//------------------------------// // Everything Looks Normal // Story: FireWatch // by Darkness Moon //------------------------------// Adagio enjoyed the last of her shrimp, as for Aria, well she didn't seem so happy that they didn’t eat pizza, but she enjoyed her meat. Sonata was happy with her food, her sweet and sour chicken was not so bad. On the other hand, Sunset was happy, Adagio always asked for vegetable noodles and spring rolls for her. "So Sunset, how was your second day in that boring job?" asked Aria. "I want to know who destroyed your tower." said Sonata. "I bet it was those girls." said Adagio. "And I think it was that dark figure with the flashlight." said Aria. "Well, I didn't know who it was until the day... I think 33 or 32." "Wait... how long were you in that forest?" Aria asked. "It was a total of 79 days, I think it was a little less than when we were on the peninsula." Sunset explained. "But, I will reveal to you who destroyed my tower:" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What I loved in the afternoons aside from watching the sun go down in the mountains, was writing in my digital diary, adding what happened yesterday. My peace did not last long. “Wake up” I take the radio. “I’m awake. I’m awake. What’s your problem?” “Our problem” said Delilah. “Sorry, our problem” “That storm knocked out the pone line I use to talk to the service which means we’re cut off. I tried radio’ing out and that’s not working either” “Can I go fix it?” “Well, you probably CAN’T but what you can do is hike out to where the wire runs through your área and report back if it’s down. Then I can track down a ranger to get someone on it” Take my backpack and I went out the door. “Okay, I can do that! Where is it?” “Remember that cave you hiked through yesterday?” “Yeah, of course” “So, you’re going to want to go back there, go through it and keep going straight to the north when you come out” “Will do” “Thanks Sunshine” “It’s Sunset” “What, you don’t like Sunshine?” “Yeah, I don’t like Sunshine” Someone in equestria used to call me that, and no, it wasn't Celestia. “But Sunshine is similar to your name” “No, it doesn’t” “Okay, alright” I continued on my way following the map. It was quite far, but I managed. In my journey I thought about who and why destroyed my tower. The girls were the most obvious, but that strange figure also made me suspicious. But I didn’t know who it was, and vice versa, because I would if I had not done anything like those girls. When it fully descended until it hit the ground, it was very foggy, and it was very cold. “Uff! It’s actually pretty damn cold out here” “Roger that. It warms up fast. Your city it's cold in the morning too? “Yeah, they are” “What did you get up to down? I mean, what’s life like?” I didn't want to reveal so much about my past, so I'm going a little slow.”You know, I don’t know. I used to just spend a lot of time with my ferret, Onix” “Onix? What kind of name is that?” “It’s a ferret, with black and gray fur” “So, why not call him Toby?” really? Delilah, he is not a dog. "Well... when we chose which pet to love, I saw this little section of the others, and I was sitting on a black stone. It reminded me of a precious stone with the name Onix, it bit it, and I adopted it by giving it that name” “Uh, that’s a really… cute story??” “It is what it is” As I explained, I came out of the cave and found the supply box. “Hey, can you hold on a sec?” “Sure, I’m just going to keep hiking and hoping it warms up” I opened the box and updated the map. When I checked what was inside I heard Delilah, but she was not talking to me, it seems that she left her radio open. “Heyo. I don’t think so. Why, have you? Okay. Good” I thought to talk to her, but I didn't want to interrupt, I knew it was wrong to listen, but I still did. I took the flashlight that was inside the box and kept listening. “No, I don’t think he has any idea. I’m absolutely sure. Would you? Alright. I’ll let you know if anything changes in that regard” was she talking about me? ”Hey, sorry about that. Anyway, I thought about that and that story is cute. And... sorry, you said we? The ferret wasn't only yours, was it? ” My curiosity betrayed me. “Who was that?” “Who was who?” confused. “I don’t think he has any idea. What was that? Were you talking about me?” “Uh, what?” “You left your button pressed or something” “Sunset, that call was work. I was just talking to… actually, it’s not really your business. Why are you