Swift sat at the counter looking over a list of ponies that Shadow was able to find that were qualified for the position. Somehow he even found some nonpony candidates. He took a deep breath and sighed as his eye skimmed over them for the tenth time. "Why do I feel that half of these guys will be more trouble than they're worth?" He laughed, receiving a laugh from one of the patrons.

Looking over, Swift saw Mr Ritch. "If you'd like my lord. I'd be honored to assist you with that." The stallion smirked, tapping his empty mug.

"What will it be, friend?" Swift asked as he took the mug.

"Hard Cider please." He replied, looking over the list and quickly shifted through the list setting some to the side. "This information is sadly out of date." He sighed as Swift returned the refilled mug. "I'll see about finding a few other choices for you as well."

"Thank you. And while we're on the topic of business. What do you say we start a partnership?" Swift suggested as he leaned over the counter.

Ritch oddly blushed at the closeness and quickly cleared his throat. "That… sounds splendid. I can even see if some of my contacts would be interested as well."

Swift smirked as he subtly licked his lips. "Sounds like an interesting idea. I heard you have a good TASTE in clients."

Ritch fidgeted in his seat. "Well… I have been known to handle heavy loads."

Swift grinds at seeing he had the stallion hooked on the idea. "Then why don't we see about setting up a private meeting so we can go over the details of how much you're willing to handle."

Ritch quickly nodded and set his schedule on the table. "I'm available tomorrow at noon." With a nod from Swift he marked the day before downing his drink and rushing out the door.

After scanning the room, Swift couldn't help to get himself a mug of rum. "So Shadow. How much of this is getting reported to Luna?"

"None."

"Oh? I thought you worked for her." Swift inquired.

"She made me your guard." He explained.

Swift hopped over the counter and made his way over to the guard. "Then we'll have to do something about your outfit."

As he was about to say more, the door opened as Applejack came in with a crate. "I don't want ta hear none of y'all's… Swift? What y'all doing here?"

"I own this place. Dropping off a shipment?"

Applejack blinked and nodded. "How'd ya???"

"I just asked for it." He replied with a smile.

Not wanting to get into details, Applejack smiled and brought the crate over. "We'll. I recon y'all can't do any worse than that stallion did." She laughed. "Don't worry about paying me back for…" just then Applejack's jaw dropped as Swift dropped a larg pouch of bits on the counter.

"He made a generous donation before he left. Would this be enough?" Swift asked with a knowing smile.

"I… I… I recon it's a bit much… if y'all want. I'll get my brother to help restock for ya." She stammered in disbelief at what she saw. However his next words almost floored her.

"That'll be great. I'll be sure to have two more bags ready when you get back."

"NO!" She shouted, before quickly clearing her throat. "Y'all don't have ta do that. Y'all running a business now. Ya should hold on to y'all's bits. The one pouch is more than enough." She paused as she took the pouch. Blinking, she set it down and looked inside. "Way more than enough." She whistled before walking out as she slipped the pouch into her bag.

Swift sat back and sipped his cider. Once it was just him and Knuckles he smiled. "So… my next stop is Fluttershy?" Knuckles nodded. "Well. I best hope that Spike has those toys ready. Because I don't think I'll last with a doll like that around." He laughed. Knuckles sighed and looked away grumbling something under his breath. "Anyway, we need a way to get the crowds to start coming in." He thought for a moment before grinning. "And I think I have an idea." He chuckled looking over at Knuckles.

Author's Note

Purposely short for my viewers to make theories. Have fun with it. And please tell me what you're thinking.