Striving for Perfection

A disgusting ringing rang throughout the room and began to wake up everyone who was in it in turn. The first to wake up with a quiet, barely audible groan was the only representative of humanity. The second one woke up was Flying, who, having lost the night battle, was forced to sleep on the floor. Rising only wrinkled up in his sleep and hug to the human lying next to him.

I rubbed my eyes with my hand and blinked several times at my surroundings. Flying rises on its hooves and does something similar to charging. The alarm clock that I forgot to turn off is ringing now and does not allow me to sleep peacefully. Suddenly, I felt something clinging to my left arm. Cautiously turning my head to the side, I saw how the still sleeping Rising clung to my hand with two hooves. Seeing this, my brain began to slowly gain momentum trying to find logic here. After a short reflection, my brain was able to form a further plan of action.

He slept in the same bed with me. I don't know who he thinks I am, but I'm not going to be his boyfriend or anything. I need to push him away and go get dressed.

I put my hand to the top of Rising's head and pushed him. Since I was holding back, he just rolled to the edge of the bed and did not suffer serious damage. When I finished with Rising, I threw off the blanket and swung my legs off the bed. When my feet touched the cold floor, I pushed off the bed and stood on two legs. Looking around the room again, I saw Flying start poking the alarm clock trying to turn it off. Of course unsuccessfully.

"You don't know how to turn it off, do you?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

"I know everything." Flying answered me while continuing to knock on the alarm clock.

I shook my head wearily and went to my coat, which was hanging on the door. I carefully took my coat off the door so that nothing would fall out of it and after making sure that everything was fine, I put on my coat without buttoning the buttons. Having finished with the coat, I turned to Flying who was still trying to turn off the alarm. I quickly got close to Flying and with a deft movement snatched the alarm clock from him. Grabbing the alarm clock, I quickly turned it off and threw it to the place where I had previously slept.

"I could have handled it myself." Flying said while focusing on the alarm clock.

"Of course." I replied sarcastically and slowly rolling my eyes.

"Hey, I'm not stupid!" Flying was indignant, throwing an irritated look at me.

I opened my mouth to answer, but suddenly there was a loud sound in the room, as if something had fallen on the floor. Turning my head to where the sound came from, I saw the Rising fall off the bed and take the blanket with him. Judging by the groan of pain, the fall was able to awaken Rising from a sound and a long sleep. There was a second impact on the floor, this time very close to me. Looking down, I saw that Flying had fallen to the floor and was laughing loudly. He laughs so hard that his eyes water.

"It's not funny." Said Rising, getting up from the floor and looking at Flying with a fair amount of anger.

In response to this, Flying started laughing only harder and louder. I put my hand to my face trying to cope with the company of these idiots. Taking a deep breath and exhaling, I cut into the conversation.

"You two, we don't have time to sort out the relationship. Quickly get up and follow me." I said before turning to the door and pulling the key out of my pocket.

Rising quickly got up and ran up to me like a faithful dog. Flying barely finished laughing and stood next to me with a bored look. After making sure that everything was in order, I inserted the key into the lock and unlocked the door. After leaving the room, I once again closed the door and went towards the stairs. As I descended the stairs, rhythmic footsteps from behind reminded me that I was being escorted. Going down to the lobby, I turned my head to the side to find the calendar. I fixed my gaze on a calendar with a picture of a colorful winter forest. Today is the twenty-ninth of December of the thousandth year.

Military base twenty-four has not been used for seventy-seven years. It is surprising that it has been preserved at least in a dilapidated form.

When I finished looking at the calendar, I quickly walked through the lobby to the exit. Before leaving the hotel, I buttoned up my coat. Yanking open the door, I ignored the howling of the cold wind and took a step out of the hotel. After leaving the hotel, I immediately took the map out of my pocket and started plotting a route. The train station is located in the west of the city, the farmer's market is in the south and the flea market is in the north. If I work alone, it will only take me all day to prepare.

But I have two horses at my disposal that can be made to work.

I took out my bag of gold and started putting in my hands the money I would need. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that both thestrals were looking at my actions with genuine interest. When the money no longer fit in my hand, I pulled out the second bag of money and gestured with the thestral to come closer. The Thestrals took a step forward and I gave Flying a handful of coins and Rising gave a bag of bits.

