//------------------------------// // The Market and Meetings // Story: Of Hooves and History // by Ahmad J Charles //------------------------------// Pushing on my skateboard didn’t feel as sore or physically consuming as pedaling my mountain bike, so I was able to coast for a short while, attracting some oohs and aahs from a few little fillies and colts. I ignored them; I’d gotten that type of attention numerous times before in other countries back on Earth. Getting around this town wouldn’t be easy navigation-wise. Unless… “Ah!” I called out, spotting one stallion at a table with a map. I scooted over to him. “Um, excuse me for a second. Could I borrow that for a moment?” “S-S-Sure,” he stammered, quickly folding it and pushing it across the table. “No need to feel so nervous, my guy,” I replied with a chuckle, unfolding the map and peering over it. At first I was expecting it to looks like some old papyrus but it was decently thick paper that felt premium to the touch. The text and drawings were crisp, and within ten seconds flat, I’d located the marketplace. “Thanks very much. I’ll be going now.” I handed the map back to him and pushed off. The town wasn’t too complicated. Within a week it’d be easy to remember major streets, where each one led to, and the top stores and businesses along each of them. With a quick shortcut via a side street, I soon made it to the marketplace. The atmosphere felt active and lively, but not crowded or tense. At the far end near the waterfront, I skidded to a stop beside an antique vendor and sat down. Shrugging off my sling bag, I pulled out the soup can and bags. “Let’s see how well this works…” I muttered quietly, arranging all the items in a neat row in front of my lap. Typically I’d been an investigator and analyzer, now I needed to be a salesman. And my training began sooner than expected. Just moments later, a group of ponies came walking up the road. Based on their body language and snippets of conversation, I could tell they were keen on checking out something new and interesting. Ideal customers, located. So I waved over at them. “Hello there, and welcome to the Maretime Bay marketplace!” One of them looked shocked, while another mare seemed fascinated. “What have you got there?” I held up a red resealable bag. “These are raisins – or dried grapes if you will. Sometimes a quick snack is all we need to give us a boost to keep going throughout the day, and what’s the key behind that boost? Sugar.” The group seemed interested and stepped closer, so I opened the bag and took out a single raisin, holding it out for them to observe closely. “When grapes dry up, the water vanishes, leaving behind a natural sugar that comes alive. The result is a smaller form factor yet retaining the nutrition and raising the appetite levels. Here, have a bite.” I handed the raisin to one of them, and she gingerly took it in her hoof, before popping it into her mouth. Almost immediately her lips parted into a grin after a few chews. “This tastes great!” Not wanting to be left out, her colt drummed his hooves on the ground excitedly. “Mommy, can I have one too?” I pulled out another raisin, and he eagerly gobbled it up with a satisfied smile. “We’ll take it for four bits.” “Deal.” As they walked away with a happy smile, I punched the air with a silent whoop that made the vendor beside me chuckle. “Congratulations on your first sale of the day,” he said with a confident smile. “Aw, thanks. Just three more to go.” To pass the time, I took a moment to observe the buildings’ architecture. The term “ground floor windows” seemed to almost be taken literally, with their sills coming no higher than two and a half to three feet off the ground. Having mostly circular and arched windows with awnings gave off Victorian vibes, though the light colors, tightly packed shops, and mature trees and shrubs reminded me more of California. It felt hip and chill. It was then that I noticed a group of kids – two fillies and a colt – gloomily shuffling along together past the vendors on the opposite side. A prime target. “Hey there!” I called out. “You three okay?” “Y-yeah, we’re fine.” “Just bummed because prices for my favorite chocolate went up,” said another sadly. “I have a solution,” I replied excitedly with a big smile. “Come over for a minute.” Precariously, the trio cautiously stepped forward. It hurt me to see them look so frightened at my appearance. I eyed a little satchel on one filly. “How much you got?” “Six bits.” “And the price of that chocolate?” “Three bits each. I wanted to get one for each of us.” “I’m sorry if I looked a little scary with my eyes watching like that,” I said softly. “Just observing closely, as is good practice in life. Now, I’ll gladly take all six bits for these.” I pulled out the large Cadbury and Hershey bars as if performing some sort of disappearing magic trick. The kids gasped in awe and squealed in joy, their little hooves drumming on the ground. I had to smile as the one with the satchel handed me the bits. “Let me make this a little easier,” I said, tearing open the Hershey wrapper. “Thank you so much…” the little filly replied, almost crying as she gently slid the Cadbury bar into her little satchel. The other two took the Hershey bar and they all happily ran off to the waterfront, but not before waving me goodbye. Almost a whole hour passed, and no one seemed interested in the oats or the can of soup. After three attempts, I breathed a sigh of defeat and tucked them back into the bag, zipping it shut. “Wait, where you going?” the antique vendor inquired as I picked up my board. “You didn’t sell the can and the other bag.” “Well, I figured I’m in the wrong place,” I replied with a shrug, before catching my breath as something struck my mind. “Any idea to the whereabouts of Peach Cobblestone?” “She’s typically helping out as a waitress at the Satisfaction Soup restaurant around this time,” the vendor pony suggested. “Third door from the second side street on the right at the top of this road.” “Gotcha.” I walked up the road, and once the crowd opened up, I threw down my board and pushed off. Cruising like this was a lot easier than slowly walking, and fun too. With this sling bag, I must look a little like Sunny myself, I thought with a giggle. Gliding down the high street, I caught sight of several businesses – general stores, bookstores, a clothing store… and a little restaurant with a