The sound of boots and hooves echoed down the corridor as Zargan and Grape Vine walked down to one of the unoccupied rooms that were throughout the long stretch. However, it seems they weren’t alone anymore. Two rather large burly stallions were now following behind them. Zargan assumed that they were her lackeys or bodyguards, which he didn’t have an issue with. Besides, while she was a very beautiful mare, these high society rich types were far from his taste.

Once they had entered into the room, Zargan slammed the door and placed a barrier over the entrance that barred any entry from the bodyguards or anyone else. This shocked the mare before Zargan offered a smile “If we are conductin’ business lass, I can’t have ya strongarmin’ yer way to get what ya want. That simply just isn't fair.” he said before he removed his cloak and sat in one of the armchairs that were in front of the fire. Grape narrowed her eyes but smiled in return “My goodness. You were already thinking that far ahead? This just might be a good deal if you already saw through my most basic plan…” she said as she sat across from him, crossing her legs over one another as she was definitely showing off some soft thigh action.

Zargan leaned back in his chair and lightly tapped his fingers together, completely ignoring the tantalizing view that she was trying to distract him with before a small little drone appeared out of nowhere and started hovering around them both “Don’t mind this little guy, he is simply here to make sure that both of our stories here will match up…should ya decide to take this to the courts for…whatever reason.” he said as he reached from his belt and held up his flask “So, is it the flask yer interested in? Or is it the method of how it refills each time yer after?” he asked as he tossed to flask up and down a few times.

As the fire crackled next to them, she sat there silent for a moment before responding “I want both, actually. I could definitely use a few crates of those flasks for my most loyal of customers who enjoy their wine a little…too much. I could even charge them a monthly rate.” she said as she placed her now closed fan in her lap. “But, if they don’t keep paying that monthly rate, just how exactly are ya gonna keep collectin’, my dear? Drunkards aren’t exactly the most faithful when it comes to maintainin’ payments, ya know,” he said as he had to deal with those kinds of people back in his own world.

Grape Vine nodded in acknowledgment of his observation “But, you’d have a way of making sure that could be fixed, yes? I imagine a brilliant and creative mind like yours could find a way to make sure that they would not skip out on their monthly dues.” she said as she was really trying to butter him up at this point. Standard business practice. But Zargan knew that she was just sizing him up at the moment. “Are you the biggest and most successful vineyard and winery around these parts?” he simply asked as he ignored the compliment entirely. She blinked a few times before nodding in response. “Well, that’s good. So ya don’t gotta worry about competition…for now anyway. There could always be another winery out there growin’ somewhere. Never believe that yer truly the biggest fish, my dear.”

Of course, the mare already thought of something like that, but having him bring it up to her was something that she hadn’t expected of him. Clearly, this being had a lot more business sense than he appeared to have. She thought because of his short stature and messy appearance, he wasn’t exactly the smartest one in the world. But how wrong she was being proven indeed. “And before ya go and try to lay claim to my process and intellectual rights, just know that they have already been patented and trademarked for the next five hundred years. Not that anyone in this world can replicate what can only be crafted by dwarven hands. But if ya so much as attempt to do so, I could have that pony sued into oblivion should I be so inclined.” he said plainly.

And just like that, her next plan was shot down immediately. She would have gotten him to show his method, buy in a few products, and then reverse-engineered it if she could. But now that the process and intellectual rights legally belonged to him, and he would be the only one capable of creating such a method, she was definitely going to have to play fair because now, she had no choice but to do so. Normally, she was used to getting what she wanted. Either by force or by her feminine charm. But it seems that this short, stocky being had her in a rather difficult position. One where the odds were playing in his favor rather than hers, and she did not like that one single bit.

“Ya see, my dear. ‘Runic Magic’ was created by my kind and we have been its sole holder for thousands of years. And now that I have the perfect opportunity to make some coin from it in this world, ya can be damned sure I am gonna profit from it more than anyone else. Between that and my dwarven crafting skills, I believe I have a bright future ahead here…if I never return home that is.” he said before hopping off the chair and standing in front of the fireplace with his hands behind his back, the little drone still circling around them both as it continued to record.

