//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 - At The After-Party // Story: 10 Days, 3 Adventures - Part 2 - "Manehattan Crime Story" // by TP Night //------------------------------// “So, Trixie, did you enjoy the fashion show?” Rarity asked as they made their way toward the backstage area. Trixie hesitated for a moment, scratching her neck. “Well?” Rarity inquired. “Well... I... at first, I kinda did, but.. I found it to be, how to put it...” “Boring?” “Trixie would perhaps not use that description. More like... I felt I was on the wrong end. Trixie is used to be on the stage, being the performer, not watching others from the seats. Trixie felt... Misplaced, I guess would be a good word to describe it. Also, I don’t think fashion shows are really my thing. I think I will enjoy backstage and the after-party more though.” “Yeah, I’m sure you will. Plus, with me focusing on the stage, it was actually a good thing that you were not focused on it, which gave you a chance to look around for suspicious things off-stage. Speaking of which, maybe we’ll have better luck backstage.” “Yes, hopefully. Not that Trixie minds being with you, it’s not that... But it would be nice to see those thieves captured.” The two mares entered the backstage area, but were stopped by a stallion in a suit and dark glasses. “And where’re you two goin’?” “We are going backstage. See, I have a backstage access pass, for myself plus one.” Rarity replied, showing the stallion her pass. The stallion looked at the pass, carefully checking it. “Very well. Pardon the rough edges, but security is tightened due to the ongoing crime wave that’s hitting town. Move along.” The stallion said and motioned for the two mares to pass him. “Now, let’s see where Coco is.” Rarity said, looking around. “Coco?” Trixie asked. “Oh, right, you two have not met. Coco is a friend of mine here in Manehattan, who works in costume design. She’s here with a colleague. Although I did not see her dresses on stage today. I guess she’s up tomorrow. We’ll ask when we find her.” “How does this ‘Coco’ look? Maybe Trixie can help find her?” “She’s slightly younger than us, cream-colored fur, and...” Rarity was unable to finish, as she saw Coco further away in the room. “...nevermind, I found her. Over there, see?” She said, pointing in the direction where Coco was standing. It looked as if she was talking to somepony. Rarity and Trixie approached her. “Yohoo, Coco! Over here.” Rarity said, waving her hoof for Coco to notice, which the young mare did. She raised her hoof toward Rarity, as a sign of ‘just a minute’. She finished talking to whoever it was, and came over to Rarity. “Hi.” Trixie extended her hoof in a standard greeting. “Hi. I’m Trixie Lulamoon, a... former enemy of Rarity.” Rarity smiled. “Pfft, don’t say that darling. You may have been an enemy, but now.. you’re an ally, and quite possibly we will even call each other ‘friends’ when all this is done.” “Thanks...” Trixie said, unsure of how to react. “Oh, I see.. My name is Coco Pommel. I’ve only met Rarity a couple of times, but she helped me a lot during those times, and I’d like to think she’s a friend.” “Oh, of course we’re friends, dear.” Rarity smiled. “In any case, how are things going here? No trouble with your dresses I hope?” “Oh, quite the contrary. I took your advice from last time, and spent the evening adding the colored threads. Now, they all look perfect.” Coco smiled. “Where is Pinkie, by the way?” She added. “Somewhere around town. Fashion shows are not quite her thing, so she went off to her own little adventures instead.” Rarity smiled. “I’m sure she’s fine.” “Well, say hi to her from me when you see her, okay?” Coco said. “Of course I will.” Rarity replied with a smile, looking around. “Many unique designs here... so much inspiration!” “Indeed, I’ve gotten a lot of ideas myself actually...” Coco replied. “In fact, I think I might even start my own little line of clothing, just a few articles... like a.. ‘side-project’, I guess...” “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea!” “Yeah, but I could use some expert advice every now and then. Would you perhaps give me a few tips when I need them?” “Of course I will, darling. Now, let us go and mingle a bit, shall we?” Rarity smiled. * * * A few hours later, (and including a quick run back to the hotel for a dress change), Rarity and Trixie now walked toward the building where the evening after-party would be held. By now, it should already have started, they realized, and slightly increased their tempo to a almost-jogging pace. “It should be around the corner here.” Rarity said as they approached a street crossing. “Let’s slow back down to a normal walk, we don’t want to appear rushed.” “True. After all, they did say the party starts at 19.00, but that does not mean everypony will arrive at 19.00. Some will come later, if they come at all.” “Exactly. Plus, we’re actually not that late, it’s only around.. 