//------------------------------// // First Impression // Story: The Brightside // by DJDemitri //------------------------------// "Papers please." A middle age, light blue, stallion grabbed the crumpled paper that was placed on the counter. He adjusted his glasses to read the document making sure to look specifically for the official stamp by the mayors council. He studied the page for a few moments before stamping it himself. "You're free to go miss." Accenting his words with a wave of his hoof, the orange mare grabbed her papers and headed toward the idle train. "Next!" The conductor shouted. A dark red stallion walked up to the counter and pushed his papers onto the desk. The conductor peered at him noticing the dirty feathers and slicked back mane through his prescription glasses, his judgmental stare giving away his distrust of the stallion. "I wouldn't believe that the Mayor would allow somepony like you to leave. Come on kid, who'd you take these from?" The conductor questioned the Stallion. "Everything on that paper is for me." The stallion replied with heavy Stalliongrad accent. The conductor laughed in response "Really? You haven't even lost your ghetto trash accent yet." He looked on the paper. "Sickle? You're just trying to get arrested aren't you?" Sickle retorted with a humph "What is that supposed to mean?" The conductor's smirk left him "Okay this is ridiculous. You know only accepted individuals are allowed to leave, and you don't even sound like you were allowed walk out of the factory." Sickle became frustrated at his racist comments. "Look you old mud grabber, just stamp the paper and let me go!" Conductor just looked at him in disgust. "No!" "Do it!" "You know what? Even if you were telling the truth, I'm not letting you on now. Just go home idiot." The conductor threw the paper back at Sickle and shut the shutters flopping a closed sign in his face. A group of disgruntled ponies behind Sickle swore and kicked dirt as they left the station. The train itself roared to life as coal was shoved into the fire causing it to spew smoke into the air. Sickle didn't understand what just happened, but realized that he did not receive a stamp. They wouldn't let him on that train. He sat for a moment as the conductor made the call for boarding. They wouldn't let him on the conventional way. He needed to get on the train now. He looked at the last car, there were no guards around it which was surprising. He grabbed at his only chance and flew to the car. He locked himself inside and looked at the mountain of baggage. He needed to hide somewhere, if he was caught before they left Stalliongrad he would be arrested and thrown back into the detention center with them. He pulled out a few bags and threw them to the floor. The cupboard looked just big enough to fit is starving frame. He pulled himself into the space nicely. He realized that he was once again alone in a cramped spot with nopony to talk to or to be around. He was hiding from his problems again and leaving everything behind. "Everything will be different when I get to Manehatten. My life will turn around and I can get my sister back." he whispered to himself with a soft smile of the thought of seeing her again. "I don't care what they say, the grass has to be greener on the other side." He wrapped his wings around himself the best he could in the small spot and cooed himself to sleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Cappuccino! Where are you?" An older mare called through a small window into the kitchen. "Coming mother!" Cappuccino answered in her best sing song voice. She was finishing adding some cinnamon to one of the lattes. She moved the tray across the marble counter to her own whip cream dispenser. The brown and white mare placed the tray into the window. "Order up!" "Just in time, I have a few more orders for you." The earthpony sighed heavily and looked to the clock with relief. "No can do mom! I promised I would work till four. I got to get ready and go to the train station before it leaves without me." The older mare walked into the kitchen. rubbing her tired eyes. "Darling do you really have to go see him?" Cappuccino took off her apron and tossed it onto the counter. "You know I do." Her mother grabbed her by the hoof. "You don't have too. Ever since he left we have been getting along fine. I would really appreciate the help this weekend, You make the best coffee in all Hoofington, it's a shame that you have to go to him and waste your special talent by building his silly wood houses." "Mother please stop. He's my father and I like to see him every now and again. Besides I like building his birdhouses with him, it gives us quality time together." She walked into the bathroom as she spoke analyzing the damage the days work did to her appearance. She combed her cocoa mane, pieces of sugar falling out, letting the knots undo themselves back into its smooth, flat, appearance. Her mother stepped in the doorway "You are still my little filly and I just don't like you getting disappointed every time he sends you right back here. Besides, you always say that you two don't really talk or that he works the whole time." Cappuccino was finishing brushing out her coat almost making the white fur shine. "I already have my bag packed. I will see you by Hearths Warming Eve." Cappuccino walked past her her mother and up the stairs to her room. It was simple with a bed and a desk with a mirror for the morning. Her saddle bag had a dress and some of her sleepwear, as well as her purse filled with her life earnings of forty bits. "I hope he keeps his promise this time..." "Dear are you ready yet?" Her mother called from the downstairs kitchen Cappuccino put her saddlebags on and headed down the stairs. She kissed he mother on the cheek and worked past the line of ponies that built up in the small shop, waiting on their orders to be fulfilled. She headed out of the door into the stormy day. It wasn't raining just yet, but the pegasi were organizing a big one for Hoofington. Luckily she was leaving. Cappuccino looked to a store clock across the street. "Thirty minutes till the train gets here." she whispered to herself. She trotted down the street. Her mind just trailed off letting her legs auto- walk. It really is nice outside. the cool wind and fresh air really does beat the coffee shop. Especially since mother lets ponies smoke. blech I don't care how much "creative flow" she says it generates, it's always so nasty in the kitchen cause of, *SMACK!* Cappuccino was so lost in thought she didn't notice she was already at the train station... or that a stallion was standing in the right position for her to smack nose first into his rump. "S...sorry..." she stuttered embarrassed. He just shot her a nasty look and turned back around. I guess I should really pay more attention. with a sigh, at least she wasn't late. She waited patiently for her turn which took forever it seemed. "Next!" Cappuccino walked up to the desk. "Ah, hello miss Latte. Going to see your old man again? How is he?" The stallion behind the desk asked as he wrote on a small slip of paper. Cappuccino shifted a little in her hooves, she hadn't seen him in so long it was kind of sad. She still put on her best fake smile for him. "Good, he's good." The stallion handed her her ticket. "Here you go, it is still five bits." She reached into her saddlebag and tossed payment on the table. "Have a nice trip dear." He said with a soft smile. She returned with a nod and boarded the train. On the train it was warm and the seats were comfortable.enough to sleep in. It would be a few hours before the train really got to where she needed to be. She sat in her seat letting her mind wander off... "Ma'm." A stallion called to her snapping her awake. "What!" Cappuccino snapped awake startled. He reeled back "I... I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you. It's just that... we can't have you keep your luggage with you." "My saddle bag?" She questioned. He nodded "I could take that for you if you want?" Cappuccino was always wary of other ponies. "No that's okay I'll do it." "Are you sure?" He persisted. "Yes." "Very well, it is the last car and if it is locked the keys should be hanging up. Do be careful ma'm" He pointed to the back door. She got up with her bags and moved to to the last cart. There was nothing but baggage laying everywhere and it all seemed like a cluttered mess. She deemed it reasonable to throw her bag on a shelf to keep it at least a little organized. She found a nice empty shelf and slung her bag into it. "OW!" A yelp of pain escaped from an empty shelf startled her enough to send her back on her hunches. "What?! What w-was th-that!" A red stallion stuck his head out and rubbed his eyes "Me..."