//------------------------------//
// Chapter the Seventh: A New, Larger Cage 
// Story: Failure, Eternally Retold, Part One: The Human Element 
// by Kiernan 
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Rarity was the first responder, bringing with her a wagonload of materials. Denim, linen, upholstering fabric and quilt batting  in large rolls poked out from under the tarpaulin. She knocked on the door, expecting Fluttershy to answer. Instead, she was quite shocked when Nikolas opened the door and poked his head through. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Rarity took several steps back. "Oh, um, good day, my fine... fellow. I was just coming by with a delivery for miss Fluttershy." She chuckled nervously. "She wouldn't happen to be here, would she?"

"She's out back with Winona. Are you from the dog food factory?"

"I most certainly am not," responded Rarity, finding her nerve. "I am Rarity the unicorn, owner and proprietor of Rarity's Carousel Boutique. I was asked to bring by some fabric for clothing and bedding."

"I see. Well, as I've said, she's out back. Will you be staying for breakfast?"

"No, thank you. I'll just be around back..."

As Rarity walked around the house, Nik returned to the kitchen. He was making latkes and prepping a set of rolls to enjoy with dinner. As Fluttershy had no proofing cabinet, he would have to let the dough rise for several hours before baking. If they were rising too fast, however, he could always slow the process by refrigerating them.

Twenty minutes later, Fluttershy was back inside, and the two new friends sat down to enjoy their breakfast. Fluttershy was once again impressed with Nik's abilities. If he could be a common citizen of Equestria rather than a caged animal, she would have been glad to help him find a job at a restaurant.

"Rarity told me you two met at the front door," said Fluttershy, sipping at her tea. "What did you think of her?"

"Honestly?" Nik took a deep breath. "My first impression was that she's terrified by my presence. I have to wonder if you're the only pony on the entire planet of Equestria that isn't terrified of me."

Fluttershy swallowed as her brow furrowed. "Equestria's the name of the country, Nik. It was founded when the unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies all came together in harmony."

"Oh."

"It's fine, don't worry about being confused. You're new. You've only been in Equestria for a few days."

Nik nodded. "So, what is the name of this planet?"

"That's easy, its--" Fluttershy was interrupted by a heavy pounding at the door that made her jump out of her chair. "I wonder who that could be?" She stood up and made her way to the door. 

As the door swung open, she was face to face with four royal guards. "Are you Fluttershy?" She nodded. "Are you harboring a hoo-man in here?" Fluttershy nodded again. "You're under arrest for endangering public safety by means of unleashing a wild animal."

Nik's opinion of Rarity took a rather sudden drop. He made his way to the living room, about to tell the guards that he wasn't planning to cause any harm, but he instead found himself with a cable wrapped around his neck again. 

"Don't hurt him!" called Fluttershy, as Nik was pulled to the ground. As much as he wanted to fight against his captors, he felt that doing so would be bad for Fluttershy. He opted to cooperate, for her sake. They were loaded up into a cart and secured to the interior walls. As the wagon began to move, Nik silently cursed Rarity for turning them in.

In truth, it was all a misunderstanding. Rarity hadn't been involved in the slightest. When Fluttershy had asked Twilight to petition the princess for protection, there was a miscommunication somewhere along the line. Protection had become protective custody, protective custody had become custody, and custody had become criminal custody. It was all just a matter of poor interpretation. 

That said, knowing the truth would not save them from their fate. They sat in silence for most of the ride, the only sounds being the rattling of the axels and the quiet sniffling from Fluttershy. Nik wanted to dry her tears, but he was chained to the opposite wall. He couldn't reach her.

When the trip ended, they were unloaded from the cart and escorted into a dungeon cell. It was filthy. Compared to what Fluttershy was used to, it was small. Nik, on the other hand, noted that it was larger than his cage. Honestly, it was a step up from his zoo enclosure. It wasn't quite Fluttershy's cottage, but at least he could stand mostly upright.

"So, tell me, Fluttershy," said Nik, sitting down in the corner. "Do you know how long we'll be in here, and can you attest to the level of care we might expect?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "I've only personally known one pony that's been in one of these cells. He said they only give you food that's gone bad."

"So, there's no level of care. We're just being left here to die slowly..."

Nik's words started up Fluttershy's tears again. This time, Nik had the ability to comfort her, as they were sharing the same cell. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he gently rubbed her back, humming a soft tune as he did so. She hugged him back, pressing her dripping face against his shirt. Nik had never been a comfort to anyone before. He didn't know how to do any more than this.

The air was stale and musty, and the sound carried for quite a distance. If you listened closely, you could hear the sounds of the guards chuckling and playing cards at the entrance to the dungeons. A few other prisoners were pacing around their cells. One was even singing a slow, sad song on repeat. There was no light being let in from the outside, and the inmates were restricted to rushlights glaring down on them from outside the cells, presumably to keep the inmates from setting themselves ablaze. 

Nik sighed. He had gone from a small cage to a smaller cage, then to a kitchen and finally a jail cell. His life had taken a steep dive when his apartment had burned down, a fact that he was quite unhappy with. Still, given the circumstances, he was at least still alive. That said, at the end of the day, when a tray with a loaf of stale bread was kicked at the two of them, a part of him wished that he had fallen to the assassins.