Last Stop on the Mail Route

I'm laid across my couch, staring at the ceiling. The quiet whisper of a nightly wind is muffled past my window, the blanket I'd grabbed awkwardly half-covering me, half not.

Derpy said yes, once she stopped stammering and we got her out of the window. Sunday was in two days; we were gonna meet at her place, and head somewhere for Lunch; me, her, and Dinky. Didn't mind that at all. That was good. Had me smiling.

Scoots was fine; makes me wonder what those kids see on a regular basis living here. Likes to stick closer to me, now. I'm already expecting to have her knock on my door as much as Dinky does, once she's been cleared from the Clinic -- Grant, the male Griffon, wasn't so lucky and was staying there for a bit. RedHeart said he needed some minor, non-invasive surgery to his wings. Otherwise, he'd be alright. That was also good. Dina didn't have a place to stay, and had no Bits, so I let her stay at my place. She'd been helping me figure how much the gems I picked up were worth. Considering what she and her brother just went through, I let her take my bed. She was iffy about it first, but appreciative. I can hear her snoring from my room. I don't mind that. It sounded like chirping, almost. She probably hasn't gotten good sleep since her and her brother got grabbed. That's good too.

I rub my temples, the tiredness demanding I close my eyes. I can't yet, though. My brain is abuzz, my thoughts short and rapid-fire.

Was I fucking stupid?

I couldn't find a job. My solution? Go and hunt fucking slavers? Did I even look that hard, for actual work, before I decided that?

I groan, rubbing my eyes. It took until I had time to wind down and eat something from my fridge for it all to come crawling up.

I was still dicey on the... Sapient Dog meat thing. I tried to justify it. Didnt touch any myself, but... I didn't bring enough food to feed four people, and already had to eat light just to make sure Scoots had something to eat from what I'd brought. We had several days of travel, moving slow because of Grant. It clearly wasn't their first choice, but Dina made the call. And I rolled with it. It was weird, but... the smell of cooked flesh is the same here as home.

Dina kept looking at my teeth, especially when I said I didn't want any. Hard to hide them, with my cheek being split, but she spared me any questions. My assumption, she's wondering why I'm is hanging out with Ponies and turning down meat.

I already had to dig through the Dogs skulls to get the bullets. I didn't want to leave any physical trace. Yet, I had three witnesses. Did I even still need to do that? I think to the fifth Dog. I already knew it could speak. It tried to surrender. But it also had three living creatures in chains, clearly beating on one of them.

I suppose I shouldn't leave anything laying around for anybody. I don't think Dina was even really bothered by what I did, and Grant was way too out of it. Judging by the claws and sharp beaks, they were a lot more meat-orientated than the Ponies.

But if I didn't pull that dumb shit, who knows how much longer they'd have been in that pit. With Scoots being there, it might not have been much longer... Dash probably would have found them. Right?

But Grant was in really rough shape. He might not have made it. But does that justify some vigilante man-dog-hunter shit? Or am I trying to lean on that to excuse it?

And finally, the reason I couldn't fall asleep. I hold my hands over my face. My trigger-finger is twitching. My mind keeps floating back to that mine pit. It keeps replaying in my head.

What if I dreamed about it?

Luna walking in on me dreaming of my old memories, that's one thing. They know my home is more violent than here. But what if I dream about the shit I pulled here? Knowing that I'm romping around with an earth-weapon, killing things because I don't want to accept any more charity. I'm not sure I'm ready for that conversation between her and Tia.

But I saved three 'people' because of it.

I didn't save shit. I took five lives, and exposed my shit plan to three, because I wanted money.

I think what bothered me the most is it was my own choice. It's not like I haven't killed before, but this time, there weren't any orders. There was no excuse. I alone ate the full blame. Five lives.

That meant I had fifteen rounds left. No-- I don't care about how many rounds--

A long groan escapes me as I tilt my head back, digging my palms into my eyes, stewing in the maelstrom of my torn feelings. As I remove them, I find Dina standing a few feet from the couch, looking at me with worried eyes. One of my blankets is still draped over her, dragging behind her.

"...Are you alright?" She asks softly. Compared to the Ponies, Griffons had this noticeable chirp to their voices.

"Yeah. Just, uh... trouble sleeping. I didn't wake you up, did I?" I ask, shifting on the couch to sit up properly. Her eye floats to my leg, face showing some confused concern as her gaze trails to my prosthetic sitting on the table.

"...It surprised me." She says softly, sitting on the floor.
"When you first arrived, I had not heard of a weapon like that before, or seen a creature like you before. It sounded terrifying. It made more sense when you explained you were not from here. I was worried you were some... predatory mountain beast, until the little one ran to you."

She looks up to my face, tilting her head slightly.
"Why are you here?"

The question confuses me. I lean against the side of my couch, resting my head on my arms.
"...Don't know. Woke up here, and got settled in by the Ponies." I mumble.

"Hm. No, I meant here. In a rural town of Ponies. The Cities, like Manehatten and Vanhoover are far more accepting of different species. Why Ponyville?" She continues.

"...I like nature, I guess. Not much of a city guy. Also just kind of... where I ended up, and chose to stick it out. Got a few reasons to stay." I mumble again.

Her head tilts the other way.
"And you are happy here? You seem very... bothered. I do not see your weapon, anywhere, either." She glances around. I'd finally made a spot under the floorboards for it, under the table, where it sat with the rest of my ammunition, both spent and fresh.

