The streets of Fillydelphia were busy, ponies were walking around, going in and out of shops, bistro's, and the like.
In a tavern, like any other, ponies were chasing their troubles away, their troubles all the same
Everypony knew each other there, and their names...
Conversation flowed back and forth, as usual.
The door to the establishment opening; a pegasus walked in. Few paid her any mind, though a few ponies eyed her up and down, for various reasons.
The mare walked up to the bar, and took as seat between a couple ponies; regulars.
She sat quietly, waiting for the bartender to pay her attention and take her order
"Welcome ma'am, what can ah get 'cha?" The bartender asked, as he walked over to her
"Applejack, and a select, please" She confidently stated, dropping ten bits onto the bar
"Comin right up!" The bartender replied, turning around and sticking his head into the cooler to grab a chilled mug.
The mare getting her drinks, and the bartender taking the bits, he asked her
"What brings you in today? We usually just get the same mugs in here, day in and day out?"
The two ponies at her sides chuckling at the pun, she answered
"Family brought me into town, they can be a real hoof-full. But, what are you going to do?" She answered, before slamming down her shot. "Ahh!"
The ponies around her laughed; Her response, a familiar one. And how quickly she took that shot, betrayed how posh she spoke. They already got the feeling they'd like this stranger
"Are you from Canterlot? Your accent." The bartender asked
"Was, haven't been back since I was a filly. Never could loose the accent however."
"Ah. Sorry, I just wondered if you had any news from there." The bartender replied, relaxing a tiny bit.
"Nothing but the regular rumors, my family moved from there when I was little and never looked back. In hind sight, I am glad they did so. Though, a couple foalhood friends I still keep in touch with." She answered.
Dropping her head down a bit, she spoke
"Speaking of rumors... You did hear about the princess, did you not?" She asked in a low voice
"I..I'm not sure what you mean" The bartender replied, very uneasily
Rolling her eyes, and taking a swig of her mug, she replied "I mean, that the princess is no longer with us, so to speak." still talking lowly, though the chatter in the tavern dwindled a bit.
"The one that I heard, involved an alicorn, a family member... That returned after some time, and was not pleased with what she found." The mare went on
"Well..." The bartender deferred
"MmmHmm, quite the sticky pickle for one to find themselves in. I can only imagine what my family would do if I were the victim of foul deeds."
Turning to the pony next to her, she asked
"What would you do if your sister or mother were... in such peril?" She asked him
He, having a few drinks in him already, blurted out "They'd be missing some teeth, that's for sure!"
"Indeed! Same." the mare reciprocated
The chatter in the tavern now ceased, all ears on the ponies at the bar.
"The same rumor, spoke of the night princess being freed from the confines of the dungeon. I shudder to think what happened to her there all this time." The mare went on
"Really?" A pony couple got up and approached the ponies at the bar
"Indeed. If what I heard is an accurate account of that night, there is still a princess of old out there, free again." She spoke, in a louder voice
A couple more ponies got up and moved closer.
"From all that I could gather, she had a very good track record as a ruler. If she were willing, and we could find her... What,
what if she were to come back to us?" The mare asked, her vivid turquoise eyes shining
"Well, I don't think it would necessarily be a bad thing.." One of the regulars reluctantly admitted
Sighing, looked into her mug.
"Do not mistake me, things right now could have been worse than they have become. They could Always have turned out worse. In fact, I respect the ponies that have tried their hardest to fill the void the last princess left us to deal with." She paused, taking another sip from her mug
Meanwhile, a pony sitting at a far table, abandoning his drink; got up and left the tavern.
Turning down the street, he trotted at a brisk pace
Continuing, the mare at the bar went on
"However, despite their best efforts, or their worst.. Things are growing more dire every day." The daring mare spoke
"You've been giving this a lot of thought, huh?" The bartender presumed with a grin
"Indeed I have. You have noticed my accent, and would understand why I would be concerned with the place; I grew up there. As well, you have heard the rumors coming out of Canterlot recently. From the few ponies there I have kept in touch with... I, have no reason to believe the rumors are not accurate."
Taking another swig from her mug, she continued
"To be blunt, I am worried. Very." She admitted
Staring at her mug for a moment, she added
"As such, I find myself looking to a princess for hope. A good one."
The building throng of ponies around her, had picked up the conversation where she left off.
As the conversation around her devolved into debate over rulership politics, the bar mare's ear twitched.
"If you will pardon me, I must visit the fillies room." She said, excusing herself and walking into the small room in the back.
A couple of minutes later, into the tavern, trotted four provincial guards.
All conversation in the tavern ceasing immediately; The ponies stiffened up ramrod straight, instantly sobering at the sight. The few ponies still sitting at their tables, stared at their glasses and mugs, avoiding eye contact.
Looking to the bartender, the one in charge addressed him
"We have reports of a dark coated pegasus mare causing some trouble"
Shaken by the intrusion of the local authorities, the bartender pointed to the restrooms.
Walking through the tavern, they made their way to the fillies room door, surrounding it.
After making an ultimatum to come out, and receiving no response; They went in to apprehend her.
Going inside, they found that it was empty, nopony there.
Nopony saw her leave, and there was no other way out of there.
The bartender, looked down at the mare's mug sitting on the bar; still half full.
'Who was she?' he wondered