//------------------------------//
// Partners in Dime 
// Story: Book 1 - The Behemoth came to Canterlot 
// by Equimorto 
//------------------------------//

"So why do you want this thing so much anyway?" the unicorn asked. "It can't just be money given what you're paying me, you clearly don't have a problem with that. Unless it really is worth that much more, in which case I want a raise."
The stallion waited a bit to answer, enough time for the ponies passing in front of them to get away from close hearing range. He spoke quietly to avoid being heard by the crowd around them, though the general carpet of their chitchat meant it was harder for anyone to single out their conversation regardless. He seemed a little bothered by his companion's lack of care for secrecy. "It is worth a lot, but you're right, it's not just money. You're not getting a raise."
"What is it then?" The mare leaned in a little closer, looking curiously at the other unicorn's face.
"Personal business," the unicorn said. "Just do what I'm paying you to do. No questions besides that. These are private matters."
The mare drew back, sighed and shrugged. "Alright then." She had a look around at the crowd. "So when are we doing our big act?"
Dust had a look around as well. "Give it a while longer, girl. Still too much commotion and too little focused attention. They'd immediately catch us if we did it now."
Brush grabbed a drink off of a nearby pony's trail, plucking it from its kin. "Fair enough." She took a sip. It was something green, slightly alcoholic, and seemingly it had some lime in it. "Want to have some fun until the time comes? It'll make us look less out of place."
Dust thought about it. He grabbed some food from a passing trail as he gave it some more thought. "Point," he said, "but no drinking, no dancing, and no getting into chats with strangers. We don't want to leave an impression, we don't want to go into this while drunk, and believe me when I say you don't want to dance with me."
Brush shrugged again. "Alright then. Anything in particular you want to do?"
Dust again thought a little as they began to walk through the crowd. "There's a small art gallery here too. We could go have a look at that. Pretend we're just trying to dodge the crowd until things calm down, probably run into a couple trying to have some private time together. I'd prefer it to being here."
"Not a fan of crowds, eh?" Brush downed the remaining entirety of her drink, then set the glass down on a nearby table. "Honesty that's a little surprising. Say, do you do things like this often?"
"What things?"
"You know." Brush vaguely gestured around. "Not the party, the reason we're here."
"On occasion," Dust replied. "Not as often as some of my associates do."
"When am I getting to meet them?"
"In due time," Dust said. "Probably after tonight, if everything goes according to plan."
"Well, let's hope it does then," Brush said. "This way for the art gallery?"