Frostpony: Of Hounds & Horses

A shot of guilt flowed through Rini as she approached Gale’s diner.

The pegasus had been hit hard during the storm, much worse then she had and only now was she paying him a visit. Looking back, it was sort of surreal to think he wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t gone out of her way to help him. An act that nearly cost both their lives.

At least she could look towards the building in front of her with a smile. A warm, rising joy fluttered in her chest knowing it was because of her he’d stick around. They could keep playing his games, enjoying his food and talking about costumes.

“It’s true I guess, you don’t know how much you love something till it's gone.”

The diner itself wasn’t a big place, little bigger than a take out joint with some nice decorations. Smooth mosaic tiles and framed paintings of fish, ships and port towns added to what was a simple seafood restaurant. But Gale had put a lot of effort into that image and ended up with a charming place punching above its weight.

All in all, it had a warm, welcoming atmosphere that was desperately needed in the town.

His apartment rested right above with an unsalted stairwell behind the building. A good deal of snow had built up and she had to hold onto the side rails to avoid slipping upon the ice. At least this time she didn’t have an unearthly cold wind blowing in her face.

“Times like this make me wish I was a unicorn, maybe use some magic to just melt this ice.”

When she did reach the door she held herself back from knocking, and was drawn instead to the numerous amounts of letters practically spilling out of his letter slit.

“Poor buck’s probably been bedridden this whole time. I would be to if I got nailed like that.”

She picked up one of the letters and brushed it off. Poking into Gale’s business wasn’t something he’d be happy about, but given all that’s going on?

“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I just…looked at a few, right? I won’t open them up, just seeing where they’re from.”

Rini expected to see the names of friends or family written upon the paper, only to find almost all of them had come from some institution in town. The electrical and heating companies, landlords, town hall, even the military.

She paused at that and looked over the black and purple envelope. Lacking a return address yet sealed with a wad of amethyst wax. The insignia depicted a gilded crown sitting atop a gleaming gemstone with a ribbon below.

It wasn’t her place to open it, Gale had to do that. Along with so many other letters quietly collecting snow and getting soggy. So with a sigh she leaned forward and knocked on the door.

The reply wasn’t immediate, in fact it took a minute but she could hear some-creature moving about from the otherside. He didn’t answer the door however, which led her to one conclusion.

“He’s using the door’s spyglass.” She then looked up at Gale's door light, seeing it hadn’t switched on. “And that’s on the fritz again.”

“Gale! It’s me, Rini! Is everything okay?” She shouted, hearing more shuffling about on the other side.

“Rini?! I-I mean, how do ah know you’re Rini?”

With a low growl and eye roll she replied. “Remember that time you asked me if restraining a wild dog was Athletics or Animal Handling?”

“Gah okay! Not too loud alright?”

A smile appeared as the Trottish stallion began undoing the many, many locks on his home. Before the door opened and flicked the lights.

The visage of a navy blue pegasus a few years younger than her appeared within the doorway. His eyes heavy with dark sets of rings and his mane frizzled with bedhead. One of his wings was held within a cast and adhesive bandages lined his abdomen.

“You’re a mess.” Rini spoke, both with a hint of humour mixed with genuine concern.

“Ya don’ know the half of it.”

Gale moved away to lay down on the living room couch as Rini put her scarf up while also shutting the door behind her. Being able to take in the sights of the place. Bookshelves adorned with different tabletop and roleplay gaming systems lined his walls, alongside more nautical paintings. A big mouth billy bass and lastly his costume racks.

They were tucked away within a dedicated sewing room he had, but the door was ajar and even from here she could see some of her favourites. A pirate with a big fancy hat, a highway pony’s overcoat and crimson red bandanna, and of course, a set of actual thin steel plates belonging to a noble knight. The blazing emblem of a phoenix marked on its shield.

“Soo…just checking on me?” He started, clasping a cup of water with his good wing.

“Well…yeah? Did you hear that radio broadcast last night?”