"Rising, you will go to the farmer's market and buy supplies. Preferably something that we can eat on the road without stopping. Flying you will go to the train station and buy us three tickets to the crystal mountains. Remember your routes and go. We'll meet again at the train station," I said, holding the map in front of the thestrals' eyes and showing them the easiest route to their goals with my finger.

Rising immediately grabbed his bag of gold in his teeth and ran to the designated point. Unfortunately, Flying looked at me with raised eyebrows and wrinkled nose as if he was deeply offended by such an attitude towards himself.

"You'll get a bottle of wine." I said before Flying says anything.

"Three bottles." Flying answered with a challenge looking at me.

"One, no more."

"Maybe two?" Flying asked after his confidence wavered a bit.

"One bottle."

"Okay, okay. If one means one." Said Flying turning around and heading towards the train station.

I looked at Rising, who was running at full speed towards the farmer's market. After a short reflection, I realized that I would not be able to catch up with him with a wounded leg and decided to look for wine somewhere on the way to the flea market. Having memorized the route to the flea market, I began to walk to it at a brisk pace and look around in search of places where alcohol is sold.

POV Rising

The hooves hurt from intense running, the heart is pounding like a drum and the lungs are working to the maximum. The bag is dangling in my teeth and I can barely hold it. The wind hits you in the face and makes you cover your eyes with your wings.

Why do I run if I have wings?

I stopped where I was and, catching my breath, jumped up and flapped my wings. It's incredibly easy to do this without armor! Flapping my wings several times, I gained altitude and taking a bag of bits in my hooves flew towards the farmer's market. Despite the fur, at such a height the cold still chills to the bone. An additional shiver went through my body at the memory of last night.

"It's better not to remember about this." I said softly as I flew towards the farmer's market.

While I was flying, I couldn't help but be surprised by the views of the city. Very tall strange buildings of rectangular shape, huge spaces where there is not a hint of plants and even a large pier where the largest boats of all I have seen float. This place is incredible! I wonder why the captain came here?

Looking down, I saw a lot of counters behind which there were ponies that looked incredibly small from such a height. I began to slowly increase the time between flapping wings to lower the altitude. As a result, after a couple of minutes I landed on the ground, took a bag of bits in one wing and started looking around for goods. Suddenly, seeing me, all the ponies in the market began to actively offer their goods and shout very loudly. All this combined to create a terrible cacophony of sounds that put a lot of pressure on the nerves.

What would the captain do now? He would definitely give some good advice right now. But I have to follow the captain's orders!

With newly acquired confidence, I confidently began to walk along the counter in search of the right foods. Thinking about what you can eat quickly on the road, I immediately came up with an idea. Fruit.

I eagerly looked around the entire farmer's market in search of suitable fruits. On one counter were bright red apples, polished to such an extent that they reflected sunlight. On the second counter were strange, creeping yellow plants with seemingly sharp leaves on top. I turned away from the strange plant in the hope that it would not touch me and continued to inspect the market. On the third counter there was a slightly less strange green plant that looked like a distorted apple with an elongated top. On the fourth counter, I finally saw at least something familiar. A large, perfectly round, bright green watermelon.

You can eat it on the road. Maybe. Plus they are quite satisfying. Yes, I think the captain will like it.

I walked up to the watermelon counter and started a conversation with a stallion who was standing wearily in front of the counter.

"Hello sir, how much is a watermelon?" I asked in my usual manner.

"Ten bits apiece." The stallion replied with fatigue, as if he had not been able to sleep for a long time.

"I'm two." I said, pulling twenty bits out of the bag.

"Take it." The stallion said wearily nodding towards the watermelons after counting the money.

"Thank you." I said softly before taking two watermelons with my wings.

After a little thought, I began to distribute the load. The wings were held watermelons, and the bag of money was in my teeth. Straining my neck, wings and hooves to keep everything stable, I began to walk slowly towards the train station. Fortunately, I listened attentively to the captain and remembered the way to the train station. Approximately.

I hope the captain will be pleased.

POV Flying

"It was necessary to say what kind of wine." I muttered to myself as I walked towards the train station and tried to keep the money clamped in the wing.

The snow crunches irritatingly underfoot, the wind periodically increases and there is no one on the street. I'm starting to think that the free trip here was a mistake. These tall glass buildings put a lot of pressure on the nerves. There is not a single tree or bush anywhere. It's just wrong. Trains are also creepy and weird. What kind of jerk thought that making a huge metal coffin on wheels would be a good idea? If I were an inventor, I would come up with something normal.

