//------------------------------//
// The Mare 
// Story: The Red Eye 
// by HornetElder 
//------------------------------//

I woke up feeling worse the next morning, I assume an after effect of the drug. I wish I could ask Mictail about it but from what I could tell he is still nowhere to be seen. I made myself a small meal before giving myself a quick wash. But before I could gather all my things, I heard a knock on my door, and soon a note fell through the mail slot of my door, gently floating to the ground, following some footsteps walking away from outside my room, a silhouette of a pony walking past my curtained window. I wasn't expecting a mail delivery, not of a note kind anyhow. I reached to pick it up, pulling it out a folded piece of paper that read:



Come meet me at the theatre on 9518 Maneland Rd. by exactly eight o'clock. I will be expecting you. Do make haste.



It wasn't signed by anyone; the handwriting was fancy and well written. The note itself was properly stamped with my whole address on the front of the envelope. I knew the address they gave, having passed it a few times on my way to and from mother's funeral. It would be a long trek from my usual part of town to there, but I think I could make it in time. I gave Flemingway a call rather than bug Ernest about something so miniscule, given the circumstances. I met Flemingway near the harbor after the call just before work, showing him the note. He seemed pretty enthusiastic about it. "Well, well seems you got the attention of a pretty mare! That handwriting was definitely by a gal." I didn't inquire on how he knew that let alone why, but being a lady chaser I came to respect his expertise.

"It doesn't have a name though; the location seems pretty far off too not to mention." Flemingway gave off a soft 'pfft' before rolling his eyes. "So, it'll be a surprise who cares, you should see it through before you miss the chance." After listening to some of his advice I figured it might be worth a shot, though I hadn't had much desire to date though something told me this is probably going to be more than just an attempt at romance. Work was just about the same, minus for Ernest being at his desk. Boss told us he is in mourning before giving me a fat glare, I guess he still holds something against me. This day for me was mostly finalizing my bills and catching up on what I missed last week. I finished the article on Zoe, though I was hoping to get Ernests opinion since he seemed to know her more but that didn't seem to be the case.

I finished up the ending line. "To those who may concern, the death of Zoe Jules is still under investigation and a further update will be given in the next edition if we receive one from the local authorities." I slid the retainer to the left, writing my name and printed a small box for my own signature. I ripped the paper off the writer and gave the box a few scribbles, I never knew how to do a signature let alone in cursive. I stacked the papers up and handed them over to the circulation ponies before finishing on the last few bills. I sighed before handing in my hourly progress report to my boss, he gave me a slight nod, patted my shoulder and sent me back to my desk. The office felt quieter without Ernest though I can't be upset, he has things to take care of.

Work ended early after everyone finished up with their stories and reports, all the prints handed off and sent for publishing. Thankfully it ended just around thirty till seven, giving me some time. Flemingway patted my back as he saw me head to the bus station, giving a slight nod and a grin. Even though I had no idea who I was meeting or why, my curiosity was too hard to resist, guessing from the note it didn't seem to have any hostile attention, the writing and the quality of the envelop felt too fancy to be from the very angry factory workers I had the displeasure of meeting last Saturday. I reached the bus station though as I walked in I had a feeling I was being watched, again. The same feeling I had before I found the book, then I saw him. The individual whom I have seen a few times was again standing far across the lobby of the station, too far for me to reach without sparing a few precious minutes, not to mention the number of ponies around made it difficult to move. 

I kept my eye on them however, though the moment I passed a tall alicorn the figure was gone, out of my sight completely. I stood still for a bit before being pushed along by the flow of people as the intercom of the station kept going off, blurting out times and numbers. I took the seven o'clock bus down the same route I took to get to the funeral. Normally I would sit in the back though by now it was nightfall, the only light gleaming through the windows were the streetlights the bus passed. I sat near the front this time, looking out the window just in case the bus missed the stop, which has happened before. My arm still felt sore from yesterday, specifically around where I injected myself. The pain was dull though it was hardly numbing, just enough to make me flinch every time I exert any force on my arm.

Soon the bus reached a stop just a few miles from the address I was provided. I took the paper out anyhow just to be certain and trotted down the sidewalk. I seemingly entered a wealthier part of the city, colts and mares out and about wearing suits and dresses, music echoing from inside some of the buildings, presumably from parties. I certainly did not look nor dress like I belonged, definitely receiving some stares or glances from passerbyers. The streets were much emptier and quieter without all the usual rabble near where I live.  To everyone else I probably look like a papercolt. I eventually made it to the theatre, though nothing was showing at the moment, nor could I see anyone around the entrance, let alone a mare. 

