Applejack walked into Fire Vent proper just a few minutes before sundown. The twilight orange glow just barely peeking over the mountains to the west was still enough to illuminate the streets. And even if it wasn’t there were still lampposts with burning torches in them already lit to provide light for the streets.
A huge archway held up by stone pillars led her into the town, Applejack found herself glancing up and looking at it as she walked right underneath. It was almost like a gateway without a gate. Maybe they didn’t want to put up an actual gate or wall since that would’ve deterred visitors. This was a vacation spot after all.
The streets of Fire Vent were a far cry from the dirt road leading to it from Lumberstock. They were a smooth, almost glassy looking, black rock that was all fused together. The buildings as well were built mostly in stone, probably granite if she was guessing. Or basalt might have been more likely. Only their roofs were made of something else, heavy, over-sized, and sloping panels of shingles or ceramic tiles, they hung over the tops of the buildings. Some painted emerald green or ruby red or sapphire blue. It gave the town a colorful look and made the buildings pretty easy to differentiate.
It wasn’t the largest town she had been to but it was certainly bigger than Ponyville or Hacksaw. Like she assumed, most of it seemed to be built at the foot of the mountains and the volcano, she could see streets and paths going north in their direction but couldn’t actually see any buildings built on the mountains. The buildings were mostly clustered together and there was definitely some planning to the town’s layout, everything was angular and linear, no random buildings suddenly blocking your path or anything appearing out of order.
So Applejack kept to the “main” street for now. On the lookout for… anything really. She was glad about those lights too cause this place in the dark would actually look a little spooky.
Partially because she didn’t see many ponies right now. Might have to do with the time of day but since this used to at least be a vacation spot that relied on tourism it was weird to not be greeted by more. There were some looking out windows at her, some sweeping the street, and looking quite forlorn as they did so. The state of the town just didn’t look very good. This was a place that should’ve been more active. More alive. And yet it simply wasn’t.
“This place really lost all its spirit already?” Applejack wondered as she looked around.
Some noise got her attention and she looked down a smaller street to see some kids out playing around in front of a row of houses. At least Fire Vent was still a place where children could act carefree. Though she could also see an adult watching over them from the steps leading up to one of those houses, and Applejack could see the subdued and defeated look on their face.
She shook her head and went looking for a place of business or where other ponies were still congregating like in Hacksaw. Somewhere she’d be able to get some information. Or if she did find an inn first she’d walk on into it.
Another thing she noticed as she kept walking down the street of Fire Vent was the attire most of the adult ponies were wearing. She was going to blame Rarity for her mind even thinking about that at all. But she did notice that they were wearing robes in various shades of white, grey, and black, with sashes tied around their midsection to keep it all together. Looked comfortable, Applejack had to admit. Probably cool and breezy in a place that was normally pretty hot. Of course they could just wear nothing but maybe it was a cultural thing or the strength of the sun here made that a little worse.
Applejack passed by one building that had “Fire Vent’s First Tea Shop” written over its entryway but the building looked dusty, cracked, and there was no light in any of the windows. There was just a single stallion sitting on a chair in front of it, drinking something from a wooden mug. His eyes caught hers and Applejack politely dipped her head to him.
“Howdy,” she said.
He didn’t so much as murmur, just turned his head and looked away.
That caused her to furrow her brow in annoyance. She might have really laid into him if she didn’t have other stuff to do. He clearly wouldn’t be happy to talk with her or share any information either.
Applejack kept walking and walking while the sun now went down completely and the orange glow disappeared. The only thing illuminating Fire Vent now were the various lampposts and candlelight pouring from the windows of some of the buildings. It wasn’t too late in the day, relatively speaking, so ponies wouldn’t be sleeping yet and she hoped she could find some gathered somewhere.