"I have a bag," I muttered, remembering my bag, which was conveniently located on my back. Stopping on the spot, I used the wing to open the bag and put money in it. Closing the bag, I continued to walk at a calm pace towards the train station.

Can I spend money on something for yourself?

I looked around the street to make sure that this weirdo wasn't following me. Even without seeing anyone around, I still gave up on this idea. Who knows what this weirdo will do if he finds out that I spent his money? It's better to just stay close to him, drink alcohol when the time comes and disperse. Yes, this is the best option.

Making a barely noticeable nod, I continued to walk to the train station. As I approached the train station, I heard the most hated sounds of all. Train sounds. Swallowing, I continued to walk to the train station trying to cope with the terrible sound. I even had to put my ears to my head to cope with this terrible sound. Looking around, I saw how some kid fell asleep right on the counter and put his head on the counter. I laughed a little when I saw this, but after a couple of minutes I gathered my strength and went to the cashier.

"I need three tickets to the Crystal Mountains," I said, tapping my hoof on the table loud enough to wake the cashier.

"No, I'm not sleeping!" The cashier shouted, quickly straightening up and looking around with panic in his eyes. When he saw me, he relaxed and propped his head on his hoof as if waiting for my order.

"Three tickets to the crystal Mountains." I said, starting to lose patience.

He turned wearily to some kind of sign that was inside and squinted his eyes began to examine it. After looking at it for a long time, he turned back to me and said, "Sixty bits for one ticket."

"Robbery in broad daylight." I muttered discontentedly before pulling money out of my bag and starting to give money for three tickets. After a few minutes during which I was forced to endure the terrible sounds of trains. Before giving me the tickets, the cashier counted the money and after finishing the calculation looked at me like an idiot.

"There are only one hundred and sixty bits. Where are twenty more?" The cashier asked in a tired voice.

"Yes, I know. I was just checking you." I lied before laying out the remaining money. After the second count, the cashier nodded and handed me three tickets. I grabbed the tickets with my wing and started looking for a bench to sit on.

When I saw the bench, I moved away from the counter and started running towards it. On the way, I opened the bag and stuffed the remaining money and three tickets into it. When I got to the bench, I threw off my bags, sat on it and covered my ears with my wings so as not to suffer from the sound of trains. Taking a comfortable position, I began to look around in search of the others.

POV Daniel

"Okay, here's your money." I said, handing the money to the Minotaur who was selling various items of clothing. I was interested in an old, large sports bag with a lot of patches. During long negotiations, I was able to reduce the price by five bits.

When I gave the necessary money, the Minotaur counted them and finished counting nodded, giving permission to take the bag. Before taking the bag, I took a closer look at its features. The bag has a total of three straps. Two small straps are combined into one for carrying, and one long strap allows you to carry the bag on your shoulder. I picked up the bag and put it on my shoulder to leave both hands free. After making sure that the bag would not fall, I put a bottle of red wine in it that I bought on the way and continued walking through the flea market in search of my next goal. Knife.

Ideally, I need to make a quick dash to my destination and return to Manhattan in time for an interview. To overcome such a long distance in such a short time, I will need equipment. A knife to cut something in case of something and a rope as climbing equipment. Not the best set, but better than nothing.

While I was thinking, I caught sight of a counter with knives of various sizes and even several axes. It wasn't a pony, a changeling, or even a minotaur standing behind the counter. A dragon stands behind the counter and hides one hand under the table. This particular individual has a dark green color and dark, protective glasses shifted to the forehead.

Looks like that lizard from the library. It's not a big deal.

Gathering my strength, I went to the counter where the dragon was standing and started looking for something suitable. Unfortunately, the dragon decided to be a "polite seller".

"Is there anything in particular you're interested in, sir?" The dragon asked in a polite and helpful manner.

"I need a strong stainless steel knife. Beauty is not important, I need a workhorse. " I explained briefly while continuing to inspect the assortment.

"You won't believe how nice it is when a client knows what he needs. Fortunately for you, I carefully sort my goods. I lay out all the stainless steel knives on the left. " The dragon said, maintaining a polite tone and pointing to the right part of the counter. Different perspective.

