//------------------------------// // Whitechapel Vigilance 2 // Story: Truthseeker // by RB_ //------------------------------// Lyra sat aboard the express train to Manehatten, mulling over the events of yesterday in her mind. ----- Lyra and Bon Bon drew back in shock. “A murderer!?” they shouted. Yes, Vinyl replied grimly. “But there hasn’t been a murder in Equestria in… in decades!” Bon Bon cried. “If there were, it would have been all over the papers!” It’s being kept quiet, Vinyl replied. And it hasn’t been just one. “What… What do you mean?” Lyra asked, not sure if she wanted the answer. There have been eight victims so far. Lyra fought back the bile that bubbled up from her throat; Bon Bon grew serious. “How did they die?” That’s the problem. Each one died from extreme blood loss, through a cut in the neck. The bodies were found completely drained of blood. “Well then, I think it’s fairly obvious what you should be looking for.” No! Vinyl stamped her hoof. This isn’t the work of a vampire! “And what makes you so sure of that?” Because the fourth victim, Crystal Cup, was a vampire. Drinking the blood of another vampire is incredibly dangerous to us, but she was drained like the rest of them. “That would be an excellent way for a vampire to cover their tracks." Vinyl shot her an angry glare. "And even if we assume it isn't one of yours, what makes you so sure it was a pony responsible?" The murders all took place in Manehatten. If it had been some sort of monster— "Somepony would have seen it by now. What if it's a shapeshifter?" Then that's one more reason to bring Lyra along. “What does this have to do with your friend?” asked Lyra. Vinyl sighed. Snowbound. With Crystal Cup dead, she’s the only other vampire who was living in Manehattan at the time of the murders, among other things; some of the Society’s bigwigs think she’s behind it, and they’re pressing the council to take action. A look of fierceness came over her features. But I’ve known Snowbound for a long time; she couldn’t hurt a fly! There’s no way it’s her! “What will they do if they decide she’s responsible?” The traditional punishment: stuff her in an iron coffin, seal it, and dump it in the ocean. Lyra paled. ----- A sudden jolt to the train car shook Lyra out of her memories. She took a look out the window; the skyscrapers of their destination were outlined against the light of the morning sky. Lyra had not been to Manehatten since she was a filly; under any other circumstances she would have relished the chance to visit the city that never sleeps. Unfortunately, she was here for business, not pleasure; and a rather grim business at that. A loud snore erupted form the pony on the seat across from her, drawing the irritated glares of a few of their fellow passengers. There, sprawled across the bench and thoroughly unconscious, was Vinyl Scratch, headphones on and blaring music despite their owner being unable to hear it. Lyra turned to the mare sitting beside her. “Do you think we should wake her up?” “I think I’d prefer it if she stayed asleep,” Bon Bon replied, casting an unpleasant look at their travelling companion. ----- “And what exactly do you want the two of us to do about it?” Bon Bon asked. I’m not asking you to do anything, Vinyl replied, hostility in her mental voice. I only want Lyra’s help. “If you think for one second I’m going to let Lyra waltz out of town with a Celestia-forsaken vampire without my protection, then you must be going senile.” And if you think for one second that I’m going to bring a hunter into Society business, then you need to lay off the sweets, because clearly they’re not just going to your flanks! Lyra massaged her temple with a hoof. “Would you two knock it off?” She looked towards the vampire. “Vinyl, I’m sorry, but I would prefer it if she came. Besides, she’s supposed to accompany me on Owl business for the time being. Pinkie’s orders.” Ngh… fine. But I’m not happy about it, and I’m not letting her anywhere near Snowbound. “And if it turns out that she’s responsible?” asked Bon Bon. She. Didn’t. Do it! Vinyl yelled, stomping her hoof for emphasis. “It’s a deal,” Lyra said, preventing another round of arguing. “What do you need us to do?” ----- The three mares stepped off the train, their luggage balanced on their backs. What struck Lyra first was the bustle; even in the train station there was a crowd. Ponies rushed back and forth, pushing their way past each other to get to their destinations. Over to one side, several vendors had set up shop, selling newspapers and snacks. Noise filled the air, a cloud of ambient chatter that filled her ears. Perhaps it was just because she had grown accustomed to Ponyville, but Lyra found it all a bit overwhelming. Not bad, necessarily, but a bit much. Vinyl, on the other hoof, was ecstatic. Aww yeah, it’s good to be back, she cried out over the psychic link as they made their way to the exit. I love Ponyville, but this city always feels so alive! “Can’t say I’ve ever seen the appeal…” Bon Bon muttered as she fought her way through the crowd. “Which way’s the hotel, Vinyl?” This way, follow me! It’s only a few blocks from here. We can drop our bags off, and then I’ll take you to see Snowbound. ----- The elevator dinged, signaling its arrival at the top floor of the apartment complex. Lyra followed Vinyl into the spacious hallway; Bon Bon had been left at their hotel, albeit unhappily. A few twists and turns later, and Vinyl stopped in front of a door: 522. Raising a hoof, she gave the door three hard knocks. After a moment, the door was answered by a tan-colored earth pony mare with a braided red mane. Hey, Rosa! “Oh, Vinyl! Come in, come in!” She ushered them inside, closing and locking the door behind them. “And you are?” “Lyra Heartstrings, nice to meet you.” She’s going to help me clear Snowbound’s name. “Oh, thank goodness! She’s been so worried these past few days, I can tell.” She gave Lyra a smile. “Well, I can’t promise I’ll be much help, but I’ll do what I can.” “That’s all anypony can ask for, Miss Heartstrings. I’ll go fetch Snowbound.” She trotted off, leaving Vinyl and Lyra standing in the apartment’s main room. Lyra took the chance to observe her surroundings. The apartment was spacious and brightly colored, with the walls painted a soft white. The room’s large windows were covered by thin cream-colored curtains, which blocked out the direct sunlight but still left the apartment bright and cheerful. What struck Lyra the most, however, were the bookshelves. Towering things of stained wood, they took up most of the walls of the living room. What’s more, they were all packed to bursting with novels; often there were extra books piled in front or to the sides of the shelves where there was no more room. Some of the books looked brand-new— and, Lyra noted, some of them were— but many had the creased spines and earmarked pages of repeated readings. Her perusal of the shelves was interrupted by the Rosa’s return, with another pony following her. “Hello, Vinyl. How have you been?” Not bad. But I’m more worried about you, Snowbound. Lyra hadn’t really known what to expect in regards Vinyl’s vampire friend, but it certainly wasn’t this.