Daily Dragon office, Hoofington, 11:27 PM.
I was standing in front of my desk again. It was awfully dusty, and there were piles of unfinished paperwork on it.The past weeks had been lousy. Nothing newsworthy had popped up. Tomorrow the newest issue of DD would have to be ready. I was glad that I had Luna's moon to keep company for me on this gloomy night. I took a look at the mirror on the wall. A white colt with a shaggy blue mane, sporting a tarnished fedora. I tipped my hat to the mirror image, but I was then startled by the door opening behind me:
"Dusk? You crazy pony, don't you know what time it is?"
That's Bloom for you. She's my photographer, and always taking care of other ponies. Whether they want it or not. It's sort of sweet. But sometimes it gets so sweet it gives me cavities.
"Listen, Bloom. We have nothing for the paper tomorrow, and I have to think of something." I said.
Her cyan eyes gave me a look of disbelief. One could get lost in them if you were to look at them for long enough.
"You know that's not true. We have an article on the princesses visiting the Mayor."
The article she mentioned was not something exactly interesting. There was a photo of Celestia and the Mayor,
and some conversation shared between them. They were discussing renovations involving the town library. I then turned my attention back to my photographer, who was eagerly waiting for me to say something.
"I think I have an idea." I then said, and tipped my fedora a little with my right hoof.
"Well speak up, ace." she pressed.
"We should do a gallup on the recent monster attacks."
Just recently, there had been more hydras than usual roaming near the town. Nopony had been eaten though.I was sure that I should bring some attention to this before something went horribly wrong. Hydras were pretty fast at reproducing, and should they make a nest nearby, it would take a while to clear it out.
"Good idea, Dusk. We should be able to get that done tomorrow, before the paper goes to print."
I motioned towards the door with my right hoof, hoping she would just go and let me do my job.
"You can go home now, Bloom. I'll just turn the lights off and go."
"Whatever you say, chief!" she chirped and trotted out of the door.
I was alone with the moon again, and tried to go through my papers once more. After an hour I finally gave up, turned the lights off and went home. Tomorrow it would all work out.
***
Town Square, Hoofington, 02:15PM
I tipped my fedora a little to shade my muzzle from the bright rays of the sun. The town square was full of ponies at this time of the day. Mares and colts trotting around buying, selling, or just hanging out with their friends. Some of them had knowing looks in their eyes. Should be easy enough to have some questions answered.
"Hey, Dusk!' somepony yelled from behind me. 'Over here!'"
It was Bloom. She galloped towards me with her camera swinging around. She was wearing a wide-brimmed hat that matched her pale blue coat. Her fashion tended to be flashier than her camera.
"Hello, Bloom." I greeted her as she stopped.
Now that my photographer had arrived, it was time to get to work. I looked around for ponies who didn't look too busy to answer some questions. A green stallion with a red bandana was idly standing next to the apple stands.
I motioned towards him, and Bloom followed me.
"Good day! We are reporters for the Daily Dragon. Would you like to answer a question or two?" Bloom inquired.
"Sure, why not." he said.
"We could start with your name." I continued.
"Apple Fritter. I grow apples."
"As a farmer, what's your opinion on the increased monster activity near the town?"
"Well, I can't stand it. The darn things are eating my crops!"
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Fritter." I said.
"Would you like to buy some apples while you're here, Mr. Reporter?" he asked.
"No thanks."
After I finally convinced him that I didn't need any apples, Bloom and I walked back to where we started.
"Well, Dusk?" she asked.
"Two more ponies should do. What were you taking pictures of just now?"
"I saw this handsome stallion walk by, and I asked him to pose." she enthused.
"You're kidding. You're kidding, right?"
Bloom didn't give me any response, so I thought I should leave it at that. There was no point in arguing with that mare.
We made our way towards the market place where we saw more farmers selling the fruits of their labor. I looked around for ponies to interview, and it seemed hopeless until I spotted an upper class mare with a curly blonde mane who was inspecting some cherries.
"Hello, ma'am. We're reporters for the Daily Dragon. Would you mind if we asked you some questions?"
The mare dropped the cherries she was levitating with her magic, and turned towards us with a smug smile on her face.
"Oh, not at all, darling."
Bloom giggled. I guess it's funny when they call me "darling". I brushed it off and continued:
"What's your name?"
The mare giggled a little, and then smiled even more widely.
"It's polite to introduce yourself first, Mr. Reporter."
I was taken by surprise. Ponies don't usually force such manners on me.
"Dusk Star, at your service." I said and tipped my hat.
"Midnight Bloom, but you may call me Bloom. Nice to meet you!"
The mare kept giggling. Why do I always end up interviewing all the lunatics?
"So nice to meet young ponies with such good manners."
"Now then, your name, please." I inquired.
"Emerald Shine. I am an actress. Now what is it that you wanted to ask me, Starry?"
Bloom had hard time holding her laughter in. I tried to look as professional as possible.
"I...What do you think of the recent increase in monsters around the town?"
She pondered for a moment. I noticed her gaze moving slightly left as she talked.
I remembered hearing that it was a sign that somepony was lying, but I couldn't recall if it was a hoax or not.
"I am sure that we are completely safe. The Royal Guard handles threats like this with ease."
"Thank you for your time, Ms. Shine." I scribbled some more notes, and turned to leave.
I could barely take one or two steps, before I heard her voice again behind me, making me cringe:
"Anytime, Starry!"
After we managed to get around the next corner, Bloom burst into laughter.
"Somepony has a thing for you, Dusk!"
Once again, I didn't bother answering.
We made our way back to the town square, and after making sure Emerald Shine was not present,
I started looking for the last pony to question for the gallup.
Soon we found our "victim". A white stallion in golden armor. Royal Guard was in town.
"Pardon me, Mr. Guard, but would you mind answering a few questions?" I asked.
The guardspony didn't seem to notice me, so I tried again.
"We're reporters for the Daily Dragon, could we ask you some questions?"
I soon gave up, and decided that we should try asking somepony else.
But Bloom insisted that this was a one time chance:
"Dusk, if anypony here knows something about the monster attacks, it's him!"
She was right. I tipped my fedora, and looked the guard right in the eyes.
His blank expression remained pointed at the horizon. The guard was definitely a professional.
But I was a professional too. It was show time.
"You know you want to answer my questions."
The guard waved his head from side to side.
"You don't? Not even just one question?"
"No."
"Aha! You just did!"
The guard looked me in the eyes, and finally seemed to acknowledge my existence.
It was show time. Time for Daily Dragon office secret tactic #15!
"Muffins!" I yelled with my chords of steel.
"What? You have muffins?"
Bloom then jumped in and started her part of the clever plan. This had never failed before.
"Why, yes we do! And we will share them with you if you answer just one itsy bitsy question!"
"No...I can't. I can't just give you secret information because you will bring me muffins!"
"Imagine it! A sweet, tasty blueberry muffin! Fresh from the bakery, all yours. You are getting hungry, right? Standing here all day, no food. Nothing to eat. I can just hear your tummy rumbling!"
The guard was sweating under the gaze of Bloom's cyan eyes and persuading words. He looked hesitant, but his stomach would not let him deny an offer as good as this.
"They're coming from the Everfree Forest. And that's already more than you should know."
He looked at the press card on my hat, and then continued.
"Now, bring me my muffins, you blackmailing scoundrels!"
After we brought him some excellent muffins from the nearest bakery, we made our way back to the office.