“Now then...I assume that ya wish to perform a trial run before ya lock into an official deal, yes?” he asked as he gazed over his shoulder at her, his icy blue eyes glowing in the shadow of his sockets. “If so, I am willin’ to allow you to take full profits of the trial before official purchase and a formal contract is made. Is this acceptable?” he asked as he focused back on the fire. She sighed but nodded as she squeezed her closed fan as he had painted her into a corner. She was going to have to find a way she could get one over on him for sure.

“I accept these terms..but, how exactly are you going to make such an amazing product that I would willingly agree to this deal..?” she asked with genuine curiosity. Zargan grinned and made a large piece of grid parchment appear along with a pen in his hand before he began to draw on it. In short, it was a barrel with multiple spouts at the bottom, each spout labeled with a different kind of wine that could be transferred into the flask. The drinker would have the choice of their favorite wines of the month with the runes inside of the barrel and the flask to handle the transfers And the runes would be connected to the small pocket dimensions that could be pulled from by simply thinking about the kinds of wine that would be in their personal barrel.

Grape Vine watched him intently as his mind worked away. She was genuinely impressed at his creative process and the fact that she could make some serious money from this idea. The prospect makes her absolutely giddy. “Now then, I can allow the trial to run for a few months. Just to see how ya like the idea. Then we can conduct official business after that time should ya still wish to form an official partnership. Is this arrangement acceptable to you?” he asked as he held out one of his large hands toward her. The mare thought about it long and hard, she’d definitely have to try and find a way to make this work better in her favor, and a few months would definitely be enough time, or so she hoped. But she couldn’t let this deal be offered to any other winery. “These are acceptable terms,” she said as she shook his hand firmly.

Zargan nodded before the drone fell into his other open hand and he stored it away “Then I’d say tonight’s business has concluded then. Get me a list of your most valued customers and I shall begin construction of your trial barrels and flasks.” he said with a grin, knowing he had the mare hooked on the idea at this point. He then released the handshake and made his way back to the door, reaching down and picking up a small device he had dropped before the barrier suddenly vanished and placed it in his pocket. This whole time, she could have done that and things may have gone differently. She would be lying if she said she wasn’t a little upset at how he played her.

“Well, I enjoyed our little business chat, lass. But, If our business is concluded, for now, I am goin’ to rejoin the party. Ya take care and keep warm.” he casually said as he walked past the two burly stallions who looked between him and their mistress. They both come in quickly to make sure that no harm has befallen their employer before she huffs in annoyance “He is definitely going to help bring in profit. But not as much as I hoped to gain from him. He has all his bases covered and he knows that he has me by the tail…I hate this…” she said as she kicks over one of the stools that were in the room.

Zargan made his way back into the main room, a smile on his face showing that was rather pleased with himself and what he had accomplished this fine evening. He thought that he was just going to show up, stay for an hour or two, and just head back home. But he was very wrong. And what was the best part of all this? Making these so called ‘magic barrels and flasks’ wasn’t going to be a problem for him. He simply made it look more intricate than it really needed to be to impress her and get her on board. Looks like this evening wasn’t a total waste of his time after all.

Zargan made his way back to the window he was staring out at while sipping from his flask every now and then. It wasn’t until he heard the familiar sounds of metal clanking against the hard marble floor and the scent of sunshine that he knew exactly who was approaching him “Finished greetin’ the guests for now, princess?” he asked not even turning his gaze to her as his eyes remained glued to the party ponies down below in the garden. Apparently that is where the dancing festivities were happening this evening.

She came up next to him as she was curious to see what he was gazing down at. But she nodded in response to his question “Indeed. How are you enjoying the party so far, Zargab? Is it to your liking?” she asked as she looked over his facial expressions, not really able to get a read on him. Zargan shrugged and finally turned his gaze up to her “I am just gonna tell ya right now. This isn’t the kind of gatherin’ my kind is normally known for attendin’. We like our parties filled with booze and good food with a lot of dancin’ and brawlin’/ I understand ya gotta pander to these snobbish elite types and make sure they are happy. But, come on princess. The food here is unappealin’ and ya could certainly use more stronger beverages here. Sure am glad I brought my own.” he said as he held up his flask a bit.

