I watched as Midnight’s two toned tail bobbed along below me. We were slowly making our way towards the town, thankfully giving me some time to gather my emotions. I beat my wings softly, absent mindedly holding the stare deeply in thought.
Leaving the stable, the chase, being held as a bloody hostage, all in the span of not even a night. I sighed audibly, all of this seemed to be happening so quickl-

“Like what ya’ see?” Midnight derailed my thoughts.

Refocusing my eyes, I matched Midnight’s as he playfully craned his neck vertically, shooting me a wink. I felt myself blush as I realized I’d been staring at him this whole time, hopefully my dark coat hid it from him up where I was.

I put up my best facade, clearing my throat and tossing my mane, “In your dreams, I was just thinking.”

“Oh? And what crossed your mind?” Midnight pressed, smirking coltishly. Insufferable; that one.

“Just, this. Everything that happened.” I rolled my eyes, gesturing vaguely around us.

“Right.” His tone fell somber, casting his own eyes down the road.

Clearly I wasn’t the only one with mixed emotions about our situation. I watched as Silver’s companion and the two other stallions broke off with a mumbled departure. They began trotting to a different side of the town, most likely seeking medical help.
I came to a gentle landing beside Midnight as we approached the massive medieval wooden palisade that surrounded the town. Along the length, the wall expanded, pocketed by four wooden guard towers set up around as a perimeter. Each tower stood as a sentinel over a gate that lead into the settlement where two main dirt roads intersected the massive town. The roads lead out to their respective gate, and path beyond.

“Hey Silver, did ye see that bloody shot?” A young stallion’s voice called out from one of the guard towers as we passed underneath.

“Aye, you shot two targets, congratulations.” Silver deadpanned, not bothering to look up at the tower.

“‘Shot two targets’” The younger voice mocked.

I looked up, just as a white-coated-black-maned Thestral, in identical uniform to Silver, poked his head over the railing of the tower. He didn’t look a day over fifteen. “That was one-thousand, two-hundred and twenty-four meters you unimpressed bastard!” He hollard down at Silver who never once broke his stride.

“Aye, go wank yourself off somewhere else.” Silver dismissed, looking over to me and Midnight. “Don’t mind the colt, he’s just as cocky as he sounds.” A stream of profanities soon fell out of earshot as we came up to the main gate.

“Was he the buck that saved us?” I blurted, trotting past Midnight to Silver’s side. I could practically feel Midnight roll his eyes behind me. What? It was a bloody impressive shot!

“I hate to admit it, but yes, Ballpoint’s the sharpest sharpshooter we have.” Silver sighed, coming to a stop and waving to a pony who manned the gate house.

“Ballpoint…” Midnight played with the word, “Like the pen?”

“The bullet.” I deadpanned.

“They make bullets with ballpoint pen tips?”

“No, it’s just a solid shot; ball ammunition.”

“Oh.” Midnight turned to Silver raising an eyebrow, “The colt’s got some attitude huh?”

“We let him run around with his big head - annoyingly enough - but he’s not boasting,” Silver paused, briefly giving us a serious look. “Everything he says about himself, that’s only half of what I’ve seen him accomplish.”

As the wooden gate began it’s slow ascension, I stole a glance back over my shoulder to the guard tower. Ballpoint had settled back into his watchful position, silhouetted against the bright stars. I could only make out his gentle breaths being carried softly in the chilly wind, he seemed to be eerily calm, not breathing more than once every few seconds. Whatever Silver seemed to say about him, I was left wanting to know more.

The gate released an agonizing groan on its ancient hinges as it came to a stop. I turned around and quickly cantered up to the stallions, taking in the sights around me. As we trotted down the road, I realized Silver wasn’t kidding when he said ‘Renaissance.’

Around us, classical Equestrian houses stood tightly packed together, unsurprisingly mimicking a ye olde Equestrian village. Colorful patterns and decals were painted onto the wooden houses, their roofs adorned with red shingles stacked up onto a triangle peak. Windows with shutters and cheerful porches accompanied nearly every building. All such lovely design, despite every building sporting obvious wear and age.

