Fallout Equestria: Baltimare Heights

Mornings always come too early, "but at least my night's over." I sighed and gently blew the steam from my drink. Next to me sat a small box with simple ribbon, a present for my mom. A tradition of ours. This slow morning being the anniversary of when our stable locked down exactly one hundred and fifty years ago.

The atrium, being a large open space, could accommodate the majority of the ponies here. I sat patiently and watched the ponies go about their morning routines. My ears twitched at the stray hearty laughter that cuts through the silence. Several ponies, I'd noticed, were preparing for the day's festivities, Unpacking familiar looking streamers, signs, banners and balloons. Off to another corner were a few of the foals from the daycare who were making arts and crafts projects on the floor of the atrium while their caregivers talked happily over their own breakfasts.

A busy morning for sure, I thought warmly as I lifted the coffee in my magic and took a good drink. Its warmth settled in my belly and I couldn't help a little sigh of gratified glee.

Just then a flash of magic filled my vision and my heart leapt into my throat, preventing more than a squeak of surprise. A light blue mare with an ebony mane appeared in the seat across from me wearing her medical coat, she blinked her vivid violet eyes at me and began to snicker into a raised hoof.

My magic had faltered, dropping my cup back to the table with a resounding thunk. It bounced and rolled, spilling the fresh drink between us. "Thanks, mom." I gasped with a cough, pressing a hoof to my chest. "You can have me as your next open heart patient." I grumbled.

Levitating a dirty grease rag from my saddlebag, I tried to clean it up. I only succeeded in pushing the mess around and mixing grease into it. Frustratedly wringing out the towel, I opted to move down a few seats.

Mom wiped a tear away with the back of her sleeve. She gave a resoundingly high sigh and moved down a seat as well. Waving her hooves before her, she sputtered, "I'm sor-... It's just th-..." she inhaled sharply, followed by smaller giggles and snorts. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. I saw you taking that drink just as the spell triggered! I couldn't stop it." She gave another light-hearted sigh and just smiled with big violet eyes.

I stood somberly and started back toward the café, feeling a little foolish. My cheeks surely reflected that. My mom teleported in-step next to me, "Come on now, Glimmer Stone, this isn't the day for pouting. You'll see."

Looking over, I was met by her eyes… There was a hint of sadness there. Some emotion she couldn't express. I just can't put a hoof on it. "Mom, you okay?"

That look, that foggy glower vanished as she blinked. "I'm fine. It's just you're not that little filly anymore." She answered, dodging the question. We came to the line that led up to the café window and moved forward as the pair before us received their purchase and left.

"Back for more already, Glimmer Stone?" The large light green stallion with a light blue mane behind the counter asked cheerfully. I rather pointedly looked away. Choosing to look at anything other than his smug grin.

My mom just gave a little snort while laughing beside me and answered for me. "Two coffees please. I'll also take a sunflower sandwich. I'll need a few napkins also; I spilt her coffee."

The stallion gave a short chuckle, "That'll be twelve bits, Silver Torrent."

A few moments later my mom levitated a coffee before me and I looked back at her, ignoring the stallion. "Thank you." I mumbled as I took the drink in my own magic.

Departing for our seats again, my mother bumped my rump with her own. "Don't be so grumpy! You know as well as I do that sulking won't fix anything.” Finding our seats; I offered her my gift.

Silver Torrent took the box between her hooves and her horn glowed a pale green. A very small, lightly wrapped package levitated out of her pocket and was placed in front of me. "Here's your gift, Glimmy. What's wrong with a little fun every now and again?” Her magic undid the ribbon and from the box she withdrew a small twelve ounce custom-made glass bottle with a dark amber liquid in it. She placed it back in the box. "Liquor?" She asked in a hushed tone.

A smile cross my lips, "no mom it's fresh pressed apple juice. I swear. It was hard to make."

Silver Torrent closed the box and moved it aside before taking a good drink of her coffee. She smiled but worked her jaw in thought. "Your turn, Sweetie."

I eyed her before opening the present. Her expression was soft but guarded and that threw me off a little… Inside the box sat an ornate silver locket. Levitating it out, I examined the piece; it was old, probably as old if not older than the Stable itself. I opened it and frowned. Nothing. There wasn't anything in it except an inscription on the inside of the lid, opposite where a photo could be placed.

"Be free with me. ~Glyph Stone" I read out loud. "Glyph Stone?" I asked curiously.

Silver Torrent's voice was lowered to a hushed whisper. "He's your father. He found that locket in a stockroom packaged with supplies. It was lost by someone long ago." She began to munch on her sandwich.

