//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: A New Beginning // Story: Linger // by Kronos Frostwind //------------------------------// ~Linger~ A New Beginning “AHHHH! MOTHER FUCKING GODDAMMIT, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!” What a pleasant way to wake up in the morning... [Fuckin’ hell!] I slowly sat up in my bed, “Well good morning to you too sunshine... Any particular reason for the random stream of obscenities?” Satin was rolling in his bed holding his head in what seemed like pain. “Hey, screw you! I’m not your goddamn sunshine!” He threw back. I rolled my eyes, “Duly noted, now again, the obscenities are because...?” “Horns FUCKING HURT!” He yelled out, holding his head in his hooves. “What’d you do?” I asked with a sigh. “I’m trying to learn how this thing fucking works!” “Sounds like that didn’t turn out quite as planned...” “YA THINK, YA ASSHOLE!?!” He shouted with what could only be considered, pure. Hate. “Touchy.” The door opened, ushering in the doctor, “What’s with all the commotion?” I gave a brief wave and smiled, “Morning, doc!” “Head hurt from magic.” He muttered defeatedly. “Magic? You should still be recovering!” He commented. “I’m recovered! I don’t need to be here anymore!” Satin replied without missing a beat. “I bet the tests came back and I’m perfectly freaking fine! I want to leave now... Please.” I chuckled, “I’m with him, I appreciate the help and all but... I wanna explore!” The doctor sighed, “...No, there isn’t anything physically wrong with you two, but there should be. Your injuries have healed too fast. The sheer amount of blood loss would put anypony in a coma at the very least! Yet, you two just walk it off like a bad cramp!” I smiled excitedly, “Simple... MAGIC!” I replied while flourishing my fore hooves for emphasis. He perked a brow in curiosity, “Either way, I’d like to keep you here for a few more days to see what we can learn.” “That sounds like needle talk, how about no.” Satin responded flatly. For once, he laughed. It wasn’t the normal, cheerful laugh I hear so often, no, this was a maniacal laugh, dripping with venom and a hint of sheer evil! “You act like you have a choice in the matter! I’m not releasing you till I’m sure you’re completely well.” I smirked a bit, “...Has anyone ever told you that you would make a fantastic villain?” “No, not that I can recall.” The doctor said as he began to exit the room in victory. “He’s a charming asshole.” I shrugged, “For the most part. So, up for escaping from a hospital?” Satin smiled in response, “Sounds like best plan.” I got up from my bed and threw my, now clean, torn up coat over my shoulders, “Get your shit and let’s go then.” “What shit... Oh right, Kevin! Almost forgot.” He jumped out of bed tried to pick up his plant and balance it on his back. When we were finally ready to leave, the door opened as Fluttershy and Dash walked into the room. I smiled and waved at them, “Hey girls, what’s up?” Dash nodded, “Hey, Fluttershy wanted to stop in for a visit, what about you?” “Escaping from a hospital, care to join us?” I asked, happily. Satin nodded in agreement. “You shouldn’t do that!” Fluttershy commented in as forceful a tone as she could manage, “If you’re not well, you need stay here!” “We’re perfectly fine, the doc said so himself. He wants to keep us here because we healed too quickly.” I responded with a shrug. Dash grinned, “I’m in, sounds like fun!” Fluttershy sighed in defeat, “Fine then.” “Yeah, I’m good. I hate being in a hospital. I’d really like to leave, like, right now.” Satin said, rubbing his hooves together, “Here’s the plan, now that we have you girls as a resource. You guys need to create some sort of distraction. I’m thinking something big, a medical mishap. It needs to be flashy though, but no fires. Then me and Kro will make our daring escape, disguised as nurses. I don’t know where we’ll get the outfits, but we’ll figure that out on the fly.” There was a stunned silence for a few moments after Satin stopped. It... It’s GENIUS! Rainbow Dash began to psych herself up for the catastrophe she would soon create before... “O-or we could jump out the window... If you want to...” Well... The fun of escaping is dead now. “But... where’s the fun in that?” I asked, downtrodden. “Hey, at least now I don’t have to get dressed as a nurse.” Satin said with just a hint of sadness. I looked down at myself, “I think I could pull it off... Yeah, who am I kidding...” And with that I thrust the window open, shouting, “Allons-y!” before jumping outside, only to realize we were on the second floor. My wings