freaking out?” “I’m not freaking out” “Good. I’m gonna go quiet for a Little bit. Call me if it’s important” Great, Delilah has moved away, she's upset. I shouldn't have gotten into her affairs, nor should I have listened. It shows that I haven't changed anything. I have to stop being like I was before. I think the best thing would be to talk to her when I get to my destination, examine the communication boundaries north of the canyon. I could see them in the distance, simple, I just have to follow the cables. “I can see the wire you’re talking about. It looks like it’s in good shape from here” I informed her. “Follow it up to the top of the trail, if you can. You can head back as son as you give me the all clear” “Got it” At least didn't sound annoying anymore, I try talking a little more. “We really can’t reach anyone any other way tan these wires?” “What else do you suggest, smoke signals?” Did I notice a smile?. “Just seems dangerous” “If they don’t hear from me for a few days they’II send someone out, butI’d rather it not come to that” Well, she wasn't upset anymore, I think. But I'll still be careful with her. What happens if these cables will get cut? Or are you struck by lightning? We are completely isolated and nobody would find us. It’s quite dangerous if you ask me. According to the map I am very close. I wanted to find more things. It was in front of me and yes, there was a problem. “Yep. Okay, the wire is down here” “Really? Awesome. Good find” “It’s like, I dunno, two and half miles east of me. You follow the trail up the hill you can’t miss it. I’II go see what the damage is” I went up the rocks, and found another supply box, nothing useful inside. Just update of the map. I continued to see if I could fix the cable, as I went up I found cans of beer, they seemed… very familiar. “Guess what?” l call Delilah. “What is it?” “There’s a bunch of empty cans up here” “Sames as before?” “Yep” “These fucking kids” “Why do you think they’d be up here?” “Hell if I know, but they better have stayed away from our communication stuff” I hope so, but it seems that everything points to yes. Anyway, I must find out. I got to the top of the phone pole, and I found out on my own. “Hey, so the wire is definitely down out here. I just found it. Yeah, the thing is…It doesn’t look like the wind. It looks like it was cut, deliberately“ I examine the cable and the message... were some panties that said "Go to hell" with a drawing of me, I think ?. “I KNEW it the moment you said you found their trash. These idiots are going to pay. Do they realice this is how people die? I mean, what if something happened to one of my lookouts while this was going on?! And forbid there is an actual fire burning out of control” “¿What do you want to do?” I ask. “I want you to go find them.” “¿And then what??” “I… I haven’t thought thatfar ahead. That’s not true. Everything that comes to mind is illegal” “Let’s hear it” “¿Oh yeah?” “I came out here for a breath of fresh air and some adventure. What do you got?” “I think I want you to just find them and scare the HELL out of them” “Yeah, I’d make a spokky ghost costume but they stole my sheets.” “Hmm. I don’t know… wait for them to wander off and wreck their camp. Something that would make a teenage girl run home to mommy and daddy” “I’II find them.” I said, releasing the cut cable from my hands. “Thanks Sunset” “But I am going to need a raise” I smile. “Don’t hold your breath. I’d start by hiking back towards your tower and just keep an eye out for anything that would lead you to them.” “Well, they’re big into Red Eagle” I looked into the distance. “Great. See if you can find the path they took down from there. Maybe they looped back around towards the lake or something. I doubt they’re where yesterday but they obviously can’t have gone far” I analyzed the map. Where I last saw them was in Jonesy Lake, so I marked the target. It would be a long walk and a lot of climbing. I didn't want to fall like the last time. On my way I found a backpack hanging from the branch of an old tree. “There’s an abandoned pack out here” “¿I’ts not one of the teens?” “No, it looks like it was lost a long time ago” “Well, you could always pilfer for supplies.” It was too high to reach, so I grabbed a branch and shook my backpack a little. It fell right in front of me. I opened it and I accidentally took a photo of myself on an old instant camera. And there was also a lot of climbing ropes, unlike the ones he had, these were much