Throughout the town, hearth's-warming eve lights decorated the streets, arching lazily across the streets or between buildings in random patterns. The town was bathed in a dim glow, hardly brighter than firelight. The lights were possibly too dim for Equestrians but the perfect lighting for us nocturnal Thestrals.

As Silver directed us throughout town, Thestral ponies passed by, busily making their way through the town. It was just about midnight and everypony was certainly in the middle of their working schedule. I cast a glance to Midnight, dropping my cold facade I usually gave him to share our awe of what we saw around us. I had entered transylvania believing not a single soul was left living.

“Move’t freak.” A stallion suddenly shoved Midnight, nearly toppling him off his hooves.

“Hey, what the fuck’s your problem?!” Midnight spat, regaining his balance and baring his fangs.

The stallion came to a stop, and turned around. He was a Thestral, like everypony else, but he was dressed in a uniform similar to Silver. Upon the shoulder pauldron of his bulletproof barding, a blue crescent moon sat. Slung over his back, an Ironshod Firearms ‘IF-700’ rifle. His golden eyes glared at Midnight through locks of dark purple mane.

“What’eva tha’ fuck you are, mutt. Y’aint welcome here. It’s best ye leave.” He pointed his hoof to the gate where we came in.

“Are you for real?” Midnight cried out, turning to me. “And here I thought all of that was left behind in the stable!”

“What’s the problem here mates?” SIlver trotted back over to us, probably having just noticed we stopped following him.

“Ah! Sir, look at what came sludgin’ through our gates!.” The soldier guffawed. “A cloud kicker, half bat no less. Let’s show ‘em the way out, just like any other ‘claver.”

“That’ll be all private, get back on patrol.” SIlver ordered.

The soldier recoiled, looking at Midnight with disgust. “So we’re lettin’ fuckin’ birds roost in our town yet? Wh-”

“Patrol.” SIlver cut him off, stepping up, chest to chest. “March.”

“Aye sir.” The soldier spat at Silver’s hooves and shrugged his gear, about facing and trotting along the road once more.

“Yeah, you better fucking march ya lousy-ass cupcake” Midnight hollard.

“Midnight!” I hushed, punching his shoulder. “That’s enough, Luna above, you’ll just make him come back!”

“Alright guys, give it a rest.” Silver sighed. “Striker’s still sour about the Enclave, I promise not everypony here is like him.”

“Enclave?” Midnight asked, rubbing his shoulder. Damn right that hurt!

“Aye, you know: Pegasi, cloudships, explosions and such?”

We both shook our heads.

“Right.” Silver smirked looking us over, “Stable 17 I take it?”

“Exactly, how’d you know?” I furrowed my eyebrows.

Silver chuckled and turned around, trotting down the street once more. “It’s plastered all over your Stable-tec uniforms of course.”

Midnight and I looked down at ourselves, it was painstakingly obvious where our origins were from. We both cantered up to Silver and continued our path.

“Well, if you couldn’t tell, we know butt-fuck nothing about Transylvania, care to fill us in?” Midnight asked. I shot him a cross look for his strange use of analogy, only to get him sticking his tongue out at me. Ugh that colt.
“Like I said earlier mate, I need to bring you to my commander, Aurora Borealis. Not only because you’re both representing a mountain of paperwork for me, but also ‘cause he’s probably the only pony in town with the patience to explain everything.” Silver replied, shrugging in step.

We fell under a silence as Silver lead us through town, the road we had been following widened until it came upon a large circular square in the center of town. As Silver directed us around the perimeter, I gazed at the massive statue of a pony in old fashioned armor that sat in the middle, it was adorned with pale brown bushes and a non-functioning fountain. Along the outside of the square, multiple shops and kiosks sat with vendors advertising their goods. However, upon closer inspection it just looked like a bunch of junk to be honest. As we crossed what looked like a bar, I caught a wiff of something sweet and delicious smelling when the door opened. I felt my stomach grumble as a reminder that I probably hadn’t eaten since that morning.

