//------------------------------// // The Best Dealer // Story: 30 Days/ 30 Stories // by Fenton //------------------------------// Ponyville, what a great place to start again, thought a young, greedy stallion. He watched the bucolic roofs appearing and disappearing between the trees. They were very different from the ones he was used to see in Canterlot. He had had to flee the place and its police, simply because dealing butterfly powder wasn’t legal. He couldn’t understand why it wasn’t allowed, since it wasn’t that dangerous. Granted, some ponies had been found dead after taking a massive dose, but the customers were the only one responsible for taking a massive dose. So he had decided his presence was requested somewhere else, preferably in a small town, far from any law enforcement official. That’s why when he had chosen the little Ponyville. If the rumors were right, anyone could start a new life. Whatever it be, the town was far enough from the capital and its police. They wouldn’t chase him here, and it wasn’t like he had anything to fear from the locals. Once arrived, he started doing what he did best; establishing contacts with the locals to see who would be interested in his stuff. Surprisingly, there weren’t any pony interested. In fact, each time he mentioned ‘butterfly powder’, every pony was looking at him like if he was a ghost. “These ponies have never heard about having a good time?” he wondered after the twelfth pony. As he meandered through the marketplace, he saw a young mare running an apple stand. After a good look, he noticed by her muscles she was probably a farmer, something not really appealing for most pony, but the stallion wasn’t really picky. Moreover, his business required some flirting skills, a thing he had mastered through the years of practise. “Maybe I will have a chance to plow her field,” he thought with a smirk. So he did his routine, but the longer he spoke, the higher the mare’s eyebrow was, and she cut him short in the middle of a sentence. “For your own sake, I will tell you this only once. Leave now, or face the consequences.” Getting knocked back that hard surprised him. Who was this mare? Was she gay or something? He left her here and resumed his meandering, still hoping to find at least one pony to sell some powder. He had only taken a few steps when another mare came to him. She was a yellow pegasus. “Hmm, excuse me, sir?” she told him. He turned his head. “I heard that, hmm, you were selling something?” The stallion giggled. If the former mare was bulky, this one was her complete opposite. Tall, skinny, with one of the softest voice he had ever heard. An easy prey. “It depends, young lady. What do you want to buy?” he asked with a devious grin. “Oh, hmm, that special thing. I mean, if you still have some.” That was way too easy. “I’m running a bit low but that’s your lucky day. I still have some left, but it will cost you an extra. You know how it works.” “Oh, yes, of course, I understand.” He put a leg around her neck. “That’s great, we are made to get along you and I.” “However, I’m afraid I’m too running a bit low on bits,” said the pegasus sheepishly. “You see, I just finished my groceries. But I have what’s needed at home if you follow me. I mean, if you want to,” she added, hiding herself behind her mane. “Of course, of course,” he jubilated, thinking about how easy this mare was to fleece. “Lead the way.” He followed the pegasus, named Fluttershy as he learned while chit-chatting, enjoying the good view during the short walk. The mare was probably still living with her parents, and needed something to get away from her boring life. He still couldn’t believe how naive she seemed to be. When they arrived, the mare opened the door and pointed inside. “Please, make yourself at home.” He entered, his smile still plastered on his face. It dropped when he saw that inside was a little bunny looking at him, with a disturbing smile. He had only seen this smile once or two, on ponies’ face, when a rival dealer wanted to ‘take care of him’. “Sit down, please,” said the mare. “I’ll make some tea.” The stallion complied and, while he waited for her to come back, the bunny kept staring at him. Half of his senses was screaming that something was wrong, very wrong, and the other half was focused on the big profit he would make out of this dupe. He listened to the latter and waited. Soon enough, the mare came back and served the tea. She took a sip and stared at him. “So, do we have a deal?” he asked, his voice quavering. “Oh, yes, hmm, about that. I’m sorry but I’m afraid there is a problem.” “Wh-what?” “You see, hmm, what you do is not very nice. So I’ll ask you to stop. I mean, if you want.” “You’re serious?” He couldn’t prevent himself from laughing. “Do you really think a kind request could do it?” “Well, hmm, I hoped. Because, you see, you’ve stepped where you shouldn’t have. There is no place for you here.” The stallion gulped. “That’s it, I’m leaving,” he managed to say. He stood from the couch and went from the door. He put his hoof on the knob and tried to turn it. It was locked. “I don’t think so,” he heard from behind. He turned his head and the last thing he saw was the face of a red-eyed bear. “Good morning, Fluttershy.” “Oh, good morning, Berry,” greeted the pegasus. “You’ve come for your order?” “Yes indeed.” Berry grabbed the small bag from Fluttershy’s wing and put another small bag. She then took a look at her garden. “Oh my, what beautiful flower bed you have here, Fluttershy. How do you manage to make them grow like this?” Fluttershy smiled. “I have a little secret ingredient.”