//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 - Elsewhere, During the show // Story: 10 Days, 3 Adventures - Part 2 - "Manehattan Crime Story" // by TP Night //------------------------------// As the doors to the fashion show closed, after all guests had arrived, two pairs of eyes watched from the shadows in a small alley across the street. Two cloaked figures stood hidden in the darkness, near the walls. “Are you sure about this, Sister?” One of the figures said in a feminine voice. She had a noticeable accent, clearly not local. In fact, her accent was not even Equestrian, it was more similar to Zecora but without the rhyming. “Yes, Sister, I am sure. Unlike our previous coup, this one will give more rewards.” The other figure replied, in the same accent but a slightly deeper, yet still female voice. “Our last job was a fiasco. It was my fault, I really thought she would have more money.” “It was my fault as well, we share the blame. She looked rich. It was an honest mistake on our part. How could we know she carried such small wallet in that saddlebag?” “In any case, Sister, We should prepare ourselves. The show continues for an hour or so. After that, they have a gathering this evening. That is our chance.” The two figures silently slipped away, deeper into the darkness, as if they had never been there at all. * * * Meanwhile, Pinkie was sitting at the cafe again, sipping tea and munching on a large cupcake with green frosting. Petit Éclaire was sitting with her, as her shift had just ended. She too had some tea, and a left-over scone from the days supply. “How’s the cupcake? Not too much frosting I hope?” She asked. “Mm-mm.” Pinkie mumbled with her mouth full, swallowed, and then repeated in clearer speech, “No, it’s perfect!” “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried I might have overdid it on this batch.” “Well, it is more frosting than the other cupcakes you serve, so some ponies might think it’s too much, but I love it!” Pinkie smiled and kept eating. “Hm.. maybe I could serve them separately, as ‘regular’ and ‘extra frosting’...” Petit said in a thoughtful tone, stroking her chin and looking at the cupcake. “Yeah, do that!” Pinkie said in an excited voice. “normal frosting for normal adult ponies, extra frosting for kids and sweet-toothed ponies, like me!” Petit winked and giggled. “Exactly!” After they were done, the two mares both got up. “So what are you going to do now, Miss Pinkie?” Petit asked. “I...” Pinkie began, and then stared blankly for a second. “I haven’t decided yet.” She continued with a smile. “I was thinking, I just start walking and see where I end up!” “In that case, might I suggest something? There is a small market happening today, and, well... I have nopony to go with, so I thought maybe you’d like to go? I know we just barely know each other, but that’s actually why I want to go with you. The little I do know of you, you seem like a fun pony, and I think we could be good friends if we got to know each other more. Plus, I’d love to hear your thoughts on my baking and such, maybe we could discuss ideas for new cakes and cupcakes..” “I’d love to! Where is it? What kind of market is it? Will there be sweets?!” Pinkie started bouncing as she spoke. “Oh, and I’m sure we’ll be best friends!” She added with a small wink. “I’d gladly discuss baking while we walk too.” “Well, it’s kinda like a small fair. A few vendors, some games and such. It’s downtown, seaside. A harbor fair, actually.” “Sounds fun! Are we going right away?” “Yes, I just need to go inside and tell Grand-papa where I’m going. If I don’t, he gets worried.” Pinkie waited outside. A few minutes passed, and then Petit came back outside, now wearing a simple sun hat and a small saddle bag. “Ready to go, Pinkie?” “Ready!” Pinkie smiled and started walking. “Uhm, Pinkie...” Petit said, still standing still. “Yeah?” “The harbor is the other way...” She giggled and pointed in the direction opposite from where Pinkie had started going. “Oh, silly me! In my defense, it was a year since I was here, and I didn’t really pay attention to remember directions. Too much other stuff on my mind, like, parties I was planning, and balloons, and your cupcakes I had just ate, and...” Pinkie continued and trailed off into her own little world, while walking alongside Petit, who tried to follow Pinkies talking, but found it to be quite hard unless you were used to it... Which she was not. So instead, she decided to simply keep walking, only half listening, and nod once in a while. Pinkie didn’t seem to notice the difference anyway. They reached the harbor ten minutes later. Pinkie gasped and looked around her, eyes wide. All around the harbor vendors had set up stalls selling all kinds of foods, sweets, merchandise, toys, and various games and lotteries where you could win all sorts of stuff. It was just a small fair, around 30 stalls in total, but still big enough to be fun. “So where do you wanna go first?” Petit asked as Pinkie looked around with excited gazes in all directions. “I... hmm... There! That one! That guy has spun sugar!” Pinkie exclaimed happily and pointed at a vendor who did indeed sell spun sugar, and other candy. Petit and Pinkie went over to the old stallion. “I want a spun sugar, please!” Pinkie said. “What flavor you want? Got plain white sugar, orange, and blueberry.” “I want orange.” Pinkie said after a few seconds consideration. “An’ you, what can I get you?” The seller asked and turned to Petit. “I’d like one of those glazed warm donuts, please.” she replied, pointing at some warm donuts, shining with glaze. “One spun sugar and one glazed donut. That’ll be five bits each.” “I’ll pay this one.” Petit said, giving the seller a ten-bit coin. “Oh, Thanks!” Pinkie gasped. “I’ll pay the next thing we get then!” she added. Petit smiled, a bit shyly. “Oh, that’s... that’s okay Pinkie, it’s on me.” “Oh, okay.” Pinkie said, and started eating her spun sugar. “Mmm, sugary... with just a hint of orange. Perfect!” A couple hours passed, as the two ponies went around to the various vendors looking at their wares, sometimes buying some candy or something to drink. “Hey, Petit, look! That game-vendor has cute little plush animals!” They went over to the vendor, and looked over the various prizes. “Ooh, look! That panda.. It’s so cute..” Petit said, looking at a fat panda plush. “Vendor! What do I need to win the panda?” Pinkie asked. The vendor, a very bored-looking middle-aged stallion glanced over at the panda, then at Pinkie and Petit. “Ya gotta knock down the can-pyramid behin’ me in jus’ one single try.” “Easy. One try, please.” Pinkie said with a focused look on her face. “...Sure, whatever...” the stallion said, giving her a tennis ball. “Ten bits.” Pinkie took the ball, and gave the stallion ten bits. A moment later, she threw the ball with a perfect screw, hitting the center bottom can, and knocking the pyramid down. “YEES! I WIN!” She exclaimed excitedly. “Now hoof over that panda!” “....ugh, fine.” the vendor sighed and have Pinkie the panda. Pinkie and Petit then went away from the vendor. “What a grumpy guy! Wonder why he does this sort of job? Vendors are supposed to be happy, funny, friendly ponies!” Pinkie said after they were out of his hearing range. “Well, it’s okay.” They sat down, watching the waters and the slowly setting sun. “Oh, I almost forgot!” Pinkie smiled. “This is for you.” She said, holding the panda out toward Petit. Petit blushed a bit, but quickly grabbed the panda to use it to hide her red cheeks. “T-Thanks! I love it!” “I know, I saw how you looked at it, so I figured I’d win it for you since I’m an expert in knock-the-cans-down.” Pinkie smiled and looked out over the water. “What a lovely evening. And, thanks for today, It was really fun!” Petit hugged her panda tightly, and looked out at the sea. But, her eyes turned and glanced at Pinkie. Her cheeks went red again, but Pinkie was too busy watching the seagulls to notice. “Yeah, it was really fun.. Thanks, Pinkie... and thanks for the panda... Thank you so much for actually spending this time with me.” “Oh, that was my pleasure, I had a really good time!” Pinkie smiled. “So did I, Pinkie... So did I.”