The wind blew over a small town in a remote corner of equestria. Few ponies lived here. Only the desperate, the outcasts, and those with nowhere else to go called this place home. Just as well, because it was a wretched hive of scum and villainy. Also, drunkeness.
The town was named Flake Town, and it's where our story begins.
The fragile peace in the inn in the centre of town was disturbed when the door opened with a creak. In cantered a powerful red earth pony stallion, flanked on both sides by a group of ponies identifiable as pirates by their garb. As the newcomer moved towards the bar, his compatriots spread throughout the tables, singing merrily.
What do we do with a drunken pony
What do we do with a drunken pony
What do we do with a drunken pony
Early in the mornin'...
A yellow pegasus pony manned the bar. She glared at the intruder. "Yer the wun s'posed ta collect it, then? Oi ain't have ken o' no social gatherin'." she said, her eyes narrowing as she glanced around the room.
The inn was a shoddy wooden construction, barely a protection against the weather. But it was a building, of a sort. Inside, a dozen old tables were spread randomly across the floor.
The red pony towered over her. His hooves dug into the wooden floor, dust clouds whirling around his legs. "Da, I am Hard Place. You have map?" It was more of an order than a question.
A trickle of sweat ran down the pegasus' forehead. "O' course oi 'ave tha map!" she spat. "Ye can 'ave it fer 15 bits jus' like wot was agreed on." she gestured to her pocket. "Tha pocket needs feedin', dunnit!"
Bits and map exchanged hooves as the two eyed each other suspiciously. For what seemed like hours, none of them spoke a word. Then, Hard Place said "The colts stay here for while. They drink for free, understand?" Again, it was more of an order than a question.
The yellow pegasus gulped. Hard Place was not somepony you just said no to. "Alroight, oi ge' it." she sputtered. "Curse ye! Oi'm just tryin' ta run me business!"
Hard Place simply ignored her. He turned around, cantering through the inn and out the door. With his mission accomplished, the red stallion returned to his station.
