretching out as far as I could get my hooves to stretch, enjoying the sweet sounds of the birds outside. The birds.......that are awake?
My eyes slammed open as I leaped out of bed. "Fuck fuck fuck fuck please don't let them be out of biscuits no no no no" I muttered to myself, rooting around my laundry pile on the floor trying to find a passable uniform. "Hmmmm this ought to be fine" I murmured, stuffing the uniform into my saddlebags before sliding them on and dashing out the door. Sweet Celestia please don't let me be late. Penne had been talking about this for a month and nothing sounded as good as that damn plate of biscuits and gravy.
Galloping through the town I rounded the corner, diving over Applejacks stall while the country mare shouted at me. She'd be fine, biscuits were more important.
Finally, after dipping and diving around the market ponies I could see it. My heart dropped into my flank as I saw nearly every seat full. But hope still carried my hooves towards. My eyes focused on a group of colts playing ponies and zebras, I didn't notice the sound of a mare thanking Penne for the food. I kept running until it was too late, desperately stumbling trying to stop myself as I slammed into the door.
Only I didn't hit the door, I hit the poor mare who had just opened the door, a large tray of food in her mouth that quickly ended up being all over me as we tumbled into the diner with a clang. Gravy covered my head, dripping into my eyes as I lay there stunned, a twang in my back right leg. I could hear the murmuring, the whispered gossip about the evil bat mare. I knew they were staring. I desperately tried to blink the gravy out of my eyes when I heard a soft and kind voice speak out. "Wow that looked like it hurt, lemme get that for ya". Suddenly a cloth was pressed against my face, wiping around my eyes and muzzle as the surprisingly soft fabric absorbed the gravy. Once it was all gone I struggled to my hooves, looking at the gravy on the floor as I winced, my leg definitely being sprained. Suddenly a pair of beige hooves entered my vision. Slowly I looked up, laying eyes on my cloth bearing clean up mare. Wow. She was stunning. Gorgeous beige coat complemented by a beautiful short cut blue mane. She wore a brown coat and a red ribbon wrapped around her back left leg. Suddenly, she held her hoof out to me and spoke with a smile "Hayo! I'm Cinnamon Quill, but you can call me Cinni! After all, all my other friends do!"
I'm not proud of what I did next. Blurting out a quick "Sorryforyourfoodhere'ssomebits!" I ran. I ran and ran until I was sure no one had followed me. My injured leg burned as I finally slowed to a walk. I don't know what she was doing, but no one here wanted to be my friend. The townsponies always stared at me. Because I was different. Hell, those old crones that hung around Mr. Oolongs' tea shop would probably say I "Enchanted her to help with me evil bat mare magic". They always had something rude to say, even though I had never said a word to them. But I'm a thestral so that makes me the evil evil bat mare right?
I signed in relief as I saw the entrance to the mine come into view. It was a hard job but I loved it, I could find gems quicker then any unicorn could even though I had no magic. Even Rarity, though she'd never admit it. Or acknowledge my existence.
Either way, I was happy to be here to work off the embarrassment of earlier. Descending into the mine I passed by my coworkers. Being the only non unicorn definitely had me feeling out of place, but my efficiency at least earned me some sort of respect from them. I was excited to work today since we had a new tunnel opening. I had a good feeling about this one. Maybe it would have the Dream Opal.
Legend has it, that when Discord was formed, a stone was formed as well that would allow the wielder to have a wish if they were pure of heart and good. Stories is all it is, but it makes for a fun conversation.
Passing through into the new tunnel I started my way towards the end. I learned early on that starting from the end and working your way back had the best yield. Taking my pick out of my bag and into my mouth I went to work. Each gem I found was tossed into the cart next to me. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, amethysts, even lesser gems like quartz and garnet. All went into the bin to be sorted later. I was making a good fast pace when I heard footsteps approaching. Knowing the forepony said he wanted to talk to me today, I just gave him a short "Hey boss". He didn't speak for a moment. But when he did I felt a chill run down my spine. Because he didn't speak. She did
"Hayo! Why'd ya run off earlier?"
