Sky Light tightened a strap on the saddlebags. "Ugh, stop fidgeting!" she complained.
"It's too tight!"
The loops which held all the gear in place were a bit too small for Rosa's larger frame. When Sky had added her delivery uniform on top Rosa was not at all certain the belts would fit around her midriff. It also wasn't helping that Sky Light was buckling them on higher than they were supposed to go. She wanted to hide the wing holes, otherwise people might wonder what an earth pony was doing in a clearly pegasus-shaped uniform.
"Almost got it," Sky Light grunted and pulled a bit more.
It forced air out of Rosa's lungs, but then the belt clicked into place. She tentatively inhaled, expecting to be blocked about halfway there, but Rosa found she could breathe almost normally. She wouldn't be able to stay in the thing for long, not if she didn't want to have permanent grooves pressed into her ribs, but it would be fine for a short while.
"There, good as new," Sky Light lied. Rosa knew it looked ridiculous. She still had her nightgown to hide her cutie mark, and then a violet and gray FedEx vest on top of that. The saddlebags were much too high on her torso, but she hoped humans wouldn't notice. After all, they wore backpacks. Rosa's bags were approximately where a backpack would be on a human.
"Okay, but I can't stay like this for long!" She warned the pegasus.
"No need. It's not far. Just go down that street I showed you, take the second alley to the left and knock on number 407, okay? Got all that?"
Rosa murmured the instructions once more and nodded to herself. It didn't sound too complex. Why wasn't Sky Light doing it herself though? It would be a lot less hassle. Rosa decided to ask: "Um, why didn't you deliver it yourself?"
Sky Light paused and peered at her with narrowed eyes for a moment. Then she forced a grin. "It was kinda late when I came back yesterday and today you owe me. Does there have to be another reason?"
"I g-guess not?" Rosa conceded.
Her friend patted her on the rump. "There you go. Now get it done and come right back, okay?"
Rosa had seen the package Sky Light had given her. Something hard and plastic and blocky, wrapped in brown paper and sticky tape. She wondered why the extra wrapping paper. Maybe it was something embarrassing? Maybe whatever Sky Light was delivering for her friends were things people didn't want the post to handle or their neighbors to see? Sex toys came to mind and Rosa blushed a little when she imagined what might be in her pack. It was none of her business, but maybe she could sneak a peek if the person opened it in front of her. Unlikely, but a mare could hope, right?
"Good. A guy will open the door - a human. His name will be Viktor. Make sure it's him before you hand it over, okay?"
Rosa nodded again. She had this.
The pegasus sent her off with a bright smile. "Hey, Rosa? Thanks for doing this," she said.
It warmed her heart and Rosa was happy to help. "No problem!"
Then she set off. It wasn't that far, but it was still about twenty minutes trot across busy streets back the way toward the truck stop, except alone this time.
There was nothing to it but to put trust in Sky Light's uniform, Rosa guessed.
She found the right place without much incident. The alley was a bit dark and stinky, especially now that Rosa was clean for the first time in days. She was being careful not to step in puddles or other miscellaneous junk which littered the ground. Number 407 was a grimy, off-white door up a short flight of stairs with trash dumpsters on both sides. The smell was bad and Rosa hoped it wouldn't stick to her coat.
At the moment she just wanted to get the job done as fast as possible, get back to Sky Light and get out of the squeezy, restrictive uniform. She lifted up a hoof and knocked, all the while trying to slow her crazy heartbeat.
It wasn't very long before the door opened a crack and half of a frowning face peered out at her. "Yes?"
Rosa cleared her throat, acutely aware that her tail had pressed itself between her hind legs and her ears had flattened down. "Uhm- uh, d-delivery? For a Mr. V-Viktor?" she stammered.
The man eyed her uniform. "We didn't order any."
Luckily Rosa remembered what Sky Light had told her to say: "It's f-from Hoover. Um, courtesy of Sky Light? I'm filling in for her."
