Brushing aside the odd sense of deja vu lingering at the back of her mind, Twilight trod slowly over to the far side of the bar and sat down on the ground. With legs crossed awkwardly, the deathclaw watched as her companion plunked down to Twilight’s left, stool squeaking loudly under her weight. The straw hatted woman Twilight had just seated herself next to shifted awkwardly, but made no effort to leave.
“Vodka for me, and something fruity for the princess,” Janey exclaimed, cutting through Twilight’s thoughts.
“Err right,” muttered the bartender who struggled to look away from the deathclaw sitting in front of him.
“So… I assume everything you said on that broadcast is true then, eh?” offered the only non NCR soldier currently drinking.
Twilight nodded slowly, her gaze running up and down the human curiously. The first impression Twilight received was that this woman had experienced quite a bit in her relatively short life. Not only that, but she seemed miserable, yet her curiosity had gotten the better of her at least for the moment.
Her appearance was also rather intriguing to Twilight as the human wore clothing which could only be described as weather beaten. A loose brown leather jacket covered her arms, and hung down around her waist, the buttons undone. Underneath she had on a pink and white striped button up that revealed an inch of cleavage and a small medalion dangling from her neck.
This pendant was a simple square that contained a fairly plain design, though it was clearly well loved. Much like her straw hat which had a peice missing out of the front, and had faded due to constant exposure to the harsh dessert sun. The shotgun slung over her back was in a similar state, with the plastic butte hanging on by a mass of dark grey tape and little else.
It was clear from the way Janey and some of the NCR soldiers veiwed her, that this straw hatted woman was attractive. Twilight could recognize those same hallmarks, such as the smooth features, and lithe yet still solid frame. The deathclaw simply felt no such magnetism to the woman, though Twilight could sense that this stranger had recently experienced something terrible.
Twilight gently tapped out her response on the table. “Yes, it is true. I have been dragged to your world for reasons unknown. I am also looking for my friends, who may or may not be similarly transformed, such as myself.”
“Well I don't know about the whole magic thing, but someone’s brain ending up in a giant killer lizard seems about the only way a deathclaw would suddenly learn how to talk,” remarked the stranger. “Or grapple with the ethics of murder for that matter.”
“You heard about our little chain gang did ya?” inquired Janey.
“Some private came running through here to inform everyone about your arrival. Didn't believe him myself. That was until I popped out to take a look atcha,” replied the odd woman.
“I’m sorry. You know who we are, but who exactly are you?” Twilight inquired.
“Just call me Cass,” replied the woman, her smile falling away and her expression becoming more serious. “Hey princess. You got a spell to bring back the dead?”
Twilight shook her head sadly.
“Worth a shot,” muttered Cass before throwing back the contents of her drink and swallowing hard.
“Sorry about that. Had a hard time finding some mutfruit which hadn't gone bad,” remarked the bar tender before placing a cup half full of a clear liquid in front of Janey, and a purplish blue one in front of Twilight.
Twilight sniffed the beverage cautiously, and though she detected a faint twinge of alcohol, it was far outweighed by a unique fruity scent. With some trepidation, Twilight carefully clutched the slim glass container between her claws and brought it up to her mouth. What she soon tasted was an odd mix of a blueberry, a plumb, and a slightly sour grape. Though unique, it was still good, and Twilight took a second, longer sip before placing the glass back down on the table.
“Ya like it?” inquired the bartender nervously.
Twilight nodded.
The man breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank god. When you need another, you just give me a wave, alright?”
“I’ll take another,” Janey exclaimed, tapping her empty cup against the counter.
“Well alright then,” murmured the bartender who swiftly got to work.
“You shouldn't rush. You’ll get sick,” Twilight exclaimed, wagging a finger in front of the woman’s face.
“I’ve had a long couple of days so please forgive me if I tie a few on,” Janey retorted, scooping up her drink the second it was refilled and downing half of it in one go.
“So, who are your friends, anyway?” inquired the bartender, who glanced at Twilight. “Are they… like you?”
“I don't know,” Twilight replied after a short pause. “I don't even know how I ended up as a deathclaw in the first place so it seems plausible that they have ended up in similar bodies.”
“A whole bunch of sentient deathclaws. Now that's a terrifying thought,” murmured an NCR trooper sitting across from them.
Now rather ticked at the fact that people were listening in on her conversation, Twilight turned and glared at the private.
“My friends are every bit as kind, generous, honest, jovial, and loyal as I am,” Twilight stated firmly, each tap of her claw removing a small peice of the counter. “If they are here then the only thing you have to fear is receiving a surprise party. Unless of course you are one of those raiders, or support Caesar in some way.”
The soldier had the good sense to appear embarrassed, and turned his body away from the deathclaw.
“They seem like good people. Let me guess, they all had crazy names like yours,” Cass remarked with a snicker.
Twilight snorted. “It is you who have the crazy names. I mean what does Peter mean anyway? How does that relate to his skills?”
“Wait hold on,” interrupted Janey. “How does Twilight Sparkle relate to one’s skills?”