I wanted to run. Truly I did. But my hooves were glued to the stone floor. My fur on end as I froze. How was she here? Did the guards just let her in? I couldn't help but let my thoughts run wild, still as a stone, until she spoke again.
"Heyyyyy, miss silly spilly mare? Why'd ya run off earlier? I just met you and said hello! I didn't even get your name you know!" She practically shouted. Her voice was....wow. Sweet, dulcet, almost motherly. So calming.
"I-I. My names. Midnight. Melody. N-nice to meet you." Celestia fuck I sounded like an idiot. I've never really been good with other ponies. Who wants to talk to the evil bat mare after all.
"Well it's nice to meet ya! I'm just gonna call you Melo if that's okay? Nice short and easy!"
"Yeah sure, it's cool with me I guess. Now if you don't mind, I've got to get back to work." I murmured, starting back on my work, my hooves cracking and prying the rock apart.
I could feel her standing there still. Watching me. Thankfully silent but just, watching. It was really starting to creep me out. I don't mind ponies being around me as I work but. It felt like a hole was being burned through the back of my head.
I heard a soft cough as I pried some more stones from their millennia old resting place. With a snort I turned around, facing her still smiling face.
"Can I help you? I'm trying to get my job done and it's freaking me out with you just standing there watching. I've already got some filly scout cookies, so if it's that you can just go" I snarled. I'm not really proud of it but. It was a rough morning you know?
"Oh....sorry. I just wanted to watch. It seemed really neat and I liked looking at all the pretty gems. I'll go ahead and leave you be." She practically whispered, an incredibly sad look coming across her face. Luna be damned I feel like such an ass.
I turned back to my spot, listening as she slowly wandered out of the mine. And I felt like dirt. She was being so nice to me and I went and ruined it. What a fuckin idiot.
With my bucket full, I scooped the last bit of my haul into my saddlebags and turned around. The buckets well worn handle safe and secure in my jaws, my bags weighing on me as I started to head towards the depositing room. Until my hoof slipped on something and I tumbled to the ground. For the second time that day. I swear I may have to get some pads or something if this keeps up.
Looking back at my hooves I saw what I tripped on. And my heart sank. A small pouch of bits with a note attached to it. Trembling a bit, I slowly opened the note and read it. And placed the pouch in my saddlebag.
"Hey, sorry about this morning, I wasn't paying attention when I should have, and I can tell you felt really embarrassed and I'm sorry. I promise it was okay and I'm not upset so, I wanted to return your bits. Maybe you could use them to buy me breakfast? I'm free on Saturday. If you want that is. Either way, I hope you have a good day.
~Cinni"
What.
What.
Did she. On a. With me? Why? This has to be a prank. I'm sure of it. There's no way I'm lucky enough to not only find somepony who wasn't turning her nose up at my existence. But potentially liked me too?
Looking up I realized I absentmindedly trotted to the exit, my mind lost in thought and my bucket long since forgotten. I have to apologize. I have to make this right.
Galloping down the road from the mine, I kept looking for her. I waited too long, I don't know where she went? Any one of the splitting paths she could have taken. How was I going to track her down?
I could hear the bits jingling as I ran. Each clink telling me to go faster. Slowing as I came to the Ponyville outskirts, I kept my eyes open for any sign of her. Just my luck that the market was closing up for the day, and everypony and their grandmother were getting their last minute goods. Even Fluttershy was out and about, her and Rainbow Dash a little closer together then usual.
So many pastel colors, so many voices. I don't know how I did it, but I caught a glimpse of that lovely blue tail turning a corner into an alley. Trotting over and through it, it came to an end at a small little building with tiny little apartments. I'd heard it was here but never visited myself. No friends remember?