expanded on their own, causing me to glide slowly down to the ground. I fumbled a bit, but I remained standing. “Don’t... don’t drop me.” Satin bitched nervously as Dash and him exited the hospital room. “I’m not gonna drop ya, ya scaredy colt.” Dash commented dryly as she set him down and landed next to him. Fluttershy flew out the window carrying Kevin, closing it before descending to the ground next to us. I sighed, “That was disappointingly easy... So, what do you three wanna do next?” “Continue leaving before that doctor walks into that room with a rectal thermometer or something.” Satin said, heading off in a random direction. Fluttershy began to stammer, “H-he does know he’s leaving town, r-right?” I smirked. “Doubt it.” Dash groaned before calling out, “You’re going the wrong way!” Satin let out what sounded like a string of swears before returning to the group. I chuckled lightly, “Right-o, lead on Ms. Dash!” Dash gave me a look, a look everyone saves for just that occasion, where the only thing in your mind is, “What?” I shrugged, “Just, Dash then?” She nodded slowly. “Hey!” I looked up to the window to see Doctor Stable leaning out of it, a rectal thermometer in one hoof and a large needle in the other. “Get back here you two!” “Run!” Satin yelled breaking into a sprint, well a sprint for someone that just learned how to walk. Fluttershy and I followed close behind, Dash flew ahead of him and began leading us to god knows where. We ran for about five minutes or so before we stopped in front of a store that appeared to be made of candy. Never have I wanted to eat spackle and whatever other building materials are used in building, but I’ll be damned if this place didn’t make me think twice about it. Dash walked in, shortly followed by Fluttershy. I shrugged and walked inside, I was greeted by the sight of a multitude of confectionary delights. I saw Dash and Fluttershy sitting next to each other in a booth, I took a seat across from them, soon followed by Satin. “I’m going to eat this building in its entirety if I don’t get anything in my belly soon.” Satin lamented. My stomach growled in agreement with Satin, “Sounds like a plan.” “Hey Dashie! Hey Fluttershy! Who are your coltfriends?” An instantly recognizable, chipper voice asked. If only... A noticeable blush creeped on the two seated mares’ faces. “No!” Dash spit out suddenly, “Pinkie, just no. This is the guy Fluttershy made go to the hospital, and this is his roommate that... came along for some reason.” “Y-yeah they aren’t...” peeped Fluttershy from inside of her mane. I smiled, “Ouch... Hey, name’s Kronos.” “I’m sorry the thought of dating me elicits that reaction from you! I’m Satin, by the way.” Satin said, staring at Dash with a hurt look. “And this is Kevin.” He added, motioning to the plant on the table. “But I didn’t mean...” Dash let out a defeated huff. “Sorry...” “No, it’s fine, I understand, I’m hideous...” I stated, feigning a pained expression. “Well no one can argue with that.” Satin responded, lightening the mood at my expense. Prick... [Fuck you, buddy!] “I didn’t mean it like that silly, I just meant your new stallion friends!” Pinkie intoned as she bounced to the table. Satin’s head fell on the table as he dramatically began, “Neeeeeed food... Haven’t eaten in foreeeeeeever... Can only speak in sentences like thisssssss...” Man, what a bitch! I just shook my head solemnly, my head in my hoof. “Ahhhh poor thing, one house special coming up!” She said as she laid a hoof on Satin’s over-dramatic head. My stomach began to growl loudly. Pinkie giggled, “Better make that two than!” She disappeared into the kitchen before I could protest. “So... Fluttershy told me you showed up covered in blood. Care to explain that?” Dash said, breaking the ice. I chuckled nervously, “Accident... Painful accident... I’d rather not go into detail.” This earned a look of confusion and sympathy from the girls, but I think they let it slide... for now. Ugh... not sympathy! Anything but that! “And what about you Satin? What were you doing in the hospital?” “Trying to leave.” Satin said lifting his head from the table. “I really don’t like hospitals.” “I know that feeling!” Dash replied with a chuckle. “This one time, I was stuck in the hospital for almost a week. It was soooooo boring!” “Oh yeah!? Well this one time, two pegasi helped break me and a buddy out of the hospital before we were discharged!” Satin one-upped. “Oh yeah!? Well this one time, my friend an I broke two stallions out of the hospital before they got discharged!” Dash responded. “Oh yeah!?! This one time at band