It was a couple of days after the events of the rescue and the fashion show. Kalfu had decided to stay in the city a bit longer with Scootaloo to spend some much needed bonding time with her and check out the sights and everything that the city had to offer him. It wasn’t until he remembered that little cafe that he had spotted the first day he came here that had his symbol on a wooden sign hanging above its doorway that he made his way there early in the evening, remembering that it opened up after dark.

With Scootaloo holding onto his arm, they both walked down the sidewalk before Kalfu came up to the door of the cafe and opened it. Right away, Kalfu heard the belt above them ring out as the door opened. And a dimly lit atmosphere with the smell of coffee, tea, and pastries hit their noses. Kalfu looked around at the low green lights that adorned the walls of the establishment. From what he could see, it was quite a comfy little place to spend one’s evening. There was even a fireplace with a lounging area in the back of the cafe with a small selection of books and other reading material.

Kalfu felt a rather warm and fuzzy feeling run up and down his spine as all this combined with the smooth and soft jazz music played over what equaled a speaker system. Whoever owned this place knew what they were doing. This was an ideal place for night dwellers to come and just unwind before heading back home or into a late night shift. They even had a separate bar over on the other side of the cafe. This place had a little bit of everything it seemed. As Kalfu and Scootaloo continued to walk through the place, that fuzzy feeling still resided in Kalfu’s spine as his footsteps sound on carpet covered wood. There was just something about this place that made him feel at ease and safe. Like a place he used to visit back when he was a child.

“Mmmmh…reminds me of Big Rob’s bar from back home. A place where I ran away to when my folks were fighting. He’d always let me come in whether it was before or during open time. Would give me all the free soda refills I wanted…” he said to no one in particular. Scootaloo looked up at Kalfu and could see his green eyes becoming misty with memories. She lovingly squeezed his hand before hugging close to him as she heard him speak about his parents fighting, which was one of the few things that she remembered her own parents doing before they left her. So she knew what he was feeling.

“Aaah, welcome to you both, sir and little missy. Please, come and have a seat wherever you like.” said a tall and grizzly looking stallion in his deep and gruff voice. His mane was shoulder length and slicked back with a large bushy beard that was neatly combed straight. His mane and tail were a deep crimson and his fur a dark green with bright yellow eyes that looked like they had seen quite a lot. Kalfu stared hard at the stallion for a moment, examining his soul. While it was indeed worn, it still had a rather brilliant shine to it. Kalfu smiled, sensing that while this stallion had been through a lot, he still had a good heart and mind.

Scootaloo pulled Kalfu toward the lounge area, as the couches next to the fireplace looked like they’d be quite comfortable to relax on for a while. She plopped on the couch and snuggled up with one of the pillows before Kalfu came and sat next to her, the filly leaning in close and resting against him before he turned his attention to the stallion “A very cozy place you got here, my friend. I take it that you are running this place to keep you busy while in retirement?”Kalfu asked with a knowing smile. The stallion’s brow lifted a bit before nodding “Indeed. I am here helping my daughter run this place. We decided to pok our savings and run this little place together, It has been a little rough, but, we are making enough profit to live comfortably.”.

Kalfu smiled and placed a hand on Scootaloo’s shoulder while gazing down at her adoringly “Isn’t it amazing what the love between a father and daughter can bring?” he asked before returning his gaze back to the stallion “Well, I do hope that this place continues to bring you fortune. Though, I do have to ask…the symbol on the sign outside. You wouldn’t perhaps follow the Voodoo king would you?”. That question seemed to have made the stallion tense up a bit, which made Kalfu put a hand up in reassurance “I am simply asking is all! No ill will if yes or no.” he said in an effort to ease the tension.

The stallion sighed in relief before nodding “Indeed. Both my daughter and I have taken up following the Voodoo King’s teachings. It has bettered our lives all around and helped us become a happier family.” he said with a nod “And your daughter? Following it was of her own desire, yes? As I am sure you know, the voodoo religion is encouraged to be pursued by one’s own desire. Not to be forced upon someone…”. The stallion chuckled before making his way behind the bar and picked up a glass before starting to clean it “Funny thing is, she is the one who picked it up first. She found this huge tome of sorts on one of her trips a while back. Brought it home and read through it all. Next thing I know, she is telling me about this being called the Voodoo King. And now, here I am, a total believer myself.”.