“Yep, this afternoon ah had all kinds of creatures knocking on my door. Ran out o’ painkillers and couldn’t sleep the night prior.

“Huh…” Rini turned to the bundles of letters and started gathering them up, moving to and placing them on the table. Most were half frozen or soggy, so with a sigh Gale got up and went over to a small safe sitting under an aquarium. She wasn’t privy to the assortment of goodies he kept in his personal stash, but Gale did have a short list of enchanted items tucked away.

Moments later he produced a small ring and popped it on the table.

“Do you mind? I don’t have digits.”

Rini nodded and took the ring. Sliding it down hers before gently guiding it across the crumpled pile. An orange glow sprang from it and tiny whips of flame flew across the table. The ice quickly melted and water audibly sizzled into steam, the letters quickly drying out as Gale helped spread them apart.

Afterwards, Rini took the ring off and gave it back, now with each one dry enough to open.

“Didn’t think a Ring of Warmth could do that. What other little toys have you got in there?”

“Eh, nothing special. I prefer ta keep em’ to meself.”

“Oh?” Rini perked up, “Oh! I see how it is.” Then gave him an evil, smug grin.

“Come on Rini, don't take the bottle.” He gestured towards the letters. “Let’s see what all this junk’s about.

“I’m sorry, but what in the actual buck?”

Gale stared wide eyed at several letters, each antagonising him more and more as Rini cut them open.

“I’d already paid me medical bill! Why are they making me pay twice?!”

Rini picked that one up and examined it, her face contorting as her eyes scrolled through. “Pillow lease? Discharge via main exit? Mandatory tip? What even are some of these?!”

“It's bonkers right? And then there’s this.” Gale grabbed the letter from the army and quickly read through it, shaking his head in disbelief. “Dear Gusty Gale, I regret ta inform you that Cherrywood may no longer be safe for vulnerable individuals such as yourself…External community centre?! Yeah right!”

“They’re seriously suggesting you move out?”

“Move out? Rini, they’re trying ta open a Diamidian restaurant on the other side of the street! They’re trying to put me out to pasture and take me business.”

There was a moment of quiet as she looked at him in horror, before turning to the front window and pulling the curtain back. True to his word, the storefront directly opposite Gale was being renovated into a barbecue restaurant. The store sign was already partially raised above the door.

“Where the heck are they going to get all the meat for that?”

“What am I gonna do Rini? They threw my utility bills at me already! I shouldn’t have had to pay that for another three weeks! And with this wing, ain’t no way I can cook to get the money together.”

“I-I don’t know, but there’s got to be a way. I didn’t nearly get turned into a popsicle saving your flank just for you to get carted off.” Rini stated, closing the curtain and turning to him. “Working the scrapyard would be too intensive for your wing, and I don’t want you getting anywhere near those soldiers.”

Gale trotted around the table, walking in circles rubbing his head.

“Maybe…maybe ah could try giving some of me older costumes to your mom. Have her sell em’ and share the money? Or help her tailor new stuff? I’d imagine coats would be in high demand right now.”

“Yeah, yeah that might work. Mom’s not big on money anyway so I can’t imagine her taking much, if anything.”

Rini turned to look at his costume room and sighed, unable to stop a quiet whine escaping her throat. “I’m gonna miss those, I loved it when you played dress up.”

Gale moved up beside her and rested a hoof on her shoulder, putting on a reassuring smile. “Hey I know, but it's not the end of the world. Ah can always make more anyway.”

She softly nodded as she opened up her coat, pulling out the bit bag and painkiller bottle from earlier and resting it on the table. “These should keep you going for a bit, just…read the labels. I found that in an old ambulance delivery truck…thing.”

“Ha! The Diamidian health service, cutting corners since whenever ago.” He jested, though he did take a careful look at the bottle.

A smile was brought to Rini’s face at that and she leaned down for a hug, Gale accepted but the two were cautious of his wing.

“Thanks Rini, you’re a lifesaver…literally.”