camp-” “No Satin! No more pissing contest! No band camp!” He turned and gave me a sad puppy dog look, “But what about the flute?” I glared at him before sighing, “You and that flute...” “So Dash, why the revulsion at the aspect of dating me? I mean I thought we had a moment when you helped us escape. Me, cowering, not wanting to be dropped, and you, hugging me close, not dropping me. It was... magical.” Satin said, leaning forward with a devilish smile. I planted my face in my hooves stifling my laughter. Dash... did not respond. She really didn’t look like she could. Staring, slack-jawed at Satin, clearly running through his words a few times in her head before she even tried to make a comeback. “...No.” The one word uttered slowly but with every bit of finality. “Not into Unicorns? I can change!” Satin replied raising his shaking hooves in front of his face. I put up a valiant fight, stifling my laughs... I really did, but the second Fluttershy started giggling, my face fell to the table in laughter. A crimson red blush appeared on Dash’s face before smacking Satin upside the head. Satin slowly rubbed his recently bitch-slapped head, “Darlin’ we’re gonna have to work on your foreplay. That’s a bit too rough!” As soon as he finished, he broke into laughter himself. I just continued laughing. Fluttershy’s face began to glow red, her only response was a quiet, “O-oh... my..” The blush doubled in intensity on Dash’s face and she pointed a hoof at Satin and opened her mouth as if she were going to say something but then stopped and turned to us with a defeated face on, “Does he... ever... stop... talking?” As my laughter ceased I merely shook my head, “Not that I’ve seen.” Dash let loose a groan of frustration as she buried her head in her hooves. Satin held his hooves straight up as he announced, “Satin wins! Flawless victory!” [Fatality!] I stared at the defeated form of Dash, “Congratulations... You broke Rainbow Dash...” Satin frowned as he lowered his arms slowly back to the table, “Uhhhhh, damn it. Sorry Dash, you should know I’m only kidding. I’ve never been serious about anything ever. Get to know me and you’ll learn that very quickly.” He said, his voice thick with sincerity. Dash’s head slowly rose from it’s resting place, with a gigantic troll smile on her lips, “Oh don’t worry, I’ll get you back.” She said, very confidently.. “Heh, looking forward to it!” He responded with as much bravado as she had. The door to the kitchen opened as an overly excited Pinkie Pie bounced over to the table carrying two cupcakes on her back. She stopped in front of the table and bucked, sending the cupcakes over her head... with them landing neatly in front of Satin and I. “Two super duper house specials!” She announced, adding, “On the house! For Dashie and Fluttershy’s new friends!” She then pulled a chair over, sat down in it, and excitedly scooted up to the table. “What brought you guys into Ponyville? Why don’t you guys have cutie marks? Why doesn’t Dashie wanna date you?” “See I could tell Dash wasn’t the only one staring at my pretty blue flank!” Satin let out triumphantly. I merely rolled my eyes at Satin’s idiocy, “In order, funsies, don’t know and because he’s him.” “Pretty blue flank?” Dash repeated with a scoff. “I’ve seen better.” “So you have been checking me out? Oh that is just fantastic!” She merely glared at him in irritation. Satin blew a kiss at her in response before beginning on his cupcake. I just sighed before eating my cupcake and might I just add... It was delicious! I couldn’t help but smile at the tasteful confection. “This is, the most amazing thing. I have ever, I repeat, EVER tasted!” Satin said staring at his partly eaten cupcake, savoring the bite he had taken. I turned to Pinkie, “For once I agree with him, this is amazing!” Her smile grew wider at our compliments, “I’m so glad you like it! It has a super secret new ingredient! Can ya guess what it is?!?!” Satin slowly put the cupcake down, “and that would be?” He said slowly. I muttered a silent prayer for whoever may or may not have been harmed in the making of this cupcake... and continued eating... Don’t look at me like that! It was irresistible! “It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you, would it?” Satin slowly took another bite of cupcake, “...well whatever it is, this is amazing!” He said before beginning to happily chew. “Do ya give up?” Pinkie asked tilting her head to one side. We both nodded in agreement. “Ya reaaaaaaaally wanna know what it is?” Again, we both nodded. “Well,” She leaned forward, motioning to us to do the same and whispered, “It’s