//------------------------------// // That's my chair... // Story: I Can Fix Her // by I Vicious I //------------------------------// The echo of Opalines hooves against the cobblestones reverberated through the empty spaces, emphasizing the solitude that enveloped her. The rhythmic sound was irregular, and betrayed her fatigue and the strain of her journey. Her breaths come in ragged gasps, intermingling with the cool evening breeze that carried a faint scent of petrichor, a promise of raindrops soon to fall. Opaline's once-lustrous coat now glistened with a sheen of sweat, and reflected the ambient light like a muted opal. Her eyes, wide and weary, dart around as if searching for a respite that remains elusive. The weight of exhaustion was palpable in the way she stumbled over uneven paved stones, occasionally she would catch herself on the edges of quaint storefronts. As she moved, the air seemed to thicken with a sense of urgency, her hooves scraped against the ground like a weary heartbeat. Opaline staggered through the town, her body  was pushed beyond its limits. Relying on her wings and teleportation to get around had taken a toll on her physical well-being. If not for the stairs in her castle, she would have lacked any semblance of regular exercise. Her fatigue began to fade as a sudden surge of energy and rage overcame her upon seeing posters bearing her image plastered on every wall of every building.  “The audacity to insult my exquisite face," she exclaimed at the indignation, "I will command the respect these ponies that I deserve before the day is through," she declared, her determination was unwavering. She gazed at the setting sun positioned just above the horizon, she contemplated, "Or perhaps tomorrow, when I..." Seating herself, she became acutely aware once again of the exhaustion that permeated her body. "Such a swift descent from grace," she mused, acutely aware of the distance she had plummeted from power in such a brief span; how the ponies had usurped the magic that was rightfully hers. She reclined on the bench, fully cognizant that her mind had swiftly succumbed to the relentless dominance of fatigue. The weary tyrant conceded defeat, and gave way to unconsciousness on the bench. Awakening to the gentle tapping of a hoof on her shoulder, she struggled to half-open her eyes. Upon encountering Hitch poking her, she dismissed it as a nightmare and allowed herself to drift back into slumber. "Ma'am, are you okay?" were the final words she registered before succumbing once again to unconsciousness. Opaline slowly opened her eyes, and was greeted by the soft glow of muted sunlight filtering through heavy curtains. The room felt cool, and as she shifted in the unfamiliar bed, she noticed the crisp, clean sheets beneath her hooves. The faint rustle of fabric hinted at the presence of curtains gently swaying in the breeze from an open window.  The room carried a distinct scent that filled her senses—the comforting aroma of tea infused with honey. The fragrance wafted from a small wooden tray on the bedside table, where a steaming cup of chamomile tea awaited her. The sweet, floral notes of honey lingered in the air, creating a soothing atmosphere that contrasted with the air of uncertainty surrounding her. As Opaline sat up, the creaking of the bed frame beneath her added a subtle auditory layer to the scene. She took a deep breath, inhaling the calming scent of the tea once more, and her ears caught the distant hum of activity outside the closed door—muffled voices, hoofsteps, and the occasional shuffle of paperwork.  Her bare hooves met the cool, smooth surface of the stone floor.. The room had a certain hollowness, hinting at its institutional nature. She stood up and approached the window, the light filtering through the curtains warming her face. Peering through the fabric, Opaline saw the world outside, bathed in soft afternoon light. "How did I end up here?" she wondered, pondering the events that led to her current situation. The last recollection was of reclining in a public space, a notion she audibly scoffed at, finding it distasteful and incongruent with her usual standards. "Good morning," greeted a familiar orange Earth pony as he entered the cell. Opaline bit her tongue, suppressing the urge to lash out at him for being part of those who sabotaged her grand plan. "I apologize for the lack of amenities. This is the guest bedroom in the police station." "A police station?" Opaline pondered. Had her deception been so easily uncovered, and was this cunning pony now merely toying with her? Hitch smiled, "When you're ready, I have tea and biscuits in the main area of the station. I hope they're to your liking." Opaline grinned, evidently he hadn’t figured it out.. Bounding out of bed, Opaline brushed past Hitch, trotting into the main area. She boldly claimed Hitch's seat, seized a biscuit with her wing, and took a hearty bite. Hitch hesitated, settling into the seat beside her, looking uncertain about what to do next. "Hey, I was pretty worried about you last night. I thought you might have had one too many apple ciders, and I wanted to make sure you had a place to sleep it off safely," Hitch explained. This brought about a momentary pause from Opaline. When was the last time a pony did anything for her without being ordered? She cast a thoughtful glance at Hitch before resuming her focus on the food. . Hitch stared at her for a moment; unicorns were generally larger than other races, but even by those standards, she was rather sizable, towering over him. Her hair featured a traditional curl, with highlights that ran through the strands, and her fur boasted a stunning, deep blue hue. As he turned his eyes towards her, he was caught off guard when she asked, "What are you looking at?" Surprised that she had picked up on his subtle glances, he stammered for a moment before composing himself. "I... um... How are you feeling after last night?" Hitch inquired, his concern evident in his hesitant words. "Exhausted," she snapped, catching Hitch off guard.  It was as if she suddenly became aware of her surroundings, and her demeanor shifted. "I mean, I'm okay. Thanks for helping me," she added, adopting a more composed tone. She understood that if she didn't want to raise suspicion, playing the part of a regular pony was essential. Hitch seemed satisfied with her response, and internally, she breathed a sigh of relief. She nodded, a small but genuine thank-you — more than anypony had received from her in a long time. Which got a small smile from Hitch in return. "If you're still feeling worse for wear, I can take you to a hayburger restaurant. I could buy you a meal and get your fluids replenished after last night," Hitch offered, displaying a genuine concern for her well-being. This elicited a smile from Opaline. Not only had her sworn enemy assisted her in recovering from exhaustion, but now he was offering to pay for her food. How delicious. "I'd like that; what a gentlestalion you are," she remarked, the irony not lost on her. Both ponies grinned at each other, each harboring entirely different reasons for their amusement.