"Hold on."
The door slammed shut and Rosa heard the sound of the chain sliding out of its groove. Then she hurriedly jumped back so the man didn't smack her in the muzzle with the door as it swung wide.
"Give it here."
She hurriedly rummaged in her bag to bring out the package. In her haste and nervousness Rosa nearly dropped it, but managed to hold on to it just barely. She took a moment to get her balance, then proffered it up on a hoof.
The man snatched it and passed it to someone behind him. "Anything else?" he asked.
"Um, no?"
"Where's Sky?"
Rosa felt like she was being interrogated, but something told her it would be monumentally stupid to protest. She didn't like the look of this 'Victor' guy, what with his bald head and so many tattoos down his bare arms. She couldn't see his friend in the shadows behind, but Rosa was sure she wouldn't like him any better.
"B-Back home. I'm doing her a f-favour," she explained with a slightly shaky voice.
"Tell that bitch she still owes me a hundred bucks!"
She flinched at the word and was barely able to prevent a small gasp at the news. She quickly nodded to cover up her surprise. "Y-Yes, sir! I w-will!"
Even before he had dismissed her, Rosa's hooves were already stepping back. She flashed the man a weak grin. "I'll- I'll go tell her..."
All she got in reply was a grunt, then the door slammed shut. She closed her eyes for a moment and heaved a relieved sigh. For a while there she hadn't been sure she would be allowed to leave. Rosa had been getting ready to run away as fast as she could. Anyway, the package was out of her hooves, the job was done and Sky Light would have some pretty fancy explaining to do when Rosa was back.
If she had to guess, the whole transaction had been illegal. It had looked and felt really shady. Rosa was starting to worry just what kinds of jobs Sky Light did for this 'Hoover', whoever he was. The images her brain conjured up weren't very comforting.
Rosa shook her head a little and walked the way she had came, happy to be done with it. Hopefully Sky Light was at the van and she had left her a few sweets, because Rosa needed something nice to calm her nerves. They were being stretched taut, and she really didn't like to be walking around alone. Hell, even Terry would have been welcome company at the moment! It just went to show how shaken Rosa was.
She started thinking about what she would say to the hobo. He had practically stolen her and Sky Light's money, then essentially got Rosa drunk. It was a small mercy he hadn't taken advantage while she was pissed out of her mind, but the whole thing was still inexcusable. Thinking about that helped take her mind off what had just happened. It helped Rosa walk more naturally, without her legs trembling and her ears folded flat down. Humans probably couldn't read pony body language, but she didn't want to take chances. Sky Light's truck stop gang proved there were more ponies around than Rosa expected. Another thing she would have to ask her and Terry about.
Until Rosa had met her, she had a feeling that runaway, free ponies were exceedingly rare and hunted down on sight. It was quite a surprise that there were so many and that no one gave a damn. Rosa would have to get answers. Hopefully Terry would come through and get her some information, like he had promised. He had said he would ask around. At that moment in Rosa's life that was her biggest goal and she was not giving it up. For all she knew, it was the only thing keeping her sane.
First information, then Maribelle!
Making those plans helped Rosa feel better after the scary ordeal with Viktor.
When Rosa stumbled back to the van she came upon Sky Light and Terry sitting side by side. He was holding a cigarette to the mare's mouth while she took a long, luxurious pull, then he transferred it to his own mouth. It was a bit of a surprise to see that Sky Light smoked, something Rosa would never have guessed. It was probably just a 'sometimes' thing when she joined Terry.
"Ahem," Rosa cleared her throat to make her presence known.
Sky leaped upright and quickly came over to her, trailing smoke from her nostrils. "How'd it go? Did you make the delivery?"
The spectacle of a smoking pony was distracting enough that Rosa momentarily forgot her grievances. "Uh. Yeah. Um, what's with-" she pointed a hoof to Sky then to Terry.