I shifted my gaze to where the dragon showed me and began to focus on each particular knife. The first knife had a short blade with colorful engraving. No, it's too pretentious. The second knife had a beautiful handle and even had a pommel in the form of an eagle. No, for exactly the same reason. Finally, the third knife turned out to be the most unsightly and ordinary. A medium-length blade without engravings, a strict handle made of dark wood and a guard made of unknown black metal similar to the armor of thestrals. I took the knife in my hands and turned it in my hands wanting to study it more carefully.

"How much does it cost?" I asked the dragon after I decided on the purchase.

"One hundred bits." The dragon replied with the same politeness and courtesy as always.

The price of the hotel minus the price of the knife. One hundred minus one hundred. A knife costs the same as a hotel room. Expensive.

"Take your money." I said with annoyance, handing over the money.

"Take your knife." He said without even counting the money.

"It's kind of irrational. You haven't even counted the money, and besides, anyone can take a knife and run away. " I noted after analyzing the situation.

"Actually there is one thing against thieves." Said the dragon, slightly raising his hand from under the table. In his hand was clutched a device similar to a bow equipped with a mechanism for cocking and lowering the bowstring. The thick arrow is firmly positioned on the mechanism and is ready to fall on the enemy at any moment.

It's a crossbow. The maximum initial speed of the bolt has a speed of about one hundred meters per second. If he had attacked me, I wouldn't even have realized what killed me. Don't show fear of him.

"Cool. But I have to go." I said, giving the dragon a thumbs up before turning around.

Turning around, I started walking at a brisk pace to get as far away from the dragon as possible. During the attack in the opposite direction, I regularly looked back at the dragon. After making a few turns around the market and making sure that everything was in order, I started looking for the third thing on my list. Rope. I didn't even have time to start looking as I already saw several stalls with ropes.

Without thinking, I went to the nearest counter where I didn't see anyone. Turning my head from side to side, I saw a sign with the text. One rope is worth eight bits. Please don't steal!

Sounds like a steal.

I turned around and started looking at the creatures around me to see if I could steal the rope. When I saw that several sellers were following me at once, I realized that this idea was doomed to failure. With a disappointed sigh, I put seven bits on the table and took one rope as a law-abiding citizen. I opened the bag and put the newly received rope in it. Having finished with this, I did not want to linger and ran to the train station.

On the way to the train station, I looked very carefully at my feet so as not to slip. Seeing a small piece of ice peeking out from under the snow, I made a risky decision and jumped over it. Fortunately, I landed in ordinary snow and did not meet a long road of ice. Recovering quickly, I continued my run to the train station. While running, I pulled the map out of my pocket to make sure the route was correct. At the last moment I realized that right now I need to turn sharply to the right. Reacting, I grabbed the lamppost with my free hand and continued my race.

When the train station was in sight, I put the map in my bag and began to slow down gradually. Once at the train station itself, I started looking around for my team of idiots. Soon, I noticed them sitting on a bench and doing a very strange thing. Rising sits and taps watermelons like drums in an active manner. Flying is sitting next to him and singing something. As I approached, I began to sort out what Flying sings.

"I’ve been sleeping in a cardboard box,
Spending every dollar at the liquor shop,
And even though I know I haven’t got a lot.
Oh, it's you. Did you bring the wine? " Said Flying abruptly stopping singing.

Something familiar. I've definitely heard that somewhere. No, nothing comes to mind.

I pulled the wine out of the bag and handed it to Flying. When he saw the bottle, he was happy at first, but quickly changed and made a disappointed face.

"You know I love white wine."

"When will our train arrive?" I asked, deciding to change the subject and approaching the bench.

"In the next hour." Said Flying with slight indignation.

"Keep singing." I said with a tired sigh, sitting down on the bench.

"What? " Asked Rising as if he didn't expect this.

"By the way, Rising, did you only buy two watermelons?" I asked in the hope that he had hidden something else.

"Only two watermelons." Muttered Rising as if mentally preparing for a serious punishment.

"Okay, I'll think of something about food, but for now I'll return to the last topic. We'll have to wait so keep singing. It will be fun." I explained sitting relaxed on the bench.

"What are you going to do? Just sit and listen? Not on my shift you either join a performance or pay street performers." Said Flying with feigned anger.

I sighed knowing that it was impossible to have a normal dialogue with Flying and straightened up with my hand on the bench. "I'll be the second drum. Rising plays on watermelons, I play on the bench."

Flying nodded in satisfaction and continued to sing. After a few minutes, I was able to catch the rhythm and start playing. Soon the time began to fly by unnoticed, and I completely focused on maintaining the rhythm.