I tucked the locket away in my pocket and glanced around. My mind reeled with a depiction of who I'd have been if he were still here. It made me feel… sad? Maybe longful? "Wh- what was he like?" My voice hitched as I asked.

I watched the colorful ponies as they flowed into the atrium. The conversations and discussions became more numerous and indistinguishable, a consistent fog of words and sounds. My EFS or Eyes-Forward Sparkle had been turned off, but even still, I could assume the time to be nearing seven in the morning.

Silver Torrent finished off her sandwich and had just taken a drink of her coffee. "So how's talisman maintenance been?" She asked quizzically, pointedly ignoring yet another of my questions.

Giving a low groan and slumping on the table, hooves stretched wide. "It's been exhausting. There are always talismans going out and needing replaced. It surprises me that this facility can still support us after all these years down here. You'd be surprised too, although I am sorry for those maintenance ponies. It's a pretty shitty situation for them every now and then." I grumbled with my chin resting on the table top. Looking up at her for a long minute my thoughts about what kind of pony Glyph Stone could have been still sturred in my mind.

Finally I sat back up, if only for my coffee. I took a drink and continued, "It's tiring. Between the paperwork and the magic, there is the headache of trying to make absolutely sure I'm putting the right enchanted gem into the proper spot. Despite it all, my crew partner is the boss, so he just gives me a list and a pile of talismans that need replacing and sends me on my way. He prefers to do the enchantments and sit on his ass at his terminal."

She didn't react, opting to just sip on her coffee and smile. "Sweetie, just make sure you're making time for you. I know maintenance is difficult and that Stable 109 is slowly falling apart, but it's been this way since my mother was your age." She gave a wink and continued but a more remote look overtook her expression and her eyes softened with thoughts. "I had an old photo of your dad and I. Unfortunately I haven't had any luck finding it… I had wanted to somehow put it in that locket, but it looks like I won't have the time for that now. I think your dad kept it anyway, I haven't a clue where though."

Taking the locket out again, this time to give it a closer look, and enjoy the fine craftsmanship of the piece. “I wonder just how old it actually is then." Opening it, Be free with me. I kept rereading it. A sense of sadness surrounded it.

She used her magic to adjust a few things on her pipbuck before looking back up at me. She gave a weary gaze to the multitude of ponies around us now. Looking back at me she slouched a little and she gave me a small half-smile and some sad eyes. "I have to go get ready, it is a big day."

I sighed, knowing she wouldn't say anymore. She'd always been dodgy about him and that alone had nearly driven a wedge between us when I was younger. I levitated our trash for us and walked around the table to meet her. Our eyes met then we closed them in unison. She touched her horn to mine for a moment and I could feel the tingle of her magic like a warm blanket covering my body. I offered her some magic of my own in return. Only a moment passed before we rested our foreheads against one another. Sharing a laugh, as it was something we’d always done. It’s like a super duper special magical unicorn hug! Damnit. We separated and "Love you, Mom. Don't work too hard today.”

She gave a small tired sigh. "I love you too. Be sure you're back here for the events at five this evening. We can talk then. Please be early and don't sleep in!"

"I'll make sure to set an alarm this time, I promise." I answered. She gave a quick nod and disappeared in a poof of magic. My sight swept across the busy ponies all around the atrium. It was far too early for this kind of excitement and with that I started for the exit, dropping the trash in a bin on my way out. Trying to hurry was difficult, exhaustion was an enemy of mine right now.

I stopped by my room and changed out of my work outfit, went and hit the showers in the communal restrooms before making my way back to my room. Arriving at my door and levitating my keycard out, I placed it to the small panel next to the door. The light above it flashed green, and with a swoosh, the door split open and receded into the walls. I walked in and telekinetically turned my desk light on. More so out of habit. Finding the darn thing in the dark was impossible and turning on the main room light was entirely too bright.

Feeling the coffee still fueling my actions, despite the fogginess in my brain, I sat down and studied my copy of the Big Book of Arcane Sciences: Enchantments Edition. Flipping on the radio built into my pipbuck, I quickly found my favorite station. The stallions in broadcasting have a pretty solid selection of old wartime music and the stables had a few good voices come up over the years. Beyond nice waltzy music and some pretty cool industrialist tones, the variety is definitely welcomed.

I studied for a half-an-hour or so before my eyes refused to stay open and before passing out to drool all over another page; I decided to leave the book and dive into my bed. Using magic, I wrapped up comfortably and turned off the desk lamp I’d been using. I turned off the radio, turned on my alarm and fell asleep without even a chance to dream.