That turned out to be the case when she walked past a single-story building with a large open courtyard in front of it with many stone tables and chairs placed in it. A couple of decorative stone statues and pretty maple trees gave it a nice look, and about half a dozen ponies were quietly sitting at a couple different tables while a mare who was clearly a waitress took and delivered drinks to them.
The atmosphere was still lousy, but Applejack thought she had found the right spot. This place had to be some kind of restaurant or cafe. Though it looked like it had fallen on just as hard times as the rest of Fire Vent.
Applejack took a deep breath and walked into the open courtyard. Again the ponies quickly noticed her arrival and so she put on her best smile and tried to greet them all as politely as she could.
“Howdy there, how you all doing?” Applejack asked them.
“Oh, a tourist,” one stallion said—sounding surprised but apathetic at the same time.
“Don’t be silly—she’s gotta just be traveling through,” a mare said.
“Probably not stopping for more than just the night huh?” Another mare wondered aloud.
“Doesn’t look like she came to spend much,” a second stallion said as he regarded Applejack.
Applejack increasingly frowned the more they talked as if she couldn’t even hear them. “You know for a town that I hear used to be a popular vacation spot you all aint really the most hospitable of ponies. Hard times or not, you’re just being mighty rude right now.”
“Complain about it to our mayor then,” the first mare dismissively waved her hoof at Applejack. “Oh wait—he skipped town months ago.”
“Well I’m mighty sorry to hear about that and the trouble you’ve been going through but look-” Applejack sighed and calmed herself down, pinching between her nose. “Look, all I want right now is a place to stay the night and a little bit of information. I’m traveling real far west and was wondering if any of you could help me figure out how to get to the Citadel of Al-Karamaretel from here.”
Immediately the atmosphere changed and all the patrons and the waitress seized up and sharply looked at her.
They didn’t say anything, just glared angrily.
Applejack gulped. “I uh… I take that mentioning that place around here aint exactly a good idea.”
“It’s a sore subject,” one of the mares venomously said and the other ponies nodded.
“Well I don’t want any trouble, just directions,” Applejack reiterated.
“Go bother somepony else,” a stallion said to her. “We’re not in the mood to humor you.”
Applejack rubbed her head, the welcoming she’d received from Fire Vent had been such a stark contrast to the rest of her trip so far it was giving her a headache. She tried to keep calm, she tried to put herself in their horseshoes, there was no reason to make a scene here. Not the first time she’d been in a situation like this. She took a calming breath and spoke up once more. “Can I just-”
“That’s not the proper way to treat visitors to our town now, is it?”
Applejack turned around and the other ponies at the open courtyard looked as well to see three ponies walking towards them from the street. They looked like ordinary ponies from Fire Vent, wearing the same types of clothes as any of the others, but the way they carried themselves was different. Applejack was immediately put on guard, feeling a bit suspicious.
The pony in the center of the trio seemed to notice her apprehension and put up a hoof to calm her.
“We mean you no harm—quite the opposite,” he said to her. “I am the sheriff of Fire Vent, just recently we heard how somepony from the outside had recently entered our town. I decided to greet you and make your acquaintance.”
Cough “Self-appointed sheriff.” Cough
Applejack heard that from one of the ponies behind her and saw the sheriff frown and roll his eyes at the same time.
“Yes, well, nopony else was doing anything around here,” the “sheriff” said.
Applejack took a closer gander at him. He was an older pony, pushing fifty maybe, with a sharp white beard and amber eyes on a dull blue coat. There at least seemed to be quite a bit more spirit and life in his eyes and the way he spoke than the other ponies she had met in Fire Vent so far. She gave him a nod. “Pleased to meet you, name’s Applejack. Who’d you hear about me from though? I just got here not long ago.”
“Pleased to meet you too, Applejack. I am Crater. And word just happens to travel fast around here,” Sheriff Crater smiled at her.
Cough “Spying on you since you passed the archway.” Cough
“Would you eavesdroppers cram it? If you’re not going to be a good example for Fire Vent the least you could do is shut up,” Sheriff Crater growled at the restaurant patrons.
