//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: "Old Friends. New Enemies." // Story: Morning Meir Mysteries: Case 2: A Fright On Nightmare Night // by XombieSlayr //------------------------------// Chapter 5: "Old Friends. New Enemies." "Real friendship, is like fluorescence. It shines brightest, when everything else is dark." - The Goddess The Majestic Majesty Golf and Royal Country Club, Front Entrance ( 8:00pm, Night) The Garden District of Nawlans is famous for its elaborate old mansions and country clubs. The particular country club, that I now stood at the front doors of, was impeccably groomed. The gilded gates had been open, allowing me to make my way to the front door. judging by all the carriages and the sounds of party goers from the back as well as the inside, I figured they were having a celebration. One of those elaborate overpriced parties, that rich ponies throw for no apparent reason other then to spend money. I didn't envy them. I could never party, for the sake of just doing it to spend money! (I'm all about fun when it comes to that. Not bank accounts.) The overall splendor of the place was that of a luxurious palace. Tall narrow shutters, provided the windows with beauty as well as protection. The tall trees that dotted the lush lawn bore beards of Spanish moss. They had clearly been here for quite a while. The windows were made of thick, heavy glass. The only thing I could see inside from the outside was even thicker drapery. And that was just from the outside. Even the doorbell, sung an orchestra of bells and chimes as I rang it. Not more then a few seconds after, the door was opened, and a very well dressed, snooty looking stallion stood in the entryway. "May I help you?" He said in quite possibly the most overly saturated snooty tone I'd ever heard. Even his nose and muzzle seemed permanently turned up as he spoke in a near painful rich guy drawl. He was polished, well-groomed and impervious. He looked at me with an uncomfortably mocking stare. I tried my best to sound as polite as possible. (Although, in my defense, I didn't have to try too hard.) "I'm sorry, but I was wondering if it would be alright for me to come in? My name is Morning Meir and- "This establishment is for members only. You are clearly not a member, so I would ask that you leave before I call the authorities. Consider this your only warning." I blinked. Once.Twice. The stallion's pompous and rude attitude was, literally stunning. I figured it would be hard to get in here, but...did he have to be so mean about it? "I'm...I'm afraid you don't understand, I'm actually here on behalf of- "Miss Merner' (Really? He couldn't even get my name right?), 'as I said, we do not want your...lack of culture, ruining the more refined tastes of our members. You don't belong here. If you continue to be a nuisance, then I will have to- To my surprise (And relief) The stallion was suddenly heavily shoved aside by an extremely well dressed dark pink mare. Her eyes were a vivid, haunting blue, lined with kohl and shadowed with gold, and they had a kindness behind them that I recognized immediately. Yet as I looked into them I saw greed unlike any I'd ever seen, reflect back at me from them. (Which I also recognized immediately.) Her mane was woven of gold and layered in several elegant patterns that came down behind her head and one large swirl that hung over the front of her head, arched just slightly to the left, putting emphasis on her seemingly flawless face. Even though she was wearing an extravagant gold (Solid gold?) ball gown, encrusted with small jewels and embroidered in platinum, I still recognized her easily. And she, by her warm and friendly smile, most definitely recognized me. She threw her arms around me and nearly suffocated me, as she pulled me into her embrace, before releasing me and smiling brighter then the sun. "I knew I recognized that voice! Oh, its so good to see you again, Meir!" she said genuinely. I smiled back at her just as genuinely. It felt great to see a friendly face after having to deal with that doorman. "It's good to see you too, Ms. Digger." Gold Digger waved a hoof, shooing away my politeness. "Oh no, none of that formality here, Meir. I insist you call me either Gold Digger. Or Goldy! All my friends do!" she explained cheerfully. I laughed happily. It was great to see another one of my friends from Mareiposa in Nawlans. "I think I'll stick with Gold Digger, then." I said simply. She smiled again. But it vanished as she looked to her side and glared at the doorman who had insulted me. "Orville! What do you think you're doing not letting such an esteemed guest into the club!?" she yelled angrily. I'm not gonna lie. I felt a little bit of joy seeing Orville stutter and pull his collar nervously as he tried to explain himself. "M-Miss Digger, I assure you,I was only thinking of the club's reputation. I mean, look at her. Only the best of society is permitted- "Best of Society!?" Gold Digger yelled even angrily. Orville was positively terrified at this point. "Do you have any idea just who you are speaking to? YOU wouldn't even be alive, if it wasn't for this mare! She saved the whole world! You should be ashamed of yourself!" Gold Digger scolded, stabbing a hoof to Orville's chest. She turned back to me, her terrifying glare, once again a cheerful smile. "Don't mind this idiot, Meir. Come with me! I'll show you around." Gold Digger said taking me by the hoof and leading me into the luxurious club. As we walked into the lobby, Gold Digger looked back to the door. "And Orville?" He jumped at the sound of his name in such an serious tone. "Y-yes, M-Miss Digger?" "I wish you luck in finding another job." His eyes shot open from his half closed glare. "Y-you're