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Waking up hours later from a dreamless sleep, I slowly unraveled myself and got into my standard stable outfit. Tapping my pipbuck, I turned my Eyes-Forward Sparkle on. I really do love how nifty these spells are. The clock that floated in the lower corner of my vision read a quarter past three. My E.F.S. also highlighted a few items around the room that I’d previously marked as important.

The E.F.S. also provided me with a compass and several other features I couldn't even begin to comprehend the functionality of. A giant yawn took priority just as I took to leaving my quarters.

First thought: Why so bright… I opened my eyes slowly to take in the dull blank walls lined by numbered doors. Quickly, I made my way toward the atrium. Sure, enough as I approached the doors to the atrium, the sound of festivities drowned out the echoes of my hoofsteps. I paused at the door, with a hoof against it. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before going in.

The music that captured the bulk of the ponies was a couple on the stage singing a duet. I couldn't see them from here but even I could recognize the angelic voices of Saffron Fluff and Ruby Bolt.

Damn it. Almost everypony must be here. Where are you Mom?

Staying close to the wall, I made my way through the crowd and struggled up the very full stairs to the upper floor. This is exactly why I stay in my room for these events!

"Hey! Glimmer Stone is that you?" a voice came from just behind me. I paused and turned toward the voice; it was Coffee Bean. He wasn’t dressed in his usual work attire, and I could see that his cutie mark was a chocolate cupcake with icing and coffee beans on top.

I could feel my heart rate raise and a fresh flush cross my cheeks as I spun around to fully face him. "Hey uh, Coffee Bean… You haven't seen Silver Torrent here anywhere, have you?"

He sat and rubbed his chin for a moment. "Can't say I have, I only just got here too."

I groaned internally and took to scanning the crowd again, "Well, I hope she finds me then."

He stepped up next to me and put his hooves up on the railing, giving the room a broad scan. "I'm not seeing her either." He shoved off the railing and sat again. "Want to get some lunch with me? I'm sure she'll come around soon."

Giving up and sitting down, my tail wrapped around my hooves automatically as I debated his offer. My face burned and then my stomach growled. My eyes immediately caught his, but he had no reaction to give beyond a grin. Thank Celestia he couldn't have heard it. Another growl roared from my belly as if punctuating its needs.

"Sure." I nodded and stood as he bounced to his hooves and spun to lead the way.

It took a good bit of time but we managed to find an open table and get food ordered. We just got some water and a couple veggie soup. While we waited, I chose to watch the ponies out in the atrium. Barely hearing Coffee's question, I turned my attention back to him. "What's up?" I asked as calmly as I could muster.

He gave a small huff, "Do you have issues with crowds? I've never seen you at one of these anniversary parties."

"I suppose I do. Gatherings like this have never been my scene." Looking back out at them all, "It's too much noise for me, besides that I'm usually asleep at this time of day."

"Oh! I didn't know you were working the night shift. All I'd known was that you were a part of the maintenance crew." He touched his hoof to his chin.

That pricked my ears and made them burn a bit. "Actually, I'm in Talisman Repair, but I suppose it is a maintenance branch. Either way, it's nothing exciting. If a talisman breaks the crew responsible for that section shuts it down and cleans up any mess made. I simply install the new one and repair the old one."

Our soups arrived just then, the waitress giving him a curt nod and levitated both bowls down in front of us. "Two bowls of vegetable soup for a lovely new couple. Enjoy the festivities!" She spoke so quickly I couldn't give a proper retort! She just gave me a wink before leaving us be.

I didn't care though, "We're not a couple!" I shouted at her causing quite a few heads to swivel my way. I quickly slouched on my chair and looked at Coffee Bean. He wasn't smiling anymore and was just looking around at all that had turned to us. "I just lost my appetite." I admitted quietly.

He looked back at me, "Couldn't just leave that one be, could you?"

"Sorry, it just came out. I didn't mean-"

"Didn't mean what? I know this isn't a date and I’m not here to try and court you. I know you haven't that many friends here and wanted to be just that for you: A friend. Thanks for the embarrassment though." With that he picked up his spoon and began eating as silence fell across our tiny table.

Crap. I've gotta make this right somehow… but how? I pondered on that as I began to eat the soup, he'd bought me.

As I dwelled on that, he and I finished eating in silence as the rest of the restaurant carried on merrily. Finally, he stood up and walked part way around the table. "Did you hear the announcement from our Overmare earlier today?"

I stood and cocked my head. "No?" was all I could muster up.

"You must have been asleep." He started toward the door, making me catch up with him. "Apparently there will be a big announcement made today. I'm not too sure about it though."