Sky Light followed the gesture with her gaze, then snorted in surprise. A bit more smoke curled out of her mouth when she spoke. "What?"
"You smoke?"
For a moment the mare looked bashful. "Oh. Sometimes. What's it to you?"
Before Rosa could even say anything Sky Light began unstrapping her bags and the uniform. The release of the belts came as a huge relief and Rosa sighed, comfortable once more. "Thanks."
Sky clamped her teeth on the vest and Rosa backed up to get out of it. Once it was loose, Sky draped the garment over the saddlebags on the ground. "Wanna try?" she offered as she walked back to where her human friend was still sitting with the cigarette.
Terry looked at Rosa a little strangely, but held out his hand with the cigarette in an invitation. She was certainly curious, Rosa had to admit that to herself. She had seen humans smoke and it had always smelled absolutely foul. Maybe it was better on the way in?
Before Rosa could make up her mind, Sky put her lips around the white stick between Terry's fingers and drew. The other end glowed bright orange. "Nasty habit," the mare explained, puffs of smoke blowing out of her muzzle as she spoke. "I only do it every now and then. Calms the nerves, but leaves you stinking for days."
Rosa licked her lips nervously but then remembered the previous night's 'fun' and changed her mind. "You're right. No thanks," she told the two.
While Sky Light savored her smoke and Terry pulled on the cigarette again, Rosa made her way near them and sat on the ground. The shock had worn off so now she remembered what she had wanted to say.
"What was the deal with that delivery?!" she hissed.
Sky Light looked at her strangely. "You said they didn't give you any trouble?"
"They didn't, but it was creepy as- as..." Rosa didn't want to swear, so she didn't say the last word.
Before Sky Light could reply, Terry piped up: "I thought you were going to tell Hoover you're out of it." He sounded reproachful and it made the mare blush and lower her ears.
"I will, don't worry. I just owe him one or two more jobs."
That reminded Rosa of another thing. "Oh, Viktor said you owe him a hundred bucks."
This surprised Sky Light and her eyes bulged. "What?! I thought it was fifty. Damn jerk, I said I'll pay him back!"
Rosa needed answers, and fast. She advanced on the other mare and stared right in her eyes. "Pay him back for what?" she demanded.
It didn't seem like Sky Light was going to answer, but Terry shrugged and gestured vaguely with his hand. "She used to have a drug problem. That's why she's doing these 'deliveries'. To pay off her debt."
The mare inhaled sharply in shock, but all Rosa could do was stare. The unwelcome news made her shuffle backwards and Rosa realized she was staring at her friend in fear, as if she was going to change into some kind of a monster.
Instead, Sky Light just stared at the ground and sighed. "Look, it's not what you think, Rosa. I got clean. I beat it. A couple more deliveries and I'm completely out of that, okay?"
Some things were starting to make sense. "Is t-that why you- why you..." Rosa gulped, unwilling to even say it. "A-At the truck s-stop?"
Now the mare was exasperated. She lifted her muzzle up to the sky and exhaled again. "Yes! Happy now?!"
Before Rosa could answer her, she got up and closed the distance between the two. Her hooves gripped strongly around Rosa's withers and her eyes filled Rosa's whole vision.
"I'm not proud of that, Rosa, okay? I got depressed and I started using. I saw what it was doing to me, so I stopped. That's the end of it. Got it?"
Rosa realized she had been judging her. She barely knew that mare and what her life had been like on the streets. She had no right to judge like that, and both her ears and her gaze lowered immediately. "Sorry."
"Good. That's the end of it, okay? I owe them a couple more flights and then we're even. Oh, you and me are even now, okay? Those guys can get nasty if you don't bring them the money you owe them. Could have been tricky if I showed up."
"So you sent me instead?!"
Sky Light waved a dismissive wing. "Nah, they don't know you. They wouldn't do anything the first time they saw you. Thanks, by the way."