“Uh huh...” Applejack said, her apprehension only rising.
Sheriff Crater changed gears and flashed her a disarming smile. “Sorry about all that. Some ponies aren’t very appreciative around here and tensions are high in town. I heard you asking about directions to Al-Karamaretel, certainly you’ve heard why things are… imperfect here and what that place has to do with it.”
“I have, yeah. And I’m sorry about all that but I didn’t really come here to visit or anything, I’m just passing by,” Applejack said. “Would you be able to tell me how I can get to Al-Karamaretel from here? What roads I need to take and all?”
“Of course, but I insist that you enjoy our town and all it has to offer for at least a day. We need to show travelers that Fire Vent is still a great place to visit,” Sheriff Crater said.
“Uhh… that’s a nice offer and all but I-”
“I insist. And if you’re going to Al-Karamaretel you’re going to want to be well-rested and relaxed. It’s still quite a ways away from here. Before a long trip doesn’t a dip in the hot springs and getting the perfect spa treatment sound nice?” Sheriff Crater wiggled his eyebrows.
Applejack opened her mouth but then closed it back up, sighing as she dragged a hoof down her. “Yeah alright… I was going to stay the night anyways, what’s one extra day? Can you just draw me up a map or something tomorrow showing where I need to go? Then I’ll be fine.”
“Of course!” Sheriff Crater looked at the pony to his left. “Deputy? If you’d guide our new friend to the Lava Lily Hotel?” He then grinned at Applejack. “It’s the most lavish resort of Fire Vent. Please enjoy your stay there, and feel free to spend all your money tomorrow.” His smile trembled slightly. “Er, I mean, feel free to spend as much as you want tomorrow while enjoying the town.”
Applejack flatly stared at him and fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Okay then.” She looked at his deputy. “We can get going?”
“Yes, it’s just a short walk from here,” the deputy said and started walking down the street from where he had come from.
Applejack shrugged and followed him, throwing a glance at the Sheriff as she walked by. “Thanks for everything.”
“Don’t mention it,” he beamed. “And there’s nothing to worry about here.”
“Huh?” Applejack stopped and raised an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean? I didn’t say I was worried about anything.”
He blinked, gathering his thoughts, and looked away. “Oh. Yeah. Just forget I said that, it’s nothing.”
“Right...” Applejack frowned once more but let it go. Right now she just wanted to get to that hotel, the other stuff could be taken care of tomorrow.
“You know this is a real nice place you’ve got here,” Applejack said as the deputy guided her down the street. “I’m sorry things aint going so well for you, bet this town is a real fun place to be when it’s busy.”
“Yes, it is. Unfortunately we have some issues,” the deputy said.
“I understand. What’s your name anyways, pardner?”
“Sharp Rock,” he answered.
“Well it’s nice to make your acquaintance too.”
“Mhm,” he grunted.
Applejack frowned. Maybe not so nice.
They turned to walk down another street that had even better lighting than the others and on the north side of it was a very large building that took up almost the entire block. It had many maple trees planted in front of it in a row and there were exceptionally detailed stone statues on its walls and roofs, carved as lions and carp fish mostly. Sharp Rock took her to the middle of it and Applejack saw she had to walk up some steps to reach a big set of double doors painted red that really stuck out against the dark stone.
“Here you are. Even with things being like this there should be a pony at the front desk who you can talk to for a room. Have a nice stay,” he said before turning heel and leaving.
“Thanks for bringing me here,” Applejack waved after him but he didn’t bother turning and waving back. She rolled her eyes and started walking up to the door. “Alright then.”