19.20, I’d say.” Rarity guessed. “Sounds about right, we left the hotel at 19.05, and we’ve been walking for about 15 minutes or so.” Trixie agreed. The two mares entered the large ballroom-like hall, now filled with ponies. Along the walls were tables with punch bowls and glasses, various cookies and cakes, and other snacks, and fruit pieces. All the punch bowls were labeled with a small note on the side, telling what was in it, and if it was alcoholic or not. However, even those that were, were only lightly alcoholic. This event did not serve any hard liquors. “How about getting some punch? I do feel a bit thirsty after that jog.” Rarity suggested. “Yes, Trixie agrees. Trixie also sees apple punch. My favorite.” Trixie gave a small smile. “Well, apple is quite good, but personally my favorite would be cherry.” “Trixie is allergic to cherries, actually.” “Oh? I did not know that..” “Now you do. See, we’re getting to know each other. That... that is a good thing, yes?” Trixie said with slight hesitation. “Oh yes, it’s a very good thing, darling.” The two mares approached the tables and both got a glass of punch. While drinking, Raritys ears suddenly perked up. “Something wrong?” Trixie asked. “Shhh...” Rarity replied. After a moment, she placed her glass back on the table. “I heard... a voice, one I recognize... from when I was robbed at the spa.” “You mean...?” “Yes, I think it is one of them. One of the sisters. But I can’t quite tell who it came from, and since they have that shape shifting potion, it could be almost any pony in here. However, she sounded female, so I would at least assume it’s one of the mares.” “That doesn’t help much though, 7 in 10 ponies in here are mares.” “True, but at least it cuts it down a little bit.” Rarity slowly moved in to the crowd, trying to pick up the recognized voice again. Meanwhile, Trixie decided to keep a look-out for any pony acting suspicious. She let her eyes gaze over the room, carefully watching for any odd behaviors. She also kept her focus partially on Rarity, making sure to know where she was at all times, just in case. A few minutes passed, and Rarity made her way back to Trixies location. “I lost her.. But at least now we know they’re actually here. The question is, what are they after? All the valuable dresses and accessories are locked up in the show hall, not here in this building.” “What if they are not after the dresses this time? Perhaps they need something else first, something they can get here... Like, tricking somepony into revealing information, to find out which dresses are the most valuable?” Trixie suggested. “Sounds like the best explanation we have, so let’s assume that for now. Still, what can we do now? We can’t just start interrogating ponies, or lock everypony in here for several hours until the potion wears off. We can’t even be sure they’re even using the potions, they might be using regular disguises.” “I suppose they could, yes. In fact, it is very likely that they are skilled in that as well, and only use the potion for special cases where regular disguises are not enough.” “Sounds very probably, yes.” “Trixie would suggest we leave for now, and go home. We need rest, it has been a long day, and we have more work tomorrow.” “I agree.” And so, Trixie and Rarity left the party, and went their separate ways. Trixie went home to her house, while Rarity returned to the hotel. She decided to take a hot bath. While lying in the tub, surrounded by the hot water, she heard the door open. “Pinkie?” She asked. “Hi Rarity! I’m ba-aaack!” She heard Pinkies usual high-pitched voice reply. “I’m in the bathroom taking a bath.” “Of course you are, were else could you take a bath, silly?” Rarity sighed and smiled. “Never mind. How was your day?” “Amazing! I went to a harbor fair with Petit, after I had some cupcakes at the cafe!” “Sounds lovely. Tell me more.” Rarity said, and Pinkie started telling her about her day. After Pinkie finished, she added - “...And how was YOUR day? Any luck? Did you find the sisters?!” “Alas, no... We did not find them, yet.. I think I did hear one of them though, So we’re quite sure they were in fact there, we just didn’t know how they looked, so we couldn’t do anything other than noticing their presence. But at least we know now that we’re on the right track.” After that they both went to bed, both exhausted after the days events, and knowing that tomorrow would be filled with even more.