Daring Do and the Mystic Fortune

________________2________________

With Friends Like These

It was a long walk from the pub until Alex and Daring reached her home in a private area of Baltimare. The wet stone path glistened beneath the lamp posts filled with its daily batch of torch bugs. Sweet aroma from inside the glass attracted the creatures like a cat with an empty stomach. Daring was fascinated with those little things that happen around her. It kept her from thinking about the conversation that occurred an hour ago.

She still felt surprised to accept the offer from Blazing Bright, after promising herself to settle down. It was something she kept to herself since she moved back into her own hometown. Her new life of teaching was enjoyable, but the sense of adventure never left. A couple of years have passed since she last saw Alex and that was out of a feeling of guilt. She felt an emptiness in the recent months before tonight.

Alex felt uneasy around the awkward silence between them since they entered the property.

“Daring, are you alright?” He stopped short of the front steps. “You’ve been quiet since we passed the gate. Is there something wrong?”

Daring broke her train of thought after hearing Alex. She stopped in her tracks.

“Oh, sorry Alex. I was just thinking to myself. There isn’t anything to worry about.” Daring smiled and proceeded to opening the front door with her key. The two of them walked in.

They entered a small room with bookshelves lined up against the walls, containing many reference materials. A few chairs, a couch, a fireplace, and a small table gave the room an aura of comfort. Daring opened the fireplace and started a small fire. Daring turned to lay down and she relaxed in the couch across from the fireplace.

“The house still looks the same, very welcoming. So, Daring, how does it feel to be a high school teacher in your own town? I hear it can be a fulfilling job.” Alex yawned. He was near the shelves viewing the books. Daring watched him glancing through the titles.

“Teaching is actually an interesting job. It can get a little dull at times, but it’s different for somepony like me.” Daring rolled over and stretched her front legs. “But I do tend to think about the past sometimes. I kind of wanted to go out there once again. It's a little silly thing to ponder, and I never expected it to happen.”

Alex turned around and moved to one of the chairs. “Today was actually a sort of planned meeting for me honestly, it just took a while to find you. Your father was a hell of a stallion to deal with.”

“You met my father? When?” Daring was surprised to hear him mention her father. Her father didn’t mention meeting him when he was at the house.

“I sort of met him yesterday. He didn’t say a whole lot, it wasn’t much of a conversation. He and I talked about things and caught up a little. He seemed a little concerned about you. Always distant and uneasy around a few ponies since you came back from our trip.”

“Well. I was feeling nervous around ponies ever since I came back. I had a few thoughts about a few things. It was sort of, Personal, Alex. What was my dad concernced about? What did he say about me being distant?” Daring moved from the couch and approached Alex. He was enjoying the warmth from the fire in his chair. Daring stood before him.

“He was a little concerned. Told me about you avoiding most of your friends here. He did say you looked a little happy about teaching at the school. But most of the other time, you stayed around the house looking as though you haven’t slept for a week straight.” Alex stared at the fireplace pondering over his words. “Mind if I ask, what’s been bothering you? You weren’t like this a couple of years ago, and that’s when you moved back over here without bringing it up to anypony. That was also after the time when we were in the griffon kingdom. Is it because of that one time?”

Daring hoped he wouldn’t bring up the memory of that day. She wondered about it since she moved back, but put it off because of the guilt that it left her. She wondered about how things could have turned different.

“I really don’t want to talk about it Alex. I think it’s best to talk about it another time, we have plans starting tomorrow morning. Are you expected to return to Blaze tonight?” She wanted Alex to stop talking, one way or another.

Alex stood up out of his chair and hugged her. He knew what was bothering her, but he didn’t want to be too intrusive on the details. Daring wanted to talk, but the guilt prevented her from having the discussion with her friend. It would have to wait another time. He moved from Daring and talked to her.

“I know it’s something that’s hard to deal with, but sometimes it’s best to talk about it with another pony you can trust, like your father. But it’s not good to keep the guilt with you forever. It’ll only get worse if you don’t fix your personal issue somehow. I feel guilt about that day as well, but I figured out that hating yourself isn’t the best way to go about dealing with problems. It’ll be fine to talk about it later on, if you want. But it’s good to have friends to talk to.”

“It’s a little hard to talk about things, Alex. Especially right now, I think it’s best to talk about it down the road. Maybe during the trip.” Daring sat down in the chair and thought to herself.

“Alright then. We’ll save it for another time. For now, It’s getting late and I think Blaze is wondering if I’m coming back or not. I have to go.” Alex went to the door when Daring called out his name.

“Alex. You can stay, I don’t mind anyway. But Blaze is probably expecting to see you again like you said.”

“Don’t worry about it. I do thank you for the offer, but I should return before something happens to him. Just remember, it’s best to have a few friends to talk about your problems. Sometimes, a few of us could help you out and have a solution for it. Good night, Daring. Hope to see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you for the advice, Alex. I’ll consider the option later on. Good night. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day.”

Alex nodded and went outside, and Daring approached to see him. She waved goodbye and closed the door. She went back into the room and rested on the couch. She stared at the fireplace and ran through her thoughts. She eventually fell asleep.

________________________________________