Checking the time, it read four forty-five. Reentering the atrium's crowd just made me all the more miserable, then a silver mare appeared before me, and I fell back onto my haunches in surprise.

It was my mother. "Aren't you two just the cutest pair in the room! I've been looking forward to seeing this since you were both just tiny tots." She sat back and excitedly clapped her hooves together. Grinning like that was a rare thing for her, so I chose not to fight it this time.

After looking over at Coffee Bean, I knew it was the better option because he just smiled wholeheartedly at her. Turning to me he had to state the obvious. "Told you she'd find you."

"Yeah, she's good at that." I said as I stood back up. Giving her a better look, I could see she was wearing her stable outfit under her lab coat and was sporting a pair of saddlebags over it all. "Mom, what's with the getup? Saddlebags?"

Her grin immediately died, and a somberness overtook it. "Come closer, both of you."

We did so, her horn gave a soft glow before all three of us were teleported to her living quarters. I hadn't been here in a long time, it was kept very tidy, even the bed was made, but it also felt somewhat empty with a few boxes under her bed.

"What's going on?" Coffee Bean asked.

Silver Torrent sat as her horn gave a glow again, one of the boxes moved forward. "I've been requested for a mission by our Overmare. They need a medical professional just in case things don't go as planned. I'm not supposed to tell anyone about this, but I've never been one to just follow the rules." she paused and began digging through the box. Things were caught in her magical grasp as she tossed them aside.

With a little whinny, she held up a book between her hooves and held it out to me. "It's your father's journal. He kept a lot of notes in all aspects of his life and studies. I've read it many times."

Taking the book, I opened it to the front page. In its center was his name and a quote I read out loud. "By the grace of Celestia, Luna guides the lost." I couldn't understand it and just chose not to dwell on it either. Flipping pages, I could see a steady improvement in legibility of his writing.

"Sweetheart, look in the back cover." My mother instructed with a sort of urgency I hadn't expected.

I gave a nod and flipped the pages forward. In the back taped to the binding was a larger photograph of Silver Torrent sitting close beside a zebra. Both their black tails entwined in between them.

I slammed the book shut and dropped it. My heart was slamming in my chest and the room spun around me. Anything that was said sounded distant and echoey. Feeling myself fall to one side I was quickly caught by a pair of light green hooves.

My senses returned a moment later as it sank in. Several emotions swirled around within me… I felt angry and betrayed, confused and uncertain about everything all of a sudden. "Is that true? Was that him? Am I really part Zebra!? What am I then?!" I hadn't realized it, but Silver Torrent had gone from sitting to lying on her belly with her hooves over her eyes.

Too loud. I thought.

Tears were now bubbling up and my anger poured like a faucet. Great, now I'm crying. Is she crying too?

No one spoke for a moment. I could feel my rage subside a little as I watched my mother wipe away tears as she sat back up and looked off at a corner of the floor.

I need answers! "Now!" I shouted without another thought. Her eyes snapped to mine and her body went rigid.

She started, paused and stammered then Coffee Bean stepped between us with a heavy pair of hoof stomps. He stared at me hard and it destroyed my anger. "Stop it." He said in a calm indoor voice. "You have to be willing to listen. I can see this hurts you and you probably feel betrayed, but anger isn't helpful."

Silence was all I could give, but it seemed to be the answer he wanted. Coffee took two steps back and sat down watching my moms' reaction. I followed his gaze back to Silver Torrent.

She gave a sigh. "It was a young love. We both worked in the medicine field, so we had a lot of run ins throughout the years. We eventually started sneaking between floors to see one another, mostly just to play games and talk…"

She briefly paused in thought. When neither of us spoke, she continued "We fell in love, and it's my fault for it. He was just too good for me. However, it was then and still is taboo for any interactions, much less what we'd had. Then you came along, just as tensions were rising between floors."

I couldn't speak. I wanted to hug her, but something held me back. I didn't want to listen anymore. I didn't want to know anymore. She continued, "Ever since you were born, I've never told anyone here who fathered you."

I looked down at the fallen journal. A thing I had only just been excited to hold. Picking it up again, I looked at the photo again. Looking closer at Silver Torrent, she appeared much younger, probably close to my age now.

She looked happy. "I look exactly like you here," I finally said, trying to find some sense of understanding. The zebra next to her was handsome here, but it was just so jarring to me in this context.

"I loved him, and I miss him every day," Silver Torrent said, having closed the gap between us. "I'm sorry, Glimmer Stone."

Coffee Bean had to butt in, "So you're saying she's a hybrid? What would happen to her if other ponies knew?"