Silver came to a stop, and turned to face us, a bright smile upon his face. “Right we’re here!”

I cast my eyes up at the building behind him, it looked like the others, though it sported an extended tower out the top. Hanging above the door, on a suspended sign, read ‘Transylvanian Renaissance Fair!’ in red letters, beneath them in white, the word ‘Armory’ was painted.

“This is the Night Watch’s headquarters. We’re essentially the guards of Renaissance, but we extend out as a militia as well.” Silver waved a hoof in the air. “I digress, let me gallop in and grab Aurora for you, be right back!” He ducked into the front door. His mood was visibly brightened, a stallion that loved his job, that’s for sure.

A moment passed, “Well.” Midnight coughed awkwardly, taking a seat on the road.

“No snide remarks about his cheerful mood?” I raised an eyebrow, bracing for his usual annoyance.

“Nah, I’ll let it go.” he shrugged. I sat next to him and sighed, looking at the bustling ponies around us.

“Lot more of us out here.” Midnight spoke softly, seemingly to himself.

“More than just the two of us.” I replied with a sigh.

“You sound relieved.”

“Should I be disappointed?” I scoffed, eyeing him. “You’d rather us be the only two bloody ponies left in Equestria?”

“‘Means I’d have a pretty mare all to myself.” Midnight smirked, ugh that smirk again!

I stood up with a groan. “Oh grow up you bloody colt!” Stamping my hoof I turned around and tried to distract myself with watching the other ponies. They looked so different than the ponies from the Stable.

“What you can’t take a compliment? Am I really that bad?” Midnight chuckled behind me.

“You’re worse. You immature… y-you!” I struggled to list out even the beginnings of what I thought about him.

“‘Me immature’.” Midnight deadpanned. “Wow, very language. Much coherent.” He teased.

I rolled my eyes and turned on him frustratingly. “Look mate, I’m trying to make the best of our situation. I’m just glad we’re both still live at this point.” I explained. “At least I’m focusing on what really matters and not playing ‘pick up’ with the attractive stallion I was kicked out with!”

“Oh, the attractive stallion, why didn’t you just say so?” Midnight winked.

I groaned feeling heat rising in my cheeks from embarrassment and frustration. I rubbed my head with a hoof and sighed. “It was a metaphor. I was talking about you hitting on me instead of actually focusing on important matters. Like living.”

“RIght, I’ll remember that metaphor.” Midnight winked again, his bloody smirk never leaving his face. Oh I wanted to slap that expression right off his cheeky, beautiful, stupid, handsome, fac-

“So here be the new Stable ponies eh?” A low and hearty voice called out.

Midnight and I both turned to see SIlver, and what I assumed was Aurora, exit the headquarters. Aurora was an older stallion maybe in his late fifties, he had grey hair - most likely due to his age - and a grey-blue coat to match. He wasn’t in combat barding like I had seen Silver and the other soldiers wear, instead he simply wore the multi-colored dark camouflage that seemingly every soldier wore under their barding. Upon his collar sat two golden crescent metal pins, possibly the only thing distinguishing him from other soldiers. He wasn’t unarmed however, carrying an IF-9 9mm pistol holstered on his left foreleg.

“Aye sir, you think you can fill them in? They’ve got plenty of questions, believe me.” Silver asked, adjusting a strap on his barding.

“Will do Lieutenant. Ye have yer orders, we’ll debrief at daybreak.” Aurora spoke, more seriously this time. “Goddesses guide you.”

With a salute in confirmation, Silver took off and flew over the palisade wall, into the surrounding forest.

“Where’s he gone off to?” I asked, watching him glide out of sight.

