//------------------------------//
// Chapter 11 - Guild 
// Story: Lyra's Ultimate Item Emporium 
// by Thunderbug80 
//------------------------------//

	"I think this is the place," Bon Bon said as she and Lyra approached a dark wooden building. It was devoid of windows or decoration save for a single small wood-carved sign that hung directly over the door that read, Guild. She gave the place a quick, critical inspection and narrowed her eyes at the rough, unfinished look of the sign. The entire place looked a bit too hastily put together for her taste, but a promise was a promise.

There is a lot one can learn from simple observation. For instance, when a pony might happen to spy a beehive in the apple tree she was preparing to buck, it stands to reason that she may just give that particular tree a pass this time around.

Unfortunately, some ponies are far less observant than others.

"It's amazing!" Lyra gushed. She began hopping in place, but Bon Bon held out a hoof to stop her.

"It's something," Bon Bon said. She glanced at Lyra, but her friend seemed awestruck and wasn't paying her any attention. Bon Bon sighed. "Let's just get this over with."

Inside was an improvement of sorts, at least. A few stallions and a blue coated mare played some kind of card game at one of several tables set up throughout the establishment, though none of the ponies even bothered to look up from what they were doing. In the far corner of the room was what Bon Bon assumed was a reception counter. Its wood was polished to nearly shimmering in a way that only the most skilled or bored of ponies could manage. Behind the counter was an open doorway that probably led to some kind of office. She walked up to the counter and looked at her reflection for a moment before turning to Lyra.

"Yeah... this place is kind of weird. Maybe we should just leave and–"

"Leaving so soon?" a vaguely familiar voice called from beyond the doorway.

"And before the real adventure has even started!" another voice, slightly deeper than the other, said.

Lyra and Bon Bon blinked at each other.

"Ah, but there has been an adventure!" the first voice stated.

"Indeed, for these two fair fillies have sought out..."

"Searched for..."

"And hunted down..."

"The glorious..."

"Illustrious..."

"Renowned, acclaimed, and magnificent..."

"Elite Adventurer's Guild of Equestria!" This last line was presented by both voices simultaneously as the speakers, two tall unicorn stallions wearing striped boater hats and matching bow ties, entered through the doorway together.

"The Flim Flam Brothers!" Lyra and Bon Bon said together. Lyra seemed excited, but Bon Bon's words came out in a hiss. The brothers either didn't notice, or did an excellent job of pretending not to.

"Dear brother of mine," the mustached stallion, Flam, said as he turned to his brother. "It seems as if our reputation precedes us!"

Flim, the brother with the slightly higher voice, held his hooves to his face in feigned shock. "Indeed it does seem so!" He spun around and faced Lyra and Bon Bon. "Could it be that my brother and I have had the immense pleasure of offering our services or products to these fine young fillies at some point in our recent past?"

In response, Bon Bon spun around quickly, nearly hitting Flim in the face with her tail as she started walking towards the exit. "I've fallen for your schemes two too many times," she called over her shoulder. "I'm not even going to listen to whatever you two are cooking up this time. Come on, Lyra."

Lyra looked back and forth between the brothers and her best friend before lowering her head and slowly following Bon Bon. Flim and Flam exchanged a look, and Flam sped quickly over to stand in front of the two retreating mares.

"Move it or lose it," Bon Bon growled.

Flam held out his hooves. "Please hear us out," he pleaded. "Anything that may have allegedly occurred in the past is history now." He was forced to take a step back as Bon Bon pushed forward. "Besides," he continued, "we're not selling anything at all. What we're offering is a chance for ponies such as you two to stride forth and earn riches and treasures for yourselves!" He put a hoof around Bon Bon's shoulder and leaned in close. "What do you say? Will you hear us out?"

Lyra's ears perked up. "I want to hear!"

Bon Bon wasn't having any part of it. She shook free from the salespony's grasp and glared daggers at him. "Touch me again and I will bite you."

Flim chuckled from his spot behind the counter. "So fierce, oh brother of mine! She would be perfect." He gestured a hoof toward Lyra. "And her lovely friend is a unicorn. Magic would be very useful–"

"And profitiable," Flam added.

"–in the adventures to come." Flim looked his brother in the eye and winked. "Oh, but I suppose they don't want to hear anything more," he said, putting on a dramatic flair. His eyes narrowed. "Though one would think that a pony who would be willing to risk everything she owns to pay off a five thousand bit debt within the next few days would be a little more willing to hear what we have to offer..."

Bon Bon stopped in her tracks, causing Lyra to bump into her. She slowly turned around to stare at Flim. "What did you just say?"

Flim shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, I thought you two would be aware that, well, just about everypony knows about your... situation." He leaned forward on the counter. "I wonder how that competition of yours is doing. What was the name again – Filthy Trix?"

"Ah, yes!" Flam said. "Financed by Filthy Rich and run by Trixie Lulamoon. I hear the locals were quite impressed!" He looked at his brother out of the corner of his eye. "Isn't it encouraging to see how a down-on-her-luck pony who may have made some, ah, questionable decisions in her past is not only forgiven, but embraced around here?"

Bon Bon cursed inwardly, but as she turned to look at Lyra, her heart broke. Lyra stood silently, staring at the floor, and Bon Bon knew then that her friend understood the situation just as well as she did. Pride wasn't going to earn any bits or get them any closer to their goal. She swallowed hard and turned to face Flam.

"Alright, we'll listen," she muttered.

Flam's eyes sparkled as he said, "Then let's talk business, shall we?"