//------------------------------// // A late cup of coffee // Story: Off the Path // by WhispersInTheDark //------------------------------// Maneville is a small town in Equestria, population about two hundred, give or take. There was not as great a mix of the tribes as in other, larger towns like Ponyville, but the few pegasi and unicorns got along well enough with the majority of earth ponies. There was one constable, who was both well-liked and very good at his job. Maneville had not the criminal element of larger cities like Manehatten or even Canterlot, but every once in awhile some small time hoods tried to see what trouble they could cause. Most never lasted more than a few days, as Constable Jural made it his business to discover the motives of anypony who arrived in town. So when he walked into the town’s only diner late one evening, the pink pony sitting at the counter immediately caught his attention. He sat himself down at the opposite end of the counter and took off his hat. “Evenin’, Emma,” said he to the waitress as she smiled and trotted up to him, holding a pot of coffee and a mug in her magic. “Evening, Constable,” said she. “The usual?” “Please.” After she had poured him his cup she went back to get the apple pie. Jural watched the pink stranger out of the corner of his eye as she kept her head down and focused on her own cup. No, she wasn’t looking at the cup, was she? She was staring down, alright, but her thoughts appeared to be a million miles away. Jural took his time in sizing her up. Her mane was poofy but frazzled as if she hadn’t combed it recently. Her hooves were scuffed as if she’d traveled on those same hooves for quite some distance. Which meant she most likely did not have many bits to her name and was probably a vagrant. Lastly, there was the thousand-yard stare she was currently employing. A pony on the run if ever he saw one. “Good evening, miss,” said Jural. The pony turned her head slightly and looked at him, then went back to her cup. “Evening.” Jural frowned, then got up and sat next to her. She shifted slightly away from him but kept her attention on her cup. “New in town.” It wasn’t a question. She nodded. “Got a place to stay?” “Not yet.” Emma came back around from the counter with the slice of pie, took one look at what was happening then busied herself elsewhere. Jural stared intently at the pink pony for a few moments, as she kept her gaze downward. Finally, he said, “Don’t I know you?” At this, she did turn and meet his eyes. “I’m sure we’ve never met before.” The constable frowned again. “I didn’t say I’d met you, I said I think I know you.” He looked at the three party balloons that were her cutie mark. “I’ve seen that before on another mare. Haven't you?” The pink mare began to visibly sweat as she said, “I don’t know who you’re talking about.” “I think you do.” He shifted closer and held her gaze. “Now, why would one of the Element Bearers be so far away from Ponyville?” The mare seemed at a loss for words at this last. Jural waited patiently, allowing the moment to draw itself out and find its own conclusion. Finally, she said, “I don’t want any trouble, mister.” The constable sat back. “You’re not in any trouble, miss. Not yet.” He reached into his pocket and took out some bits, then put them on the counter. “That’s a loan. You get yourself somewhere to sleep and get cleaned up. Then you find a job if you’re going to be staying here. I won’t allow vagrancy in my town.” He stood. “Emma, I’ll take that pie later.” Then he replaced his hat and walked out. The mare eyed the bits, then reached out a hoof and slowly slid them towards herself. The waitress came over. “You okay, hon?” She turned her head towards the door. “I thought he was going to arrest me.” Emma refilled her cup as she said, “Jural’s tough but fair. He keeps the troublesome ponies in line and we’re all grateful for him. If he’s a bit gruff, that’s just his way.” Then she paused. “What are you doing all the way out here? And it looks like you’ve been living rough, if I may say so.” The pink mare sighed. “It hasn’t been easy for me. Ever since I left…well, never mind that…my first town, I’ve been going from place to place.” Emma’s face softened. “So you decided to come here?” She shrugged. “It seemed like as good a place as any.” Emma reached out a hoof and gave hers a squeeze. “You in trouble?” The mare looked down at her hoof and remained silent. Emma withdrew hers and said, “It’s alright. You don’t have to tell me.” She put down the coffee pot and slid the piece of pie over to her. “On the house.” The pink mare shook her head. “I couldn’t do that. Here…” she separated her bits and gave one to her. Emma pushed it back. “You keep that, hon. What would Equestria be like if I couldn’t spare a piece of pie?” The pink mare picked up the slice and bit into it. “Thanks,” she said around her mouthful. She swallowed and said, “It’s good.” Emma smiled. “Best in town!” Then she took out a pen and some paper, then jotted something down and gave it to her. “You go to this address. They have rooms for rent.” The mare looked down at her bits again. “Are they cheap?” Emma smiled again. “Tell Melody I sent you. She’ll make some sort of arrangement with you.” She hesitated, then said, “Could you…give me a job? I’ll work hard, I promise!” “I thought you might say that. But I have to ask: this trouble you’re in…is it going to follow you here?” She stared at her cup again before answering. Finally, she whispered, "I hope not." Emma looked softly at her, then came to a decision. "You start tomorrow, at three pm. The dinner rush will begin an hour after that, so I want you here before then. For now, go get some sleep." Tears welled up in the mare's eyes, but she brushed them quickly away. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me." Emma smiled once more. "I have an idea." She finished her coffee and got up to leave, but was stopped by one last question. "What's your name?" The mare hesitated, then said, "Call me 'Pinkie.'" "Pinkie it is. See you tomorrow." As she left the diner, the mare thought to herself, May as well use that name as any other.