firing me?" he demanded. "Yes. Because you are, rude, pompous, and give even the rich, snooty, nobodies at this club a bad name." "You can't just fire me! This isn't your club, you're just a member!" He exclaimed. "Oh yeah. You will be receiving a memo about the change of ownership tomorrow afternoon. Or at least you would...if you still worked here." With that we left the stallion, open mouthed and stunned at the closed entryway doors. I was glad that she hadn't changed. Club Foyer (8:05 pm) Each room Gold Digger showed me was just as luxurious as the last, and the air in each one seemed sweetened with the scent of roses and gardenias. We had visited the pool house, the diner, the bowling alley ("Bowling Alley?" I asked. "Rich ponies bowl too, y'know. I'm also club champion!" Gold Digger had explained with enthusiasm.) It was all very impressive (And no doubt expensive), but I had a case to look into, and Gold Digger, being as rich and influential as she was, had to know something about this Dr. Pensipony. As such I was very happy to retire to the foyer with her, where we both sat by the fire in large leather chairs, and finally got to talk for a bit. Gold Digger sipped her cider with elegance as she looked over at me slyly. "So...what brings you to the joyful city of Nawlans, this close to Nightmare Night?" she asked. "Another case. One I was hoping you could help me solve, if possible." I answered. Her eyes lit up. "You mean I get to help you save the world again?" She asked gleefully. I wasn't sure about the world but, I knew we would be saving Nawlans at least. I mean...it was voodoo. Local stuff...right? Gold Digger looked at me proudly. "I'll help you in any way I can, Meir. Were besties, remember?" she said with a smile, and I returned the gesture. "Thanks Goldy." "No thanks necessary." she said as she took another sip of her cider. "So....what do you want to know?" Questioning (Gold Digger,Eccentric Multi-Trillionairess, Has possible information on Dr. Pensipony, Bestie, 8:06pm) Dr. Pensipony was clearly very rich, very influential, and very smart. She was also connected to these voodoo murders. I didnt know how yet, but If Gold Digger didn't know about her, nopony did. I began by simply asking her if she knew Dr. Pensipony. Gold Digger didn't need to think for a second before answering. "Of course I know about that mare. A real piece of work, and that's saying something. She's smart. Very smart. Likes to make everypony else feel stupid to make herself seem smarter. She's also got a thing for seriously difficult puzzles." "And shes also quite wealthy from what I hear." I elaborated. Gold Digger suddenly looked quite proud of herself. "Not nearly in the realms of my standards, but she is certainly wealthy. Her family is very old, been in Nawlans for centuries. They actually built most of the town themselves. She's sort of the town darling from what I hear. But there are those who don't like her. They say that she's....uh- "Creepy?" "Yeah...creepy." Gold Digger said with a slight shiver. It seemed that Dr. Pensipony had a knack for freaking ponies out. I wondered why she didn't have that impression on me... I decided to make a mental note of it before asking my next question. "What do you know about her family?" "They're a very private bunch. Keep to themselves almost all the time, and have all kinds of business affairs around Equestria. The most prominent in Nawlans are The Nawlans Finest Department Stores, which there are about 20 of in the entire city. As far as I know, Dr. Pensipony is the only member of her family in town, but they can be found all over Equestria. She handles the family's affairs in Nawlans." So she has a very large family. A very wealthy, powerful family that is extended all across Equestria. Why did I get the feeling that Dr. Pensipony was very different from the rest of her family? "Is there anything else you can tell me?" I asked politely. I wanted to get as much information as I could. Gold Digger put a hoof to her chin in thought. "Well....she has a lecture tomorrow at the Nawlans State University. She's a teacher there. You could go and ask her anything else you wanna know yourself." "Perfect. In that case, I'm going to head back to town. See if I can find a hotel to stay- Gold Digger suddenly looked as if I'd offended her. She uttered a loud fake gasp, putting a hoof to her chest in dramatic fashion. "Don't be ridiculous, my dear Meir! I wouldn't dream of having you stay in some drab, everyday hotel on the street! No, no, you are staying with me in my private suite at the Nawlans Galleria. And I won't take no for an answer!" she said with that same air of drama. I wasn't sure what to say. And to be honest I was getting tired. I figured I would just let Gold Digger do me this favor, and I could repay her once I had had some sleep. I agreed and before you know it, I was in her private town car, bound for downtown, which even in the dead of night, was still just as alive as it had been all day. Because Nawlans never sleeps. (But I do.) Nawlans Galleria (Downtown Nawlans, 9:27pm) I would like to say I slept like a foal that evening. But even with my mind as worn out as it was, and in a bed as soft and luxurious as the guest's bedroom Gold Digger had in her mansion sized suite, I could barely sleep at all. Because that would the eighth time I would have the nightmare. But this time it felt...different. It felt stronger. More Real. Too Real. More Fire. The same scene as before: A stallion being attacked by a monstrous mare. A medallion falls to the ground. And a snake. But there's that feeling again. That feeling that something is different. But what....what is it that's different. I woke up the next morning before I had an answer.