//------------------------------//
// The Griffonstone Shuffle 
// Story: Borne on Wings of Steel 
// by The Party Pony 
//------------------------------//

Apple Bloom wandered up the worn wooden steps to the main deck, finishing off the last of a sandwich as she walked. Captain Rainbow Dash was leaning over the railing, gazing quietly at the city around them. It was just Bloom and the Captain making the deal today; Maud and Pinkie had gone into the city proper for supplies, leaving the Dash and the mechanic to negotiate with the FlimFlam brothers. But there was no danger: Flim and Flam were many things, but they weren’t murderers. It would be bad for business.

Griffonstone wasn't exactly a nice place. After the Crystal Wars, it became a haven for all sorts of ex-soldiers and refugees, throwing up wooden shacks in the rocky landscape. It was too remote for the Crystal Empire to bother with, so-for the moment- it was safe. Smugglers, mercenaries, bandits and all sorts of folks found themselves on the crowded stone streets.

"Hey cap'n, who are we meeting here?" asked Apple Bloom, standing beside Rainbow.

"Their names are Flim and Flam," replied the Captain, "we've taken a few jobs from them before. They're not the most reliable dealers in the world, but they give a good price, and they’re not the sort to murder you and steal your cargo either. You have to watch their charm, though, or they'll pick your pocket while they're shaking your hand."

"Literally or figuratively?"

"Both." replied Rainbow wryly, "I swear, those two could have made a fortune as salesponies."

As if summoned by magic, the FlimFlam Brothers themselves appeared at the far end of the dock. They weaved their way through the crowded shipyard, flanked on either side by griffon bodyguards. They were practically identical; the same suits, the same bowler hats, the same orange ties. The only difference was that the first brother, (who Dash said was Flam), had a long twirly mustache. The bodyguards remained at the edge of the dock as the brothers strutted up the gangplank and into the airship.

"Well look here, brother of mine, it's our favorite captain!" exclaimed Flim, flashing a charming smile, "Ms. Rainbow Dash, it is our greatest pleasure to welcome you back to the shining metropolis of Griffonstone!"

"Thanks." said Dash, rolling her eyes at their antics. They had an odd way of speaking, like they were talking to an entire crowd instead of just two people. But sitting through their conversations was an unfortunate side-effect of their lucrative jobs.

"And, if I may say so ma'am," Flam continued, "your airship is one of the most well-kept vessels in the entire harbor district! I must congratulate whatever advanced engineering team keeps this boat running so smoothly."

"Er," spoke up Apple Bloom shakily, "we don't actually have an engineering team. It's just me."

Flim gasped, somewhat melodramatically. "You mean to say that you have been keeping this precision machine running all by yourself?! Wow, Flam! Have you ever heard of a mechanic with such talent? Such brilliance?!"

"Never!" declared Flam, "though I'm not surprised, because Captain Rainbow Dash always hires the very best!"

Apple Bloom nearly swooned, while Dash just rolled her eyes. She had been swindled out of far too many payrolls to fall for such charm.

"So," asked Flim at last, "Do you have the goods?"

"Yeah, I have 'em." said Rainbow Dash evenly. "Scavenged the wrecked Patrol Boat, just like you said. Should be some pretty good equipment in there."

"Excellent!" exclaimed the brothers in unison.

Dash kicked a box towards them, which Flam inspected carefully. "There's a sample of the cargo," said Dash, "now if I'm not mistaken, you promised five hundred thousand bits for this load."

The brothers exchanged glances, then looked back towards Captain Dash.

"Dearest Captain," began Flim, "we have to commend you on the tremendous fortitude it took to brave the seas! It was courageous!"

"Stupendous!" exclaimed Flam.

"Outrageous!"

"Fantastic!"

"And we greatly appreciate your efforts!" concluded Flim, flashing his most charming smile yet. "And we will pay you in full! The entire agreed amount!"

"Ever last bit!" added Flam, "except for the deductions of course. Now if you will just-"

"Wait a second!" snarled Dash. Her harsh voice sounded like sandpaper after listening to the smooth talking of the FlimFlam brothers, but she didn't care in the least. "What do you mean deductions?"

To Flim's credit, he didn't falter in the least. The result of years of practice, thought Dash. "Well, the cargo is a bit damaged," said Flim, "there were a few magical parts that were terribly sensitive, and if this sample box is any sign, I'm afraid you might have damaged them in the flight!"

"Surely you can't fault us for wanting to get our money's worth?" continued Flam in false offence, "why I'll bet you would do the same thing in our situation."

"In fact, because of our long-standing friendship," continued Flim in rising spirit, "my brother and I have decided to still give you a good price despite the broken merchandise!"

"An entire seventy percent of what we originally agreed to!" exclaimed Flam, "that's more then you'll get for this stuff anywhere else!"

Dash snarled. "The cargo isn't damaged and we both know it. You gave us a job, and we made a fair run of it. Now just pay what you agreed to!"

Flam gave a rare frown. "Well, brother of mine, I don't think she's going to take our deal, is she?"

"No," replied Flim soberly, "and it's a shame, too. I don't think she's ever going to be able to find another buyer."

"Yes I will!" announced Dash firmly, "either you take this cargo at the price we agreed to, or I take my business somewhere else."

"We wish you the best of luck in finding another buyer." said Flim. He was obviously sarcastic, though his tone didn't show it.

"Indeed," continued Flam, "and when you inevitably can't find anypony else to buy it,"

"You know where to find us!" finished Flim.

"See you soon!" they exclaimed in unison. In perfect synchronization, the unicorns tipped their bowler hats to Dash, and strutted down the boarding ramp. Soon they disappeared into the crowd.

"Are you sure that was the right call?" asked Apple Bloom, "Can we really find another buyer?"

"Probably not." said Dash through clenched teeth, "But I'd drive this ship into the sea before I saw those con artists take advantage of us."

“Er… and captain?” asked Apple Bloom, shifting awkwardly from one hoof to the other.

“Yeah?”

“I, uh, can’t find my wallet either.”

Dash buried her head in her hooves.







"Well, we're in luck." said Dash, "my contacts in Equestria Proper have relayed to me the location of a village which might need our equipment."

The crew was seated in the dining area, a small-but-cozy affair with a half-dozen seats and an old wooden table. At the head of the table sat Dash, with Pinkie and Maud at her right, and Bloom at her left.

"Now, to make ends meet, we'll have to take in some passengers on the way," continued Dash, "we'll pick them up in Baltimare, then make the Sea-ward Run up to Trottingham. That'll hopefully give us enough side-cash to keep the tanks fueled until we get to our actual objective; the village where we can sell the cargo."

"Sounds like a suitable plan." said Maud. "Where is this village, anyways?"

"It's to the far northeast, between the Crystal Mountains and the sea. It's independent, the sort of place that's too small and crappy to attract Sombra's attention. It's run by a pony named... oh, I had it around here somewhere."

Dash shuffled through the small folder her contact had given her.

"Ah, here it is! Her name is Starlight Glimmer."