“That’s classified lassy.” Aurora winked, not suggestively like the bloody-bag-of-stupid next to me, but charmingly. “Right, I’m famished, care for a bite and a discussion?” He offered, motioning his head to the bar we had passed earlier.
I nodded excitedly, my hunger catching up to me once more. Midnight wasn’t faring much better and stood up immediately at the sound of food.

“I’m down, let’s eat!” He exclaimed.

Aurora chuckled and lead the way. Despite the events that happened earlier that night, I felt happy that I was alive, safe even. And with how Aurora and Silver treated us, I knew we were in good company.

I stole a quick glance of Midnight trotting to my right. Good company. A faint smile played across my lips.

“If ye don’t slow down yer gonna get a bloody hernia mate.” Aurora stared wide eyed at Midnight, who was busy inhaling his third order of hay fries.

“Buf es soo gfuud.” Midnight mumbled around another mouthful of fried hay.

I rolled my eyes at his antics, seemingly for the hundredth time since meeting him, at this rate I was going to pull an eye muscle.

Aurora took another shot of whiskey ‘Wild Pegasus’ as it was printed on the bottle, he had gone through half of it already and hardly seemed phased. Northern Braytish, I swear they’re made of lead.

We had entered the bar and found ourselves a table not long before. The interior was just as lovely as the exterior, decorated and furnished in dark wooden accents, giving the place a homely rustic feel. A staircase along the back wall lead to a lofted interior balcony, which apparently housed an inn for travelers. Aurora was kind enough to pay for our meals, using bottle caps as currency - oddly enough. The food here was bland, though I couldn’t really have expected anything to grow fruitfully in the seemingly lifeless landscape that Transylvania was. We had spent the better part of an hour just shooting questions and getting answers from Aurora, he was an excellent storyteller, and I began to feel like I had a slightly better grasp of the new world around me.

Supposedly Transylvania was a small region that was left relatively untouched from the bombs, thankfully with the surrounding mountain range, very little damage was dealt. That didn’t mean the forests were safe however, magical radiation found its way and tainted a lot of the wildlife and unfortunate ponies, explaining the ‘ghoul’ we encountered earlier. Also, apparently a few years ago, the Grand Pegasus Enclave - a faction of Pegasi military that locked themselves above the clouds when the bombs fell - disbanded, and a lot of Pegasi were beginning to show up. Nopony really appreciated the Pegasi since historically they commonly terrorized anypony on the surface, and they were very selective of their allies.

Among other things, Aurora finally explained the different factions of ponies in the area. The Steel Rangers to the east, who were neutral but immensely powerful and mysterious. The Raiders, who were more or less a diseased and sadistic gang of ponies across all of Equestria. And most notably the Hailstorm, a former Grand Pegasus Enclave cloudship that parked itself over an old Equestrian military base not far from here. The Night Watch and the ponies of Renaissance never really knew what sat outside Transylvania, since many didn’t dare travel beyond the mountains. But one thing Aurora warned, was to watch out for Equestrian ponies. They were used to seeing mutated beings, and the sight of a Thestral might scare them into fighting. He cautioned us to carry and learn how to use weapons, anything and everything was a threat.

“So Aurora,” I paused, taking a sip from the ‘Sparkle Cola’ bottle the waitress presented to me. It was good stuff. “What do you think we should do? I mean, now that we’re stuck out here, how to we live?”

“Well, the first thing ye need is caps lassy. Nothing is free, and I think with a wound like that,” he gestured to Midnight’s wing. “It’s best ye go to a doctor as soon as possible.”

Midnight stopped his feverish eating long enough to look down at his wing, he gave it a little wiggle, wincing. “It’s not that bad really, I think it just needs a few days rest.”

“Aye, get it check out though okay laddie? Look, I’ll give the innkeep a premium so ye two can stay a day. Before though, just head over to the armory and they’ll lend ye some protection. I already have it set up.” Aurora offered, standing up.

“Aw wait but I’m not done!” Midnight pouted looking at his half eaten food.

“You’re done, we’re going.” I stood up as well and tried to push him. “Thanks for everything mate, you’ve really, oof, been a great help!” I thanked Aurora, barely nudging Midnight an inch. Damn stallions for being bigger than me.