Pulling open the door and walking inside she was greeted by a wide lobby with lacquered and well-polished wooden floors and several smooth stone pillars holding the ceiling up. Each pillar had a number of torches set up on it that gave the room an ample amount of light. To Applejack’s right she saw another doorway with “Rooms” written over it and to her left was a door with “Spa” over it. The walls were painted with elaborate landscapes of flowery orchards and pretty trees under bright blue skies. Directly in front of her, behind the front desk, was a painting of a mountain—or perhaps volcano—that was ringed with puffy clouds at the top.
And speaking of the front desk, an earth pony stallion was sitting behind it, face propped up in his hooves and drool leaking from his mouth. He was fast asleep and Applejack had to clear her throat before his eyes slowly fluttered open.
“Huh?” He drowsily said and looked up at her. His eyes then snapped open quickly. “O-OH! A customer! Really?!”
“Really,” Applejack nodded. “Guess it aint common anymore.”
“Uh, n-no, it’s super common! We get travelers and guests all the time, I was just surprised because it’s a little late… haha… ha...” the receptionist said. Not so convincingly.
Applejack had to fight the urge to roll her eyes or call him out. She was frankly too plum tired after everything else today to bother. “Look, I just want a room. I guess for… two nights now.” She reached into her saddlebag and took out the bag of bits, ruffling through it and pulling out two of the gold coins and putting them on his desk. “That cover it?”
He gawked at the gold coins and picked them up, clinking them together. “Are these real?”
“Course they are, I aint going to scam nopony,” Applejack frowned.
“Well then yes, these are more than enough to cover your room for two nights. Gemstones and crystals are common on this side of the canyon but gold is a rarity… where’d you get these?” He asked.
“I’m uh… from a little far away,” Applejack rubbed the back of her neck.
He shrugged. “Alright, well let me get you your room key.” He reached into a drawer under his desk and took out a big brass key with a tag attached to it by ring.
Applejack took it and noticed the big “1” printed on the tag. “Lots of travelers and guests, huh?”
“Uhh...”
“Look, it’s no big deal to me, just tell me if my room’s right through those doors or not?” Applejack asked and pointed to the right.
“Yep,” he nodded. “You can’t miss it. Tomorrow morning the spa will be open for you, as will the dining room. And I highly suggest visiting our hot springs further up close to the volcano. If you’re staying here for a whole day—well then you’ve gotta experience what Fire Vent is all about.”
“Experience it while spending my money you mean?” Applejack stared.
“Uhh...”
Applejack snorted. “Don’t sweat it, I already got the picture from the Sheriff.” She started walking over to the door leading to the rooms. “Thanks for the room.”
“You’re welcome, enjoy your stay here, and don’t worry about a thing.”
Applejack again stopped and backed up to the front desk, frowning at the receptionist. “Don’t worry about what? Why’d you say that?”
“Say what?” He shifted his eyes away.
“You said don’t worry about anything. What’s there to worry about?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Yes you did.”
“No I didn’t.”
“Yes. You did.”
“I didn’t.”
“You did.”
“Didn’t.”
“Did!”
“Didn’t. And even if I did, there would still be nothing to worry about so what does it matter?”
Applejack furrowed her brow in annoyance and huffed, walking away from the desk. “Alright… you win this round. But I want a nice and normal stay here, you got that? I’m planning on going to bed, eating breakfast, and maybe visiting a hot spring before I leave. That’s all I want from Fire Vent.”
“And I’m sure that’s all you’ll get since there’s nothing to worry about!” He smiled and waved at her as she opened up the door.
Applejack almost replied but instead just bit her lip and ignored him. She hoped the beds here were nice.
Around midnight, when Applejack and most residents of Fire Vent were fast asleep, several dozen ponies from higher up in the mountains started to descend towards the resting town. They were quiet, using the cover of dark to move. For a moment they stopped in the trees outside the town and looked at the nearest streets and buildings. There were a few ponies walking around outside, and the lampposts were still brightly lit.
One of the newcomers stepped out from the trees with a glare on his face and looked back at the others, with a jerk of his head he beckoned them forward and dozens of ponies quickly ran into Fire Vent.