A Cheery Household Herd

Just like clockwork--another successful case cracked by Pale Vestige. The Diavolo crime family was put entirely out of business and all of their associates were arrested. Many a headline in the newspaper would revere Pale’s deeds, much to the embarassment of the detective.

“...’He Returns To Save Us All’, ‘Pale Strikes Again’, ‘The Real-Life Batstallion’?” Pale tossed the newspaper on the table and covered his eyes with his hooves. “That’s just embarrassing. They really didn’t have to do me like that.”

Cheerilee kissed him on the cheek and consoled him. “Oh, don’t worry, sweetie. They just want to acknowledge how great you are--especially since you’re from here.”

“I suppose you have a point,” he replied as he started to think about Suri. “Now what am I gonna do with her…”

“Do you have something in mind, Pale?” Cheeriilee asked.

Pale and Cheerilee were the first to awaken within the Orange Family penthouse. Babs had brought Suri there the previous night so Pale could decide how he would proceed with her going forward.

Ultimately, he came to the conclusion…

“I don’t think she’ll ever be safe left to her own devices,” Pale explained, “She needs a decently-paying job that makes use of her skills while also keeping her in a safe position.”

Cheerilee’s face lit up. “Ooh! I know. I think she should be--”

“I was thinking of hiring her as--”

“Your personal tailor!”

“My personal tailor.”

They spoke in unison, then had a small laugh afterwards.

“Ah…yeah, you were thinking the same thing too, huh?” Pale said with a grin.

“Of course,” Cheerilee replied, “Realistically speaking, because she’s been blacklisted from the industry, her options for employment are still rather limited. It’s a shame, really…”

“Yeah. The people who want to turn their lives around are often punished just as harshly as criminals who refuse to change.” Pale shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose I’ll have to kickstart some changes for the better. Starting with her. I’ll take her on as a new hire and see how she reacts.”

“Plus, we’ll be able to keep her close not only for her safety, but for…fun times too, maybe?” Cheerilee purred in his ear, then giggled. “Only if she wants that is.”

Pale rolled his eyes. “Maybe. For the moment, I’m just glad we’ll be able to get home safely. Manehattan is in good hooves with Babs here.”

“Damn straight, brudda….aaahhh…” a groggy Babs seed walked by and commented after a yawn, “If I eva need ya help with somethin’, I’ll be sure to ask ya again in the futcha.”

“Not a problem, Babs,” Pale replied with a smile, “But don’t be afraid to visit us in Ponyville sometime, eh? It’s nice and quiet over there.”

Babs rubbed her eyes and smirked at Cheerilee. “Based on whatcha wife has told me…I think I’mma come on by real soon.”

Pale looked at Cheerilee with a raised brow. “Hm?”

“You’ll see eventually, dear~”

A few days later…

So when we got back to Ponyville, I made sure Suri got a house that was close to us and informed her of the new position that I wanted her to fill.

“...Yes! I-I’d love to work on clothes for the agency,” she agreed with her usual giggle, “It’ll help keep me outta trouble that’s for sure.”

“Good to hear,” Pale replied as he got ready to leave. “And if my wife asks you to join us in some crazy sexual shenanigans, please don’t accept if you’re too busy with work.”

“...I think I’ll use those as my chance for breaks, ‘kay?” Suri answered with a snicker. “But I appreciate it. I’ll get started on your spare hats for you, ‘kay?”

Pale nodded and confirmed his order with a bag of bits. “I want 50 of them by the end of the month. Thanks, Suri.”

The earth pony mare accepted his offer with a gleeful hug. “Thank you, Pale!”

And she shut her door before immediately getting started on her next pieces of clothing designed specifically for the pony agencies including the likes of Pale’s side and Lyra’s side. It was a surefire way for her to earn a living while also remaining safe under the watch of the ponies who employed her. A fitting end to her tale.

Now that he had a break, Pale would return to Tree Hugger for more of her recreational herbs at the local marketplace in Ponyville.

“...and I handed them over to the proper authorities of that region,” Pale finished up his explanation, “I honestly don’t understand why they don’t just do what you do and sell legal substances, Tree. Apparently they were trying to sell Poison Joke Oil.”

“Eh, the stuff they were trying to peddle is worth a lot, man. It’s also waaaay dangerous,” she explained with her usual smile disappearing, “Poison Joke Oil is no joke at all. Somebody could get a heart attack from that stuff.”

Pale shook his head in disgust. “Diabolical…at least they’re behind bars now. Everything was fine here while I was gone, hm?”

Tree’s smile returned. “Yeah, yeah. Totally. Although…I think someone was at your house looking for you. I saw someone knock on your door a few times then leave. They might still be around.”

“Hm. Wonder who that could be,” Pale muttered as he accepted one of her brownies. “Thanks, Tree. I’ll go check it out now.”

As he left, Tree would wave him off. “See ya. Be sure to come back sometime when I’m off, yeah?”

“...I might--”

Once Pale was out of sight and earshot of the marketplace, Quick Draw would approach her stall. “...Ms. Hugger?”

“Hm? What’s up, ma’am?”

“...I need your help.”

Meanwhile…

Pale arrived at his house and a few moments later, he’d be approached by a familiar face that he had spoken to in the past.

“Well if it isn’t the stallion that’s saved the world…”

Pale turned around to see… “Ms. Tempest?”