Coming to the wrought iron door, I hit the buzzer with last name "Quill" and waited. And waited. And waited. Maybe she wasn't here. After grabbing a quick bite at the diner I returned to her building. To find the door left open? That wasn't normal right? Heading up and in slowly I started climbing the stairs to the third floor. That's where the directory said her room was at least.
Coming over the edge to the landing and glancing down the hallway, I noticed another door was left open. Maybe it was hers and she left in a rush? I pushed the door open quietly, wincing as it creaked loudly. A nice little "someone is here" alarm. Great. Glancing around the entryway I saw her saddlebags. This was def her place.
"H-hey! Cinni? It's Melo, from the diner? Are you there?" I said rather loudly, unsure if she was still here.
Creeping a bit in and looking around, I realized something felt....off. This place was a wreck, and not in a good way. It was trashed. Almost looked like there was a fight?
My heart was racing as I made my way through her apartment. Taking note of all the rubbish and ruined items. Somethings happened. Did someone break in?
Coming into the last room, this was definitely her bedroom. It felt so wrong being here, uninvited. But I was worried. Books were strewn about the floor. Many covered in what looked like...blood. God I hope it wasn't hers. Something was definitely wrong here. I had to help her. Find her. She could be dying. Rooting through the mess I found a small knife on the floor, blood and blue hair coating it. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
Quickly slipping it into my saddlebags I dashed out the door, throwing hers onto my back as I ran. Streaking down the stairs and alley I ran, everything looked fresh. Whoever did this, whoever took her, they had to be close.
As I ran, I glanced down a dead end alley, and screeched to a halt as I saw a cart being pulled by a group of quite unpleasant looking stallions. The cart full of baskets and really wet and somehow angry looking sack.
That had to be her!
Creeping down the alley after them I went, trying to get close enough to hear them when suddenly, they vanished. Just gone into thin air. As I slunk down to where they were, I suddenly felt a weird wave course through my body as I was suddenly in an old warehouse.
A magic wall covering the entrance to an old warehouse. Cliche much? Either way, I knew she was here and had to find her.
It took me nearly an hour to find them in this massive place. Wandering my way through the maze of shelves, each packed to the brim with crates and boxes, but finally I heard them, or rather, heard her scream "Fuck you" with an impressive volume.
Creeping under one of the many y'all shelves, and ignoring the gross nasty spiders crawling on me i inched my way closer to them.
There were four of them surrounding her as she was hog tied and lying on the door. And thrashing like a fish the whole time. Each time they spoke she snarled a response at them.
"So you three searched her whole apartment and couldn't find it?" The first buck growled.
"Fuck you" she spat.
"No sir, she must have hidden it" the smallest one said. He seemed really unhappy to be there. Almost afraid.
"Nah didn't hide it, your mom ate it." She snarled. I'm really starting to like this mare.
The first buck slammed a hoof into her side, causing her to cough way more blood up then I liked. They must have really hurt her before I got here. I felt my blood boil as I inched closer.
"She could've hidden it somewhere else, or gave it to someone" the second buck replied, finally breaking the silence.
"Yeah I hid it in your mom cause she ate it" Cinni barked. Good lord she doesn't stop does she?
"Wait, wasn't she with that vampony earlier today? Maybe that freak has it." The small buck said, who I disliked much more than originally now.
"She's got nothing to do with this! Leave her alone" Cinni shouted, thrashing about more like a fish out of water. Worry etched on her face.
"Well then," the boss buck said "That settles it. Kill her and find that bat, if she doesn't have the map, it'll be back at her apartment. Search it again."
Fuck. They're really gonna do it. Fuck. Fuck. I can't just sit here, cowering under a shelf as she dies. I have to do something. But what? I'm not a fighter, and I certainly can't take all four of them.
I'm an idiot. While I was crawling, I didn't realize where I was going, and accidentally kicked a hoof onto one of the legs of the shelf I was under. And it was loud. Loud enough for them to hear. "The fuck was that?" The boss said. Opening his mouth to say something else, he was drowned out by the massive crack as the shelf above me gave way, collapsing on me.
Well shit.