stronger and resistant. “Well, I’m flush with ropes now. That pack was full of them. In decent condition too” I inform to Delilah happy. “That’s lucky!” “There’s enough rope here that I can just leave them hooked up, I think. Oh, get this- this pack came with one of those cardboard single-use cameras” I explain while hooking the rope to the hook to descend. “¿With pictures left?” “Yeah, he only used three or four” “Neato.” “Thank you, Brian Goodwin.” while I decency by the rope. “Wait, wait… ¿Who?” “The bag had the name Brian Goodwin sewn into the top” “Huh. Wow.” “Do you know him?” “Yeah, I just haven’t Heard that name in a few years” “He was a lookout?” “Ha! Yeah kinda, I guess. He was stationed in Two Forks, your lookout, with his dad Ned three summers ago. Great kid” “You can bring children out here?” “No… you know, I’m not a stickler for rules. They took off halfway through the summer” “What, they couldn’t handle your unique Brand of charm?” smiled mischievously. “Not many can” I could feel that she smiled too. “Unsurprising” I found another box of supplies, and I opened it. “Anyway. So it goes. Have fun with that camera. Try not to snap anything that would a scar Fotodome employee” “I don’t know, I’ve got a lot of hiking to do; I might get bored” “Well, I’m bored as rocks, so I’II keep you company while you find those girls, huh?” There was nothing useful inside the box, just a sharp claw of an animal. I took the opportunity to update the map. “Hey, sorry about snapping at you earlier. I thought about it and I suppose that must’ve sounded kinda weird when you heard me take that other call. Plus, you’re just out here in your own head. Trust me, I know how it is” Really? You know? I highly doubt it, and I'm not talking about work. “So… did you break any hearts back in home? I myself, have chosen to never get attached to anyone who would miss me, but I know I’m a bit of an outlier” “No, I didn’t break any hearts when I left, no special person, I just came here to distract myself” "Really?" "Yes... the truth is that I'm just taking a break, breathing fresh air." "A small change?" "Yes." "Okay, I get it, we can leave it there." I continued on my way until I reached a burned forest. Well, there didn't seem anything was useful, but those girls were the typical stupid blondes. They shouldn't be far, I hope. As I kept walking I thought if it was a good idea to tell Delilah about my past, obviously skipping my otherworldly pony reality. I don't know whether to trust her. It was a damn hike, I kept going down ropes, until I saw a thin column of smoke. “I see a really thin plume of smoke.” “Yeah, I see it too. A thin plume like this is either a new fire or a campfire” “A campfire. You think it’s them?” “I reckon so” “It looks like it’s to the… southwest of me” I look at the map and the compass. “That’s right. If you hike towards Five Mile Creek that should put you in the neighborhood. Keep an eye on that smoke plume. Let me know it it’s getting any larger” “Will do” I walked faster to avoid losing smoke. All this climbing is helping me to exercise, I think I will not have to worry about what I eat. Although thinking things over, I like Delilah, she is nice and funny. She doesn't know me in person, or how I was before, so I could tell her to see if I can get some advice, or what to do when I return. “Look Sunset, just so you know, I didn’t mean to overstep by bounds, earlier, when I as kif you have someone especial” ”Lo sé, pero lo hiciste, no puedes hacer cosas así sabes?” “I know you didn’t. You were just making conversation. I appreciate it.” “So., tell me something, If you want.” I thought about it for a moment until I answered. “I'm a student at Canterlot High, I was known as a bully, you know, the queen bee. I had school eating from the palm of my hand. ” "Bouncer and queen bee…. Wow. It is a controversial topic around here. As you describe me, it sounds sexy.” "I'm not like that anymore." I descended for another descent. "Bouncer or Sexy?" smiled. “Bouncer, I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. Sexy? Well I do not know" For now this is fine, I don't want to reveal so much information yet, little by little. And I don't know if the sun is affecting me, but… did she just flirt me? I got to the lake where I saw the girls. Easy. I just followed the river, until I found another box of supplies. Close to that area, I found a turtle between the rocks, it was super cute, so I took it with me, Onix now has a playmate. “I