Kalfu nodded in approval to those words. He was more than pleased with the fact that the voodoo religion had brought a family closer together in a positive light. He then noticed a light snoring coming from Scootaloo as he then started to lightly comb through her mane as she slept comfortably on her father. He then took this time to ask about the stallion’s condition of his soul. “You know, I have a gift for reading others. And from what I can tell from you, you weren’t always a doting father. I sense….a rough past. Perhaps former military? Or maybe….something less honorable? Not that I am judging of course.”. The stallion stopped cleaning his glass before jerking his head over to tell Kalfu to come closer. He nodded before carefully placing Scootaloo fully on the couch without waking her, then gently placing his cloak over her slumbering form before the filly curled up happily in it.

Kalfu nodded before making his way over to the bar area and taking a seat in front of the stallion who had poured him a cup of hard apple cider. Kalfu blinked a few times before sipping the drink as the stallion leans in “Aye…the latter would be correct. Before I started a family, I was part of a rather ruthless criminal gang that did what it pleased and took what it wanted. Now granted, I never ordered anyone of my boys to kill anyone. But, unfortunately, they did things behind my back that I wasn’t made aware of until it was too late. Now, I am not using that as an excuse to justify what they did. But, regret makes you wish that you could just go back and undo everything that was done. Those ponies didn’t deserve their deaths. And so, I plan on spending the rest of my life doing what I can to help my daughter and wife live the best lives I can give them.”.

Kalfu nodded as he listened intently to the stallion “As I said before, it is amazing how a family can change the way someone lives their life. Your soul tells a story of someone who has done many wrong things. But…” he said as he looked into the glass before back at him again “...you are doing your best to make up for those sins with the remainder of your life. The Voodoo King would be very proud of your commitment to better yourself. I can promise you that. Keep up the good work and he will surely promise you a spot in paradise. Just don’t ever give up on doing your best. You have many ponies that need you I am sure. Both in and out of this cafe.”.

The stallion blinked a few times before tilting his head rather suspiciously at Kalfu “Just…who in the world are you, sir? You speak of souls and the Voodoo king as if you know the being himself…” He was about to ask what he felt was a stupid question, but Kalfu spoke up “Well, I suppose that I do know the guy personally in a way. But, don’t all his followers know him from his words?” He asked with a smile. The stallion was about to protest that answer, but he was right. Not to mention it may have been best not to pry. This was a client after all. It was just amazing how this creature that sat in front of him could read so much so easily from him.

Kalfu lifted his glass to the bartender before smiling warmly at him “To you and your family, friend. And to do what you do to make up for the past.” he said before taking a long drink of the cider before placing the glass back down. The stallion smiled warmly to Kalfu before bowing his head slightly in gratitude. “You know, my little girl is back in the kitchen. Would you like to meet her?” he asked making his way to the corner of the bar before heading to the back, waiting for Kalfu’s answer. He nodded a couple of times in response “I’d love to meet her, of course.” he said as he watched the stallion disappear into the back, returning a few minutes later with a rather beautiful mare with a slicked back blond mane that was just grown past her rear, her fur was a deep pink and her eyes were a mixture of yellow and emerald. She looked to be about in her mid twenties.

“And here she is, my most beloved treasure. Her name is Dusk Beam. Dusk, the fine gentlestallion is…….uuuh. What was your name again, sir?” he asked having just realized he never got Kalfu’s name. Kalfu chuckled and tipped his hat in greeting to both of them “The name’s Kalfu. A pleasure to meet the both of you.”. The young mare nodded politely before her eyes fell on Kalfu. Those beautiful orbs widened to the point of nearly popping out of her sockets. It was from that look alone that Kalfu knew that she knew who he was. He simply smiled and placed a finger to his lips as her father looked away for a moment before she simply nodded. “Ahem….ii is…very nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for coming to visit our humble little cafe,” she said as she was definitely a little flustered now.