Though despite the lack of crowd the lights of the theatre were shooting out into the sky, the bulbs forming a pretty pattern along the exterior blinked and flicked in unison, it was quite the sight. I took a seat on a nearby bench, just waiting. I checked my pocket watch to make sure I was on time; I was only a few minutes early thankfully enough. I looked down for a bit, though the moment I looked up a mare dressed in a red dress with long flowing dark hair was in front of me. Her coat was a nice warm blue with eyes that glimmered in the moonlight, her dress draped over her legs and hoofs, evidently a very modest mare. It was her though, the mare I saw on the road.

She looked down at me with a warm smile, giving a soft bow of the head before speaking. "Hello friend, Picardy is it? Louise Vuil."

"Yes."

"Ah very nice to meet you, I'm glad you took my invitation."

"Of course."

We both seemed to be looking into our eyes as though we both were trying to figure each other out, or at least I was. The mare extended a hoof for me to take, I looked at it for a bit before taking it, standing up. It was her, the other name on the list.

"We have some things to discuss, I had the theatre rented for a family gathering soon though we should be able to get some privacy."

"Ok."

I walked with the mare into the theatre, it was somewhat empty besides a few theatres' workers cleaning. 

"I have read your articles for the Maneland post, very interesting developments. Though I cannot tell if it is your own opinion or if you're being instructed." 

I didn't understand the question at first, it felt too complex, but I answered anyways: "Most of it is my opinion, but I follow a prompt." I kept looking forward as I spoke. She smiled and nodded, guiding me into the theatre itself. A propaganda film was playing on the screen, patriotic music playing in the background as an older colt was narrating the film, repeating messages praising the military and industries of Equestria. I paid not much attention to the screen; they usually had the same thing playing on the streets sometimes near recruitment stands. The mare took a seat at the back row of the theatre, it was relatively empty besides the two us now. I sat next to her a few seats from the walkway dividing the columns of seats. Her eyes watched me as I took a seat, I felt her gaze staring at me, but I refused to look back at her. 

"Shy are we?" She asked with a smirk.

"No I'm just-"

She cut me off with a soft chuckle, sighing softly. "No fret, my friend."

I nodded, looking at her before waiting for her to speak, given who she is, I was curious to hear what she had to say. Though I just had to ask: "How did you get my address?"

"Ah, a friend of mine, James Mctail gave me it when I inquired. He seems quite fond of you."

I froze up a bit upon hearing his name again, though it was curious why he had such an interest in my being even though I don't have much worth. "Is that so?"

"Yes, I know he was a friend of your mother, as was I though ever since she was put into the retirement home we never got to speak." She spoke with such a gentle tone of voice, our eyes eventually locked as we spoke. We talked for hours, though nothing sparked my complete interest, but I felt inclined to talk with her for ages, a feeling I never had in forever. She looked at me with a smile, placing a hoof onto mine. She told me stories of mother, remarking on my writings though she then mentioned a very familiar word. "Krivbeknih." My eyes looked up, tilting my head. "Pardon?"

"I've been studying of an ancient god, way before the time of the two sisters, Ug-Qualtoth. I was curious if you heard of it."

I continued to look at her. Though despite that I held the book the mentioned, I shook my head. "No, I haven't." She just smiled at me again, and we went back to talking. We both went silent for a while, looking at each other before our bodies began inching towards one another. Our mouths eventually came into contact, our snouts pressing against each other then our lips collided, pressing against. We stayed like this for an hour or more, I lost track of time. Everything felt wonderful, it felt as if I knew her my entire life. 

"I always wanted to meet you, Picardy. Maybe one day we can have dinner, I'm sure Mctail would love to join us."

I concurred silently, resting against her as we watched the film. My eyes slowly closed as we both fell asleep in each other's embrace. I had a dream again, it felt more pleasant compared to my old dreams. The sense of dread still lingered however, as if I was being watched in my own dream though I could not see what was watching. I could barely remember what had occurred, though it felt like an eternity. She never told me why she wanted to see me, but I believe her sudden embrace of me was the reason. We both slowly woke up; the film having stopped playing.

"Ah right, my guests should be arriving soon. I would love to meet with you again." She tapped a small note card into my bag. I gave her a nod and a soft bow, leaving the theatre promptly after. I took the bus home again, for some reason, I don’t know what, I began thinking of Mother. But I had to get up early next day; so, as I wasn’t feeling hungry, I did without supper, and went straight to bed.