take it you fell prey to the Forest Service’s big recruiting effort? When it comes to how the hell you ended up out here.” ”I saw the job in the paper and figured, you kno. What the heck?” nothing useful in the box, a sweater and a book. “What the heck? I’ve got no ties and no life, better go spend what’s left of it utter loneliness!” “Something like that” I update the map. Although what I said earlier was not entirely true of my reason for coming here. “Thanks to last summer, the bump in Forest Service Budget actually allowed for us to advertise for the job. Glad it worked.” I save the book I found and followed the path of the river. “I find it hard to believe that you had no one special, you said you were a queen bee. The popular girl, having the crazy guys and the jealous girls, or maybe crazy too.” "Look, A girl got me off the ’pedestal’ because I did things that I'm not proud of. Despite trying to prove myself and be better, the school still hates me. As a stalker I became bullied. They have done all kinds of mistreatment and intimidation, that's why I'm here” "Oh shit. I didn't… what happened? ” "We will talk later." was not yet the time. "Okay, okay Sunset. Umm… what's that girl's name? ” "... Twilight." "It's a nice name" If she will continue with these conversations she will know all of my past. I must be careful with the equestria part. Or my childhood. I walk faster to distract my mental battle. "Why did you do all this?" Oh shit! As soon? “I didn't really grow up in a stable family environment. And when they left me at the boarding school when I was little, I think that my aggressive and smug attitude began, now for me the approval of my tutor was the only thing that mattered to me” "Shit" "Yes…" "How did you get to Canterlot?" ”I… escaped and became independent, I entered school by my methods. Everything changed when Twilight and her friends… defeated me, so to speak, and now they are my friends, because she asked them to.” "Did she ask them? Didn’t they want to be your friends even if you said sorry? ” “Honestly, no. It’s understandable. I mean, they are friendly, but it’s more out of human concern lo my well-being. In short, I deserve it for having been so cruel for so many years. I’m sorry to be such a downer.” “Don’t even. I’m happy to listen. And y’know, we’II try to have SOME fun this summer. I promise” That sounds motivating, while I was telling her about all my teenage drama I arrived at a waterfall where there was a piece of cloth hanging from a branch. I am already very loset o the arrival point, and so it was, I found the camp! But it was devastated. “I have found the source of the smoke. The store is as if it were going through a cutter, I found a piece of cloth on a branch, and it fits in with the tent. ” "They are there? Where are they?" "I don't know. They left. This is devastated” "What happened?" "The truth is that it could have been a bear" "Oh God…." "I'm going to be honest with you. If I find a corpse, I will vomit "Do not say more. Take a look around and tell me what you see. By the way... you have the camera, right? It might be a good idea to take some photos. Just in case" "Yes, well thought out" I took a picture of the ripped tent and the campfire. I explored the place further and found my sheets. It was them. I'm glad they were them and not that strange figure. I also found a note... for me? “They’re gone, for sure.” “How can you tell?” “The girls left someone- me, I guess- a note.” “What’s it say?” “They’re threatening to call the pólice because they think I attacked them.” ”Oh my. Well… did you?” “No, I didn’t do this, okay? Someone or something went to town here but it wasn’t me.” “Beause I told you to scare them, not assault them.” “I didn’t! Of course I didn’t. I just threw their stereo in the lake.” “Yeah, I really wish you wouldn’t have done that.” “This is, I don’t know, weird as hell. But it wasn’t me.” “It’s okay. I belive you. Weird stuff happens in the woods. It could be other campers. They could be having a bad mushroom trip. We really don’t know. But they’re gone. There’s no way to call the cops. They’re not coming back, and we can get to work. I’d really to start to enjoying a quiet summer.” “Yeah. me too.” The next day, I was fixing the broken window, but I needed more wood. I kept thinking about the girls' note. They said that I destroyed the camp, but I didn't, so who? Maybe someone who likes to cause trouble, or maybe... that silhouette at night from the first day, maybe? ”Hey