Twilight smiled. “I’m glad you asked. The stars are closely linked with concepts of magic, as there is an old unicorn legend that the first spell was taught by them.”
“The stars?” Cass deadpanned.
“Yes,” Twilight replied. “And before you ask, the stars themselves are not alive. Rather the first wizards were cartographers, who spent their daylight hours practicing early forms of magic.”
“I think were getting sidetracked. What does that have to do with Twilight and Sparkle?” Cass exclaimed.
“My special talent is magic, and my cutie mark is that of a star surrounded by five other smaller stars. Thus Sparkle harkens back to my affinity for magic while the first star of twilight is a symbol of my house and has been passed down for centuries,” Twilight explained.
“You know I’m tempted to call bullshit, but that is the most well put together story I’ve ever heard,” Cass muttered before sipping her drink.
“It's best just to go along with it,” whispered Janey.
Twilight sighed, gulped down the rest of her fruity beverage and turned to Cass. “So,” she began. “Tell us about yourself.”
“Ain't much to tell really,” Cass began. “Lost my caravan to some raiders or bandits, and now I’m stuck here because of the trouble on the road up north.”
“Trouble, what trouble?” Twilight inquired.
“Lemme guess, the ants?” Janey intruded.
Cass nodded. “Ever since the caravan trade slowed down due to the war, the ants have grown more brazen and they’ve since moved into the area.”
“Pardon me for asking, but why does that matter to you since you are just an individual?” Twilight gently asked.
Cass grunted. “It doesn't matter if I got a caravan or not. I’m a registered trader, and have to sit still till the road is clear. Even if that were to happen tommorrow I’m not sure what I’d do. I don't have the money to start back at square one, and it's not like I can sell a business that only exists on paper.”
“So you’re saying this entire debacle has come about because some pencil pusher has you classified as a caravan?” Janey deadpanned, eyebrows raised.
“Unfortunately. Not like it matters though, I ain't going anywhere regardless,” Cass muttered before taking another sip and signalling to the bartender to refill her glass.
Janey stood up, finished her drink and slammed the cup against the table. “I’ll be right back.”
“I really should tell her to slow down,” murmured Twilight sadly.
Now without the ability to translate, Twilight sighed, silently rather irritated that she could no longer talk to anyone.
“Want another?” asked the bartender.
Twilight looked over to the man who was pointing to Twilight’s empty drink. Thankfully the deathclaw didn't need to speak to respond and simply nodded her head. Prompting the man to turn back around and grab several lumpy blue fruits from the top shelf along with an open bottle of vodka.
“So, is that morse code?” Cass asked curiously.
Twilight nodded again.
“Ahh, can't talk, eh?” Cass pressed.
Twilight shook her head.
“You ever tried? I’ve never witnessed it myself, but a friend of mine used to say that deathclaws could mimic human speech and even lure folk into ambushes,” Cass continued.
Twilight paused, and thought it over briefly before trying to speak her own name. Unfortunately for her, the effort was utterly wasted, as every attempt just sounded like a different kind of growl. She couldn't even manage to make the T noise and after a minute of trying, the bartender awkwardly tapped the counter, making Twilight pause.
“Could you… do that another time? You’re freaking everyone out,” offered the bartender.
Twilight blushed and nodded awkwardly, taking her drink and busying herself by sipping slowly at the warm fruity beverage.
Janey returned not long after, a prideful smirk on her face as she sat back down to Twilight’s left. “Well, I did it. The NCR no longer considers Cass a caravan, so you’re free to go about your business,” Janey stated, leaning forward and glancing past Twilight to Cass.
“Really? Well alright then. Drinks are on me I guess,” she replied. “Still not sure what I’m going to do with my newfound freedom, but I ain't about to look a gift brahmin in the mouths.”
Twilight was about to ask what such a euphemism meant, but was cut off by Janey.
“You know you could come with us,” offered the courier. “Were headed up to New Vegas and I bet you could either find out what happened to your caravan, or sell what's left of it.”
“I’m going to be real with you. I ain't travelling with a deathclaw, no matter how well mannered she is. Furthermore, there ain't nothing left to sell,” Cass retorted.
Twilight sighed, but ‘said’ nothing, as she silently appreciated the woman’s straightforward honesty. Even if it was a little disappointing.
Janey just gave Twilight a sidelong glance as if she were considering abandoning the deathclaw, only to think better of it and shrug.
“Well, they don't need to know that,” Janey replied after a short pause. “Just promise them everything that's left.”
Cass blinked. “Heh. That's one way of looking at it. Plus I did get an offer right after it all went down so it's not like I’d be lying when I hand over all I got. Still, it's my family name and I ain't sure if I want to give that up.”
Twilight leaned forward, blocking Janey before she could offer another dubious scheme to the other woman. “I have a few caps if that would help?” offered the deathclaw.
Twilight opened her clawed hand and displayed the fist full of caps she had been holding onto for the last few minutes.
“You'd just… give them to me?” Cass muttered.