“Anytime, for the both of ye. I need to check up on me Night Watch, you two lovebirds find me if ye need me aye?” Aurora smiled and placed a bag of caps on the table for the innkeep.

“Two lovebirds…” I mumbled, breaking concentration and falling straight onto the floor when Midnight stood up. “Hey wait! It’s not like that!” I cried out to Aurora as he chuckled, exiting the building.

“You heard him, lovebird.” Midnight cooed, trying to help me stand up.

“Ah bloody can it will you?” I felt my face burn as I shoved him away and stood up on my own.

Damn stallions I swear... I fixed my bow and mane and cantered out the door with what dignity I had left, trying to shake off my flustered feelings. Thankfully the cold air outside helped cool down my - probably obviously - burning face.

Midnight laughed behind me as he galloped to catch up. As we both made our way back to the armory, I pointedly ignored any attempts to conversation Midnight brought up. Could he not shut up for five seconds? Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate him, hell I’d even say he were my bloody friend - never to his face of course. But there was one thing he was good at, and that was pushing all the right buttons to get me frustrated, flustered or embarrassed. Constantly. It was a bloody game for that one wasn’t it? Though admittedly I was beginning to appreciate his light-hearted playfulness, I was still far from comfortable enough to tell him that. Not yet at least.

We came back upon the armory and entered through the front door. It was similar in layout to the inn but where tables and furnishings once took place, a large wooden table with maps and computer terminals took their stead. The room was surprisingly empty, the majority of ponies probably fulfilling their duties elsewhere. Thankfully there was a mare behind a terminal at a desk, most likely the receptionist.

I opened my mouth to speak, only to have Midnight clear his throat. “Aurora sent us to pick up some weapons.” Midnight spoke. I closed my mouth, I’d rather he do the talking to strangers anyway.

The mare paused her typing, condescendingly looking up at us over the rim of some retro purple - and distasteful - glasses. She pointed a hoof to a caged corner of the room and went back to typing, not uttering a word.

“Um… Thanks.” Midnight mumbled as we trotted over to the corner. “Bi-i-itch” I heard him whisper to himself. Okay, I couldn’t help but smile at that one.

The caged off section was unlocked and Midnight opened the fence door with a metallic whine. Inside, sat the most beautiful assortment of equipment I had ever laid my eyes on.

“Oh my goddesses, this is amazing!” I squealed, butting past Midnight and prancing around, studying each rack and shelf with glee.
Lining the shelves sat boxes of ammunition, all different densities, calibres, velocities, ballistic effects. In racks along the walls sat rifles, bolt action, semi-automatic, fully automatic. This was heaven. I could have died a happy filly right there and then.

“We can have anything?” Midnight stared quizzically at a line of pistols on a shelf.

“Buck yeah we can!” I pranced up to him and placed my hooves on his shoulders, boosting up to see the shelves above his head. “Do you see any signs saying otherwise mate?”

“Well, guess not.” Midnight shrugged, nearly tossing me off balance. “What’s got you so excited about this?”
I gasped and came down to all fours before him, “This is all my bloody special talent Midnight!” I exclaimed, turning around and showing him my cutiemark. The bullet on a bed of roses visible where my winter jacket came to a stop.

His eyes grew wide as I essentially shoved my ass in his face. I couldn’t care less, guns now, embarrassment later.

“Right.” Midnight cleared his throat, prying his eyes away from me and turning around. He picked a Tidus 11 semi automatic pistol. “So is this any good?” He asked, around the firing bit.

“That’s a fantastic one! It uses fourty-five automa-”

“Great.” Midnight tossed it into his saddlebag and selected a box of ammunition for it, tossing it in as well.

“B-but okay, wait yeah that-”

“How about this?” He grabbed an IF700 bolt action rifle and showed it to me.