a secret...” I chuckled briefly, “What’s next? Wandering around town or is there something particular ya wanna do?” I asked before returning to my cupcake. “Place to stay? Jobs that need to be filled? Two new stallions in town, bare necessities you know.” Satin put in... off-hoofedly? Dash looked me over and began to ponder a moment, “Well, we could always use a new pegasus on the weather team.” She turned to Satin and began to appraise him briefly, “I don’t know about you though, you don’t seem strong enough, but AJ might need some help at Sweet Apple Acres.” Satin rolled his eyes, “No place needs a waiter or anything? No bartenders, no chefs, no master magician positions? How bout an accountant? I’m good with numbers!” I stared at him for a moment before smiling, “A bit of hard work’ll do ya some good! Sounds like a brilliant idea, Dash.” “I’m not a, wake up at the crack of dawn to kick trees sort of guy.” He let out pathetically. “I’ll do it if I have to, but I like to keep my options open.” Rainbow Dash merely shook her head in shame for the lazy stallion, “Well we could ask the mayor if she needs any help then.” Satin let loose a sigh of relief, “Thaaaaaaaaaaank you.” The small group began to pick up their possessions (well, Kevin) and began to make their way out of the bakery. With that, our merry little group headed off on our way to town hall. All five of us stood at the entrance... All five of us? “Pinkie... Aren’t you supposed to be working right now...?” I asked curiously. She blinked silently for a moment before the realization dawned on her, “Oopsie! Silly me, thanks Kro-Kro! Gotta go, bye!” She said as she bounced off backed towards the bakery. Satin chuckled a bit, “Kro-Kro... Oh that is so fantastic!” I merely shrugged in response, “So, we waiting out here or do we need to hold your hand through it?” I mentally kicked myself for the slip of tongue. Satin shook a hoof at me and then stared at it for a second, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m going.” He replied as he entered the building. After a moment, I sighed and trotted to the wall of the building, sitting against it, bored out of my wits. Dash trotted over to me, “While he’s in there, why don’t I test you for the weather team?” I sputtered for a moment, “I haven’t flown in a while, mind if I get back to ya after I practice a bit?” She quirked a brow at me, “It’s the weather team... not the Wonderbolts... it’s not too hard. Whatever you’ve got should be fine.” I began to smile nervously, “I’m reeaaallly out of practice...” She seemed to grow a bit suspicious, “Come on, just wing it.” I sighed as I resigned myself to my fate. Maybe it won’t be so bad... [It will be and you know it...] I stood up and walked away from the building, “J-just give me a second here...” I shrugged my coat to the ground so I could move my wings. Onto the next problem... How do I use these things!? I poked a few spots on my wings, attempting to get a feel for the muscles. It took all too long for me to find out how to move the muscles, proven by the glare of impatience I was getting from Dash. Dash groaned, “Come on already, we don’t have all day!” I sighed in frustration and nodded. I began to slowly flex my wings, occasionally giving them a weak flap. Dash sighed again, “Sometime this century...” My eye twitched in irritation, “Keep your panties on!” She blushed slightly. I grunted before flapping my wings in slow, heavy strokes. I began to slowly ascend from the ground... which WOULD have been fantastic had I had any idea what in the hell I was doing... I stopped my ascent when I was just above the rooftops. Man, it would reeaally suck to fall right now... [Murphey’s law goddamn it!] ...Thank you for the reminder, random voice in my head... [Don’t mention it.] I hadn’t noticed Dash fly up next to me, “About time you got off the ground, fly-boy!” I glared at the nuisance for a moment before nodding. “Okay, let’s see how fast you can fly.” I internally groaned, This can’t end well. Thank you again, for the moral support! <...