Celestia gave a little huff as she folded her arms like a pouting child as he spoke to her in such a way. She had worked really hard in preparing this event and does so every single year! He definitely could have put it a much nicer way rather than just shoving his blunt opinion in her face. “W-Well, why did you come here if you didn’t like the idea in the first place? You could have just ignored the invitation and spent your evening all alone in your little hole in the ground..” she said before covering her muzzle in surprise at what she had just said came out of her muzzle.

Zargan shrugged and pulled from his flask once more “I suppose I showed up because it was the polite thin’ to do. I know ya sent this invitation thinkin’ it would sway my feelins’ about bnecoming one of yer subjects and becomin’ exclusive to yer kingdom. Listen here, lass. You can throw all the favors and niceties all ya want at my feet. But ya ain’t gonna change my mind. The only kingdom I pledge my loyalty to is the Kingdom Of The Underground. And that is in another world entirely. I’ll do what I can to help my new friends here. But, that is the extent of it. Don’t, get me wrong, I certainly appreciate what ya have done for me. And if ya need a favor done, I would be happy to. But gettin’ me to join ya ranks just ain’t happenin’.” he said before he reached into his bag of holding and pulled out a rather large chunk of grilled meat. It appeared to be some kind of large fowl leg of sorts, wonderfully seasoned and still hot.

“Now this…this is the kind of food ya need to be servin’. But, yer kind of not into eatin’ meat. Which I can understand.” he said as he took a huge chunk out of the meat with his teeth before making his way out the door “I am gonna go find myself a nice pub in town. You fancy rich folks have yer high society borin’ gettogether.” he said as he waved the cooked leg meat in place of his hand before exiting the room. On the way down the stairs, he walked past the guardsmare who had led him there the first place and gently tapped her thigh with his free hand “Ya take care, my dear. Be good to that axe, and she’ll be good to ya.”. She gave the dwarf a nod before bowing to him slightly in thanks and respect as he departed.

As he was about to take off with his jet boots, he felt a rather forceful hand slam on his shoulder before he casually turned his head to see a rather frustrated looking stallion dressed in the gaudiest and expensive looking attire ever. Even had the massive feather in the brim of his hat and what appeared to be a rapier in his free hand “I say, sir. The way that you spoke to my auntie and one of the princesses of our fair nation is rather rude and uncouth! I demand a duel with you in her honor and for you to prostrate yourself in front of her and apologize upon my victory!” he said as a crowd began to gather in the courtyard to see what all the fuss was about.

Zargan sighed in annoyance before pushing the hand off his shoulder “Ya only think ya want this, lad. But, I can tell by the condition of yer hands that ya haven’t had to fight a day in ya life. Run back to your auntie, boy.” he said as he began to walk away. “Hmph, what a coward…stooping to insults like a brute and running away like a scared little child,” he said as he let out one of those snobbish laughs that really ground against the dwarf’s nerves. He stopped dead in his tracks before slowly turning to face the unicorn stallion and giving him a deadpan stare “Alright, lad. Ya want yer face broken? I can accommodate ya.” he said before turning the face the stallion after walking away a bit further.

“Ah, so you do have a backbone after all! Not that it matters, I am going to be the victor of this duel. Now then, prepare to face me, runt!” he said as he charged forward after pulling out his toothpick of a sword. Zargan just sighed in annoyance and drew his trusty revolver before cranking up the power release to a rather painful amount. He then aimed the weapon at the stallion’s knee before firing one round. The magic bullet connected with a sickening and wet thud as it left a huge hole in the stallion’s kneecap, the unicorn’s face became riddled with pain as he cried out in agony before grabbing at his new wound, spurts of blood spewing into the cold cement tiles as he writhed and crawled along in pain.

“Look what you have done to my new outfit! I paid good money to have this custom made and you have soiled it with blood! I swear by Faust you will pay for thi-!” he said before his threat was cut off by an armored boot to his face, breaking his nose and knocking him out at the same time. He then wiped his bot clean of the blood on the stallion’s fancy shirt before taking to the air with his jet boots “He ain’t gonna die. But I do recommend gettin’ him patched up. Ya all have a wonderful night now.” he said before ascending further before heading off into the night sky, leaving behind a crowd of nobles and guards alike who did not expect that outcome for sure.

Author's Note

Aaand another one for you to all enjoy.

May the darkness grant you peace.