"Yeah, somewhat. The Ponies..." I trail off.

"Don't like that kind of thing. I understand. It's why Griffons have a hard time settling in Equestria, especially outside of the cities." Dina informs, leaning her head to meet my gaze. "Prosthetics are not entirely uncommon in Griffonia, you know. As are battle scars."

"I do not know your situation. I do not know about where you came from, or what you've been through. But what I do know, is that my Brother, myself -- and that little orange one are alive because of you. No matter what any of them say --thank you." Dina says, before standing on her hind legs--and I find myself pulled into a hug. She'd used my shower, giving her feathers a surprising softness as her claws wrap around me, resting her head on top of mine. I could faintly smell my own soap on her.

She lets go after a few moments, claws clacking on my wooden floor as she returns to my room to sleep, wishing me goodnight. I sprawl on my back, staring at the ceiling. My breathing steadies, and my mind is more at rest, at least partially reassured. I suppose that gave me the courage to face the consequences of what I chose to do, whenever they come. Or I could run away to Griffonia. Wonder if Derpy was down to move.

Shit, man, Griffons were soft.

Looking through my wardrobe, my eyes fall on the suit Rarity made for me. Might be a bit much. Save it for when you take her up to Canterlot, or something.

Bold assumption of me that I'd get that far. But, fuck it, I'll let myself hold that confidence.

Last night held no dreams. I wasn't sure if that was a relief, or just adding to the feeling of delaying the inevitable. Jury was still out.

"What kind of clothes does your mom like?" I shout from my room. I hear the rapid trotting of little hooves scurrying from my living room, as Dinky slides into view, stood in my bedroom doorway.

News that I was back circled around pretty quickly, thanks to everything I had in tow. This morning, Dina went to visit Grant at the Clinic; when she got back, she found my house filled with a variety of small, multi-colored Fillies. She looked confused, but I just shrugged about it. Something about one of their recent plans for a cutie-mark put their treehouse out of commission for a bit. I was starting to think I aimed too small and too cozy for a house; didn't expect this much company.

Scoots cheeky behavior was apparently enforced by the lack of a strict parental structure, so she got off from the whole deal with just a scolding by Redheart. Apple Bloom and Bell came over, wanting to hear what happened straight from Scoot. Dinky showed up, too -- my little insider more then happy to help me figure out how not to mess up this date.

Dina sat on the couch, chiming in now and then to Scoots story, and guiding it away from the messier parts. The Fillies were fascinated with a chance for a close-up look at a Griffon. I appreciated that.

Dinky stares up at me, lips pursing in thought as she taps her chin with a hoof.
"Well, Mom said she was going to try and dig out that old dress of hers. She hasn't worn anything that wasn't her Uniform in years! But, uh... she likes... I dunno. She likes a morning muffin? She doesn't talk too much about that kind of stuff." Dinky shrugs. "Sorry."

"Hey, that's all I need to hear. Thanks Dinkster." I nod, and Dinky smiles, before prancing off to the living room again.

Shit, a dress?

I flip back to the suit. Remove the coat... its a dress shirt and trouser combo. Roll the sleeves, boom. Classy casual.

My musings of whether or not Mares might like forearms are interrupted as Dina comes into view, heading into my kitchen. She glances over, raising an eyebrow.
"One of your reasons for staying?" She asks. With food and a proper night's sleep, she's gotten more playful.

"Yeah. Going to lunch with Dink and her mom." I affirm, holding up the dress shirt. Rarity did good work. Like, really good work. This shit was soft to the touch.

"...Are none of them yours?" Dina asks, nodding to the living room currently filled with chattering fillies.

"Nope, I'm just crushing on Dinksters mom. And where one goes, the rest go. That, and they like to bug me for little wooden figures. I whittle." I explain, looking over the trousers. She even included a belt. Slick.

"Ah. I saw some of those. The orange one has several of the same, and you've a few different ones on the windowsill. An odd talent." She continues, starting to mix herself a coffee. "Want one?"

"Absolutely. Yeah, uh... keeps me busy." I nod, setting the clothes to hang again.

Apple Bloom and Bell come sliding into view, stomping to a stop.
"You carried a Griffon th' WHOLE WAY?!" Apple Bloom exclaims.

"He dragged him, it's different." Bell retorts, glancing up to me.

"...No, totally carried him. Big strong muscles and all that." I snort. Dina rolls her eyes.

Apple Blooms eyes widen, and she runs in place, sliding on the floor before taking off back into the living room. "Y' think he could take on m' brother Mac?!" She shouts, Bell glancing between me and Dina. I give her a wink. Bell shakes her head, trotting after Bloom.

Dina looks to me, a soft expression on her face.
"If this is how you spend most of your days, I can see why you like it here. Before you 'woke up here'... were you a family ...Colt, is the word?"

I lean on the doorframe to my room, crossing my arms. I watch the little squad of fillies play; for a moment, I've reminded of home, watching my sisters bicker and argue.

There's a knock at the door. Trudging past the squabbling fillies, I open it.

Twilight, AppleJack and Dash are stood on my porch, holding weary expressions. They're taken slightly aback by just how packed my house is at the moment, AppleJack squinting at Apple Bloom like she just caught her sister doing something she wasn't supposed to, Apple Bloom frozen with an 'Oops' expression.

Twilight clears her throat.
"Can we, uh... talk, Anon?"

I step aside, motioning for them to enter. I need a bigger house.