Even if she didn't fully agree with Sky's logic, her reassurance was a slight relief, but Rosa couldn't stop herself from reminding the pegasus. "So, what about the hundred bucks?"
The pegasus sagged a little. Her voice came quietly, as if she didn't really want Rosa to hear. "I'll take care of it."
Of course, Rosa immediately jumped to a conclusion which she didn't much like. Almost without conscious thought her head shook. "No, not that," she said, horrified. The other mare didn't look like she was about to argue. Rosa grabbed her head and gently tipped it up so Sky Light was looking at her. "I'll help you mooch, okay? Until we have enough. I don't mind."
She would rather help Sky Light beg than have her go do the alternative. That earned her a smile. "You're a real pal, Rosa. Thanks," Sky said and it sounded genuine. "Just, next time, don't give it all to him!"
She was glaring at Terry, who spread his arms in mock innocence. "Hey," he countered, "both of you got something out of that deal."
"Like what?"
Terry flashed both mares a wicked grin. He pointed his cigarette towards Rosa first. "You got nice and drunk off your ass. Oh, and that toothbrush. I got you exactly what you asked for." Then he switched his gaze to the pegasus. "As for you, don't think I didn't see you gobble down those gummy bears!"
To Rosa's horrified realization it seemed to be true and Sky Light's muzzle went pink. "Sorry," she whispered to Rosa, "I really meant to save you some."
Rosa told herself she didn't care that much, even though she had been dying to taste something sweet a few minutes ago. "It's fine. I was my fault, anyway."
"Oh, and I asked around about that thing," Terry went on.
"The cutie marks? Maribelle?!" Rosa gasped, delighted.
"Yeah, that."
The man didn't immediately spill it, so Rosa tapped her hoof impatiently. "Well?!"
He shrugged a little and dragged on his cigarette, before stubbing it out and answering. Rosa wanted to kick the man to make him go faster, but she really needed to know what he had to say, so she somehow contained her impatience.
"Guy told me he had a temp job in a warehouse and they were supplying a lot of sheet metal to this place. He says it's something to do with ponies."
It was barely anything! Rosa felt like she really shouldn't have gotten her hopes up.
Terry saw her expression and shrugged. "Sorry, kid. Something like that would be very hush hush." He looked at Sky Light and frowned in deep thought for a minute. "Hey Sky?" he asked.
"Yeah?"
"You ought to get some of your trucker buddies to ask around on CB radio. Someone must be driving supplies up to these places and those bureaucrats sure as hell ain't doing it themselves."
Sky Light clopped her hooves together in excitement. "Ooooh, that's a good idea!" she exclaimed.
Even Rosa's heart sped up at the prospect. It was true! How come they hadn't thought of it themselves? "Thanks!" she chirped at the man.
Then she looked imploringly at the pegasus and Sky quickly guessed her thoughts. She chuckled and patted Rosa's withers with a wing. "Yeah, yeah, we can go there. Tomorrow, okay? The gang meets over there for coffee most days."
It sounded good and Rosa nodded enthusiastically. She wouldn't even mind meeting the weird group of ponies if it meant she was getting closer to her goal.
That left most of the day free. Rosa didn't really want to do it, but she made the hard decision to start helping Sky Light with her debt problem. "So... should we go and mooch for a bit?" you propose.
Sky Light grinned at her. "If you're feeling up to it. We'll be done in no time, with how cute you are."
Rosa was torn between feeling embarrassed and flattered.
"Can you bring me back a beer?" Terry asked.
Unwilling to promise him anything, but still thankful for the idea he'd given them, Rosa looked at Sky Light, who shrugged. "If we do good enough," she promised, then she picked up her saddlebags and the uniform, and took them to the van. "I'll get my sign and we'll be off. We'll try the bus station today, so we don't overdo the parking register, okay?"
Rosa followed her with a fresh bounce in her step. "Uh-huh!" she nodded, happily.