“That’s good too, I mean, it’s a bit slow but it’s really powerfu-”

“Awesome.” He slung it over his back, grabbing two boxes of .308 ammunition, tossing it in his bags as well.

Whatever. I shook my head. I knew exactly what I was after anyway. I quickly scanned the lines of automatic rifles, there weren't many, but hell I wondered how they even got all these guns. In the Stable, the most I’ve ever seen were the combat shotguns used by the Security Corps. My eyes locked onto one of the shortest barreled rifles, a carbine actually. I picked it up and checked the chamber, an IF4. These carbines were spectacular, accurate, lightweight and most importantly, versatile.

I slung the carbine over my back and looked around for any kinds of accessories I could add. Unfortunately the Night Watch lacked any serious hardware like holographic sights and suppressors, but at least they had some top-notch ammunition. I scanned the shelves and settled for the green pointed 5.56cal ammunition. Green paint meant that each bullet had a mild-steel core, not quite armor piercing, but known as penetrating ammunition. Good for heavier targets, especially for what Aurora had described.

I grabbed a few spare magazines for my Carbine, as well as for Midnight’s selection of weapons. They were pre-loaded, saving us the painstaking process of loading cartridges one at a time. However, I grabbed a few stripper clips for the future, to make it easier whenever that inevitable task finally came.

I quickly scanned along the remaining shelves and spotted some medical supplies. Health potions and magical bandages were stocked in boxes, far superior to my pathetic first-aid kit. I cautiously stacked the ammunition onto some of the boxes and balanced them in my mouth, carefully trotting over to Midnight and opening his saddlebag with my nose.

“Hey whoa, why do I have to carry the supplies?” He complained.

I snorted in annoyance as I dumped the heavy supplies into his bag. “'Cause you can actually carry it perhaps?” I raised an eyebrow, poking his strong shoulder. Re-thinking my actions, and poking it once more. Oh those were nice...

“What and you get to canter around with virtually empty bags?” Midnight pressed, following me as I trotted past him. I gave an internal sniffle as we departed the beautiful treasure, I would miss those guns.

I ignored his comment and trotted out the building, into the autumn night once more. It was just about twilight, the moon cresting over the forested treetops to the west. I was definitely feeling exhausted at this point, sleeping in the inn was beginning to sound like a wonderful idea.

Across the street from the headquarters, a similar building marked with a large red cross sat. I guessed one more thing couldn’t hurt.

“Alright, we’re gonna get that wing of yours checked out.” I spoke, who gave me a frown. “What? You want it fixed don’t you?” I pressed.

He sighed and nodded, taking lead and trotting to the building “It’s just, doctors. I don’t do doctors.”

We entered the building and it was, yet again, similar in layout to the others. I was beginning to notice a pattern here, perhaps before the war whoever built this ‘Renaissance Fair’ adhered too strictly to a certain building code. The differences were obvious however, a line of curtained off beds populated the main room, with medical equipment and supply cabinets sitting at each cordoned off section. At a desk near the entrance a dark brown-coated and white-maned stallion sat. He was middle aged and wore a white lab coat and glasses, I could only assume he was the doctor.

“How can I help you fine ponies?” He asked, taking his eyes off a terminal. He had a very sophisticated Braytish accent.

“Um, hi, my mate Midnight here needs somepony to take a look at his wing.” I spoke softly, motioning to Midnight. Yeah, I think I could live with Midnight handling all the talking.

“Ah, right this way!” The doctor smiled, standing up and walking down the aisle of beds. “Name’s Broken Bone, here have a seat.” He spoke over his shoulder, beckoning Midnight to one of the beds.

Midnight sat down as Broken undid the bandaging and inspected his wing. “So whaddya see?” He nervously laughed.

“Well it looks like you’ve definitely broken a bone in there.” Broken spoke with a singsong tone. “But,” He unexpectedly yanked Midnight’s wing straight out to full extension. “There!”

Midnight cried out in pain, squeezing his eyes shut. “What the fuck?!” His pain turned to anger as he glared at the doctor. “Why’d you do that?!”