> I began tilting my wings and alternating how I flapped, getting a bearing on, you know, BASIC MOVEMENT! After a moment, I began to fly forward, slowly at first, but I began to quickly accelerate. Dash flew at my side, looking relatively unimpressed. She began to shout over the wild blasting in my ears, “Come on, you can do better than this!” I continued to accelerate, faster and faster, until I could feel my wings burning with exertion. Dash seemed to regard me curiously, I saw a bead of sweat roll over her face as she kept up with me. I saw her turn away from me, I looked ahead of me to see I had descended a fair bit and was a short ways away from colliding with a particularly tall house. I angled my wings, attempting to turn, causing me to corkscrew down, sliding on the ground, leaving a trail in the dirt before I stopped, an inch from the building. I rolled over with a groan, “I saw that coming.” I saw Dash land next to me, holding out a hoof, “That looked like it hurt, you okay?” I grabbed her hoof and pulled myself up before looking down at myself, “Bangs and scratches, no big deal.” She looked me up and down curiously, “You went pretty fast, no match for me of course, but you seem able enough for the work. Though you might want to practice a bit... or a lot...” I rolled my eyes and trotted back towards town hall, “Thanks... let’s head back.” She flew upside-down lazily behind me as I trotted back. When we got there, Satin was already out chatting happily with Fluttershy... A little too happily... I may have to amend that... “So you take care of all of those animals by yourself? That’s amazing! That sounds like so much work for just one mare.” “It’s really not all that much work...” “Oh you’re just being modest!” Satin replied enthusiastically. I smirked, “Probably, and it’s quite adorable, might I add.” Satin just nodded in agreement, causing Fluttershy to blush profusely. I trotted over to my coat and tossed it over my shoulders again, “...And that makes it even cuter. So, how’d it go, Cloth Lord?” A big smile appeared on his face, “There was a job listing to work at...” He checked a piece of parchment, “The Lazy Stable. It’s a pub or something, which means... ALCOHOL!” He exclaimed as he threw his hooves up in excitement. Oh, well shit, that’s convenient. I chuckled a bit at his antics, “The lazy stallion working at The Lazy Stable... It fits so well...” Dash smirked and nodded in agreement. “I hope it’s a good fit! Can we run over there real quick? “ He asked the girls with giant puppy dog eyes. I shook my head and sighed, “Cut it out, you’re not cute.” He chuckled in response, “HEY! I am not cute, I’m adorable! Well fine what do YOU wanna do?” “No, that’s perfectly fine, you’re just not allowed to make puppy eyes.” The puppy dog eyes immediately came back out, “But why!??!?!” There was utter silence for a brief moment before the sound of hoof meeting face echoed around us. I groaned as I dragged my hoof down my face, “So, bar, wanna come with us? ...Please don’t leave me alone with him.” The girls exchanged a quick look before laughing at my grief... or in Fluttershy’s case quietly giggling into her hoof. After a short while, Dash’s cruel laughter ceased and the girls agreed, so off to the bar we went. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was... simple. Yeah, thats the word for it. I guess the best way to describe it would be a country bar back home. At least it looked that way from the outside, on the inside it was your typical bar, except built for ponies. It was dimly lit with clean, wooden walls. There was a short-standing bar against the far wall with a grisly old stallion behind it, cleaning a glass with a rag. There were a number of tables placed around the room as well as a few outside. Instead of stools or chairs, glossy pillows were laid out on the floor, but the thing that should truly be noticed was the alcohol. That old ‘liqueur placed on shelves behind the bar thing’ that every bar in America does only works when you have fingers and can reach up that far. Their selection had been turned upside down and had tubes connected to the top to dispensers at the bottom. It was... a series of tubes. Satin took no time at all to take this in, get comfortable, and then verbally abuse the poor old pegasus barkeep. “Hey! A little birdy told me you have a job opening for somepony like me!” Satin exclaimed directly in his face. His gaze lifted from the glass he was cleaning as he gave Satin a once over, “My name’s Bacchus, if ya wanted to know.” He responded indignantly, “Ya seem personable enough, but why wouldja wanna work for me?” A wide smile appeared on his face, “Well!” He began in on a excited exposition. I walked out the door. Nope, enough Satin for now... fuck, now what? I sat down, off to the side of the door while I thought. [You’re in Ponyville, and don’t know what to do? Shameful...] Oh great, the voice is back. Plural? Fan-fucking-tastic. To what do I owe the “pleasure”? [Hell if I know.] ...Lovely. You two have names or should I just keep referring to you as, “the voices in my head”? I heard them chuckle before responding. Contrary to popular