Twilight nodded.
“Well shoot. I don't know what to say,” Cass murmured to herself.
“I’d say take it,” Janey shouted over Twilight.
Cass however, shook her head. “Nah. I never did do well with charity. Besides, it ain't like there is a shortage of things to do around here. Between the bounties, the ants, and the nightstalkers that harass traders heading to Nipton there are a good number of opportunities to make a few caps.”
“Please, take at least a little and get yourself some armor, or a weapon not held together by tape,” Twilight implored, pushing her hand towards Cass.
The woman seemed ready to shoot down the offer, but after glancing down at her ripped jeans, and ratty jacket, thought better of it.
“I’m only taking enough for some better leathers,” Cass exclaimed.
Twilight bobbed her head and watched as the woman counted out a hundred and twenty caps, leaving Twilight with less than thirty. Cass seemed reluctant to even take that much, though she quickly stuffed the pieces of metal in a pocket and turned away.
“Food and drinks on me,” she muttered. “It's the least I could do.”
“Will that leave you with enough?” Twilight asked.
Cass grunted. “Even if it doesn't, some folk around here owe me a few favours anyway.”
“Don't suppose you guys serve any grub around here do ya?” Janey inquired.
Twilight nodded eagerly, her stomach rumbling in agreement.
“I got some spare rations, and some beans but that's about it,” replied the bartender.
“I’ll have some beens if that's alright with you,” Twilight replied.
“Are you sure that will sit in your stomach?” Janey retorted.
Twilight winced. “I guess I’ll have whatever meat that is available.”
“Coming right up,” declared the bartender before hastily excusing himself.
“But I didn't think we had any steaks left,” murmured a trooper.
“Are you going to be the one to tell that to the deathclaw sitting at my bar?” whispered the other man in a hushed tone.
“Point taken,” muttered the soldier.
“While we wait,” Twilight began. “I was hoping if anyone might have seen or heard of my friends.”
“I think I speak for everyone when I say that we can't promise much. Though it couldn't hurt to tell us what they look like,” Cass offered.
“Pinkie Pie was an earth pony, which I think was a lot like the horses which used to roam America before the war,” Twilight explained. “Rainbow Dash was a pegasus which is a lot like a winged horse I suppose. Rarity was a unicorn which means she had a horn. Applejack was another earth pony and had a penchant for wearing stetsons while Fluttershy was a pegasus.”
“Those names are fruitier than that drink of yours,” Janey muttered.
Twilight snorted bitterly, but offered no verbal retort to the courier.
“Well you’re about the only smart critter we’ve found if that's what you’re asking,” offered a trooper who leaned across the counter.
“Plus I think I would have recalled someone with a name like that,” added the bartender.
Twilight frowned. “I understand. Please, if you hear about any strange creatures or people with weird names I’d appreciate it if you told me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” exclaimed a voice from behind Twilight.
Twilight nearly jumped up, but a firm hand on the deathclaw’s shoulder kept her down.
“Relax. I’m just here to talk to you about a potential job,” remarked the female before stepping to Twilight’s right and taking a spot between her and Cass.
“How did you sneak up on us?” Janey demanded in a rather accusatory tone.
“She does that,” Cass muttered bitterly.
The new arrival offered no comment on her sudden appearance, and simply continued to address Twilight. Who couldn't help but peer curiously at the human’s pale face which was mostly hidden behind a pair of large sunglasses or the dark brown cowboy hat on her head. With most of her features obscured, the only obvious physical attribute the woman possessed was her white skin and slim build. That was itself mostly hidden beneath the outfit of a desert ranger, a long barreled rifle poking up over one shoulder.
“I need you to check out the town of Nipton for me,” stated the new arrival.
“Hold on a minute. How much are we talking about here, and who said we are even heading out that way?” Janey interrupted.
“We are,” Twilight stated.
Before Janey’s pipboy even had a chance to translate her tapping, the new arrival nodded.
“Good. With smoke rising over the town and the foot traffic dropping off a cliff, it seems obvious that Nipton suffered an attack. One that either wasn't that bad, or one that was very, very bad,” stated the sniper in a grim tone.
“We’ll get it done,” Twilight stated.
“Thank you. I’d do it myself but my orders are to remain here. Can't really argue much either given how few of us are even guarding such an important choke point,” she pressed.
Janey grumbled, and went back to her drink, ignoring the conversation entirely.
“Is there anything else we need to know?” Twilight inquired.
“We’d also appreciate it if you wiped out the ants clogging up the road north to Primm. This shouldn't be too hard for one of your unique… stature,” she muttered.
“We can handle that,” Twilight asserted.
“Hoepfully your confidence isn't misplaced. Oh and the name’s Ghost,” offered the sniper.
“Twilight Sparkle, and this is Janey,” Twilight replied, gesturing from herself to the courier only to turn back to the soldier and find that she was gone.
“Where did she go?” Twilight asked, looking around the room.
Cass snorted. “Try not to think about it. It ain't worth the time.”