wooden carving of a soup bowl above its entrance. Yep, that’s it alright. I ducked my head under the low entrance and stepped inside, only to have my eyeballs swell a little in shock. There, standing by the counter taking an order, was the mother of the very filly I had rescued just hours ago. It felt too coincidental to be true. “Well,” I began, causing her to turn and gasp, almost tipping the bowl in shock. “Whoa, easy!” I called out, stepping forward. “Don’t wanna spill your precious soup. What a small world this is, eh? Meeting again, and hopefully better, ‘cause I got something for you.” I opened the bag and pulled out the can and oats. Unlike the first encounter, she smiled softly, though I could detect a slight trace of nervous doubt. “Two bits for the can and three for the oats,” I declared, setting them down on the counter. “Or I’ll take an order in return.” “Oh my, really?! Thanks!” “Not an issue at all.” I scanned the menu display. “If it matches the value, thanks.” “Indeed it does...” Peach’s now warmly voice just stopped. “Oh! Sorry, my name’s Aiden. You must be Peach.” “How’d you know?” “I was in the market just a couple minutes ago.” A little while later, I sat down on a little chair, gingerly sipped some hot split pea soup as I watched the electric tram glide by, wondering how amazing and so much more peaceful this new world suddenly felt once others got to know and understand me. Whilst dipping a dinner roll in for some added wholesome taste, something dawned on me as I recalled the change of behavior during the initial first contact. It was expected, but the shift after my speech of reassurance was profound. I needed to share and emphasize the important message of the good values these ponies were attempting to revive within themselves. “Thanks very much,” I told Peach as I handed back the empty bowl with a satisfied smile. “Probably the best I’ve tasted.” Peach beamed and blushed slightly. “Thank you for coming by and for the wonderful gifts. Bye!” “Peace. Hope to drop by again sometime.” En route to Sunny’s house, I decided to give the police office a visit. Maybe that sheriff was in need of some information on me. Turns out, he was. “Ah, how convenient of you to drop by,” he said in a slightly guttural voice. “Step in please. We have much to discuss.” I sank into a chair in front of a desk and wore a confident but attentive look, as if I could read minds. “Let’s begin,” he stated flatly. “I’m Hitch Trailblazer. Under Code 34-3, any newcomers of a different type are required to provide their legally identifiable information.” “Makes sense,” I replied, looking straight back at him in a non-intimidating way. “I have that stuff back at Sunny’s house.” “I can’t let you off ‘till I have a copy of that.” “Could you escort me to her place?” I offered. “It’d make the job easier.” “Alright. Don’t think too slyly of my compassion though.” Hitch stepped out from behind his desk and walked outside, and I followed close behind. To make things easier, I walked instead of riding my board. “How many thugs do you deal with on a regular basis?” I inquired, hoping to initiate some small talk to test him. “Not many, thankfully. Mostly just unruly ponies who think they’re higher than the moon, and also keeping guys like you in line who are oblivious or forget the codes.” I noticed a few birds flying over and landing on his back, followed by an exasperated sigh. “Seems like you get quite the company often,” I remarked, biting back a snicker. “Love and attention follow care.” Hitch shrugged, and I just kept silent. The town soon disappeared behind us, and we arrived at a now familiar lighthouse. “I’ll wait here,” Hitch declared. “Don’t take too long though.” I held back an eye-roll and stepped inside, promptly shutting the door in his face. In the living room, I opened a hidden compartment in my suitcase and pulled out my passport and Virginia driver’s license, before promptly reappearing at the door. “Would you like me to take this info on the spot, or walk back to the office?” Hitch offered, a warm smile on his face. “You look delighted, but your body says otherwise.” “Oh, um, back at the office is fine. I travel a lot, so it’s not an issue.” My legs were tingly and my joints achy as we re-entered, but I bit back against it and settled into the chair. Hitch handed me a few documents and I signed them fluently. “Whew, your writing is beautiful,” he whistled. “I’ve had to do stuff like this quite often, so it’s a given. Plus, fingers are amazing,” I added with a chuckle. Hitch then handed me one document and a slip. “Use these for when you travel more throughout the town. It’ll be a 2-second shutdown to anypony who’s still freaked out. Once a pony has these, there’s no disregarding their permits and rights as a visitor of Maretime Bay.” “Really? Thanks, sir!” “My pleasure.” Hitch trotted over and opened the door. “Hope you have a good time. Tell Sunny I said hi, alright?” “I sure sugar will,” I replied, before turning to glance back at him. His yellowish body, the little curl in his short mane, and a streak of softness to his eyes… “Actually, um, regarding being here in Maretime Bay, I know favors are not necessarily a two-way street compared to bartering. But given your compassion, I believe I owe you something I haven’t given anypony else – yet.” Hitch’s head tilted, inadvertently making himself look cute. “Which is?” I knelt down and quickly wrapped my arms around his neck and back, lowering my voice into a whisper. “This.” Hitch leaned into me and curled a hoof around my torso, and I swear I could feel the burn of his blush at the awkwardness. “I… thanks.” I gently caressed the soft fuzzy fur on his neck and behind his ear, causing a slight quiver and a sort of purring noise. It felt so surreal yet comforting, like an odd blend of when I hugged Ryder or his dog. “I… I can’t recall the last time any visitor did that for me,” Hitch confided. “Well, besides my friends and Sprout.” “Sprout?” “He’s a former deputy, serving some time currently. We were fairly close, I just wish I was there for him earlier in life. His mom is still trying to sort out her large business.” I gave a slight nod. So that’s what that big building is for. “Well, I now know where to go next tomorrow,” I thought, dropping the skateboard and catching it with my foot, whilst Hitch still stood looking a little smitten. “I’ll see you soon, Hitch.” “Take care, Aiden.”