“Thank you both for having me and my daughter. This is such a cozy little place. I think that when I come back to this city, I will definitely make a stop here and stay for a while. Say…” he said before reaching into his vest pocket and pulling out his tarot card deck.” Wanna see something cool?” he asked before shuffling his cards in the most flashy way possible, jiggling them and even letting them roll along his arms and shoulders “The cards, the cards will tell~.” The father daughter pair watched in quiet excitement so as to not wake the sleeping filly, quietly cheering Kalfu on before he flared the deck into a fan “The cards, the cards. Just take three~.” he said before he took the deck back when Dusk took three random cards. He nodded before holding his hand out to take the cards back and placing the first one on the bar top “Aaaah, I see, you lived the life of a model student and child. Of course, it seemed you had a bit of a rebellious streak growing up as well. But, that’s every child as they get older. So no need to feel embarrassed about such things. You grew up just fine, my dear.” he said as the card revealed a colorful picture of a mare running around outside on a sunny day with her friends, though a few dark clouds appeared here and there.

He places the second card down which reveals a picture of a father and daughter standing in front of a business with the father resting a hand on the daughter’s shoulder, smiles both on their muzzles as they look up at their future “And this, this is your present. A family duo looking forward to the small fortune that will help them live comfortably throughout their days.”.

He then looks at the last card which makes his heart absolutely drop and fills him with dread. His face doesn’t change, but in his mind, the outcome that is on this card makes him feel extremely uneasy “The familial death card…no…” he thought to himself before he looked over at the mare “Madam….this last card tells of a possible future. However, I am not sure you want to see its outcome. It is….rather grim. Do you still wish to see it…?” he asked as he held the card close to his chest. The mare clasped her hands nervously to her tummy but slowly nodded before looking at her father who also nodded. Kalfu nodded in response before slowly putting down the card on the bar top, revealing a family member kneeling and crying over another in a coffin.

“This….is the familial death card. It could be someone in your family, or even a loved one that you consider family. And judging by the position of the sun in this card, their death will come very, very soon. Do you know of anyone who might be sick or has had any health problems as of recently? Perhaps you can get them help and save their life somehow?” he asked before they shook their head. “We do not know of anyone who is currently in such a state. But… as you said, that is just one of many outcomes, yes?” she asked looking hopeful toward Klfu. The man nodded reassuringly before taking the cards and placing them back into the deck and then back into his vest pocket “Exactly. And no need to take it all so seriously anyway. It is just a simple parlor trick I know. It draws in the crowds, you know?”.

He then reached into his pocket and placed a few bits on the countertop before getting up “For the drink. I need to get my daughter back to the hotel. Poor girl had a rough night the other night and she has a bit of trouble sleeping lately.” he said as he could hear her shuffling and groaning in her sleep behind them. He gets up and gently cradles the gilly in his arms before heading toward the door, the mare following behind him to lead him out and open the door. He thanked her with a tip of his head before he started walking down the street before a hand gently grabbed his shoulder, the mare looking up at him with pleading eyes

“Please my lord…if…if it is my father’s time, please take him into paradise. I know you read his soul. And I know of his past. But he truly isn’t that kind of a stallion anymore and hasn’t been for years now. He…doesn’t deserve damnation…not anymore.” she said with a soft whimper. Kalfu turned to face the young mare with a somber smile “If it truly is your father who will be departing from this realm, I want you to know here and now, that the red from his ledger is fully cleared. So long as he continues on how he is going, you will all reunite together in paradise once you all rest in the water below. You have my word. Just keep doing what you are all doing, my dear.” he said before disappearing into the shadows, leaving behind a protection charm for her to keep.

She leaned down and picked up the charm gingerly before clasping it close to her chest “Thank you, my lord Voodoo King…” she whispered.

Author's Note

Sorry I haven't been writing a lot. Not much motivation these days and all the fun new video games coming out. Black Myth Wukong has been soooooo much fun. x3

May the darkness grant you peace.