“It wasn’t set properly,” Broken shrugged, reaching over to a drawer and pulling out a metal contraption with his teeth. “Now hold still.”

Midnight gulped and looked away from his wing, squeezing his eyes shut. His wing was locked fully extended, and I could almost see it pulsing through his feathers. Broken extended the metal skeleton-like contraption and encapsulated the base of Midnight’s wing. He then tapped the metal with a hoof, and the object sprung down to the wing’s resting position. This, of course, elicited another painful yelp from Midnight.

“There. All done.” Broken clapped his hooves together gleefully. “Now just let it sit in the splint for two weeks and you’ll, hopefully, be flying before you know it!”

“Hopefully? Two weeks?!” Midnight exclaimed, blinking away his tears.

“Precisely. That’ll be Five-hundred caps.” Broken curtly nodded, extending a hoof.

“F-Five-hundred?” I stammered. “We don’t have any at all!”

“I beg your pardon?” Broken scratched his ear and turned to face me. His demeanor changed entirely as he glared down at me through his circular glasses. They seemed to catch the light and glow with a sinister tone “You can’t possibly expect free service.”

I slowly backpedaled in fear. Honestly I didn’t know what to expect, the thought of currency never crossed my mind. “I-I-, um.” I mumbled as Broken stood over me.

“We’ll pay you back as soon as we get the money, lay off will ya?” Midnight, grabbed Brokens shoulder and spun him around, looking him square in the eye.

“Splendid!” Broken chortled sweetly and trotted back over to his desk. “You have three nights. See you then.”

Midnight snorted and stood up, giving me a concerned look. “Come on, let’s go.” He said softly and trotted out the building.

I followed closely behind him, not sparing Broken a glance. It dawned upon me that Midnight actually did something friendly for me. I knew I shouldn’t have been surprised, but up until that point, he’s been nothing but a pain in the tail.

I nudged Midnight’s shoulder as we trotted down the street together, making our way to the inn. “So how’s the wing?”

“Eh, it’s been better.” He chuckled looking down at the splint. “I kinda look like a cyborg pony don’t I?”

I smirked at the thought, nodding. “Well, it’ll heal now.”

We trotted in silence and came up to the inn, once inside Midnight asked about the room, mentioning Aurora’s premium. The barmaid led us up the stairs and to a door, just down the hallway from the loft.

“Well. This is interesting.” Midnight coughed.
Inside, there was one bed and one small couch. The only other indication of this being a bedroom - and not a prison cell - was a window with a tattered purple curtain across the from the singular bed.

“No.” I deadpanned, trotting over to the bed and claiming it my own.

“No what? I didn’t say anything!” Midnight pleaded.

“We’re not.”

“Not what?”

“You’re sleeping there.” I pointed to the saggy couch, “I’m sleeping here.” I laid down.

“Oh so you think I was gonna try and pull something huh?” Midnight defended, plopping down on the couch. The ancient springs gave a pitiful squeak in protest.

“Precisely, no funny business mate.” I shot him a pointed glare.

Midnight laid down on the cushions, shrugging his shoulders. “Hey at least I wasn’t the one thinking of us doing that. That’s all you sister.”

I felt the tips of my ears begin to heat up, damn him for always turning this on me. “No, I- I mean you always make some remark! I just stopped you preemptively this time.”

“You were thinking about doing the dirty do with me, I’m flattered.” Midnight yawned, baring his tongue and fangs. “G’night.”

I groaned in frustration, turning my back to him. Yeah, he’s still Midnight. I thought to myself. Despite his friendliness, he was still such a bloody pain in the ass.

I closed my eyes and let myself forget his annoyance, there was no sensibility with that colt anyway. I felt myself calm down and slowly drift to sleep, for the first time since before any of this happened, I felt at ease. Things were looking up, and as much as it’s crazy to say, I was beginning to appreciate Transylvania. There was life out here, maybe even a future. I just hoped it would stay this way.