belief, hearing voices, that sound like yourself, laughing in your head, is creepy as hell. [Hmmm... Atlas.] ...And I can differentiate between you two, how? There was a brief silence before I heard a voice off to my right, not like before, it sounded more... tangible. I turned to the voice to see a small black stallion, sitting on my shoulder. He was only a few inches tall. Great, a few days in Equestria and I go mad... [Sucks to be you, don’t it?] I looked to my left to see a similarly, black stallion, with a smug grin on his face. I’m in Equestria, I may be mad, but no matter how you look at it, I still win! [Beef jerky, and bacon...] ...Fuck you, every which way. [Buy me dinner first.] Quiet you... I snapped back to reality as something began poking my shoulder. “I-is he okay?” A shy, feminine voice asked worriedly. I was waiting for something wasn’t I? “I dunno, he’s been like that for awhile...” Responded, a more tomboyish voice. Oh, shit! I looked up at the two of them. I chuckled nervously, “Heh... Sorry about that, was kinda out of it.” I turned to see Satin with his typical, overly-wide grin. “So you got the job?” I asked already knowing the answer. “Oh come on, was there ever any doubt? Imma be waitin’ tables as well as filling in at the bar if they ever need it. Apparently I know my way around alcohol.” He replied as if that was some kind of achievement. [SCRUB!] ...Agreed. I nodded to myself for a moment, “Fantastic,” I turned to the girls, “What’s there to do for fun around here?” “I usually train for the Wonderbolts! Gotta practice to stay the fastest in Equestria!” Rainbow answered rather enthusiastically. I turned to Fluttershy, “What about you Flutters?” She scuffed a forehoof at the ground a bit, “I usually just take care of the animals.” My ears perked up involuntarily, “What kinds of animals?” “Oh, just the smaller woodland critters, bunnies, squirrels, and birds.” “I love animals,” I sighed briefly, “Though I do need to practice flying...” “I don’t, but I guess I was never really cut out to be a Wonderbolt...” Satin added in voice of fake forlorn. He began again, “but fun and games, as much as I hate to say this, take the backseat. I’m still homeless!” He melodramatically threw his forehooves out melodramatically. Yeah... [He’s still a fuck-o] Yeah... I sighed briefly, “Oh yeah, almost forgot about that.” Satin rolled his eyes and muttered to himself, “Not much of a big picture kind of guy.” I merely shrugged, “Worst case scenario, I bum it on a cloud, do you have any idea how comfy that is!?” “No, sadly my cloudwalking spell is non-existant and I haven’t been able to teleport at all. Thanks for reminding me.” Satin threw back. “You’re welcome, so, back to the problem at ha... err... hoof, what should we do about it? Satin exhaled defeatedly, “Not a single bit to my name, how forgiving do ya think a landlord would be on the rent? I have a job, maybe they’ll let us pay after my first paycheck?” My head fell slightly, “Oh, how the mighty have fallen.” [Mighty, my flank!] Atlas... [Yes, Kronos?] Quiet... [No fun.] “Hmmm... and I still need a job, at least until I can fly better...” I turned to the girls, “Hey, you think Pinkie would need any help? I used to work at a bakery.” Dash put a hoof to her chin in thought, “She might, the Cakes have been a bit busy with Pumpkin and Pound lately.” “Sweet, that’s one problem solved, err... maybe. Shall we go?” I asked excitedly. Dash nodded, “Sure, I need to get to work soon though, we gotta clear up a storm heading down here.” I nodded, “‘Kay, thanks for showing us around.” She grinned, “No problem,” She leaned over to Fluttershy before adding, “keep your eye on him...” staring directly at Satin. “But Daaaash, I promise to only cause my allotted amount of trouble!” Satin said with his shit eating grin. I sighed, “Satin...” “Yes, Kro-kro?” He tilted his head ever so slightly. “Stop talking...” I said, flatly. “Ha! No!” I held up a hoof, exposing the back of it towards him, before staring sadly back at it. I don’t have a middle finger anymore... [NOOOOO!!!!!] “Alrighty, now what direction are these apartments, hotels, or houses for rent. I’m tired of carrying Kevin, he doesn’t need to see more of Ponyville.” He grabbed the potted plant off of his back and made it nod in agreement. ...And all this time, I thought I was the crazy one... Touche, Coeus, touche... I turned to Fluttershy, “Can you show us where the apartments are after we go back to Sugarcube Corner?” Fluttershy nodded and we began our trek back to the purveyor of confectionary delights, known as Pinkamena “Pinkie” Diane Pie.