Sunset…” “Yeah?” “Um, what do you look like?” “Why are you asking?” “Because I’m horribly superficial. Now let’s see… in my scope I can only tell you’re a Sun tanning girl wearing shorts.” “It’s hot. And maybe, by the way, I’m not Sun tanning. That’s not very, you know, PC or whatever they say.” “Oh my. You are the Sun Tanning girl. I don’t need a spotting scope for that. And if not shorts then what do you normally like to wear?” "I always wear a leather jacket, light synthetic, jeans, and black boots too." I explained coming down from the tower, looking for more window boards. "Oh I love leather, it's so greaser. Now tell me something about your face. I see you on the other side of the bar. What do I see?" "Eh... um ... I have red and yellow hair, something very appropriate for my name" “Alright, perfect. I want to know about your eyes” “Get out of here” smiled playfully. “I’m drawing you. I need to know.” “You’re what?” Really? “Is that okay?” “Uhhhh…” not really, but... it makes me feel weird. “Don’t answer. I’m going to do it. regardless” “Fine” “Your eyes. Tell me” "They are tough I guess" "Really?" "Yes, you know, after having a reputation as a tough girl, my eyes are what people feared the most, they said that when they saw my turquoise color, their skin froze." "I imagine. Okay got it. Thank you Sunset” “You get what you need?” I went back up to the run with the wood for the window. “Absolutely.” Just a couple of boards and nails, and the window will be fixed, at least they won't charge me for that. “I got that window all patched up. So… what should I do now? What’s next?” I said, looking into the distance at Delilah's tower. “What’s next? What do you think is next?”” “Well, You’ve been the one giving me tasks for two days straight.” “What’s next is you sit in that room until September 1st and call me as the first sign of smoke” “Oh, yeah” I went back inside of the tower. “Why don’t you let me know when you’re mentally prepared for that task and I’II give it to you.” I check my things a little, fix and clean a bit, and check my little new friend for a while, thinking about what name to put on her. Put her back in its box and put in some food. Is better start with this. “Okay. I think I am ready to tacle my long-term commitment of keeping this national forest safe from total destruction” “I am glad to hear you’ve really thought this throught” “Of course” Find some books and my computer, in case I get bored. “We’ve issued you a comfy chair to sit in and everything.” “You know, it’s really not that comfy. It’s wooden, there’s no padding. I actually think I got splinter in my thigh this morning…” and finally, snacks too. “Aww. Regardless, take a seat. The forest depends on you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I knew it!" Adagio smiled. "Pay me." she looked at Aria. "Whatever," she growled reluctantly, handing over a couple of dollars. "So if it was them, how bad." said Sonata. "Stealing sheets and destroying a window seems very stupid to me," said Aria. "If we had been them, we probably would have attacked you, or locked you in the cave," said Adagio. "That sounds... very extreme don't you think?" Sunset asked. "Don't take it bad Sunny, the old sirens would have done it." Adagio smiled. "Speak for yourself." said Aria. "Right... what were you doing in those times?" Sunset asked. "We weren't in this city yet, we were doing the same as always, having fun absorbing magic," Sonata explained. "Yes, sometimes in closed or public places, absorbing energy to feed us" continued Aria. "You... after all we've been through, you have never explained well to me how your gems worked." said Sunset. "Don't take it bad Sunset." Adagio sat closer to her. "There were certain circumstances that did not prevent them, such as the island for example." "Oh sure, but-" "But now you have a story to finish, Sunny," said Adagio. "Yes! What happened after?!" Sonata smiled. "Wait, don't be offended Sunset, but your story is kind of boring." Aria complained. "I know, but... do you remember what Adagio said? About what you guys would have done? ” "What does that have to do with?" "Someone did attack me" "WHO?!" the dazzlings said together. "They will have to wait, we have to clean after dinner." Sunset got up and went to the kitchen. "Also, I must go to the bathroom." she ran. "Wait who was it?!" Aria said. "It would be better to do what she says, to know who I should kill for that" Adagio began to clean, with the help of the others.