Last Stop on the Mail Route

Its friday night, after working a shorter shift with Rarity. Well, before she shoo'd me away to "Enjoy my Weekend", followed by a hefty wink.

Tapping my chin, I'm going over the items I want to bring, backpack pulled open and sat on my bed. It's a little after dinner; the remains of mine now sat in the kitchen sink. I should probably do those before I leave.

I don't really have much, but it'll be for about two days. So, two days worth of clothing, thrown into my backpack. Reasonable amount of Bits; I've got a decent handle on the idea of Canterlot prices, so this'll probably dent my savings a little.

For a moment, I mull over how much I should bring. I don't mull very long. I've got a stable job, Rarity is entirely cool with me going to Canterlot for the Weekend; though she made sure I promised I'd relay anyone curious about my clothes to her Boutique, which is fair.

And, it's for Derpy. I nod to myself, packing a good amount of Bits. Clothes, Bits...

My gaze slowly trails to my bedroom doorway, looking out towards the living room. No, I don't need any of that.

... I still pack my worn combat knife, tucked deep underneath some of the clothes, with my nice, no-longer-stained fancy clothes laid overtop. Not that I'm expecting to tear Derpy and Dinky away from the Fair, nor am I actually expecting anything problematic; but I'd like to be prepared if... an opportune moment arises, in either case.

What else...

Packing wise, I'm... done? It's only two days, plus travel. Simple.

The shadows under my bed flicker ever so slightly. I've gotten pretty good at picking them out. Whoever they are, they're good; but I've started picking up on their preference for hiding spot. They like to go low, usually, I think in an attempt to counter how tall I am compared to a Pony. Must think I don't look down often -- problem with that is, I'm always glancing down at my leg. Can't feel if my foot isn't on tight enough and is backwards.

My bed creaks as I sit on the edge of it, giving my leg a rest. The plan was to meet in the early morning, catch the train, scrounge a hotel, and hit the fair. No real big reason to stew on it any longer; I should get some rest.

I'm on the cliff again, in the mountains.

Rifle against my shoulder, laying on my jacket, propped against some rocks. Scope pressed against my eye, watching the Dog-things. I never pull the trigger. I just... watch them. They gamble, talk, drink, nap.

Hours go by, watching them on my scope. At least, it feels like it.

They carry something up from the inside of the mining pit. It's small, lavender and limp.

They discard the little lavender body, tossing it some feet away, before trudging back into the mine. It lays still.

There's no sound, as I drop each one. It doesn't even feel like the gun has recoil. It doesn't even feel like I'm racking it. I just fire. Fire. Fire. Until the Mountains are quiet, and stained in red.

There's a nudge on my shoulder -- my eye finally lifts, a red mark against my skin from the pressure. I try to turn my head, but whoever it is won't let me. I just... can't. I feel something holding my neck.

"You just want the excuse, don't you?"

The pressure is lifted from my neck, but a deep-seeded dread takes its place. I turn, slowly, and look. I don't want to. But I do.

There's nothing there.

If Luna ever shows, I don't see her.

I wake up, sweating, fists clenching the sheets, heart pounding. It's early morning, the pink glow of sun peering through the windows.

That's not the first bad dream I've had, but it's the first one I've had recently. Ever since I started getting settled here, things were... good. Not great; that was when I got to know Derpy.

The shadows are quiet today, staying still. Predictable. Normal.

Bag slung over my shoulder, comfortable clothes on, both hands in in my jacket pockets, I'm trailing through Ponyville towards the Train Station. Quiet Saturday morning; Ponyville's a smaller, rural town, so Ponies were used to being up early. Weekends, though, most were sleeping in; mind the few that still worked early. There's a couple out and about, but most pay me little mind. Think they're getting used to me, seeing me interact with so many Ponies on the daily now, and not skulking around the woods and sticking to the edge of town.

Just caught a pretty hefty sneer from a passing stallion. Nevermind.

Left another note on my door that I'd be out. I stifle a yawn, covering my hand with a fist -- I got the hours I needed, but I don't feel rested. My firing hand won't stop trembling. I hold it in front of me for a moment, huff, and stuff it back into my pocket. Hasn't been that bad since--

"Anon!" I hear, distantly, distracting me.

I pause, turning and trying to put a face to the voice. It's pretty easy -- she's a big purple splotch running towards me, and sounds pretty stand-out.

"Hey, Twilight. You doing alr--"

She 'Gently' slides into me, wrapping her hooves around my midsection.

Alright, not what I was expecting. Like, I know we're good now, but still. Before I can even decide between returning the hug, patting her head, or any really, she's let me go, looking up at me. Her nose twitches, and she seems distracted for a second, before she clears her throat.

"I'm sorry." She says firmly, big round purple eyes glued to my face.

"...Okay? For what?" I ask, still confused.

"I had a good talk with Princess Celestia. She... opened my eyes, to a few things. That... the more capable someone is of cruelty, it's even more meaningful when they choose to do good." She explains, trying to summarize her mentors lesson.

"Right." I nod. At least she seemed to be getting a good grasp on things.

"...Are you heading somewhere? I'm not keeping you, am I?" Twilight asks, noticing my pack.

"Heading to Canterlot with Derpy and Dinky, hitting the Career Fair." I nod.

"Oh! They should have fun! It's only one of the biggest Fairs in Canterlot; every year, all funneled into two days! It's packed, exciting, Ponies from all over showing off their jobs, careers, opportunities, looking for new hires -- I thought Rarity hired you? Are you looking for a job?" Twilight buzzes, excited.

"Not for myself; I'm happy with Rarity's gig. It's interesting work. Derpy wants to take Dinky so she can see what she'd like to do in her future, that kind of a thing." I explain, offering a shrug. A job could pay twice, triple the bits -- I'm not skirting Rarity's generosity and chance on me.

"Perfect! I can't think of a better place to try and explore their options! Might even lead to her discovering something new she enjoys!" Twilight continues. I glance behind myself... yeah, I left early enough. I've got time.

"Yeah. They're both pretty excited about it." I affirm.

"Say... when did you and Derpy get so close? I'm glad you're making friends --"

"Oh, we're, uh... dating." I cough, glancing away. I wasn't ashamed of it or anything; just felt... odd to state aloud. I'm dating a small, grey horse with a literal bubblebutt. With a daughter.

Twilight's face scrunches. Her eyes widen in realization.

"OH! THAT'S WHY YOU SMELL LIKE -- And when I saw you, and Derpy was in the dress!? And why Dinky is always at your--" Twilight begins to ramble, everything becoming clear.

"Yep." I nod. I remember to avoid any places with Milkshakes while we're in Canterlot. Ah, fuck. I should've packed more clothes.

Twilight smiles, widely.
"I'm happy for you, Anon. For both of you. That's... that's really good."

"Thanks, Twi. I gotta go, though -- don't want to miss the train, I'm working off the Derpy-Brand schedule. Talk when I'm back?" I say, thumbing behind myself towards where the Trainstation's side of town is.

"Oh! Yeah, yeah! Go, GO!" She shoos me.

I chuckle, turning and start walking again.

"Don't be late! Run! Go!" I can hear her call.

I turn, waggling my leg at her. She goes quiet.

"Nevermind! Take your time! But quickly!" She calls out again.