Silver Torrent gave a nod. "Yes, she is, and they would have her killed for it. However, because of this mission, there's a chance I won't come back. The Overmare's sending a team through the teleporter to the M.A.S tower above. Chances are that my daughter will be discovered within a month or two after I'm gone."

"The Ministry of Arcane Science?" Coffee Bean asked. "I don't see how dangerous that place would be. Besides structural issues, I can't imagine this being a no return trip."

"I can't go into details, but it would seem that is probably not the case. The Overmare has some limited access to the tower, and we don't know what will happen or how long it will take." She gave a small sigh. "The Overmare will explain more later at the event, I'd imagine."

Reality just overhauled my life, "How would anyone find out about me?"

"Look, it doesn't matter. You will have to leave here within a week. I want you to log my pipbuck tag." She held up her forehoof and magicked to the menu.

I gave a nod, raised my roof and found the menu. Within a few moments our pipbucks were matched and her name and tag number appeared on my screen. "Why should I leave anyway, it's not like anyone will find out what I am."

"They will find out. The Overmare and Security Chief don't expect us to come back from this mission and beyond that, they've been investigating me since your birth." She paused and pulled me into a hug, speaking more quietly. "You are what they don't want here and when they finally put the last pieces together, you'll have no time to react. Get ahead of it, use that master maintenance keycard of yours and follow my instruction."

Coffee Bean spoke up, "I'll do whatever I can to help. I've always wondered what it'd be like up there. I always wondered what the sky looked like."

I paused and gave Coffee Bean a questionable look, "you sure?"

Giving me a slow steady nod he answered again, "Yep! I want to help you however I can. This is important and when my dad told me he was leaving the stable, I knew something was up."

My mom suddenly jumped to her hooves. "We've got to go. I'm late."

I scooped up the journal in my magic and put it in a pocket while she shoved the box of stuff back in place. We grouped together and she teleported us all back to the atrium.

"Just know that I love you with all my heart." She gave me a kiss on the forehead. "Please keep each other safe."

She disappeared in a flash of magic. I turned to Coffee Bean and gave him a small nod. My body was feeling numb, and my head began to ache. The crowd around us did not pay us any mind though, the music still captivated its audience. Coffee Bean guided the way toward the wall, and we started toward the stage.

We found a spot where we could see the ponies who sang just as they ended their song on a high note. After a few bows they moved off stage and the Overmare took center stage.

Seeing the small orange pony on stage, her curly mane and tail bounced as she trotted. Using her magic, she lowered the microphone to her height. Silence filled the room as she cleared her throat. "Hello everyone! This year is a very special year as it is our one hundred and fiftieth anniversary!"

A roar of cheers rose up from the crowd and after it died back down, she continued. "Now, I have been in a tedious process of managing our resources and it has come to my attention that the M.A.S tower above us has resources we are in need of procuring. Beyond that, the tower provides our stable with a few essential utilities. Those machines are beginning to fail and are in need of repairs. So, I have put together a team that will be the first ponies to leave this Stable in order to gather necessities and make the required repairs."

As she concluded, a group of six ponies stepped up onto the stage. I watched them line up on either side of our Overmare. “These ponies have been selected for their talents in their respective fields." She paused and motioned them to her right. "Emerald Carrot and Rust Bracket." I watched them both give bows and stand tall with pride.

"Vivid Glare and Espresso Cream, two magnificent security ponies that have never let me down." They both moved forward and bowed before stepping back in place beaming with excitement in their security barding.

“From Medical and Electrical Maintenance, we have Silver Torrent and Flash Sprocket, both of which have always exceeded expectations. All six of these ponies have agreed to take on this momentous task for the sake of our Stable. May Luna guide your hoofsteps and keep you all safe in the unknowns ahead." With that murmurs rippled throughout the crowd, but cheers began to rise from the gathering.

I turned to look at Coffee Bean. "Isn't Espresso Cream your dad?"

"Yes, he is…" He answered solemnly. "He and I have already talked about this event, and he shares the same sentiment your mom does."

"I see." Giving him a sudden hug made his entire body turn to jelly as he shakily wrapped his hooves around me in reciprocation. "When do we leave?"

Regaining his composure, "How about three days from now?"

"That'll work, I have a task or two to address. Be sure to be ready." I sighed and we broke our embrace. This all just hurts too much… and now the Stable itself is my enemy.

We watched the mission team depart the stage following the Overmare then took our own leave.

Footnotes:
Perk Unlocked: Zony Insight
You're part Zebra! Who would’ve known?
+2 Agility and +1 Intellect